David Poe
The Bryant Lake Bowl

David Poe may “officially” live in New York City, but he’s entwined himself closely enough with the Twin Cities music scene (as a fixture in Kraig Johnson’s backing band The Program) that one can be forgiven for mistaking Poe’s home address as somewhere in Minneapolis. Tonight he’ll be showcasing songs from his just-released third album, Love Is Red, a unique live recording that spotlights new material, as well as some reworking of top-notch cuts off his previous two recorded platters. A witty wordsmith and always energized performer, be ready for emphatic strumming, sassy lyricism and wide grinning from Poe, the rare singer/songwriter who makes you want to get up out of your seat and pump your fist rather than sit back and sip a latte. With Kraig Johnson, The Original Mark Edwards, The Melismatics. 7 p.m. $15. All Ages. 810 W. Lake St., Mpls. 612-825-8949. Rob van Alstyne

Built to Spill
First Avenue

The definitive jam band for indie-rockers, Built to Spill have been keepin’ it like a mega-secret in the exceedingly quiet four years since their last album, the completely underwhelming Ancient Melodies of the Future. Last I checked, however, Doug Martsch still rode swirling-guitar-stairways-to-indie-rock-heaven better than all comers, and knew his way around a wistful tune, so there’s always hope that BTS’s long-awaited new album (which still hasn’t wrapped recording) will be a welcome return to totemic-Northwestern-indie-rock form. You’ll get the chance to judge for yourself at this pair of gigs, as the band will likely be debuting much of the material on stage—right before your very eyes! As long as Martsch ditches the totally gross headband and unfortunate “Freebird” cover that marred their last otherwise great performance I caught in town, this show should be sublime. With Mike Johnson. 9 p.m. $8. 21+. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388. And again on Thu. May 5. 6 p.m. $15. All Ages. van Alstyne

Robert Putnam
Westminster Presbyterian Church

In his 2000 book, “Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community,” Harvard professor Robert Putnam came to a shocking conclusion. We have become a nation of lonely, isolated people, and all forms of human interaction have declined dramatically in the last 30 years. Families having dinner together, neighbors coming over for poker games, Kiwanis, bowling leagues, political participation, voting—all were common in the America of 30 years ago, and all have become rare, practiced only by the elderly. His 2003 follow-up, “Better Together: Restoring the American Community,” written with Lewis Feldstein, describes ways that people across America are re-weaving our social fabric and restoring hope. Putnam will talk about the reasons for the decline of American society. noon. 1200 Marquette Ave., Mpls. smckenna@wpc-mpls.org or 612.332.3421. Brian Kaller

Nora O’Connor
The 400 Bar

After years spent in the role of stunning guest vocalist on innumerable solid albums, such as the New Pornographers and Andrew Bird, Chicago chanteuse Nora O’Connor finally stepped out on her own last year with the release of ‘Til the Dawn, a side of tasty Americana meat. Although just a half-hour long and a bit light on original material (six of the nine cuts are covers), O’Connor more than makes up in artful execution what she might lack in songwriting prolificacy. A tuneful singer with musical chops who tactfully avoids the oversinging cowgirl route, O’Connor’s laid-back, slightly jazzy delivery is perfectly suited for her material. Besides, anyone who can recast a Stevie Nicks tune (“That’s Alright”) spectacularly enough to make a life-long Fleetwood Mac-hater like myself possibly reconsider their position is truly a musical genius. With The Pines, The Julie Puppets. 9 p.m. $5 adv / $7 door. 21+. 400 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-332-2903. Nathan Dean

Low Skies
The Minnesota Museum of American Art

The ideal band to share a bill with our own kings of the musical macabre, Kid Dakota, Chicago’s Low Skies craft similarly theatrical and downbeat epics. The group’s recent EP, I Have Been To Beautiful Places, manages to make a lasting (and exceedingly haunting) impact over its five tracks. Whether opting for sweeping grandiosity (the eight-and-a-half minute “New Deal”) or restrained noir warble (the organ heavy dirge “Pull It Over”), Low Skies deliver the goods. It’s exceedingly strange to hear this sort of music paired with an exceptionally tuneful and rich vocalist (front man Christopher Salveter sounds like an Americanized Morrisey on more than one occasion), but the contrast is perfect, injecting unexpected beauty into the heavy-lidded despair of songs with titles like “Funeral Pew.” With Kid Dakota. 7 p.m. $7 ($5 for MMA Members). All Ages. Kellogg Blvd. at Market St., St. Paul. 651-266-1030. van Alstyne

Amy Goodman
Wesley United Methodist Church

For two decades, Amy Goodman has fearlessly reported the real news, the stories that should be headlines on CNN and FOX. At times she has risked her own life filing news reports from war zones, as when she was badly beaten while reporting on the genocide in East Timor—a story not a single U.S. news outlet covered. As the host of “Democracy Now!,” Goodman has been one of the first to report on America’s most important issues long before they “leak” into the elite media. She frequently tours the country, talking with regular Americans in churches and town halls. This Saturday, Goodman returns to the Twin Cities to talk with Americans here about her new book, “The Exception to the Rulers: Exposing Oily Politicians, War Profiteers, and the Media That Love Them.” Proceeds benefit KFAI Radio, Minneapolis Television Network (MTN, public access) and the St. Paul Neighborhood Network. 7 p.m. $15. 101 E. Grant St., Mpls. http://www.indietickets.com or 612-341-3144. Kaller

Breast Cancer Benefit
The Triple Rock Social Club

Yet another case of local musicians banding together to benefit a worthy cause, this special show rounds up some of the best talent in town from all corners of the music scene (alt. Country to punk rock) to help lead the fight against breast cancer. The bands will be donating their time and talent to help the fundraising efforts of Lara Bollweg of Minneapolis and Laura Grimes of Eagan, who will join thousands of other dedicated women and men at the Twin Cities Breast Cancer 3-Day, benefiting the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. The participants will walk 60 miles on June 24-26 to increase breast cancer awareness and to raise money for critical research and community outreach programs. So even if your physical conditioning isn’t up to the 60-mile journey, you can at least do your part by making the short trip on down to the Rock and plunking down some money for the great tunes. Really, it’s the least you could do. Featuring: Superhopper, Martin Devaney, Mike Gunther & His Restless Souls, The Lonely Assassins Club. 9 p.m. $7. 21+. 629 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-332-2903. van Alstyne

Trio Tipo
Coffee Grounds

“Music at once familiar and strangely exotic” would be a fair description of Trio Tipo. Steve Haskin writes music that combines Middle Eastern, Spanish and Brazilian rhythms with jazz melodic lines. He is joined by the excellent guitar playing of Don Sellers and the sure beat of Terry Lee Storhaug on percussion. They’re easy to listen to without being Easy Listening. 8 p.m. 1579 Hamline Ave. N., Falcon Heights. 651-644-9959. Ed Felien

Media Fair
Twin Cities Public Television, St. Paul

By 2006 Congress wants to make television and radio go digital. Expensive for broadcasters to implement and unaffordable for many citizens to access, what are the implications? Will government and corporations have even more control of information? Local media activists and public broadcasters are holding a Citizens Media Fair on this critical issue for democracy. 6:30 – 9 p.m. Free. 175 E. 4th St. @ Sibley, Lowertown, St. Paul. 651-229-1559 or Lee Dechert at idechert@tpt.org. Lydia Howell