Seymore Saves the World
The Triple Rock Social Club

Ever wish the Twin Cities had their own answer to Ben Folds? Well my friend, Aladdin was hiding around the corner and your wish has been granted—Seymore Saves the World is here and ready to keyboard-rock your ass silly. Comprised of vocalist/keyboardist Scott Hefte, bassist Shawn Neary and drummer Michael McGregor, Seymore conjure up a smooth ’70s pop vibe throughout their self-released debut EP. Employing a vast array of old-school keyboard sounds that could easily come off cheesy sounding in the wrong hands, Hefte wields a deft touch with his Nintendo-ish pop managing to generate plenty of human warmth courtesy of his melancholy boyish vocals and some nice harmony work from Neary that will inevitably have some listeners thinking back to their favorite moments off of Ben Folds Five’s Whatever and Ever Amen. I certainly would love to hear what Hefte could crank out on a Steinway and here’s hoping Seymore Saves the World’s EP gets enough acclaim he can afford to buy one. With The Squareshooters, Islero. 9 p.m. $5. 21+. 629 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-333-7399. Also on Friday, April 29 at the Hexagon Bar with Duplomacy, Middlepicker and Lifestyle of Wigs. 9 p.m. Free. 21+. 2600 27th Ave. S., Mpls. 612-722-3454. Rob van Alstyne

Gabe Barnett
The Acadia Cafe and Theatre

Do not underestimate the awesome power of folk music. Stick it to “The Man” by heading down to Acadia for an eclectic night of music with subverted socio-political themes and undertones featuring local folk hero Gabe Barnett. Barnett—a self described “Dylan wannabe” (who wouldn't want to be?!) meets Hank Williams’ sad ramblings—provides deep, rich vocals. Acoustic guitar and occasional harmonica round out this young singer/songwriter’s sound. Heartfelt poetic lyrics will strike a chord with the socially and politically aware, as well as the lonely and broken-hearted. Be sure to pick up a copy of the free self-titled CD at this show. With the good ‘ol fashion rock ‘n’ roll of Mercer, Mighty Fairly (think Brian Wilson doing vocal harmonies for Modest Mouse) and The Cole Allen Band (fans of B.B. King and Robert Johnson will appreciate C.A.B.) for an all-around evening of independent music. 8 p.m. $3. All ages. 1931 Nicollet Ave S., Mpls. 612-874-8702. Aaron Neumann

Patrick Tierney, Friendly No One
The Uptown Bar

It’s a dual CD release show for two relative newcomers to the Twin Cities scene—and no door charge to boot! Those looking for acoustic solitude can vibe on Tierney, who’s unveiling his sophomore album, Umbrella. Always an emotive vocalist, Tierney clicks on all cylinders when he marries his pleasing windpipes to more intricate fingerpicked patterns and gussies up his arrangements a little (as opposed to going the played out solo strummer route). The cello-abetted “All Up To Me” is particularly affecting. On the other side of the equation from Tierney’s solo ruminations is the darkly cathartic rock combo Friendly No One. The Cleveland Specials, Friendly No One’s long-tinkered-with debut album, is the product of a year spent working in the group’s apartment-based home studio, and an obvious attention to detail defines the lengthy listening experience (the album clocks in at just under an hour). Veering between jazzy clean-strummed guitars and power-chorded crunch on their generally windy tunes, Friendly No One exhibit a great deal of promise. This is the rare band who talk about exploring “the boundlessness of rock music” in their press release and aren’t totally bullshitting you. With Rank Strangers, Emily Temte. 9 p.m. Free. 21+. 3018 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls. 612-823-4719. van Alstyne

Decade of the Wolf
Minnesota Zoo

Ten years ago, wolves were set free again in Yellowstone National Park, a controversial project that generated newfound interest in wolves. For millions of people around the world, the image of wolves running free through Yellowstone National Park has become the ultimate symbol of the American wilderness. Now a recently-released film, “Decade of the Wolf: Returning the Wild to Yellowstone,” recounts that historic project, and one of the project’s leaders will appear in Minneapolis to talk about the film. Douglas W. Smith will tell stories about the wolves and how their presence has reintroduced ecological balance to the nation’s first national park. 7 p.m. IMAX Theater at the Minnesota Zoo, 12000 Zoo Blvd, Apple Valley. $20, $10 children. Proceeds benefit the zoo’s conservation fund and the International Wolf Center. Theater 952-431-4629; tickets 952-431-9200. Brian Kaller

Negroes With Guns: Rob Williams and Black Power
Bell Auditorium

“Negroes With Guns: Rob Williams and Black Power” is a documentary by Sandra Dickson of the life and struggles of Robert Williams. There were many people and some organizations that advocated armed self-defense for civil rights workers in the South in the ‘60s. Deacons for Defense was one such organization in Mississippi, but the most famous advocate was Robert Williams of Monroe, N.C. He led struggles to integrate swimming pools, lunch counters and public facilities. He organized rifle clubs in the black communities. But Williams differed from most leaders of civil rights groups in that he was not pledged to nonviolence, stating, “They had to be convinced we would fight for justice. We will meet violence with violence.” A white couple who took a shortcut through the black community at the height of the tension was detained for a couple of hours for their own protection. They were escorted to police lines and released without harm, but Williams was accused of kidnapping. He believed he would not get a fair trial, so he and his wife fled to Cuba. They founded Radio Free Dixie, and broadcast information to the southern United States from Cuba. He wrote “Negroes With Guns” while in Cuba—a book was the intellectual basis for the founding of the Black Panther Party. Williams and his wife later went to China, but he wanted to come home. In 1969 he returned to the U.S., and by 1976 North Carolina finally dropped all charges against him. One week only, through May 5. 7:15 & 9:15 p.m. nightly with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 5:15. U Film Society, 17th & University Ave. SE, Mpls. 612-331-3134. Ed Felien

40 Watt Bulb
The Fineline Music Café

40 Watt Bulb have been giving the interstates and highways that canvas the central and southern region of Minnesota a damn near constant workout since the release of their album, Shovel’s Length Short, last August and show no signs of stopping. Front man Drew Peterson is prone toward simple and cynical lyricism, and the group caters to those hardworking folks who need to take their mind off the bullshit politics of work and simply zone out for a while. 40 Watt Bulb are a great band to listen to when you’re stuck in traffic and wanna shoot the tires out of the guy in front of you. The banjo and mandolin (Mike Kylochko should take a bow) provide the fundamental heartbeat of the band’s delivery. If only every band occupying this specialized acoustic niche delivered the goods in a similar manner. With Billy Johnson’s Roadshow, After All, The Profits. 8 p.m. $6. 21+. 318 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8100. Louis Lenzmeier

May Day Parade
Bloomington Ave. and 26th St.

May Day is the only international holiday celebrated in almost every country of the world—every country except the one that started it, the United States. A happy exception is South Minneapolis, where for more than three decades residents have held a parade and ceremony featuring floats, booths and giant puppets. The Powderhorn neighborhood’s celebration nicely fuses the two May Days: the international political holiday commemorating the striking employees massacred in Chicago in 1886, and the traditional European holiday that announces the arrival of spring. Heart of the Beast puppet and mask theater will bring its creations, the result of thousands of hours of volunteer work, to the festival. The parade will begin at Bloomington Ave. and 26th St., wind down Bloomington Ave. and end in Powderhorn Park, where vendors will sell food and drinks, bands will perform live music and Heart of the Beast will enact their annual Tree of Life Ceremony. Free. 1 p.m.; festivities end at dusk. 612-721-2535 or HOBT.org. Kaller

Cuppa Peace
Coffee Grounds

The Coffee Grounds and Nonviolent Peaceforce present “Cuppa Peace,” featuring Rachel Nelson and speakers from Nonviolent Peaceforce. Rachel Nelson’s passionate live performances include brilliant melodies that range from Celtic simplicity to blues or jazzy grooves. Speakers from Nonviolent Peaceforce will inspire with the story of a locally-grown global organization—its co-founder, Mel Duncan, lives right in the neighborhood —that is making major strides in developing Gandhi’s vision of a nonviolent army. You’re sure to be inspired with this story of practical, effective nonviolence in action. 7 – 9:30 p.m. 1579 Hamline Ave N. (near Larpenteur), St. Paul. kaller

The Trashcan Sinatras
The 400 Bar

Thought Teenage Fanclub were the only elegant pop combo from Glasgow, Scotland, to make the move from beloved early ’90s college rock favorites to can’t-catch-a-break-or-U.S.-record-deal status? Think again! Turns out there’s another band with a startlingly similar pedigree, and equally skilled way with time tested melodic pop-rock hooks. Although slightly less punchy than the Fanclub boys, The Trashcan Sinatras graceful Scottish pop is equally worthy of space in any serious anglophile’s pop music collection (picture a slightly less maudlin Travis and you’re in the ballpark). Weightlifting, the Trashcan’s fourth album, is their first in eight years, but the band doesn’t sound like it’s missed a beat. Perhaps that’s why they call some music timeless …With Kid Dakota. 9 p.m. $13 adv / $15 door. 21+. 400 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-332-2903. van Alstyne