Candlelight Service and Call to Action
St. Joan of Arc Church

For some reason, lighting candles perfectly symbolize ideas of peace and hope. This candlelight service is being held for the children of Iraq and other child victims of war. Event organizers hope that by keeping alive in our collective hearts the memories of innocent children, we can renew our own hope and recommit ourselves to speaking out publicly against war, injustice and the ‘politics of empire.’ 6:30 p.m. 4537 3rd Ave. S., Mpls. Rebecca Thurn

Beau Kinstler, Martin Devaney, Joanna James
400 Bar

Beau Kinstler goes out in style as he celebrates the end of his year-long Thursday night stint at the 400 Bar, with a couple of the best singer/songwriters in town. Martin Devaney’s downhome Dylan-esque folk irony and humor is unsurpassed. His open enthusiasm for singing and songwriting is contagious. Joanna James’ sweet vocals seem to come from a place far older than her youthful years could feasibly know. James digs deep inside, pulling up the most stunning range of raw blues vocalizations I’ve heard in this town. Her versatile range is at turns hypnotically smooth as silk, and spine-tinglingly arousing. Folk rocker Beau Kinstler, recently named “one of the reasons the scene is now” by Jim Walsh of City Pages, has contributed his voice to Soul Asylum, Mark Olson of the Jayhawks, Detroit and James McMurtry, and in early December he opened for Spoon. This is your last chance to see Kinstler in town for a while. Come down as he and friends carry the torch of fine folk-singing, Minnesota-style. 9 p.m. $5. 400 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-332-2903. Cyn Collins

Dysfunctional Holidays
7th Street Entry

With the political right wing on the rampage, I’ll take my blue cabbie hat off to anyone who’s proudly promoting “the gay agenda.” Hence, yay for Homocore Minneapolis! The Dysfunctional Holidays show it’s putting on promises to be a gay ol’ time, with a ton of bands and performance artists. This is not your mainstream queer event—for one thing, many of the performers and audience members don’t identify as queer; for another, the music is really diverse, combining hip hop artists with folk singers and punk bands. According to co-organizer Lisa Ganser (also of the Flaming Film Festival), some of the goals of Homocore Minneapolis are to make music and culture accessible to young people under 21, and to represent different aspects of queer culture that are typically under-represented. Personally, I’m excited to see hip hop artist Tori Fixx (pictured) and folkster Coleman Lindberg. Lindberg’s wistful, guy-and-his-guitar confessions are beautifully crafted, one part poignant and one part funny. Woodcat will also put on a great show, though their music is tough to describe … it’s kind of dark, kind of folk, kind of peppered with loud screams. Need another reason to go? Your cover charge will go for not one, but two worthy causes: The District 202 Gender Group and to help an uninsured local artist with unaffordable dental bills. Both shows emceed by Go-Go Pimp and include short performances by Elijah Rose and Gaea. Earl all ages show with Sick of Sarah, Tori Fixx, Running on Empty, Coleman Lindberg and Woodcat; 21+ show with Gay Beast, Tori Fixx, Ganglion, Mannequin Hanjob and Bernie the Trailer Park Queen. 5 & 9 p.m. $6. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-332-1775. Michelle Lee

Profane Existence 16th Anniversary Show
Triple Rock Social Club

Profane Existence promises to make punk threatening for yet another year. The past two years have brought about many changes for the local Punk (with a capital “P”) record label/collective/magazine; not only have they switched their magazine from a free newspaper to a glossy, book-formatted magazine, they have also put out over twenty CDs and records. Profane Existence will be celebrating its 16th year anniversary and new album releases the old-fashioned way: with a punk show. Bringing enough black t-shirts and silver studs to make Mötorhead proud, Portland-based Hellshock will be playing songs off of their newest (self-released) album Shadows of the Afterworld, as well as older material. Philadelphia’s Witch Hunt are always a crowd pleaser with their female fronted punk assault; be prepared to walk away from their set feeling like you can change the world for the better. The show also features the album release of New York City’s Though Crime (with former members of Suicidal Supermarket Trolleys and Distraught) who play Conflict-style anarcho-punk, plus local haunting d-beat favorite Garmonbozia and the album release of local punk fixture Ass (new to the Profane Existence family). There is also an ID show with Imperial Leather, Cooters, Provoked and Disrespect. 5 p.m. (All Ages) & 10 p.m. (21+) $10/$15 for both shows. 629 Cedar Ave., Mpls. 612-333-7499. Sam Richard

Adam Levy, John Ostby, Ted Nesseth, Darren Jackson
400 Bar

Tonight will be a night to remember, as lead singers of the Honeydogs, Spymob, Heavenly States and Kid Dakota/the Hopefuls sing for us at the 400. The charismatic Adam Levy, singer/songwriter for the Honeydogs, writes songs imbued with his interests in world politics and social justice and inspired by his work as a St. Paul social worker. He’s working on a directorial debut of a feature-length film version of Honeydogs’ concept album, 10,000 Years, dedicated to the memory of Senator Paul Wellstone. John Ostby (Spymob), taking a break from touring with N.E.R.D., is contributing his ironic smooth-like-Steely-Dan vocals to this stellar singer/songwriter night. Ted Nesseth, currently with Oakland, California’s the Heavenly States, is renowned for his energetic rants and playing guitar upside down. South Dakota transplant Darren Jackson (aka Kid Dakota) brings us songs stark and lonely as a prairie sky. With the Hopefuls, his songs are, well, more hopeful, yet still feature his incisive wit. Hearing him solo allows his poignant lyricism to seep into our veins. 9 p.m. $7. 400 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-332-2903. Elise Phillips

POPaganda: The Art and Subversion of Ron English
Bell Auditorium

Everyone is familiar with the legendary 12th century hero Robin Hood and his merry band of thieves who stole from the rich to give to the poor. His legend has survived the centuries through the oral story telling tradition. Today, in the 21st century—the Age of Information—a portrait of a similar modern-day hero emerges in director Pedro Carvajal’s new documentary, “POPaganda: The Art and Subversion of Ron English.” Nicknamed the “Robin Hood of Madison Avenue” for his guerilla billboard-liberation tactics—stealing billboard space from rich corporations to bring art and free speech back to the consumer masses—artist Ron English, with his own merry band of thieves (Billboard Liberation Front, ArtFux, Shepard Fairey and Cicada) and minstrels (music by The Dandy Warhols, Daniel Johnston, Tripping Daisy and much more), paints, subverts, penetrates and parodies modern culture on his canvas directly to thousands of pirated billboards across the boroughs of New York and throughout cities in Texas, California, Amsterdam, Colorado and the Soviet Union. Filmmaker Pedro Carvajal, the loyal “Little John” to this modern day hero, chronicles Ron English’ 20-year rise from college art major to renowned surrealist painter and weekend-warrior culture-jammer (who has only been arrested once!). English infuses his political beliefs and wicked sense of humor on to Corporate America’s Advertising billboard space for the sake of the people: namely … consumers. English will long be remembered in the annals of Internet blogs, print and broadcast media because, like all powerful artwork, his work transcends time … and billboard space. A sample billboard slogan of the legendary Ron English reads: “Drink Coca Cola. It Makes You Fart.” Dec. 30 - Jan. 5. 7:15 & 9:15 p.m. $5 - $8. 10 Church St. (17th Ave & University Ave. S.E. 612-331-3134.info@mnfilmarts.org. Jennifer Nemo

Bell Bash
Bell auditorium

After last year’s success with the silent film/local music format, Minnesota Film Arts (MFA), the Bell Museum of Natural History and the Whole Music Club partner again to ring in the New Year. The 1960 Japanese near-silent film, “The Naked Island,” accompanied by the minimalist soundscapes of local group Fog and F.W. Murnau’s silent “Tabu, A Story of the South Seas,” accompanied by the raw and instinctive rhythms of local hip-hop group Traditional Methods. The screenings will be followed by food, drink and music and films from the MFA’s Search and Rescue archive. Doors 7 p.m., Tabu 7:30 p.m., Naked Island 9:30 p.m. $12 -$15 10 Church St. SE (17th & University Ave. SE), Mpls. 612-331-7563. Rebecca Thurn

New Year’s Eve
Hexagon

Bring in New Year’s with a bang! And what better way than seeing several of the best Twin Cities’ bands playing in one place, for free, at the Hexagon. While indeed there are more phenomenal shows this night than you can shake a stick at, this is one that’s at the top of my list. The Hex is renowned for their extravaganza nights, and this one will to be one of the funnest yet with bands Murzik, Seldom Seen, Bridge Club, Fort Wilson Riot and Thunder in the Valley. Murzik’s “dark folk” with beautifully eerie East Euro tinges infused with old world Balkan accordion transports you to another time and place. Welcome Jacob Grun to the Hex, Seldom Seen’s lead who is now contributing his excellent skills at running the sound at the Hex, and is treating us to his excellent vocal skills performing with his great band. Bridge Club, Fort Wilson Riot and Thunder in the Valley put on some of the most outrageous, exciting performances in town. Fort Wilson Riot are always full of mischievous new surprises, and each show surpasses their last. Who knows what’s in store this week? Can’t wait to find out. The show starts early, at 8, and goes till way late as the parties continue all over the neighborhood near the Hex after closing time. Come down early to get your Hexercise and make some noise. 8 p.m. Free. 2596 27th Ave. S., Mpls. 612-722-3454. Cyn Collins

Lord of the Rings Marathon
Riverview Theater

A dream come true! A LOTR trilogy marathon, hosted by one of the most beautiful theaters in town, the legendary Riverview. For many of us who can’t get enough of Peter Jackson’s magic with cinematography and the achingly beautiful drama of one of the best stories of all time, this is not to be missed. The schedule is as follows: “The Fellowship of the Ring” at 11 a.m.; “The Two Towers” at 2:45 and “The Return of the King” at 7 p.m. Costumes are encouraged and there will be a costume contest. There will also be a “swap meet” at the theater. for trading items between screenings. For this special event, the Riverview is offering breakfast items. Kitty corner from the Riverview is the Riverview Wine Bar, an exquisitely cozy place to dash off for a nice glass of wine and LOTR talk during breaks. Advanced tickets are available at the Riverview. 11 a.m. $6/$7. 3800 42nd Ave. S., Mpls. RiverviewTheater.com. 612-729-7369. Cyn Collins