Damascus Mile
@ The Fine Line Music Café

The first time I heard local outfit Damascus Mile’s lead singer Jaired Johnson I had to do a double take. Johnson’s voice demands attention, its a towering presence whose greatness is not up for debate. Tina Kordiak is the female drummer in this otherwise all-guy band and she provides a crucial rhythmic heartbeat to the positive message oriented act. Her best asset is the way she complements Johnson’s vocals with drumbeats that don’t drown out those can’t-turn-away vocals. With DeYarmond Edison, Summit Avenue and Cathode Rae. 7 p.m. $3. 21+. 318 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8100. (Louis Lenzmeier)

Add Water & Stir
@ Patrick’s Cabaret

If you’re into improv, Add Water & Stir at Patrick’s Cabaret has got a night set up just for you. It’s held once a month and regularly features artists in different disciplines who are interested in improvising in performance. There is never any prepared work; every performance is devised right there, on the spot. At the end of the show, there’s a long form structure for all of the evening’s performers to do together. Add Water & Stir is hosted by choreographer and improv performer Janet Skidmore, who studied where improvisation is the order of the day — the Brave New Institute. This month’s installment features dance by Skidmore and the music of Future Lisa. Says Skidmore, “I’m interested in figuring out how to craft work in performance with others who improvise in different disciplines. What holds a jazz music improvisation together, for example, and how is that similar to or different from what holds a scene together in theater improvisation? I think we can all learn a lot from each other about what makes for good improvisation in a performance.” 7:30 p.m. $5. Patrick’s Cabaret, 3010 Minnehaha Ave. S., Mpls. 612-721-3595. (Dwight Hobbes)

Living Out
@ Mixed Blood Theatre

Lisa Loomer’s “Living Out,” which played to all kinds of critical praise in its Off-Broadway run at Second Stage Theatre, gives us an interesting situation. Set in modern-day Los Angeles, it tells the story of a Salvadoran immigrant named Ana who has her hands completely full. She’s desperate to obtain legal status so that she can bring the 11-year-old son she left behind to the U.S., even as she’s already tending to the 6-year-old living with her and her loving-but-mucho-macho-of-machismo husband. Looking for work as a nanny, she finds out in short order that prospective employers aren’t the least bit interested in hiring someone who has a life. So, she tells a lie that gets her hired — and eventually comes back to haunt her. Hopefully, the play will offer any original insights to the politics of immigration and the problems of contemporary working mothers across the social and economic spectrum and Ana will be okay. April 16 – May 15. Thu. – Sat. Times vary. $10–$22. Mixed Blood Theatre, 1501 S. 4th St., Mpls. 612-338-6131. (Dwight Hobbes)

The Slats
@ The Triple Rock Social Club

The Slats specialize in ill-mannered-running-with-scissors-rock ‘n’ roll – these guys are flat out dangerous. A trio rooted in Minneapolis and Iowa City, Brian Cox (vocals, guitar), John Hansen (guitar, vocals) and Mark Tietjen (drums) craft mid-fi tunes with pop sensibilities that like to keep things interesting by getting all nasty every once in a while. It’s the kind of unpredictable mélange of noise and melody that used to have people creaming their pants over Guided By Voices – and the Slats do it nearly as well as Pollard and Co. back in the day (and had similar home recorded release beginnings). With the Casual Dots and The Reputation (The Slats open the night). 9 p.m. $7. 21+. 629 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-332-2903. (Nathan Dean)

Marah,
Moon Maan
@ The 400 Bar

Roughly four years ago Marah were being touted as the rightful heirs to Bruce Springsteen’s working class rock throne, with critics falling over themselves to heap praise upon the bands boisterous sophomore LP, Kids in Philly. Led by brothers Serge and Dave Bielanko the band mashed together blue-eyed Philly soul with banjos and lyrics about embittered Vietnam veterans and came up with their own 21st century take on The Wild, The Innocent and the E Street Shuffle. Then came Float Away With the Friday Night Gods – a bloated LP over-produced by Owen Morris (best known for helming Brit-pop albums by the likes of Blur and the Verve) that couldn’t even be saved by a guest appearance from the Boss himself. Fans were disappointed, critics snarky, and Marah’s momentum had been dealt a severe blow. Now two years on from that disappointment, the band are back with a new album (this time thankfully self-produced) set for release this June and judging by the four song sampler currently being circulated by their new label, it appears as though 20,000 Streets Under the Sky is a sizzling return to form with the Bielanko brothers rediscovering their edge. Also on the bill will be the debut live performance of Moon Maan, an outfit led by former Afghan Whigs guitarist Rick McCollum, McCollum’s been living in the Twin Cities for awhile now, and the Whigs amicably split back in 2000—so suffice it to say Moon Maan’s set will be the definition of a long awaited debut. Led by McCollum on vocals, guitar and theremin, the band also features Catherine Clements on bass, Bryan Knisley of Push on Junior on guitar and backing vocals and Erik Mathison (who’s worked with Jessy Greene and Polara, among others) handling the drum kit. The theremin has me thinking there should be some surprises here…With fantastic NYC pop-outfit Gingersol performing as a stripped down duo in the opening slot. 9 p.m. $10. 21+. 400 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-332-2903. (Rob van Alstyne)

Richie Havens
& Janis Ian
@ Fine Line

Music doesn’t get much more “alternative” than Richie Havens and Janis Ian, two of the first non-mainstream artists to make a successful go of it. Havens is well remembered for a haunting, mellow bag of cover tunes interpreting the likes of Dylan, McCartney, George Harrison, Gordon Lightfoot and more with amazing originality. You may have heard your mom or dad speak in almost reverent terms of his version of “Here Comes The Sun” or “Just Like A Woman” and practically go into a trance, recalling his Woodstock show-stopper “Motherless Child (Freedom).” Singer-songwriter Ian, long before there ever was a Tracy Chapman or a Jewel, wrote thoughtful and thought-provoking songs that proved music can be for the heart and mind at the same time. Just ask anybody who’s heard her work, the best known being “Society’s Child” and “Seventeen.” Havens is the headliner and Ian is the opening act. Each is well worth a night all to him- or herself. 6:30 p.m. $26 in advance / $29 day of show. Fine Line Music Cafe, 318 First Ave., Mpls. 612-338-8100. (Dwight Hobbes)

Sovereignty Against Globalization
@ Resource Center of the Americas & Sabathani Jewish Community Center

Escalating resistance to U.S. occupation of Iraq gets daily media-coverage, but, the Bush Administration is targeting other countries, too. Haiti’s first democratically-elected president is overthrown. Venezuela’s Hugo Chafez inspires loyalty from his country’s poor majority (and is termed “despotic” by Colin Powell) for investing more oil profits in education. Bush restricts travel to Cuba, as the rest of the world opens it. Various African countries are being sanctioned, having humanitarian aide linked to corporate invasion or being threatened with military action. “Sovereignty Against Globalization: Afro-Latino-Indigenous Resistance” is a “grassroots people’s summit” look at the Minnesota connection to these countries, hoping to prevent future U.S. invasions. Recognizing culture’s power, at Sabathani, there will also be performers: Jesus “Chucho” Garcia (Venezuela); Native American drummers, Danza Mexica, poet Shvonne L. Johnson and reggae/R&B by Wayne McFarland and Ipso Facto. 9:00 a.m. – Noon. Free. Resource Center of the Americas, 3019 Minnehaha Ave. S., Mpls.; 5–7:30 p.m. Free. Sabathani Ctr., 310 East 38th St., Mpls. For more info contact WAMM 612-827-5364. (Lydia Howell)

TV On The Radio
@ Triple Rock Social Club

Yet another New York band making waves on both coasts, but don't let that bias you. Often described as Peter Gabriel backed by Slowdive, TVOTR make luscious, sweet, epic songs that are more often than not duets. Started in 2000, TVOTR first explored the realm of "improv", and it shows in the richness of the sound. Their debut EP, Young Liars, received acclaim from every critic that heard it. Their follow up full-length, Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes, picks up where the EP left off..in total silence. Then the sounds begin and you're hooked. Their SXSW showcase in March left me stunned and overwhelmed by the energy they put out, but made me smile when I remembered why I do what I do-music like this.With Apollo Heights and Supperhopper. 629 Cedar Ave S., Mpls. 9pm. 21+. $10 612-333-7399 (R.Czernik)

Cursive
@ Triple Rock Social Club

It’s always nice to see rock for a great cause, and I’m hard pressed to think of a better one than ousting Bush Jr. from office by increasing youth voter turnout. Cursive are headlining this year’s Plea for Peace tour an event organized by Mike Park that begins in Minneapolis and will be on the road for seven straight weeks after that, each show will have voter registration available (for any party) and a dollar from each ticket will go to charities of the artists choosing. A great cause, however, needs to be supported by great bands, and Cursive take care of their end of the bargain. Still touring off last year’s the Ugly Organ, a sinister cello-abetted semi-metal record the live Cursive experience is always guaranteed to be spine-tinglng as singer Tim Kasher wraps his Cure-styled windpipes around regret laden laments and his band provides able bone-crushing backing. With Mike Park and Race for Titles. 6 p.m. $10. All Ages. 629 Cedar Ave.S., Mpls. 612-332-2903. (van Alstyne)