The Miser
@ Theatre de la Juene Lune

Attention all S.A.D. sufferers: Need something to laugh about this winter? Catch a performance of “The Miser,” which has been extended at Theatre de la Jeune Lune until January 30. This production was staged in Boston and Louisville, Ky., to rave reviews and has been delighting Twin Cities audiences since last October. Moliere’s comedy farce stars Steven Epp as Harpagon, the paranoid penny-pincher who tries to marry off his children because they’re just too damn expensive. Artistic director Dominique Serrand evokes emotive flip flopping from the audience—one minute we’re sympathetic toward the Miser’s victims and the next we’re howling with laughter at their plight. Bitterly funny. $17 - $30. Mon. – Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 7 p.m. Theatre de la Jeune Lune, 105 N. 1st St., Mpls. 612-333-6200. Nancy Sartor

The Tin Horns
@ The 7th St. Entry

The Tin Horns’ blistering funky racket (think a darker leaning and less keyboard heavy Pinback and you’re halfway there) has been setting Twin Cities night clubs ablaze for months now, but you’ll have to hold out until February for the release of their debut longplayer, The Tin Horns Present the Champions of Victory, produced by St. Paul record maestro Knol Tate (Ela, Askeleton, more band production work than you can shake a stick at). The quartet (featuring ex-members of End Transmission, The Tide and The Stereo) knows how to lay down some slyly sinister and sassy slabs of rockdom and those with a nice internet connection can check out some of the pre-release auditory goodies online at MySpace.com/TinHorns. Or better yet, get your ass on down to the Entry. With Incommunicado, Cascade Retreat, Bill Caperton of Ela. 9 p.m. $5. 21+. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388. Rob van Alstyne

Mark Mallman
@ The 7th St. Entry

New Year’s Eve is arguably the biggest party night of the year. Mark Mallman is arguably one of the Twin Cities’ hardest partying performers. Are you thinking what I’m thinking? I’m hard pressed to think of a musician better equipped than Wildman Mallman to meet the challenge of giving a full-bore hell raising musical welcome to ‘05. This is a man who’s proven his willingness to sacrifice his body for the sake of musical feats of daring do in the past (hence his 52.5 hour “Marathon 2” performance this year at the Turf Club), so I for one am expecting Mallman to do body shots while frantically pounding his keyboard and channeling equal parts Jerry Lee Lewis, Ric Ocasek and They Might Be Giants in his twisted and perverse take on the classic-piano-rock idiom. Anything less would be phoning it in. Should be a blast. With The Melismatics, The Plastic Constellations, Death and Texas, Rebel Yellow. 8 p.m. $8 adv/$10 door. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388. Nathan Dean



Wu Year’s Eve
@ The Radisson Metrodome Ballroom

It’s been 14 years since their immaculate inception at St. Olaf College in Northfield, and The Big Wu just keep on truckin’. Although they perform roughly 200 shows per year, none is more anticipated then their New Year’s ... um ... I mean Wu Year’s Eve performance. A Grateful Dead tribute band in the early years, The Wu have evolved from a solid cover band into spirited virtuosos of the jam-band scene. Playing an eclectic and heartfelt mix of American styles, such as Southern rock ’n’ roll, blues, country and improvisational jamming, The Big Wu continue to win over audiences and critics alike with their intensity and good-time fervor in both their live and recorded performances. This is inclusive rock ’n’ roll, people. So guys bring your gals, folks bring your kids and therapists bring your patients. Let The Big Wu loosen the straps of last year’s baggage and ring in the New Year with pulsating vibrations! $25 adv/door. Tickets available at Know Name Records, Third Stone and Electric Fetus, or TheBigWu.com. Radisson Metrodome Ballroom, 615 Washington Ave. SE, Mpls. 612-379-8888. Aaron Neumann

Mark Olson, Karen Grotberg and Tim O’Reagan
@ The 400 Bar

Being a founding member of the Jayhawks guarantees a certain level of love in Twin Cities music circles, so even though the band’s onetime co-front man Mark Olson may have quit the band nearly a decade ago with the remaining members soldiering on with the group’s other singer/songwriter Gary Louris solely at the helm, I’ve got a feeling this “homecoming” gig won’t have any trouble filling up the 400 Bar. As if Olson’s presence wasn’t reason enough to make it on down, he’s being abetted by some of his old Jayhawks cronies (including former keyboardist Karen Grotberg and current drummer Tim O’Reagan), so expect the night to lean heavily on plenty of classics (I’m personally keeping my fingers crossed for “Over My Shoulder”). No word as of yet on whether Olson’s former songwriting partner Louris will be making any appearances, but I wouldn’t be too surprised if the Twin Cities’ best curly-locked guitarist stepped on stage for a bit, as the pair have recently reunited for some songwriting gigs again and are planning a co-headlining acoustic tour for the new year (with no Twin Cities date booked thus far). 9 p.m. $8 adv/ $10 door. 400 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-332-2903. van Alstyne

New Year’s Eve Extravagana with Lili’s Burlesque Revue
@ The Independent

With a plethora of New Year’s Eve happenings this week, it’s hard to decide where to be when the clock strikes midnight. If classic striptease and sultry songs turn you on, you won’t want to miss the New Year’s Eve Extravaganza by Lili’s Burlesque Revue. This Friday the troupe moves from their regular digs at the old New French Bar to the Independent in Calhoun Square for a special holiday show. In addition to steamy numbers by star stripper Ophelia Flame, torch songs by vocalist-extraordinaire Karen Paurus and swanky tunes by Frenchy’s Big Bang Burlesque Band, you can satiate your palate with a decadent five-course prix-fixe dinner that includes beef tenderloin with lobster mashed potatoes (a vegetarian option is also available). Of course there’ll be plenty of sweets and bubbly galore. So grab your garter, slap on your pasties and treat yourself to vintage entertainment with a modern twist! $50 - $65 dinner & wine pairing, 6 – 10 p.m. No cover for show only, 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. The Independent, Calhoun Square, 3001 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls. 612-378-1905. Sassy Tassle

Clair De Lune
@ The Uptown Bar

The rare band pinned with the dreaded “emo” tag whose music is actually complicated and listenable in addition to angst ridden, local stalwarts Clair De Lune have been racking up plenty of miles on the van since dropping their sophomore LP Marionettes for Deep Elm records (the North Carolina-based national indie contender that’s cranked out the Emo Diaries compilations for the last decade) back in June. The usual angular guitars and joint screaming sessions are fleshed out to fine effect by some atypical arrangements (many of the songs derive much of their color from the airy and melodic electric piano work of Adam Roddy). I’ve also got a feeling the members of CDL have more than a few prog-rock albums stashed underneath their beds alongside the more popular current influences like Braid and Cursive undoubtely lining their visible record shelves. Hmm … could Minnesota produce the band that reclaims “emo” and transforms it from being dirty-word shorthand for bad teen music to a cathartic rock listening experience? Nice work Clair De Lune … very nice. With Nokomis, The Acoustic Godzilla. 9 p.m. $5. 21+. 3018 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls. 612-823-4719. Dean

State Capitol Centennial Open House
St. Paul

Minnesota’s Capitol turns 100-years-old this year and St. Paul is planning a twelve-month celebration in its honor. The building opened on Jan. 2, 1905, to great acclaim, with its impressive architecture and elaborate artwork. This Sunday the Minnesota Historical Society is hosting a Birthday Bash, complete with live music, a giant cake and appearances by past governors. Visitors can tour the Capitol, see restored public spaces and meet with costumed historical characters from the building’s past. The Minnesota Historical Society has a number of centennial events planned throughout the year. Check out its website at OurHouse100.com for a complete listing. Noon – 2 p.m. Minnesota State Capitol, 75 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul. 651-296-2881. Liberty Finch.