Mark Andersen Book Tour
The Triple Rock Social Club

Every scene has its unofficial oral historians, and in the Washington, D.C., punk rock scene it’s Mark Andersen who passes down a lot of the knowledge. Looking more like a solid Midwesterner (he’s from Montana) than a punk in T-shirts, jeans and a short blond haircut, Andersen's role is that of teacher, mentor and friend to many in D.C. After moving to the city from a Montana farm in the ‘80s, Andersen became enmeshed in the punk and activist scenes as well as doing community organizing in the Shaw neighborhood and co-founding Positive Force D.C., a punk activist collective that seeks to fight social ills. Throughout the years, Andersen has amassed an impressive amount of memories and memorabilia from the D.C. punk scene. In addition to stories—some of which he’s shared in his books “Dance of Days” and “All The Power: Revolution Without Illusion”—he has an impressive collection of books, posters, music and videos. On this tour, Mark will be sharing some of these video goodies as well as reading from his latest book, “All The Power.” If you’re a fan of the seminal D.C. scene, it’s worth the trip to see vintage footage of the likes of Bad Brains, Minor Threat and Bikini Kill. Sponsored by Extreme Noise Records, Arise! Books and the Triple Rock. 6 p.m. Free (donations suggested to help cover Andersen's traveling costs), All Ages. 629 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-333-7399. Michelle Lee

Revolutionary Party
Walker Art Center

Determined that art galleries should break out of their stereotypical audience, the Walker Art Center consistently devotes a portion of its resources to involving local teenagers in the arts. The Walker Arts Center Teen Arts Council (WACTAC), a group of Twin Cities teenagers that create arts-related events, is hosting a series of workshops this summer to teach teens sculpture, painting and multimedia. This week’s workshop will be hosted by the Revolutionary Party, a collective of artists and activists who combine sound, video mixing and interactive performance in live settings. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wed. - Fri. Limited to 15 participants. 1750 Hennepin Ave, Mpls. To register call 612-375-7683 or e-mail teenprograms@walkerart.org. Brian Kaller

Author Paul Auster
Walker Art Center

Paul Auster’s novels occupy a literary geography all their own; deep but never ponderous, absorbing without ever being lightweight, quirky without being precious. His characters—including, in one novel, a dog narrator —try to make sense of life’s randomness, seeing meaning in small details of their daily lives. The former sailor has also written screenplays, including the Wayne Wang movie “Smoke,” and numerous volumes of poetry—the last the subject of his appearance at the Walker Art Center. Auster will appear with writer Eric Lorberer. Free. 7 p.m. 1750 Hennepin Ave, Mpls. For more information call 612-375-7622. Kaller

Shakespeare Festival
Winona State University

There’s no shortage of outdoor movie, music and theater events in the Twin Cities every summer, but if you want to enjoy some entertainment away from the urban fray, hop down to Winona, Min., for the Great River Shakespeare Festival. The festival runs for five weeks, and this year’s productions of “Richard III” and “Much Ado About Nothing” are staged on the green outside of the Performing Arts Center at Winona State University. Local, regional and national musical acts precede each show, and include Minneapolis band Romantica, country/folk musician Maura O’Connell, alt. pop singer Megan Slankard, jazz pianist Liz Queler, dream-popster Kevin Tihista and San Francisco-based (and “O.C.” roster band) Luce. Play and concertgoers can also enjoy the Front Porch art exhibit on display at the Watkins Gallery adjacent to the Arts Center. Make a day or weekend of it in this quaint Mississippi River town that’s got more to offer than just Ms. Ryder’s namesake. 6:45 p.m. June 24 – July 23. Take Hwy. 61 south to Winona and follow signs for WSU. 507-474-7900 or GRSF.org. Nancy Sartor

Apostle of Hustle
The Triple Rock Social Club

The last time Canadian troupe Apostle of Hustle swung through town (opening up before a packed 400 Bar audience eager to catch headliners Stars), they managed to win over a crowd largely unfamiliar with their music through their flamboyant appearance (lots of scarves were being sported) and sturdy performance. Led by sometime Broken Social Scene member Andrew Whiteman, the Apostle of Hustle’s Cuban inflected dream-pop found on their debut album, Folkloric Feel, was inspired by a trip Whiteman took to visit Cuban relatives, where he learned to play the tres, a Cuban guitar. Throw in some of the hazy atmospherics that typify the BSS and percussion supplied largely courtesy of a sultry tap dancer and you’re dealing with a truly one-of-a-kind musical phenomenon. With Clair De Lune, Overstep. 9 p.m. $10 adv / $12 door. 21+. 629 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-333-7399. Nathan Dean

Johnny Dowd
The 400 Bar

Musical macabre master Johnny Dowd didn’t get around to making a record that anybody heard until he was into his 50s, but he’s since made up for lost time by consistently churning out dark growl-heavy folk with a gallows humor bent. Dowd’s latest, Cemetery Shoes, finds the 56-year-old itinerant musician as relentlessly death-obsessed as ever (as choruses like “You’re carrying a coffin!” make abundantly clear). Those who like to start their Halloween planning in the summertime and any fans of Tom Waits would do well to check out the under-recognized Dowd if they’re in the mood for more music to spook people with. With Matt Marka and Buffali. 9 p.m. $7. 21+. 400 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-332-2903. Dean

Martin Devaney
The Bryant Lake Bowl

Local folk-rock mainstay Martin Devaney is moving in a new direction following the upbeat rock turn of 2004’s La Mancha and y’all can check it out for yourself at this intimate club gig. Performing with mandolin player/violinist Jake Hyer, who’s usually busy leading hot new band the Get Up Johns, Devaney will be showing off the wares from his newest project (which he promises to be leading towards moodier acoustic terrain in the vein of the Scud Mt. Boys, according to a recent conversation I had with the man). Lucky early arrivals (the first 25 people to pay at the door) will get the added treat of a five-song demo of new songs to take home with them. So get there early kiddies. With Bill Caperton of Ela. 9:30 p.m. $7. All Ages. 810 West Lake Street, Mpls. 612-825-3737. Rob Van Alstyne

David Daniels Meets Twisted Linguistics
Acadia Cafe

Rasta bard David Daniels put his head together with Talking Roots Crew band mate Isaac “Ike” Russell and hatched “David Daniels meets Twisted Linguistics.” Daniels, who has appeared all over the map (First Avenue, Playwrights Center, Nuyorican Poets Café), performs Rastafari-Americana spoken word. Ace sideman Russell plays acoustic guitar behind Noah B and Heiruspecs’ Muad Dib with DJ Anton and Evan Parker on percussion. Author-actor Daniels melds the spiritual, political and social in a sensibility all his own. And, despite scant exposure in the mainstream media, he delivered Talkin’ Roots, his debut CD that sold so well stores couldn¹t keep it on the shelf (if you missed out, fret not, a second printing is in the works). His latest stage work is the autobiographical “Black Hippie Chronicles” at the Center for Independent Artists, which looks at what it’s like to grow up black and middle class, doing the peace, love and pot thing. Special guest: Truth Maze. 8 p.m. $8. 1931 Nicollet Ave., Mpls. 612-874-8702 Dwight Hobbes

Protest War, Foreign and Domestic Policy
Summit and Snelling Ave.

Noam Chomsky once remarked that the peace demonstrations of 2003 have no precedent in history; anti-war marches have taken place in the past, after wars had continued for years and public sentiment had turned against them—but never before had 20 million people poured into the streets to oppose an invasion before it began. One danger for such groups, however, is to become complacent, believing that there is nothing they can do. That’s why events like this Sunday’s vigil are important, keeping the pressure on government to end the war, and keeping the occupation in the public mind. The local coalition Sensible People for Peace will gather at Summit and Snelling Ave. in St. Paul at noon, and stay until 1 p.m. Signs are provided or you may bring your own. 651-428-7421. Kaller

Starflyer 59, Ester Drang
The Seventh Street Entry

Starflyer 59 and Ester Drang crank out similarly dreamy and lush soundscapes guaranteed to appeal to fans of the large headphone loving set. SF 59 crank out the more bouncy and melodic end of that sound (at times getting downright New Order-ish in their pop ambition on recent longplayer Talking Voice vs. Singing Voice), while the Drang are more focused on obtuse mesmerizing drone (as the title of their most recent album, Infinite Keys, helpfully hints at). Both of these groups are established vets (SF 59 are celebrating a dozen years in the music making game and Ester Drang are pushing the decade mark) so don’t expect some cheap Grandaddy/Flaming Lips knock-offs here. This is the real deal. With Half Life Souvenir. 9 p.m. $8. 21+. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388. van Alstyne