Green Green Water Fundraiser
@ Lyndale United Church of Christ

A fundraiser for “Green Green Water,” a film by Dawn Mikkelson, will be held at Lyndale United Church of Christ. “Green Green Water” follows Xcel Energy customer Mikkelson as she journeys to the subzero forests of northern Manitoba to witness firsthand the impact of her electricity-dependent life. There she meets the people of the Pimicikamak and Nisichawayasihk Cree Nations who share their personal stories and describe how they believe hydroelectric power has impacted their lives. These stories are interwoven with interviews with the top executives of Manitoba Hydro, who say the Cree situation is “under control” and with Xcel Energy executives who say they are “monitoring the situation” as they sign a 10-year contract to purchase more energy from Manitoba Hydro. At the same time, Cree suicide rates skyrocket and thousands of acres of Aboriginal lands are flooded. “Green Green Water” is a journey toward the truth about energy and international trade. It is a cross-cultural collaboration from a team of award-winning filmmakers behind such films as “THIS obedience,” “Alcatraz is Not an Island,” “Voices for the Land,” and “Treading Water: a documentary.” 7 p.m. 810 W. 31st St., http://www.greengreenwater.com. GYROS PAPADOPOULOS

The Dreadful Yawns
@ Big V’s

Cleveland may not exactly be considered a rock ‘n’ roll hotbed, but the Dreadful Yawns are doing their part to change public perception about Drew Carey-land. Their debut from last year, Early, is the sort of haunted Americana record that fits snugly alongside Mark Thomas Stockert and The Ashtray Hearts in your rural rock CD collection. Released on great-albeit-small Chicago indie label Undertow Records (currently home to former Wilco-ite Jay Bennett amongst other luminaries), the album strays far enough away from conventional alt.-country cliché to warrant notice. Not afraid to get spacey with their Americana, (the album opening “When We Were Young” lopes along for seven minutes with some tasty xylophone fills), the Yawns also know their way around a classic pop tune (“The Waves”). The answer to the question, “What if Mercury Rev were from Cleveland?” the Yawns are the opposite of everything their name implies. With Doug Miller of the Winter Blanket. 10 p.m. $4. 21+. 1567 University Ave., St. Paul. 651-645-8472. ROB VAN ALSYTNE

Rogue Wave
@ The Triple Rock Social Club

With Shins records still selling like hotcakes (McDonald’s pun intended) it looks like Subpop is starting to sign some acts with a similarly precocious light pop sound. Formed in San Francisco, Rogue Wave recorded their debut album Out of the Shadow back in January of 2002 (although it didn’t see release until last month via S-pop) so either these guys spent a seriously spooky amount of time mixing and mastering their album or there were some record label shenanigans that delayed its release. The end result is worth the wait though, and a pleasant listen that flits by quickly (a dozen tracks in 36 minutes). Anyone woefully marking the days off on their indie-rock calendar until the Shins emerge with record No. 3 would do well to check this out in the meantime. With AC Newman of the New Pornographers and The Neins. 10 p.m. $10. 21+. 629 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-333-7399. NATHAN DEAN

Presidents of the United States of America
@ The Fine Line Music Café

With the impending election getting rightfully shoved in our collective face every day, it’s only appropriate that the Presidents of the United States of America would be out touring in support of their new album Love Everybody. The geeky Seattle trio who rode jokey hits like “Lump” and “Peaches” to pop stardom during the mid ’90s is sometimes unfairly compared to the Barenaked Ladies, but I guess that’s the price you pay for having a sense of humor in the grim-faced world of rock ‘n’ roll. The guys are involved in the Rock the Vote campaign this year after shying away from the political spotlight in years past. It’s good to see the boys finally living up to the responsibilities of their political namesake — think there’s any spare space on Mt. Rushmore? With The Everyones. 8 p.m. $16 adv/ $18 door. 21+. 318 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8100. LOUIS LENZMEIER

Elliott Smith Tribute Concert
@ The Hexagon Bar

The musical world lost one of its brightest stars with the untimely passing of Elliott Smith last year at the age of 34 and although details surrounding his death have subsequently gotten murkier, the one thing that will always remain clear is the jaw-dropping quality of the musical work he left behind. With his posthumous album From A Basement On a Hill finally slated for release this October on Anti Records, it seems an appropriate time for some of the Twin Cities best to pay tribute to the man. Among those performing will be members of the Hang Ups, Basement Apartment, The Beatifics, Friends Like These and many more. TBA. 2600 27th Ave. S., Mpls. 612-722-3454. VAN ALSTYNE

Punk Rock Awesome
@ The Brave New Workshop

The third installment in Twin Cities two man comedy group Ferrari McSpeedy’s self-described “Punk Rock Thrillogy,” their soon to be debuted shot of hilarity “Punk Rock Awesome” is the kind of show guaranteed to make even the most jaded of hipsters bust a gut laughing. Joe Ferrari and Michael McSpeedy (known to their moms by other names, I secretly suspect) will present (in their own words) “the legend of two mercenaries that are chosen to save the world … from bad music.” Has there ever been a better premise for comedy? I think not! The previous two installments of “Punk Rock” saw Mr.’s Ferrari and McSpeedy playing up to 14 characters between them, frequently running around the stage and switching personas mid-scene, it’s a high-wire act that could easily fall flat — and testament to these boys’ chops (and serious hours of improv work logged) that it doesn’t. Y’all ready to rock? Fri. Aug. 6, 5:30 p.m.; Sat., Aug. 7, 8:30 p.m.; Sun. Aug. 8, 2:30 p.m.; Fri. Aug. 13, 7 p.m.; Sat. Aug. 14, 5:30 p.m. $12/$10 Fringe button. 2605 Hennepin Ave. “COMEDY EXPERT” VAN ALSTYNE

Everything and Nothing All at the Same Time
@ Hey City Theater

British theater director and independent filmmaker Jon Ferguson is back at the Minnesota Fringe Festival, following the success of his 2002 show, “Shakespeare for Breakfast,” with “Everything and Nothing All at the Same Time.” The cast includes  Ferguson and four local performers who collaborated with him on the creative process.  In ‘Everything and Nothing all at the Same Time’, it is the year 2004 and five intergalactic explorers have been randomly selected and sent to earth.  Their mission is to make contact and experience life in its entirety in one hour. They’ve been sent to find out what all the fuss is about, what all this emotion stuff is and what it’s like to be human. Presented at Hey City Theater, Upstairs on the opening night of the Minnesota Fringe Festival. Fri. Aug. 6, 10 p.m.; Mon. Aug. 9, 10 p.m.; Wed. Aug. 11, 5:30 p.m.; Thu. Aug. 12, 7 p.m.; Sat. Aug. 14, 7 p.m. $12/$10 with button. 824 Hennepin Ave. S. Mpls.. 612-604-4466. DWIGHT HOBBES

Look Ma No Pants: The Last One
Loring Playhouse

After five short years, the “Look Ma No Pants!” phenomenon is coming to an end. Joshua and Joseph Scrimshaw are calling it quits on their wildly funny comedy/variety show. One can only hope this is just a great big joke they’re pulling, kinda like Ozzy Osbourne not touring anymore. But alas, Joshua wants to spend more time with his family and Joseph… well, he must have some good intentions too, right? This year’s Fringe performance marks their final ride. In addition, such regular highlights as The No Pants Dancers, the Scrimshaws will have special Fringe guest stars each night like Ari Hoptman on Aug. 7 and Ferrari McSpeedy on Aug. 13. As they say, anything goes when you’ve got nothing left to lose. And don’t forget: everything’s funnier when you’re not wearing pants. Fri. Aug. 6 – Sun. Aug. 8 & Wed. Aug. 11 – Sat Aug. 14, 11:20 p.m. $12/$10 w/Fringe button. 1635 Hennepin Ave., 612-604-4466. KATIE BODIN

Marah
@ The 400 Bar

During a recent European vacation Marah provided a good old-fashioned dose of American rock for my tired eyes and ears that couldn’t have been more needed at the time. Playing before a surprisingly large and rapturous crowd at Amsterdam’s Paradiso nightclub, I was reminded yet again of the sorry state of affairs in American pop culture when hardworking, passionate bands like Philadelphia’s Marah have to go halfway across the world to get the recognition they lack in their own back yards. Already having won the love of Steve Earle (he signed them to his record label) and Bruce Springsteen (he played on their 2002 album, Float Away With the Friday Night Gods) they’re sure to win even more high profile converts with the recent release of 20,000 Streets Under the Sky. White boys willing to get funky (“Freedom Park”), soulful (“A Sure Thing”) and doleful (“Soda”), the brothers who lead the band are augmented this time around by pedal steel guitarist Mike “Slo-Mo” Brenner and Superchunk drummer John Wurster, a truly crackling live unit that have been known to cover the ‘Mats “Can’t Hardly Wait” and make it their own — Marah are not to be missed. 9 p.m. $10. 21+. 400 Cedar Ave. S., 612-332-2903. VAN ASLTYNE

Powderhorn Art Fair
@ Powderhorn Park

Unless you consciously hole yourself up inside this weekend, you probably won’t be able to avoid the Art Fairs and Fringe theater crowds. So why not just go with it? This year there are two “art trolleys” running about every half hour between the three art fairs. You can do them all! Since the theaters are in the same neighborhood as the art fairs, you’ve no excuse. But if you only go to one art fair, choose the Powderhorn Art Fair. It’s small, not so insanely busy as the Uptown, but not so little that you won’t find anything of interest either. Certainly you should find something of interest, as Powderhorn has the reputation for having some rather funky work. Nearly 200 artists will pack themselves snugly into white booths surrounding Lake Powderhorn offering the best in clay, jewelry, drawing, photography, paper, fiber and more. You name it, it’s probably there. Sat. Aug. 7, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sun. Aug. 8, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 10th Ave. at 35th St., Mpls. 612-729-0111. KATIE BODIN

Tiki Obmar
@ The Triple Rock Social Club

Formed almost four years ago at Edina High School, the three good friends of Tiki Obmar — Chris Smalley, laptop and guitar, Graham Chapman, bass and keyboard, and Brettt Bullion, drums and drum machines — have compiled an impressive track record. They won Radio K’s Battle of the Underage Underground in June of 2003, they were named 2003’s “Teen Artist of the Year” by the Minnesota Music Academy, they have been “Picked to Click” by the City Pages the past two years, and put out a great record, High School Confidential, on Merck Records last September. With strong jazz and electronic influences, Tiki Obmar easily stands out in the Twin Cities music scene. Smalley runs his guitar through a laptop, Chapman runs his bass through various distortion pedals, and Bullion plays both his drum set and a set of drum machines — often times with strange household and kitchen-related items — all of which serves to give Tiki Obmar an interesting layered effect, equally reliant on wind-up toy beats and strategically-placed reverb. Without vocals, the band relies on their orchestration and playing ability to create emotion by layering themes of small bleeps and bloops, smooth bass lines and massive guitar effects. Sadly, the members of Tiki Obmar will be going their separate ways after this show, but undoubtedly will continue to stay involved in projects sure to capture the ears of forward thinking Minnesota music fans. With Bill Mike, Cepia, Something With Kites. 6 p.m. $6. All Ages. 629 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-333-7399. IAN ANDERSON