With Love from Ramallah
@ Mixed Blood Theatre

Considering how badly George Bush has managed to get his you-know-what caught in a ringer, this is not a half-bad time at all for a play like "With Love From Ramallah." People have had an opportunity, especially in the light of recent developments, to entertain the notion that the sainted United States of America does not walk on water after all. And that life on the other side of the equation might just be lived by actual human beings whose thoughts, feelings, experience and general existence matter just as much as yours and mine. The script by Kathryn Haddad and Juliana Pegues looks at the Arab American community and the dynamics of both those currently living in America and those currently living in the Middle East. It deals with issues of immigration, isolation and occupation, exploring a universal concept—the human spirit's strong capacity for survival. Taking place both on the West Bank of the Mississippi River (in Minneapolis) and the West Bank of the River Jordan (in Ramallah), the play depicts life for Arab immigrants in post 9/11 America and life for Palestinians in Ramallah during one of the most severe political crises in the Middle East to date. Audience discussions, which take place after the Friday and Saturday evening performances, should prove very interesting indeed. Produced by Mizna. June 3 - 13. Thu. - Fri. 7:30 p.m.; Sat. 2 & 7:30 p.m.; Sun. June 6, 2 p.m.; Wed. June 9, 7:30 p.m.; Sun. June 13, 7:30 p.m. Mixed Blood Theatre, 1501 S. 4th St., Mpls. 612-338-6131. (Dwight Hobbes)


The Decemberists
@ The 400 Bar

Pirate rock is here! Portland, Oregon's the Decemberists have made it safe for generations of future swashbuckling tunesmiths to swab the indie-rock deck—garnering insanely rapturous press for their period-piece pop. It's not surprising to learn that head Decemberist Colin Meloy holds a degree in creative writing—there aren't too many other songwriters out there spinning tales of Spanish gypsies and Turkish prostitutes. Fleshing out Meloy's trusty acoustic songs with some flashy and eccentric accoutrements courtesy of his bandmates (most notably Jenny Conlee's accordion playing), the Decemberists have come up with a style of skewed sea-shanty pop all their own—and are reaping the benefits. Their current tour will be previewing songs from their next album, their third in as many years, which they plan to record this summer for the Kill Rock Stars label. Nearing the top of the indie-rock popularity heap thanks to some heavy media exposure The Decemberists are mostly playing 1,000 person venues on this current tour—and selling them out. Which makes it all the more amazing that tickets are still available for their show at the significantly smaller capacity 400 Bar as of the time of this writing. So … what are you waiting for? With Long Winters and Places.
9 p.m. $12. 21+. 400 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-332-2903. (Rob van Alstyne)

The Agronomist
@ U Film

This documentary is a must-see for anyone who wants to understand Caribbean politics. Director Jonathan Demme is best known for “Silence of the Lambs,” but he has produced a number of smaller gems like “Swimming to Cambodia” (a Spalding Gray monologue) and three previous documentaries about Haiti. “The Agronomist” is the story of Jean Dominque, an agronomist who turned to radio as a tool to educate peasants about the reality of their government. His Radio Haiti was critical of Papa Doc and Baby Doc Duvalier. He was an early supporter of Jean Bertrand Aristide and democracy in Haiti, but he was never a blind sycophant. He courageously questioned Aristide in a live interview about payoffs from the rich oligarchs. He defied police thugs and recorded the sounds of the Army firing machine guns at the outside of his studio on more than one occasion. He is a portrait of revolutionary courage and joy. If you want to know about the struggle for justice in Haiti, you must see this film. You must know Jean Dominque. June 4-10. 7:15 & 9:15 p.m. + 5:15 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. U Film, Bell Museum, 17th & University Aves. SE, Mpls. http://www.mnfilmarts.org. (Ed Felien)

Independent Media Fair
@ Spirit of the Lakes Church

There's an alternative to pitching your radio out the window after hearing a local Rush-Limbaugh-wannabe: KFAI. When you suspect the Strib hasn't told the whole story, there's (usually unheard) voices and perspectives right here in your hand, as well as other papers like Indy-Media's Free Press and the ARISE! Journal. Public access cable includes programs like "Altera Vista" with national and international progressives, or the weekly civil liberties program produced by the Minnesota chapter of the ACLU. Cyber-space also provides infinite possibilities for investigative reporting. The Twin Cities Counter-Propaganda Coalition is hosting an Independent Media Fair featuring a roundtable discussion, workshops and ways to connect with these entities and more. Like former Dead Kennedy's frontman Jello Biafra says, "Don't hate the media. BECOME the media!" 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Free. Spirit of the Lakes Church, 2930 13th Ave. S. (at East Lake St.), Mpls. For info: John Slade 612-827-1894. http://www.counter-prop.org. (Lydia Howell)

Mini Woodstock on Wheels
@ First Avenue

I'll be the first to admit it's a bit odd to attach the word "Woodstock" to a collaborative concert featuring experimental local rock bands like A Whisper in the Noise and Cloud Cult. What sort of "Woodstock" can take place without rocking debauchery? Clearly First Avenue is hosting a kinder, gentler festival (it's unlikely Fred Durst will turn up to start any riots). This event is meant to showcase more than just music and will be featuring participants from all over the creative spectrum. The music will be augmented by performance arts, live painters, enviro-art gallery, dancers and more—and unlike Woodstock '99 water won't cost you $10 a bottle! With Cloud Cult, Umbrella Sequence, A Whisper In The Noise, If Thousands. 5 p.m. $3 adv/ $7 door. 21+. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388. (Louis Lenzmeier)

“How Was the Show?” 3rd Anniversary Party
@ The Dinkytowner

Celebrating three years of obsessively documenting the Twin Cities concert scene, howwastheshow.com curator David DeYoung has managed to cobble together a great bill for the cause (which coincidentally doubles as DeYoung's second annual 39th birthday party). An all local bill equally rich in classic power-pop (the Beatifics, the Vestals) as laid-back acoustic acts (Martin Devaney, Ben Connelly, Big Ditch Road), there should be something for everyone. Don't miss the chance to catch the birthday boy himself perform two songs of his own creation live with the Vestals as his backing band. So, how will this show be? Kick-ass.With (in order of appearance) Apryl Electra, Ben Connellly, Martin Devaney, Big Ditch Road, The Vestals and The Beatifics. 8 p.m. $3.90. 21+. 412 ½ 14th Ave. SE, Mpls. 612-362-0427. (van Alstyne)


Dances from the Rooftop of the World
@ Ted Mann Concert Hall

Lhamo, the classical theater of Tibet, is the most traditional medium of Tibetan entertainment. Relying strongly on music and dance to tell stories, Lhamo most closely resembles a Western opera. Stories, dances and the music were passed down from the 14th century and were an integral part of daily life with stories of national historic significance or legends of gods or heroes. During the 1950s the communist Chinese government invaded Tibet and changed the themes of their theater productions to serve the government's agenda. Having survived the assault on their culture, many Tibetans fled to Minnesota, which now has the second highest Tibetan population in the United States. In an effort to raise money to refurbish its Community Cultural Center, The Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota is sponsoring the world-renowned Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts in its performance of "Dances from the Rooftop of the World: An Evening in Tibet." Experience a piece of culture thousands of years old and help preserve what remains. 7:45 p.m. $33. Ted Mann Concert Hall, West Bank U of M, 2128 4th St. S., Mpls. 612-624-2345. (Katie Bodin)


Red Hot Art
@ Stevens Square Park

For those of you who are turned off by the big art fairs, this one might be more your speed. Just south of Downtown, the Stevens Square neighborhood offers a chance to find out what its neighborhood artists are up to. One of the highlights to seek out is the Pollack-inspired paint-throwing canvas by the neighborhood children's mentorship program Youth Arts Studio. In addition, there will be more than 50 local, emerging artists showing and selling their works. You can also catch modern, traditional and break dance performances, puppetry, music and, of course, plenty of food to feed the starving artists. Sat. June 5 - Sun. June 6. Noon - 7 p.m. Stevens Square Park, 19th & Nicollet Ave. S., Mpls. 612-871-7307. (Bodin)

The 8th Annual Grand Young Day
@ The Turf Club

It's that time once again, Neil-heads, local music nuts, and smart Sunday drinkers, to deliberately sidestep the teeming masses of sweaty humanity clogging up the streets on and around the Grand Old Day celebration and head on down to St. Paul's Turf Club for Grand Young Day. Now in its 8th year, the annual tribute to Canadian powerhouse rocker/songwriter Neil Young has once again (like Neil's career) melted and morphed into a different beast. In past years, we've seen the Turf gang and their fellow Young-o-philes present a boatload of various takes on the man's music, but this time out has to be the most challenging yet. Dozens of local and national artists will join forces to present Grandpa Granola's overwhelming catalog in a genre of their own choosing. You might hear "Rockin' In The Free World" crooned a la' Sinatra, or "Pocahontas" growled out via a thrash metal groove. Word is, there'll be plenty of that as well as Young tunes done up in blues, country, surf, and rock opera-style. Most interesting of all, though, is the rumor that there'll be some newly founded genres made up by the performers. This year's lineup includes hosts The Mammy Nuns, as well as Ol' Yeller, Grand Champeen, Jambalaya, Baby Grant Johnson, Stingray Green, Dan Gaarder, Accident Clearinghouse, Kruddler, That's What You Get, BBLIM, Holy Cowboys, Hyde Bros., Outlaw Family Band, Crooked Eye, Randall Throckmorton, and scads more. Acoustic acts will take the old stage from 3 to 5 p.m., and electric acts will run from 5 p.m. to closing. The only better place for a Neil Young (or a local music) fan to be on this day would be at a show featuring the man himself. Don't miss it! 3 p.m. $5. 21+. The Corner of University and Snelling Aves., St. Paul. 651-647-0486. (Tom Hallett)

Mount Eerie, Walker Kong
@ The Triple Rock Social Club

Riding the release of the Microphones' most recent effort Mount Eerie (a project main Microphoner Phil Elvrum apparently enjoyed so much he decided to change the name of his group in honor of it), Elvrum and crew will be back in town yet again, performing their branded version of concept-noise rock for hordes of cowboy shirt wearing, tote bag carrying indie-kids. The new concept record focuses on the elemental aspects of the band's Olympian surroundings like wind, water and fire. Mount Eerie—Elvrum's new moniker (don't say the Microphones anymore, you'll be uncool)—pushes the boundaries of what critics expect from most bedroom projects. For an established artist, especially in the indie-rock scene, it's difficult to push a concept album—just look at David Bowie. Elvrum's latest creation, however, has shown remarkable staying power. Local rockers Walker Kong round out the bill with their written-softly-played-loud-power-pop, led by Jeremy Ackerman's "I don't want to grow up, I'm a Toys R Us kid" attitude. Their recent release, the anglophile pop leaning Transparent Life, has brought increasing interest in the band. Expect a "ready to rock" attitude.With Woelv and Thunder in the Valley.6 p.m. $6. All Ages. 629 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls, 612-333-7399. (Ian Anderson)