Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter
@ The 400 Bar

Jesse Sykes and her band The Sweet Hereafter (which features co-songwriter and former Whiskeytown guitarist Phil Wandschler) are currently logging road miles in support of their second slice of sublimely weary Americana, the pensive and wholly engrossing Oh, My Girl. Sykes creepy cigarette-songbird voice proves the perfect fit for her band's cinematically leaning material on cuts like the dramatic wind-blown noir of "Troubled Soul."

Violinist Anne Marie Ruljancich, also of the Walkabouts, is the group's secret weapon and artful purveyor of tear-inducing melancholia, but every element of the group's sound screams class (from the upright bass plunks of Neko Case sideman Bill Herzog to the mallet-heavy percussive work of drummer Kevin Warner). With Redleaves. 9 p.m. $8. 21+. 400 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-332-2903. Rob van Alstyne

Drunk Drivers
@ The Turf Club

Are you ready for some football? No, Hank Williams Jr., I'm not. I'm ready for sunburn. I'm ready for global warming. I'm ready for some summer for crying out loud. But since none of the above is likely to happen for another eight months, I'm more than ready to toss back a few gallons of La Crosse Lager with the Drunk Drivers and think warm thoughts. Back again for one of their quarterly visits, Drunk Drivers barrel into town to present a reasonable rock 'n roll threat to any can of PBR within reach. Last time in Eau Claire, a poor, unfortunate can of Old Style hit the stage and began hemorrhaging its precious golden nectar all over. But the ever-calm Stretch Hudson allayed any alarm by simply saying, "We'll get some sutures and nurse it back to health." Now that's what I call love. And if we ply these gentlemen with enough of that and some booze, maybe they'll play "Gwyneth Paltrow" a treat normally reserved for their hometown set. With The Blind Shake, Box of Steaks. 9 p.m. $3. 21+. The Corner of University and Snelling Ave., St. Paul. 651-647-0486. Donny Doane

Arab Film Festival
@ Intermedia Arts

As CNN and Hollywood manufacture a single image of "enemy Arabs," a sumptuous feast of films made by and about Arab people from around the world is being curated by MIZNA - the Minneapolis-based Arab-American literary/arts journal. The filmfest features contemporary documentaries and shorts, with an emphasis on Egypt, one of the most developed film industries in the Arab world. Nadi El Fani's "Bedwin Hacker" might be the next feminist classic, while "Rana's Wedding" by Palestinian filmmaker Hany Abu-Assad, is a love story set in the Occuppied Territories. Emmanuel Hamon's "Selves & Others" is a portrait of the late, eloquent Palestinian intellectual Edward Said. And corporate media cheerleading for the Iraq war is exposed in "Democracy in a Time of War" a film produced by reporters from Democracy Now. The second annual Arab Film Festival provides contradictory perspectives and explores the full range of human experiences within diverse Arab cultures. For a complete schedule go to: MIZNA.org. Thu. Sept. 23 – Sun. Sept. 26, $5/film, $25/festival pass. Intermedia Arts, 2822 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls. 612-871-4444. Lydia Howell

Scott Laurent, Bryan Barnett
@ The Bryant Lake Bowl

Two solid local singer/songwriters with decidedly different approaches, the pairing of Bryan Barnett and Scott Laurent should yield an interesting show. Laurent is still performing in support of his Ed Ackerson-produced breakthrough from last year, Truth is Lies, it's a package of gritty street-ready tunes that show Laurent is worthy of more attention here on his home turf (he's already got a respectable overseas following). Opening the show is Barnett, who has his own breakthrough record (last year's Two & Out) helmed by an equally well-known and respected studio vet (John Hermanson). It's a collection of lush lengthy songs not afraid to go for the dramatic (the number of string flourishes on this here joint is staggering). Barnett's about to head back in the studio with Hermanson again to record the follow-up to Two & Out so be on the lookout for new songs in his set. Helping Barnett bring the noise is his recently assembled band featuring Blake Erdahl and Mike Kelly (who've both logged time with Big Ditch Road) and Troy Alexander (who also plays with Laurent). Should be a band-member swapping, theatre-rocking night. 9:30 p.m. $6 adv/$8 door. All Ages. 81 West Lake Street, Mpls. 612-825-8949. van Alstyne

Poster Offensive 2
@ Frank Stone Gallery

Nearly all the pieces unveiled at the first Poster Offensive show at the Frank Stone Gallery last February sold out in a heartbeat on opening night. Don't miss your opportunity this weekend to view new works by more than two dozen artists who use their voices and visual talents to offer political statements that far outshine the traditional candidate yard sign. This event is an independent, nonpartisan show, featuring contemporary interpretations of political dissent. Despite that nonpartisan assertion, local powers-that-be at the Strib denied Frank Stone Gallery ad placement for this show because they were "offended" by the Iraq war statistics detailed in artist Jeff Johnson's poster. With just six weeks to go before the election, come see what you're missing in the mainstream media. Opening reception Fri. Sept. 24, 5 – 10 p.m. Sat. Sept. 25 - Sun. Sept. 26, 12 - 5 p.m. Frank Stone Gallery, 1224 2nd St. S.E., Mpls. 612-617-9965. Nancy Sartor

A Cancer Debt Benefit for Brett Johnson of Blue Worm Records
@ First Avenue

A beloved local figure who probably does more to help the scene in one week than most people do in a lifetime, Blue Worm Records founder Brett Johnson has run into some medical problems and their accompanying obscenely high treatment bills. Fortunately, there's something you can do to help - and it's pretty easy. Simply make your way out to this incredible show and plunk down your cover charge at the door knowing that the cash is going to a mighty good cause (to help erase Johnson's medical debts). In the six years Johnson's been running Blue Worm Records, he's started the careers of too many great local bands to count, many of whom might not have made it where they are today without his help and guidance. So come on y'all, it's time to give back to a man whose done more than his fair share of giving to the Twin Cities music scene. Featuring Kid Vengeance, Dillinger Four, The Dames, Devilinside, The Swiss Army, Claire de Lune. With special in-between set Hip-Hop/Poetry performances by Doom Tree. 5 p.m. $8 adv/ $10 door. All Ages. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388. Nathan Dean

A Whisper in the Noise
@ The Bryant Lake Bowl

Soft-spoken local rock group A Whisper In the Noise know their way around clever experimentation, and continue that tradition on their new album, 2D, a limited-edition collaboration with Duluth slow-core instrumentalists If Thousands. Each act does a good job of not overstepping their bounds, emitting similar sounds while simultaneously injecting a slightly different energy into each other's work. If you're new to the macabre layered sound of A Whisper in the Noise and don't find yourself immediately latching on to them, don't fret. Wait until you're in a different mood and give the band another spin, and I guarantee you they'll be able to mesmerize you into a second, third, or umpteenth listen. 9:30 p.m. $6 adv/$8 door. All Ages. 81 West Lake Street, Mpls. 612-825-8949. Louis Lenzmeier

Matthew Ryan
@ The 400 Bar

Matthew Ryan is an American songwriting treasure and the fact that he's forced to trudge his lonely way through the nations bars performing before a moderately-sized but rabidly-devoted audience rather than ply his wares on the stages of large theaters has more to say about the sorry state of pop music today than it does Ryan's skills. This is Ryan's third stop in town since the release of his career-defining album Regret Over the Wires last year, but his first headlining gig, so attendance should be required for anyone claiming to be a fan of passionate and intelligent songwriters. With a sandpapery voice that cuts to the quick, Ryan is the rare press-appointed Paul Westerberg disciple actually worthy of the comparison. With Sarah Woolever. Early show! 8 p.m. doors. Ryan at 9 p.m. 21+. $8. 400 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-332-2903. van Alstyne

Rocks with Wings
@ Oak Street Cinema

You need some cheering up. You need an uplifting story about people fighting back after they've been told they're no good, after they believe they're no good, after it's been proven to them time and time again that they're losers and it's futile to fight back. You need a story like that, because these kids win. These kids are gonna make it. You need to cheer for these kids, because right about now we all need to cheer for each other. We need to believe we're gonna make it. We've got to believe we can win. You gotta see these Navajo girls play basketball. You gotta see their intensity. You gotta taste their desire. Then try and tell someone you're giving up. You can't do it. You see these kids and you regain faith, and most of all you regain hope. Go see "Rocks with Wings" at the poverty series at Oak Street Cinema. Mon., Sept. 27, 7:30 p.m., Oak Street Cinema, 309 Oak St. S.E., Mpls. 621-331-3134. Ed Felien

Rilo Kiley
@ The Ascot Room

Rilo Kiley have made the big leap to major-label land signing with Warner Bros. imprint Brute for their third album, More Adventurous, and the signs of change are everywhere. Shinier sounds, bigger arrangements, more dynamic singing from formerly-twee-front-woman-turned-commanding-banshee Jenny Lewis, and a general sense that Rilo Kiley have been taking their creatine. The band turned once again to Saddle-Creek studio Svengali Mike Mogis for knob-twiddling duties but the overall feel of this album is definitely slick and big budget. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing (settle down you indie snobs), Lewis has a great voice and hearing her actually belt it out on the entirety of More Adventurous is nothing short of a revelation. Particularly enjoyable is the soulful cowgirl showcase "I Never," whose sweeping strings and sassy Wurlitzer produce a song equal parts stately sophistication and sweaty desperation. The near-complete absence of guitarist/co-songwriter Blake Sennett's voice is lamentable (he's only got one track here), but that's forgivable since he has his own side-project band the Elected going now anyway. So don't worry about who Rilo Kiley used to be, this band bears little resemblance to them now, instead enjoy Rilo Kiley for who they are (probably one of six artists currently in the Warner Empire worth a shit). With Now It's Overhead, Tilly & the Wall. 5 p.m. $12 adv/ $14 door. All Ages. 110 N. 5th St., Mpls. 612-338-3383. van Alstyne