Howard Dean
Minneapolis Convention Center Auditorium

In the midst of House and Senate hearings on the Patriot Act, Howard Dean—one of the few 2004 presidential candidates to oppose the act—will speak on behalf of the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota (ACLU-MN). The Patriot Act allows government agents to search people’s homes, tap their phones and view library information without previous permission or warning. The ACLU-MN, a strong opponent of the Patriot Act, has seen its membership more than double in the few years since the act was passed. The former governor of Vermont is the founder of Democracy for America, a grassroots organization built on the momentum of his presidential campaign, and has just been elected chair of the Democratic National Committee. 6:30 p.m. $30. 1301 2nd Ave. S., Mpls. 651-645-4097, ext. 120 or email support@aclu-mn.org. Brian Kaller

4/20 Celebration and Benefit Week
Cabooze

Dude! It’s 4:20! Time to kick back, light up and tune into your favorite Cheech and Chong video next to a plethora of munchies with the rest of the tokers in this hemisphere. OK, seriously, and with negative stereotypes and worn-out clichés aside, make time to head down to the Cabooze, see some good music and support an excellent cause. NORML MN’s (the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, Minnesota) annual educational celebration and benefit week is centered around the magical time and date of 4-20. With more than 700,000 Americans arrested on marijuana charges last year—over 90 percent for simple possession—this effort is worth supporting. Line-up: With White Iron Band, Mr. Sticky, Lost Marbles, Trampled by Turtles, Cornmeal and Switched at Birth. Wed. & Thu. 8:30 p.m. $6 – $8. 18 +. 917 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612- 338-6425. NORMLMN.com Aaron Neumann

The Wedding Present
The 400 Bar

Post-Smiths U.K. sensations The Wedding Present’s snarling semi-sexually-explicit jangle pop may have never hit in the States like it did back home (where they scored 17 top 40 singles in the late ‘80s/early ‘90s), but that probably had more to do with the group’s overwhelming Englishness (they went so far as to name their debut after notoriously hard-partying soccer star George Best) than any lack of star power. A revolving door of members led by sole constant David Gedge on guitar/vocals, The Wedding Present were laid to rest nearly a decade ago when Gedge opted for more dancey ‘60s oriented fare in the group Cinerama (alongside then-girlfriend Sally Murrell). But with the recent dissolution of that romantic/musical partnership and a return to more guitar-driven sounds, Gedge has decided to return to the Wedding Present moniker once again. Expect all the old favorites (“Everyone Thinks He Looks Daft!”) and plenty of helpings from their comeback album, Take Fountain. With the Crystal Skulls. 9 p.m. $15. 21+. 400 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-332-2903. Rob van Alstyne

King of Hearts
Loring Playhouse

One of the only anti-war movies that is also gentle and funny, the 1966 play and movie “King of Hearts” is more relevant than ever and desperately in need of revival. Thankfully, Theater Latte Da and Interact Theatre will present the area premiere of this rarely-seen classic at the Loring Playhouse from April 23 to May 22. The play begins in the final days of World War I, as a young soldier is sent to defuse the bombs in a supposedly abandoned French village—only to find that the inmates of a local insane asylum have happily taken over the town. As he tries to follow his ridiculous orders in a deranged war, the insane begin to seem like the most appealing and rational people around. Previews at 8 p.m. Apr. 21 & 22; premiere 8 p.m. Apr. 23. Through May 22. 8 p.m. Fri. & Sat.; 2 p.m. Sun. $15 – $25. 1633 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls. 612-343-3390 or latteda.org. Kaller

In the Mirror
Pangea World Theater

Last fall Pangea World Theater assembled a unique group of artists that included actors, spoken-word artists, poets, filmmakers and media artists to ponder and dialogue about the role of media in our lives. They examined several types of media, and looked at how these forms both connect and isolate us. The result of these improvisational collaborations is “In the Mirror,” a satirical play about how the media affects our perspective as individuals and as a society. This multimedia performance at the Playwrights’ Center uses video, digital media, narrative text, sound, movement and performance art to tell the story. Directed by Dipankar Mukherjee, written by Meena Natarajan and including an international cast, “In the Mirror” is sure to raise a plenitude of questions and incite further discussions among theater goers. Through Apr. 24. Thu. – Sat. 8 p.m. & Sun. 2 p.m. $10 – $15. The Playwrights’ Center, 2301 E. Franklin Ave., Mpls. 612-203-1088. Nancy Sartor

The Magnolias
The 7th St. Entry

It’s hard to believe it’s been just over 20 years since local rocker John Freeman formed the first version of The Magnolias—in December 1984—and even harder to swallow that the band’s not as famous or celebrated worldwide as their fellow TC pop/punk peers of that era. But fame and fortune were never Freeman’s main goals with this alternately snarling/soothing beast. The fact that he’s remained as sharp and hook-hip as ever through five official Mags records, countless lineup changes (walk through any local club and you’re likely to brush elbows with somebody who played in the band over the years—from Ron Anderson to Tom Lischmann to Tom Cook, Caleb Palmiter to Dave Weigardt, Kyle Killorin to Kent Militzer, the list is amazing and seemingly endless), a Target commercial, and several other killer bands, including The Outpatients, The Bleeding Hearts, The Pushbacks, and, recently, Action Alert, only cements his rightful rep as an essential founding member of today’s local scene. For this highly anticipated reunion show, expect loads of surprise appearances, at least 40 minutes of slicing, seething pop/rock shenanigans and possibly some minor guitar smashing. With special guests Rank Strangers (showcasing tunes from their excellent recent EP, Chop Chop) and former Turf Club house band The Mammy Nuns, this gig will be about as close as you’ll ever get to being back in ‘84, as Minneapolis was taking her first wild swings at national musical notoriety. Not to be missed. 9 p.m. $8. 21+. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388. Tom Hallett

Iron & Wine
First Avenue

Best beard in indie-rock? Sweetest Southern gothic storyteller? Coolest modern banjo plucker? Only Sam Beam (AKA Iron & Wine) can rightly claim all three titles. Since his home-recorded four tracks surfaced three years ago on The Creek Drank The Cradle, the groundswell of popular and critical acclaim has been stunning (if you haven’t heard him on the Current at least once a day, then perhaps you caught his hushed-folk meditations as the primary soundtrack to the Topher Grace/Scarlett Johansson romantic comedy “In Good Company”). Needless to say, Beam isn’t likely to be returning to his post as a film studies professor any time soon. Although his sound has undergone the requisite cleaning-up and expansion that one would anticipate (he typically tours with a full band these days, and lays down his tracks in a real studio rather than his bedroom), quiet intensity and rustic poeticism are still there—and that’s what got everyone excited in the first place. With Eric Johnson of the Fruit Bats, Horses. 6 p.m. $15. All Ages. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388. van Alstyne

Festival of Nations
RiverCenter, St. Paul

One of the nation’s largest and longest- running multi-ethnic events, St. Paul’s Festival of Nations showcases Minnesota’s diversity, celebrates ethnic traditions and encourages pan-cultural understanding. Presented by the International Institute of Minnesota for more than 70 years, the Festival of Nations strengthens relationships among 90 ethnic groups as members work together towards common goals. Visitors can shop in ethnic bazaars, eat foods from around the world and see craftsmen at work. More than 85,000 people attend the festival, including over 30,000 students from the five-state area. 4 – 10 p.m. Apr. 22; 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Apr. 23 & 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Apr. 24. $8 adults / $6 children in advance; $10 adults / $6 children at door. 175 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. 651-647-0191. Gyros Papadopoulos

M. Ward
The Turf Club

These days everything Conor Oberst touches turns to indie-gold, so it figured that M. Ward’s virtuosic hootenanny folk-rock would take a marked upturn in profile after a few cross-country collaborative tours with Bright Eyes, but I’ll admit to still being caught off guard at the amount of attention Ward record No. 4, Transistor Radio, has garnered. With no shortage of folk-music revivalists on the scene, Ward manages to stand apart by his willingness to shuck convention (why not throw in a few Bach or Brian Wilson covers amidst the fluidly finger-picked originals?) and his haunting rasp of a voice. Those new to Ward’s mystical fog-land folk would do well to check out all his prior releases as he’s had the goods from the get go even if it’s taken awhile for the larger indie-rock world to notice. With Devotchka, Norfolk and Western. 9 p.m. $10. 21+. The corner of Snelling and University Ave., St. Paul. 651-647-0486. van Alstyne

Earth Day
Various Locations

The Twin Cities Natural Food Co-ops (TCNFC) are a group of 10 natural food cooperatives throughout Minneapolis and St. Paul. To celebrate Earth Day this year, TCNFC have launched the “Go Organic for Earth Day” campaign, encouraging families to step outside of the multitude of gargantuan food warehouses and into the living world of neighborhood co-ops. Experience produce without pesticides and genetically modified organisms … enjoy meat and fish free of growth hormones and antibiotics … experiment with new recipes using all organic products. A free “Go Organic” action kit and recipe booklet will be available at the co-ops. Utilize your power as a consumer and support a healthy lifestyle for you and your family. Check out www.earthday.org for a list of related events in your community. Sartor

Benefit for local filmmaker
Center for Independent Arts

The Center for Independent Arts will host a benefit Saturday, April 23 for local writer and filmmaker Allison Herrera, to help fund the making of her documentary “Prayer of the Sorrowful Mystery” The film chronicles the lives and stories of five generations of Salinan Indian women in Herrera’s family, and examines how Salinan Indian culture and identity has changed. The event will feature short movies from local filmmakers, a live Mariachi band, flamenco dancers, DJ Jennifer from KFAI’s Groove Garden and a piece of Herrera’s work in progress. 6 – 10 p.m. 4137 Bloomington Ave. S., Mpls. Kaller

Damon and Naomi
The 400 Bar

Shimmering light-as-air folk rock doesn’t get much better than Damon and Naomi, who continue to refine their already gorgeous songcraft with The Earth Is Blue, their first new album of original material in five years. Blue is also the first release on their own record label (the enterprising duo already run their own publishing company). Although still known by some (shame on you!) for their role in legendary indie sleepy-rock outfit Galaxie 500 (alongside eventual Luna leader Dean Wareham), Damon and Naomi are a force to be reckoned with on their own merits. Although neither of the pair would fare particularly well in American Idol auditions, it hardly matters. Their wispy undersung vocals are hardly meant to be the focus. With melodies this languidly beautiful and pristine arrangements sure to appeal to classy pop music sophisticates of all stripes, the group could just as easily succeed as an instrumental ensemble. With Orso and spoken word artist Patrick Durgin. 9 p.m. $8 adv / $10 door. 400 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-332-2903. Nathan Dean