Iraq: Through the Eyes of Her Children
St. Martin’s Table

Minneapolis restaurant owner Sami Rasouli returned to his native Iraq in November to help his beleaguered homeland. He formed an organization called Muslim Peacemaker Teams (MPT), a counterpart to the Christian Peacemaker Teams helping feed the people and clean up the rubble after the U.S. government’s invasion. MPT helped counter the sectarian violence there and bring people together. Now, Rasouli, a strong opponent of the invasion, is back in Minnesota for several weeks, raising money for his efforts. He brought with him about 50 pieces of art from a variety of Iraqi artists, which he plans to display and sell around the Twin Cities. Money raised will go to the artists and to peacekeeping efforts. The exhibit, “Iraq: Through the Eyes of Her Children,” will continue through July 15. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. 2001 Riverside Ave., Mpls. 612-339-3920. Brian Kaller

Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba
St. Albert the Great church

The Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba will be in the Twin Cities on one of 20 routes by different caravans to visit over 120 cities to break the blockade of Cuba. You could meet activists bringing medical supplies to Cuba, you could learn about Cuba, and you could eat some great food from Victor’s 1959 Café, listen to music from DJ El Caleno and drink Mojitos and other Cuban drinks. 6 p.m. 2836 33rd Ave. S., Mpls. $10. 612-276-0788. Ed Felien

Benefit for Dax Pierson
The 7th St. Entry

Beloved Oakland outerspace Hip-Hop outfit Subtle was on its way to a gig here in Minneapolis when their van flipped over on the highway, seriously injuring keyboardist Dax Pierson. The accident shattered his fifth vertebra, which paralyzed him from the chest down, making it difficult for him to breathe. Pierson is on the road to recovery but still needs help covering the massive medical bills, including the cost of the electric wheelchair he now uses and refitting his home for handicapped accessability. A personable character, Pierson’s already had benefit shows held on his behalf throughout the world (featuring notables ranging from Mogwait to David Cross). Now the Twin Cities music scene throws its weight behind the cause. Expect an emotionally charged night of diverse and challenging music sure to appeal to fans of both experimental Hip-Hop (Kill the Vultures), tech heavy folk-pop (JG Everest) and in between (the always unclassifiable Fog). Featuring: Fog, Dosh, Kill the Vultures, JG Everest, Cepia. 9 p.m. $8. 21+. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388. Rob van Alstyne

Sparrows
Marysburg Books

This goes beyond what you would expect. Billy Franklin was a soulful Latin singer until he got mixed up with these serious musicians. Now he plays bass to Reid Kruger’s drums and Jonathan Kaiser’s electric cello. It’s not jazz, pop or Latin, but it’s all three with a dead earnest sensibility. Check them out at Marysburg, 8:30 p.m. 304 Washington Ave. N., Mpls. Felien

7Ply Culture
Fallout Urban Art Center

The revival of skateboarding culture in the late ‘70s inspired a whole cultural movement based around the sport. Accompanying skateboard crews were graffiti-style art, punk music, hair and clothing styles and a very specific attitude that came to be associated with skate culture. This movement has evolved over the decades, but the rich culture and creativity have remained vibrant, and more amazingly, have garnered legitimacy in the art and consumer worlds—something quite remarkable for a culture based around an activity that is illegal in most places where people want to skate. Thanks to events like 7Ply Culture, divergent elements of skate culture—art, live music, skateboarding—are brought together in a creative atmosphere for the enjoyment of skaters and non-skaters alike. This is the second year the Fallout has done the 7Ply Culture event, and this year’s festivities precede a much larger show at the Soap Factory on Labor Day weekend, all of which are organized by students at the Minneapolis College of Art + Design. Participants are encouraged to come and enjoy the show, and also to bring their own skateboard paraphernalia (artwork by and about skaters, broken decks, old shoes and the like) for potential use in the Soap Factory show. With performances by More Material, The Skinnys, Under the Knife and Brown. 3 – 11 p.m., bands 5 – 11 p.m. $5 suggested donation. 2609 Stevens Ave. S., Mpls. 7plyculture@gmail.com. Michelle Lee

Coalition for Alternatives to Military Service
Twin Cities Friends Meeting House

A number of peace groups in the Twin Cities will gather at the Twin Cities Friends Meeting House in St. Paul to talk about how to provide young Americans with alternatives to military service. CAMS aims to provide youth with alternatives to military service and access to non-military viewpoints in their schools, education and life. Sponsored by WAMM, Veterans for Peace and Every Church a Peace Church. 10:30 a.m. 1725 Grand Ave., St. Paul. Kaller

Twin Town High CD Release Party
The Turf Club

Last weekend’s Twin Town High CD release party was a full-on rager, featuring a large and boisterous crowd, great performances (Friends Like These came on like a pack of rabid dogs while ending their three month hiatus from live performance) and plenty of fuzzy memories for yours truly. Fortunately local music fans that may have sadly missed out on the first release party (how could you!) still have a chance to be exonerated. Featuring a lineup just as star-studded as the first party, those making it down to the Turf will not only get their own free copy of the still-hot-off-the-presses Twin Town High CD (featuring 23 previously unreleased tracks of local music), they can revel to the sounds of a diverse pack of exciting local talent as well. Featuring: The Olympic Hopefuls, Mel Gibson & the Pants, Tin Horns, Chris Koza Band, Elfi Snow & The Tasty Morsels. 9 p.m. $5 (Free Twin Town High CD with cover). 21+. The Corner of University and Snelling Aves., St. Paul. 651-647-0486. van Alstyne

The Flavor Crystals, Airiel, Basement Apartment
The Hexagon Bar

The Twin Cities has plenty of great different pockets of local music, but if there’s one area where it might be considered lacking it’s in the lovely art of shoegazing rock. Thankfully local group the Flavor Crystals are here to remedy that problem with the arrival of their debut album, On Plastic. Eight songs full of droning riffage, gossamer guitar webs and perfectly lazy-eyed vocals, fans of Lush and their anglo-ilk will be beside themselves when swooning to the hazy sounds of the Flavor Crystals. Also on the bill are the similarly trance-inducing-inclined Chicago outfit Airiel, who’ve been self-releasing a series of increasingly higher-profile EPs that have made fans overseas and in their own backyard. Kicking things off are local outfit Basement Apartment, who rarely play live despite crafting one of the top local pop albums of last year (the jangly and soothing Transistor). 9 p.m. Free. 21+. 2600 27th Ave. S., Mpls. 612-722-3454. van Alstyne

Melismatics
The Triple Rock Social Club

The Melismatics are back with a new EP, Turn It On, for stalwart local imprint Susstones Records, and the five-song platter shows that quite a bit has changed in Melismatics land since their 2003 release, New Infection. New guitarist Kris Johnson has joined the fold, the band’s expanded their sound (alongside the usual snarly rockers we get treats like the mid-tempo anthem “Automatic [Get that Feeling]”) and front man Ryan Smith’s voice has never been in finer fettle. Great production from Ed Ackerson (Polara, Kraig Johnson & the Program) ties all the songs together, and the end result is a more than adequate appetizing teaser for the group’s next full-length. With Alva Star, Moth. 9 p.m. $6. 21+. 629 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-333-7399. Nathan Dean

Photos of the Somali Diaspora
MAPP’S Coffee + Tea

The Somali Diaspora, a unique collection of photographs by Somali-born artist Abdi Roble, will be on view at MAPP’S Coffee + Tea until August 7. The exhibition, sponsored by Minneapolis-based Arts Midwest, captures an important transition in the cultural history of the Somali community in the United States. The exhibition witnesses Somali people who have just begun to adopt the language and culture of their host country, while still struggling to retain their own cultural identity. The photographs, which thematically address issues of immigration, education, religion, business and marriage, evocatively capture the community’s present reality. From a young man in meditation in the Huda Quran school, to men socializing in the Somali-owned VIP barbershop, to adolescent boys cavorting in the community swimming pool, the photographs provide a glimpse into a balance of tradition and history, survival and pursuit of the American dream. Roble will build upon this poignant series when he visits Minneapolis, the de facto capital of Somalis in America, and begins photographing members of its immigrant Somali community. Public reception 1 – 5 p.m. 1810 Riverside Ave., Mpls. Roble will speak about his work at the Minnesota Center for Photography, 165 13th Ave. N.E., Mpls., on Tue. July 12 at 7 p.m. The free exhibition will be on view Mon. – Sun. from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. 612-341-0755. Matt Tieger

Nicolai Dunger
The 400 Bar

As a former professional soccer player from Sweden who’s gone on to make albums with the likes of both Will Oldham and Mercury Rev, it’s safe to say Nicolai Dunger’s biography reads differently than most of his indie-folk contemporaries. With a set of pipes that lead many to make (somewhat misleading) Van Morrison comparisons and a talent for finding great collaborators—whether they be Swedish string sections and jazz innovators or American indie-rock icons—Dunger’s always an interesting ride. Although frequently forced to tour the States as a solo act, this 400 Bar gig finds the man working with a band. Expect plenty of material from his awesomely titled 2004 outing, Here’s My Song You Can Have It … I Don’t Want it Anymore/Yours 4Ever. With Larissa Anderson. 9 p.m. $8. 21+. 400 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-332-2903. Dean