Menomena, Pit Er Pat
@ The 7th St. Entry

Menomena set out to trump everyone in the originality department on their debut album, I Am the Fun Blame Monster, and largely succeed. Concocting the groovey/schizoid tapestry of their Beta-Bandish songs via a computer program called “Deeler” written by Brent Knopf (one of the Portland, Oregon group’s three multi-instrumentalists), Menomena’s cut-and-pasted glitch pop blends hazy group vocals, lots of piano and more keyboard textures than you can shake a stick at to create a listening experience long on atmosphere (although occasionally just a wee bit too meandering). Wait a second—do you think if I reprogrammed my IPOD I could make my OWN Menomena record? With Pit Er Pat. 9 p.m. $6. 21+. 701 First Ave. N. Mpls. 612-338-8388. Rob van Alstyne

Jens Lekman, The Impossible Shapes
@ The Cave

Jens Lekman is a Scandinavian with an ear that simultaneously pulls him towards ABBA-fied dance pop—“You Are The Light’s” summery stack of horns and swinging beat are flat-out “Dancing Queen” in their silliness—and much darker folk terrain (“The Cold Swedish Winter”). With a voice recalling a more tuneful and less hangdog Stephen Merritt, Lekman’s a precocious talent on the verge of full-on pop star status in his native country and well worth the drive to Northfield to see. Also on the bill are Lekman’s Secretly Canadian labelmates The Impossible Shapes, who manage to sound perhaps more European than Lekman despite hailing from Southern Indiana. Favoring a psychedelic sound clearly informed by anglo-folk traditions, the Impossible Shapes sound like a modern-day scaled down version of Love’s 1967 classic Forever Changes in their strongest moments (and no, that’s not a comparison I make lightly). 9 p.m. Free. All Ages. Carleton College, Northfield. 507-646-4000. van Alstyne

“The Exonerated” Authors
@ Borders Books

More than 100 innocent people have been exonerated and released from Death Row prisons across the United States in recent years. Stories from survivors of this American nightmare were gathered by a young, progressive couple, Jessica Blank and Eric Jensen, who transformed their stories into a powerful play called “The Exonerated.” From off-Broadway stages to a Court TV film, “The Exonerated” highlights six portraits that have, in the past, been embodied by Danny Glover, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins. The play reveals how racism and class-bias have merged with prosecutorial ambition to define the arbitrary nature of capital punishment in the U.S. Blank and Jensen’s new book, “Living Justice: Love, Freedom and the Making of The Exonerated” tells the rarely-told story of how anti-racism consciousness emerges, and includes portraits of those who escaped execution. Connected by art and activism, this book is also a love story. 7:30 p.m. 3001 Hennepin Ave., Mpls. Lydia Howell

The Women of Troy
@ Machine Shop/Pillsbury “A” Mill

Wendy Knox has done it again. Just when you think she couldn’t possibly top her remarkable past successes, she explodes your expectations and expands your imagination. “The Women of Troy” is a Frank Theater production based on two of Euripides’ plays, “The Trojan Women” and “Hecuba.” The plays are almost 2,500 years old and yet they’re as current as the siege and destruction of Fallujah. Greek tragedy was originally sung, and Marya Hart has composed a blues and Beatles-based score that is incredibly beautiful without distracting from the action. Janis Hardy as Hecuba turns in a performance that is probably the best this season of anything around—from the Guthrie on down. Her singing is flawless and without strain and her acting has industrial strength intensity. Thu. – Sat. 8 p.m. & Sun. 2 p.m. $18 - $20. Near St. Anthony Main at 300 SE 2nd St., Mpls. 612-724-3760. Ed Felien

Six Mile Grove
@ The Fine Line Music Café

By now I should get over my City snobbery factor and not be surprised at the amount of solid musicians and bands that call outer Minnesota home. The arrival of Rochester band Six Mile Grove’s Bumper Crop has once again served notice that Minnesota music is plenty potent outside the city limits. Although it could be easily argued that the last thing lacking on the local scene is enough Americana bands, when you hear the dulcet tones and mellow twang of Six Mile Grove you’ll gladly make room for one more Cowboy to saddle up at the alt. County bar. Strongly reminiscent of criminally overlooked St. Louis band Nadine, Six Mile Grove follow a similar path equal parts lonesome spare balladry (the banjo-driven “Doll In A Box” is gorgeous) and buoyant bar-time beats (“Later On”). Go Rochester! With Mark Stary & the Whisky Roses. 8 p.m. $6. 21+. 318 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8100. van Alstyne

Indian Uprising: A Night of Native Poetry/Spoken Word
@ Mpls American Indian Center

Renowned storyteller, poet and performer Jim Northrup headlines the 2005 Indian Uprising: A Night of Native Poetry/Spoken Word—a benefit for the Native youth organizing group NDGNS Action in Minneapolis. Spoken word fans can broaden their horizons and catch young Native artists in action. Veteran author Marcie Rendon (“Free Fry Bread” and “Song Catcher”) gives her two cents about the occasion: “Who says Indians are quiet? This group of young Native American spoken word artists prove that statement to be anything but true. They also let the world know that yes, we still are angry about the injustice and no matter how angry we are, Native people still [maintain] a human view of reality. Indians have long been absent from the spoken word scene here [in the Twin Cities], unless imported from out of state. But these homegrown youngsters tell it like no one else can.” The gig is a fundraiser for the artists’ upcoming trip to attend anti-racism training at The National Conference for People’s Institute in New Orleans, and workshop about getting Columbus Day changed to Indigenous People’s Day. Also featured on the bill are poets Bobby Wilson and Sarah A. Howes. 7 p.m. $5 includes food. 1530 E. Franklin Ave., Mpls. Dwight Hobbes

Winter Bluegrass Weekend
@ Radisson Hotel

Tune up your guitar, rosin up your bow and get on down to the 26th Annual Winter Bluegrass Weekend at the Radisson Hotel in Plymouth. There will be two big stages showcasing more than 50 acts (some local, some national), three rooms of instrument exhibits, open stages, workshops and jam sessions ‘round the clock. It’s great fun and local musicians love the chance to play with strangers. The Gibson Brothers from Nashville headline two shows on Saturday. Check it out, for sure! Fri. 7 p.m. – Sun. 5 p.m. Radisson Hotel and Conference Center, I-494 & Hwy. 55, Plymouth. 800-635-3037 or MinnesotaBluegrass.org. Felien

Cheryl Holz Art Opening
@ Art inFusion

Cheryl Holz does not struggle with the age-old concept of man vs. nature. On the contrary, she’s an artist who reveres the environment and draws inspiration from organic elements that exist in everyday life, blending them with richly hued paints and bits of text to create multi-layered work that is meaningful and emotionally evocative. As a girl, Holz delighted in collecting leaves and bugs from nearby woods. These days the Chicagoan still forages, but in addition to butterfly wings and moss, she also incorporates bits of eggshell, overdue notices, wine labels and whatever else strikes her fancy into her ethereal abstract paintings. Fascinated by nature, Holz says her art is invigorated by the connections between natural patterns and human design. She experiments with each canvas, building up and wearing away surface layers to simultaneously hide and expose elements of the collage. Each piece is like a treasure hunt, and the closer you look, the more you’ll discover. Show runs through March 30. Reception 6 – 10 p.m. 4143 Minnehaha Ave., Mpls. 612-386-6205. Nancy Sartor

Lateduster, Pedal Steel Transmission
@ First Avenue

Lateduster, one of the Twin Cities best instrumental groups, returns to local stages for the first time in nearly two years with this gig. With group members split by geography (Bryan Olson lives in San Francisco with the rest of the members still calling Minneapolis home) and their own solo work (Andrew Broder won’t be involved with this batch of gigs as he prepares for the upcoming release of Fog’s latest), Lateduster’s been on the backburner for some time. Getting to witness the chilled-out grooves and taut rhythms of the Dust in person is a rare treat as the group’s seamless sound packs the emotional immediacy of any soul-bearing songwriter without all the unnecessary verbiage. Also on the bill are Chicago sound adventurers Pedal Steel Transmission, the ideal concert bill companions for Lateduster. Although their name conjures visions of retro-cowboy boots and ten gallon hats, PST favor a far more spacey aesthetic (although they do prominently feature their titular instrument). A jam-friendly take on the desert-swept sound of Calexcio, PST boast two songwriters, guitarist/vocalists Dan Schneider and Gary Pyskacek, but one solitary sinister vision of urban cowboy mystery music. With Kid Dakota (fresh off a high-profile European jaunt with Low) and Barfly. 9 p.m. $7. 21+. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388. van Alstyne

International Women’s Day Concert
@ Cedar Cultural Center

In addition to its annual 24 hours of programming dedicated to International Women’s Day, KFAI is sponsoring a benefit concert of diverse Twin Cities talent that transcends borders and anti-feminist stereotypes. Come hear Lady J (host of “Rollin’ & Tumblin”) belt out the blues while Pam K. (host of “Stone Soup”) croons country-folk songs. Also on the bill are the Neecomis Women Singers, who evoke an indigenous spirit; and Laura Harada, who sings Middle Eastern songs. Experience the unique African/punk/poetry fusion of Mankwe Ndosi and listen to the Spanish/English poetry of Theatre Unbound. Southeast Asian spoken word and guest DJs will also perform. All proceeds benefit KFAI community radio. 8:30 p.m. $10 adv/ $15 door. 416 Cedar Ave., Mpls. 612-341-3144. Howell