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This weekend boasts two stellar lineups at St. Paul’s favorite rock club, the Turf Club.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4TH

Filthy Huns, Heavy Deeds, Wave Pool & Robust Worlds

@ Turf Club
1601 University Ave
St. Paul

9 pm / 21+ / $6

Tonight at the Turf comesa night for fans of late, great local bands Vampire Hands and Daughters of the Sun. Headlining is Nick Koenigs, former frontman for psych-rockers Daughters of the Sun, with his new one-man band Filthy Huns, which, judging by new track “Watch of the Bear” off its just-released tape cassette S/T on LA label Not Not Fun, is taking a darker, more sparse and droning direction, full of lo-fi guitar and loops that DOTS fans nonetheless should be into. (Take a listen over at soundcloud.com.) Also playing is Bennett Johnson of Vampire Hands’ new band Wave Pool along with the charmingly quirky Mr. Hide, psych rock-meets-classic rockers Heavy Deeds — which features former members of Vampire Hands — and Chris Rose of Heavy Deeds’ one-man foray into “futuristic folk-rock,” Robust World.

Click HERE for the Turf Club site

Nick Koenigs, photo by Stephen Maturen

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5TH

7th Annual January Show: Birthday Suits, the Blind Shake, STNNNG & Seawhores

@ Turf Club
1601 University Ave W
St. Paul

9 pm / 21+ / $8

Are you ready to rock! It will not be an evening of polite milquetoast music when powerful local punk duo Birthday Suits host their 7th annual blowout. Birthday Suits’ crazy live presence and onstage antics are legendary; they never fail to put on a seriously loud and kinetic show. Like-minded local garage punk trio the Blind Shake, post-punk five-piece STNNNG and the extreme noise of Seawhores round out a blistering lineup of punk progeny. Your ears are sure to be ringing and you may have a few bruises at the end of the night, but you know…in a good way!

Click HERE for the Turf Club site

Birthday Suits

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Whether you’re into experimental comedy, the Roaring ’20s, black and white balls, girl group cover bands or loud, fast and dirty punk rock, St. Paul has got you covered. Here are the651′s top picks for ringing in the New Year.

“Happy Crazier New Year!”

@ Gremlin Theatre
811 University Av W
St. Paul

8 pm / $16, $12 (with Fringe button, under 18, senior or bananas), $10 (under 18 with bananas or Fringe button)

Dubbed as “half show, half party, half Olympic, all good time” (how does that math work out?), comedy theater Happy Minnesota’s “Happy Crazier New Year!” show promises a somewhat-improvised show featuring the sort-of fictional Happy family. This year, the Happys head into space for a happier, crazier new year, complete with dance parties, vodka, music and frogs and bananas – in fact, if you bring bananas with you to the show, you’ll receive a discount on your ticket… Yeah, we’re not sure what that’s all about either, but it promises to be a zany good time either way.

Click HERE for the Happy Minnesota site

Dillinger Four w/ Frozen Teens, L’Assassins, Girl Group Cover Band & Lady Heat

@ Turf Club
1601 University Ave
St. Paul

8 pm / 21+ / $10

The Turf Club’s tradition of local bands covering choice musical acts heads to the Hex this year, but don’t be sad – they’ve got a line-up of local talent (and even a band that specifically does covers). Provincial punks are rejoicing as the infrequent and beloved Dillinger Four will play. L’Assassins, who describe themselves as “post-apocalyptic vixen rock…snarl[ing] their way through the roots of garage-rock and female angst.” (We might add: and into this angst-y heart.) The Frozen Teens have a timeless punky sound. Girl Group Cover Band has a perfectly suited name for what they do. The DJs of Lady Heat (which includes Pink Mink’s Christy Hunt along Sara Jean Hanson and l’étoile staff writer Danielle Morris), spin old school soul and funk all on vinyl. Get tickets in advance to ensure your New Year’s Eve rockability.

Click HERE for tickets

Flappers and Gangsters New Year’s Roaring ’20s Party

@ Dr. Chocolate’s Chocolate Chateau
579 Selby Ave
Saint Paul

7 pm-1 am / 21+ / $50

Who doesn’t love a good prohibition-themed party? Vintage cocktails, flapper dresses, zoot suits. It’s all so glamorous. And since glitter, sparkles, sequins and the like are near mandatory on New Year’s Eve, a roaring ’20s party is just what the Doctor (Chocolate) ordered. Located on the third floor of the Victorian mansion that’s home to Dr. Chocolates Chocolates Chocolate Chateau, the evening will include jazz, dancing, period drinks and appetizers and gambling (for charity). Dress the part, gamble like a mobster, and drink like you mean it.

Click HERE for the Dr. Chocolate’s Chocolate Chateau site

New Year’s Eve Black & White Ball

@ CAMP Bar
490 N Robert St
St. Paul

10 pm / 21+ / FREE

Get suited up in your dapperest duds for CAMP Bar’s sixth annual New Year’s Eve Black & White Ball. The gay bar and cabaret will class things up with a free champagne toast at midnight, door prizes and drawings throughout the night. But things are bound to get a little trashy – the gay bar and cabaret will heat things things up with go-go boys, pole dancers, shot boys and danceable top 40 tunes from DJ Logan Spencer. Bonus: wear black and white, and you’ll get to take advantage of drink specials all night.

Click HERE for the CAMP Bar site

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Looking for something to do this weekend? Look no further than St. Paul, which boasts a show from Minneapolis stalwarts the Magnolias, Jonathan Toubin’s Soul Clap and Dance-off and the return of the Riot Act Reading Series to the Turf Club Clown Lounge:

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH

The Magnolias w/ North of Grand & Tim Casey And The Martyrs

@ Turf Club
1601 University Ave W
St Paul

9 pm / 21+ / $7

The Magnolias – John Freeman and whoever he wants to have with him at any given time – have been a Minneapolis staple since 1984, pretty much helping to define the “Minneapolis sound” along the way: tight, buzzy, punk-inflected shit with power-pop overtones and tons of hooks. Think the Buzzcocks, early Jam before all the soul kicked in, the Replacements, and a touch of Peter Perrett. They’ve been on-again, off-again for years, but now they’re definitely back, sporting a tight lineup drawn from different ears of the band and new material (the totally-unchanged-in-the-best-way Pop the Lock LP). They’ve never received their fair dues, really – they’ve always been more stalwarts than legends, but they deserve accolades for some terrific songs and killer liver shows. -Jon Hunt

Click HERE for the First Avenue site

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1ST

Making Amends Cabaret

@ Bedlam Theater
213 E 4th St
St Paul

8 pm / $12-20

Bedlam Theater has partnered with performance artists Harry Waters Jr. and Molly Van Avery to push the scope of the marriage conversation past “Vote No.” Through the lens of cabaret, the creative assembly will strive towards a deeper understanding of the meaning of family within and out of societal norms and mores. The visionary artistic activists, contextualizing the spectrum with sexual orientation and gender identity in mind, will include members of the Trans Youth Support Network. Portions of the proceeds will go to TYSN and the cost of the event is on a sliding scale; no one will be denied entry to the handicap accessible building for lack of funds. -Ryn Gibson

Click HERE for the Bedlam Theatre site

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1ST

Nicademus Art Open House & Holiday Party

@ Nicademus Art & Framing
1618 Selby Ave
St Paul

4-10 pm / FREE

Opening up their home for a holiday framing party, the owners of Nicademus Art & Framing want to get you excited about art. With hundreds of framing options and just as many prints to choose from there is something for everyone. The open house and holiday party includes warm and cool drinks, cookies and the chance to custom framing deals and snatch up screen-printed posters and prints by local designers. -Alexandra Katz

Click HERE for the Facebook invite

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1ST

Black Tie Blitz

@ Ordway Center for Performing Arts
345 Washington St
St Paul

8:30 pm / $75 in advance ($130 per couple), $90 at the door

Time to bust out the bow ties and gowns for the annual soiree that is the Ordway’s version of “Puttin’ on the Glitz.” This exclusive black tie gala will feature live music by the Wolverines Big Band along with plenty of special performers throughout the evening. Tickets include valet parking, complimentary wine and beer, along with a dessert and coffee bar. A portion of proceeds from this fabulous event will benefit the Ordway Circle of Stars, which provides kids with low-cost tickets and bus subsidies for special performances. -Chelsea Streich

Click HERE for the Ordway site

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1ST

New York Night Train Soul Clap & Dance-Off feat. Jonathan Toubin w/ DJs Lady Heat & Brian Engel

@ Turf Club
1601 University Ave W
St Paul

9 pm / 21+ / $10

Vinyl aficionado DJ Jonathan Toubin, who recently recovered from a freak cab accident in Portland, is bringing New York Night Train to the Twin Cities. Toubin’s traveling soul clap, dance-off parties have been praised in music publications across the country. But his musical prowess is not what impresses this writer. No. Here is what does: Toubin regularly spins at Brooklyn Bowl, a NYC music venue that features bowling, booze and literally the best fried chicken I have ever had. I am not exaggerating. So there’s that. Another note: local soul vinyl DJ favorites Lady Heat will also be spinning. The eclectic female trio’s soul party has easily become one of the most fun nights in the Cities (even though you sadly have to get your fried poultry elsewhere). These Minnesotan mavens – along with DJ Brian Engel of Hipshaker and Hotpants fame – will surely give Toubin a run for his money. What’s more, the winner of the midnight dance-off will receive a $100 cash prize. If you do happen to walk away with the prize money consider getting a one-way ticket to BK Bowl’s famed fried chicken establishment. You won’t be sorry. -Lizzy Shramko

Click HERE for the Turf Club site

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2ND

Riot Act Reading Series

@ The Clown Lounge at the Turf Club
1601 University Ave W
St Paul

7 pm / 21+ / FREE

After a lengthy hiatus, the always outrageous, kick-in-the-face literary romp Riot Act Reading Series takes its comedy flanks back to its longtime home at the Turf Club Clown Lounge to deliver a hot, artsy mess of rebellious readings, ingenious storytelling and scholarly rudeness. Host and punk rock poet Paul Dickenson will be joined by Dirty Curls comic/songstress Courtney McLean, everybody’s favorite liquor store clerk Beck DeRobertis, writer/photographer/filmmaker Christopher “Jug” George and music writer/Riot Act co-host Laura Brandenburg, with David Mercer accompanying on piano. -Staff

Click HERE for more info

Paul Dickenson, Photo by Sean Smuda

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Thanksgiving’s over – now what? Here’s our guide to nightlife in St. Paul, post-Turkey Day.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22ND

Revolution Circus

@ Station 4
201 E 4th St
St Paul

7 pm / 21+ / $6

What better way to cap off Thanksgiving Day with some majorly messed-up vaudeville sideshow acts? The Revolution Circus brings its tour to town, plus Kansas City’s Mercury Mad, Tulsa’s Ichi Zero, and Detroit’s Doppelgänger Sideshow. Local support comes courtesy of the Devil’s Caravan and aerial performers Lux LaRoux, plus live music from All the Pretty Horses’ Raymond Breed, Mach Fox and Rapedoor.

Click HERE for the Revolution Circus site

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23RD

Pony Trash EP Release Show

@ Turf Club
1601 University Ave W
St Paul

9 pm doors / 21+ / $7

Pony Trash has the rawness of Neil Young and Crazy Horse white washed in translucent gauze of post-modern sensitivity. Or as Sara Bischoff of Heavy Deeds says of their EP, “At the very least the greatest make-out record of the year.” Their release show is a tight package brimming with local musical talent. Flavor Crystals will have you in the quietude of a rooftop sunrise after a night of partying, with a jolt of heavy effects to toughen the daydreamers. The Velveteens have been described as equally sweet and scratchy, but their loosey-goosey cool does not belie their gritty determination to inculcate smart music. Web of Sunsets rides on a rainbow, towards a field of bright poppies floating on stardust. Martha Weir and DJ Soft abuse spin some records, while every act will spin a web of amorphous mellifluence.

Click HERE for the Turf Club site

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24TH

Post Thanksgiving Pub Crawl

Starts @ Cork’s Irish Pub
175 10th St E
St Paul

2 pm-2 am / 21+ / $10 advance, $20 day-of

Wind down Thanksgiving weekend with – what else? – more drinking. Now in its sixth year, this pub crawl traverses across Lowertown St. Paul, with locations including the Cork’s Irish Pub, Gopher Bar, Barrio, Burger Moe’s and Mancini’s Char House. Cost of a wristband includes drink specials, and half the proceeds go to the Saint Patrick’s Association of St. Paul and Blair’s Tree of Hope, which provides services and life necessities for families with hospitalized children.

Click HERE for the Post Thanksgiving Pub Crawl site

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24TH

The King Khan & BBQ Show w/ Hot Rash & Toxic Shrew

@ Turf Club
1601 University Ave W
St Paul

10 pm / 21+ / $13

Ok, kids, listen up, it’s time for a rock ‘n’ roll history lesson. There once was this amazing Canadian garage rock duo from Montreal birthed from the blood and sweat of doo-wop/punk bandmates Mark Sultan (aka BBQ) and Blacksnake (alias King Khan). The duo was later joined by drummer/organist Leo Chips and together they made up an elite powerhouse – The King Khan & BBQ Show. For years, they toured the world blowing peoples minds with their subversive blend of psych, rock ‘n’ roll, R&B, punk and doo-wop. Then, trouble brewed. Sultan screamed at Khan. Khan threw a glitter encrusted feather boa. It was damn near fisticuffs. Needless to say, the band broke up. Their last, ill-fated tour included a performance at the request of iconoclasts Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson. This time around, the avant garde legends come at the request of no one but the golden hearts of loyal fans. Let’s hope we’re enough to ward off the flames of bandmate malignity. Either way, they’re sure to put on a hot-mess, tripped-out, wacky rock show. If you don’t see neon hot pants, leopard print, turbans and/or fringe at tonight’s show, we owe you a dollar…shit, make it five. Oh, yeah, we’re that confident. Opening sets from locals Hot Rash and garage punk rockers, Toxic Shrews.

Click HERE for the Turf Club site

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Here’s a glance at a few rawkin’ events happening in the 651 this weekend.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH

Murder of Crows w/ The Deceitful Lapwings

@ Amsterdam Bar & Hall
6 W 6th St
St Paul

8 pm doors, 9 pm show / 21+ / $10

Murder of Crows is one of Al Sparhawk of Low fame’s many, many musical personnae – this one, a duo with violinist/vocalist Gaelynn Lea, a sleepy, hushed, ambient instrumental group, mostly featuring Sparkhawk’s barely-strummed guitars and a ton of violin drones. He’s brought with him a couple of people from Duluth – Jack Campbell is a high school senior making albums in his basement that sound like a quirky, less angst Elliott Smith at times and a clearer-voiced Dino Jr. at others. And Andy Elwell’s album Brave Soul is a spooky, barely-there collection of beautiful, haunting songs that probably fall under the “Americana” banner but push at the edges of that genre. Interesting stuff all ’round.

Click HERE for the Amsterdam Bar & Hall site

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH

Toy Modification with Beatrix*JAR

Saturday @ Sun Ray Library
2105 Wilson Ave
St Paul

3-5 pm / FREE

Aimed at young musicians, artists and the musically curious and inquisitive, Beatrix*JAR’s toy modification workshops will teach circuit bending to the uninitiated. Circuit bending, while it sounds like some crazy-complicated nerd technique, is actually incredibly cool: modifying electronic children’s gadgets and keyboards to create alternative audio tunings and noises. Man, imagine what you could do with your old Furbies! Beatrix*JAR have brought their home-made instruments to conceptual electronic music festivals and to the streets alike. Because of limited space, it is recommended that you call ahead to reserve a spot.

Click HERE for the St Paul Public Library site

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH

Neil Hamburger

@ Turf Club
1601 University Ave W
St Paul

9 pm / 21+ / $12

Take a sweaty dude with a greasy combover, throw him in an ill-fitting tuxedo and have him plough through a vile stand-up set and contemptuous commentary and you have the nightclub schtick of comedian Gregg Turkington, aka Neil Hamburger. Described as “a phlegm-filled sack of putrid self-loathing,” Hamburger’s live shows are not for the faint of heart or thin-skinned. He’s toured as the opener for Tenacious D, Tim & Eric, and Faith No More, appeared on a handful of TV shows from Fox News’ Red Eye to Jimmy Kimmel Live!, been a frequent guest on kindred spirit Tom Green’s internet talk show and produced a number of albums on the Drag City record label. Performing up to an impressive 399 shows a year internationally, it’s a well-known fact that the man doesn’t not sleep, which might account for his antagonistic anti-comedy style. Catch the rude funny man tonight at the Turf and prepare for depravity.

Click HERE for the Turf Club site

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From Beyoncé in 2009 to Lady Gaga in 2010 to Britney Spears and Katy Perry in 2011, the Twin Cities has hosted some of the world’s top acts on the pop charts, and over-the-top spectacle, coordinated dance routines, ripped backup dancers, video, pyrotechnics and costume changes galore are par for the course. Cue the reigning Queen of Pop’s first Twin Cities performances in 25 years this weekend at the Xcel Energy Center. Robed priests in a decadent cathedral set, complicated fight choreography, drummers suspended from the ceiling, moving stage pieces lit with LED technology, a full gospel choir and contortionists were just a few of the eye-popping visuals appearing within the show, practically putting Gaga and her ilk to shame. Unlike the flimsy premises found in many a pop concert, Madonna’s storyline was a solid one. Beginning with a church bell tolling and a smoking incense burner hoisted by a group of robed men, Madonna rose up on a pedestal flanked by a giant lit crucifix, touching on her signature religious themes. From there, things segued into “Girls Gone Wild” and “Gang Bang” off her latest, MDNA, with retribution, gore, violence and betrayal were key themes (many songs making obvious nods to her divorce from Guy Richie). Clad in tight black leather and flanked by contortionist male dancers, Madonna wielded a gun and rocked some impressive fight choreography while singing live. About halfway through the show, Madonna came out of the darkness, performing the girl power anthem “Express Yourself” in a red and white majorette costume, backed by a Rockette-esque lineup of dancers. From here, affirmation, independence and redemption became the key themes, with a celebratory vibe throughout – particularly with crowd favorites such as “Like a Prayer” (which had Madge backed by a full gospel choir) and “Vogue,” which featured a gaggle of outlandishly-dressed, genderbending dancers vogueing across the stage and Madge donning a menswear-inspired shirt, tie and trousers wrapped in a patent leather bustier (channeling her cone bra of the Blonde Ambition tour), which she later removed to bare her bum to the audience. Her tireless performance had its moments of cheekiness, as when she addressed the widely-acknowledged notion that Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” was clearly pulled straight out of “Express Yourself” by switching back and forth between the words to each song – a ballsy demonstration of just how similar the two songs are. There were also some boldly moving moments, as in a video montage that showed images of some of the more prominent cases of gay teens who committed suicide as a result of bullying, and when she got political, saying, “I don’t care who you vote for as long as you vote for Obama. And one more thing, Minnesota: vote no,” before adding, “We are a democracy and we should have the freeom to choose who we want to marry.” This isn’t to say the show wasn’t without its flaws. Her vocal-heavy performance of “Justify My Love” fell flat – it’s a wonder she didn’t instead perform a song more within her range, like “Like a Virgin” or “Material Girl,” both of which were absent from the set. And for a few numbers, she rather pointlessly strummed on a guitar. Madonna, you’ve never been known for your ax-wielding skills. But despite the slight shortcomings, leave it to the Queen of Pop to blow all of her underlings out of the water. Even at 20 years their senior, Madonna made her pop contemporaries look downright amateurish by comparison with both her energetic performance, undeniable charisma and untouchable production values, proving once again why she still holds the Queen of Pop title nearly 30 years after she first proclaimed to Dick Clark on American Bandstand, “I want to rule the world.” And she still does.

This weekend, the reigning Queen of Pop makes her first Twin Cities appearance since 1987 with a two-night stint at the Xcel Energy Center. She’s said it’s inspired by “the journey of a soul from darkness to light,” and starts with scenes of blood, guns and general violence before turning into one big dance party. At the center is her latest club-infused album, MDMA, which is said to take up about half of the show – the rest of it filled with new renditions of her classic hits. She’ll be joined onstage by a couple dozen performers, including Basque singers and drummers, contortionists, and male dancers in high heels, plus a bevy of new stage costumes ranging from majorette to bondage, including a menswear look accented with a patent leather “cage” seemingly inspired by her infamous Blonde Ambition tour cone bra. It looks to be a three-ringed circus spectacle that easily competes with – if not surpasses – the likes of Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Katy Perry.

Things kick off tonight with a Madonna-themed bash at St. Paul gay bar and cabaret CAMP. Hosted by local drag queen (and occasional Madonna impersonator) Krystal Kleer, the event will include a “Madonna Drag Race” competition in which contestants who come dressed in their best Madonna look “Lip Sync for Their Lives” along to Madonna tunes. The night also includes performances by Kleer (who’ll be wearing some Madonna-inspired looks of her own), Madonna-themed cocktails and prizes, with a portion of proceeds going to the LGBT suicide prevention organization, the Trevor Project. Here’s a fun promo video for the event starring Kleer:

Friday: M: A Madonna Party
@ CAMP Bar
490 N Robert Street
St. Paul
8 pm–2 am / 21+ / $5
Click HERE for the CAMP Bar site

Saturday & Sunday: Madonna MDMA 2012 World Tour
Opener: Paul Oakenfold
@ Xcel Energy Center
175 Kellogg Boulevard W
St. Paul
7 pm doors, 8 pm show (Madonna set time: 10 pm) / All ages / $47-357
Click HERE for the Xcel Energy Center site

St. Paul is positively bursting with Halloween parties and scary happenings this weekend. Here’s our top picks for what to do and where to go this weekend.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26TH-WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31ST

The Butcher Shop: House of Gore!

@ 1444 E Reaney Avenue
St. Paul

5-11 pm daily / All Ages, but intended for an adult audience / $5

What can we say? Haunted houses offer little in the scare department these days. But The Butcher Shop’s House of Gore promises to offer some legitimate freakouts and general disgustingness. Celebrate Halloween the way that it’s meant to be celebrated, in a dilapidated house filled with black lights, emotionally abusive actors and fake blood! Or is it real blood? Is it your blood?! Will there be spiders? Probably. Monsters? Certainly. A tent at the end filled with qualified professionals trained to help you cope with your agonizing case of PTSD? Probably not. The Butcher Shop: House of Gore! is not legally responsible for you being a wuss.

Click HERE for more info

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27TH; SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28TH & WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31ST

Chicka-Boom! BareBones Puppets Halloween Extravanganza

@ Hidden Falls Regional Park, North Gate
1305 Mississippi River Boulevard S
St. Paul

7 pm nightly / All ages / Suggested Donation of $5 to $20

The Halloween season is in full swing. Thrift stores are packed with frugal costume shoppers and haunted houses have popped up on every corner. One of the spookiest destinations is without a doubt Chicka-Boom! the BareBones Puppets Halloween Extravaganza. Expect creepy, handmade, papier-mâché puppets, fire stunts, death-defying stilts, reanimation, summoning of the dead and more.

Click HERE for the BareBones Productions site

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27TH

Le Cirque Rouge Halloween Costume Ball

@ Amsterdam Bar & Hall
6 W 6th Street
St. Paul

8:30 pm doors, 9 pm show / 21+ / $15 advance, $20 door

Amsterdam + burlesque? Yeah, that sounds about right. One of your favorite St. Paul hangs joins forces with the wisecracking, jazz-singing, rowdy members of the Le Cirque Rouge and Cabaret Show for a Halloween extravaganza unlike anything else in town. Complete with a midnight costume contest, and performances by Ballet of the Dolls, Courtney McLean and the Dirty Curls, Switchblade Sideshow, and Fates Palette, promises a show that will have you rocking your socks off (or maybe more).

Click HERE for the Amsterdam Bar & Hall site

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28TH

OFF! w/ The Spits + Double Negative

@ Station 4
201 E 4th Street
St. Paul

7 pm / 18+ /$16 advance, $18 door

Make the trek to Saint Paul’s Lowertown to see an amalgamation of bands some may have been too young or too dumb not to see yet. On the second leg of their U.S. fall tour, OFF! is the newest endeavor from Keth Morris (Black Flag), Dimitri Coats (Burning Brides), Mario Rubalcaba (Hot Snakes) and Stephen McDonald (Redd Kross). The Spits, known for performing in Ronald Reagan masks or as toilet-papered mummies, will probably have Halloween garb worthy of a look. And the new singer and drummer for Double Negative are definitely worth a listen.

Click HERE for the Station 4 site

OFF!

More Halloweeny events and parties:

FRIDAY: “Finding Frankenstein”: Learn what inspired Mary Shelley to pen her classic horror novel. (7 p.m. Fri. $13. Alexander Ramsey House, 265 S. Exchange St., St. Paul. Click HERE for more info.)

FRIDAY: Spooky Boobies Burlesque Show: An evening of sideshow acts including the Switchblade Sideshow, lounge singers and creepy-yet-sexy burlesque from Coco Dupree, Mona Montague and others, plus a costume contest. (9 p.m. doors, 10 p.m. show. Fri. $7-10. Station 4, 201 E. 4th Street, St. Paul. Click HERE for more info.)

FRIDAY-WEDNESDAY: Minnesota Music Cafe Halloween events: The Minnesota Music Cafe hosts a “High & Mighty Halloween Party” on Friday, and its annual Halloween Party with G.B. Leighton on Saturday with costume contest, prizes, bean bag toss and more. On Wednesday it hosts a Minnesota Metal Monster Mash Party with costume contest and prizes. (Minnesota Music Cafe, 501 Payne Ave., St. Paul. 651-776-4699. www.minnesotamusiccafe.com)

SATURDAY: Boo Bash: Grand Avenue businesses host a day of family-friendly events, including a children’s costume contest, the Monster Mash dance, a petting zoo, pony rides and a word search. (10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat. Free. Visit GrandAve.com for more details.)

SATURDAY: BOOs Crawl: A Halloween themed pub crawl through seven bars in Lowertown St. Paul, including Señor Wong, the Black Dog, Gopher Bar, Station 4, the Bulldog, Barrio and Trattoria da Vinci. Ticket includes a free dirnk at each location; dress in costume and hit all seven locations for the chance to win over $1,000 in cash prizes. (7 p.m.-2 a.m. Sat. $20 for pass, available at Station 4, the Bulldog and vitaltickets.com)

SATURDAY: “Dia de Los Muertos: Day of the Dead”: The Minnesota History Center hosts a day of music, offrendas, puppet show, cooking demonstrations and samples and family activities. (Noon-4 p.m. Sat. $11. Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. 651-259-3000. www.mnhs.org)

SATURDAY & WEDNESDAY: Wild Tymes Halloween Party & Costume Contest: Costume contest with prizes and DEMO-presented music showcases. Saturday includes live music by Jillian Rae Band, Matt Arthur & the Bratlanders, Katy Vernon Band, Dan Israel & the Cultivators and the Mad Ripple. Wednesday includes live music from Narrow Vines, Octopi and Sex Burger. (8 p.m.-1 a.m. Sat. & Wed. Free. 18-plus. Wild Tymes, 33 W. 7th Pl., St. Paul. 651-224-8181. www.wildtymes.net)

SUNDAY & WEDNESDAY: Victorian Ghost Stories: Costumed actors present dramatic readings of 19th-century ghost stories in the dimly lit parlor of the James J. Hill House. (6 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Sun. & Wed. $10. James J. Hill House, 240 Summit Av., St. Paul. Click HERE for more info.)

SUNDAY & WEDNESDAY: Halloween at Camp: Mia Dorr’s Costume Contest: Lounge singer Mia Dorr hosts a costume contest at the gay cabaret with $150 in prizes on Sunday. (8-11 p.m. Sun. Free. 21-plus.) Then on Wednesday, Karaoke with John hosts a costume contest with $150 in prizes. (9 p.m.-1 a.m. Wed. Free. 21-plus. Camp Bar, 490 N. Robert St., St. Paul. 651-292-1844. camp-bar.net)

SUNDAY: Great Pumpkin Festival: Landmark Center hosts a costume runway fashion show plus a day of balloon creations, storytelling, arts and crafts and candy for the whole family. (1-3 p.m. Sun. Free. 75 W. 5th St., St. Paul. 651-292-3293. www.landmarkcenter.org)

WEDNESDAY: Prince of Darkness: It’s a night of dark ‘n’ gloomy metal when local Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath tribute band Prince of Darkness play a special Halloween show at the Turf. City of the Weak opens. (8 p.m. doors. Wed. $6. 21-plus. Turf Club, 1601 University Av. W., St. Paul. 651-647-0486. www.turfclub.net)

St. Paul keeps on rocking this weekend with a psych-shoegaze show, cult personality/musician David Leibe Hart of Tim and Eric fame, and legendary rocker Mike Watt.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4TH

Ringo Deathstarr w/ Secret Colours + Gospel Gossip + Chatham Rise

@ Turf Club
1601 University Avenue W
St. Paul

The local psych-shoegaze scene is alive and well, and tonight’s lineup at the Turf is evidence of that. Locals Gospel Gossip and Chatham Rise round out the lineup of touring acts Ringo Deathstarr of Austin, Texas, and Chicago’s Secret Colours. Deathstarr are obviously fans of My Bloody Valentine, Sweredriver, Lush and their ilk, and though they don’t add much of a twist to the genre – apart from some lovely boy-girl harmonies – psych-shoegaze lovers are bound to be pleased by their well-orchestrated soundscapes, as they should be by the similar-sounding Secret Colours. Slightly more interesting is Minneapolis’ own Gospel Gossip, who are about to release a new three-song 7″ (which they’re celebrating with a release party on November 3, also at the Turf). The female-fronted trio is more dream-poppy than ever, laden with lush reverb and echoing distortion. -Jahna Peloquin

Click HERE for the Turf Club site

David Leibe Hart w/ Queen of France + Tickle Torture + Sherbetty + Postina

@ Amsterdam Bar & Hall
6 W 6th Street
St. Paul

7 pm / 21+ / $8 advance, $10 door

If the name David Leibe Hart doesn’t ring a bell, his face should. The Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! regular is known for his charmingly awkward and off-key singing, typically accompanied by a puppet dummy. Leibe Hart is an interesting anomaly – some allege that Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim have exploited him and other show “characters” like James Quall, while some defend him as an interesting, if eccentric, character worthy of the spotlight. Either way, he’s a cult personality worth paying attention to. Opening are four-piece indie popsters Queen of France and one-man electro dance party Tickle Torture. -Jahna Peloquin

Click HERE for the Amsterdam Bar & Hall site

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6TH

Irrigate Arts presents Canvas/Jazz Jam

@ The Lyric and Carleton Artist Lofts Amphitheater
2285 block of University Avenue
St. Paul

2-4 pm / All Ages / Free

Jazz implies an element of improvisation. Painting, not so much. But this Saturday, a cross-section of arts are presenting the Canvas/Jazz Jam, the kind of art and music jam that’s not typically open to the public, but instead takes place in artist lofts and studios late at night. Now it’s time for appreciators to witness the process, an “art and music jam” that experiments with the interplay of music and canvas, as part of the ongoing Irrigate Arts initiative, an artist-led creative placemaking initiative spanning the six miles of the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit line in St. Paul. Jana Nyberg Group will be bringing their signature poppy jazz, while painter Erik Pearson paints live, taking inspiration from their music. St. Paul Classic Cookie Company will be manning the refreshment stand, thus Canvas/Jazz Jam will be bringing together the three keys to a successful event: art, music, and cookies, all in an effort to draw attention to the community of artists along the corridor. -Beth Hammarlund

Click HERE for the Irrigate Arts site

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7TH

Mike Watt & The Missingmen

@ Turf Club
1601 University Avenue W
St. Paul

8 pm / 21+ / $13

We shouldn’t have to tell you who Mike Watt is, right? You all know Minutemen, you all know fIREHOSE. You all know he’s now in the Stooges which says a fuck of a lot about his abilities. You know he still plies a kind of brutal, bass-driven punk/post punk combo that occasionally delves into weird, dissonant prog territory and weird poetry – he hasn’t changed a jot, really. The man is a legend, straight up, and the chance to see him in the intimate setting of the Turf Club is something you can’t/shouldn’t pass up. His backup band the Missingmen are great – angular stabs of fucked-up guitar and brutal, pummeling drums and the kind of speed/accuracy he’s been known for since back in the day. -Jon Hunt

Click HERE for the Turf Club site

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It’s a rocking weekend at the Turf Club, with stellar shows happening Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28TH

Evan and Ellie’s Wedding Party feat. Buffalo Moon + Red Daughters + Littlefoot + Larry Wish

@ Turf Club
1601 University Avenue W
St. Paul

9 pm / 21+ / FREE

We don’t know Evan and Ellie, but it’s pretty dang cool of them to invite everyone in the whole dang town to their wedding party. The super-sweet lineup includes Buffalo Moon, whose take on samba-psych is filled with skittering rhythms and a wicked sense of humor that recalls Stereolab and Os Mutantes. Red Daughters play a kind of aggressive mashup of skittering indie pop and the soundtrack to the best Western movie you’ve ever seen. Their songs are absolutely laden with organ and guitar angularity, not a million miles from where Kings of Leon probably should have ended up if they hadn’t gone horribly wrong, with a bit of rural Band-isms thrown in for good measure. Larry Wish is an odd, impenetrable “outsider pop” act on the Moon Glyph label, droney and dissonant as it is melodic. Littlefoot is the solo project from vocalist and musician Elizabeth “Beth Ann” McDowell, whose unique style of electronic indie pop, topped with breezy, beautiful vocals, is both other-wordly and super accessible. -Staff

Click HERE for the Turf Club site

Buffalo Moon, photo by Emily Utne

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH

The Zoobombs w/ Birthday Suits + Still Pacific

@ Turf Club
1601 University Avenue W
St. Paul

10 pm / 21+ / $7

It’s a super cool night of a couple of Japanese rock bands (and one all-American one) on Saturday night at the Turf Club. Up first is Still Pacific, which play synth-heavy, ’80s-influenced, super-fun pop music. Next is Twin Cities-via-Japan duo Birthday Suits, who play super fast and loud punk music and they put on a hell of a show, stopping just short of actually smashing a guitar. Headlining the night from Tokyo, Japan, is the Zoobombs. They play a super cool brand of garage rock that is as poppy as it is punky, blending in psych rock, hints of the Kinks with The Stooges, as well a classic R&B influences. Super cool! -Danielle Morris

Click HERE for the Turf Club site

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30TH

Thee Oh Sees w/ Ty Segall + Trin Tran + DJ Baby Penis (SOLD OUT)

@ Turf Club
1601 University Avenue W
St. Paul

8 pm doors / 21+ / $12 advance, $14 doors

A night of awesomely fucked-up psychedelia at the Turf Club. Headliners Thee Oh Sees play that particular breed of echo-drenched,
garage-influenced psych music that perfectly combines your favorite Nuggets band with the lysergic histrionics of Syd Barrett-era Floyd and a touch o’ the Cramps thrown in for good measure. Their last, the brilliantly surreal “Putrifiers II,” is by turns furious and fuzzy and madly stomping. Opener Ty Segall is right in that same pocket with a hint more folk influence – think a ragged, dirtier Ultimate Spinach, with a little less goofiness and a little more pound, or a touch of mid-period Love. Dig “My Head Explodes” off his latest, “Goodbye Bread,” for a good example of what you’re in for. A night of deeply fuzzy psych, just like you like it. -Jon Hunt

Click HERE for the Turf Club site

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