The651.com

From power-pop in the park, to the Twin Cities’ only lesbian dance night, to the hottest up-and-coming national acts, to Minnesota’s largest indoor music festival, St. Paul has your music and nightlife needs covered this weekend.

THURSDAY

The Hopefuls headline this week's Music in Mears

Music in Mears: The Hopefuls and Ready Goes at Mears Park
Since Erik Appelwick left the Hopefuls and joined Tapes ‘n Tapes, the local supergroup fronted by Darren Jackson (also of Kid Dakota) has been pretty quiet. Though they released a new album back in December, fans don’t get to see the band play live as much as they’d like. Expect unironic keytar playing and unabashed power-pop to avail. Their Music in Mears set will appropriately be followed by a screening of “School of Rock”; St. Paul’s The Bulldog Lowertownwill provide the eats. (6 p.m., movie at dusk. Free. All ages. 221 5th St. E., St. Paul. 651-291-9128.)

Also Thursday: Girl-fronted grunge-metal band Domenica at Station 4; Nick Hensley’s Love Songs for Angrymen at St. Paul Student Center, part of the U of M’s Noontime Concerts Series; mariachi youth chorus Los Ninos de Guadalupe at Castillo Park for the District Del Sol music-and-movies series (followed by a screening of “La Leyenda de la Nahuala”).

FRIDAY

DJ Shiek

Lure at Rumours & Innuendo
Since Loop bar Trocaderos closed last month, the hottest lesbian night in the Twin Cities is now happening at St. Paul’s Rumours & Innuendo. Every 4th Friday of the month, Lure’s resident DJ Shiek spins all night while go-go dancers ham it up. Bonus: The $7 cover includes two complimentary drinks. (9 p.m.-2 a.m. 21-plus. $7. 21-plus. 213 4th St. E., St. Paul. 651-225-4528. www.rumours-stpaul.com)

Also Thursday: Hard rockers Godsmack and Rev Theory at Myth; indie-folk acts Wishbook and Aviette at www.turfclub.net; Casablanca Orchestra at Minnesota Music Café; Dave Karr Quartet at Artists’ Quarter.

SATURDAY

The 757s play the North by Midwest Festival

North by Midwest Music Festival at Lowry Theater
Tired of the bugs, bad food, sunstroke and long bathroom lines that plague summer music festivals? This brand-new indoor music festival hosted by David de Young of howwastheshow.com should provide the anecdote. Local acts The Magnolias, The 757s, Little Man, The Hard Left, Middlestates, and Chemistry Set pack the all-day bill. Feel free to leave the sunscreen and bug spray at home. (6 p.m.-1 a.m. $10. 16 5th St. W., St. Paul. 651-263-7992.)

Also Saturday: Local ‘90s favorites Tina & The B-Sides perform their first show in ten years at the Minnesota Zoo; DJ Naughty Boyy & VJ Chris play Camp Bar’s customer appreciate day (which includes drink specials and prizes); new monthly dance night Club O’s official grand opening party at Myth; Chris Koza, The Arms Akimbo, and Strangelights (ex-Bridge Club) at www.turfclub.net; Illicit Sextet Reunion at Artists’ Quarter (also Saturday).

SUNDAY

Obits

Obits at Turf Club
Despite their substantial pedigree (frontman Rick Froberg is formerly of buzz bands Hot Snakes and Drive Like Jehu), Obits is perhaps best known for their quirky, unsettling video for “Pine On,” which features the band members’ upside-down chins with taped-on faces. Regardless, the Brooklyn-based quartet have a thing for snotty, sassy garage-rock goodness, ever-present on their Sub Pop debut, I Blame You. Disappears and The Dynamiters open. (9 p.m. $8. 21-plus. 1601 University Av. W., St. Paul. 651-647-0486. www.turfclub.net)

Also Sunday: Old-timey jazz band Como Pops Ensemble at Como Lakeside Pavilion; swamp-blues act The Faux Playboys at Half Time Rec.

MONDAY

Somewhat Dixieland Band

Somewhat Dixieland Band at Como Lakeside Pavilion
Local southern-style jazz ensemble the Somewhat Dixieland Band are regulars at St. Paul’s Como Lakeside Pavilion. Their song list includes everything from Dixieland standards to George Gershwin’s jazz standard “Someone to Watch Over Me” to Scott Joplin’s ragtime hits – hence, the “somewhat” part of their name. If you have yet to check out the Pavilion, it’s definitely worth a visit for the gorgeous view of Lake Como alone. (7 p.m. Free. All ages. 1360 Lexington Pkwy. N., St. Paul. 651-266-6400.)

Also Monday: Headspace and Open Poetry at Artists’ Quarter.

TUESDAY

Cajun Hot Soles

9 Nights of Music: Cajun Hot Soles at Minnesota History Center
This week’s edition of the Minnesota History Center’s outdoor summer music series features the soulful sounds of the Cajun Hot Soles. Love, heartache and humor are recurring themes of the Cajun Hot Soles’ rhythmic two-steps and waltzes. Though the sextet is born-and-bred in Minnesota, you’ll swear you’re in the Louisiana dance halls in the 1950s. (6:30 p.m. Free. All ages. 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. 651-259-3000. www.mnhs.org)

Also Tuesday: Nova Jazz Band at O’Gara’s Shamrock Room; Bend in the River Big Band at Como Lakeside Pavilion; The Vicious Alive with Schmoejoes, Carbon Council and Donny Todd Trio at www.turfclub.net; SWMS&M and Tuesday Night Band at Artists’ Quarter.

WEDNESDAY

Zacc Harris

Zacc Harris Trio CD Release Party at Artists’ Quarter
After playing together for some time at various residencies throughout the Twin Cities, the Zacc Harris Trio garnered enough requests for a CD that they finally decided to make a go of it. Since moving to Minneapolis in 2005, the jazz guitarist has fronted such groups as Atlantic Quartet, Monk In Motion, and Vital Organ, as well as touring in the backing band for a number of national acts. But with Matt Peterson on bass and Pete Hennig on drums, Harris seems to have hit his stride. Expect standards and originals of straightforward jazz with some curveballs thrown in for good measure. (9 p.m. $5. 21-plus. 408 St. Peter St., St. Paul. 651-292-1359. Artists’ Quarter)

Also Wednesday: Local post-rock band Paragraphs with Frail by Design, Falcon Arrow, and Gifts from Enola at www.turfclub.net.