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St. Paul’s got your nightlife and music needs covered this weekend. Check out the highlights of Thursday, July 16 through Wednesday, July 22:

THURSDAY

Fancy Ray in the '80s

Fancy Ray and John Conroy at Station 4
If the name Fancy Ray doesn’t seem familiar, his face will. Chances are you’ve seen him hawking products in local commercials looking like a dead ringer for Little Richard, for which he’s become relatively well-known since the mid 1980s. When he’s not being a TV pitchman, running for governor of Minnesota (which he did in 1998), or auditioning for realty TV shows like America’s Got Talent, the self-proclaimed “Best Looking Man in Comedy” also happens to have a comedy act. Though his slapstick act may elicit more groans than belly laughs, it’s worth seeing for the sake of witnessing a longtime local fixture. (8 p.m. Free. 21-plus. 201 E. 4th St., St. Paul. 651-298-0173.)

Also Thursday: Renowned folk singer Arlo Guthrie at the Fitzgerald Theater…Music in Mears featuring The Melismatics in Mears Park…The University Of Minnesota’s Noontime Concert Series featuring Chris Koza at the St. Paul Student Center…Golden Animals, The Suits and Hildur Victoria at the Turf Club.

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Besides all the great music happening at Taste of Minnesota (check out my preview of the event here), St. Paul’s got a ton of other great shows lined up this weekend. Here’s a sampling of the best:

Detroit Don King Band performing at Harriet Island Pavilion

THURSDAY, JULY 2

Detroit Don King Band at Como Lakeside Pavilion
As part of St. Paul’s Music in the Parks series at the gorgeous Como Lakeside Pavilion, local bluesman (via Detroit, of course) Detroit Don King and his Blues Band play all the blues and R&B standards – think BB King, John Lee Hooker, and Muddy Waters. (7 p.m. Free. 1360 N. Lexington Pkwy., St. Paul.)

Also Thursday: Minnesota’s own grunge rock icons Soul Asylum at the Minnesota Zoo; and Philadelphia dark-folk-meets-Christian-hardcore band mewithoutyou at Station 4.

Toots Hibbert of Toots & The Maytals

FRIDAY, JULY 3

Toots at the Maytals at Minnesota Zoo
Reggae legend Toots Hibbert and his band The Maytals have been around since the ‘60s, and not only did they count Bob Marley as a contemporary, they’re credited for naming the genre of reggae. Nearly 50 years later, they’re still kicking out the grooves with their trademark mix of reggae, soul and gospel and recent collaborations with The Roots, Ben Harper, Bonnie Raitt and Eric Clapton have kept their sound fresh. Wain McFarlane opens. (7:30 p.m. $43. 13000 Zoo Blvd. 952-431-9200.)

Also Friday: A local underground punk/indie showcase featuring Private Dancer, The Blind Shake and Birthday Suits at the Turf Club; Washington, D.C. reggae act Lucky Dub at O’Shaughnessy Auditorium; and ‘80s New Wave band The Romantics (famous for “What I Like About You” and “Talking in Your Sleep”) at Taste of Minnesota.

Kate Voegele performs at Taste of Minnesota

SATURDAY, JULY 4

Kate Voegele at Taste of Minnesota
Everyone knows Elvis Costello is the really hot ticket at the Taste, but Cleveland folk singer Kate Voegele is all-but-guaranteed to be the sleeper hit of the night. The 22-year-old just released her sophomore album A Fine Mess (which already hit the Top 10 on Billboard) and was featured on CW show “One Tree Hill” playing her single “99 Times.” (6:30 p.m. $10. Harriet Island, St. Paul. tasteofmn.com)

Also Saturday: Legendary rocker Elvis Costello at Taste of Minnesota; local acoustic/blues act Tap City at Station 4; and oldies act The Vogues (best-known for performing the “The Drew Carey Show” theme song “Five O’Clock World”) at Taste of Minnesota.

No Doubt headlines the Xcel Energy Center

SUNDAY, JULY 5

No Doubt at Xcel Energy Center
After Gwen Stefani’s solo career took off – including not only a music career but a clothing, fragrance, and shoe line – most assumed No Doubt were kaput. But they’re back with a new album that harkens back to the ska sound they made popular in the late-‘90s. Whether you’re a fan of Gwen solo or the band, she’s always the entertainer, and is sure to have some killer outfits. Paramore and Bedouin Soundclash open. (7:30 p.m. $39.50-80. 199 W. Kellogg Blvd. 651-265-4800.)

Also Sunday: Hitchville, a country/rock fusion band featuring Minnesota Music Award-winner Heidi Owens, at Taste of Minnesota; and Duluth country-blues musician Charlie Parr at Turf Club.

Brooklyn's Pterodactyl plays the Turf Club

MONDAY, JULY 6

Pterodactyl at Turf Club
Pterodactyl’s blistering beats, falsetto voices, and chiming guitars made them one to watch after their debut album “Bluebird” was released. Hot off a strong sophomore release “Worldwild” in June, the band’s sound goes everywhere from noisy punk to reserved psychedelic mood music. Also playing: Local band Gay Beast and Chicago’s Mayor Daley. (9 p.m. $6. 1601 University Av. W., St. Paul. 651-647-0486.)

Also Monday: Soap Boxing Poetry Slam: IWPS Showdown Slam at Artists’ Quarter.

Cafe Accordion Orchestra performs at 9 Nights of Music

TUESDAY, JULY 7

9 Nights of Music: Café Accordion Orchestra at Minnesota History Center
Get out your beret and pack a beatnik picnic for this week’s edition of the Minnesota History Center’s summer music series 9 Nights of Music. Local band Café Accordion Orchestra perform a mix of French Musette, vintage swing, Latin and European folk music. Fun fact: It’s fronted by frequent Prairie Home Companion accordionist Dan Newton. (6:30 p.m. Free. 345 Kellogg Blvd. W., St. Paul. 651-259-3000.)

VNV Nation headlines at Station 4

WEDNESDAY, JULY 8

VNV Nation at Station 4
London-based electronic music band VNV Nation have quite the cult following – they’ve been around since the mid-‘90s and helped establish the emerging electronic-goth genre. Their sound combines elements of industrial music, trance, synthpop and electronic body music; fans of modern-day electronic-infused acts like Interpol and Ladytron better get schooled and check them out. War Tapes and Ayria open. (6 p.m. $20-23. 201 E. 4th St., St. Paul. 651-298-0173.)

Easy Company: The Jay Epstein trio

Local jazz fans may not realize the Twin Cities has quite the local jazz scene, and a lot of it’s centered at St. Paul’s own jazz club The Artists’ Quarter. Tonight sees the release of the latest effort from local jazz drummer Jay Epstein and his trio, comprising bassist Anthony Cox and pianist Bill Carrothers. The trio’s new album Easy Company features another set of what the Jazz Times calls “energetic, sometimes dark and eerie” music from the acclaimed jazz masters. (9 p.m. Fri. & Sat. $10. All ages. The Artists’ Quarter, 408 St. Peter St. 651-292-1359.)

Craving a Southern-style dinner after the show? Head to Creole-inspired eatery Brasa, which serves such mouth-watering meaty options as rotisserie chicken, slow-cooked pork shoulder, braised beef, and more. (There are vegetarian options too for you herbivores.) (777 Grand Av. 651-224-1302.)

In other local jazz news, the Hot Summer Jazz Festival is happening next weekend, June 18-20 in Mears Park. The premier jazz event in the Twin Cities includes such big names in the jazz scene as Allen Toussaint, Esperanza Spalding, and The New Standards. It coincides with the weekly Music in Mears series; next Thursday’s edition features local jazz singer Chastity Brown. (Look to Juleana Enright’s Off the Beaten Path blog for St. Paul STAYcation next week for more on the festival.)