The651.com

This weekend, St. Paul is packed with everything from circuit bending experimentation (TART and FoodTeam), a return from local punk rock heroes (Arcwelder), a new Leonard Cohen collaboration (Kid Dakota and the Fantastic Merlins), Turf Club’s annual blowout with three Turf favorites (Birthday Suits, Vampire Hands and The Blind Shake), and a local hip-hop illustrator’s first solo show (Chuck U).

Ryan Olcott of FoodTeam

THURSDAY: TART + FoodTeam at Big V’s
Call it what you like (math electro? Post-math?), but the music of local one-man projects TART (Phil Khalar) and FoodTeam (Ryan Olcott of the beloved 12 Rods) are equal parts cerebral and enjoyable. Khalar and Olcott both seem to approach sounds as bits and pieces of a whole, which are then constructed into cohesive, sonic compositions. TART is said to be based on the concept of blending beauty with noise, the electronic with the organic, and the sweet with bitter, while Olcott’s project involves what he calls “circuit bending,” or the de-programming of yesteryear’s forgotten consumer keyboards. Community!Fire!Exchange! opens. 9 p.m. $5. 21-plus. Big V’s, 1567 University Ave. W., St. Paul. 651-645-8472.)

Arcwelder

FRIDAY: Arcwelder at Turf Club
Punk-rock trio Arcwelder are one of those local acts that seemed on the verge to be the next big thing internationally, but they have always been beloved in their hometown. They even have a star on the hallowed walls of First Avenue. After forming in 1988, the band toiled on the road and in dank punk rock clubs until 1991, when none other than New Order named their song “Favor” as their pick for “Punk Rock Single of the Week” in NME. Before long, they were signed to hip indie label Touch and Go Records (also home to Shellac and the Jesus Lizard) in 1992, and enjoyed popularity culminating in an international tour with Jawbox in 1996. The punk rock heroes haven’t toured since, but have played the occasional local show. With haze-rock duo Gay Witch Abortion, Double Bird, and DJ Freddy Votel (former Cows drummer). (9 p.m. $6. 21-plus. 1601 W. University Ave., St. Paul. 651-647-0486.)

Kid Dakota

FRIDAY: Fantastic Friday Music Series at Black Dog Cafe
Innovative jazz-chamber band The Fantastic Merlins recently joined together with haunting indie-rock trio Kid Dakota to collaborate on a yet-to-be-released album of Leonard Cohen covers, How the Light Gets In. At this intimate, stripped-down show at Lowertown cafe Black Dog, the ensemble will preview the release before heading off to perform together in Paris. On the impending European tour, Kid Dakota says on its myspace page, “We will be returning to some of the places we played last spring and also finally making it back to countries that we haven’t visited since our 2004 tour with LOW (Yes, Im talking to you England and Ireland!). We will be touring with two fabulous bands from Berlin, Ter Haar and It’s a Musical.” Ingo Bethke opens; see below for more on happy hour specials. (8 p.m. Free. All ages. 308 Prince St., St. Paul. 651-228-9274.)

Barrio Lowertown

FRIDAY: Lowertown First Fridays happy hours
Every first Friday of the month, Lowertown First Fridays open studio and gallery crawl takes over the district. (CLICK HERE for the651.com Arts writer Kate Iverson’s interview with Lowertown artist Rhea Pappus.) To keep art lovers well-fed (and well-lubricated), bars and eateries in Lowertown’s bustling entertainment district offers up a slew of happy hour specials. Black Dog Cafe has its daily happy hour from 4-7 p.m., which includes $3 Summit pints, $2.50 Grainbelt Premium bottles, and $4.75 house wine. (308 Prince St., St. Paul. 651-228-9274.) Mexican fusion bar and eatery Barrio is offering $5 small plates, two tacos for $5, $5 margaritas, $18 margarita pitches, and $3 taps from 2-6 p.m. & 10 p.m.-midnight. (235 6th St. E., St. Paul. 651-222-3250.) Gastro-pub The Bulldog has its happy hour from 3-6 p.m., including $1 off pints, wells and domestic bottles and half-priced appetizers. (237 E. 6th St., St. Paul. 651-221-0750.)

Art by Chuck U

SATURDAY: Robozoology at Nickademus Art & Framing
Local illustrator Chuck U is presenting his first solo show, and his collection of graphic, color-drenched paintings and prints. Chuck U (né Ungemach) has long been well-known in the local hip hop community for his posters and cover art, and their organic, hand-drawn feel depicts fiendish monkeys, monsters in top hats, and spewing furry snakes. True to Chuck U’s music roots, the opening reception will also include a live set from local Brit-popsters The Idle Hands. (Opening reception 6 p.m.-midnight. Sat. Ongoing through Feb. 9. Free. All ages. Nickademus Art and Framing, 225 N. Snelling Av., St. Paul.)

Birthday Suits

SATURDAY: Turf Club Blowout
Japanese metal two-piece Birthday Suits team up with psychedelic prog indie-rockers The Blind Shake and spaced-out noise rockers Vampire Hands for a solid night of noisy sounds to bring in the New Year. The annual blowout also serves as a sort-of Vampire Hands reunion as original member Colin Johnson returns for a one-off show – it just may be the last time you’ll see them all together again. (9 p.m. $6. 21-plus. 1601 W. University Ave., St. Paul. 651-647-0486.)

Star Tribune‘s Chris Riemenschneider lauds St. Paul
St.Paul’s Lowertown entertainment district and music fests such Taste of Minnesota and Concrete & Grass get props in Chris Riemenschneider’s “Finding nine reasons to cheer Twin cities culture in ’09″ from the Star Tribune.

Lowertown’s rebirth of cool
I already fawned over downtown St. Paul’s hot “new” nightlife district in a column in September, but three months later and 70 degrees colder, I’d like to more strongly state my fondness for eating Barrio tacos and drinking Bulldog beer under a starry night, listening to Romantica in Mears Park during the Concrete & Grass Festival.
(Too bad the new Twins park didn’t get built down there.)

Outdoor music cranked to 11
There were more block parties, themed fests, music-in-the-park series, and zoo and museum gigs of note this year, and best of all they lasted well into the fall thanks to the aforementioned Concrete & Grass and Vita.mn’s cool Movies & Music Series at the picturesque Lake Harriet Bandshell.
(All this, despite what the Aqua-tennial and Taste of Minnesota have done to music fests’ image in this town.)

Holiday shopping season is finally upon us, and St. Paul doesn’t lack in any shopping opportunities this weekend. And just because you’re shopping doesn’t mean you can’t party – the BlackBlue art opening tonight – plus Fiery Furnaces at the Turf and Unknown Prophets at Big V’s on Saturday – should keep you going.

Nadine Gross shows Polaroid work at BlackBlue

FRIDAY: “Polaroid Prints” at BlackBlue
Though Nadine Gross has been shooting exclusively on Polaroid 600 film since 2001, her work had yet to see the light of day – until now. For her debut exhibition, Gross selected 30 of her 500-plus photo collection, printed in large scale for you to purchase. The images play on color, pattern and texture, more akin to minimalist abstract artist like Ellsworth Kelly than one would expect from such a Pop Art form of photography. The show will also be the first art opening at new St. Paul boutique BlackBlue, which will be offering ten percent off all clothing and accessories during the reception. Not to mention the fact that BlackBlue knows how to throw a party! (7-10 p.m. Fri. Free. 614 Selby Av., St. Paul. www.blkblu.com.)

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FRIDAY: Solid Gold at Turf Club

The Twin Cities’ favorite synth pop band, Solid Gold, play one of their more intimate venues in a while. Hot off big gigs such as the Walker Art Center’s Rock the Garden, The MN Zoo and First Ave’s Mainroom, the likelihood of this show selling out is extremely high, so show up early! See them before they can’t humanly play here again and enjoy the fuzzy electro deliciousness that is Solid Gold up close and personal. This last minute show will also feature Kum ‘n Go and Colder in Moscow. (Turf Club, 9 p.m., $10. 21+. 1601 University Avenue, St. Paul)

Also Friday: Freddy Fresh at Concrete & Grass Festival in Lowertown (through Sunday), A Tribute to Nat King Cole at the Artists’ Quarter, The Rose Ensemble free showcase concert at Central Presbyterian Church.

SATURDAY: The Good the Bad and the Funky at MN Music Cafe

If you’re in the mood for some funky nostalgia then the Minnesota Music Cafe ought to be your destination tonight. Popular local dance band, The Good the Band and the Funky once again take over the MMC with their horn-heavy 10 piece ensemble. Playing funk and soul classics with a rock ‘n roll edge is their forte, so expect hepped up renditions of tunes a la James Brown, Earth Wind and Fire, Tower of Power, Stevie Wonder and more. These shows tend to be packed so arrive early to secure your spot on the dance floor. (Minnesota Music Cafe, 9 p.m. 21+. 499 Payne Avenue, St. Paul)

Also Saturday: JLBattle of Metal at Station 4; Woods/Vamp Hands/Daughters of the Sun/Leisure Birds at Turf Club; Kid Dakota, Desdamona, Romantica and more at Concrete and Grass (Fest runs through Sunday)

SUNDAY: Japandroids w/ Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band at Turf Club

Vancouver power-punk duo Japandroids have perfected a simple equation, combining frantic guitar riffs and strong melodies for a sound that is unapologetic toward its love for Hüsker Dü and Sonic Youth. Their latest, Post-Nothing, is chock-full of distorted, buzzed-out guitar and pounding drums. Despite the apparently nihilistic name of their album and the veil of fuzz they wrap around their sound, the band can’t seem to hide its pop catchiness. Seattle’s Mt. St. Helens Vietnam band and local neu-gazers Gospel Gossip open. (9 p.m. $7. 21+. Turf Club, 1601 University Avenue, St. Paul)

Also Sunday: Mystery Six/Longbottom/Leaf/Wrestling with Wolves at Big V’s, Heiruspecs at Concrete and Grass Festival

THURSDAY

Paul Newman in "Cool Hand Luke"

Music in Mears: Dan Israel + “Cool Hand Luke” at Mears Park
The chance to see Paul Newman in Cool Hand Luke on the big screen is not one to pass up – and it doesn’t get much better than seeing it outdoors at dusk during the weekly Music in Mears series. Newman’s protagonist is Luke Jackson, a cool, gutsy prisoner in a Southern chain gain who refuses to back down to authority, repeatedly escaping and being recaptured. The camp works to crush Luke until he inevitably breaks. The forboding folk tunes of singer-songwriter Dan Israel will provide a fitting introduction to the film. (6 p.m. with film beginning at dusk. Free. All ages. Mears Park, 221 5th St. E., St. Paul. 651-266-6400.)

Also Thursday: Latin-flavored Ecuador Manta at District Del Sol music and movies series followed by a screening of La Perla; Pete Whitman’s X-tet at Artists’ Quarter; The Native Sons at Midway Stadium.

FRIDAY

Dillinger Four

Dillinger Four at Eclipse Records
Despite not having released an album for six years until late last year, local punk rock legends Dillinger Four are showing no signs of slowing down. They manage to promptly sell out every show they play, and though the sound hasn’t changed much over the years, you have to appreciate how these guys still are able to pull off one of the sweatiest, most energetic live shows year after year. This all-ages show in Eclipse’s dank live show room is guaranteed to be packed – but no booze is served, so remember to bring your flask. With Off With Their Heads, Dear Landlord and 86’d. (7 p.m. $6. All ages. 1922 University Av. W., St. Paul. 651-647-7724.)

Also Friday: Solid Gold, Jeremy Messersmith and The Pines at the Minnesota Zoo (Check out my St. Paul STAYcation blog on the show); Cincinatti-based orchestral-pop band Pomegranates with Yourself And The Air and Ice Palace at the Turf Club; Florida metalcore vets Poison the Wells with Terror, Bane, This Is Hell, and more at Station4; Cirque de Soleil Cast & Crew post part at Rumours & Innuendo f. DJ Shiek.

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