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”).

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DJ Kimberly S. headlines the Rumours & Innuendo Block Party on Saturday

For years, Twin Cities’ Gay Pride Week has been centered in Minneapolis – but this year, St. Paul has some Pride of its own. The recently expanded Rumours & Innuendo GLBT nightclub is kicking off Gay Pride Week on Saturday with a rockin’ block party with Rumours resident DJs Frayz and DJ Shiek, a former resident at the now-closed Pi lesbian bar as well as a producer and party promoter, known for her mix of deep house with retro electro and banging beats. Also: Beer truck and drink specials until 10 p.m. Then the party heads back indoors for a set from L.A. DJ Kimberly S., internationally-known in the GLBT circuit for her blend of soulful house, tribal beats, trance and vocal club anthems, with an opening set from DJ Frayz. There will also be drink specials, a drag show, and an opening set from (6 p.m.-3 a.m. Sat. $10-15. 21 and older. Rumours & Innuendo, 213 E. 4th St., St. Paul. 651-225-4528.)

Bonus: Vita.mn (for which I also happen to be a contributing writer) is giving away a $50 Rumours & Innuendo gift certificate via this link in honor of Gay Pride Week.

The massive grill used for the annual Pride Picnic

On Sunday, Twin Cities Pride has organized its Pride Picnic to take place at Como Park in the East Picnic Pavilions. The festivities include old-fashioned races, table games, and a softball game, plus free eats like burgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers and hot dogs, and salads. (11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sun. Como Park’s East Picnic Pavilion, Horton Av. & Midway Pkwy., St. Paul.)

Next week’s Gay Pride events include Pussy Control, a Pride party for the ladies next Wednesday night at Rumours & Innuendo. Expect cheap drinks (including $1 beer), no cover, hot ladies, and a set from DJ Shiek. (10 p.m.-3 a.m. Wed. Free. 21 and older.)

Though they haven’t announced anything Pride-specific going on this week, St. Paul has two other gay bars worth checking out:

Camp Bar opened in mid-2007 and have two bars plus a sidewalk patio in the summer. It regularly features drag shows and DJ and offers fancy cocktails. (490 Robert St., St. Paul. 651-292-1844.)

The Town House Bar is home to regular drag shows, dancing, karaoke and more. Check out its online calendar for more. (1415 University Ave W., St. Paul. 651-646-7087.)