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While you’re in town checking out the St. Paul Winter Carnival activities (which kicks off this weekend), there’s also a ton of other nightlife events happening this weekend in St. Paul:

Daughters of the Sun

FRIDAY: Modern Radio 10-Year Anniversary Shows at Turf Club
The record label has been pronounced dead to many in the recording industry, but Twin Cities-based label Modern Radio is still kicking after ten years. They’ve also become one of the most well-respected, enterprising, and fair labels in town. To celebrate, they’ve invited a number of its bands to play a couple of gigs, and day one happens in St. Paul’s Turf Club. The lineup includes the Chambermaids, FT (The Shadow Government), psych rockers Daughters of the Sun, Double Bird, and Sheridan Fox. The night promises special bonuses, like fresh-baked cookies by label owners Tom Loftus and Peter Mielech. With so many awesome local bands signed to it, Modern Radio is definitely worth celebrating. (9 p.m. $7. 21-plus. 1601 University Ave. W., St. Paul. 55104. 651-647-0486.)

"Troll 2"

SATURDAY: Trash Film Debauchery: “Troll 2″ at Turf Club Clown Lounge
The experts say not to trust Wikipedia, but you can trust it when it comes to its take on the terrible D movie Troll 2: “(It’s) widely considered to be of poor quality.” That’s enough for Trash Film Debauchery, a group of trash film afficionados who regularly hold screenings at the Turf Club. The 1990 horror film doesn’t actually include any trolls from the original Troll, nor does it have anything to do with the original movie. Instead, the film follows a family that travels to the far-away kingdom of Nilbog, which turns out to be a goblin den. The strangest part may be that the goblins are actually vegetarians, so they have to turn people into plants in order to eat them. It’s bad enough to have inspired a recent documentary called Best Worst Movie. (10 p.m. Free. 1601 University Ave. W., St. Paul. 55104. 651-647-0486.)

Beer Dabbler

SATURDAY: Beer Dabbler at St. Paul Winter Carnival in Mears Park (SOLD OUT)
For the first time, the St. Paul Winter Carnival has teamed up with the traveling Beer Dabbler Showcase. More than 40 different breweries will serve all-you-can-handle tastings of its selections, including locals Lift Bridge, Fulton, Finnegans, Brau Brothers, and others. Head over post-parade or after the Coronation, or before the hot air balloon launch. If you get hungry, Lowertown eatery The Bulldog Lowertown will be serving food onsite, and Barrio will have its inaugural run of its Taco Truck in Mears Park beginning at noon; offerings include menu favorites like Potato Sopes and Tacos de Lengua. Buy tickets at or get more info at www.BeerDabbler.com and www.winter-carnival.com. (3:30-7:30 p.m. $20. 221 E. 5th St., St. Paul. 612-269-1674.)

Deep Blues Film Festival

SATURDAY: Deep Blues Film Festival at Dayton’s Bluff Eagles Club
Thanks to the success of St. Paul outdoor festivals such as Concrete & Grass, Jazz Fest, and Music in Mears, the organizers behind the Deep Blues Festival (which normally takes place in Lake Elmo) to the capital city. To celebrate, they’re throwing a blues film festival, featuring documentary blues films and performances from some of the most innovative musicians around. Click here for the full schedule. (Noon-11 p.m. Also next Saturday, Jan. 30. 287 Maria Ave., St. Paul. 651-774-7643.)

There’s so many great dance parties, rock shows, jazz revues, and riverboat cruises (yes, you heard me!) happening in St. Paul this weekend. Here’s the best - and the rest:

Grant Hart photographed by Steven Cohen

Grant Hart at Station 4
\Hot off a fall tour for his first album in a decade, ex-Hüsker Dü co-frontman Grant Hart plays a rare gig with a full band. Hot Wax is a return to form for the eccentric performer, which Pichfork called “1960s-infused garage pop clearly from the same soul who wrote all those era-defining Hüsker Dü classics.” Opening is the Phil Solem Band, led by the former frontman of the Rembrandts, and the Beautifics. (8 p.m. $10-12. 21-plus. 210 E. 4th St., St. Paul. 651-298-0173. www.station4.com)

Vampire Hands

New Year’s Eve Covers Night at Turf Club
Turf Club’s third annual New Year’s Eve covers night boasts five hot local bands playing all-covers from the band of their choice. Vampire Hands is joined by Nate Nelson of Private Dancer to transform themselves into a psychedelic version of Television; Leisure Birds and Zach Rose (formerly of Young Dudes) take on The Monks; Daughters of the Sun aptly cover shoegaze legends Jesus And Mary Chain; Marijuana Deathsquad join with Total Fucking Blood and Gina to become Brian Eno; and Secret Language masquerades as Fleetwood Mac. While you’re there, head down to the Clown Lounge for DJ sets from Winship, TRL and Secret Language. (9 p.m. $8. 21-plus. 1601 University Ave. W., St. Paul. 651-647-0486. www.turfclub.net)

Minnesota Centennial Showboat

SPStyle New Year’s Eve Party on the Centennial Showboat Theater
Partying on a riverboat going down the Mississippi has to be one of the most memorable ways to ring in the New Year, and the Twin Cities are pretty much the only place that offers such a treat in the U.S. This party is hosted by Local hip hop production company SPStyle, so the DJ and MC lineup is pretty hip hop-oriented and includes DJ D.Mil, Goulash Band, Rico Nevotion, DJ Doez It, DJ Francisco and many more. My bet is that they won’t be able to stop themselves from playing the T-Payne-satirizing “We’re On A Boat.” (9 p.m. 21+. $25-50. Harriet Island, 200 Dr. Justus Ohage Blvd., St. Paul. 651-266-6400.)

DEMO New Year’s Eve Bash at St. Paul Aerie for the Arts/Eagles Club
The Diverse Emerging Music Organization (DEMO) kicks off a weekend full of music at the Eagles Club with a New Year’s Eve show, featuring a lineup of local bluegrass acoustic acts. Whiskey Sournotes, Al Grande, Josh Von Mink, the Zingrays, Hunter Hero, and more fill out this packed bill. (7 p.m. $5. 18+. 287 Maria Ave., St. Paul. 651-774-7643.)

Irv Williams

Carole Martin & the Irv Williams Quartet at Artists’ Quarter
Jazz haven the Artists’ Quarter isn’t too shabby on an average night, bringing in the Twin Cities’ hotbed of local jazz and blues talent throughout the week for the past 15 years. When it comes to a night like New Year’s, though, they’ve really pulling out the big guns. Carole Martin’s a seasoned standard singer whose resume goes back before the British Invasion, and tenor saxophonist Irv “Mr. Smooth” Williams has been playing a few decades prior to that. The Artists’ Quarter’s cozy surroundings should provide an intimate backdrop, and a complimentary food spread can’t hurt. (9 p.m. $35-45. 408 St. Peter St., St. Paul. 651-292-1359.)

More St. Paul NYE destinations:

St. Paul gay bar Camp hosts a Black & White Ball, kicking off with a live comedy and variety show before going into a soul dance party and prizes all night long. (8:30 p.m. Free before 10 p.m. or $5. 490 N. Robert St., St. Paul. 651-292-1844.) DJ Frayz headlines Lowertown GLBT club Rumours & Innuendo’s New Year’s Eve festivities. Also on tap: prizes, drink specials, midnight champagne toast, and a light show. (10 p.m. Free. 213 E. 4th St., St. Paul.) The Bulldog Lowertown is hosting a New Year’s Eve party complete with live music from the Blazing Saddles and a champagne toast at midnight. (8 p.m. Free. 237 E. 6th St., St. Paul. 651-221-0750.) Minnesota Music Cafe is hosting a New Year’s Eve party with local R&B/soul bands Soul Surreal and High & Mighty. (7 p.m. Free. All ages. 499 Payne Ave., St. Paul. 651-776-4699.)