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This weekend in the651, we’ve got Solid Gold two-night EP release shows at the Turf, First Communion Afterparty at Eclipse Records, an art show at Nicademus, the Minnesota RollerGirls at Roy Wilkens, and the first edition of the Americana Showcase at James J. Hill House.

Solid Gold

FRIDAY & SATURDAY: Solid Gold EP Release at Turf Club
Local dance-rock, neo-disco pioneers Solid Gold and their sexy groove-injected tracks have been making national waves as of late. They hosted MTV2′s Subterranean last Sunday and their Green Label Sound-released video for “Matter of Time” has been in regular rotation on MTV2 and MTVu. This weekend, don’t miss the guys’ two-night affair at the Turf, which ushers in their latest EP, Synchronized. Indie poppers, Now, Now Children and power-popsters Wishbook open on Friday night, and Robert Smith Kindreds, electro-beatsters CLAPS and remix master DJ Gigamesh kick off the show on Saturday. (9 p.m. $12. 21-plus. Turf Club, 1601 University Ave. W., St. Paul. 651-647-0486. www.turfclub.net)

Work by Jon Reischl

SATURDAY: An Evening of Odds: Jon Reischl at Nicademus Art
Check up on what St. Paul artists have been working on this winter. This time around, it’s a solo show from Jon Reischl, whose colorful Francis Bacon-esque paintings are equally mesmerizing and disturbing. Acclaimed blues-folk duo The Pines provide auditory accompaniment to what should make for an odd, inspiring evening. (7-11 p.m. Free. Nicademus Art, 225 Snelling Ave. N., St. Paul. 651-207-8322. www.nicademusart.com)

Minnesota RollerGirls

SATURDAY: Minnesota RollerGirls at Roy Wilkens Auditorium
The undefeated Atomic Bombshells face off against the Garda Belts, while Dagger Dolls take on reigning champs the Rockits during this weekend’s home bout from the Minnesota RollerGirls. Fans are encouraged to come dressed in their favorite team’s colors – red for the Rockits, green for the Garda Belts, orange for the Atomic Bombshells and pink for the Dagger Dolls – to show their support. Their last bout on February 6 was a sold-out event, bringing in more than 4,700 fans, so consider it a can’t-miss (not to mention the half-time entertainment is a Guns ‘N Roses cover band called Dust ‘N Bones). Pre-bout happy hours take place at O’Gara’s and Station 4, each with free parking and shuttle buses, and O’Gara’s hosts the after party – where fans have the chance to party and do karaoke with their favorite RollerGirls. (Bout begins at 7:30 p.m. $11-15. All ages. Roy Wilkens Auditorium, 175 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. 651-265-4800. www.mnrollergirls.com)

First Communion Afterparty. Photo by Emily Utne

SATURDAY: First Communion Afterparty at Eclipse Records
Local psych-rocker supergroup First Communion Afterparty plays a rare all ages show at this in-store gig at St. Paul’s premier independent record store, Eclipse Records. Though in the beginning FCAP seemed more style than substance, thanks to the Mamas and the Papas-esque getups of the baby-faced band and the cultish, communal lifestyle the band leads, but they’ve proven themselves ptuting out a live show recording on vinyl and making it to third place in City Pages‘ Picked to Click poll. With Ten Ton Bridge, 22 Chemicals, and Middlepicker. (7 p.m. $5. All ages. Eclipse Records, 1922 University Ave. W., St. Paul. 651-645-7724. Eclipse Records on MySpace)

Ben Kyle

SUNDAY: Americana Showcase at James J. Hill Library
A new series of local, intimate concerts hosted by the James J. Hill Library, the Americana Showcase features a lineup of some of the most well-reputed roots-based singer-songwriters in town. That includes Adam Levy of The Honeydogs, Ben Kyle of Romantica, Martin Zellar of the Gear Daddies and Brandon Sampson of Six Mile Grove. It concides with the opening of a new photo exhibit by environmentalist Clyde Butcher, fittingly titled, “America the Beautiful: The Monumental Landscape.” Upcoming Americana Showcases include Molly Maher (March 27), Martin Devaney (April 9), Dan Israel (April 30), and many more. (7:30 p.m. $20-22 per show or $75 for season. All ages. James J. Hill Library, 80 W. 4th St., St. Paul. 651-265-5500. www.americanashowcase.com)

Jaime Carrera in "Carolesque!"

TUESDAY: No More Wire Hangers! A Brief History of Camp at Turf Club’s Clown Lounge
Whether you’re a camp novice or well-studied on the topic, the Minnesota Historical Society’s presentation on the history of camp should prove both entertaining and informative. Local performance artist and camp afficionado Jaime Carrera co-hosts along with art historian Ross K. Elfine, who will share examples of camp in art and film. (7:30-9 p.m. Free. 21-plus. Turf Club, 1601 University Ave. W., St. Paul. www.mnhs.org/hip)

Solid Gold

One of the best things about summer in Minnesota is the plethora of options we have to watch live music outdoors. St. Paul is no exception – we’ve got the weekly Music in Mears music-and-movies event in Mears Park, the Latin-flavored music-and-movies series District del Sol in Castillo Park, 9 Nights of Music at Minnesota History Center, and the upcoming State Fair shows at their Grandstand.

Image of PJ Harvey and John Parish at the Zoo by Jon Behm

But it’s easy to argue that the Minnesota Zoo’s Music in the Zoo series (located in St. Paul suburb Apple Valley) tops them all. After arriving at the Zoo’s main entrance, concert-goers get to take a lovely little walk through the Zoo’s surrounding foliage and ponds to get to the outdoor Amphitheater. Grab a Summit (brewed in St. Paul, natch) and head down to the wood benches that line the theater. No matter where you’re sitting, you’ll get a great view of the pond behind the stage, and the sunset as the headlining act takes the stage. I was lucky enough to get into the PJ Harvey and John Parish show there earlier this summer, and it was one of the most magical concert experiences of the year.

Jeremy Messersmith

This weekend’s all-local line-up featuring Solid Gold, Jeremy Messersmith and The Pines should be another memorable one. (Local publication Vita.mn seems to think so – they’re giving away 50 passes to get into the show, along with a bus ride there and back on the “Vitabus.”) Electro-infused rockers Solid Gold are the hottest local band of the moment, getting a ton of airplay on 89.3 The Current, and a headlining spot at this year’s Rock the Garden, as well as a ton of attention across the pond (they recently played live on the BBC). They share the unlikely-paired bill with critically-lauded songsmith Jeremy Messersmith, who happens to be a good pal – and fan – of the band. Acclaimed old-timey folk band The Pines should bridge the gap between the two groups.

Kick off the night right at Red Stag for happy hour specials beginning at 5 p.m. and an after party featuring Solid Gold DJs at 11 p.m. (with more happy hour food and drink specials ‘til close).

Check out the remaining acts booked at the Zoo through the summer:

August 1: Gear Daddies
August 3: Paolo Nutini, Erin McCarley + Matt Hires
August 8: Alejandro Escovedo + Romantica
August 11: Reel Big Fish + The English Beat
August 14: Beer, Bears & Music: G. B. Leighton
August 15: Yonder Mountain String Band
August 18: Pat Green
August 21: Dar Williams, Haley Bonar, Stephen Kellogg + The Sixers
August 28: Gaelic Storm

(All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley. Visit www.mnzoo.org for more info.)