Friday
The Absent Arch, Adam Svec and Very Small Animal
501 Club
9 p.m.
In a celebration of local indie-rock, these three talented outfits will steal the stage and wow us with their acoustic introspection. For nostalgic purposes, the innocence of SvecâÄôs vocals serves as a happy reminder of his esteemed earlier group, The Glad Version. This stunning lineup will provide an equally satisfying musical experience.
Saturday
Sleeping in the Aviary CD Release
Kitty Cat Klub
9 p.m.
$5
Addictive garage rock extraordinaires, Sleeping in the Aviary, have developed a healthy following this year. Saturday theyâÄôll drop a new album, âÄúGreat Vacation,âÄù which, with the upbeat energy and enthusiasm theyâÄôve displayed thus far, will probably end up set on repeat. Chelsea Boys and Buffalo Moon and will initiate the evening of the big release.
Sunday
Mason Jennings
First Ave
6 p.m.
$22
The king of semi-mainstream lo-fi acoustic folk, aka, Mason Jennings, is strumming into town. His mild approach to the introspective ballad may not exactly be fresh, but hey, thatâÄôs not to say that itâÄôs bad. More lyricist than entertainer, Jennings knows how to push feeling into the poetry of his words. If that isnâÄôt your thing, go for the inevitable Bob Dylan covers, which he turns over surprisingly well.
CULTURE TO CONSUME
Listen to this: âÄúEndlesslyâÄù âÄî Duffy
Welsh neo-soul revivalist, Duffy, has got some serious pipes and, unlike Amy Winehouse, sheâÄôs got her act together. Following her debut, âÄúRockferry,âÄù the British bombshell gives listeners a catchy sophomore release that radiates the influence of bouncy âÄò60s pop in the best possible way. It beats âÄúRockferryâÄù purely for its shower-singing possibilities.
Drink this: Black H20 Oatmeal Stout at Town Hall Brewery
Though âÄòtis always the season for beer drinking, right now truly is the season for Stout drinking and Town Hall BreweryâÄôs creamy, malty blend is definitely the way to go.
Eat this: Soup at Kafé 421
No need for a newsflash. YâÄôall know that Minnesota has turned on us for the worst, unfortunately limiting our ability to travel very far for a meal. Luckily, Dinkytown is home to a cold weather hot spot, Kafé 421. The soup lineup changes every day, so whether youâÄôre served up creamy tomato basil or mushroom, a pit stop at 421 will definitely make that bitter walk home a bit more bearable.
Watch this: âÄúYou Will Meet A Tall Dark StrangerâÄú
Woody Allen is a legendary figure in film. His latest release, featuring some big names like Josh Brolin, Naomi Watts, Anthony Hopkins and Antonio Banderas, takes a humorous look at disappointing relationships. I donâÄôt think Allen, being the master of witty dialogue that he is, is physically capable of not being hilarious. I mean, look at those glasses!
Read this: âÄúLifeâÄù âÄî Keith Richards
In the past year, rock star autobiographies have kicked it up an impressive notch. Patti SmithâÄôs âÄúJust KidsâÄù won the National Book Award for nonfiction. âÄúI Slept With Joey RamoneâÄù was no self-glorifying bore either. Now, legendary Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards is taking a swing at published soul-bearing. His delivery is, not surprisingly, hot stuff. An engrossing mixture of entertaining rock-star debauchery and RichardsâÄô honest grappling for artistic actualization, this inside-out look at Herculean fame and rock âÄònâÄô roll is one for the shelves, kids.
