LeNor Barry
Acadia Café

Chris Shillock, he of the grizzled visage and anarchist prose-poetry, did so well a while back putting together both “An Evening of Poetry and Song” and “An Evening of Poetry and Song II,” that he’s back at it. For the third time he’s included singer-songsmith extraordinaire LeNor Barry on the bill with poet-storyteller Hardy Coleman. Shillock knows how to come up with a dyed-in-the-wool ringer, as he has with Desdamona, Emily Carter and, now, Barry. Can’t wait to see who’s next. Coming out of a troubadour bag with some of the strongest such fare since ’70s underground icon Ellen McElwaine, Barry hints at Sade and Patti Austin, but is distinctly flavored with originality. Among a bunch of highlights from her Healer With A Twist CD is “From Lorain to Joann.” Minor chords and major-sevenths are never so sweetly dramatic as when played on a 12-string guitar. She stakes out artistic territory, eerie lyrics and haunting melodies over textured chords. And then there’s the wizardry of “Grandmother Clock,” a laid-back existential jaunt that brings the legendary Fairport Convention to mind. Long story short, don’t miss this lady. Colleen Kruse, Hardy Coleman, Duck Kicking Vultures. 9:30 p.m. $6. 1931 Nicollet Ave. S., Mpls. 612-339-5002. HOBBES

Dance Band
The Nomad

Dance Band debuts at the Nomad tonight, and the Minneapolis City Council has just repealed the 1960 ordinance 427.240, which stated that dancers in the streets were breaking the law. Coincidence? You decide. Dance Band, who claim to be “one of the greatest bands in the world,” (you just don’t know it yet), will be hitting the streets near you with heavy beats this summer. Be the first to dance to them at the Nomad World Pub around 11 p.m. “The Philanderer” (bass, vox) a seasoned young rocker around town, MC’s Captain Octagon and Double Delicious, The Chop (guitar), The Perfect Beat (drums) and the Boston Lazer (DJ) will perform crazy beats in costume. This indie funk-inspired dance majesty was spawned by dissatisfaction with the lack of motion at local shows, “even at a show with great beats.” Their goal is simple: “To be so ridiculously fun, that no matter how well you dance, you’ll still look cool next to us.” Having been one of an elite few to hear them prior to their club debut, I know they’ll make you dance. And laugh, and cry. Go! Performing with The Salt Shakers, Mike Gunther and His Restless Souls and Fort Wilson Riot. 501 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-338-6424. COLLINS

When Reason Sleeps
Bryant Lake Bowl

Art often faces things that other social or political institutions fail to confront. Ben Kreilkamp’s play “When Reason Sleeps” shook up last year’s Fringe Fest with strong responses about what the playwright calls his “nightmare comedy.” An unemployed artist takes an unusual temp job: hearing confessions as a priest in a shopping mall. What he hears takes him into the deeply personal implications of U.S. foreign policy. Kreilkamp does double duty as the artist with his original Fringe cast: a “mostly holy nun,” a “distractress,” a guard and “the Protector of Our Freedom.” Fringe audience members called the play “disturbingly funny,” “a satirical gas” and “kick-ass political theater” (more at fringefestival.org). As The Daily Show and Stephen Colbert’s recent White House Press Dinner shtick show, the only way some truths can be told is when they are accompanied by laughter. Saturday’s performance is a benefit for the Twin Cities chapter of Veterans for Peace. Reservations are recommended. Through May 22. 7 p.m. $5 - $15 sliding scale. 810 W. Lake St., Mpls. 612-825-8949. HOWELL

Casanatra CD Release Show
Triple Rock Social Club

Casanatra’s latest release, Primo Impacto, lumbers out of the gate on opener “Could’ve Been a Stuntman” with the kind of densely frenetic and claustrophobic swagger that would make Ultramega OK-era Soundgarden question the depth of their sound. It’s all the more impressive that it’s being delivered by Dennis Asher and Jer Fink’s two-guitar attack, Lance Reed’s percussive assault and—nothing else. The lack of bass frees up the guitars to be as heavy as they wanna be, and the vocals’ lips-on-the-windscreen sound re-doubles the heft of the impact. You won’t find any razorblade-tipped pop hooks here; Casanatra are more interested coming at you with a belt-sander, and even when they back off to deliver moody fare like “Depreciated,” the feeling of paranoia is only lightened by contrast. You can put Primo Impacto up next to darkly beautiful work by the aforementioned Soundgarden and their doomed Seattle brethren, Alice in Chains. Formed in 2002 with a mission to create songs with “big guitars and monstrous drumming,” Casanatra have certainly earned the right to stand on an aircraft carrier and unfurl a big old “Mission Accomplished” banner, even if our C-in-C hasn’t. With headliners Self-Evident and openers Darkmoor. 10 p.m. $6. 21+. 629 Cedar Ave., Mpls. 612-333-7499. STEVE MCPHERSON

MN Aids Walk
Minnehaha Park

So you think you can’t do a 10K? Maybe you can if you walk it, since it’s only a 6.2 mile course through lush greenery, and for a really good cause. The MN AIDS Walk raises about $600,000 each year for the Minnesota AIDS Project to fight HIV through advocacy, education and service. In 2005, Minnesota had a 21.5 percent increase in new HIV infections among gay men, and 22 percent of new HIV cases were in the African American community. According to the group’s communication director, Amy Weiss, it lost $131,000 in funding from the Department of Health due to federal cuts. You can register online through Friday, and there is no registration fee. Or come on down to walk and make a donation yourself—it might spark the beginning of your new adventure as a marathoner. Park opens at 9 a.m.; ceremonies at 11:30 a.m., walk at noon. Donations. 46th St. between Hiawatha & River Rd. 612-373-9164 or mnAidsProject.org. ADA SCHOCK

Down by the Riverside CD Release
Children’s Theatre company

Let’s face it: a lot of what passes for kids’ music these days is downright atrocious. I’m not going to name any names, but as someone who one day hopes to raise whippersnappers of his own, there is no way I’m letting them listen to “Baby Beluga.” Sure, I harbor dreams of children who love John Coltrane, but I’m also a realist: kidlings want stuff they can sing along to, and parents want stuff that won’t drive them crazy. So thank goodness for Down by the Riverside, a fantastic local compilation featuring artists like Dan and Matt Wilson, John Munson, Adam Levy and many others. The tracks are public domain favorites like “Oh Susannah,” performed by Mason Jennings, and the title track, performed by Semisonic with John Munson on lead vocals. In a society that’s increasingly focused on flash and fad to catch the attention of the littlest among us, Down by the Riverside provides a refreshing injection of tradition and simple joy that does more than just distract: it enriches and broadens the connection between the generations. Even childless hipsters will find songs to sing along with, and proceeds will benefit the music therapy program at Reuben Lindh Family Services, a multicultural provider of pre-schools, daycare, parenting programs and therapies for some of Minneapolis’ most challenged families. Bring the whole flock down to this family-friendly event. Performances by Dan Wilson, Matt Wilson, John Munson, Mason and Amy Jennings, Adam Levy, The New Standards, Dana Thompson and Chan Poling. 5:30 p.m. $35. All Ages. 2400 3rd Ave. S., Mpls. 612-721-1098 ext. 231 or tickets@reubenlindh.org. MCPHERSON