Weekend

Friday

Music — Gay Beast, The Blind Shake, Kitten Forever

The beauty of the 331 is that shows are always, always free. This is particularly exciting when the bands playing are good, as is the case with this Friday night. Gay Beast brings the weirdly wonderful, The Blind Shake spin out their Michael Yonkers-inspired psychedelia and Kitten Forever kick out some of the best punk rock jams around. This show is a steal.

331 Club

331 13th Ave. N.E.

10 p.m.

Free

Saturday

Music — Ween

Thursday

Music Kaiser Cartel

This Brooklyn-based pop duo used to be elementary school teachers. And it’s not all that surprising considering their reputation for garish and cutesy live shows that go so far as to include stuffed animals (seriously).

Cedar Cultural Center
416 Cedar Ave. S.
7 p.m
$12/$15

Music Jim Jefferies at Acme Comedy

Thursday

Music— John Butler Trio

This rabid bunch of Australian hippies have had no trouble gaining notoriety for their eclectic jam rock. After a lineup revamp and new album, Butler is still plucking away and doesn’t sound like he’ll be stopping anytime soon.

First Avenue
701 First Avenue North
6 p.m
$25

Film— Rush : Beyond the Lighted Stage at Riverview Theater <

Friday

Art — ART MATters

Amy Rice and Jennifer Davis (two of Minneapolis’ best illustrators) and more are making artful yoga mats to make your yoga experience even pertier. The event, led by Gorilla Yogis paired with the Soo Visual Arts Center, starts outside with music from DJ Sheik, and then it’s indoors to do yoga on top of the sprightly yoga mats.

Soo Visual Arts

2638 Lyndale Ave. S.

6 p.m.

Free

Music — Solid Gold

Thursday

Theater — Bedlam Theatre’s Full Moon Cabaret

Swing by the Bedlam Theater for a colorful night filled with shadow puppets, skits and music. The moon is full only once a month.

Bedlam Theatre

1501 6th St. S., Mpls.

8 p.m

$5
Comedy — Hannibal Buress

Thursday

Music — Cadence Hip-Hop Series

An evening of Minneapolis hip-hop big shots Sims, Toki Wright and DJ Plain Ole Bill will be demonstrating their talents in the unlikely venue of the Guthrie Theater. It’s a Rhymesayers evening in a posh setting.

Guthrie Theater
818 Second St. S
7:30 p.m.
$15

Music — Quiet, Please, Low

Thursday

Literature — Michael Chabon

The author of such literary paragons as “The Mysteries of Pittsburgh,” “Wonder Boys” and “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay,” Chabon’s lecture makes A&E say $35 be damned. Once Cormac McCarthy dies, he might be a consensus for the “Best Living Author” moniker.

Hopkins Center for the Arts
1111 Main St.
7:30 p.m.
$35 - $45

MPLS-St. Paul International Film Festival