Thursday, December 19

Mad Ripple Hootenanny

Harriet Brewing, Minneapolis

5:30 p.m., free, all agesJim Walsh's long-running Mad Ripple Hootenanny moves to a new home this week. This time the round-robin style songwriter showcase will happen in Harriet Brewing's South Minneapolis tap room, which has been hosting a wide array of local talent this year. The first hoot at Harriet will feature singer-songwriters Peter Lochner, Chastity Brown, Mike Gunther, Shawn Gibbons, David Booth, and Brad McLemore.

Real-Phonic Radio Hour

James J. Hill Library, St. Paul

8 p.m., $10, all ages

Erik Koskinen and his band of Real-Phonic all-stars (Dave Simonett, Molly Maher, Mike Lewis, Frankie Lee, JT Bates, and more) welcome a special guest performer to tonight's installment: revered Vermont singer-songwriter Anais Mitchell.

Wits with Dessa and Jason Ritter

Fitzgerald Theater, St. Paul

8 p.m., $50, all ages

There are still a few tickets remaining for the first of this week's two Wits shows, and this one features Doomtree rapper and songwriter Dessa as the musical guest alongside actor Jason Ritter.

Friday, December 20

Dosh with Anonymous Choir

Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis

7 p.m., $10 adv/$12 door, all ages

Martin Dosh returns to the Cedar for his annual holiday show, this time with a new and more minimalist textural album, Milk Money, in tow. It will also mark the release of Anonymous Choir's new record, which is a cover of Neil Young's After the Gold Rush. To set the mood, guitarists Jeremy Ylvisaker, Ben Durrant, Michael Lewis, Andrew Broder, Mark Erickson, JG Everest and Ben Berg will open with an ambient set.

A Piano in Every Home Album-Release Show

Icehouse, Minneapolis

10:30 p.m., $5, 21+

New folk-rock duo A Piano in Every Home will expand to a four-piece to perform the songs off their debut, Meridian (which you can listen to here). Openers include Ben Burwell (who plays in Taj Raj alongside A Piano in Every Home's Jake Pavek) and Bethany Larson.

Todd Clouser & The Love Electric CD-Release Show

Amsterdam Bar and Hall, St. Paul

9 p.m., $8 adv/$10 door, 21+

Jazz guitarist Todd Clouser's art-rock band the Love Electric return to Minneapolis from their current homebase of Mexico City. With Fury Things and Hardcore Crayons.

Permed Out Showcase IV

Triple Rock, Minneapolis

6 p.m. (all ages) and 10 p.m. (21+), $10

Some of the best young, emerging talent in the hip-hop and soul community converge for the fourth in Audio Perm's Permed Out Showcase series. With Psymun & K. Raydio, Bomba de Luz and Jake Wirden.

The 4ontheFloor, Dave Simonett, BBGun

Clyde Iron Works, Duluth

9:30 p.m., $30 or concert only for $15, 21+

It’s nearly Christmas so give yourself a present by Warming Up with the Brews and sticking around to see some great Minnesota music. Sample lots of local brews starting at 7 p.m. and then stay put to check out barroom favorites the 4ontheFloor as they get the lubricated crowd stomping along in 4/4 time. Dave Simonett of Trampled By Turtles will take the stage performing with his own songs with a new lineup and Duluth native Alan Church returns home with his newest rock band BBGun.

Old Knifey and the Cutthroats Holiday Variety Show

Beaner’s Central, Duluth

7 p.m., $5, all ages

Adam Depre, a.k.a. Old Knifey, loves the holiday season and his holiday variety shows have been a fixture in the Twin Ports for many years. For the first time in its history, the variety show will be an all-ages affair as this year’s hosting venue will be West Duluth’s Beaner’s Central. Join Knifey and the gang for crafting, caroling, and holiday sweatering, as well as performances from friends the Getarounds, Fuzzy Ellis, Hanna Cesario, comedian Mary Mack and, of course, Old Knifey and the Cutthroats.

Carroll, Low Forms, Horse & Rider

Red Star Lounge, Duluth

10 p.m., free, 21+

Rated one of the top new Twin Cities bands in many a year-end poll, the gentlemen of Carroll are flying high off the success of their debut EP Needs. These Macalester alums play the kind of pop music that you can’t help but get stuck in your head and they’ll be making their first trip to Duluth this Friday. Joining Carroll will be two Duluth bands that both share a similar knack for writing catchy pop-influenced tunes: The Pete Biasi-led Low Forms are readying their debut album, and Twin Ports basement favorites Horse & Rider are playing their first show in nearly five years.

Saturday, December 21

The 4onthefloor

First Avenue, Minneapolis

8 p.m., $13 adv/$15 door, 18+

Minneapolis stomp-rockers the 4onthefloor return to the Mainroom for the first time since releasing their new album, The Spirit of Minneapolis. With Communist Daughter, All Tomorrow's Petty and American Scarecrows.

Rock for the Rules, Vol. 2 Listening Party

Turf Club, St. Paul

8 p.m., $3, 21+

On the one-year anniversary of her passing, friends of former Turf Club manager Leah Rule will gather to listen to the new three-hour tribute compilation Rock for the Rules, Vol. 2. The night will end with a live performance by Ol' Yeller.

The Black Eyed Snakes, Fuzzy Ellis, Walt Dizzo

The Rex, Duluth

10 p.m., $5, 21+

The monthly Largoff Basement shows continue with a special holiday and wedding themed shindig at the Rex. This month’s concert not only celebrates the upcoming holidays but will also serve as a wedding reception party for Gaelynn Lea (Snobarn, the Getarounds) and her partner, Paul. Gaelynn’s musical partner in Murder of Crows, Alan Sparhawk, will resurrect his high-energy blues band the Black Eyed Snakes for this event, and they’ll be joined by Jason Wussow’s newest project Fuzzy Ellis, who describe their sound as “where surf meets jam.” The Current’s own Walt Dizzo will be on hand to spin some of the couple’s favorite dance songs throughout the night. A percentage of the cover charge will go to the Salvation Army and there will be a place for attendees to make additional donations to the outreach organization.

Sunday, December 22

Cold Flows for Warm Clothes

Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis

6 p.m., $10 adv/$15 door, all ages

Hip-hop artists Haphduzn, Metasota, Tall Paul, and headliners Big Quarters perform in support of the Little Earth of United Tribes’ Teen Center. Read more about the benefit on our blog here.

Twin Ports concert recommendations courtesy of Duluth Local Show host Walt Dizzo.