Weekend Checklist: Gay Beast, Mark Mallman, Ween, Gastro Non Grata, and more

​We at Gimme Noise think that if rock and roll was a national currency, the Minnesota economy would be through the roof. As it is, you still have to shell out some hard earned bucks, but there's plenty worth it this weekend. Here's a quick list of awesome local shows (and a few national acts we couldn't pass up) for your spending pleasure:

FRIDAY

The weekend's Pride celebration goes into full swing with Gay Beast, Blind Shake, and Kitten Forever playing a free show at the 331, 21+, 9:00 PM.

The Wood Brothers (as in Medeski, Martin, and Wood) take the stage with Carsie Blanton opening at the Turf Club, 8:00 PM, 21+, $15.

The Cedar hosts the CD release party for Hawks & Oxen with Sundowners and Sleeping In The Aviary, all ages, 8:00 PM, $5 in advance, $8 at the door.

 

SATURDAY

Mark Mallman once again brings his always surprising live performance to the Turf Club with Pink Mink and International Espionage! opening. 9:00 PM, 21+, $6.

New Orlean's Quintron and collaborator Miss Pussycat deliver their engaging, unique organ-driven Southern Swamp complete with multimedia performance to the Triple Rock stage, with Bombay Sweets' excellent minimalist surf stylings, 9:00 PM, 18+, $12.

MC/VL with Honey & Darling (Omaha) and Teenage Moods at Sauce, 9:30 PM, 21+, $5.

First Ave is presenting two major national tours: Why? and Deerhoof in the mainroom, 6:00 PM, all ages, $13 in advance, $15 at the door; and alt-rock weirdo legends Ween at Roy Wilkins, 7:00 PM, all ages, $28.50.

SUNDAY

Gastro Non Grata takes over all three rooms at First Ave for Vagabond Vacation, a night of food, beer, and rock and roll. The line-up features School Of Rock, Birthday Suits, Unknown Prophets, Private Dancer, and Pink Mink on the mainstage; Rifflords, Moonstone, Fuck Knights and Guystorm in the Entry; and DJ Shannon Blowtorch, Hipshakers, and Attitude City in the Record Room. Featured chefs include Erik Anderson, Mike Phillips, Jim Greel, and Heather Hartman, and you can top everything off with a cupcakes and coffee from Cake Eater Bakery. 5:30 PM, 18+, $12 in advance, $15 at the door.

If you can manage to be in two places at once, don't miss the excellent garage power-pop of Nashville's Turbo Fruits with Velvet Davenport and the Dynamiters at the Triple Rock, 8:00 PM, 18+, $10.