Photo by Alex Uncapher

​Minneapolis nightlife patrons between the ages of 18 and 35 really like to dance. In fact, it's a common comment from touring DJs that the Twin Cities club scene really knows how to party, which is exactly what they'll do on the most celebratory of holidays that is New Year's Eve. They'll sing along, they'll spill beer, they'll be grinning and having a good time. Won't you join them? Here your best options for burning up the dancefloor on Friday night.

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Photo by Nikki Miller

Dwight Yoakam at Grand Casino, September 2009

​Time to get in line (virtually). It seems Dwight Yoakam is one of the few country dudes every country-hating indie rock dude would pay good money to see gyrate his hips in tight, tight jeans, and so, country-hating indie rock dudes, here's your chance.

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Photo by B FRESH

​While there has been plenty talk locally about Justin Vernon's involvement on the new Kanye West record, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, the LA Times pointed out another local tie today: engineer Andrew Dawson, a Hopkins native who worked in the studio with Kanye.

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Photo by Christian Erickson

The Copper Field at Cause in October

​The Copper Field
December 29, 2010
Aster Cafe, Minneapolis

Michael Grey's voice is not exactly beautiful. As he sits on the stage at the Aster Café, acoustic guitar settled against his chest, microphone at the ready, he is very much the picture of any other guitar-strumming indie folk rock artist--that is, until he opens his mouth and sings.

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Photos by Stacy Schwartz

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The Hold Steady
December 29, 2010
First Avenue

It's been a busy ride for the Hold Steady. In eight years they've released five records, gained an international following, and toured constantly -- not bad for a couple of Minnesota transplants who relocated to New York. After playing two local shows over the Fourth of July weekend, the band returned to a sold-out First Avenue to close out 2010.

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​As I culled through lists of new and upcoming releases from new and up-and-coming country artists, I couldn't help but notice a pattern: many were by women, and most of those by women who seemed to be taking country in a slightly new direction (occasionally, the "new" direction one that country has sadly meandered away from since the days of Dolly, Tammy and Loretta). And so, I hereby declare 2011 the Year of the Woman in Country Music. I can do that, y'know.

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Photo courtesy of rocketclub.info

​Wanna ring in the New Year country style - and maybe with your first mechanical bull ride? Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill is hosting a New Year's Eve Celebration Friday night featuring local band Lost Highway and local band-gone-big Rocket Club (12/31, music starts at 9:30, $15 advance/$20 door, 21+).

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​Our "Flyer of the Week" this week comes from a very special, magical place -- one that will delight Star Wars nerds even more than unwrapping an Ewok Village playset on Christmas morning, and one that will warm the hearts of even the coldest Wampa. That's right. In this week's flyer, Princess Leia finally takes her top off.

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