Never doubt the power of the Walker Art Center to bring together one of the most intriguing assortments of performance art in the region. The gallery's 2013-14 season is no exception.

Some of the highlights among the music performances include a collaboration between filmmaker Sam Green and indie rock innovators Yo La Tengo, an electronic pairing of Tim Hecker and Oneohtrix Point Never, and Jherek Bischoff's Composed (above), feauring Polica's Channy Leaneagh, Norwegian singer-songwriter Sondre Lerche, and Deerhoof drummer Greg Saunier. As per expected, this is an opportunity to see myriad talented artists flex beyond a typical show to something interdisciplinary in the inviting confines of the Walker -- or partnering venues around town. More music highlights follow below.

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Walker Art Center announces its 2013-14 performing arts season
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Photo By Emily Utne

After the overwhelming success of Dessa's intimate show at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts back in February, the talented songstress is now set to bring her entire boisterous Doomtree crew to perform at the MIA's Summer Party on Saturday, June 1.

On an evening where the venerable art museum will be celebrating the Minneapolis music scene, they have also tapped the legendary Morris Day and the Time for a rare live performance at the outdoor event, ensuring that both the classic and modern sounds of the local scene are going to be well represented.

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Doomtree at Roosevelt High School, 4/26/13
Slideshow: Legendary Morris Day & The Time tear up Treasure Island

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Photo By Erik Hess

St. Paul's Grand Old Day has had the "grand" part down for years. The largest one-day festival in the Midwest has consistently entertained Minnesota families and fun-lovers with top-notch music and merriment along St. Paul's stately, historic Grand Avenue for decades.

And now, the "old" part in the festival's name is truly appropriate as well, as Grand Old Day is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, and has a great lineup planned to mark the festive occasion on Sunday, June 2.

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Har Mar Superstar returns to the Turf Club, 5/4/13
Slideshow: Grand Old Day 2012

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Photo By Steve Cohen

John Milton's epic 17th century poem, Paradise Lost, has captivated and confounded scholars and English majors alike for hundreds of years. Those who find their way through Milton's challenging, impenetrable archaic language find a moving story about the fall of man, as well as Adam and Eve's eventual expulsion from the Garden of Eden. The long-heralded poem has inspired artists for centuries, and continues to work its lyrical magic to this day.

In the case of former Hüsker Dü drummer Grant Hart, Milton's epic work recently inspired an entire double-album of new material, The Argument, which Hart is set to release on Domino Records on July 22. The double-LP features 20 new songs from Hart, all triggered by the eternal themes and subjects that Milton touched on, just filtered through the current lens of modern day rock 'n' roll.

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Hüsker Dü's Grant Hart gets the documentary treatment
Grant Hart of Hüsker Dü recovering from house fire

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Erik Hess

It's truly a great time to be part of Marijuana Deathsquads. In addition to their engrossing "Music Rocks" May residency at Icehouse (which continues tonight with an MDS rap set, as well as a performance by Lizzo alongside Lazerbeak and Cliff Rhymes as they bring LIZZOBANGERS to life, and DJ Plain Ole Bill), the sprawling collective is also involved in the recent flurry of musical activity coming out of the Totally Gross National Product camp.

But the inventive crew isn't planning on stopping there. News is now coming out that not only have MDS been busy reworking P.O.S.'s stellar recent record, We Don't Even Live Here, with a bunch of their creative cohorts for a forthcoming remix album entitled POS WDELH MDS RMX, but the collective are also planning on hitting the road this June on a short U.S. tour with their good friends Solid Gold.

See also:
Marijuana Deathsquads announce May residency at Icehouse
[Slideshow] Totally Gross National Party 2012

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Tony Nelson

Okay, deep breath everybody. No one wants to jinx anything, but maybe--just maybe--spring has finally started here in Minnesota. And none too soon, either; after all, it's already almost time for block party season, when we can all spend our weekends wandering around in shorts and sipping cold beers. (Honest!)

With that in mind, there's one more date we can add to our soon-to-be full calendars: Friday, June 28, when the Uptown Pride Block Party returns to the Lyn-Lake neighborhood after a one-year hiatus. Foxy Tann once again serves as the event's emcee, while L'Assassins and Chastity Brown headline a slew of local music acts on the bill.

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Anna Gulbrandsen

Revelers at Summer Set 2012

Finally, the weather is warming up, and... dare we say it? Summer looks like it's actually on the horizon. It's time to get out your sunblock, your sunglasses, and your camping gear, because the Summer Set Music & Camping Festival lineup was just announced, and it's a good one.

Just a short drive away in Somerset, Wisconsin (seriously, it's so close), the festival returns on Friday, August 9 and goes through Sunday, August 11 this year. If last year's festival was any indication, this year should be a ridiculously fun time mixing electronic music, hip-hop, jam bands, and the ever-present indie scene.

See also:
Summer Set 2012: The Artists
Summer Set 2012: The People
Summer Set Music & Camping Festival day one, 08/24/12
Summer Set Music & Camping Festival day two, 8/25/12

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Courtesy of Tom Munro, RCA Records

J.T. fans rejoice! The former Mouseketeer and frosty-tipped 'N Sync heartthrob will be coming to the Land of 10,000 Lakes on his just-announced The 20/20 Experience world tour.

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Justin Timberlake beatboxes with Brother Ali
Prince & Bon Iver visit Blue Ivy Carter on Saturday Night Live

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Erik Hess

Anyone who has been to a baseball game at Target Field knows that you can have a good time there no matter if the Twins are winning or losing -- though a victory by the hometown squad certainly helps make the experience even more memorable.

Well, good times are going to be even easier to be had at the downtown ballpark with the Twins recent announcement of the Midwest Music Showcase, a series of eight live music performances from local bands at Target Field beginning with a performance by the 4onthefloor on May 15 and running through the end of August.

See also:
P.O.S. at First Avenue, 10/26/12
Trampled by Turtles at First Avenue, 4/17/13
The 4onthefloor at the Turf Club, 4/4/13

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Courtesy of RGC

Local summer music festivals are nearly upon us. Though a few high-profile examples aren't happening in 2013, another brand-new one is on its way in the form of the Sixty Five Roses Festival. And it's for a good cause.

Hosted by the Pourhouse in downtown Minneapolis, 100 percent of the proceeds from the music and art festival will benefit the Minnesota Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis foundation. The Minnesota-based music lineup itself is stellar (with the Honeydogs and Retribution Gospel Choir among the 14 acts scheduled to perform throughout the day on three separate stages throughout the venue), with an art show and silent auction also planned, featuring works showcasing talented local artists.

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Retribution Gospel Choir's Alan Sparhawk: We perversely replicated playing live
Zoo Animal's Holly Hansen: I'm having more fun playing music than at any time in my life

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