Concrete and Grass Festival

With a lineup designed to get everyone out of their respective ruts, this festival will draw you in with a known act and leave you walking away a fan of someone else's favorite band as well. Plus, it's starting to get dark earlier and earlier the past few weeks—do something outside before the summer's over (you'll have all winter to slowly rot on your couch). With a gradual build from Thursday evening, culminating in what is sure to be a high-energy set by honorary Minneapolitan Ike Reilly on Saturday night, you'll be treated to music from "on the verge" artists including the emotional, affecting folk of the Cates; lacerating, funky, acoustic pop from Mayda Miller Band; the decidedly hip-hoppy Maria Isa Band; garage-y country by the near-legendary Front Porch Swingin' Liquor Pigs, the self-described "shit-kicker, trailer trash rock" of Stook! & the Jukes; razor-sharp pop rock from Martin Devaney; last-big-things the Alarmists; and the absolutely can't-miss, mostly folky, semi-jokey Como Avenue Jug Band—plus some classical, and a bit of theater thrown in to further round things out. Sound like a lot to take in? Maybe, but you could hardly call yourself a local music fan and not show up for at least one night. The best part: It's entirely free. For more information, go to www.concreteandgrass.com.
Thu., Sept. 6, 5 p.m.; Fri., Sept. 7, 5 p.m.; Sat., Sept. 8, noon