Don't let the snow slow you down! There are plenty of excuses to get out of the house and into some warm and toasty clubs this week to support the local scene. Wednesday is especially busy for some reason, as is Friday night (another CD-release show blitz) and Saturday morning (for the kids!).

Here are our top suggestions; you can also find more to do on the Current's concert calendar.

Beatrix*JAR
Icehouse, Minneapolis
9 p.m., $5, 21+
Circuit bending duo Beatrix*JAR bring their unique, DIY-fueled show to Icehouse. They'll be joined by Talking Computron and the Ring Toss Twins.
 

Wednesday, December 12

Pre-Winter Classic Festival
Cause Spirits & Soundbar, Minneapolis
9 p.m., $5 adv/$8 door, 21+
Looking to delve a little deeper into the busy Twin Cities hip-hop scene? This night provides an excellent primer of some of the best up-and-coming acts. With BdotCroc (who was recently interviewed by Gimme Noise), Meta, Lioness, Mike Dreams, Sti-Lo Reel, and more. 

Andrew Bird: Fever Year
Trylon Microcinema, Minneapolis
7 p.m., $8, all ages
Sound Unseen presents a special screening of this film, which follows Andrew Bird on tour with his all-Minnesotan backing band: Martin Dosh, Jeremy Ylvisaker, and Mike Lewis.

The Sudden Lovelys
331 Club, Minneapolis
9:30 p.m., free, 21+
Husband-and-wife roots duo the Sudden Lovelys headline a free gig at the 331 along with Poverty Hash and new dark pop act the Deceitful Lapwings.

Dean Magraw (opening for Tim Sparks)
Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis
7:30 p.m., $25
Renowned guitarist Dean Magraw plays a rare solo show in support of his new Red House Records release How the Light Gets In, an album that reflects on his recent struggles with MDS.
 

Thursday, December 13

The Edge: Edgecapades
Club Underground, Minneapolis
9 p.m., $3, 21+
Ever wish you could hang around in a cool European-influenced basement club and wallow with other Gen X and Gen Y'ers about how much you miss the '90s? Here's your chance. DJ Shannon Blowtorch will keep the mood nostalgic at this '90s throwback night. 
 

Friday, December 14

Greg Grease CD-Release Show
7th St. Entry, Minneapolis
9 p.m., $5 adv/$7 door, 18+
Rapper Greg Grease issues his strongest album to date, the nuanced and deep-grooved Cornbread, Pearl and G, with a cast of special guests like Meta (who appears on the album), Mike the Martyr, BdotCroc, DJ Just Nine, and Sgld. And in honor of the new record, they'll even be serving up free cornbread at the show.

Dosh with Marijuana Deathsquads
Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis
7 p.m., $10 adv/$12 door, all ages
After a year of heavy touring with Andrew Bird, drummer and looper Martin Dosh has returned home to his basement workshop/studio to craft new solo material this winter. Friday's show should provide a nice preview of what he's been cooking up, and it will also provide a rare opportunity to hear noise collective Marijuana Deathsquads perform in a space with top-notch sound. Bring earplugs and an open mind.

No Bird Sing with Toki Wright
Icehouse, Minneapolis
10:30, $7, 21+
Live hip-hop trio No Bird Sing mix smoldering grooves with vivid lyrical imagery; rapper Toki Wright has recently expanded his live show to include a full band, This Debris, which includes Mayda on bass and Tasha Baron on keys.

4th Annual Holiday Shindig
Aster Cafe, Minneapolis
9 p.m., $5, all ages
A handful of the Cities' best folkies converge to raise money for Open Arms of Minnesota at this holiday-timed benefit show, organized by Mother Banjo and Ben Cook-Feltz. Also on the bill is Martin Devaney, Brianna Lane, Steve Kaul of the Brass Kings, Alison Rae, Dan Gaarder, and more. 

Citroën EP-Release Show
Hell's Kitchen, Minneapolis
9 p.m., $5, 21+
New hard-driving dark rock band Citroën celebrate the release of their four-song EP, with support from the Idle Hands, the Central Division, and Nature Shows.

Saturday, December 15

The Okee Dokee Brothers
Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis
11 a.m. and 2 p.m., $10 (ages 2-10 $8; under 2 is free), all ages
Fresh off their recent Grammy nomination, kid-friendly folk duo the Okee Dokee Brothers recently added a second show to Saturday's festivities to accommodate their growing demand. 

Bunny Clogs
Icehouse, Minneapolis
11 a.m., $8 (ages 2 and under free), all ages
Another kid-friendly event for your Saturday, this one led by Adam Levy of the Honeydogs and his family band the Bunny Clogs. They describe their music as "Shel Silverstein-meets-Prince surreal dance fun," which sounds like a good time to me.

Still Pacific CD-Release Show
Turf Club, St. Paul
9 p.m., $7, 21+
Sing-songy synth pop band Still Pacific returns with another EP in tow, and they've assembled quite the high-quality lineup for their release show. With the Rope, Baby Boys, the Ropsweet Pea Burlesque, Riley 'n Salty Ventriloquist and DJ Christian Fritz. 

Tickle Torture Single-Release Show
Cause Spirits & Soundbar, Minneapolis
9 p.m., $5, 21+
You can pretty much sign me up for anything Elliot Kozel (Sleeping in the Aviary) is involved with, but his new side project Tickle Torture is especially accessible. Think Of Montreal meets Flaming Lips? They'll be joined by Enola Gay, Phantom Tails, and Comanche, so good times are guaranteed.

Sunday, December 16

Doomtree Blowout 8
First Avenue, Minneapolis
6 p.m., $15, all ages
Doomtree will hold it down Friday and Saturday nights as well, but as of press time this Sunday night all-ages gig is the only one with any tickets remaining. Snap 'em up in advance, because this Blowout is also likely to sell out.