The big theme for concerts this week is the so-called end of the world, which the Mayans predicted to take place on Friday, December 21, 2012. Just in case, there are lots of events planned for the Saturday and Sunday of this weekend as well.

Tuesday, December 18

Lady Heat Hot Soul Party Holiday Shakedown
Icehouse, Minneapolis
10:30 p.m., $2, 21+
Get down to the best holiday funk, soul, and R&B jams spun on vinyl by DJs Danielle Morris, Christy Hunt, and Sara Jean Hanson. A chill and satisfying way to ease into the holidays. 
 

Wednesday, December 19

Crooked Saws
Cause Spirits and Soundbar, Minneapolis
9 p.m., free, 21+
A night of free entertainment from this sludgy new lo-fi blues duo, who should appeal to fans of the Black Keys. With the Deceitful Lapwings.

Coloring Time
Amsterdam Bar and Hall, St. Paul
9 p.m., free, 21+
Sprawling Minneapolis-based improvisational collective Coloring Time (which is typically anchored by members of No Bird Sing) take over St. Paul. They'll be joined by Mississippi Peace and songwriter Adam Svec.

Brother Ali with Plain Ole Bill
Triple Rock Social Club, Minneapolis
9 p.m., $5 (IPR students free), 18+ 
Yes, you are reading that right. Brother Ali and Plain Ole Bill will headline this night at the Triple Rock, which was booked by the Rhymesayers Hip Hop Essentials Class at IPR. Featuring openers Aikiiltm + Syilent P and Moment In Time. 

Prissy Clerks
7th St. Entry, Minneapolis
7 p.m., $5, 18+
Omnipresent showgoer and tweeter @solace rings in his birthday with a solid lineup of local acts. If you missed Prissy Clerks rocking the Entry for their album release show a few weeks back, now's your chance to see them reprise their set alongside Actual Wolf and cover band All Tomorrow's Petty.

Thursday, December 20

Fathom Lane
Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis
7 p.m., $10 adv/$15 door, all ages
Michael Ferrier's new folk-pop outfit (which includes sultry vocalist Ashleigh Still) headlines a night stacked with songwriting talent; Actual Wolf and Bethany Larson and the Bees Knees will also perform.

United Teachers of Music EP-Release Show
Hexagon Bar, Minneapolis
9 p.m., free, 21+
New good loud fast! That's my quick four-word review of this new project from members of groups like Skullcranes and the Drug Budget. They'll release their debut EP as United Teachers of Music with support from Svoboda, Nightosaur, and Madison's Droids Attack. 

Outstanding Achievements in the Field of Excellence LP-Release
Triple Rock Social Club, Minneapolis
9 p.m., $5, 21+
Omnipresent soundman Brian Herb wrote and recorded his new album while touring the world as a roadie and tech for other bands. Now that he's back home, he's booked a release show for his own The Cobbler's Kids Wear No Shoes at the Triple Rock with support from Story of The Sea, Little Man, The Sex Rays, and Box of Dicks.

Friday, December 21

Grant Cutler's End of the World
Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis
7 p.m., $10, all ages
Producer, composer, and solo artist Grant Cutler (Lookbook, WolfLords) debuts a new three-part composition commissioned by the Minnesota State Artist Board, which he's described as a "big, new age jam." Openers Anonymous Choir (led by Nona Marie Invie of Dark Dark Dark) and Zoo Animal fill out what is sure to be a moving and unforgettable night.

End of the World
First Avenue, Minneapolis
9 p.m., $8 adv/$10 door, 18+
A collection of some of the best up-and-coming hip-hop artists in town will help keep the energy high at this big Mainroom bash, including the Chalice, the Tribe and Big Cats, and Sean Anonymous.

J. Otis Powell CD-Release Show
Loft Literary Center, Minneapolis
7 p.m., $10 (includes copy of CD), 18+
Spoken word artist J. Otis Powell celebrates his new Tru Roots/Speakeasy Records release, Balm, at an event that will also feature an appearance by New York Times bestselling author Alex Pate.

White Iron Band CD-Release Show
Cabooze, Minneapolis
8:30 p.m., $8, 18+
One of the Twin Cities' longest-running party bands celebrates the release of their Rich Mattson-produced new album, Damn the Nighttime, and throws their annual "Dreaming of a White Iron Xmas" party. With Matt Ray & Those Damn Horses and Teague Alexy.

Rock the Cause 5th Anniversary Shows
Crooked Pint Ale House, Minneapolis
9 p.m., $8 adv/$12 doors, 21+
Nonprofit Rock the Cause celebrates five years of throwing parties for great charity causes with a two-night stand at the Crooked Pint. Friday night's gig features Enemy Planes and Dream Crusher paying tribute to George Michael's Wham!

The Goondas
331 Club, Minneapolis
10 p.m., free, 21+
If the world really is ending on Friday, I wouldn't mind spending it with these three inventive punk-meets-garage bands. The Goondas headline a night that also features Red Daughters and Elliott Kozel of Sleeping in the Aviary's new band Tickle Torture.

XXXmas Apocalypse 2012
Triple Rock Social Club, Minneapolis
8 p.m., $5, 18+
Blast your eardrums out with this lineup of local hardcore and post-rock bands, including Trim Reaper, 25 Cent Tacos, Landspeeder, Puppies and Trains, and the Disasteratti.

Saturday, December 22

Peter Ostroushko's Holiday Show
Landmark Center's F.K. Weyerhaeuser Auditorium, St. Paul
2 p.m., $15 adv/$18 door, all ages
Renowned mandolinist Peter Ostroushko, whose achievements range from winning an Emmy to appearing on Bob Dylan's seminal album Blood on the Tracks, is actually playing two shows at the Landmark this weekend; he added this matinee performance after Friday night's show sold out. He'll be joined by guitarist Dean Magraw, bassist Joel Sayles, and vocalist Natalie Nowytski.

Rock the Cause 5th Anniversary Shows
Crooked Pint Ale House, Minneapolis
9 p.m., $8 adv/$12 doors, 21+
Nonprofit Rock the Cause celebrates five years of throwing parties for great charity causes with a two-night stand at the Crooked Pint. Saturday night's gig features Adam Levy's notorious soul/funk cover band Hookers & Blow.

Gay Witch Abortion
331 Club, Minneapolis
10 p.m., free, 21+
Another night of loud, riotous rock at the 331, this one featuring Gay Witch Abortion (who just celebrated the release of a new album), Gospel Gossip (who have a new album on the way), and Jim and the French Vanilla.

Sunday, December 23

10th Annual Christmas Eve-Eve Show
Fine Line Music Cafe, Minneapolis
6 p.m., $6 ($1 discount for each food item donated), 21+
Consolation Camp celebrate a decade of feel-good holiday shows, this one benefitting Pillsbury United Communities and featuring support acts like Joey Ryan and the Inks, Dahlen, Auron, and Mitchell, the Exchange, Invisible 2 Women, Michael Mitchell, Steve Wheeler, and Elizabeth Oliveto. 

Rock the Ice
Wells Fargo WinterSkate, St. Paul
7 p.m., free, all ages
Such a cute idea for the holiday season: Local rock and folk artists paired with free ice skating. Sunday night's installment features performances by Actual Wolf, Broken Bicycles, and InIrie.