This Week’s Best Events: Arab Film Fest, ’80s Vintage, Saint Paul Art Crawl

TUESDAY 9.28

Crash & Burn 10

Acme Comedy Co.

A well-crafted, highly tuned, time-tested set is a standup comic’s best defense against bombing. For 10 years, veteran comedian Tim Slagle has ripped away those safety nets with Crash & Burn, the weeklong Acme takeover that forces four comedians to concoct a new 20-minutes each night and test them out live. This year, the wily ringleader will join Adrienne Iapalucci (as seen on Netflix's The Degenerates), Andy Hendrickson (Letterman), and Andy Woodhull (Fallon) for night after night of hire-wire comedy where the biggest laughs can come from the biggest swings⁠—even if they’re whiffs. $15-$35. 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 708 N. First St., Minneapolis; more info here. —Jay Boller

WEDNESDAY 9.29

Twin Cities Arab Film Festival

Trylon Cinema

Every year since 2003, cultural organization Mizna has sponsored a selection of films from across the Arab world, a mix of new, notable flicks and rarely screened classics. This year the opening night film is the 2021 release Souad, the story of an Egyptian girl who leads a double life of piety and glamour, along with the short film I Am Afraid to Forget Your Face. The older films screening include: Al Momia (The Night of Counting the Years), a 1969 landmark of Egyptian cinema; Trances, a 1981 documentary of the Moroccan avant-pop band Nass El Ghiwane; and the long-banned 1974 docu-fiction Some Meaningless Events. See the Trylon website for full listings. This event runs through Sunday, Oct. 3. 2820 E. 33rd St., Minneapolis. —Keith Harris

Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real 

First Avenue

If you haven’t given him a listen in the decade or so he’s been recording, Willie’s boy sings with traces of his dad’s nasal twang, though you wouldn’t necessarily hear a family resemblance without knowing who he was. As for POTR, they come Neil Young-approved, and have been accompanying the old fella on the road and recording with him since 2015. Working with Americana-producer-of choice Dave Cobb, the band recorded A Few Stars Apart last summer, and it’s a worthy introduction to Nelson’s solid, heartfelt writing and the band’s subtle arrangements. 18+. $30/$35. 7 p.m. 701 First Ave. N.; Minneapolis.—Keith Harris

THURSDAY 9.30

Glow Up

The Bakken Museum

This year, the Bakken experienced a “glow up,” undergoing major updates and renovations for the first time in 20 years. To celebrate the project, which finished in July, the Bakken will host a special 21-and-up party. Objects highlighting major improvements in history will be featured in the galleries, and pop-up theater performances will also explore humanity’s attempts to live better. Snack on gnosh from Taquiera el Victor, enjoy drinks from the cash bar, and listen to live music outside in the courtyard. Find tickets at thebakken.org/calendar/glow-up. 21+. $15. 6 to 9 p.m. 3537 Zenith Ave. S., Minneapolis. --Jessica Armbruster

FRIDAY 10.1

Saint Paul Art Crawl

Various Locations

Sprawling, biannual art celebration Saint Paul Art Crawl turns 30 this year. Over the next three days, a handful of Lowertown businesses, galleries, and artists’ lofts will open up for special receptions, parties, performances, and sales. There will be an ASMR overload at the Nature Nook, a new space in the Northern Warehouse, where guests can watch live acrylic pour demonstrations. They’ll also have therapeutic instruments to try out. Over in the Lowertown Artist Lofts Cooperative, Emma Fitzsimmons and Mariusz Kujawski will reprise their lauded duet, "How to Fly," a dance that has previously been showcased in a variety of galleries. Other participating venues to explore and discover include the Tilsner Artists, Northwestern Building, and 262 Studios & Master Framers Inc. You can find a map and list of participating venues at stpaulartcollective.org. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. --Jessica Armbruster

Indigo De Souza

7th St Entry

With her second album, Any Shape You Take (Saddle Creek), this North Carolina singer-songwriter has found a fitting little post-genre sound all her own: a baseline electronic thrum, electric guitar (adding texture, hooks, and the occasional flat strum), and drums that move without being pushy. Simultaneously indebted to both lo-fi indie and high-gloss pop, De Souza isn’t above Auto-Tuning her arresting swoop of voice to a flutter) the album has all the intimacy of a collection of hushed acoustic guitar confessionals. If the dancey “Hold U” reminds you of Sylvan Esso, well, she did record in their studio. When De Souza sings “I’d rather die than see you cry.” I think that’s called poetic license, but I suspect her “I wanna know it’s not my fault” comes from the heart. 18+. $16/$20. 7 p.m. 701 First Ave. N., Minneapolis.—Keith Harris

SATURDAY 10.2

Twin Cities Vintage Fest

Familia Skate Park

Certain eras of vintage hold a monopoly around town. If you need a classic ‘50s cocktail dress, a ‘60s peacoat, or some ‘70s costume jewelry? You know where to go. But what if you’re into ‘80s garbage? We’re talking neon plastic jewelry, impossible to beat Nintendo games, big-ass T-shirts, and Pizza Hut pint glasses emblazoned with Care Bears. Enter Twin Cities Vintage Fest, a popup party featuring 50-plus vendors in Familia’s parking lot. Here you’ll find shirts celebrating Metallica, Wrestlemania, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; OG Nintendo gear that still works; collectibles like PEZ, pro-wrestling merch, and buttons (they were the pins of the ‘80s and ‘90s). Explore baskets of vinyl, shop ‘90s denim, and play your heart out in the vintage arcade. Food trucks and photo ops round out the event. Find tickets and more info at tcvintagefest.com. $5 presale/$8 at the door; $20 early bird tickets. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 835 E. Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis. --Jessica Armbruster

The Craft

Parkway Theater

Time has aged The Craft (1996), like a delicious/kinda funky cheese. The story follows Sarah (Robin Tunney), the new girl in town (Los Angeles) who befriends a group of witchcraft-curious girls at a Catholic high school. At first they use their newfound powers to take down racists, abusive step parents, and mean jocks, before turning on Sarah, who’s not down with using magic so casually. The soundtrack is pure ‘90s alternative, the wardrobe is Hot Topic/skanky Harry Potter, and Fairuza Balk is iconic as bad gal Nancy, chewing scenery here like her life depends on it. $5-$10. 1 p.m. 4814 Chicago Ave., Minneapolis. --Jessica Armbruster

SUNDAY 10.3

Smoke Out

Allianz Field

Justin Sutherland, the hot-shit chef behind Handsome Hog and Side Chick, is throwing a BBQ blowout at the ol’ soccer stadium. StormKing, Soul to Soul, and the delightfully named Mr. Pig Stuff are just some of the meat purveyors who'll be serving up smoky samples alongside booze booths featuring sips from Maker's Mark, Tito's, and Pryes Brewing. A collection of DJs will be spinning, and local hip-hop fave Nur-D will be rapping. VIP tickets get you access to early munching, "one full beer" from Pryes, a shot of whiskey, goodie bag, and free parking. $85-$125. Noon to 6 p.m.; 400 Snelling Ave. N., St. Paul; more info here.—Jay Boller