Semisonic
Making up for lost time, the "Closing Time" hitmakers aren't just returning to the main room of their youth to revisit the old glory days or to make good on a pair of gigs postponed in September 2021. The Twin Cities-reared trio's first shows since 2019 are also the first since their 19-year recording lull ended with the hopeful, magnetic, classically poppy five-song 2020 EP "You're Not Alone." What's more, Grammy-winning songwriter Dan Wilson is also coming home with even newer Semisonic tunes to test-drive. Chastity Brown opens both shows, which are doubling as indie/local music booster 89.3 the Current's 18th birthday parties. (8 p.m. Fri. & Sat., First Avenue, 701 1st Av. N., Mpls., sold out except for resale tickets, first-avenue.com) Read a review from the show at Icehouse here.
CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER
Lake Street Dive
Last seen opening for Brandi Carlile at Xcel Energy Center, this jazzy, alt-soul/pop ensemble is returning in a cozier, more appropriate setting. They're coming back without trumpeter and guitarist Mike "McDuck" Olson, the former Minnesotan who knew about Lake Street dives. He left the group in May 2021, two months after the release of "Obviously." Then last fall, LSD dropped "Fun Machine: The Sequel," an EP of covers of Bonnie Raitt, Shania Twain and Dionne Warwick, among others. Meanwhile, lead singer Rachael Price just issued a new duo album with Rachael & Vilray, the Tin Pan Alley-ish "I Love a Love Song." Lots of new material to choose from over two nights. Monica Martin opens. (7 p.m. Fri. & Sat. Palace Theatre, 17 W. 7th Place, St. Paul, $40.50-$76, axs.com)
JON BREAM
'Tha Chink-Mart'
Ray Yamanouchi's play features five Asian American kids grappling with school in New York, where they're told they are "too Asian," and with home, where they're told they're "too American." Available to stream online, the play is part of the Playwrights' Center's Ruth Easton New Play Series. (Through Wed., free but make reservations at pwcenter.org.)