HOTEL CAFÉ TOUR Thursday: Named and modeled after a songwriters-oriented club in Los Angeles, the current installment of this tour is an all-female affair. Its main attraction is Rachael Yamagata, whose 2004 debut, "Happenstance," earned her a big buzz before she got caught up in record-label downsizing. In the meantime, she sang on records by Ray LaMontagne, Ryan Adams and Bright Eyes, whose producer, Mike Mogis, helmed Yamagata's long-awaited follow-up, "Elephants ... Teeth Sinking Into Heart." It's actually two albums: one full of intimate, smoky balladry and the other with sultry, steaming rock à la PJ Harvey. Presumably, we'll get the milder stuff on this mostly acoustic tour, which also features up-and-comers Meiko, Thao Nguyen, Jaymay and Alice Russell. (8 p.m. Thu., Varsity Theater, 1308 SE. 4th St., Mpls. 612-604-0222. $18-$20.)
CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER
