The Big Gigs: Upcoming shows in the week of entertainment

POP/ROCK They're co-headliners -- last year's American Idol, Jordin Sparks, and 2005's teen heartthrob, Jesse McCartney. The 18-year-old Sparks has had hits, "Tattoo" and "No Air" with Chris Brown, but does she have the personality, presence and material to carry a full show? McCartney, 21, is trying to move away from the teeny bop days of "Beautiful Soul" with his new R&B-tinged disc, "Departure." Look for the two singers to duet on a Michael Jackson oldie. (7:30 p.m. today, State Theatre, $39.50-$49.50.) (J.B.)

After opening a few Wilco shows on tour last week and appearing at the Walker's Rock the Garden concert in June, Bon Iver (Justin Vernon) will finally make his First Ave debut following a string of very sold-out Turf Club gigs. The woodsy singer/songwriter from Eau Claire, Wis., continues to garner critical raves for his haunting but heartening, self-made coming-of-age album "For Emma, Forever Ago," which he manages to re-create spot-on with his band on tour. Former Verbena frontman AA Bondy opens in support of his Fat Possum debut, "American Hearts." (9 p.m. today, First Avenue. 18 & older. $12-$14.) (C.R.)

Glamorama, Macy's annual fashion show, often aims for a musical theme. Last year, it was country music; tonight it's a flashback to, um, bad music fashion. What else do Cyndi Lauper and MC Hammer have in common? OK, both were excellent entertainers. She remains an unstoppable force onstage, with a powerful personality, potent pipes and a new CD of timeless disco music. Can't vouch for Hammer of late. When last seen, the 1990s hip-hop superstar was representing his daughter this year on the MTV talent show "Rock the Cradle," on which children of former stars vied for a recording contract (Kenny Loggins' son won). (8 p.m. today, Orpheum Theatre, $75-$500.) (J.B.)

Hometown heroes Morris Day and the Time are not the original lineup that recently played in Las Vegas, but it features three original members -- frontman Day, drummer Jellybean Johnson and keyboardist Monte Moir -- reprising the funky 1980s classics that helped define the Minneapolis Sound. Alex Rossi and Root City open. (7:30 p.m. today, Minnesota Zoo, $39-$51.50.) (J.B.)

Just a month after playing the main room with Wolf Parade, Dan Boeckner is back in the Entry with Handsome Furs, the more stripped-down, laid-back, drum-machined side project he created with his wife, Alexei Perry. The Montreal couple has been working on its second album for Sub Pop following last year's well-received "Plague Park." Ex-Anniversary Party singer/keyboardist Dri, aka Adrianne Verhoeven (not the thrash-punk band D.R.I.), opens in support of her Cat Power-like album "Smoke Rings." (9 p.m. today, 7th Street Entry. 18 & older. $12.) (C.R.)

The "Elvis" neon sign above the Cabooze stage will light up again for the 31st anniversary of the King's death. Twin Cities rock vet Tina Schlieske is planning another powerhouse Elvis impersonation -- more spiritual than visual -- with help from the good ol' boys of Trailer Trash and other singers and horn players. The show is based on the Vegas-era Elvis, and thus comes with some kitsch. But it's more about the kick in the music. (9:45 p.m. today, Cabooze. 18 & older. $10-$12.) (C.R.)

A week after Germany's old metal gods (Scorpions) played the Myth, the country's hottest rock group of the moment -- Tokio Hotel -- takes the same stage. Imagine the Jonas Brothers speaking sie Deutsch and playing in an '80s hair band, and you'll get the idea. Led by twins Bill and Tom Kaulitz, 18, the quartet has amassed a string of bubblegum-metal hits in Europe, including the power ballad "Monsoon." Its English-language U.S. debut, "Scream," came out in June. (8 p.m. Sat., Myth. All ages. $25-$28.) (C.R.)

Readers of Guitar Player magazine recently voted Joe Bonamassa best blues guitarist. If you don't believe them, check out his "From Nowhere in Particular," a live double-disc (due Tuesday) that displays his blues-rock prowess on electric and acoustic guitar. Or check out his power trio, which has been a (loud) favorite at the zoo. Papa Mali opens. (7:30 p.m. Sat., Minnesota Zoo, $25.) (J.B.)

After reuniting with his old band Red Red Meat for last year's Sub Pop 20th anniversary bash, frontman Tim Rutili has gone back to his hazy psychedelic roots group Califone. Last seen on tour with Iron & Wine, the Chicago quintet can create a more dazzling sonic backdrop using mostly acoustic instruments than a lot of fully electrified psychedelic bands. Its surrealistic urban blues should go down great in Walker Art Center's Summer Music & Movies series. The original "Manchurian Candidate" follows. (7 p.m. Mon., Loring Park, 1382 Willow St., Mpls. Free.) (C.R.)

They met as teenagers in a Mexico City heavy-metal band, but eventually switched to acoustic guitars and moved to Ireland, where they were befriended by Damien Rice. Rodrigo y Gabriela generate a magical mix of sounds with two acoustic guitars, embracing flamenco, folk and, of course, metal. Yep, there's Zep and Metallica in their repertoire along with many remarkable originals. Fresh from appearances at Denver's Mile High Music Festival and New York's All Points West fest, Rod y Gab are the curiosity gig of the week. Lover's Duo opens. (8:30 p.m. Mon., First Avenue, $27.) (J.B.)

New York singer Amel Larrieux amassed some impressive credits, first with Groove Theory, then with Sweetback (members of Sade's band) and Stanley Clarke before launching a solo career. An abundantly talented bohemian soul singer, she put out "Lovely Standards" last year to assert her jazz cred. (7 & 9:30 p.m. Mon.-Tue., Dakota, $22-$40.) (J.B.)

For his new "From the Reach," Louisiana slide-guitar star Sonny Landreth composed tunes in the styles of some of his favorite musicians and then invited them to play with him. Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Vince Gill, Jimmy Buffett, Dr. John, Robben Ford and Eric Johnson add to the party, but Landreth doesn't take a backseat on this inspired collection. Opening are the top-notch Iguanas, who play a melting pot of New Orleans sounds seasoned with a little Tex-Mex. (7:30 p.m. Thu., Minnesota Zoo, $29-$41.50.) (J.B.)

The Minnesota State Fair grandstand lineup kicks off with a triple stacking of good ol' blue-collar American rock 'n' roll. Mississippi rockers 3 Doors Down, back for their fifth fair appearance, are having another good year with their self-titled album, the single "It's Not My Time" and their omnipresent National Guard anthem "Citizen Soldier." Staind, also a regular fair act (third time's a charm?), has never repeated the success of its 2001 mega-hit "It's Been Awhile" but has maintained a cultish following. Oklahoma's metallic bad boys Hinder are readying the followup to their 2005 debut, which produced the giant hit "Lips of an Angel." (6:30 p.m. Thu., State Fair grandstand. $57-$32. 651-288-4427.) (C.R.)

If you see one show at the State Fair this year, it should be Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings. The 50-something Georgian who now calls New York home comes on like a female James Brown. She's backed by a funky bunch of Brooklyn musicians best known for accompanying Amy Winehouse. Bring your dancing shoes and get ready to get down. (8:30 p.m. Thu.-next Fri., Leinie's Lodge Bandshell, State Fair. Free.) (J.B.)

HIP-HOP A decade since he switched his name from Noreaga, and a few years since leaving Jay Z's Roc-a-Fella roster, little else has changed about Queens, N.Y.-reared thug rapper N.O.R.E. The real-life Victor Santiago is still spewing his angry "militainment," most recently on the album "Noreality," which he squeezed in last year around a gang-murder trial in which he testified. Lil' Wayne guests on his new single, "Still on the Run Eating." St. Paul's SP Style All-Stars open with Holy Smokes, Room Rock Ent and DJ D. Mil. (10 p.m. Tue., First Avenue. $15-$20.) (C.R.)

Denver's Flobots -- whose seven-piece lineup includes a violinist and a trumpeter (i.e., not your typical hip-hop group) -- have had quite a summer. Their quirky single "Handlebars," which sounds like rap's answer to rock's Cake, took off in May. They played "The Tonight Show" in June. Then their do-gooder preaching/practicing came to a head last month when, during a tour with Minneapolis' Doomtree crew, they played an entirely solar-powered concert in San Diego. People Under the Stairs opens for them here. (6 p.m. Thu., Varsity Theater. All ages. $13-$15.) (C.R.)

AFRICAN The second annual Afrifest kicks off with a concert by a singer who's a bona-fide star in parts of Africa, Awilo Longomba. The Congolese drummer-turned-singer (now living in France) comes off like the Diddy of Afropop. His machismo videos are full of rich-lifestyle partying and scantily clad babes, and his singles sound tailored to the clubs. His openers are local hip-hop star Blade Brown (from Liberia) and spoken-word artist e.g. bailey ($25-$30). The show will also feature a pan-African fashion show and comedian Boima Freeman. (8:30 p.m. today, Epic, 110 N. 5th St., Mpls. $25-$30.) (C.R.)

VOCAL Divas Janis Hardy, Maria Jette and Molly Sue McDonald are experts at letting their hair down and delighting audiences with repertoire choices that are outlandish but always entertaining. Whether it's Fauré or Peggy Lee, they perform with wit and style. And since "Sopranorama VII: Divas of a Different Feather" is Hardy's swan song, expect them to pull out all the stops (including her vocal performance of Leroy Anderson's "Syncopated Clock"). With veteran Vern Sutton directing and Dan Chouinard on piano and accordion, this will be quite a show. (8 p.m. today-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends Aug. 24, Southern Theater, 1420 Washington Av. S., Mpls.. $24. 612-340-1725.) (W.R.B.)

JAZZ We'll soon have to trot out that rarely used noun "nonagenarian" for jazz master Irv Williams, the St. Paul sax legend who puts his personal stamp on classic ballads, blues, Ellingtonia and Tin Pan Alley tunes, tossing in a few choice originals along the way. But not quite yet. Williams turns a spry 89 this weekend, with a three-night birthday celebration that starts in his hometown and ends across the river. Ars longa, vita longa, too! (9 p.m. today-Sat., Artists' Quarter. $10. 7 p.m. Sun., Dakota Jazz Club. $5.) (T.S.)

It's unofficially "Pizzarelli Month" at the Dakota. Following seven-string guitar legend Bucky Pizzarelli's successful two-night stand, his even more famous guitar-playing son, John Pizzarelli -- singer, radio host, Sinatra and Nat King Cole aficionado, songwriter and deft entertainer -- shows up for a one-nighter, with savvy brother Martin Pizzarelli on bass. Pianist Larry Fuller (known for his work with Ray Brown and Ernestine Anderson) and drummer Tony Tedesco round out a steadily working, simpatico band. (7 & 9:30 p.m. Thu., Dakota. $25-$40.) (T.S.)

BLUES The boogie king of Chicago blues, the hard-groovin', charismatic big fella known as Magic Slim, brings his latest four-piece Teardrops band to play gritty industrial-strength shuffles that fill dance floors. Born in August 1937, Magic Slim is known for playing slide guitar without any glass or metal bar or bottleneck, just with his meaty fingers, and for singing with casual deep soul, reflecting his Mississippi birthplace and longtime star status in the funkier joints of his Windy City home. (9 p.m. Sat., Famous Dave's Uptown. $5.) (T.S.)

Contributors: Staff critics Jon Bream, Chris Riemenschneider and freelancers Tom Surowicz and William Randall Beard.