St. Cloud Times from Saint Cloud, Minnesota • Page 38

nEflsiiniai saiys Power-pop blowout tot 1 M- i ii 11 12Rods I )Ba-bye Anyone with a penchant for power pop definitely, definitely should be at the Red Carpet Nightclub Friday night KVSC-FM 88.1 celebrates its 33rd birthday bash and, as always, has lined up some great bands from the Twin Cities scene who we don't get to see much of up here. This year's show features The Hot, a band that actually has played here a couple times (it's the band that opened for the Jayhawks' show, if you were there) and 12 Rods, which is gracing the Carpet's stage for the first time. I haven't seen 12 Rods live, but I got to hear the band's new CD, "Separation Anxieties," which hits the streets in June, and I really dug it Fm expecting a really good show. Also on die line-up is Twin Cities singersongwriter Marlee MacLeod. If you're a KVSC member and pay your pledge by 6 p.m.

Friday, you get in free. You can read more a lot more in Karl Leslie's column on Page 4. fa 1 Minnesota Orchestra The season finale Tonight is your last chance of the season to see the Minnesota Orchestra at St Benedict's. This concert also features German conductor Bernard Klee and, as always, promises to be an incredible evening of music I have said it before and Fll say it again: The St Cloud area is extremely fortunate to have a world-class organization like the Minnesota Orchestra playing a season of concerts every year at Benedicta Arts Center, because no other Minnesota city has that luxury. They all have to travel to Orchestra HalL And I am certain that, if you have even the tiniest appreciation for classical music andor orchestra, you will i have a fabulous music experience at this concert You can find ticket information on Pagell.

Do what's cool Want to give your opinion? Dana Drazenovich covers arts and entertainment for the St. Cloud Times. This is her weekly roundup of what to do in and around St. Cloud. She can be reached by calling 255-8750 or by sending e-mail by visiting our Web site at ckjrazerodcud.garrett.am The end is near.

St. Cloud State University has finals next week, and then, poof, many of the students are gone for the summer. The College of St Benedict and St John's University's end of the school year is just around the comer, too. That mind, I decided to dedicate this issue of Up Next to the year that was and the nine days still left before St Cloud State's graduation. This has been a great nine months, especially in terms of live music, happy hours and some really big conceits.

And those of you leaving for the summer still have a little time to cram in some more fun. I realize you have to study for finals you don't want to blow your grades now but you have to take a break sometime, right? And some of us who live here all the time tend to be more social in the Tackle the tower TIMES PHOTO BY K1MM ANDERSON Dancers crowd the floor under the lights and music of a deejay at the Press Bar. spring, anyway, so non-student fun-seekers will be out and about, too. My prediction: Its going to be a huge week downtown. Read about what's happening on Pages 12 and 13.

Saturday at the Tav Brainwaves If you're in the mood for a good laugh, Pioneer Place on Fifth is the place you want to be Friday night Portland-based comedy troupe Brainwaves Improvisadonal Comedy returns for what Fm sure will be another insane, off-the-cuff comedy show. I didn't see the group's last show at Pioneer Place, but I heard it was hilarious, so if you're the type who likes live comedy, you definitely should make Brainwaves part of your Friday night plans. Read more on Page 11. II 11 Zr Our friends at Tavern on Germain have added yet another night of live music to their schedule. The Acoustic Project, a trio of musicians who play high-energy acoustic music that blends sounds from around the world, takes the stage at the Tav for a show Saturday everiing.

Those of you who have seen the Acoustic Project's shows at Bo Diddley's can expect this show to be a bit less subdued. Those of you have have never seen the Acoustic Project can expect some really funky percussion, with Paul Cotton playing tablas, frame drums and more, plus Mike Thole's famous whistling. Bill Lydeen plays bass for this show. Cover is free. I 4 I J- If you're looking for a little adventure outside of St Goud this weekend, I have a pretty good idea for you.

Unless, of course, you're chickea Val-leyfair Family Amusement Park Saturday opens for the first of three preview weekends before the May 18 official opening date. You thrill seekers out there should know that the 2000 season features the big debut of Power Tower, a 275-foot-high, three-legged structure that, with a price tag of $10 million, I would have to assume offers an impressive amount of amusement Doors open at 10 a.m. Saturday. Val-leyfair also will be open for preview weekends Sunday, May 13 and 14, and May 20 and 21. Valleyf air, for those of you new to this area, is located in Shakopee, just i Acoustic Project Index turn it up.

3-8 onstage 10-11 vcr alert 14 flicks 15-19 grabbing grub 20 cities action 22-23 Up Next is published on Thursdays by the St. Cloud Tmes, owned by the St. Cloud Newspapers a member of the Gannett Co. Inc. For formation or to share ideas, please cal (320) 255-8750.

Power Tower at Valleyfair. outside of the Twin Cities. For prices, directions and all that good stuff, call the 800 number, (800) 386-7433 (which spells "fun or check the Web site, www.valleyfair.com. Thursday, May 4, 2000 St. Cloud Times.