Posted on Wed, May. 10, 2006

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Best bets: May 11 - 17

The Secret Machines play Friday at First Ave.

ROCK: THE SECRET MACHINES

Friday: On their second major-label album, "Ten Silver Drops," Texas trio the Secret Machines scale back some of the epic rock from their 2004 album, "Now Here Is Nowhere," in favor of more sedate, introspective songs that detail the mess left behind from broken relationships. Live, though, the band is one of the most intense on the club circuit, which explains why they're playing this gig without an opening act. 9 p.m.; First Avenue, 701 First Ave. N., Mpls.; $11 in advance, $13 at the door; 651-989-5151. — Ross Raihala

ROCK: TOOL

Friday: New Tool albums arrive only every five years or so, and theater-sized gigs from the prog-metal band are even rarer. That's why this show almost instantly sold out. But those who didn't get tickets shouldn't worry too much — the band has pledged to return to the road later this year for a jaunt through bigger venues. In the meantime, fans can keep busy with the new album's intricate packaging, which features more than a dozen stereoscopic images, complete with a handy viewer built into the cover. 8 p.m.; Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.; sold out; 651-989-5151. — Ross Raihala

THEATER: EDUCATING RITA

Opens Friday: Prolific playwright Jeffrey Hatcher lays down the pen and takes up the... um... whatever an actor takes up. Paired with Stacia Rice, Hatcher makes a rare stage appearance in this comedy about the unlikely relationship between a hairdresser from the wrong side of the tracks and the alcoholic teacher from whom she's determined to learn all there is to know about English literature. Sarah Gioia directs the Torch Theater production. Through May 27; Minneapolis Theatre Garage, 711 Franklin Ave. W., Mpls.; $18; 952-929-9097. — Dominic P. Papatola

THEATER: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

Opens Saturday: Shakespeare's beloved comedy of confused lovers, thespian mechanicals and fantastic fairies acquires an Asian accent under the auspices of Theater Mu. This classic of the English-speaking canon will be infused with Japanese taiko drumming, Korean mask dance and Kabuki sword fighting in an East-meets-West production. Should be interesting. Through May 28; Southern Theater, 1420 Washington Ave. S., Mpls.; $20; 612-340-1725. — Dominic P. Papatola

VISUAL ART: NEGATIVLAND

Opens Friday: Taking on everything from anti-corporate activism to file-sharing, Negativland — known for its lawsuit with the band U2 in the early '90s — has created experimental music and sound collage to comment on such issues as the nature of perception, media control, ownership and propaganda for more than two decades. At this exhibit, music videos, artwork inspired by the group's music and new visual pieces will be featured. Opening party, 6:30 p.m. Friday; through June 10; Creative Electric Studios, 2201 Second St. N.E., Mpls.; free; 612-706-7879. — Amy Carlson Gustafson

BLUES: RORY BLOCK

Friday: Some may be surprised to hear that many blues aficionados believe the greatest living keeper of the Mississippi Delta's acoustic blues tradition is a white woman from New York City named Rory Block. Over the decades, Block's ability to channel the masters and their music into something innovative and uniquely her own has grown deeper and more exciting by the year. She's not only a brilliant guitarist and strong songwriter, but also a disarmingly passionate singer who can hypnotize an audience and make a West Bank spot like the Cedar feel like the back porch of a Deep South roadhouse. 8 p.m.; Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls.; $20-$18; 612-338-2674. — Rob Hubbard

CLASSICAL: ITZHAK PERLMAN

Monday: One of the world's most famous violinists makes his only scheduled Twin Cities stop of the year, performing a recital as a benefit for Adath Jeshurun Synagogue. While Perlman tends to make his choice of repertoire as fluid as his playing — his last Schubert Club recital in St. Paul featured a number of spot decisions on what to perform next — he'll doubtless play to his strengths. This concert may be sold out, but cancellations are a possibility. 8 p.m.; Adath Jeshurun Congregation, 10500 W. Hillside Lane, Minnetonka; $100-$12; 952-215-3930. — Rob Hubbard

WORLD MUSIC: MASTERS OF PERCUSSION

Monday: You'll hear a wide assortment of percussion instruments that can't be beat — or rather can — when 11 of the most esteemed drummers from the classical Indian tradition take to the Orchestra Hall stage. They're led by master drummer Zakir Hussain, best known for his work with Ravi Shankar, as well as a number of outstanding players showcasing their skills on sitar, tablas and such lesser-known instruments as sarangi and khartal. There will even be acrobatic dancing drummers. A portion of the concert's proceeds will go to Sri Lanka and India's ongoing recovery from the 2004 tsunami. 7:30 p.m.; Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Mpls.; $34-$19; 612-371-5656. — Rob Hubbard

DANCE: ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER

Tuesday: A company created 47 years ago to give modern-dance opportunities to African-American dancers has grown into one of the country's most renowned troupes, still creating innovative works that burst with energy and excitement. For the past 15 years, the company has been led by Judith Jamison, and she's one of the choreographers for an evening-opening blend of bebop and hip-hop before the dancers move on to a new work set to the music of Philip Hamilton, an athletic interpretation of Bach and a piece set to traditional spirituals that the company's founder, Alvin Ailey, created in 1960. 7:30 p.m.; Northrop Auditorium, 84 Church St. S.E., Mpls.; $49-$32; 612-624-2345. — Rob Hubbard

PERFORMANCE ART: CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

Tuesday-Wednesday: Generally, when Montreal's wildly imaginative Cirque du Soleil comes to town, it chooses an unconventional performance space. But it will be hitting the hockey arena this time around for a work called "Delirium." While one expects surprising staging ideas and much movement from the ensemble, this piece focuses more upon the original music it has created over the years to accompany its performances, adding new lyrics in a number of languages. And, if advance word is accurate, you won't feel like you're in an arena: The interior of the Xcel will be transformed into a performance space, leaving audience members feeling wrapped in the excitement of the show. And this company is invariably exciting. 7:30 p.m.; Xcel Energy Center, 175 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul; $110-$69.50; 651-989-5151. — Rob Hubbard

ROCK: DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS

Wednesday: The Drive-By Truckers follow up last year's re-release of their early discs, "Gangstabilly" and "Pizza Deliverance," with a tour and a new album, "A Blessing and a Curse," the group's seventh overall and third for New West Records. Working again with producer (and former Sugar bassist) David Barbe, the band gives its famous Southern rock stomp a bit of a polish suggesting that after years of underground acclaim, the boys are itching for a few more mainstream fans. American Minor opens. 8 p.m.; First Avenue, 701 First Ave. N., Mpls.; $15; 651-989-5151. — Ross Raihala