The daily digest of Twin Cities culture | Secrets of the City

MUSIC
Punk Bowl

There's nothing like some good old fashioned eardrum blistering, kick-in-the-head punk rock to liven up a Monday night. Hit Memory Lanes for hardcore bowling and fist pumping as punkers Off With Their Heads, St. Fall Apart (Denver), In Defence, and Liarbirds take the lanes for this week's edition of Punk Bowl. The bands tear it up on a stage set in the middle of the lanes while you throw gutterballs and swill beer. This truly recession proof weekly rock-out features $2.50 PBR Tall Boys, $3 Jamesons, and $1 mini-burgers -- and the bowling is a mere $2. Punk Bowl is definitely not for the faint of heart, but we tend to think mayhem in moderation is good for the soul.

10 p.m., Memory Lanes, 2520 26th Avenue S., Minneapolis, Free

WINE & DINE
Mardi Gras Prix Fixe Dinner

Enjoy a taste of New Orleans without having flash the crowd! Mardi Gras beads are not the currency of choice tonight at Barbette, where you'll revel in authentic southern cuisine in this romantic, star of the north cafe. Three courses of deliciousness await, featuring Cornmeal Crusted Soft Shell Crab with rémoulade and salad or Andouille Gumbo; your choice of Chicken-Crawfish Étoufée with rice or Blackened Catfish with Succotash and Tabasco Buerre Blanc; and a decadent dessert of either Banana Foster or Pecan Pie. Stick around after 10 p.m. for Barbette's fantastic (and free) late night music series, this week featuring the aptly jazzy stylings of Supreme Privacy.

5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Barbette, 1600 W. Lake Street, Uptown Minneapolis, $32

     
LECTURE
MPR's Broadcast Journalist Series

Now in its 13th season, Minnesota Public Radio's Broadcast Journalist Series rounds up a carefully curated group of journalists and media correspondents for 24-hour residencies, four times a year. Paired with a local MPR host for a panel discussion, the journalist will share their worldly personal insights. Tonight, join Minneapolis native and NPR financial guru John Ydstie as he discusses his career and the current economic crisis. Ydstie is an award-winning journalist who was a member of the NPR team that nabbed a Peabody award for coverage of the September 11th terrorist attacks and his long legacy of covering the economy, federal budget issues and the stock market over the past two decades certainly qualifies him as an expert. Ydstie will be joined tonight by MPR's Jeff Horwich.

Tickets are required. Tickets available are at any of four Bibelot Shop locations. We'd recommend calling to confirm there are tix left at your nearest location!

7 p.m., Macalaster College, Kagin Commons Hill Ballroom, 1600 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, Free