Oh yeah, and to ensure maximum hipster cred and irony, be sure to be wearing your "Downtown is Ovah" tee shirts when attending many of these events.
Green Streets Festival on Roosevelt Row (Friday)
Besides all the earth-loving artists and vendors that this eco-friendly extravaganza is promising, Psyko Steve Chilton has booked the triumvirate of Snake!Snake!Snakes!, Turn Back O Man, and Snow Songs to provide some indie-flavored sounds to go along with tie-dyed tee shirts and granola munching that will be going on. 7 p.m., free (Fifth and Roosevelt streets)
Obscura at the Ruby Room (Friday)
Make sure that your sugalumps are in order, as the DJ duo of Roya and Funkfinger are celebrating the Flight of Conchords during the latest edition of their popular Ruby Room monthly. Copies of Bret and Jemaine's latest disc I Told You I Was Freaky will be handed out (as will CDs from Kings of Convenience, Cold Cave, and Snow Patrol) and DJ FLNGN will also be on hand to spin a selection of indie, New Wave, Britpop, and retro music. Hopefully there won't be too many dicks on the dance floor. 9 p.m., $5 (717 South Central Avenue, 602-258-6900).
Blues Control at Trunk Space (Friday)
List of reasons to possibly see Blues Control at Trunk Space: (1) Indie cred. Your unhip friends "wouldn't get it," and even though Pitchfork has already given them some love, they don't even have a Wikipedia page yet. You and your post-rock sensibilities are so ahead of the curve. (2) You're planning on getting high. Whatever your drug of choice, you probably like to put something on and just chill the fuck out for a while, and going to see the metalcore marathon at Phix is definitely not the way to go. Instead, take in this guitar and keyboard duo from Queens. They keep the vocals out and let their instruments take you on a trippy but melodic ride that Siltbreeze Records describes as "beauteous extrapolations into the miasmic core of psychedelia and billowing fog of ambient space." Fortunately for everyone, the music isn't quite as pretentious as their label would have you believe, but it can be more than a little tedious. (3) Just looking for something different? Blues Control isn't a bad choice, especially since Gallagher doesn't come into town until the next day. 7 p.m., $8. (1506 Grand Ave., 602-256-6006) -- Brian Bardwell
Indie Music Phoenix Showcase at UB's (Friday)
Shane Matsumoto is one of the local music scene's BFFs for life. Not only does the 33-year-old produce an entire television show devoted to the subject (which airs Thursday nights on KAZT channel 13 and recently celebrated its first birthday), but he also organizes the occasional showcase of the Valley's best bands at P-Town bars and clubs. The latest goes down tonight with performances by Sinister Ego, The Heartless, Duct Tape Repairmen, and Jacob Tyler Lucas. 6 p.m., $5. (1911 West Broadway Road, Mesa, 480-962-9000)
F+: Order of the Arcane Opening Reception at Red Hot Robot (Friday)
We're in the midst of a toy revolution. Bratz dolls are kicking Barbie's ass, and today's G.I. Joes are deployed with enough plastic weaponry to blow Strawberry Shortcake to kingdom come. Not so good for the kiddies, but awesome for artist Josh Pearce, a.k.a. f+, who created a creepy series of customized vinyl toys and paintings for his new "f+: Order of the Arcane" exhibit. "This world is a realm of Majik and mythos, with some very unique creatures and characters inhabiting it," says Pearce. One look at his bubble-headed aliens and dark wizards, and you'll know which side of the toy wars to support. 7 p.m., free (14 West Camelback Road, 602-264-8560) -- Wynter Holden
Free Sushi Records Showcase at Paisley Violin (Saturday)
While there won't be any complimentary California rolls being handed out during this live music night, Free Sushi's night of local artists boasts a host of talented Phoenix artists filling the Grand Avenue eatery with their musical stylings, including Michelle Blades, Mike Ferraro, and Tobie Milford. 7 p.m. (1028 Grand Avenue, 602-254-7843)
Phoenix Annual Parade of the Arts in Downtown Phoenix (Saturday)
The green theme at this year's Phoenix Annual Parade of the Arts is open to interpretation. It could be a statement about ecology or simply an expression of a color. Perhaps one could make a float from recycled materials or wear a lime dinosaur costume (there will be contests for both, by the way). You could even get all green with envy over the jugglers, dancers, puppets, and chalk artists who'll take their creativity to the streets. That's the beauty of PAPA, in which anyone can march beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday, November 14, when Grupo Liberdade departs Roosevelt Row, Roosevelt and Fifth streets, leading a samba train through the downtown core. The event is preceded with performances by Dry River Yacht Club, Fatigo, and Strange Family Circus. 5-10 p.m., free. (Roosevelt and Fifth streets) -- Gren Radcliff
The Dutchess and Duke at Stinkweeds (Sunday)
Question: Would you rather cough up $12 to see this Seattle indie-folk foursome live in concert at the crowded Rhythm Room, or is it better to see them perform a more intimate acoustic set at Kimber Lanning's record store earlier in the evening for free? We're thinking your pocketbook would prefer option number two. 5 p.m. (12 West Camelback Road, 602-248-9461)
The Sugar Thieves at the Compound Grill (Sunday)
Will the second time the charm for Mikel Lander and Meredith Moore? The Valley's talented roots/blues duo came close to winning last year's International Blues Challenge in Tennessee, but ultimately fell short of grabbing onto the brass ring. They're headed back to Memphis in January for another go at it, but need some buckage in order to pay for the trip. Help pay their way by attending this weekend's fundraiser, which will also feature music from The Delrayz, The Bad Cactus Brass Band, Big Daddy D and the Dynamites, and The Insinceros. 2 p.m., $5. (7000 East Mayo Boulevard, No. 21, 480-585-5483)
Civic Space Jam at Downtown Civic Space Park (Sunday)
This indie-centric monthly event is a total win-win situation: even if you're not down with the eclectic tunes getting spun by such turntable jockeys as Hartbreaks, DJentrification, and Meaty Ogre, we're almost certain you'll be impressed by the beauteous outdoor setting of the downtown Phoenix park. In addition to the music, $4 raffle tickets will be for a wealth of prizes. 5 p.m., free. (424 North Central Avenue)
