Most of this may have been mentioned, but I just scanned the topic, disregard if I am just reiterating points.
Like you I started with a 50mm f1.7 (Minolta version is 1.7). I think with the sample shots you posted, you could have stepped the iso down and still have recovered a lot if you were shooting RAW. At least in the first shot, it seems a little over exposed on the highlights. I've shot shows where the only lighting was a couple strings of xmas lights 5 feet in front of the artist and still was able to pull a decent shot after a little post processing.
-Never try to auto focus in very low/red lighting, I always found it much easier to shoot using manual focus.
-Learn to shoot in manual, it'll save you in the long run. Even just take your camera out during the day and run test shoots so you get a feel for the different settings in manual mode.
-There is always a happy medium between ambient lighting and a hot shoe flash, just test it out at home before showing up. Might require a hot shoe flash soft box, but the results can be achieved if done properly. If you don't want to shell out for a soft box... sometimes a napkin or tissue taped to the front element works just as well in a stitch
I guess since we are also doing a little "show and tell" I'll post some shots I did in extreme low lighting.
The Heavy
Exposure: 0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture: f/1.7
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: 0/10 EV
PWRFL Power
Exposure: 0.004 sec (1/250)
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 70 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: 0/10 EV
Joanna Bolme from Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks (they kept all the lights on Malkmus)
Exposure: 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 70 mm
ISO Speed: 800
Exposure Bias: 0/10 EV
and just for the hell of it... a shot with my Lensbaby 3G
Marissa Nadler (this was lit with xmas lights, had to find proper color temp/exposure and results were fantastic, very little post work)
Exposure: 0.125 sec (1/8)
Aperture: f/2
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 800
Exposure Bias: 0/10 EV