We wanted to say "Winter Whirlwind" but couldn't actually bring ourselves to make that bold declaration quite yet. While the recent minimal dusting of white stuff has thrown many people into a tizzy, we're perfectly content to pretend like it never happened. The inevitable hard-freeze surely approaches, this we know, but can't we get away with wearing cute Fall fashions just a little bit longer? We've got a really snazzy wool wizard cape that we haven't made enough use of! At any rate, this weekend is quite a whirlwind in itself, with reunion shows, farewell shows, hip hop blowouts, and scads of fashionable shopping parties to attend. Defy Old Man Winter, say we, and enjoy yourselves!
xo-l'étoile
THIS WEEK ON L'ETOILE
l'étoile's Guide to Holiday Cheer 2009
Check out our big annual "Guide to Holiday Cheer," an extensive list of holiday gift ideas, entertaining tips, and seasonal fashion advice and more! Click HERE for the guide.
l'étoile's Guide to Holiday Shopping Events
Jahna Peloquin has been diligently updating our Holiday Shopping events guide! NOTE: ALL fashionable sale events and trunk shows going on this weekend are housed with this guide, including:
No Coast Craft-o-Rama @ Midtown Global Market
CVA Holiday Art Sale @ College of Visual Art
Finch's Holiday Boutique @ 3615 25th Ave. S.
Atta Girl Trunk Show @ MNFashion Boutique
Dress Sale @ Cliche Boutique
Holiday Sale @ Up Six Vintage
And TONS more....HERE
l'étoile's Guide to Holiday Theater
Rob Callahan has put together a Holiday Theater Guide featuring a slew of festive shows HERE
Dessa: Doomtree's Distinguished Diva Discusses Poetry, Prose and Performance
Rob Callahan has also done an extensive interview with Dessa of hip hop collective, Doomtree HERE
FRIDAY BLOG PICK: BLUE FUTURE
Solid Gold lighting luminary and visual artist Bryant Locher's new blog, bluefuture, gives you a look into the mind behind the florescent light box magic. Including everything from a preview of the new Tron movie with a soundtrack helmed by Daft Punk; crazy future-sexy video clips; science news about cyborg helmets; and updates from the Solid Gold front. Other than that, expect "bullshit rambly writings and shameless self-promotion." An intriguing and entertaining mix, if we do say so!
Visit the Blue Future blog by clicking HERE.
FRIDAY DECEMBER 4TH
Toys in the Attic 2009
@ SooVac
2640 Lyndale Ave. S.
Minneapolis
6-9pm / Suggested $1-$5 or unwrapped toy donation
What's not to love about this altruistic event? Presented by Squad 19, the 2nd annual Toys in the Attic benefit show is equal parts toy drive, art exhibition and rock show celebrating the awesomeness of toys while raising money for those without them. The event features limited edition runs of toy-inspired art prints; custom-created art toys from some of our favorite local artists; and a silent auction where folks can bid on unique toys created (and donated) by artists from around the world. Plus, enjoy a killer DJ set from the boys of Solid Gold! Proceeds go to benefit The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, so you can feel extra good about your Friday evening! Bring a new, unwrapped toy to the show and receive an official event poster designed by Who Made Who cohort, Lonny Unitus.
Visit the show's website by clicking HERE
Toys by Sean Tubridy
FRIDAY DECEMBER 4TH
Anemoni Sushi Bar Grand Re-Opening
@ Azia Restaurant/Anemoni Sushi
26th & Nicollet
Minneapolis
4pm-2am / Fri-Sun
The l'etoile crew was treated to a sneak peek/eat of the newly re-modeled Anemoni Sushi & Sake Bar this week, and you can color us impressed! We're sticklers for ambiance and this new restaurant design definitely delivers. Decked out in an ultra-hip Japanese street motif, remodel lead and Azia marketing guru Nick Grzechowiak reimagined the sleek space with the help of some of the cities' coolest artists. Enlisted was ROBOTlove's Kristoffer Knutson (a man we defer to completely on all matters of design) to concept and direct the art installation portion of the re-model. In turn Knutson pulled in painter Eric Inkala to create a colorful mural as well as multi-dimensional art genius, Eric Carlson (of Hardland/Heartland) to do themed illustration work that resulted in a distressed, wheat-pasted poster installation that conjures the mood of a Tokyo alleyway. Lit with low-hanging red japanese lanterns and rounded out with video installations, the remodel takes a whole new spin on what previously sported an "under the sea" theme.
The restaurant also busts out a revamped menu by owner and culinary whiz, Thom Pham, that features a delcious bevy of Japanese hot and cold dishes and of course, some of the freshest and most prettily-presented sushi in town. Also on the bill is a stellar new cocktail menu complete with carefully crafted specialty drinks of unusual concoction (hello, aloe-flavored booze), delightful infused vodkas, and the largest sake menu in the Midwest. This weekend's grand re-opening will include happy hour drink specials from 4pm to 2am on all three nights, special offers, and we expect, liberal sushi eating! What's better? Anemoni serves their full menu every single day of the week until close, so you'll never want for a spicy tuna roll at 1am again.
For more info on the Anemoni Sushi Bar click HERE
FRIDAY DECEMBER 4TH
MNFashion Studio Opening & Industry Event
@ The NEW MNFashion Studio
Grainbelt Bottling House
79 13th Avenue NE #212
Northeast Minneapolis
6-9pm / Free
Yes! MNFashion has finally got itself a studio space! What does this mean? Well, for one, it means there's a GREAT new resource for local fashion designers to educate themselves on how to take their business to the next level. It also means sewing co-ops for those without the means or the space to create. It means awesome networking events for fashion industry types, and it signals the next step in MNFashion's ongoing mission to help evolve the Twin Cities into a productive and professional fashion capital. So, head Northeast tonight and join the MNFashion crew for networking, small bites and libations to celebrate the grand opening of this new space! In true MNFashion style, the group jumps right in by welcoming special guest Jay Arbetman of Chicago, a fabric and trim sales rep with a mile long list of suppliers with small minimums. We encourage you to come check out the kick off and maybe even ask the group what they need for the space -- we're sure they could use use donations of all sorts of things, possibly things you already have and aren't using. We're donating a brand new sewing machine for the sewing co-op, so match us!
Find out more info on MNFashion click HERE
FRIDAY DECEMBER 4TH
Beight Reunion Show
@ 501 Club
501 Washington Avenue
Minneapolis
10pm / 21+ / Free
We've missed Beight! On hiatus for two whole years, the indie pop quartet is back once again, with a reunion show at the 501 Club. If you weren't privy during the original days of Beight, you may be more familiar with the band's co-vocalist, Brad Senne, who plays acoustic solo shows all over town on a regular basis. The reuniting of Senne and bandmates Brian Just, Andre Leroux and Josh Lemoine, will bring to the table a melodic cache of snappy indie gems reminiscent of The Shins' melancholy pop and the harmonic complexities of The New Pornographers. With minimalist garage band, Falcon Arrow and folk-pop trio, The Western Ridge.
For more info on Beight click HERE
FRIDAY DECEMBER 4TH
So It Goes Farewell Show
@ The Fine Line
318 1st ave N.
Minneapolis
9pm / 21+ / $5
We hate to see the good ones go! Longtime Twin Cities rockers, So It Goes, hang up their hats tonight at their very last show as a band. But fear not, these local staples plan to keep the creativity flowing via new individual and collaborative projects in the near future. The group states that the split was "a harmonious choice" and that "Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt" and we tend to believe them -- they are pretty nice people after all. Come celebrate five years of Kurt Vonnegut-inspired "new-punk-wave dance rockin'" with So It Goes plus special guests White Light Riot, The Strange Lights, The Invincible Kids, and Dirty Mackenzie. It's sad to say goodbye, but we're also excited to see what they come up with on their own! Not to mention, we SO smell a renioun within a few years.
For more info on this event click HERE
FRIDAY DECEMBER 4TH
Hotel
@ Kitty Cat Klub
315 14th Ave SE
Minneapolis
9pm / free
Are you going to Hotel this weekend? You should, because it’s going to be a scorcher. Jonathan Ackerman, WzzWnshp and Gigamesh join forces to spin records for you all night long in the cozy confines of the Kitty Cat Klub. Kick off a month of social events and spiked nog tonight with Mr. Ackerman: professional party-starter.
For more info on this event click HERE
FRIDAY DECEMBER 4TH
Get Cryphy
@ First Avenue VIP Room
701 1st Ave N
Minneapolis
10pm / 18+ / $3
A multi-colored, digital Hulk Hogan invites you to get nasty at Get Cryphy tonight! DJs Jimmy 2 Times, Last Word and Fundo are professionals, so put on your dance-pants and let them administer their musical services. Prof takes the mic as welcoming host to hype you up and disperse sweet prizes from Phenom and Familia. Also, drink specials!
FRIDAY DECEMBER 4TH
The Midnight Movie Society: CLUE
@ Red Stag Supperclub
509 1st Ave. NE.
Minneapolis
10pm-2am / $5 advance, $8 doors
A culty, grown-up version of Are You Afraid of the Dark's midnight society if you will, Vita.mn and DJ Jake Rudh conspire to create “The Midnight Movie Society,” a twilight social affair where ghost tales and campfires are traded in for truffle-drizzled popcorn and campy flicks. Anyone lucky enough to be among the attendees of the wildly successful Mad Men Season 3 Premier Party earlier this year can expect this party (of the same team) to be just as fashionable, spirited, and authentic – not to mention a total blast! Admission includes a midnight toast and complimentary super-tasty popcorn all night long! Arrive early to enjoy drinks and dance to Clue-inspired tracks from DJ Jake Rudh, then settle in for a midnight screening of the classic mystery movie. We predict plenty of Colonel Mustard and Misses Peacocks roaming the Red Stag – and don't forget your weapon o' choice!
For more info and to purchase tix click HERE
COOL LINK: L'ETOILE'S GUIDE TO HOLIDAY CHEER 2009
If you haven't heard yet, our annual guide to all things "holiday" is up and ready to be peeped -- and we're not afraid to shamelessly plug it! Wasn't it just yesterday that we were putting together our 2008 Holiday Guide? We swear it was. Time flies! l'étoile has had a wonderful year, and we are so thankful for every last moment of it. For our readers, our collaborators, our muses, our staffers, our friends and families, and of course the crazy/cool creative community of the Twin Cities -- you truly are the fabulous fodder which spurs us on! This year's holiday guide (which could go on and on and on, really) is filled with great gift ideas (of local origin), entertaining advice, do-it-yourself holiday fun, and of course, some festive fashion tips. Enjoy, and have a spectacular holiday season!
To read the guide click HERE
SATURDAY DECEMBER 5TH
Survival: When Truth and Fiction Intersect
@ Form + Content Gallery
210 N. 2nd St.
Minneapolis
7-9 pm/ free
A beautiful yet powerful new exhibit exploring human endurance, the Form + Content Gallery's latest show, Survival, features installations from artist Robyn Stoller-Awend inspired by Vilna poet, Abraham Sutzkever whose literary works detailed the story of doomed Lithuanian Jews who melted down lead printing type to make bullets during Nazi-controlled times. Stoller-Awend's large scale installations are hauntingly emotive and create a piece not to be missed. View the opening reception tonight and return on January 9th for a closing reception featuring Sutzkever's writings read by local writer, Alison Morse, artist and poet, Paulette Myers-Rich and social media blogger Margie Newman.
Click HERE for this art event and more at Mplsart.com!
SATURDAY DECEMBER 5TH (THROUGH SUNDAY)
2009 Minneapolis Underground Film Festival
@ MCAD
2501 Stevens Ave S
Minneapolis
$9 per showing / first showing 10am, last showing 10:30pm
Find out what local filmmakers have been up to lately at this year's Minneapolis Underground Film Festival. This weekend will be a perfect one to spend all day, every day indoors watching movies and growing paler by the second. 45 films of the most "underground" variety will screen continuously through the weekend at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Our picks? The City, a new film featuring a slew of seasoned indie film vets, is described as a "pitch-black dark comedy thriller" about a college student/screenplay writer who explores the more sinister side of himself on a quest for life experience (Saturday 7pm). We're also coveting the classic werewolf/vegan hipster film Living Arrangements (Saturday 8:30pm). And the award for "most inappropriate" surely goes to Porndogs (or at least its trailer) which appears to be a porn film featuring live dogs as actors. Um, ok. Director Q&As follow many of the screenings as well, so you can lay all your pressing questions on the table. This fest is a great place to see films you most likely won't get the chance to see anywhere else, so get thee to MCAD! Runs through Sunday.
Click HERE for the website and program schedule!
The City Trailer 2 from James Vogel on Vimeo.
SATURDAY DECEMBER 5TH
Doomtree Blowout XV
@ 1st Avenue
701 1st Avenue N.
Minneapolis
6pm / 18+ / $15
If you follow local hip hop you're most likely in love with all things Doomtree. The tribe of skilled emcees, DJs and producers have made national waves both collectively and individually, and together boast one of the most fiercely loyal followings in these here parts. With acclaimed rappers P.O.S., Cecil Otter, Dessa, Mike Mictlan, and Sims as well as DJs and producers Turbo Nemesis, Paper Tiger, Lazerbeak and MK Larada, the Doomtree posse is an explosively talented force to be reckoned with. Together for years (some of them, since High School) the collective didn't put out an official group album until 2008. Instead, they focused on collaborating on each others' perspective projects, touring, and putting on solid live performances - The annual Doomtree Blowout being the crown jewel of them all. It's easy to identify the communal influence, but each artist clearly stands out as unique. From the punk rock-rooted, rapid-fire raps of P.O.S. to the poetic and soulful flow of Dessa (the group's sole female member), Doomtree's differences seem to bleed into and bounce off of each other in an endearingly familial sort of way. Saturday's show is not only the hottest ticket in town, but it's also one that will make you want to run out and get M-P-L-S tattooed on your knuckles. The show is an early bird, at 6pm and is followed by an after party in The 7th Street Entry ($5) at 9pm. Tickets to the Blowout are $15 in advance and at the door, but we'd suggest getting yours ASAP, as this epic show historically sells out.
Check out Rob Callahan's article/interview with Doomtree's Dessa Darling on l'etoile HERE
Click HERE to visit Doomtree's website
SATURDAY DECEMBER 5TH
Communal Mix Tape
@ West Bank Social Center
501 Cedar Ave S
Minneapolis
9pm / Donations accepted
Mix tapes meet the 21st century tonight at the ever-conceptual WBSC. Here are the rules: 1. Find the perfect, or near perfect, YouTube song video (broad interpretation is fine here) to share 2. Arrive 3. Plug in your YouTube song/link to the commual playlist 4. Bask in the glory! You won’t have to get up to flip the tape though, tonight’s playlist will be projected and online for you to access later and relive good times. Grab a drink and brag to anyone that will listen that that is YOUR video of Scottish lads dancing to "Who Let the Dogs Out!" Hosted by the ever-clever Sergio Vucci, co-curator of the Soap Factory's Common Room.
To visit the WBSC site click HERE
SATURDAY DECEMBER 5TH
Monica & the Molecules
@ Turf Club
1601 University Ave.
St. Paul
9 pm/ 21+/ $6
It's hard to believe that with just a simple drum set, a keyboard and some echoed vocals one could produce such twisted, cabaret noir rock. But Saint Paul's dark doll trio, Monica & the Molecules, not only succeeds, but manages to command the stage with delicious tragicomic flair. Join the jamboree live tonight at the Turf with theatrical kindreds, Gay Witch Abortion; psychedlic rockers, Daughters of the Sun; and local thrashers, Buildings.
Visit the Turf Club site HERE
SUNDAY MUSIC PICK: TROPICAL AMBROSIA SALAD
Missing the days of sitting on the beach, lazily wasting the day away in the sun? You can have that feeling back! Make it a Brazilian beach, and you’ve got the music of Tropical Ambrosia Salad. Slow and sultry, these ladies and gents know how to keep you shimmying. They’re out and about in our fair city, so keep your eyes peeled behind your cooool sunglasses.
To check out Tropical Ambrosia Salad online click HERE.
SUNDAY DECEMBER 6TH
Riot Act Reading Series
@ Turf Club
Clown Lounge (basement)
1601 University Ave.
W. St. Paul
7 pm/ 21+/ $5
The Turf Club's brawl rich, rebellious ruffians aren't the stumbling lushes in the corner – they're the literary hooligans with the mic, aka the members of the Riot Act Reading Series. Join performers including Riot Act sire Paul D. Dickinson; poet and sire-ess Laura Brandenburg; comedian Mary Mack; Electric Arc Radio Show writer, Stephanie Wilbur Ash; and writer Frank Henry Rawlings III for a radical night of comedy, satire, memoir and self-deprecating stories – all in a classic drink-a-long style! Americana folk artist, Charlie Parr provides the live tunes.
To check out Riot Act Reading Series online click HERE
TUESDAY DECEMBER 8TH
JagerCon: Sci-Fi Tuesdays
@ Clubhouse Jager
923 Washington Avenue N.
Minneapolis
Every Tuesday
10 p.m. / 21+ / Free
Join hosts Kate Iverson (l'étoile magazine, Secrets of the City) and Beth Hammarlund (l'étoile magazine, A Tiny Machine) every Tuesday Night for JagerCon! JagerCon is a weekly sci-fi party featuring screenings of classic nerdy movies and television shows -- topped off with 2-4-1 cocktails all night served by Star Captain Paul!
Mingle with like-minded sci-fi geeks, discuss D&D strategies, and use that Captain Picard impression you've been perfecting to pick up chicks at the bar. Snort-laugh the night away while bragging about your MMORPG addiction and enjoy a cozy, nerd-friendly environment.
Upcoming Events:
DEC 8: The Fly
DEC 15: JageCon Anniversary Party / 12 Monkeys
DEC 22: Slither
DEC 29: Back to the Future
JAN 5: Spaceballs
JAN 12: Star Wars: The Clone Wars
JAN 19: The Forbidden Zone
JAN 26: Earth Girls Are Easy
FEB 1: Return to Oz
FEB 9: Dune
FEB 16: Dreamcatcher
FEB 23: Nightwatch
MAR 2: The Hunger
This week's flick is THE FLY
Editor in Chief: Kate Iverson
Contributing Writers: Lacey Prpic Hedtke, Robyn Lewis, Juleana Enright, Kate Iverson, Beth Hammarlund, Jahna Peloquin, Rob Callahan
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