It's here! The art-crazy weekend we wait for all year is back again and better than ever. Every spring we think it couldn't possibly out-do itself, but Art-A-Whirl proves us wrong time and time again. This year's neighborhood-wide art extravaganza goes above and beyond with big outdoor events, gallery shows, hundreds of open studios, live music, food, drink and pretty much every manner of awesomeness you can imagine. Our annual Art-A-Whirl Spectacular is jam packed with colorful special events as far as the eye can see. Unfortunately, there are so many that you'd have to have one of those Star Trek transporter beams to get you to even half of them, so we suggest planning your itinerary and planning it well. Our listings below detail the coolest events plus a few non-Art-A-Whirl extras that we just couldn't leave out. For those of you who are overwhelmed by our epic list, you can also check out our Art-A-Whirl at a Glance Guide, a listing of specific art buildings and hot areas for maximum arty impact!
For even more info on AAW, including a map, an online artist directory, trolley stops and additional special events, visit www.nemaa.org. Regular AAW hours this year are Friday 6-10pm, Saturday Noon-8pm, and Sunday Noon to 5pm.
Happy whirling!
xo-l'étoile
ALSO THIS WEEK ON L'ETOILE
Kate Iverson's Art-A-Whirl at a Glance Guide
Jahna Peloquin interviews St. Kate's Fashion Show mentor Maritza Ramirez
Jahna Peloquin updates our Guide to Sales & Shopping
FRIDAY MAY 14TH (THROUGH SUNDAY)
Under the Vic Chimney
@ Historic Thorp Building & CBC Studios
1618-1620 Central Ave NE
Minneapolis
Friday 5pm-Sunday 5pm / Free
Forget the aspirin regimen; this is an art-attack you definitely want! Art-A-Whirl officially kicks off tonight and Under the Vic Chimney opening reception party is one of the hottest tickets in Northeast! Over 35 Open Artist Studios and Creative Businesses open their doors for a fancy meet ‘n’ greet with the Thorp & CBC artists/creators. Opening reception also features a cash bar and refreshments courtesy Red Stag and NEMAA; Spin Art presented by Forecast Public Art and Wet Paint; outdoor projection art from Minneapolis Art on Wheels; a stylish fashion shoot by Costume the Cities and Vicknair Photography; and an ultra vogue fashion show featuring designs by Kerry Riley of Red Shoe Clothing Co – sponsored by us (more deets on that below)! Plus, all weekend-long peep artwork from Bethel University’s Senior Thesis exhibition, Smells Like Art, art projections from The Soap Factory Sampler, (Art)ists on the Verge experimental art by Northern Lights, freight sessions’ live music curated by Mean Larry and much more!
Art-A-Whirl Weekend at the Thorp Building is co-sponsored by l'etoile!
Click HERE for more info
FRIDAY MAY 14TH
The Death of Red Shoe
@ Thorp Building
1618 Central Ave NE
Minneapolis, MN
8pm / Free
(to be held during the Opening Night party, see above!)
Local sweetheart and amazing designer Kerry Riley recently began the process of trade-marking her business name and logo, Red Shoe Clothing Co., only to discover that the name had long been owned by someone else from somewhere else who probably doesn’t have half as much personality, but whatever. To mourn “The Death of Red Shoe” Riley will present a fashion show/retrospective at the opening night Art-a-Whirl party at the Thorp building, featuring a combination of past, present and future Red Shoe looks. Come for the last Red Shoe Clothing Co. show and experience the magic as Kerry Riley transforms her brand in something fresh and new, which will be announced as the finale to the show! Though the event title may be gloomy, Riley insists the show is an optimistic new beginning -- and we’re behind her 100%!
Click HERE for the Facebook event
FRIDAY MAY 14TH (THROUGH SUNDAY)
The Age of Aquarius
@ The Gallery at Fox Tax
503 1st Ave N
Minneapolis
6-10pm / Free
You don’t need to be an astrology-loving New Ager to enjoy Fox Tax Gallery’s latest exhibition, The Age of Aquarius. Co-presented by guest curator Emma Berg of mplsart.com, the exhibit features artwork from three burgeoning locals with youth and perspective in their corner. Harnessing a sense of community with DIY aesthetics and roots in the local music scene, the talented artists showcase their unique take on the next generation’s artistic vision. Enjoy treats and tunes while you peep pieces by Vigilante Justice founder and Lovelee Buttons contributor, Jesse Draxler; artist and drummer for the local noise band Tips for Twat, Katelyn Farstad; and seasoned poster & album cover artist and Knife World member, Josh Journey-Heinz. Expect an energetic mix of found imagery, emotive and colorful visuals and surreal interpretations. On view through June 27th, regular AAW hours through the weekend.
Click HERE for the mplsart.com site
FRIDAY MAY 14TH (THROUGH SUNDAY)
Flocked: A wall paper project
@ Casket Arts Carriage House
1720 Madison St NE #203
Minneapolis, MN
Opening party 8pm-11pm / Free
Also showing Sat. noon-6pm, Sun noon-5pm
For those of you who scoff at the idea of wallpaper as a tacky cop-out, prepare to have your mind changed! Flocked features 30 local artists invited by studio mates Nick Howard, Anna Tsantir and Vincent Murray to create five 10”x15” pieces each—enough to cover a 22’x10’ studio wall from floor to ceiling. All kinds of media, including drawing, painting, prints, and 2D multimedia works will be represented. Featuring local faves such as David Peterson, Terrence Payne, Dan Ibarra, Drew Peterson, Ruben Nusz, Crystal Quinn, Alex Kuno, Joel Starkey, Miles Mendenhall, Tim Carroll, Jaime Carrera and many, many other artists. As the Facebook event says, this is definitely not your grandmother’s wallpaper! We couldn’t agree more.
Click HERE for more info
FRIDAY MAY 14TH (THROUGH SUNDAY)
The Slow Mirror and the Metronome
@Behind The Sample Room in NE Minneapolis
(music/art on boats, rafts, and stages, on and around the banks of the Mississippi River)
2124 Marshall Street Northeast
Minneapolis
Regular AAW Hours , show at 8pm / Free
One of the most rockin' events this weekend, the Slow Mirror and the Metronome is a grand mesh of sound collages, video installations, and floating sculpture pieces, being held behind the Sample Room and utilizing the environment and the acoustics of the river. The installation is created by XYandZ Gallery artists Joseph Belk, Drew Peterson, Ted Quinn, and Adam Burchard, and is presented by Creative Electric Studios and The Sample Room. After you've checked out the art, return after 8pm when hot local bands will be playing from boats, and we are very excited about the lineup: Friday evening sees Zak Sally, STNNG, and Bella Koshka, and Saturday night check out a set from the Marijuana Death Squad, the always show-stopping Mayda, and a late-night “after-boat and barge party” being thrown by Burlesque of North America. Trust us, you do not want to miss out on this!
Click HERE for the Facebook event
FRIDAY MAY 14TH (THROUGH SUNDAY)
Art-A-Whirl at Bicycle Theory
@Northrup King Building
1500 Jackson St. NE
Studio 40
Minneapolis
Regular AAW Hours / Free
Bicycle Theory, a graphic design, Web development, and brand strategy company, is throwing an Art-A-Whirl party showcasing some of the best local artists, brands, and DJs during Art-A-Whirl 2010. They'll have some awesome and affordable stuff for sale, including art from DC Ice, poster design by Adam Turman, gift items (like Giraffe Art + Utility's neat local art-inspired coasters), super-cool LEGO® sculptures and building kits by Brickmania, and of course, bikes. Peace Coffee will be serving up free coffee samples and DJs will keep the beats going all weekend.
Click HERE for the Bicycle Theory site.
FRIDAY MAY 14TH (THROUGH SUNDAY)
Anthem Heart at Art-A-Whirl
@ Q.arma Building
1224 Quincy Street NE
#225
Minneapolis
Regular AAW Hours / Free
Head down to the Anthem Heart studios at the Q.arma Building to celebrate the local screen-printing company's third year in the Northeast Arts District. Anthem Heart's Ken Hannigan be printing a new collaboratively-designed t-shirt with Jesse Draxler live all weekend (snag yours for $10 a pop, or bring your own shirt for $5). While you're there, check out an art exhibit from Forest Bash, Dain Germscheid, and Tyler Quigley, live video projections by Matt Bardins, enjoy a live outdoor performance by Spider Baby, and an open turntable jam inside all weekend, plus free refreshments. While you're in the Q.arma Building be sure to check out all the artist studios and the F.R.E.S.H. exhibit at Altered Esthetics Gallery!
Click HERE for the Facebook event
FRIDAY MAY 14TH (THROUGH SUNDAY)
Calpurnia Peach at Art-A-Whirl
@ Architectural Antiques Building
1330 Quincy Street NE
#402
Minneapolis
Regular AAW Hours / Free
Stop by local design duo Calpurnia Peach’s studio during Art-A-Whirl to get a glimpse into their creative process and buy up their latest designs. Designers Luci Kandler and Ashley Wokasch will be sewing and screen-printing live, and selling their one-of-a-kind pillows featuring their whimsical, original screenprints ($30-40 each, cash or check only). While you're there, explore this cool old arts building -- a building where some of you old schoolers may have attended a l'etoile art party or two back in the day! Bonus points if you remember the guy in the bear suit with gold teeth!
Click HERE for the Cal Peach site
FRIDAY, MAY 14th (THROUGH SATURDAY)
From the Archives
@ MNfashion Studio
Grainbelt Bottling House
79 13th Ave NE #212
Minneapolis
Fri 6-10pm and Sat 10am-4pm / Free
Summer is on its way and you know what THAT means...garage sales! This weekend, junk hunt for a good cause. Our favorites over at MNfashion are hosting a fun Art-A-Whirl event this weekend that includes a fashionable "garage" sale in the Grainbelt Atrium plus a fundraiser and silent auction with some of the savviest Minneapolis art. Stop by either Friday or Saturday to peep their local fashion photo exhibit (including some pics from l'etoile!) or bid on and buy trendy rock posters, pretty jewelry, NYC runway-worn pumps, coffee table books and more! (Believe us, there will be a little something for everyone!) Plus, all the bones they earn will go straight to MNfashion to help out our local designers.
Click HERE for the Facebook event
FRIDAY MAY 14TH (THROUGH SUNDAY)
Spot-A-Whirl
@ Spot Art Gallery
1828 Marshall St. NE
Minneapolis
Regular AAW Hours, music goes later / Free
Each year the riverside gallery, Spot Art throw a helluva party complete with awesome art and great live music! This year's visual/sonic jam includes work by artists James Dankert, Sandy Bartel, Shelley Rohlf, Terry Mcdaniels, Mike Mosedale and many more. Live music on Friday starting at 8pm with David Harland and Lonesome Dan Kase, and Saturday at 8pm with Cactus Blossom and Tennesota. Get your paws painted all fancy by henna tattoist Judy O and enjoy some fresh air on the patio!
Click HERE for the Facebook event
FRIDAY MAY 14TH (THROUGH SUNDAY)
Humans Win! Opens for AAW
@ Humans Win studio
1423 29th Avenue NE
Minneapolis
Regular AAW Hours / Free
Have you ever driven by that one place on that one street with the pink front door and wondered "What the hell is that?" Well, this Art-A-Whirl you'll definitely find out, as the secretive recording studio, Humans Win!, will be opening its doors to the riff raff (ie-you). Owner Lance Conrad (of the band the Alpha Centauri) has spent the past three years decking out his cool music haven -- with pretty stuff from India to be more specific. In honor of Art-a-Whirl, Conrad and co. welcome the work of five of the Twin Cities "foxiest artists" for you to lay overstimulated eyes on including Johnny Quinine, Evan Beaumont, Deb Getsug, Alex Molitor, and Jonatha Quijano. There's nothing we like more than to weasel our way into somewhere we're not supposed to be, so the rare opening of this mysterious music den is high on our list of AAW must-sees!
Click HERE for the Facebook event
FRIDAY MAY 14TH (THROUGH SUNDAY)
Art-A-Whirl at Svedberg Studio
@ Svedberg Studio
3359 Tyler St. NE
Minneapolis
Regular AAW Hours / Free
If you've never been to the home studio of one Ms. Lauri Svedberg, you need to make this a priority on your AAW itinerary! Svedberg's colorful abode is pure art from the inside out - from a wide open circular atrium gallery that's filled with wild mixed media art to her floor to ceiling mural painted first floor. This AAW, the charismatic lady invites artists L.K. Hanson, Jon O. Erickson and Mark McGinty to join her. The Art-A-Whirl trolley stops here, so you've really got no excuse!
Click HERE for the Facebook event
FRIDAY MAY 14TH (THROUGH SUNDAY)
Science & Wonder
@ Rogue Buddha Gallery
357 13th Ave NE
Minneapolis
Regular AAW Hours/ Opening Reception Friday, 7pm / Free
Locals Michael Thomsen and Caitlin Karolczak have teamed up this Friday to present their exhibit Science and Wonder, creating an eccentrically divine collab that will definitely turn heads. On one hand, Thomsen is known for his obscure OCD-esque mixed media sculptures that are directly inspired by pieces of his dreams. Karolczak's concept is similar, emphasizing the traits of a nightmare in her pieces - distress mixed with beauty and fragility - though her oversized oil paintings are of a completely different medium. Together, their collections of fantastical masterpieces will transform the Rogue Buddha Gallery into a dreamy wonderland of art just in time for Art-A-Whirl. Opening party on Friday from 7-11pm, and we all know that RB openings are hella fun! Yes, we said "hella."
Click HERE for the Rogue Buddha site
FRIDAY MAY 14th (THROUGH SUNDAY)
NEMAA Silent Auction
@ Northrup King Building
1500 Jackson Street NE, #332
Minneapolis
Regular AAW Hours / Free
This weekend, the Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association (NEMAA) is celebrating the 15th year of Art-A-Whirl! Now it’s your chance to praise local artists by viewing, talking about and buying their art. While on your annual gallery tours around Northeast this weekend, make your way up to the 3rd floor of the fancy Northrup King Building for an awesome artsy auction to benefit NEMAA, the non-prof who puts on AAW each year. Viewers will be able to bid on tons of work from over 100 NEMAA member artists. So why not pick up some art for your apartment while supporting a good cause?
Bonus: You can also bid on a 4-image series of prints from l'etoile's recent Kiss Me, Cake photo shoot!
Click HERE for the NEMAA site
FRIDAY MAY 14TH (THROUGH SUNDAY)
Share|Space
@ Tarnish&Gold Gallery
1511 Marshall St NE
Minneapolis
Regular AAW Hours / Free
Debuting just in time for Art-A-Whirl, the Tarnish&Gold art space is the new gallery on the block! Their inaugural show features an eclectic collection of artwork from fresh, gallery newbies as well as notable local artists including Burlesque’s Ben Lefond, Laura F. Bennett, Chuck U, Torey Bonar and many more. The variety of submissions selected for the premiere elicits Tarnish&Gold’s community-centered art mission – one that's ingrained in the expanding and advancing our diverse arts scene and committed to showcasing the best new Twin Cities artists. Sharing and evolving – forgive us for sounding so hippy – but isn’t that what Art-A-Whirl is really about? Well, that and buying art, which you definitely should do!
Bonus: Pick up your May copy of Mpls|St. Paul magazine for delicious deets into MPLS’ newest art gallery!
Click HERE for the Tarnish & Gold site
FRIDAY MAY 14TH (THROUGH SUNDAY)
Johnstock 2010
@ Johnson Street
2800 Block of Johnson St NE
Minneapolis
Regular AAW Hours / Free
Presented by the Johnson Street Merchants Association, the 8th annual Johnstock Art-A-Whirl block party kicks off with a free viewing of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom in the parking lot on Friday night. Cool, eh? Throughout the weekend, browse through a block-wide arts and crafts fair featuring great finds from over 40 local artists and business, enjoy tasty treats available from NE vendors and get toted around by a trolley which will be traveling to and from other artist buildings in the NE district. The event features tons of family-friendly activities including Captain Jack’s Kids Show; a KFAI sponsored live music stage with bands Unknown Prophets, A Strange Terrain, Northeast & the Beat and more plus an anything goes talent show. Awesomeness!
Click HERE for the Facebook event
FRIDAY MAY 14th (THROUGH SUNDAY)
Art-A-Whirl Weekend at the 331
@331 Club
331 13th Ave NE
Minneapolis
Friday at 10pm, Saturday at Noon / Free
Once again, 331 Club is hosting their annual all-weekend Art-A-Whirl music extravaganza! Starting at 10pm on Friday, rockers Skoal Kodiak will be jamming out with the help of the bluesy twangs of Knife World and the indie riffs of Chibalo. Leading the crew on Saturday, localite indie-pop boys Halloween, Alaska will shake the outdoor stage after the long line of openers including the likes of Chris Koza, Red Pens, The Dynamiters, Zoo Animal, The Alpha Centauri and more. Plus, don’t miss out on the indoor stage jams of The Rockford Mules and Man Is Doomed. Sunday just stop in for a bloody mary and party arty!
BONUS: On Saturday, split time between the outdoor stages at the 331 and Shuga Records, who is throwing their first ever Hoolie Fest - featuring over 70 BANDS. Yes, 70! 13th Ave will be rockin', most def!
Click HERE for the 331 site
FRIDAY MAY 14TH
Gayngs: The Last Prom on Earth
@ First Ave
701 1st Ave N
Minneapolis
5pm/AA/$15 + 10pm/21+/$15
And now for one of our only Non-AAW related events: We’ll be honest, lite-rock and indie-powered supergroups aren’t really music concepts that we would pair, but leave it to this talented bevy of musicians to take on the challenge and totally deliver. Masterminded by producer, Ryan Olson, the studio collective borrows members from Bon Iver, Megafaun, Solid Gold and Lookbook, with vocals lent by P.O.S. and Dessa and more - 25+ musicians to be exact! Born outta a love of drugged-up keyboards, hi-tech 80’s pop and yacht rock, the result is a smooth “symphonic soul” sound, with modern hip-hop influences and the most panty-dropping, soaring falsettos since Jimmy Somerville. Catch Gayngs tonight for a 2-show, CD-release event decked out in “cheesy prom regalia.” Don’t forget to grab a date and dress up for prom!
Bonus: After the show, hop over to The Record Room – for the l'étoile co-sponsored 18+, dance night, Street Sounds. Featuring resident DJs Attitude City, Mike 2600 and guest DJ Sovietpanda remixing the best in rare disco and house.
Click HERE for the First Ave site
Peep some rehearsal footage!
GAYNGS "The Last Prom On Earth" Rehearsal Footage from MPLS.TV on Vimeo.
SATURDAY MAY 15TH
Grumpy’s Art-A-Whirl Party
@Grumpy’s NE
2200 4th Street NE
Minneapolis
1pm / Free
Have a little lull time in your Art-A-Whirl studio tromping? Grumpy’s is hosting it's annual backyard barbecue bash for all of you out there looking for a party! This all-day musical blowout will get your blood pumpin’, thanks to the long list of local lovelies that will be blasting eclectic tunes throughout the weekend. Expect appearances by artists such as Vaz, Birthday Suits, BNLX, Pink Mink, Niel Dynamite, Bombay Sweets and more. Plus, Grumpy’s is guaranteed to be grilling up some fresh, molten hot, cheesy demon dogs to tickle your tastebuds.
Click HERE for the Grumpy's site
SATURDAY MAY 15TH
Paint by number ArtCar Workshop
@Red Stag Supper Club
509 1st Avenue Northeast
Minneapolis
1-3pm / Free
You know those crazy art cars that you see zooming around sometimes that stop you in your tracks? The ones where out loud to your friends you say, “That’s so nuts,” but secretly you’re thinking about how much you want one? Well, here’s your chance to be part of the experience. Stop down to the Red Stag this Saturday and join the Minnesota ArtCar team to help create a new ArtCar! You may not get to drive away in this one, but at least next time you see it zooming around you can proudly tell your friends about the awesome squid sketch or the zany mosaic pattern you contributed to the bumper. Also, stick around on Saturday night for Karaoke at 10:30 with FM 107’s G.R. Anderson Jr., and stop back again on Sunday for music with Sophia Shorai at 9pm. A helping of the Stag's epic cheese curds couldn't hurt either.
Click HERE for the Red Stag site
footage from last year's Uptown art car parade
SATURDAY MAY 15TH
Riot Act Reading Series
@ Historic Thorp Building
1618 Central Ave NE
Minneapolis
7:30pm / Free
The always outrageous, kick-in-the-face literary romp takes its comedy flanks from the Turf Club to the Art-A-Whirl grounds to deliver a hot, artsy mess of rebellious readings, ingenious storytelling and scholarly rudeness. Entertainment hound and comedic quipster, Mary Mack and Minneapolis punk rock poet, Paul D. Dickinson, host this special NE installment located in The Freight Elevator of the Thorp Bldg. Enter through dock 14, go up the stairs and take a right.
Bonus: Live music by Grant Hart to follow the Riot Act. Awesome.
Riot Act Reading Series is sponsored by l'etoile!
Click HERE for the Facebook event
Prepare yourself for the “riot” with the hilar “Street Heat” video from RARS performer Mary Mack:
SATURDAY MAY 15TH
Beneath the Surface: Photos by Rhea Pappas
@Icebox Gallery
1500 Jackson St NE # 443
Minneapolis
8pm / Free
Stop up to the Icebox Gallery inside the Northrup King Building for a show of amazing new work from Rhea Pappas. Her collection of underwater photographs has garnered national and international attention via her past shows in New York, Vermont and France. The beautiful and haunting images she presents will bring you into another world -- join her and other project curators Saturday evening to chat about the art and get your art party on!
Click HERE for the facebook event
SATURDAY MAY 15TH
DJ Cornelius
@Honey
205 E. Hennepin Ave. NE
Minneapolis
10pm / 21+ / Free
Too tired to leave Art-A-Whirl stomping grounds after whirling your face off all day? Relax and let loose by getting wild at the cozy Honey lounge, conveniently located in Northeast! This Saturday, Stophouse Music Group is bringing you another installment of their Northeast dance fest. Mainman DJ Cornelius (or you may know him as producer 84 Caprice) will be spinning jams all night just for you people who love to get down. Pop in to Honey to enjoy some of the best hip-hop classics (we’re talking a little ODB and some Ghostface Killa!), sip on some of Honey’s tasty drink recipes and grind the night away (or leisurely perch on a comfy couch) to a plethora of old school hits!
Bonus: There's local art on the walls here too so you can technically put one more art notch on your belt while getting crunk at the same time!
Click HERE for the Honey site
SUNDAY MAY 16TH
GastroWhirl 2: Muralize It
@ Modern Café Parking Lot
337 13th Ave NE
Minneapolis
11:30am-9pm / Free / $1 wristbands for 21+ to drink
Joined in holy matrimony over the love of cold beer, music and art, Gastro Non Grata teams up with NE eatery, the Modern Café, for a day-long feast of debaucheries. Sip down ice cold samples of Sweet Child of Vine IPA from the local peeps at Fulton Beer and delicious summer-inspired wine samples from Bourget Imports. Plus, PBR will be on hand slinging Tall Boys and artists will be on hand creating a live wall-wide mural piece in the parking lot. Talk about multi-tasking! Chow down on BBQ-style treats including carnitas tacos and braised pans of shouldered pork and enjoy live sets from Claps, Communist Daughter, Chickadee Mountain Martyrs, Me and My Arrow, Building Better Bombs and many more all day long! Food at 11:30; music at noon; gluttony from am to pm.
Click HERE for the Facebook event
Editor in Chief: Kate Iverson // Contributors: Juleana Enright, Lauren Gantner, Natalie Gallagher, Kate Iverson, Robyn Lewis, Rob Callahan, Beth Hammarlund, Jahna Peloquin
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