Thursday, July 29, 2010

Weekend What's What 7/29-8/1

SEEK N' EXPLORE

This weekend is your own personal bag of tricks! With numerous events that act as umbrellas for impressive creative endeavors, you'll likely have a blast sussing out the coolest of the cool. What do we mean by that? Well, for one, the Red Hot Art Festival is back again, with a slew of awesome art vendors just waiting for you to happen by and discover their bountiful wares; or the fact that there are at least a couple can't-miss outdoor music events with extensive (and stellar) lineups just begging for you to come lay claim to your new favorite band. No matter what you do this weekend, enjoy, and remember, summer doesn't last forever!

xo-l'étoile

Photo by Joe Johnson for l'étoile agency


THURSDAY JULY 29TH

The Art of Conflict: Opening Reception

@ Tarnish and Gold Gallery
1511 Marshall Street NE
Minneapolis

7 p.m. / Free

Last July, Minneapolis became sister cities with the Shiite holy city of Najaf, Iraq, located fewer than 100 miles from Baghdad. With the intent of fostering understanding and healing, the Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project has initiated several projects to connect individuals from both countries. Their latest effort, opening Thursday at Tarnish and Gold Gallery, brings 15 pieces by Iraqi artists and 15 pieces by American artists together in dialogue on the effects of war and displacement, specifically regarding the current war in Iraq. Titled The Art of Conflict: Identity in War and Displacement, the exhibit will also feature a film screening of The Unreturned, a Minnesota native-produced documentary about five Iraqi refugee families. Two of the Iraqi artists, Ali Chassan and Faten Al Jumaily will be present at the opening, so don’t miss this chance to discuss their work firsthand (and show them some sisterly love, of course!).

Click HERE for this art event and more at mplsart.com


THURSDAY JULY 29TH (THROUGH SUNDAY)

Artery Twentyten

@ Soap Factory
518 2nd St NE
Minneapolis

6 p.m. to midnight / free

Artery Twentyten's latest installment is so epically awesome that it had to be broken up into four evenings so as to not blow your minds. Now in its third year, the eclectic, artist collaborated performance returns to showcase 22 local artists through a series of unique projects and site-specific art dimensions. Viewers are invited to embark on a labyrinthine exhibition of dance, film installations, large-scale artwork, Sonar Tag, puppetry and much, much more. Not to mention new work from innovative locals Jaime Carrera, Venus DeMars, Travis Freeman, and PreCambrian Productions. Part gallery, part playground, the artists involved challenge and stretch perceptions of what can fit inside the gallery's confines. And what they've come up with might just shock even the most devout space theorists.

Click HERE for the Soap Factory site


FRIDAY ART PICK: RYAN MCLENNAN

Check out what l'etoile's looking at this week!

Nature art has come a long way since the days of Bob Ross. Artists like famed naturalist painter John James Audubon have conceptually managed to turn conventional “happy trees” and ducks in a pond, into intricate and cringe-free takes on environmental issues and animal advocacy. Enter Ryan McLennan. The Richmond-based painter is heavily influenced by landscape painters from the 1800s and taxidermy installations. McLennan's depictions of North American wildlife is both realist and mystical and far from cheesy. His anti-canvas paper painting style allows for a completely smooth artistic depiction of a world often overlooked.

Click HERE for the Ryan McLennan site


FRIDAY JULY 30TH

Art Votes

@ Rogue Buddha
357 13th Avenue NE
Minneapolis

7 p.m. to 9 p.m. / Free

Head to the Buddha tonight for a group show featuring the work of socially concious creatives! Earlier this month the Rogue Buddha (with a little help from our own editor) put out a call for artists to create work that conveyed a positive message about voting. Well, numerous artists jumped to create custom pieces for the show and tonight they invite you to come check it all out. The exhibit will be voted on by attendees and the winning work will be reproduced as a free, limited-run poster to be distributed in the Twin Cities. And in case you haven't heard, Ms. Robinson is running alongside Matt Entenza in the Minnesota gubenatorial race, with the arts as one of her major platforms. She'll be the special guest host at the Buddha this evening and will chat about the importance of arts in Minnesota - something everyone should be familiar with, no matter your political affiliation!

Bonus: a portion of all art sales go to support Springboard for the Arts!

Click HERE for this art event and more at mplsart.com

art by Jennifer Sandquist

FRIDAY JULY 30TH

Spontaneous

@spotART Gallery
1828 Marshall St NE
Minneapolis

7 p.m. / Free

It’s no secret that the spotART gallery is a pretty fun place to see local art (have you ever MET the resident dog?!), and tonight's opening reception certainly perpetuates that notion with a fresh batch of talented local artists gracing the walls. Featuring Corey Mcnally, Patrick Smith, Kelly Loverud, Dennis Jenereaux, Konathan Foss, and Fernanda Sequeiros Hart. Add to that the modern, bluesy western tunes of Lonesome Dan Kase and henna tattooing by Judy O., and you've got yourself on heck of an arty good time!

Click HERE for this art event and more at mplsart.com

Art by Corey McNally


FRIDAY JULY 30TH

Cecil Otter

@ Varsity Theater
1308 4th St .SE
Minneapolis

8:30 p.m. / $10 / 18+

Doomtree’s Cecil Otter is oft praised for his hypnotic wordplay: images of vagabonds, ghosts, boxcars, and “pretty perverts” convey themes of heartbreak, redemption, vengeance – and the spaces where the three collide. His sound is equal parts melancholic and nostalgic, an aesthetic Cecil began developing early: his fascination with rap music started when his big sister ran away from home, leaving a box of intentionally mislabeled rap cassettes under her bed (Easy E was masked with a Bon Jovi sticker to prevent parental confiscation). These days, Cecil is working on Porcelain Revolver, a follow-up to his 2008 album Rebel Yellow (which was re-released by Sage Francis for Strange Famous Records in 2009). The release date is yet to be set, but you can get your Cecil fix Friday at the Varsity, where he’ll be pulling heartstrings alongside Lazlo Supreme and Culture Cry Wolf.

Click HERE for the Cecil Otter Myspace



FRIDAY JULY 30TH

Fort Wilson Riot CD Release

@ Kitty Cat Klub
315 14th Ave SE
Minneapolis

9 p.m. / $5 / 21+

Like most musicians, Fort Wilson Riot is influenced by a number of things, both musical and non-musical. But unlike most musicians, this band’s inspirations include Cabaret, DIY ethics, Scorcese, McCarthy, and Tolkein. Needless to say, their sound is both clever and eclectic, with stylings ranging from sweet ballads to bumpin’ dance tracks to jittery prog-pop. Launching listeners into a world where pirates make journalists walk the plank and a foolish bird named Idigaragua frequently cries “nadie me quiere” (nobody likes me), their allegorical indie-rock opera “Idigaragua” (released in 2007) gained the band heaps of critical praise and inspired a live theatrical performance (fun fact: Queen, The Pixies, and West Side Story were named as influences of the opera). Now down to the band’s core duo, Jacob Mullis and Amy Hager, Fort Wilson Riot will be releasing their newest album, Predator/Prey Friday at the Kitty Cat Klub. While there probably won’t be any swashbuckling acrobatics, expect the catchy beats and quirky lyrics local music fans have come to know and love.

Click HERE for the Fort Wilson Riot Myspace

Photo by Alexa Jones


FRIDAY JULY 30TH

BOMP!

@ Bedlam Theater
1501 6th Street South
Minneapolis

10 p.m. / 18+ / $5 with RSVP / $7 without

Minneapolis’ best monthly dance installation is back again this Friday at the Bedlam Theater! This time around, Bomp is bringing together tons of local DJ hotties from The Moon Goons and Get Cryphy (with the help of Shannon Blowtorch and Wes Winship) to spin tons of jams that will def get your body moving. Join the party this Friday on Westbank not only to celebrate the reopening of their fireplace room, but to dance your butt off to booty bumpin’ beats and chill out on the ever-popular roof top porch as well. In case you haven't heard, the Bedlam is getting booted out of it's space as of the end of August, so this is one of your second to last chance to throw down with Bomp, Bedlam-style.

Click HERE to RSVP for discounted admission


COOL LINK: NOWNESS

What's l'etoile surfing on the internet this week?

Love something new every day. That’s the idea behind Nowness, the life de luxe site launched earlier this year by luxury goods behemoth LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. Showcasing the best of fashion, art, culture and travel, Nowness features a daily multimedia story; this week’s presentations have included a list of Renaissance man Ramdane Touhami’s favorite scents from around the world (like Moroccan oranges and Sydney’s frangipani flower), a photo tour of the home shared by Mother-Daughter Bloggers Judy and Jane Aldridge, and a short film about French balladeer Serge Gainsbourg. In effort to squeeze some social media into the site, Nowness allows users to vote “love” or “don’t love” on each story, and then uses these tastes to direct readers to archived content they’ll likely enjoy. Pretentious? Certainly. But then again, how often can you experience exquisite while sitting at home in your sweatpants? Now that’s something to love every day.

Click HERE for the Nowness site


SATURDAY JULY 31ST (THROUGH SUNDAY)

Red Hot Art Festival

@ Stevens Square Park
18th St and Stevens Ave
Minneapolis

Sat: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. / Sun: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. / Free

Forget lukewarm or mildly spiced – this art festival is on fire! This Saturday and Sunday, head to Stevens Square Park for the Red Hot Art Festival, featuring a sundry of local artists, 28 local bands on two stages (To name a few: Phantom Tails, A Paper Cup Band, and I Like You) and, of course, food from local vendors, including Asase Yaa and La Loma Tamales (don’t worry – each has menu options that won’t make your eyes water). With a focus on emerging Twin Cities artists, Red Hot is a must-go for anyone who wants to know what’s cool in local art and music before everyone else does. And speaking of which, Stevens Square Center for the Arts will be hosting an uber-cool (er, hot) after party on Saturday, in conjunction with its new mixed-media exhibit, The New Antiquarians.

Click HERE for this art event and more at mplsart.com



SATURDAY JULY 31ST

Blacklist Vintage Digger's Sale

@ Blacklist Vintage
25 E. 26th St
Minneapolis

Noon to 7 p.m. / Free

This Saturday, the retro gurus over at Blacklist Vintage are cleaning out their closets for the annual Digger's Sale. All day, join tons of other thrifters at the shop to peruse their mounds of retro clothing, furniture, and housewares now all at remarkably dirt-cheap prices. On top of that, Blacklist will be playing jams and grillin' dogs to make this retro sale an all out party. BONUS: Keep your eyes peeled for the super cheap $1, $3, and $5 bins of vintage swag. We TOLD you it would be a bargain!

Click HERE for more shopping events this weekend from l'etoile!


SATURDAY JULY 31ST

Lowertown Music Fest

@ Lowertown
201 E 5th St
St. Paul

2 p.m. to 10 p.m. / $25

It's official. Lowertown is St. Paul's hottest neighborhood! A bold claim, we know. But with a plethora of cool bars and restaurants, and hip summer events galore - not to mention oodles of awesome artists - it's hard not to gush. Today the buzzworthy district offers up one more reason to make the mini crossover: the day-long Lowertown Music Fest. This year's line-up features some of the best guitar-slinging, lyric-powered rock artists inside the local scene. Sip down tasty, ice cold Summits and enjoy the sounds of local musicians Mason Jennings, Cloud Cult, Tapes N' Tapes, Peter Wolf Crier, Frank Turner, and Koo Koo Kanga Roo. See you in Lowertown!

Click HERE for more info


SATURDAY JULY 31ST

Punk Show: The Pist + Defiance

@ Bedlam Theatre
1501 6th St S
Minneapolis

9 p.m. / 18+/ $10

One could say punk rock has taking a few blows since its '70s/'80s glory days. From pop punk to the painful fest inception, the Warped Tour, it seems “punk” has gone from raw, hardcore energy to an attitude easily purchased at the mall. Tisk, tisk, Mr. Punk, we expected more from you. Thankfully, some bands haven't forsaken their rebel roots and “sold out.” Tonight, the Bedlam presents three dedicated punk bands from the underground DIY scene as sincere, energetic, noisy, crust and all killer, no filler as they come. Sponsored by Extreme Noise Records, get ready to fist pump to Connecticut's The Pist (reunited after a five year haitus!), Portland's Defiance and openers Ponx Attax. Viva la punk!

Click HERE for the Bedlam site

Vintage Pist!



SATURDAY JULY 31ST

JM Airis w/ Death Cube

@ Nick & Eddie
2600 27th Ave S
Minneapolis

10 p.m. / 21+ / Free

Wisconsin native (and one of the founding members of Solid Gold!) JM Airis has made his way through the NYC music scene as a jack of all trades. Known for his fierce drumming talents and meticulous production skills, Airis has finally stepped into the forefront with his debut solo album, Indian Summer. Lyrically and instrumentally, this record shows off Airis' songwriting chops, as he played every instrument on the album and recorded it himself - each moody track glides over languid, crunchy guitar with pleasing dissonance - a record you can put in on a long drive or while staying in on a stormy night. Tonight, he makes a stop in Minneapolis with his full band, an ensemble of NYC musicians from rock outfits that everyone on the Lower East Side loves (Dead Sparrows and Des Roar). With Death Cube (Shon Troth of Solid Gold), creating an unfuckwithable formula of good friends, great music and fun times. Cant make tonight's show? Don't fret, make your way to the Hexagon on Friday night to catch JM Airis playing with two of the most bombastic acts in town, the Bombay Sweets and the Blind Shake!

Click HERE for the Facebook event




SATURDAY JULY 31ST


Menergy Presents: MANARCHY

@ Kitty Cat Klub
315 14th Ave SE
Minneapolis

10 p.m. / 21+ / $1 (from 10-11) or $3 (after 11 p.m.)

Grab your man meat and make your way over to the Kitty Cat Klub for a night of total Manarchy! This Saturday, the legends behind Menergy have come together to present yet another incarnation of their famed monthly dance night, this time with even more drink specials, fabulous freebies and super secret surprises than even before! Stop by the KCK to grind on your favorite mens (to the tunage of Bach 666, The Night Stalker and Sweet Talk Radio, of course), sip on the super cheap Menergy Dranx and get your paws on some epic Anthem Heart swag. Plus, Smitten Kitten has some surprises up their sleeves to keep the night especially saucy.

Click HERE for the Facebook event



SATURDAY JULY 31ST

Attitude City

@ Clubhouse Jager
923 Washington Ave
Minneapolis

10 p.m. / 21+ / Free

The hot, hot hotties of Attitude City will be waiting for you at Club Jager tonight, their fists full of Yacht Club tickets ripe for the picking! This special edition of the AC monthly residency at our fave North Loop clubhouse doubles a pre-sale event for the annual yacht party - a highly anticipated river cruise bash that sells out every time. So, put on your dance pants, head to Jager, buy your ticket (traditionally 75% of the tix sell out at the pre-sale event alone!) and polish the dance floor to fresh disco beats courtesy of Jeff and Karl of Attitude City!

Click HERE for the AC site



SUNDAY MUSIC PICK: GENEVA JACUZZI

If Ariel Pink is the god of retro chillwave, then LA's Geneva Garvin (a.k.a. Geneva Jacuzzi) reigns as goddess supreme. Though she takes the cake as one of the oddest peeps currently making pop/dance music these days, don't write her off as just another pixie poseur. Geneva is a bonified synth master, with fresh beats, Kate Bush-esque dance moves/music videos and insanely catchy tunes. Lo-fi witch house, tropical goth-lounge, occult italo-funk, pick a genre – they all sound made up anyways – just don't box her in. This chick obvs has some mad smarts and isn't afraid to poke a little fun at herself now and again. Artists that don't take themselves too seriously?! Refreshing, isn't it? Her Casio, drum machine-driven beats make us wanna jump around 80's workout video style and endlessly hand clapping until we explode, like some sort of Buffy episode...but that's just us. Her latest video explains more than we ever could, plus it has the best dancin' doll cat scene we've ever laid eyes on. YES!

Click HERE for the Geneva Jacuzzi site

Geneva Jacuzzi “Clothes on the Bed” video on Vimeo:



SUNDAY AUGUST 1ST

The Kidneys are Alright

@ Club Jäger
923 Washington Avenue N.
Minneapolis

2 p.m. to 10 p.m. / $8

It’s a PARTY! Benefiting KIDNEYS! We could go on and on with funny ironic jokes about it, but instead, we’re going to concentrate mostly on how utterly cool this event is. Put on by (as our friends at MN Original quipped) Chris "Social Media Kidney" Strouth, along with a little help from yours truly and the cool kids at Club Jager, today's outdoor rock out features a solid lineup of quintessential Minnesota rockers: Faux jean, Felonious Bosch, Starfolk, John Munson, The Mighty Mofos, the VibroChamps, Blue Sky Blackout, Fauna, and BNLX — whew. Not to mention a handful of stellar DJs to rock your socks between bands including Dean Vaccaro, Joseph Pettini, Danny Sigelman, DJ Drone and Scott Pakudaitis (who also happens to be Strouth's kidney donor!). Seriously? Are you thinking about not coming? Really? What’s your excuse? Yeah, that’s what we thought. The best part about this the cause behind it - funds raised go directly to benefit the National Kidney Association. And our hard-rocking hearts always melt at the chance to do a little good - especially when good music and good friends are involved!

Sponsored by l'etoile!

Click HERE for the Facebook event page



L'ETOILE NEWSWIRE

Register now for the 1st Annual High Heel Dash!

The first ever Aegis Foundation High Heel Dash invites both men and women to show off their glamorous athletic prowess for a good cause! On Wednesday, August 11th at Peavey Plaza in Downtown Minneapolis contestants will compete against each other in 25-yard dash heats wearing heels 3 inches or taller. MyTalk 107.1's Lori & Julia will begin broadcasting live with emcee Foxy Tann at 3pm! Heats will start at 5:30pm to give you time to leave work and dash to Peavey Plaza for a great cause. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place dashers! The top fundraisers will get Spectacular prizes too!!

Participants are encouraged to raise a minimum of $100 to dash (tax deductible). Contestants will receive an official High Heel Dash t-shirt. All proceeds benefit Soles4Souls and the Emergency Foodshelf Network. REGISTER NOW!

High Heel Dash 2010 is proudly co-sponsored by l'
étoile!

Editor in Chief: Kate Iverson // Contributors: Juleana Enright, Tara Sloane, Lauren Gantner, Natalie Gallagher, Kate Iverson, Robyn Lewis, Jahna Peloquin

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Weekend What's What 7/22-7/25

LAZY DAYS OF SUMMER

We're all for summer, but it's been a little too steamy for our taste this week! However, we think every cloud (or in this case, blazing sun) has a silver lining: the heat and humidity is simply a great excuse to be a little lazier than usual! This weekend brings along with it an exciting cache of fantastic events, but no one's going to be the wiser if you move a bit slower, or maybe take some time to old-school kick it on a stoop with some pals. Just be sure to make it out and about for at least a couple things -- summer only lasts so long and you're not getting any younger!

xo-l'étoile
Photo by Eric Eul for l'etoile

THURSDAY JULY 22ND

Madras Plaid Summer Social

@ OM Restaurant
401 N. 1st Avenue
Minneapolis

6-9pm / Free

No longer is plaid just for kilts and lumberjacks. This week, l'etoile has teamed up with contemporary Indian restaurant OM to show off the summery side of the familiar pattern. Celebrate the colorful styles of Indian Madras plaids by stopping by OM in your checked best (Madras specific plaid not required!) to enjoy some Indian inspired yummies and sip on a few chilled Madras cocktails. To make the night even better, the plaidest person will win tons of prizes, including an OM gift card, tickets to the Guthrie and all the bragging rights they can muster.

Click HERE for the Facebook event



THURSDAY JULY 22ND

An Evening with Wil Natzel:
Closing Reception & Artist Talk

@ Soap Factory
518 2nd St SE
Minneapolis

6-8pm/free

For the ongoing exhibit, What Remains The Soap Factory elicited artists to showcase pieces made from objects otherwise seen as art leftovers. What resulted was cities made from zip ties, candy chandeliers, a meteor strike from mere scraps and architect/artist Wil Natzel's dramatic installation, “Suspended Cardboard Domes with Giant Squid.” A mix between a War of the Worlds space ship and a mythical sea terror, the piece was made from CNC laser cut cardboard and hot glued together. His impressive work is so innovative, Natzel's eclectic constructions will soon be featured in an upcoming book, “Outside the Box: Cardboard Design Now.” Don't miss a chance to meet the artist and peep the famed squid and other pieces from the collection during tonight's closing reception. Snack on beverages and nosh from Aster Cafe and stick around for an engaging artist talk with Natzel about his concept and design. After the show, head over to St. Anthony Main's Aster Cafe for cocktails, dessert and great convos with fellow art lovers.

Click HERE for this art event and more at mplsart.com


FRIDAY ART PICK: RICHIE CULVER

Check out what l'etoile's been looking at this week!

We first discovered artist Richie Culver on UK's online gallery hodgepodge, Saatchi Gallery, where a black and white photograph of a woman's battered legged in high heels seared into our memories as both horribly disturbing and beautifully raw. Rifling through his site, more haunting photographs popped up, some following that same “scar/batter” theme, others just plain creepy – like a plastic clown mask lying next dirtied night stand of ashed cigarettes and empty glassware titled “Bedtime Story,” or the photo of an elderly gentlemen typical in every way except for his tattoo-covered face. Each image is provocative and emotive, an unapologetic take on secret truths, intimate moments and social taboos. His other art pieces are just as riveting featuring vintage photographs with tagged on ironic phrases and distorted imagery. Fall into his artwork and you just may never fall back out.

Click HERE for the Richie Culver site


FRIDAY JULY 23RD

MN Original Party in the Park

@ Mears Park
221 E. 5th St.
Saint Paul

5 p.m.-8 p.m. / Free

If you've yet to check out the new-ish TPT arts show MN Original then we suggest you go to their website now and catch up on all the episodes you missed -- because tonight we celebrate! The soiree in Mears Park will mark the social coming out of the television series, which has been diligently plugging away since April, showcasing numerous local artists of all shapes, sizes, colors and mediums. Happening rain or shine (fingers crossed for the latter!) you'll see a bevy of area creatives who've been featured on the program, including musicians Caroline Smith and the Goodnight Sleeps, Nachito Herrera, and the Mad Ripple Hootenanny, as well as visual artists Calpurnia Peach, Andy Ducett, Doug Padilla, Mary Griep, and others who will be on hand for the mnartists.org Drawing Club. DJ Scott Stulen will be mixing some beats, and Barrio will be providing the eats. So be there. Who knows, you might just get yourself on TV!

Click HERE for the MN Original site



FRIDAY JULY 23RD

Ron Brown: I Used to Love Her

@ Homewood Studios
2400 Plymouth Ave N
Minneapolis

6-9 p.m. / Free

When artist Ron Brown set out to take a trip down hip-hop memory lane, he didn't realize that the ideals that originally inspired him to create his pieces would be the same ones challenged by the final product. His first art show, I Used to Love Her, is a visual collage of hip-hop jargon, vivid imagery, historical context and fashion which create a social commentary on times the culture has evolved and times it's seemed stagnant. If hip-hop is dead, Brown's art is the little kid poking it with a stick in the street, the proverbial ER paddles attempting to charge it back to life.

Bonus: Pop back into Homewood Tuesday night (7 p.m.) for an in-depth discussion with the artist on hip-hop culture past, present and future.

Click HERE for more art events at mplsart.com


FRIDAY JULY 23RD

Outspoken: Beauties, Bikes & Beats

@ Red Stag Supper Club
509 1st Avenue N.
Minneapolis

8 p.m. / donations of $5-$10

Minneapolis is one of the best biking cities out there and we think that is reason enough to celebrate! Hot off Bicycle Magazine's nod to Minneapolis as the #1 bike-friendly city in the U.S., LEED-certified eatery Red Stag sets the stage for a totally bike-centric event this weekend, complete with fashion, photos and more. Stop by to support local biking and art by watching some recycled bike fashion from local line CounterCouture waltz down the Red Stag runway, dirty dancing to the beats of MelloRoar, and sippin’ on some specially crafted bike-themed drinks at the bar.

Click HERE for the Facebook event


FRIDAY JULY 23RD

Let’s Dance (Flugtag Pre-Party Edition)

@ Half Time Rec
1013 Front Ave
Saint Paul

21+ / 10pm / Free

To kick-off a weekend full of homemade flying contraptions and a neverending Red Bull buzz, the usual Let’s Dance crowd is takin’ things up a notch with a super exclusive, super awesome dance night. This Friday, the dudes and dudettes of Let’s Dance are moving their location to a more Flug Tag friendly stop in St. Paul. This time around, stop on by Half Time Rec for your familiar DJ friends, Millions Billions and Tendercakes as well as some new surprises, drink specials, and Red Bull additions.

Bonus: Saturday's Flugtag main event will be held at Harriet Island, details HERE.

Click HERE for the Let's Dance Facebook event


FRIDAY JULY 23RD

Estate DJ set

@ Clubhouse Jager
923 Washington
Minneapolis

10pm / 21+ / Free

Looking for some totally tasty, synthtastic beats tonight? Head to the Clubhouse for a dance throw down with electronic wonders, Estate. The beat-making duo will dish out sparkly jams all the live long night for your twirling pleasure. Expect lots of synth, electro and sexy sounds to throw you into a tizzy - not to mention, Jager's epic cocktail list (we recommend the "Crushed Violet").

Click HERE for the Facebook event

Estate - In The Red from Estate on Vimeo.


FRIDAY JULY 23RD

Bearded Lady Pre-Party Art Show

@Rogue Buddha Gallery
357 13th Ave NE
Minneapolis

8 p.m. / Free

You know it’s going to be a kick-ass event when it has “bearded lady” in the title! Stop down Friday night to the always entertaining, never boring Rogue Buddha Gallery, featuring artists Adam Turman, Aaron R. Connor, Kyle Franklin, Marx Barry, and Josh Edwards. The Show also includes Motorcycles and Mopeds built by Kevin Bass, Crazy Carl, Kevin Fitzke, Atom Pechman — but you don’t have to be a motorcycle aficionado to fit in here. This event preludes the main “freak show” the following day at 331, with live music all day, performances and hotness from le Cirque Rouge Burlesque, and a motorcycle contest ($10 entry for your bike!). If you’ve never been to a motorcycle event, know that you’re missing out—and this is your opportunity to become inundated into the bike culture and live the dream your parents never let you have. Friday's pre-party runs from 8pm-Midnight and the main event happens at the 331 Club on Saturday from Noon-6pm.

Click HERE for the Facebook event


COOL LINK: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S PHOTO SHOOT


This month l'étoile teamed up with our theatrical friends, The Strange Capers, for a photo shoot based on their Shakespeare in the Park production of A Midsummer Night's Dream at Powderhorn Park! The Capers' reimagining of the classic comedy takes a fun, gender-bending twist, swapping in women for male characters, depicting mechanicals as park workers and bike punks as fairies - a concept we were especially enamored with. In this spread - shot by Stephen Stephens - creative directors Chris Larson and Beth Hammarlund collaborated on a whimsical, design-heavy concept that focused on these magical yet gritty characters, playing off of the natural elements of beautiful Powderhorn park. Costume designer Sondra Veldey lent actual garments from the production while l'étoile pulled in D.I.Y. designer and artist Bill Beekman, designer Danielle Everine and accessory guru Amiee Dukes a.k.a. Ferociter to fill in the blanks.

The Strange Capers' performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream runs Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm through August 1st at Powderhorn Park and is free and open to the public (donations gladly accepted). For more info visit www.thestrangecapers.com.

Click below to check out the spread!



SATURDAY JULY 24TH


Palmfest

@ Palmer’s Bar
500 Cedar Avenue
Minneapolis

1 p.m. / 21+ / Free

There’s nothing quite like a night spent amongst the smoke, whiskey, and neon of a really awesome dive bar. But an entire day at said hole-in-the-wall? Now that’s just plain epic. Enter Palmfest, the rowdy, 14-plus-hour local music throwdown at Palmer’s this Saturday. As part of The West Bank Deep Blues Festival weekend, Palmfest features a mixture of legends including Spider John Koerner and Willie Murphy -- who was recently honored by the city of St. Paul with an official Willie Murphy Day. Also on the bill are legends-to-be Fuck Knights, Chooglin’, and The Book of Right On. This fest is certainly one to raise a glass (or three) to – just please, try not to get all weepy over “Running, Jumping, Standing Still.”

Click HERE for the Palmer's Myspace


SATURDAY JULY 24th

Well Done

@ Nicademus Art & Framing
225 N. Snelling Ave
Saint Paul

7 p.m. / Free

When they’re not sporting some of the snazziest frames in the cities (and even when they are!), the walls of Nicademus Art & Framing play host to hoards of local art masterpieces. Starting Saturday, the space will be decked out in all things burlesque – Burlesque of North America, that is. But before you go digging around for your tassels, might we remind you that Burlesque of North America is actually a screen print collective – and a darn good one at that. The small but
endlessly creative group has created a sea of posters for tres cool bands (Grizzly Bear, Gayngs) and music festivals (Bonnaroo) worldwide. The show at Nicademus, Well Done, brings together a bunch of Burlesque’s favorite pieces, many of which will be printed in color palettes different from their original designs. And as the only thing better than one-of-a-kind prints is free food and good music to go along with them, Nicademus will be firing up the BBQ behind the gallery, and BRLSQOTHEQUE DJs (members of the collective also engage Twin Citizens in some of the spiciest dance nights around) will be cranking out beats. Glitzy pasties may not be abound, but this event is apt to dazzle anyways.

Click HERE for the Nicademus site



SATURDAY JULY 24TH

K.Jurek 5 Year Anniversary Fashion Show

@ Arctic Studios
2538 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis

8 p.m. / $20 in adv

To celebrate five years as Kjurek Couture (now re-branded as K.Jurek), boho designer Kimberly Jurek is showing off her fall 2010 collection - and launching a new handbag line with fellow designer Amanda Christine. The longtime local designer has come a long way since she conceived her line back when the term "local fashion" was an anomaly. While Kjurek Couture debuted at Cliché, it's now carried at four other local shops, 14 shops across the country and even a couple of shops in Japan and Canada. The show is rounded out with accessories by Cocoquette and Twisted Groove, art by John Alspach, and live Bomba music from Oso and DJ Ken Hannigan. $20 advance tickets are available at Cliché, Drama, Gallery 360, Karma, Parc, and Fresh Face Loftique; $25 at the door.

BONUS: Check out Tara Sloane's interview with Kimberly Jurek HERE

Click HERE for the K.Jurek site



SATURDAY JULY 24TH

Racktacular II

@ Turf Club
1601 University Avenue W.
St. Paul

9 p.m. / 21+ / $10

Ta-tas, bonkers, boobies, the goods – whatever you like to call 'em, this weekend is all about those lovely lady lumps. Racktacular is back for their second edition of this fun breast cancer benefit, a follow up to its successful debut last year - a debut that actually inspired a wave of well-meaning copycats. Make your way over to the Turf Club to enjoy "titillating" tunes from Communist Daughter and Alpha Consumer as well as a "peep" at the brilliantly handmade bras in the ever-popular Art Bra Contest worn by saucy dancers from Lili's Burleseque. While the tassels twirl, you'll be invited to bid away on your favorite scandalous brassiere.

Click HERE for the Racktacular site


SATURDAY JUNE 24TH

Paper Tiger CD Release

@ Sauce
Lyndale Ave S
Minneapolis

9 p.m. / 21+ / $8

Paper Tiger, the sunglass bespectacled hip-hop sound sculptor behind Doomtree's most epic singles, is set to receive his proper shine with the release of his debut record Made Like Us - a multilayered, beat-heavy production which combines crafty samples with piercing keys and gritty bass lines, forming a truly cinematic affair reminiscent of classic RJD2. Paper Tiger will be joined by Seattle Beatsmith Budo, special performances by the entire Doomtree crew, and a rousing session of Doomtree Karaoke - there isn't any place we'd rather be on a Saturday night than rapping along to "Low Light".

Bonus: Pre-order-ers of the new Paper Tiger album will receive a free pair of Paper Tiger's signature sunglasses, perfect for a day at the beach or an evening in stage lights.

Click HERE for the Doomtree site




SATURDAY JULY 24TH

Jimmy2times Going away Jam

@ 7th St. Entry
701 First Ave. N
Minneapolis

10 p.m. / 18+ / $5 advance, $6 door

Joining the hoards of creatives who flock to the gritty, art-laden streets of Brooklyn seemingly every other day is Get Cryphy DJ Jimmy2times. But before you start cursing the Big Apple too loudly, take note: Jimmy, Bill, DJ Fundo, and Last Word are bringing us a night of dance floor melting, ridiculously buck beats to send Jimmy off in style. Cryphy fave PROF will be doing an utterly booty-shaking set of hands in the air party rap, and some other unknown (but likely awesome) special guests will also be making an appearance. Who knew saying goodbye could be so fun?

Click HERE for the Facebook event


SUNDAY MUSIC PICK: KONONO NO 1

Check out what l'etoile's been listening to this week!

Before Konono no 1 released their debut album six years ago, Americans only thought we knew Congolese music (if we even thought about it at all, that is). But far from the snaky desert guitars, disco-ey afro funk, or mbanqua (township rock that inspired Paul Simon’s “Graceland” and parts of Vampire Weekend’s “Contra”), Konono no 1 makes powerful, intoxicating music – out of junk. Percussion instruments crafted from old car parts, megaphones, scrap metal, and discarded amps combine with three eclectic likembé (traditional thumb pianos) to create Kunono no 1’s high energy, impossible-not-to-dance-to sounds. Equally rudimentary, but no less effective, are the groups amplification equipment, which includes a microphone carved out of wood fitted with an automobile alternator magnet. The group’s latest album released in May, was recorded at home in Kinshasa, DR Congo and features guest appearances from other Congotronics (a music series devoted to the strange and spectacular sounds of this region) artists. Both grandma - and hipster - friendly, Konono no 1 is unlike anything you’ve ever heard before, and its atmospheric ingenuity is sure to leave you transfixed.

Click HERE for the Konono no 1 myspace




SUNDAY JULY 25TH

Chaing Banger 2010

@ Chiang Mai Thai
(in the alley behind Calhoun Square)
3001 Hennepin Avenue South
Minneapolis

Noon-8 p.m. / 21+ / $2

Following in the awesome tradition of so many before them, Chiang Mai Thai will be hosting a block party with one of the most promising lineups a Twin Citian could hope for, featuring our local and beloved Birthday Suits, Pink Mink, The Red Pens, Bight Club, Fuck Knights, Caroline Smith and the Goodnight Sleeps, as well as the worthy and wonderful Silverghost, the Hounds Below, and Marco Polio and The New Vaccines (and with a name like that, we already love them). The most mysterious part about this block party, though, is the after party at a super secret as-yet-undisclosed location, with Shane Shane, Marijuana Death Squad, Fizzy Dolphin, DJ Mink Stole and DJ Skeleton Hands.

Click HERE for more info

We can't get enough of this Pink Mink tune: Seekin' Scott Seekins


SUNDAY JULY 25TH

Black Dog Block Party

@ Black Dog Cafe
4th & Broadway
St. Paul

2-9pm / all ages/ free

Now in its 5th year, the Black Dog Block Party continues to be one of St. Paul's most eclectic outdoor arts and music fests of the summer, and well worth the hop for MPLS residents. Despite construction, this weekend the art savvy, entertainment-charged Lowertown district plays host to a diverse line-up of live musicians including Americana trio, Long Straight Forever; indie hip-hop mistress, Desdamona; blues-rock artist Jimmi Langemo and the Band of Souls; Brazilian percussionists, Batucada do Norte; hip-hop lyric slinger, Kristoff Krane and many more. Plus, a huge outdoor art fair and the premiere of a community-themed exhibit inside the cafe. Enjoy delicious treats from Black Dog Cafe's organic and local menu and sip down tasty domestic and imported beers all day long.

Co-Sponsored by l'etoile!

Click HERE for the Black Dog site

Photo of Kristoff Krane by Stacy Schwartz

SUNDAY JULY 25TH

Rockstar Storytellers Season Three Greatest Hits

@ Bryant Lake Bowl
Lake & Bryant
Uptown Minneapolis

doors 6 p.m., show 7 p.m. / $12 ($10 l'etoile discount in adv - see below)

Our pals the Rockstar Storytellers are wrapping up their 2010 season this Sunday, with an epic lineup of clever tales and high-brow/low-brow literary stylings. Ten rockin' readers will be on hand along with a film crew and audio crew to capture the awesomeness in its raw form. Featuring Laura Bidgood, Allison Broeren, Mike Fotis, Allegra Lingo, Curt Lund, Courtney McLean, Dave Monday, Amy Salloway, Den San Del, Joseph Scrimshaw and more! Get your tix before they're sold out and snag a sweet discount while you're at it! Call the BLB ticket office at 612-825-8949 and mention the promo code "l'etoile" to score $10 tickets.

Click HERE for the Rockstar Storyteller's site



SUNDAY JULY 25TH

Mad Men Premiere Party

@ Jax Cafe
1928 University Avenue NE
Minneapolis

6:30 p.m. / $10 for after-party only; $20 for screening & after-party; $45 for dinner, screening & after-party

Classy retrophiles of the Twin Cities, it’s time to pull out those retro suits and vintage dresses for a night of brandy sipping, cigar puffing, steak eating and, of course, Mad Men! That’s right, local mag Vita.mn and DJ Jake Rudh have teamed up to bring you the ultimate party to kick-off the new season of the hit show Mad Men. Start your night off with a showy dinner at the Jax Café then make your way downstairs for an after-party of music, brandy beverages and cigar puffing. Finally, join other Maddicts as the first moments of Season 4 unfold before your very eyes. But, be sure to dress to impress: the chicest couple will receive a prize. (Check out official event sponsors Lula’s Vintage Wear and Spinario Design if you’re in need of vintage threads.) BONUS: Now through Sunday, July 25, St. Paul vintage shop Up Six is offering 20 percent off all clothing if you mention code word “Sterling Cooper!"

Click HERE for the Facebook event




L'ETOILE NEWSWIRE

Win a Pair of Tickets to the Lowertown Music Fest!

We're giving away a pair of tickets to the Lowertown Music Fest happening Saturday, July 31st! Featuring live music from Mason Jennings, Tapes n' Tapes, Cloud Cult, Peter Wolf Crier, and Frank Turner. An epic line up, if you ask us! Want to go? We know ya do. E-mail kate@letoilemagazine.com with the word "LOWERTOWN" in the subject line to enter to win. Enter to win through Saturday, July 24th. The winner will be notified on Sunday. For more info or to purchase tickets to the fest, click HERE.




Register now for the 1st Annual High Heel Dash!

The first ever Aegis Foundation High Heel Dash invites both men and women to show off their glamorous athletic prowess for a good cause! On Wednesday, August 11th at Peavey Plaza in Downtown Minneapolis contestants will compete against each other in 25-yard dash heats wearing heels 3 inches or taller. MyTalk 107.1's Lori & Julia will begin broadcasting live with emcee Foxy Tann at 3pm! Heats will start at 5:30pm to give you time to leave work and dash to Peavey Plaza for a great cause. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place dashers! The top fundraisers will get Spectacular prizes too!!

Participants are encouraged to raise a minimum of $100 to dash (tax deductible). Contestants will receive an official High Heel Dash t-shirt. All proceeds benefit Soles4Souls and the Emergency Foodshelf Network. REGISTER NOW!

High Heel Dash 2010 is proudly co-sponsored by l'
étoile!

Editor in Chief: Kate Iverson // Contributors: Juleana Enright, Tara Sloane, Lauren Gantner, Natalie Gallagher, Kate Iverson, Robyn Lewis, Jahna Peloquin

l'étoile summer editorial 2010: A Midsummer Night's Dream

This month l'étoile teamed up with our theatrical friends, The Strange Capers, for a photo shoot based on their Shakespeare in the Park production of A Midsummer Night's Dream at Powderhorn Park! The Capers' reimagining of the classic comedy takes a fun, gender-bending twist, swapping in women for male characters, depicting mechanicals as park workers, and bike punks as fairies -- a concept we were especially enamored with. In this spread - shot by Stephen Stephens - creative directors Chris Larson and Beth Hammarlund collaborated on a whimsical, design-heavy concept that focused on these magical yet gritty characters, playing off of the natural elements of beautiful Powderhorn park. Costume designer Sondra Veldey lent actual garments from the production while l'etoile pulled in D.I.Y. designer and artist Bill Beekman, designer Danielle Everine and accessory guru Amiee Dukes a.k.a. Ferociter to fill in the blanks.

The Strange Capers' performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream runs Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm through August 1st at Powderhorn Park and is free and open to the public (donations gladly accepted). For more info visit www.thestrangecapers.com.

Click below to check out the spread!

Le'Talk: An interview with fashion designer Kimberly Jurek

by Tara Sloane

For the past five years, the Twin Cities have been enthralled with the chic, wearable designs of local fashion maven Kimberly Jurek – and for good reason. Found in more than 20 boutiques worldwide, from Tokyo to Los Angeles to the Twin Cities, Jurek’s designs possess a perfect balance of breezy simplicity and high-end elegance: hippie, prairie, and bohemian influences add splashes of romance and exotic appeal to your wardrobe, without making it look like you tried too hard (if at all!). Borrowing inspiration from various elements in art and nature as well as from her international travels (look for Argentine-esqe bombas and braided faja belts in her fall line), Jurek’s work is inspired by a little bit of everything, and that’s how we like it. To celebrate the 5th anniversary of her line, Kjurek Couture, the veteran designer will be presenting her fall collection this Saturday at Arctic Studios, along with the highly anticipated leather and suede handbag line created in collaboration with Amanda Christine.

We caught up with Kimberly to chat about what inspired her new line, her take on local fashion, and what she has in store for Saturday.

l'étoile: Past lines have been noted for your use of rich colors and nature/art inspired textures. What can we expect to see on Saturday?

Kimberly: The 2010 Kjurek Fall collection is full of color and prints. Expect to see a blend of carefully chosen fabrics of silk, cashmere, boucle and cotton knits in black, turquoise, fuchsia, pea green, orange and cobalt.

Who are your favorite fashion designers, worldwide or local?

It changes season to season. But right now, I heart Anna Sui's fall collection. I think the blend of color, prints and layers is brilliant. Love!

From Kjurek Couture Fall 2010 collection

You've done a fair bit of traveling. Any place that was particularly inspiring for you?


This collection was largely inspired by my last trip to Argentina. I spent the months of December and January staying in Buenos Aires (which in my opinion has some of the most fantastic fashion in the world-every girl on the street looks like she stepped straight out of a magazine), and traveling south to stay along the coast in small beachy towns and finally crossed over to San Martin de los Andes in La Pampa region. This is where my inspiration came to base the collection on the style of the gaucho (Argentine cowboy). You will see this in the Bamboocha pants, traditional faja belts, and pancho style jackets. The other two themes woven in to balance out the femininity is boho peasant and bomba. I am in love with the large full circle ruffle skirts of a traditional bomba dancer, and I am so excited to have a group performing at the show. While putting together their costumes I was so inspired, that I wanted to include the flavor in the collection. The boho chic peasant is something I can't seem to get away from, I love it so much and is best seen in the peasant style tops and pocketed apron belts.

From the "Exclusively Fall" Runway show 2009

What is your take on the local fashion industry right now? How do your designs fit in? Who do you see wearing your designs?

I think the local fashion industry is growing and its exciting to see so many great ideas. I love Minneapolis, designers have heart here. I am glad to be a part of it. I partner a lot with Amanda Christine because we both are going in the same direction and we adore each other. We share a booth at market (in Las Vegas and LA) as well as reps and the last time we were showing together we decided to collaborate on a hand bag line. Its been a lot of fun to work out all of the details and styling of them. The hand bag collection is the perfect blend of Kjurek and Amanda Christine. The are full leather and suede have amazing details like horse bit handles and suede and metal fringe. I currently have Kjurek carried at Cliche, Drama, Gallery 360, Parc Boutique (new!), Fresh Face Loftique (new!) and Karma and am happy that the line has done so well for everyone. I feel like I design clothing for women who want to feel feminine and confident and who are looking for something unique.

From the Spring 2010 collection / Photo by Loren Kollmer

How would you describe your own work and aesthetic?

I would say that I am constantly thinking about my business. I want to keep it fresh and exciting and designing a new collection two times a year does that. I love the process of picking out fabrics and traveling to come up with different inspiration for each season. Currently I am finishing up the spring-summer 2011 collection and am in love with the prints I have chosen (I have over 15 prints in the collection!). My aesthetic stays true to the boho chic and femininity. I like to make simple clothing that feel great and are easy to wear. Nothing makes me happier than being in one of my boutiques and seeing someone try one of my pieces on and loving it!


What is the best piece of fashion advice you’ve ever been given?

The best advice or inspiration was from my collections teacher in Italy. The first day of class she said that no idea is original, everything has been done and sometimes you can blend ideas and come up with a style that is fresh but you shouldn't feel like "you" were the one who created it (we are all a product of our environment). It took the mystery and scariness out of designing for me. I am constantly inspired by everything around me, and by her saying that, it allowed me to open my eyes and look for ideas that I might not have thought of.

The K.Jurek 5-Year Anniversary Show is happening this Saturday, July 24th at Arctic Studios. For more info and locations where you can pre-purchase tickets click HERE. To check out Kimberly's work online visit www.kjurekcouture.net.