Amid possible thunderstorms, cloudiness, and sunshine (yes, the weekend weather forecast is a bit all over the board), the Twin Cities will still be booming with a multitude of fantastic outdoor festivals. From folk fests to flea markets to pizza-fueled block parties, we don't think you'll have much to complain about in regards to your entertainment needs - just be sure to bring an umbrella, er...some sunscreen, or...heck, just fly by the seat of your pants! We're sure you'll survive and be better for it!
xo-l'étoile
ALSO THIS WEEK ON L'ETOILE
Juleana Enright reviews Glamorama
More Fringe reviews from Bob!
Jahna Peloquin & Lauren Gantner update our Sales & Shopping Guide
THURSDAY AUGUST 12TH (THROUGH 13TH)
Build, Eat, Repeat
@ 1419
1419 Washington Ave S.
Minneapolis
9 a.m. Thurs – 9 p.m. Fri / Free
On Thursday morning, sculpture/installation artist Leslie Kelman and dance artist Emily Gastineau will embark upon a 36-hour collaboration spanning the five floors of 1419. Using found materials and movements created on the spot, the pair will create and tear down multiple shelters throughout the space. Exploring the distinction between expendable labor and necessary tasks (i.e. food, rest, and waste), “Builld, Eat, Repeat” aims to show what effect a building can have on the daily existence of two people with a lot of time on their hands. And as the artists became acquainted solely for the purpose of collaboration, the dynamics of two individuals getting to know each other in an entirely untraditional manner will also come in to play throughout the project. Stop in to 1419 any time Thursday and Friday to gawk – er, see what structures have accumulated.
Click HERE for the Facebook event
THURSDAY AUGUST 12TH
Appreciation Opening
@ Nash Gallery
405 21st Ave S
Minneapolis
7-9 p.m. / free
Where would our talented local artists be sans the help of generous scholarships? With financial woes outta the way, artists are free to dream and create at a moment's whim, paving the way for others and leaving behind art gems to be enjoyed by the masses. Tonight, show your gratitude while peeping awesome art from scholarship recipients and U of M alumns including Claire Anderson, Sarah Baker, Drew Peterson, Work of Art contestant (and exhibit curator) Miles Mendenhall, and more! Fittingly titled, Appreciation, the exhibit features site-specific and collaborative works produced solely for this exhibit that celebrate the University of Minnesota Arts Scholarship Program. Not to mention it's your chance to tell Miles he got shafted on Work of Art!
Click HERE for this art event and more at mplsart.com
FRIDAY ART PICK: FLASHMOB.COM
Don't lie - we know you've always wanted to participate in a flash mob! With this week's link you'll be able to find out where such fun "performance art" pieces will be happening locally and beyond. In case you don't know what we're talkin' about, imagine this: you’re going about your day – running errands, commuting to or from work, waiting in line for a latte – and out of nowhere a mass of people burst in to song and dance. Or start laughing hysterically at nothing in particular. Or freeze in mid-motion. From making a political statement to reclaiming public space to reminding us of the joy a little carpe diem can bring, Flash Mobs are of as many intentions as they are of shapes and sizes (The “impromptu” group rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” at Target Field in April, anyone?) – so be on the lookout - or start your own! Check the link below for upcoming mobs worldwide (there may or may not be one planned for right before the State Fair parade on August 28th).
Click HERE for the Flash Mob site
FRIDAY AUGUST 13TH
Sticky Sweet Opening
@ The Gallery at Fox Tax
501 1st Avenue N.
Minneapolis
6-10 p.m. / Free
We'll admit pop surrealism is one of our favorite art genres. Andy Warhol meets Dali, what could be better? So we're deliciously excited for Fox Tax Gallery's latest exhibition, Sticky Sweet, curated by mplsart's Emma Berg. Featuring the work of Minnesota-based artists Rudy Fig and Jeff Warner, Sticky Sweet is a chimera-esque exhibit that straddles the border of real life and the ever-vivid imaginary. Take a peek at Fig's colorful, escapist Alice in Wonderland-esque oil paintings, and Warner's sugar-high, kudos-to-innocence painting experiments and revel in fantasy.
Click HERE for this art event and more at mplsart.com
FRIDAY AUGUST 13TH
Miyagi’s Second Anniversary Party
@ Miyagi Salon
411 E. Hennepin Ave.
Minneapolis
7-9 p.m. / Free
Miyagi Salon is turning 2! This Friday the hip Northeast salon is keeping their doors even later, handing out homemade cupcakes and giving away a slew of cool prizes. Stop by to celebrate with the salon team by joining them for refreshments, music, snacks and revelry. Plus, Miyagi is kicking-off their new referral program including drawings for gift cards and Aveda packages. This may be one of your last chances to get your hands on a limited edition print by TOOTH (whose work is featured in the current exhibition at Miyagi). And while you're there, make an appointment to get your hair did - we swear by the Miyagi stylists for our cute 'dos! Not to mention, they've always got a killer soundtrack playing in the background thanks to Chris "Twitter Kidney" Strouth.
BONUS: Make an evening of it: Northeast artsy neighbor Fox Tax Gallery is hosting an opening just a block away (see listing above).
Click HERE for the Miyagi site
FRIDAY AUGUST 13TH
Big Blaq Art Show
@ Urbanoucity
558 Vandalia Street, Suite #202
St. Paul
7:30 p.m. / Free
In his personal work, artist and curator Christopher-Aaron Deanes examines human identity through highly metaphoric and symbolic works of neomannerist portraiture. The last show he curated was an ode to the relationship of Afro Cuban traditions to Black American culture and identity and featured a mash-up of different art forms, from dance to music to poetry. Now, three years later, Deanes is at it again: his latest curatorial effort, “Big Blaq Art Show: The End of Aquiescence,” features the work of black artists across all mediums, including some of Deanes’ own work. The show aims to helping foster and develop community focus and breakdown gallery stereotypes, so show your support at the opening this Friday at Urbanoucity. As the event promises: “Be ready to get swallowed up by art!”
Click HERE for this art event and more at mplsart.com
FRIDAY AUGUST 13TH
Whale Disco Ocean Party
@ Art of This
3506 Nicollet Avenue
Minneapolis
6 p.m. / Free
Whale. Disco. Ocean. Party. Four of the greatest things ever collide in this full sensory, one night collaborative installation exploring the intuitive. Investigating metaphors of dream and aquatic space, Minneapolis-based artists Roxanne Jackson and Pamela Valfer (side note: check out her Roadkill Quilt – fascinating, and exactly what it sounds like) present an “ambient nonsensical cosmic clash,” with DJ Andy Ducett providing a reactive/interactive soundtrack. Expect more papier-maché than you’ve probably ever seen – including a giant whale!
Click HERE for this art event and more at mplsart.com
FRIDAY AUGUST 13TH
Devotio Moderna
@ Chambers Hotel
Eden Courtyard
9th & Hennepin
Minneapolis
10 p.m. / Free
You may have heard about Devotio Moderna already, and thought to yourself, “What the hell is this?” Well, ladies and gentlemen, we can confidently tell you that it is one of the coolest new monthly DJ events to hit the scene (and not just because we’re sponsors). Indulge in the night's signature cocktail made all the more intoxicating with absinthe — a previously illegal spirit and the drink of choice for tortured artists such as Henri Toulouse-Lautrec and Vincent Van Gogh. It should make you feel pretty cool that you can enjoy the same drink for $7 against the backdrop of the aptly named Eden Courtyard at Chambers, with music from Bach666, Upgrayde, and Ricky Biggs. The night will also feature half-off beer and rail drinks and $5 glasses of wine. With these last few remaining weeks of summer, you hardly need an excuse to get out and experience some of Minneapolis’s finest...but if you do need an excuse, let this be it.
Co-sponsored by l'etoile and Thrifty Hipster!
Click HERE for the facebook event
FRIDAY AUGUST 13TH
Street Sounds
@First Ave. Record Room
701 1st Ave N
Minneapolis
10 p.m. / 18+ / $3 adv./$5 door
Get your disco dancin’ shoes out this weekend, Street Sounds is back this month for another bout of boogie-down beats! Join local vinyl kings and mix masters (like Mike 2600, King Otto and Attitude City) in First Ave’s secluded Record Room as they spin tons of classic rollerskate-worthy dance tunes aaaaalllll night.
Click HERE for the Facebook event
COOL LINK: 10 GIRLS WHO WILL DUMP YOU ON TOUR
We recently found this hilar detailed article/mini-journey into the land o' heartbreak written by culture commentary-ist, Gavin McInnes. And while we always kinda knew these foxy babes of indie rock were totally out of, well, anyone's league really, McInnes' guide is a witty reminder of the melancholy that's inevitably in store if you fall for this specimen of goddess/musician. On the off-chance you ever run into any of these delicious lady rockers, you'll know to swiftly turn and make your exit lest you spend the rest of your hipster days obsessing, or god forbid, making her mix tape after mix tape. Don't do it, darling. It's not worth it. Thanks for the heads up, McInnes!
Click HERE to read the article on ReadPlatform
SATURDAY AUGUST 14TH (THROUGH SUNDAY)
Cult Status Art Market
@ Cult Status Gallery
2913 Harriet Avenue S.
Minneapolis
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. / Free
This weekend, Cult Status is transforming their big parking lot into a giant arsty flea market. Spend the weekend perusing through one-of-a-kind pieces, unique trinkets, traditional flea market goods and vintage oldies from over fifty Minnesota-based art gurus from all around the state. While you're there, be sure to pop into the gallery to check out the Blood in, Blood Out exhibit that opened last weekend - it's fantastic!
Click HERE for the Cult Status site
SATURDAY AUGUST 14TH
The 13th Avenue Folk Festival & Record Swap
@ Shuga Records Parking Lot
165 13th Ave NE
Minneapolis
11 a.m. to 10 p.m. / Free
This Saturday, The Front Porch Sitters have teamed up with Shuga Records to bring you their version of a family flea market—complete with folky tunes, nummy food and vinyl records galore. Shuga Records has transformed their parking lot into an outdoor party spot to raise money for Sheridan Arts School and St. Stephens Human Services. Stop by to swap around your favorite vinyl, sip on some foamy brews and participate in tons of outdoor festivities (from silent auctions to face painting!) Music will be playin’ all day in the p-lot and inside the 331 Club from bands like Audience, Jack Klatt, The Rest Easys (feat. members of Black Blondie), The Men With Hollow Bodies, The Dropsteppers and TONS more.
Click HERE for the Facebook event
SATURDAY AUGUST 14TH
Pizza Luce Block Party
@ Pizza Lucé Uptown
3200 Lyndale Avenue South
Minneapolis
Noon to 10 p.m. / Free
Summer in the city means block parties every other weekend, and while this weekend may be particularly scorching, it would be such a shame for you to miss what promises to be one of the best block parties of the season. Just check out this lineup: John Swardson & Get Gone, Caroline Smith and the Goodnight Sleeps, City on the Make, Wild Colonial Bhoys, Dessa from Doomtree, Guzzlemug, Pink Mink, Proff with Rahzwell, Red Pens, Lookbook, and Brother Ali. It's not often you can see this many amazing bands in one space on the same day for the extremely reasonable price of free. Seriously. In addition to the music, you’ll be able to enjoy Pizza Luce pizza, brats and veggie brats, and Summit beer. We're in.
Click HERE for the Pizza Luce site
SATURDAY AUGUST 14TH
Loring Alley Party
@ Nick + Eddie
1612 Harmon Place
Minneapolis
12 p.m. / $5
If you haven’t strolled down the Loring Alley yet, you're definitely missing out! The twisting, Chinese lantern-lined corridor by Nick + Eddie and Bar Lurcat is the closest thing to Parisian charm in the Twin Cities – and it’s paved in cobblestone, too! But enough gushing. This Saturday, the heavenly little spot plays host to Loring Alley Party, an all-day jam featuring live music galore and on-site beer trucks from Surly and Pabst. Curated by Ryan Olson of GAYNGS and Totally Gross National Product, the lineup includes local bands Slapping Purses and Voyager, and the DJs responsible for BOMP!, Get Cryphy, and Moongoons will also keep the energy bumpin’ trashy European club style. After the last band plays, head inside Nick + Eddie for an after party hosted by electronic hardcore collective Marijuana Deathsquads. Bring your own baguette/liquor sponge – this is one party worth sticking around for, all night long.
Click HERE for the Facebook event
SATURDAY AUGUST 14TH
Location, Volume Two: Adam Caillier + Michael Mott
@ Location
1618 Central Ave NE Suite 227
Minneapolis
7-10 p.m. / Free
Location books second collectible volume features a collaborative experiment between photographer Adam Cailler and conceptual artist Michael Mott. Using a camera lens in place of an extended-space-scanner, Mott and Cailler together created 2700 individual pages of artistic wonder. The exhibition-in-a-book is a collection of one-of-a kind three-dimensional collages. Peep some art, mingle with the creative set and stick around for a book sale and signing with the artists. This tome - curated and produced by local luminaries Ruben Nusz and Scott Nedrelow - is one art book that you simply must own.
Click HERE for this art event and more at mplsart.com
SATURDAY AUGUST 14TH
Attitude City Yacht Club
@ Boom Island Park
700 Sibley Street NE
Minneapolis
Boards promptly at 8:30 p.m., returns at 1 a.m. / $35
Last year, we named the Attitude City Yacht Club the "Best Party of 2009" and we totally weren't lying. This fantastical voyage down the mighty Mississippi is always packed to the gills with the most fashionable of local socialites dancing their asses off. The boys of Attitude City pull out all the stops to create a decadent party environment for their minions by chartering a 96-foot pearl-white luxury yacht - the largest in Minneapolis in fact. Dance the night away to sexy disco jams, make eyes at that stranger across the bow, and make some sultry summernight memories with Attitude City. There are still a VERY LIMITED number of tickets left online (e-mail attitudecity@gmail.com to secure yours and pay with a credit card) and a few left at ROBOTlove in Northeast. We suggest you get up on it a.s.a.p. if you want to be "On a Boat" this Saturday!
BONUS: Bon Voyage drinks at the Northeast Yacht Club just up the street at 7 p.m.
Click HERE for the Attitude City site
SUNDAY AUGUST 15TH
The New French Cafe Reunion
@ Jetset
115 North First Street
Minneapolis
4 p.m. to 10 p.m. / Free
Veteran Minneapolis diners and art hounds will remember the New French Cafe, now a sadly abandon spot (which still sports the original signage, btw) on the edge of Downtown. Known for its sleek bohemian vibe and delish French nouvelle dishes, the New French was THE hang out for creative types back in the warehouse district's hey-day. Tonight, join NFC lovers and the legendary artists that made the spot an oh-so-hip place to hang for an epic reunion. Celebrate the restaurant's shining years with food, drinks, fascinating people and a lesson on Minneapolis art history. Viva la New French!
Click HERE for the Facebook event
Photo by the late, great Gus Gustafson: Mayor of the Warehouse District
L'ETOILE NEWSWIRE
Save the SooVAC!
Longtime fixture on the local gallery scene, Soo Visual Arts Center, is in a bit of a crisis. With mounting construction costs on the new space and with the added issue of not being open for four months, the gallery is in dire need of your support. $35,000 needs to be raised by September 20th if the gallery is to stay open. Click HERE to read about the problems the Soo is having and find out how you can help. And while you're there read a heartfelt testimonial from local art staple, Amy Rice.
Losing the SooVAC would be a huge loss to the Lyn/Lake neighborhood -- we absolutely can't let that happen! Peeps have been tweeting and Facebooking today in support of the gallery - and you can help by spreading the word and simply by becoming a member (with some cool benefits) for as little as $35. We just did!
Just think, for the price of a few cocktails you can help keep arts alive in the Twin Cities. And how good will that make you feel? Better than having a hangover, we'd expect. Do it now, or we'll disown you.
Keep up with the SooVAC on Facebook to find out about upcoming fundraisers and news!
Vote for Jake Rudh!
Remember last year when Jake Rudh was in the top tier of contestants for the Mad Men Casting Call Contest, then got totally shafted when the website crashed for the last few days
of the contest and a bunch of randoms who weren't even in the top somehow got into the finals? We remember it, bitterly. Anyhoo: the Transmission kingpin and general party starter (he's the one who throws the Mad Men party at Jax Cafe!) is not giving up. This year he's back once again for the online voting-fueled competition, which awards a male and female winner the coveted prize of a walk-on role on Mad Men. Visit site everyday HERE to vote for Jake. You needn't sign up for anything, just click "vote" - it's that easy. All personal l'etoile love for Jake aside, he REALLY would be great for the show. Just look at his picture: old-timey AND foxy!Click HERE to vote for Jake
SAVE THE DATE: OPERA TASTING 2010
Join l'etoile and the Minnesota Opera's Tempo group on Saturday, September 18th as we
explore the depths of the Inferno and travel through the circles of Hell. You will indulge in luscious wines, nibble on tasty morsels and be seduced by the sounds of the Minnesota Opera's Resident Artists. myTalk107.1's Jason Matheson and Alexis Thompson will guide us on this perilous journey, which takes place on Saturday September 18 at the Minnesota Opera Center.Tickets are available online for a well-worth-it $50: Includes wine, appetizers, and performances by the Minnesota Opera's Resident Artists. Sponsored by l'etoile!
Editor in Chief: Kate Iverson // Contributors: Juleana Enright, Tara Sloane, Lauren Gantner, Natalie Gallagher, Kate Iverson, Robyn Lewis, Jahna Peloquin
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