As the dog days of summer dwindle down, the Twin Cities can't help but take full advantage. Fall (and winter, god forbid) are just a breath away so it really comes as no surprise that August has been--and still is--chocked full of lively outdoor events. From the grassy green slope outside the Walker Art Center to the gritty streets of the West Bank and even to the charmingly artsy strip that is 13th Avenue in Northeast, this weekend is all about soaking up the rays (hopefully without too much rain or humidity in the mix). We plan on seeking out as much summer as we possibly can. What about you?
xo-l'étoile
THURSDAY AUGUST 19TH
mnartists.org Field Day
@ Walker Art Center
1750 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis
2 p.m. to 9 p.m. / Free
Field Day is back again! The Walker Art Center is spending its weekly free Thursdays celebrating the success of our local artists and supporters with a full day of fun events and artsy activities. Join other doodlers at the Drawing Club in the Walker Open Field Grove or play lawn games and paint pictures in the famous sculpture garden. On top of all the festivities, the Walker will be holding a local Art Mart that will showcase tons of buyable goodies from 14 new-and-local artists. Shop tons of cool stuff, like limited-edition jewelry from l’etoile fave Ferociter, greeting cards from Vandalia Street Press, hand-drawn goods from Dear Deer Designs and tons more, all for thrifty prices under $30. To make things even better, all the proceeds from the art sale will support the Walker’s artistic and educational programs. Also included in the event are live musical performances, readings by the Rockstar Storytellers, food, drink, and creative camaraderie.
Click HERE for more info
THURSDAY AUGUST 19TH
Third Thursday: Art Perchance
@ Minneapolis Institute of Arts
2400 Third Avenue South
Minneapolis
6 p.m. / Free
You’re never too old for carnival games, and the MIA is celebrating this fact with an extra zany Third Thursday extravaganza! This time, the monthly celebration teams up with the museum's annual Art Perchance fundraiser. Try your hand at nine art-inspired carnival games, including “Van Gogh’s Olive Pool” (like regular pool, only the table is reminiscent of Van Gogh’s “Olive Trees” painting, and the 8 ball is shaped like an olive) and “Hoopla Doryphoros,” a ring toss on to Greek statues (like the one in the M.I.A.’s foyer). Continue the frolicking with live music by The Alarmists, a buffet of carnival treats, and cocktails aplenty at the cash bar. And as all proceeds go to charity, by all means overindulge (thankfully, this carnival left out the Tilt-a-Whirl).
Click HERE for the MIA site
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THURSDAY AUGUST 19TH
Dunny 2010 Series Release Party
@ ROBOTlove
507 E. Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis
6 p.m. to 8 p.m. / Free
After months of waiting and two rescheduled parties, the design-savvy folks at ROBOTlove are finally relaxing their long-sealed lips – the officially Dunny 2010 Series Release Party is upon us. The fantastic designs from Kidrobot’s curated group of of-the-moment artists and designers (including the likes of Amanda Visell, Aya Kakeda, CW, Damarak the Destroyer, Doktor A, Esther Kim, Frank Kozik, Huck Gee, Jesse Hernandez, MAD, MCA, Michelle Valigura, Shelterbank, Sket One, Sneaky Raccoon, The Beast Brothers, Tizieu, Travis Cain, and Triclops Studio) are sure to excite even the longtime collector. With 21 different variations – including wizards, sports fanatics, martial artists, BFFs, cholos, and condiments – this may be one of the most exciting and extensive series to date. Kidrobot is also giving away a super special Sket One three-inch Dunny and Dunny tote bags for those purchasing a full case. (Limit one case per person.) Oh, and gallons of vitaminwater will be on hand to keep excited fans hydrated.
Click HERE for the ROBOTlove site
THURSDAY AUGUST 19TH (THROUGH 21ST)
Building Better Bridges Mini-Sota Tour
@ Various locations
St. Paul & Minneapolis
9 p.m. / 18+ & 21+ / $5-$7
A whole weekend of sick beats and hip-hop treats? Yes! Get ready for a sweet, three-show affair featuring music from local freestyle rapper, Eyedea; lyric-driven beat master, Carnage the Executioner; genre-sprawler, Kristoff Krane; free-jazz rappers, Face Candy; indie jammers, Puppy Dogs & Ice Cream; and Maryland's melodic hip-hop duo, Educated Consumers. The epic Mini-Sota Tour – which officially kicked off yesterday – continues tonight at Cause (the former Sauce bar) with a beat-bashing set featuring Face Candy and Educated Consumer and a taste of experimental comedic stylings from Twin Cities funnyman, Chris Knutson. Then on Friday, head to the West Bank as Eyedea & Carnage and Educated Consumers take the stage for a blow-out performance. St. Paul hip-hop fans don't despair, the tour wraps up with Puppy Dogs & Ice Cream, Kristoff Krane and Educated Consumer at the Turf Club.
Click HERE for the Facebook event
FRIDAY ART PICK: CHLOE EARLY
What's l'etoile looking at this week?
London-based artist, Chloe Early has no use for frivolous things like gravity. Instead Early is endlessly fascinated with the balancing act of life itself. Her oil paintings feature urban landscapes where wondrous things happen, often at the ignorance of her suspended and obvious Beach-Blanket characters. Her works are a surrealist pop art journey through urban design and architecture, with underlying themes of nature, innocence, escapism, glamour and kitsch. They form regal art examples of an alternative universe more dystopian than uptopian.
Click HERE for the Chloe Early site
FRIDAY AUGUST 20TH (THROUGH SUNDAY)
Nordeast Music Festival
@ Ritz Theater
345 13th Av. NE.
Minneapolis
331 Club
331 13th Avenue Northeast
Minneapolis
Shuga Records
165 13th Avenue Northeast
Minneapolis
Starting 6 p.m. Friday / Free
No Minneapolis summer would be complete without a music festival (or six) in every neighborhood. Showcasing some of our favorite bands in town, the folks of 13th Avenue are throwing the Nordeast Music Festival this weekend. Hit up the Ritz Theater on Friday and Saturday for tunage from The Hopefuls, Zoo Animal, Liminal Phase, The Mighty Mofos, the Goondas and others. Saturday. The party rocks to the 331 Club on Saturday, where you can catch more local acts, including Haley Bonar, National Bird, and Dark Dark Dark. Mayslack’s and Shaw’s will also hold shows throughout the weekend, and Shuga Records will play host to the Minneapolis Electronic Music Festival, with some of the sickest beats and breakdowns this city has to offer (think The Punisher, Woody McBride, Bach 666, Attitude City, Aaron Bliss, the Nightstalker and so much more). Sounds to us like next weekend’s fests have a tough act to follow.
Click HERE for the full lineup
FRIDAY AUGUST 20TH
Something to Do Until the End of the World: The Art of Curtiss A
@ Gallery 122 at Hang It, Inc.
122 8th Street SE
Minneapolis
7 p.m. / Free
Named for a Minneapolis landmark and “born at the exact moment the Age of Aquarius dawned,” Curtiss A has epic written all over him (okay, not literally – although we wouldn’t be surprised if he did some day). One of the original artists on the Twin/Tone label, this local rock godfather is the man behind the annual John Lennon show at First Avenue and the star of an ongoing Amy Buchanan documentary, but we digress. After a family tragedy left Curtiss A on temporary hiatus from music, he began making dreamscapey collages – a showing of which opens Friday at Hang It’s Gallery 122. His collages are known for their curious mix of multiple mediums and periods of art (specifically different styles of comic book illustrations), and for their sense of humor. Fittingly, Curtiss has titled the exhibit “Something to do until the end of the world,” and the opening will feature a live acoustic set from the artist himself, as well as a live installation/re-creation of his 3-D sculpture work. Go, and expect the unexpected (in case, you know, the world ends Saturday and you don’t get another chance).
Click HERE for this art event and more at mplsart.com
FRIDAY AUGUST 20TH (THROUGH AUG 28TH)
The Polish Pugilist
@ 1419
1419 Washington Ave S
Minneapolis
8 p.m. / $15 standing tickets, $25 seated
Who'd have thought that a classic anti-capitalist novel revealing the horrors of Chicago's meat-packing industry and “The Italian Stallion” could combine to produce a radical performance piece on Polish immigration. And yet The Jungle and Rocky are indeed the couplet of inspiration behind writer/director Jeremy Catterton's latest production, The Polish Pugilist. Following the story of capitalism and immigration from the early 1900's to the mid-70's, the triptych production features three narrative acts – each set on separate floors of the 1419 space – exploring historic timeline and alternative theater methodologies. The show runs through August 28th and includes lighting design from Bryant Locher, visual art and design installations from Jesse Draxler and Nathaniel Smith, costumes by Hilary Falk, as well as collaborations with some of MPLS' most neoteric artists in the dance, music and theater scene. Tickets are only available by emailing ThePolishPugilist@gmail.com, so act snappy!
Click HERE for more info
FRIDAY AUGUST 20TH
Halloween, Alaska
@ Cause Spirits & Soundbar
3001 Lyndale
Minneapolis
9:30 p.m. / 21+ / $10
This Friday at the venue formerly known as Sauce, the band currently known as Halloween, Alaska will play its first Minneapolis gig in almost a year! Thoughtfully straddling that fickle line between electronic and organic, Halloween, Alaska delivers the perfect end of summer late night cocktail hour soundtrack with their deeply atmospheric brand of synth-laden pop and simmering indie anthems. Expect a disarming set of new and old tunes that will leave you truly mesmerized by the power of pop. Be sure to arrive in time for the Music Nerd Olympics, hosted by Sean McPherson of Trivia Mafia, and a live set by special guests No Bird Sing.
Click HERE for the Cause site
"Hot Pink" - Halloween, Alaska from Tim Morgan, Adam Celt on Vimeo.
FRIDAY AUGUST 20TH
The Final Stellar
@ Kitty Kat Club
14th & 4th
Dinkytown
10 p.m. / 21+ / $3
Local electronic music producer, Gigamesh, is one of the Twin Cities musical treasures. A stalwart fixture on local, national and international music blogs for his killer remixes of dance and indie tracks AND as a producer on numerous albums (as well as being a serious party-startin' DJ), it was only a matter of time before Gigamesh left us for greener pastures. The green pasture in question being Miami, where he'll join his musical collaborators, DiscoTech, to stir up more "stellar" sounds for the world to enjoy. You've likely heard about Gigamesh's viral remix of the infamous "Double Rainbow" video, where he laid some fresh beats over the hilarious words of the crazy "It's so intense!" hippy - instantly turning an internet meme into something purely danceable and epic. Join Gigamesh this evening for his going away party along with some of his awesome friends including the ladies of Tendercakes and Monsterbrüsten plus Grant and Maggie of Lookbook, who will debut a couple special new tracks that have the Gigamesh magic touch.
Click HERE for the Facebook event
Click HERE to read Gigamesh's exit interview with Gimme Noise
COOL LINK: NOW LIKE PHOTOGRAPHS
What's l'etoile checking out on the web this week?
For those of you who prefer to stream radio online (or who can’t find an excuse to be the car from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Mondays), NowLikePhotographs is the web counterpart to the same-named Radio K show that plays, in the words of its DJs, “epic experimental music,” straight up. That is to say, from stalwarts like Mogwai and Explosions in the Sky to probably you if you play instrumental music and send them a CD (their words again), Now Like Photographs features any assortment of instrumental post-rock, ambient, bedroom electronica, and neo-classical. What Monday (or any other day of the week, for that matter) doesn’t deserve a soaringly grandiloquent soundtrack? Aside from streaming in multiple speeds, the site highlights a new record every week and archives the show’s playlists. Because obviously the epitome of a cool link is one that helps you spew the names of songs, bands, and genres even your most hipster of friends have never even heard of.
Click HERE for the Now Like Photographs site
SATURDAY AUGUST 21ST
Minneapolis Indie Xpo 2010
@ Soap Factory
518 SE 2nd St
Minneapolis
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. / Free
Comic book nerds will surely be out in full force this Saturday as the inaugural Minneapolis Indie Xpo takes flight at the Soap Factory. An ode to independent comics and cartoonists, this event will be informative, educational, visually awesome and above all, nerdy (in the best possible way, of course)! Peruse a plethora of handmade comic books, meet comic artists, publishers and writers, listen in on discussion panels, or learn some mad skillz in workshops for screen printing, book binding and more. There will also be 90 vendors on hand, shilling their independently published tomes and comic-related wares. Not to mention, the Donut Cooperative will be on hand selling their to-die-for baked goods - and that alone is reason enough to stop by the Soap today!
Click HERE for a complete schedule of events
SATURDAY AUGUST 21ST
West Bank Music Festival
@ Various Locations
West Bank
3 p.m. / $5
You know what’s better than enjoying a pint of beer while relaxing with this great summer weather? Doing it to the tune of some of the finest local sounds the Twin Cities has to offer. The main outdoor stage will be in the lot adjacent to the Nomad, and begins with Spider John Koerner. The set list includes the epic sounds of International Reggae All Stars, the Brass Kings, Book of Right On, the furiously awesome Red Pens, the phenomenal Chooglin’, and the always entertaining Infiammati Fire Circus (we’re wildly excited based on the name alone). Tunes continue at multiple locations throughout the West Bank with performances from the likes of Dessa, Mark Mallman, Lucy Michelle & The Velvet Lapelles and many more. A $5 wristband gets you into all the venues. So Stop down, listen to music, enjoy life!
Click HERE for more info
SATURDAY AUGUST 21ST
Red Stag Block Party
@ Red Stag
509 1st Ave NE
Minneapolis
3-10pm / Free
We know where we'll be this Saturday...hanging at the Red Stag's kick-ass Block Party, of course! Back for another round of summery outdoor fun, today's free, rain-or-shine event features an eclectic array of hot local musicians including sets from MPLS' fave cover band, E.L.nO; indie gospel-rich rockers, Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons; hootenanny-inducing zoukers, Black Audience; electro hip-hop duo, Bight Club and more! Plus, enjoy entertaining street feats from the North Star Roller Girls and Familia Skate Shop. Pop some hip-action during the Spot Spa Hula Hoop Contest or just take in the great local tuneage while chowing down on locally farmed, organic treats from the Red Stag's kitchen and sipping cold Prairie Vodka cocktails, Crispin Ciders, Schells and Grainbelt beer, Red Bull or OKO organic wine. After the fest, head inside for a danceable after-party with DJ Christian Fritz. Respect the Stag!
Click HERE for the Red Stag site
SATURDAY AUGUST 21ST
"Peace Out" ((( OOOOP
@ Art of This
3506 Nicollet Ave
Minneapolis
7-11 p.m. / donations accepted
We're not going to pretend we know EXACTLY what will go on at Art of This gallery's final send off (as they've never been too forthcoming with actual information) but we're quite sure it will be a fitting end. For one, there will be brilliant art by the immensely talented Aaron Anderson and Eric Carlson of Hardland/Heartland, plus work from improvisational musician Casey Deming and AOT Executive Director, John Marks. Secondly, well, and this is where deets get sorta fuzzy: "awesome friends, cool bands, and clever artists that have agreed to show up" and who can really argue with that? In all seriousness though, the closing of this thoughtful contemporary art gallery will be a definite blow to the art scene, but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. The gallery directors plan on continuing their Artist Residency program and will collaborate on events at other spaces throughout the year. The physical space may be lost, but the art beat goes on.
Click HERE for this art event and more at mplsart.com
SATURDAY AUGUST 21ST
Amazing Visions, Vanishing Acts
@ Form + Content Gallery
210 N Second Street
Minneapolis
7 p.m. to 9 p.m./ free
Join Twin Cities' artist Christine Baeumler for a reflective solo exhibit on the Amazon Rainforest inspired by her recent Earthwatch expedition to Peru. Through a series of intimate photographs and multi-media pieces, Baeumler creates an installation that evokes both vitality and fragility and explores the current receding state of the Amazon Rainforest while celebrating its wondrous beauty. Tonight's open reception features a film screening of Dream People of the Amazon, directed by Lawrence M. Lansburgh, and donations will be accepted all evening long to benefit the efforts of RAN: Rainforest Action Network.
Click HERE for this art event and more at mplsart.com
SATURDAY AUGUST 21ST
Hot Chicks with D-Bags 2: “Electric Douche-aloo”
@ Clubhouse Jäger
923 Washington Ave N
Minneapolis
10 p.m. / Free / 21+
The bass is bumping, the fists are pumping, everyone around you is wearing Ed Hardy, and you’re pretty sure that one guy just called you “dude bro.” No, you’re not a guest star on Jersey Shore, nor are you in hell. In fact, the hotts and scrotes dancing next to you are all your friends – and you’re actually really enjoying yourself. That’s right, ‘bags and ‘bag-ettes, this Saturday, Club Jäger is throwing its second “Hot Chicks with D-Bags” themed dance night, and this “Electric Douche-aloo” promises to be more slutty, obnoxious, and Affliction-clad than ever! So dress the part and psyche up for an evening of not-so-douchey electro, house, disco, and new wave tunes (sorry, Kanye), oh-so-appropriate drink specials ($3.50 Heinekens and $5 Jäg-bombs), and whatever the brah with the popped collar is chugging from his dad’s heirloom flask. You may not remember what happens, but you know it’ll totes be off the chaaiiiin!
Click HERE for the Facebook event
SUNDAY MUSIC PICK: SEMI PRECIOUS WEAPONS
What's l'etoile listening to this week?
With lyrics like “I can't pay my rent, but I'm fucking gorgeous” and a penchant for flamboyance (lead singer Justin Tanter frequently performs in lingerie and hooker heels), wild shows (gravity defying high kicks, spraying champagne into the crowd), and a rock n’ roll attitude, it’s really no surprise that Semi-Precious Weapons is opening for Lady Gaga on her Monster Ball Tour. But before you write them off as another lukewarm attempt to bring back guylined glam rock, think again. These boys live and breathe their own brand of filthy glamour – and it makes for an utterly captivating, rage-till-you-drop live performance. Their 2008 album, You Love You is an equally crass good time, a fierce blend of charismatic vocals, raw rock n’ roll stylings, and masterful musicianship (two of the members boast degrees in classical composition and songwriting) – a far cry from their hyper-studio-produced contemporaries. Music that’s dangerous, dirty, fun, and the real deal? Effing gorgeous, indeed.
Click HERE for the Semi Precious Weapons site
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!
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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