Weekend What's What 10/28-10/31

L'ETOILE-O-WEEN

Our costumes are planned, our candy is stocked and we simply can't wait to go out and about this weekend to spread our personal brand of wicked cheer! No matter your preferred genre of party, the Twin Cities has you covered with oodles of ghoulish rock shows, spooky costume contests, devilish dance parties and scream-worthy art openings. Us? We'll be co-hosting at the Rogue Buddha's opening for Masquerade on Friday and at Tempo's Opera Night Out Masquerade Ball on Saturday. It's bound to be a weekend full of beautiful debauchery and eerie mystery!

xo-l'etoile


THURSDAY OCTOBER 28TH

Scott Seekins: The Changing of the Suits

@ Nick & Eddie
1612 Harmon Pl
Minneapolis

9 p.m. / 21+ / Free

When Seekins changed from his summer whites to his winter blacks, we know snow is just around the corner. Our own personal artsy groundhog of sorts, the recognizable, roving art icon has been suiting up in signature style for as long as we can remember and probably beyond. Head down to Neddies this evening to rub elbows with Scott, take a jaunt up to his studio above the restaurant to peep his work, have a few drinks and get down to some live music. Bonus: Dress up like Seekins and you may just win free dinner and drinks if you're costume is up to snuff!

Click HERE for the Nick & Eddie site

photo by Karen Kopacz

THURSDAY OCTOBER 28TH

Pink Mink Dance Party

@ Club Jager
923 Washington Ave N
Minneapolis

10 p.m. / 21+ / Free

Club Jager is already the perfect spot for a ridiculously spooky night. Those high ceilings, that fireplace, the way it kind of looks like a medieval church turned bar...and you can bet that if Pink Mink is hosting a dance night, it’s going to be a party lively enough to wake the dead. Bring your scary face and get ready to shake it!

Click HERE for the Facebook invite


FRIDAY ART PICK: MICHAEL THOMSEN

What's l'etoile looking at this week?

When the spooky season comes around, there are a few artists we hold close to our art-hearts, and local sculptor Michael Thomsen is at the top of that list. His large scale, impeccably constructed mixed media pieces draw the viewer into a dark, carnivalesque dream world where secrets, mysteries and eccentricities abound. Behind each flea market bauble, antique accoutrement and quirky found object lies a story; a piece of Thomsen's childhood here or a hidden flask compartment there (often filled with whiskey). To look upon Thomsen's art is a detailed, nostalgic and magical journey that one can spend hours traversing. Want to check out Michael's art in a less virtual setting? Head to the Rogue Buddha this Friday (see listing below) for Nicholas Harper's Masquerade and take a jaunt into the pocket gallery where Thomsen has a permanent installation. And ask us to point him out - to hear him talk about each piece is a real treat. We'll be bartending!

Click HERE for the Michael Thomsen site


FRIDAY OCTOBER 29TH

Masquerade: Work by Nicholas Harper

@ Rogue Buddha Gallery
357 13th Ave NE
Minneapolis

7 p.m. to Midnight / Free

It's no secret that the Buddha is one of our all-time favorite local galleries! We love the ambiance and the curatorial cohesiveness, and we have profound respect and admiration for the creative genius that is gallery owner/artist Nicholas Harper. Tonight, join l'etoile and Mr. Harper as we co-present his most recent body of work: Masquerade. This surreal collection pulls together everything we adore about Harper's work; striking, elegant portraiture, dark yet romantic sensibilities and a perfectionist's immaculate brushstroke. Experience his signature long-necked ladies and moody scenes set to the apt back drop of candlelight and gothic decor with atmospheric tunes courtesy of the one and only Danny Sigelman. Decadent costumes and secret identities are encouraged!

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



FRIDAY OCTOBER 29TH

House of 1817 Movie Premiere

@Suburban World Theater
Lake & Hennepin
Minneapolis

7:30 p.m. / Free

Unfortunately, we can’t get the impending Winter off our minds. So why not jump into the snowy season with a gnarly snowboarding flick? This Friday, the snowboarding bros of House of 1817 have put together a montage of video footage riding tons of hot-spots all around Minnesota. Get your fill of snowboard tricks, brutal falls and hot dudes in their final full-length project this Saturday! Plus, if you dress in your best Halloween get-up you'll even score a free DVD copy of the film.

Click HERE to visit the House of 1817 Blog

1817 Movie: promo #1 from riley erickson on Vimeo.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 29TH

Halloween's Eve's Eve with E.L.nO., Solid Gold (as Oasis) & DJ Jill Riley

@ Lee's Liquor Lounge
101 Glenwood Ave
Minneapolis

8:30 p.m. / 21+ / $15

Okay, so it isn’t that difficult to guess what local band E.L.nO. is dressing as for Halloween; nobody covers E.L.O.’s "Mr. Blue Sky" better. But Solid Gold? The glitter-pop quintet will be channeling quintessential brit popsters, Oasis. See both tributes Friday at Lee’s Liquor Lounge (or if you can’t make it, Saturday at Brit’s Pub). DJ Jill Riley will open Friday’s show, as...herself? We dare you to dress as your favorite rockstar!

Click HERE for the Facebook event


FRIDAY OCTOBER 29TH

Idle Hands, We Became Actors, Word Party & Military Special DJ set

@ Kitty Cat Klub
315 14th Ave SE
Minneapolis

9pm / 21+ / Free

One great thing about Halloween falling on a Sunday this year is...an entire weekend of Halloween parties! Kick your weekend off fright with a spooktacular rock show at the Kitty Cat Klub. Word Party gets the blood flowing, Idle Hands shred your soul, We Became Actors perform as "Eli Cash and the Royal Tenenbaums" and Military Special (RIP) provides the dance party. And don't forget to squeeze into the photo booth to snap pics of you and your friends in costume!

Click HERE for the Facebook event


FRIDAY OCTOBER 29TH (THROUGH SATURDAY)

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

@ Uptown Theater
Hennepin & Lagoon
Minneapolis

Midnight / 18+

Join local troupe Transvestite Soup and they reprise the formerly long-running midnight bash that is The Rocky Horror Picture Show. This Halloween special edition will rock and shock you in true Rocky fashion as Transvestite Soup performs along with the movie, with plenty of audience interaction in between. So shake your sweet transvestite ass down to the Uptown theater this weekend and partake in the classic musical spectacle that is Rocky Horror! The flick screens at Midnight on both Friday and Saturday but we recommend showing up between 11-11:30 to secure yourself a seat!

Click HERE for the Uptown site




COOL LINK(S): LOCAL HALLOWEEN ROUNDUP

What's l'etoile looking at on the web this week?

In case we haven’t already given you enough ideas for an epic Halloween weekend, these cool links are sure to seal the deal. The Halloween season isn’t complete until you’ve gotten the crap scared out of you by a blood-soaked someone carrying a jackknife. Here is Metro Magazine’s guide to the best Haunted Houses in the Twin Cities. For the ‘fraidy cats out there, Metromix’s round-up of not quite so spooky Halloween happenings is here. Or get spooked in St. Paul, courtesy of the 651. KS95 (yeah, we know, we know) actually has everything covered and then some with a website dedicated to all things Halloween. Still don’t have a costume? Shame on you! Good thing our girl Jahna’s got you
covered (and fashionably so!) with her Vita.mn Costume Guide. Here is a collection of costumes we hope you haven’t already purchased - thanks to City Pages for the cackles! Happy Haunting!

Banana Flasher Photo via City Pages

SATURDAY OCTOBER 30TH

Halloween Funpocalypse Closing Party Extravaganza

@ Tarnish & Gold
1511 Marshall St. NE
Minneapolis

6 p.m. to 2 a.m. / Free until 9:30pm / $5 with costume or $7 w/out after 9:30

If you missed the opening party for Chuck U and Zamon's Funpocalypse exhibit, we feel bad for you because it was really awesome. However, you're in luck this weekend as T&G is hosting yet another wicked bash for the two talented artists complete with a late night live music blowout featuring Idle Hands, Black Blondie, OBCT, Z-Man, and DJ Green. Rockin' tunes set to the backdrop of the colorful, wild works of Chuck U and Zamon? Sounds like a perfect formula for Halloween fun to us!

Click HERE for the Facebook event


SATURDAY OCTOBER 30TH

Gods and Monsters Part II

@ Cult Status Gallery
2913 Harriet Ave S
Minneapolis

8 p.m. / Free

If you’re looking to add some seriously freaky art to your Halloween weekend, then Cult Status (who else?) has you covered. Deth Crew’s yearly bash and art show, Gods and Monsters, celebrates the most macabre of horror movies, monsters, and icons. Opening Saturday, the show will feature over two dozen artists, including Kara Hendershot, Biafra Inc., curator Erin Sayer and many more. Expect paintings, drawings, sculptures, and mixed media so creepy, you just might end up sleeping with the lights on.

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


SATURDAY OCTOBER 30TH

Halloween Eve at the 331

@ 331 Club
331 13th ave NE
Minneapolis

10 p.m. / 21+ / Free

The Goondas are already creepy talented, and the Red Daughters have a sound that’s like a horror movie you’re dying to see (in a good way), so if you’re in the mood for one of those “smart” Halloween parties—you know, one where ridiculously drunk amatures don’t take over your usual bar spot—the 331 Club will be a good bet. Also featuring a special spooky Halloween house mix.

Click HERE for the 331 site

Jackalope Jesus from The Goondas on Vimeo.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 30TH
Jagermonster

@ Clubhouse Jager
923 Washington Ave N.
Minneapolis

9 p.m. / 21+ / Free

It’s alive! This weekend, the Jagermonster has risen for a spooky Halloween Clubhouse smash! All you ghouls and ghosts, make your way over to Minneapolis’ Clubhouse Jager for an All Hallow’s Eve party that will give you the chills. Get down to DJ sets from King Otto, Jeff Dubois from Attitude City and The Stay Spun while sipping on the Club’s specially brewed drink, Jagermonster’s Blood. Just be sure to dress in your best, the Clubhouse Jag gang will be circling the crowd all night to find the the most spookily dressed attendees for tons of creepy prizes and bar tabs!

Click HERE for the Facebook event


SATURDAY OCTOBER 30th

Halloween at Honey

@ Honey
205 E Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis

9 p.m. / 21+ / $10

Get down this Halloween, Honey style. The underground Northeast bar and restaurant is hosting this haunting Halloween bash complete with DJs, free drinks, free food and, of course, a costume contest with a cash prize! Be sure to dress in your most ghoulish get-up to get down beats from DJ Flipstyle and DJ Roughkat on top of spooky performances from The Kredentials and DJ Turtleneck. Just be sure to get there early: the first 50 guests will get a free drink exclusively from the Honey bar.

Click HERE for the Facebook event


SATURDAY OCTOBER 30TH

Turf Club Halloween Bash

@ Turf Club
University Ave
St. Paul

9pm / 21+ / $7

It just wouldn't be our favorite holiday of the year without a freaky cover show at the Turf! This year, the Mummies are performed by Double Bird & France Has The Bomb, Goblin will be covered by Thunderbolt Pagoda, and Rad Brains (LOL) a Bad Brains cover set from the Food Pyramid/Kitten Forever peeps. As uszh, Djs wil be making the dance party happen in between sets. And since it's the Turf, expect strong drinks and plenty of friendly folks in masks. Costumes encouraged!

Click HERE for the Turf Club site


SATURDAY OCTOBER 30TH

Mandemic!

@ Kitty Cat Klub
14th & University
Dinkytown

10pm / 21+ / $1 before 11pm, $3 after

Join the Menergy Grid this Halloween weekend for MANDEMIC! Co-sponsored by LOL/OMG, this wild, technology/testosterone-fueled dance blowout will be the place to be on Saturday night. DJs Bach666, The Nightstalker, Sweet Talk Radio, Naughty Wood, and l'etoile's own ana//log, who will be flippin' hot electronic jams all night for your dancing pleasure. Wear a costume and you could win a limited edition Anthem Heart t-shirt in the costume contest!

BONUS: Pop into Playatta's Video Portal and make some high-tech, visual madness of your own (see the video below).

Click HERE for the Facebook event

This is MENERGY from Anthem Heart A/V on Vimeo.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 30TH

Tempo's Opera Night Out Masquerade Ball

@ Sakura
350 Saint Peter St
St. Paul

10:30 p.m. / $10, free for Cinderella ticketholders

Remember the masquerade masks we showed you how to make last week? The time has come to don them, darlings – Tempo’s Opera Night Out: Masquerade Ball is this Saturday! Immediately following the MN Opera’s opening night of Rossini’s Cinderella at the Ordway, Tempo and l'etoile will host a fairytale evening of food, drink, prizes, and dancing with the cast and Radio K DJs. This is a costume ball, so do wear your most elegant party wear or black tie apparel and strike a pose for Fairshadow Photography’s royal photo booth. And please, hold on to your glass slippers.

Click HERE for the Facebook event

Photo by Kate Iverson for l'etoile agency

SUNDAY MUSIC PICK: THE HAUNTED BICYCLE

This Halloween tune into 89.3 The Current at 9pm for The Current Presents, featuring the literary madness of local punk poet Paul D. Dickinson and arts journalist Gregory Scott. The two have crafted a terrifying (and surely hilarious) tale involving an evil bicycle that haunts the West Bank. Interspersed with rockin' tuneage (we hear Blue Oyster Cult will be involved), this week's edition of The Current Presents ought to be the perfect thing to have on in the background as you smear fake blood all over yourself for whatever Halloween antics you've got up your sleeve.

To listen to The Haunted Bicycle live, tune in to 89.3 the Current on Sunday, October 31st at 9pm.

Click HERE for the MPR site



SUNDAY OCTOBER 31ST

Monster Art Show & Halloween Party

@ Pink Hobo Gallery
507 E. Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis

7 p.m. to Midnight / Free

Odds are you burned out on partying this Saturday, so dragging yourself out to yet another crowded dance party or rock show sounds pretty ghoulish, and not in a good way. However, you need not despair! The Pink Hobo Gallery has an arty party planned that (probably) won't involve you getting groped or puked on downtown. A visual feast of colorful "monster" themed art by fantastic artists from near and far awaits at the Northeast spot, along with spooky refreshments, tunes from Heizerbaum, a costume contest and more. Mingle with creative appreciators and artists alike and wind down your Halloween weekend like the tasteful party expert you are. Featuring work from almost 20 artists incuding Christopher Park, Charlie Forbes, Jesse Draxler, David Witt, Michael Byzewski and many more.

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


SUNDAY OCTOBER 31ST

First Avenue's Halloween Party/Monster Mash

@ First Avenue
701 First Avenue
Minneapolis

8 p.m. / $5 advance, $10 door with costume, $15 door without

And for those brave souls who DO want to get potentially groped and/or puked on, there is always First Avenue. For many a Halloween, the Ave has been the place to go to gawk at the most outrageous costumes in the Twin Cities, and from what we’ve heard about this year’s party, that’s not about to change. Ian Rans of MCN’s “Drinking with Ian” is yet again this year’s host, and the First Avenue DJs will be back to keep you moving and grooving. Do yourself a favor and wear a costume. Faux pas doesn’t look good on anyone (plus, admission is cheaper for the costumed). Cross over to the Entry for the fourth annual Monster Mash, where you can dance all night long (in costume, of course) to a hit parade of rock n’ roll and rhythm and blues oldies.

Click HERE for the First Ave site


SUNDAY OCTOBER 31ST

Hot Roxx Halloween Hextravaganza

@ Hexagon Bar
2600 27th Avenue South
Minneapolis

9 p.m. / 21+ / Free

Spend this Hallows’ Eve rocking out with vampires – local psych rock trio Vampire Hands, that is! Hot Roxx is throwing a Halloween Hextravaganza at the Hexagon Bar Sunday, complete with a cauldron of “witch’s brew” concocted by Gaylord. The Huckleberrys (members of Chooglin’ and Ol’ Yeller), Teddy and the Turks, and the Ventures Cover Band will also be performing, with Hexagon DJs Jen and Nick providing musical treats between each trick. Bonus: Hot Roxx FTW with the totally awesome flyer below, designed by the fabulous Ms. Lisa Luck. Love it to death!

Click HERE for the Facebook invite


L'ETOILE NEWSWIRE

Save the Date for WAMarchy! Dec. 4th

Join l'etoile magazine and the Weisman Art Museum as we declare WAMarchy! We'll be celebrating the year-long closing and impending expansion of the Frank Gehry-designed museum with an art-tastic blowout that will break all the rules! Music from punk rockers Off with Their Heads and the God Damn Doo Wop Band; participatory graffiti wall led by artists Rogue Citizen, Claire Monet, Biafra, Metrik!, Hellmouth, and Erin Sayer; a vivid, Weisman-inspired projection art installation by local artist, Clement Shimizu; complimentary appetizers and free red wine tasting, complimentary Surly Beer (while supplies last), a cash bar and more! Full details HERE.

L'ETOILE READER BONUS: Tickets go on sale Wed, November 3rd but l'etoile readers will be able to get special pre-sale tix on Friday, October 29th for the discounted WAM member price of $16 (reg $20). Visit http://weisman.umn.edu (price code L'ETOILE) or call 612-624-2345. Tickets are limited, so act fast!

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

Walker After Hours: Yves Klein 10/22

Photos by Stephen Stephens

Weekend What's What 10/21-10/24

GETTIN' SPOOKY

As we gear up for Halloween, spooky elements begin to surface. A devilishly carved pumpkin here, a Haunted Theater there, and perhaps your friends talking endlessly about their costumes for next weekend. Do you have yours yet? We suggest between all the dance parties, rocks shows and art openings this weekend, you take a little time to make your Halloween costume sparkle. Whether that's with glitter OR fake blood, we're not partial. There's only a week left, people!

xo-l'etoile

Peep our tutorial on how to make a masquerade mask!

THURSDAY OCTOBER 21ST

Flourish opening/Third Thursday at the MIA

@ MIA
2400 Third Ave S
Minneapolis

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

Psych dramas, melancholy, apathy and double-entendres, tonight's MAEP group exhibition promises it all and then some, in a visually pleasing fashion, of course. Featuring new works by four Minneapolis artists – Jennifer Davis, Erika Olson Gross, Terrence Payne and Joe Sinness – the exhibit includes Davis' familiar hybrid cast of animal/monster/human experiencing the trials and tribulations of fantasy life and lost innocence; Gross' bucolic landscape sculpture and illustrative paintings; Payne's dark humored pastel narratives; and Sinness' baroque, hyper-realistic drawings for a hodgepodge of chimera-esque local art. On view through January 2nd. After peepin' the Flourish exhibit in the MAEP gallery, join in the fun in the museum at large, during their monthly Third Thursday party, complete with a spooky Halloween theme, haunted tours of the museum, music from Vampire Hands and more!

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

Art by Jennifer Davis

THURSDAY OCTOBER 21ST

Eyedea Benefit

@ Honey
201 East Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis

9 p.m. / $5-10 suggested donation / 18+

This week, fans across the country have been mourning the loss of Twin Cities shining star Mikey “Eyedea” Larsen. Eyedea’s longtime collaboration with fellow hip-hop artist and childhood friend, Gregory “Max” Keltgen – better known as Abilities – received heaps of critical acclaim on both local and national levels, as did his work with other Rhymesayers standouts such as Slug and Kristoff Krane. Tonight, join friends, cohorts, and fans at Honey, where they’ll be celebrating the life of this local luminary with a hip-hop-fueled benefit party. Smyrx, Mally, and DJ Spy MC will be performing, and all proceeds will go directly to help offset the funeral costs for Eyedea’s family.

Click HERE for the Facebook event

image via Pitchfork.com

FRIDAY ART PICK: BOO RITSON

What's l'etoile looking at this week?

If Boo Ritson ever asks to paint your portrait, beware: your face will be the canvas. And we're not talking a few artsy swirls on the nose or cheeks; Ritson globs thick paint on the entirety of her models' faces and clothes, and then photographs the final product while the paint is still wet. The resultant images are at once statuesque and horribly plastic-looking, echoing the malleability of human identity. In all of their bizarre greasiness, Ritson's portraits play out American stereotypes: cowboys, hobos, truckers, diner waitresses and cheerleaders have all been represented in her work. Ritson has also been known to paint hot dogs and french fries, complete with gobs of "ketchup" and "mustard." Collectively, Ritson's portraits serve as an evaluation of fictional America: what it looks like, and what it might be missing.

Click HERE for more info


FRIDAY OCTOBER 22ND (THROUGH HALLOWEEN)

The Haunted Theater

@ Music Box Theater
1407 Nicollet Ave
Minneapolis

5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. (every half hour) / $12 adv, $14 door

Move over Haunted Basement, the Haunted Theater is here! Now through Halloween you can explore the nooks and crannies of this 90 year old Minneapolis theater via 30-minute tours complete with legends from the theater's past hiding around each corner to entertain and terrify. We do know that Jim and Tammy Fae Baker once housed their church from the basement of the theater, so watch out for evangelical/fake eyelash attacks! Local producer/director Steve Barberio has pulled together local artists, designers and actors to deck out the Music Box for your frightful pleasure, so be sure to stop in to check it out before it vanishes.

Click HERE for the Haunted Theater Site




FRIDAY OCTOBER 22ND

After Hours Preview Party: Yves Klein

@ Walker Art Center
1750 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis

9pm-12am/ $35 ($20 members)

Part of the new exhibition Yves Klein: With the Void, Full Powers, the Walker After Hours celebrates the work of French, neo-Dada artist, Yves Klein. Known for his postmodernist take on monochrome, photomontage and his addendum to “la revolution bleue,” Klein has shown works alongside art iconoclasts Andy Warhol and Willem De Kooning and is respected as a paramount figure in post-war European art. Tonight, slip into a slinky International Klein Blue dress – or the equivalent to – and catch a VIP preview of the acclaimed collection before the public feasts their eyes upon it. Per usual, enjoy all the fancy social fixings After Hours parties dish out including great DJ spun tunes, the Party People Pictures photo booth, Wolfgang Puck hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, arts n' crafts and more! FYI, Klein's art openings and performances were often rumored to involve breakdancing, cockroach racing and models wearing nothing but blue paint, so one can only imagine where this one will go!

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


FRIDAY OCTOBER 22ND

Two Harbors/BNLX/Satellite Voices/Still Pacific

@ Stanley's Northeast Bar Room
2500 University Avenue NE
Minneapolis

9pm / 21+ / Free

Didn't get the chance to party at Stanley's last weekend for their opening reception? No big whoop, booker Christy Hunt (of Pink Mink fame) has got the place stacked with great shows all month! Like this one, featuring the recently picked 2 click (congrats, guys!) BNLX along with Two Harbors, Satellite Voices, and Still Pacific. A thrilling bill that leaves no choice but to hit up this new Northeast venue. And don't fret boys, they still have those awesome urinals Stasiu's was so famous for. Some things never change!

Click HERE for the Facebook event




FRIDAY OCTOBER 22ND

Sleazy & Easy

@ Club Jager
923 Washington Ave
Minneapolis

10 p.m. / Free

Mark Mallman is probably not fully recovered from the insanity of Marathon 3 yet, but that is certainly not going to keep him from the limelight...or in this case, the DJ booth. Join him and Angie Heitz at Club Jager for a music marathon of a different sort--a deliciously drink-heavy dance night, as Mallman (Sleazy) and Heitz (Easy) are sure to spin a set of wild tunes. The weather is finally starting to act like it belongs in Minneapolis, but heed our warning and dress in removable layers for this sexy night... you're going to get hot. We promise.

Click HERE for the Facebook event



FRIDAY OCTOBER 22ND

Bee Cool

@ Honey
205 E Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis

10:30 p.m. / 21+ / Free

Buzz on over to Honey tonight for a sweet little dance party with some of our faves! You'll get sticky with beats a la Bach666 and lady DJs Monsterbrüsten, and when its time to cool down, sip cheap alcoholic nectar including $3.50 PBR Tall Boys and $4 Jamesons. Hopefully you're in synch with the l'etoile hive-mind, because we'll definitely be making a stop at Honey this Friday! Sponsored by ThriftyHipster.com, Familia Skatshop and...l'etoile!

Click HERE for the Facebook event


COOL LINK: LE'ART PROJECT

What's on the web this week?

Not sure what to go as for Halloween? Go the elegant route with a handmade masquerade mask! This Halloween, the l'etoile crew will be co-sponsoring two events perfect for fancy mask-wearing! On Friday, October 29th we invite you to join us at the Rogue Buddha Gallery for Masquerade, an art opening featuring work by Nicholas Harper, with tunes a la Danny Sigelman. On Saturday, October 30th, head across the river and dress to impress as l'etoile co-presents Tempo's Opera Night Out: Masquerade Ball at Sakura Restaurant, immediately following the MN Opera's opening night of Rossini's Cinderella at the Ordway. We think pairing a pretty mask with anything from a Cinderella-worthy ball gown to the perfect little black dress is the way to go this Halloween. We've put together a handy guide on how to make your own mask, it's both easy AND affordable. You can copy ours or you can improvise by adding fake flowers, feathers, jewels or what-have-you!

Click HERE for the guide on how to make this easy mask



SATURDAY OCTOBER 23RD

Fall Tweed Ride

@ Meet at Kenwood Park
follow to various locations

5:30 p.m. / 21+ / $4

Tonight, get in touch with your inner Newsie as the Fall Tweed Ride kicks off. Like a more dapper version of critical mass, the Tweed Ride invites two-wheel-toting dames and chaps to brave the October weather donned in stylish elbow-patch jackets, Gatsby caps and – of course – knickers and hop on their roadies for an evening of brisk riding, Brit-enthusiasm and tweed overload. Bikers will meet at Kenwood Park at half past 5 o'clock, scout out for other tweed-clad cyclists and pedal onward to Linden Hills Station, Minnehaha Creek for free pies at Parkway Pizza, the Hexagon Bar, and make a final stop for dancing at Club Jager with tunes from deejays Attitude City & Millions Billions. Plus, prizes will be awarded for the Dapperest Gent and Most Fetching Lady and for Best Bicycle! We can't guarantee the ride itself will feature song and dance, but if someone busts into a chorus of “Sante Fe,” we can imagine they won't be singing solo. Don't forget to stash a thermos of tea or a flask of fine whiskey to keep warm and share with your well-dressed chums!

Click HERE for the Tweed Ride blog

Photo by Ed Reilly

SATURDAY OCTOBER 23RD

Shannyn Joy Potter, Caitlin Karolczak, Beth Loraine Bowman

@ Design Within Reach
2939 Hennepin Ave S
Minneapolis

6 p.m. to 8 p.m / Free

This Saturday's opening at DWR, featuring local artists Beth Loraine Bowman, Caitlin Karolczak and Shannyn Joy Potter, is apt to intrigue. You see, these three artists couldn’t have three more separate aesthetics. Painter Beth Loraine Bowman will be showing her “Bridge” series, a collection of paintings exploring forgiveness and reconciliation through vivid colors, canvases divided by multiple shapes and lines, and colloquial forgiveness symbols such as bridges, birds, and branches, as well as her "Trains and Other Transport" series. Minneapolis artist and Spinario Design co-owner Caitlin Karolczak’s color palate, on the other hand, is a rather bleak one. Muted tones and harsh textures mesh with classical, often gothic imagery, generating notions of the frailty of the human mind and body. Shannon Joy Potter’s abstract wood sculptures present a series of dichotomies: organic, rich wood grains are juxtaposed against shiny painted colors, symbolizing urban life versus organic life, beauty versus destruction. How will these three artists merge? We’re not sure, but here’s hoping three really is a charm.

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

Art by Beth Lorraine Bowman

SATURDAY OCTOBER 23RD

Yeti Records Grand Opening Party & Art Show

@ Yeti Records
3506 Nicollet Ave S
Minneapolis

7 p.m. / Free

It’s big. It’s fierce. It’s your new favorite indie record store! After much anticipation, Yeti Records is finally opening its doors, and they’re celebrating the occasion with an appropriately epic opening party. James Leonardo will be spinning from his fantastic record repertoire, beer will be flowing, and the gallery walls will be packed with featured artists Matt Bardins of VisionQuest, Josh Journey-Heinz, Mike Burrill, Hannah Mae Haugberg, Jessica Seamans, Suzanne Mahoney, and Lisa Luck (who co-owns the gallery AND collaborated with the aforementioned Mahoney on the whimsial poster art you see below).

Click HERE for the Facebook event



SATURDAY OCTOBER 23RD

Benefit for Give Us Wings/Design Challenge

@ 526 Salon
526 Selby Ave
St. Paul

7 p.m. to 10 p.m. / $35

Recipe for awesome: take ten really talented clothing designers, a special photography exhibit by Elizabeth Barnwell, a silent auction, music, styling by 526 Salon, and a spectacular cause? The Give Us Wings Design Challenge and Benefit features designers Emma Berg, Pafoua Thao, Kimberly Jurek, Maggie Dayton, Seth Hardin, Renalie Bailey, Heidi Inwood, Patricia Castillo, Susan Timm, and Heather Aasandn. Each designer has been slated to create a look incorporating textiles from Africa to benefit the Give Us Wings project, which helps adults and children in Africa eradicate poverty with financial and educational person-to-person support.

Click HERE for more info


SATURDAY OCTOBER 23RD

Thanks Mpls

@ CO Exhibitions
1101 Stinson Blvd Suite #2
Minneapolis

7 p.m. to 10 p.m. / Free

MCAD alum, Aaron Draplin may have hit the proverbial art road years ago after receiving his high-falutin' graphic degree, but his devotion to the MPLS scene that helped shaped his art career definitely hasn't left his mind. The influential graphic designer has lent his talented chops to a series of big league projects, using his outspoken stance as traditional preservationist and blue collar advocate to create clean, well-conceive logos, posters, album covers and more. Tonight, don't miss as Draplin heads back to Minneapolis for an exhibition of pretty much everything he's worked on since he skipped town. Expect tons of limited-edition Draplin-designed merch including a screenprinted poster produced by Burlesque of North America and Permanent, plus custom-made CO Exhibition Field Notes and a special “Autumnal Brew” concocted by the peeps at Northern Brewer. Not to mention a guided tour of the exhibit narrated as only Draplin can and live music from The Evening Rig. All hail MPLS love!

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


SATURDAY OCTOBER 23RD

Blue Sky Blackout, Fauna, Stellar Vector, and The Seeks

@ Cause
3001 Lyndale Ave S
Minneapolis

9 p.m. / $5

We love a good rock show, and tonight's lineup surely won't disappoint. Local power sextet, Blue Sky Blackout, will have you raging from the very first screaming guitar chord along with fresh local rockers Fauna, and the neo-prog and post-punk influenced Stellar Vector. Can you say total rock carnage? But wait, there’s more: The Seeks (featuring ex-Landing Gear/Shatterproof-ers) will also be performing their first show ever. So let your hair down, get your rock hands ready, and come show your support!

Click HERE for the Cause site


SATURDAY OCTOBER 23RD

ATPH Special In-Studio Performance

@ Venus' Studio
212 3rd Ave N
Minneapolis
(park & enter through the back only)

9 p.m. / donate what you can

In anticipation of their newest album, Venus DeMars & All the Pretty Horses (yes, the full band!) welcome you to check out a special in-studio performance and visual extravaganza. At the end of the month, Venus and the gang will be flying off to NY to work with their producers and lay down the tracks for their latest release. And since the funds to make records don't grow on trees, ATPH is asking you to drop a few Benjamins to help them create an uber special CD/vinyl package, the first to be released since Creature way back in 2002. To make it worth your while, the band has procured an epic night of music and visuals featuring an art opening by artist/photography, Cora Marshall, live sets from guest bands 3 Nuns and a Gun and The Rope, and of course a killer set from the full ATPH line-up. Be there or the band will kick your a**.

Click HERE for the Facebook invite

Some vintage ATPH:

SATURDAY OCTOBER 23RD

Attitude City

@ Clubhouse Jager
913 Washington Ave
Minneapolis

10pm / 21+ / Free

Our favorite dance party is back! The badass boys of Attitude City are at it again with their monthly installation of music and mayhem. Join the DJ duo for a night of delicious dance beats and Clubhouse Jager’s tasty cocktails. Not only is it free, but we guarantee that you’ll have an awesome time mingling and dancing up on amongst some of Minneapolis’ finest.

Click HERE for the Attitude City site


SUNDAY MUSIC PICK: DAVID LYNCH

As the days draw closer to Halloween, it's no surprise that cult filmmaker David Lynch would pop into our minds. The quintessence of spook and the bizarro, Lynch is most widely known for his unorthodox approach to film metamorphosis, juxtaposing nightmare and dreamlike images, exposing the seedy underbelly of small-town life and overall confusing audiences and critics everywhere, one surreal film at a time. But did you also know the cinematic genius dabbles in music too?! From producing and writing the lyrics for two of Twin Peaks singer Julee Cruise's albums, to composing the music for Wild at Heart, Mulholland Drive and others, Lynch is just as unusual in the music department as he is via film, often jamming out on his guitar upside down and backwards and busting out any pedal effects he can get his hands on. In 2008, he even started his own record label: David Lynch MC. Recently we found little gem of a song unreleased on the soundtrack composed for the '06 film, Island Empire. The video – created by Danny Whalen – “tells the story of a sexually driven and often violent man who presumably justifies his sexual encounter with a drugged up, beautiful stranger because he sees her as 'an imaginary girl.'” Yep, sounds pretty darn Lynchian to us.




SUNDAY OCTOBER 24TH

Riot Act Reading Series

@ Turf Club
Clown Lounge
1601 University Ave.
St. Paul

7-10 p.m. / 21+

The Riot is back at the Clown Lounge for its monthly poetic throw down! As the untoppable Facebook invite says, "Attention all hot headed punk drifters and lady truckers- and all lovers of literature, poesy, illicit bon fires, renegade dance parties, automatic weapons, Huffy 10 speeds, mexican death metal---Riot Act Reading Series is ready to pounce!!" Tonight's "Customer Appreciation Night" edition of the series features an all-star lineup that includes Maggie Ryan Sanford, Jen March, Courney Mclean, series founder Paul D. Dickinson plus several special guests. Stick around for karaoke after the readings...it seems only natural, right?

Click HERE for the Facebook event


L'ETOILE NEWSWIRE

Save the Dates: Oct 29th & 30th

Join us Halloween Weekend for a double header party! Friday, October 29th we invite you to join us at the Rogue Buddha Gallery for Masquerade, an art opening featuring work by Nicholas Harper, with tunes a la Danny Sigelman (7-11pm, Free). On Saturday, October 30th, head across the river and dress to impress as l'etoile co-presents Tempo's Opera Night Out: Masquerade Ball at Sakura Restaurant (10:30pm-1am, $10), immediately following the MN Opera's opening night of Rossini's Cinderella at the Ordway.

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

Le'Art Project: Make Your Own Masquerade Mask

Not sure what to go as for Halloween? Go the elegant route with a handmade masquerade mask! This Halloween, the l'etoile crew will be co-sponsoring two events perfect for fancy mask-wearing! On Friday, October 29th we invite you to join us at the Rogue Buddha Gallery for Masquerade, an art opening featuring work by Nicholas Harper, with tunes a la Danny Sigelman. On Saturday, October 30th, head across the river and dress to impress as l'etoile co-presents Tempo's Opera Night Out: Masquerade Ball at Sakura Restaurant, immediately following the MN Opera's opening night of Rossini's Cinderella at the Ordway.

We think pairing a pretty mask with anything from a Cinderella-worthy ball gown to the perfect little black dress is the way to go this Halloween. We've put together a handy guide on how to make your own mask. You can copy ours or you can improvise by adding fake flowers, feathers, jewels or what-have-you!

Step 1: Get a Mask

We found this simple little number at Party City for under $5. They come in many shapes and sizes and range from simple to pre-made with lots of glitz. For a larger selection of pre-made masks, check out Twin Cities Costume & Magic shop in St. Paul. And yes, we know we shot this mask upside down.

Step 2: Find your Fixings!

We made our mask out of leaves. If you're going to go this route, find nice thick leaves that won't easily crumble when they dry out. Odds are you're going to get drunk and destroy your mask anyway, but the goal is to have it last as long as possible.

Step 3: Paint your Mask

Even though you may end up covering your whole mask in whatever decoration you choose, it's still good to have a base coat of paint that's complimentary to your design. In our case, it's light gold. We only did one coat but if any of your mask is going to show, use two. We used Stephen Quiller Iridescent Pale Gold acrylic from Wet Paint in St. Paul.

Step 4: Paint your Leaves

We used the same pale gold paint we used on the mask to do light brushings over the leaves. The paint also acts an adhesive of sorts for the glitter that we use in the next step. Do a few leaves at a time so it doesn't have too much time to dry. You want the glitter to stick!

Step 5: Glitterize your Leaves

Use a plate or tray when glitterizing so you can catch and reuse extra glitter. Hold the glitter shaker at least a foot or more above the leaves to ensure even placement. We got our glitter from Michael's Craft Store in an autumn themed variety pack. Make sure to get micro-glitter, it's the prettiest!

Step 6: Plan your Design

Plan out your design before just randomly gluing objects onto the mask. We chose leaves by size and shape specifically to make sure our placement was somewhat symmetrical.

Step 7: Glue Gun!

Use a glue gun to ensure the leaves or other decorations don't come loose. If you're going to be out partying all night, you need to make sure your mask doesn't come apart before the stroke of midnight! Glue guns rule and everyone should own one. Michael's carries a good variety.

Step 8: Seal it up!

Since we went crazy with glitter, the last thing we want is for it to get all over us come Halloween night! We're going to the Opera, not a rave after all. We sprayed our mask down with Krylon Crystal Clear Acrylic Gloss (also available at Michael's) to seal the deal. Let your mask dry and viola!

Step 9: Admire your Handiwork

Yep, we think our mask is pretty sweet! We're covered in gold paint and glitter as we type this tutorial, but hey, we're going to look cool on Halloween! Make your own mask and send us an email with a picture!