We wait and wait and yet Spring has yet to officially lay its claim. The ridiculous appearance of snow earlier this week made us cry a single tear and we can't help but be a bit miffed in general at the weather. However, this weekend holds enough hot events to make us (temporarily) forget, and though MNFashion Week is technically complete, there are still a bevy of cool fashion events on the plate. Enjoy, and leave your jacket at home...if you dare.
xo-l'etoile
ALSO THIS WEEK ON L'ETOILE
MNFashion Week reviews are IN:
Voltage
Emma Berg/Kevin Kramp
CounterCouture/George Moskal
Secret Garden Fashion Show
Jagress Intimates
Envision Artopia
Jahna and Lauren update our guide to sales & shopping
THURSDAY APRIL 21ST
MIA Third Thursday
@ Mpls Institute of Arts
2400 3rd Ave. S.
Minneapolis
6 p.m. / Free
Local theatric rock duo Fort Wilson Riot is heading on tour this Friday – but not before one final May Day-themed heyday for MIA’s Third Thursday! Don your jazzy May Day mask – which you can make at the event, guided by Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theater artists – and shake your tail (and face) feathers to one of the band’s signature high-energy performances. HOTB performers will also be teaching attendees a thing or two about proper parade modus operandi (a.k.a. how to “work your mojo” without looking ridiculous), which we hope you won’t forget come May Day. Don’t forget to put your own personal touch on a gigantic HOTB May Day puppet – or to stop by the Minnesota Artists Exhibition Program’s latest exhibition opening, featuring Paula McCartney’s photographic “Field Guide to Snow and Ice” and Liz Miller’s “Ornamental Invasion,” an installation of two- and three-dimensional components cut from colorful industrial felt.
Click HERE for the MIA site
Photo by Paula McCartney
THURSDAY APRIL 21ST
Sex Rays + L’Assassins
@ Nick and Eddie
1612 Harmon Place
Minneapolis
9 p.m. – 2 a.m. / 21+ / $5
KFAI DJ, local music devotee and rad lady music blogger, Cyn Collins, has been an endorser for local 60’s/70’s vintage-esque trio Sex Rays since the get go. And why wouldn’t she be? Besides being ultra-cool MPLS bad boys donned in black leather jackets and shades at night that give Corey Hart a run for his money, the band’s retro-vibed rockabilly transmits fans to a time warp music scene circa The Ramones and the Sex Pistols, where straight up, hardcore rock n’ roll steams from the amps and guitar riffs electrocute the party – metaphorically, of course. Comprised of ex-Fuck Knights members, Joe Hastings and Joe Holland and Ben Crunk, the garage rockers haven’t been around that long – they made their live debut less than a year ago at Palmer’s – but they pack a sound transcending time and bridging the rock eras. Join the trio tonight for a set kicked off by a DJ spun set from Cyn herself and a debut performance from new local girl punkers (yes!!!) L’Assassins.
Click HERE for the Facebook event
FRIDAY ART PICK: ANNA-WILI HIGHFIELD
What's l'etoile looking at this week?
Anna-Wili Highfield may not have an official studio yet, but her gorgeous paper bird and horse sculptures have already caught the eye of many the art and design aficionado. In recent months, this Sydney-based sculptor and puppeteer’s daughter was featured in the New York Times Style Magazine and was asked to create two large Pegasus sculptures for Hermès in Brisbane. And for good reason: her equine and avian marvels, made from hand-painted pieces of archival cotton paper sewn together and shaped with copper or brass wire are not only absolutely stunning, but capture the movement and wild energy of the creatures they imitate. As peculiar as they are pretty, they’re the epitome of what it is for art to imitate life – the fascinating, moving force that it is. And besides, they’re a whole lot more alluring than anything made by a taxidermist (who decided antlers were trendy, anyways?).
Click HERE for the website
FRIDAY APRIL 22NDArtisan Activist Poster Show
@ Aveda Institute
400 Central Ave
Minneapolis
7 p.m. to 10 p.m. / Free
An art show in the decadent Aveda Institute Ballroom? Be still our hearts. Join dozens of poster artists and activist-types for this visually yummy benefit for the Audubon Mississippi Project, whose mission is to restore and protect habitat and water quality along the Mississippi River. The exhibit features the works of almost 50 artists including Allen Brewer, Tooth, J. Zachary Keenan, Chris Strouth, Gregory Hubacek, Angel Bomb Studios, Peter Skwiot Smith, Aaron Purmort, Lisa Troutman and oh-so many more. Just in time for Earth Day, this thoughtful yet impeccably curated (and reasonably priced) selection of eclectic works is just what you need to kickstart Spring in vivid color. Not to mention, an art show that's bound to smell like Aveda products is something we can get behind, 100%.
Click HERE for the Facebook page
FRIDAY APRIL 22ND
Accountant’s New Year
@ Fox Tax
503 1st Ave. NE
Minneapolis
6 p.m. / Free
If you’re like us, your tax return check is long since gone – but for local accountants, the party – or at least the adventure on the other side of the desk – is only just beginning. Celebrate the end of tax season with a heavy dose of tomfoolery that only the folks of Fox Tax could stir up. The evening’s shenanigans start at the gallery, where you should take advantage of your last chance to see (and purchase goodies from) the “A Few of our Favorite Things” exhibit, a salon-style showing of the owners Mark and Alyssa Fox's and curator Emma Berg’s most beloved local and national artists. After that, hop-skip-and-jump to the Red Stag for sweet beats by DJ Bach and sweeter treats, including a shiny new Accountant’s New Year champagne cocktail on happy hour special. No resolutions required. Cheers!
Click HERE for the Fox Tax site
Art by Anne George
FRIDAY APRIL 22ND
Fashion Dance for Life
@ Windows on Minnesota
80 8th St So
Minneapolis
8 p.m. / $20 General Admission,$50-$60 Seated, $80-$100 VIP
Combine time travel with MNfashion week and you’ve got Minneapolis’ official Fashion Dance for Life. Friday evening, Eleve Productions has put together a fancy night of flair and talent that will document fashion’s spread throughout history. All Friday night, dancers and models from the area will be sashaying about in history inspired looks from local designers to the tunes of Twin Cities-centric musicians - all to raise money for the Hughes Foundation.
Click HERE for more info
FRIDAY APRIL 22ND
The Rope EP Release Party
@ The Fine Line
318 1st Ave N
Minneapolis
8 p.m. – 2 a.m. / 21+ / $5
We’ve always been a fan of the dark side, so when we caught wind of the new project from five local dudes known for their love of the dark tunes, our caliginous side perked up. The latest band off Late Century Records, The Rope borrows its sound from the post-punk era – heavy synth, glitchy guitar, reverb up the wazoo – with a modern edge and includes members Jesse Hagon, Mike Browning and Paul Teravskis on keys. The show kicks off with a mystery guest DJ set plus a video and live set from modern rock power trio, Not Like This, dark desperado rock from The Funeral and the Twilight and danceable electro from Thought Thieves. Snag pre-sale tix early at the band’s fave java hangout, Plan B Coffeehouse and be prepared to be surprised by this new group with major potential.
Click HERE for the Facebook event
FRIDAY APRIL 22ND
Kirk for a Day: A Rob Callahan Birthday Special
@ Club Jager
923 Washington Ave N
Minneapolis
9 p.m. / 21+ / Free
What can we say about dapper gent, sci-fi geek, trivia stumper, spoken word warrior and deliciously sardonic author (and periodic l’etoile contributor!) Rob Callahan? If you know the man-about-CONS well enough to call him a friend, consider yourself one lucky S.O.B. Really, how many peeps do you know whose bitter-soaked charm, delightful weirdness and glut of bookish knowledge have earned them the prestigious honor of being immortalized in cocktail form, i.e. Paul T and Jager’s libation invention, The Rob Callahan. Check awesome live performances from some of Cahallan’s favorite local musicians including a mind-boggling auditory/visual set from Byzantine Beatbox, sets from Astronaut Wife, Jonah the Destroyer, Cantankerous Folk’s Joseph Ye, and Mayda. Plus – because Callahan is never sans the spirit of Shatnerian spoken word – have your ears tickled by the oral rantings and satirical wanderings of Cahallan himself. Head down early for happy hour and enjoy drink specials, yummy food and tunes all night long. And don’t forget to give Cahallan the age-old Vulcan salute and let the man feel like Captain Kirk for a day.
Click HERE for the facebook event
Photo by Robyn Lewis
FRIDAY APRIL 22ND
Haley Bonar CD release show
@ The Cedar
416 Cedar Ave S
Minneapolis
8 p.m. / All Ages / $15
Local folk-pop sweetheart Haley Bonar's country-inspired brand of folk has garnered her some serious acclaim as of late (including the formation of a rock/new-wave side project Gramma's Boyfriend), with an enchanting new full-length release entitled Golder, Bonar offers some of her most compelling work to date. Hers are the type of songs you want on your ipod as you zone out and watch the human race go by. Join Haley with special guests Sin Ropas as she presents the world with her eagerly anticipated fifth full length, and if you're so inclined, be sure to donate to Haley's Kickstarter campaign. Fork over $100 and
receive backstage passes for a meet & greet! Sounds like an outstanding way to spend Earth Day/Good Friday!
Click HERE for the Cedar site
City of Music: Haley Bonar from MPLS.TV on Vimeo.
COOL LINK: NINE EYES
What's l'etoile looking at on the web this week?
Prepare to waste your afternoon with this. With 9-eyes, you can now totally get an insider’s peek at the secret, unseen sights of the world – all without leaving your desk. From guinea pig walkers to childish gunmen, discover all the unnoticed goings-on through the nine eyes of the Google maps Street View camera. Intrigued by the idea of a cameraman-less camera, Jon Rafman has spent time compiling these bazaar Google images to show his take on REAL photos – ones that can catch a scene without being interrupted by a photographer.
Click HERE for the 9-Eyes site
SATURDAY APRIL 23RD
MCAD MFA Exhibition
@ Soap Factory
514 2nd St NE
Minneapolis
1 p.m.-5 p.m. / Free
Wonder where your MCAD friends go the months before MFA Thesis time? Hard at work for the premiere of the annual Design MFA Thesis exhibition, of course. Today, MCAD and the Soap Factory quietly open this annual group show featuring the work of talented students before they set their sights on creative life after MCAD. Peep the work of 12 MCAD students and candidates for the MFA program including Shannon Brady, Stu Brown, Graham Judd, Casey J. Opstad and more showcasing mix media, illustrations, drawings, indie comic book art, photography and installations. Note: the reception will be held at the end of the show's run--otherwise open regular Soap Factory hours starting today.
Click HERE for this art event and more at mplsart.com
Artwork by Graham Judd:
SATURDAY APRIL 23RD
Take the [effing] Canvas
@ Tarnish and Gold
1511 Marshall St. NE
Minneapolis
2 p.m. / Free
Tarnish and Gold is peace-ing out of Northeast, but before they go, they're giving away their walls. Seriously – a bunch of local artists, including Chuck U, Rogue Citizen, Paige Guggemos, Kylo Moonguts, and Brian D. Downs, will be live painting directly on the gallery’s (canvas) walls, the spoils of which will go to the highest bidder. You can even paint and cut out your own chunk of canvas – or help out with a collaborative piece for T&G. There will be paint by numbers. And live music. And a barbecue/potluck (bring your own supplies). And a whole lot of excess stuff that the gallery would love to sell to you. Talk about going out in style! See you there.
Click HERE for this art event and more at mplsart.com
SATURDAY APRIL 23RD
Arena Bikini: Iconoclast
@ Grainbelt Bottling House
79 13th Ave NE
Minneapolis
8pm / $45-$100
It seems as though it's been a long time since Minnesotans have feasted their eyes on short-sleeves, let alone bikini wear. Tonight, say goodbye to hefty winter coats and lumbering boots and say hello to the latest in swimwear crafted by local designers and paired with choreography by ARENA Dances Artistic Director, Matthew Janczewski. Peep distressed denim, glitter and miniscule leather bikinis bared by ultra-hot Vision models. Enjoy cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, a silent auction and tasty beats with profits going to benefit the local nonprofit dance company, ARENA Dances.
Click HERE for the Arena Bikini site
SATURDAY APRIL 23RD
Sol Inspirations: Eco Fashion Gala
@ The Depot Minneapolis
225 Third Ave S.
Minneapolis
7 p.m. to 10 p.m. / $35 GA or $75 VIP
Though eco-friendly fashion can still do some major damage to your checking account, it's worth it to give your conscience and the planet a break. Though minimizing your carbon footprint no longer means a wardrobe made of hemp, at Sol Inspirations, Project Runway Season 7 winner Seth Aaron Henderson will bring environmentally sound fashion to the next level. The presentation, which will feature his solar-powered designs, also includes Twin Cities designers such as Jenny Carle and Kathryn V., and a design competition including locally grown fashion darlings and Project Runway alumnu Christopher Straub and Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman.
Click HERE for the Facebook event
SATURDAY APRIL 23RDThe Goondas/Skoal Kodiak/Torch the Game/Hot Rash
@ Turf Club
1601 University Ave.
St. Paul
9 p.m. / 21+ / $5
The Goondas have been bringing their gritty, old-school sound with a rockstar-pulse that vibes through the hipster-heavy Minneapolis scene since 2008 when the band first starting pressing out, and they do it with a sort of knowing grin behind their songs. They are the best of rock 'n' roll influences--Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan--and they are just as unapologetically fierce when they play live. Skoal Kodiak, on the other hand, beckons the smooth groove of reggae-meets-the early '90's, and count among their array of unique instruments a modified bleach bottle, circuit-bends, and other distortional instruments for a truly unique sound. Their show on Saturday night at the iconic Turf Club, along with indie rockers Torch the Game and Hot Rash, is not to be missed.
Click HERE for the Turf site
SUNDAY MUSIC PICK: LITTLE VOLCANO
What's l'etoile listening to this week?
One of our dear l'etoile contributors, Natalie, has been vacaying out in Portland this week, and took in a local music show to survey the scene. She stumbled into the Doug Fir and discovered the all-girl ensemble Little Volcano, a hard-rocking, guitar-and-bass-driven, punchy four-chick outfit brimming with grit-laden Americana goodness. These ladies bring a sound that is a little vintage, a little hard-edged rock 'n' roll--like a lace dress soaked in a rail whiskey cocktail, with the lead singer's voice dipping into a Stevie Nicks-esque gutsy anguish, tortured in the sexy kind of way. Check out their 2010-released Precious Beast EP, and do it now.
Click HERE for more info
Editor in Chief: Kate Iverson // Contributors: Juleana Enright, Tara Sloane, Natalie Gallagher, Kate Iverson, Robyn Lewis, Jahna Peloquin, Lauren Gantner
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