Thursday, December 9, 2010

Weekend What's What 12/9-12/12

THE DO-GOODERS

So the holiday season is in full swing, and along with that comes a number of fun benefit events AND oodles of opportunities to shop local. This weekend we've got a little of both, with dance parties that double as food drives and a live music event that will rock for socks to be donated to the needy. Also peppered in are tons of great, locally-sourced shopping events that will help you take care of all the special people on your list and support local crafters and independently owned businesses at the same time. Do a little good while partying a lot this weekend!

xo-l'étoile


ALSO THIS WEEK ON L'ETOILE

Tara Sloane interviews DJ Millions Billions

Kate Iverson recaps WAMarchy

Jahna & Lauren update our Guide to Sales & Shopping


THURSDAY DECEMBER 9TH

Twin Cities Top Ten Titans in Social Media 2010

@ Rogue Buddha Gallery
357 13th Ave NE
Minneapolis

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

Local media titans don't merely move and shake, they're the Emerald City Oz's behind art events, public relations, political ceremonies and independent soirees. Often unseen and seldom celebrated, these media hounds are the innovative limit pushers who find new ways to use social media and raise the bar for the platforms they work in. Tonight, join Just Judy Creative Communications as they present a kudos the dames and gents behind the proverbial curtain: TC's Top Ten Titans in Social Media '10. Find out who made the coveted “top 10” cut while hobnobbing with some of the most influential peeps in the biz. With MC Miss Shannan Paul – comedian, actress, Twitter Goddess and Promotions and Marketing Director for Northern Lights Broadcasting and the new 96.3 NOW – and music from DJ Eric Lovold and his duo Hi-Fi/Lo-Fi. These titans may not get a trident to tote around, but we think they should.

Bonus: Just a little gossip – last year l'étoile's own Kate Iverson was on the list and this year she returned as a judge!

Click HERE for the Facebook event



THURSDAY DECEMBER 9TH

Rock Your Frock

@ Loft 2
(above OM Restaurant)
401 1st Avenue N.
Minneapolis

7 p.m. / $15 general or $40 VIP

What: The glam folks at Minneapolis’ own Drama Boutique have teamed up with the stylish gents who brought you Suit Up and Atmosfere Menswear to bring you the perfect holiday catwalk to welcome in the Christmas season. This Thursday, feast your eyes on tons of glitzy dresses, NYE must-haves and elegant get-ups atop our very own Ignite Models as they make their way down the runway. Expect to see classy cocktail dresses from big name designers such as London-wear from TFNC (Time for New Clothes) or Nu by Marc Anthony in addition to the local lovelies from Rox by Robyne Robinson, Kjurek, m.bridget designs and more. (Pictured: TFNC)

Click HERE for more fashion and shopping events in our weekly guide



FRIDAY ART PICK: SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED CHRISTMAS PODCAST

What kind of art is l'etoile checkin' out this week?

Nothing screams holiday cheer like a Christmas Podcast from our favorite local sound collage artist, Jonathan Nelson. His nationally syndicated radio program, Some Assembly Required, offers up a highly curated assortment of genres, from plunderphonics to turntablism to bastard pop—all of which are oodles of fun to say. The result is an amalgamation of fantabulous sound art. Visit the SAR site to download the podcast this Saturday or check it now for some teasers - this ain't your momma's Christmas music!

Click HERE for the SAR blog




FRIDAY DECEMBER 10TH


Black Christmas at Blacklist Vintage

@ Blacklist Vintage
25 E 26th St.
Minneapolis

6 p.m. to 9 p.m. / Free

Blacklist Vintage and l'étoile magazine present the annual Black Friday shopping event, just in time for all your vintagey holiday party needs! This festive shopping event is designed to help you find a dashing holiday ensemble, and Blacklist and l'étoile will act as personal shoppers for the evening, assisting you in finding the perfect party frock or dapper dinner jacket - all marked down 10 percent for one night only. Enjoy sweets, champagne, and music by DJs Pink Mink all night long. Plus, score a free guest list spot to l'étoile's annual '50s-themed holiday party, Jubilee, only at Black Christmas - no purchase necessary!

Click HERE for the Facebook event

Click HERE for more fashion and shopping events in our weekly guide


FRIDAY DECEMBER 10TH

37th Annual Shitty Christmas Party

@ Triple Rock
629 Cedar Avenue
Minneapolis

9 p.m. / Free / 21+

Don’t let the name fool you: The 37th Annual Shitty Christmas Party, happening Friday, is actually the coolest holiday gathering in town. Continuing age-old seasonal traditions of “drinking too much, dancing too enthusiastically and embarrassing yourself in front of co-workers,” this event brings together pretty much every awesome local DJ ever –Jonathan Ackerman, Millions Billions, Tendercakes, Soviet Panda, DJ Bach, Famuel, to name a few – for a dance party bigger than Santa himself. And unlike the VIP parties of yore, it’s open to everyone. Bring a non-perishable food item and be entered in a raffle for a year’s supply of Red Bull, among other goodies.

Click HERE for the Facebook event

Click HERE for Tara Sloane's interview with Millions Billions about the event


FRIDAY DECEMBER 10TH

BNLX EP #4 Release Party

@ The Entry
701 First Ave
Minneapolis

9 p.m. / 18+/ $6

If you've ever had your doubts about the power of the ol' arcane word-of-mouth, local band BNLX is here to set you straight. What started as a mysterious new music duo back in March, has now grown into one of the most popular bands on the Susstones label, almost due solely to their live fan base and strict hype. Led by dynamic husband-and-wife pair, Ed Ackerson and Ashley Ackerson (of Polara and the Mood Swings), the edgy band blends modern rock and electronica for a propulsive unique sound that deserves every ounce of attention they get. Tonight, join the band for Phase 4 of what they refer to as their epic “First One Year” plan comprised of a U.S. tour and a handful of impressive EP releases. 89.3 The Current and Susstones play host with special guest performances from Farewell Continental (featuring Justin Pierre of Motion City Soundtrack), Voytek and Red Pens.

Click HERE for the Facebook event


FRIDAY DECEMBER 10TH (THROUGH SATURDAY)

Doomtree Blowout VI

@First Avenue
701 First Ave
Minneapolis

Friday 8pm / 21+ / $15
Saturday 6pm / All Ages / $15

The members of local hip hop's hardest working collective have seen a tremendously huge year - solo albums from Dessa, Lazerbeak, Sims, and Paper Tiger; the Gayngs collaboration; a stunning Coachella performance by P.O.S.;and a massive cross country tour, that for the first time ever featured the entire family. Friday and Saturday night, they'll be bringing it all back home to the stage that nurtured them. These shows will be a monument to just how far Doomtree have upped their game since their inception a decade ago. The annual Blowout is unquestionably the crown jewel of Minneapolis rap shows - watching the 7 members of doomtree storm the mainroom stage is an intensely powerful statement. Anyone lucky enough to have a ticket will get to experience Lazerbeak and Paper Tiger's next-level beats paired with the effortless and immaculate rhymes of Dessa, Sims, Mike Mictlan, Cecil Otter; and absolutely NO ONE shakes the audience quite like ringleader P.O.S. It's simply not worth missing.

Bonus: Between sets, pop on over to Extra Large in the Record Room to groove to some tasty home-spun sets from Burlesque of North America DJs Mike 2600 and WEZZ WINSHIP. $3/$5 18+.

Click HERE for the Doomtree site

Doomtree Blowout 6 from Doomtree Records on Vimeo.


FRIDAY DECEMBER 10TH

CLAPS, Food Pyramid, Kitten Forever, Wizards are Real

@ Cause
3001 Lyndale Ave S
Minneapolis

10 p.m. / $6

Cause has become a weekend staple for the stellar local lineup. Friday, the venue will host minimal-synth trio CLAPS, noted for their what-you-see-is-what-you-get approach (a.k.a. no prerecorded tracks or sequences). Joining them are the delightfully enigmatic, orchestral powerhouse Food Pyramid; the Hüsker Dü-influenced riot grrrl quartet Kitten Forever, and Wizards are Real, from whom to expect ambient, Explosions in the Sky-esque arrangements, but with twinges of rhythm and groove.

Click HERE for the Cause site


COOL LINK: GUIDE TO SALES & SHOPPING

What's l'etoile peepin' on the web this week?

Haven't gotten your Christmas shopping done? Digging for the best designer discounts? Or just curious who's cascading our local catwalks this weekend? Fret no more! Our weekly shopping guide has got you covered. Every Monday, join two of our l'etoile ladies (fashion editor Jahna Peloquin and writer Lauren Gantner) to get the inside scoop on what's what in Minnesota's best shopping, fashion and sales around the cities from trunk shows at local boutiques to VIP runway shows at big name venues. This holiday season our guide is packed to the gills with fun special events, deals and steals!

Click HERE for this week's shopping Guide

Art image by Amy Rice / from Amy Rice's open studio & Art Sale on Saturday


SATURDAY DECEMBER 11TH

CO Exhibitions' World (craft) Fair

@ CO Exhibitions
1101 Stinson Blvd NE
Minneapolis

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. / Free

If one craft sale wasn’t enough for you this weekend, make sure to make time for the CO Exhibitions Fair this Saturday to really get your crafty side going. This big sale is taking place inside the CO Exhibitions gallery space and will bring together over 20 unique artists. Snag some truly unique gifts for under your tree from the likes of CO Exhibitions co-owners Burlesque of North America, plus MakeMPLS, Miss Amy Jo, Tooth, Too Many Suitors, Go Travel Wear, Gretchen Grace Jewelry, Rectangle Designs, and so many more. Not only will there be shopping, but you can expect tons of tasty treats, goodies and grab bags and even some DJ action throughout the day. (Pictured: Arcade Fire tour print by Burlesque)

Click HERE for the facebook event


SATURDAY DECEMBER 11TH (THROUGH SUNDAY)

Mighty Swell Vintage Pop-Up Shop

@ Tarnish & Gold
1511 Marshall St. NE
Minneapolis

10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday, Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday / Free

Make your holiday "mighty swell" with another round of the hit Mighty Swell Pop-Up shop! This time around, grab your friends and make your way to Northeast's Tarnish & Gold gallery to peek through mounds of totally chic and affordable vintage clothing, accessories and home furnishings. In addition to the dynamite deals, dress in your vintage finest to flaunt your fancy get-up in the photo booth with Miss Emily Tetens. Plus, if you find the perfect piece of clothing in a not-so-perfect fit, affordable on-site alterations will be offered all day Saturday.

Click HERE for the Mighty Swell site


SATURDAY DECEMBER 11TH

A Few of Our Favorite Things

@ The Gallery @ Fox Tax
503 1st Ave NE
Minneapolis

6 p.m. to 10 p.m. / Free

Lovers of musicals may know all of Julie Andrews' favorite things, “raindrops” an occasional “warm woolen mitten,” but what of our beloved art enthusiasts? What gets their hearts a'hopping during the chill winter months? Well, tonight head down to the Gallery at Fox Tax for a brand new exhibit highlighting the artistic obsessions of Fox Tax owners Mark and Alyssa Fox and regular curator Emma Berg. For this holiday exhibit, the three art aficionados have hand-picked ten of their favorite artists to create a salon-style collage that showcases the artistic chops, depth and variety of our local artists as well as the eclectic tastes of the curators and collectors involved. Also as part of the holiday reception, the featured artists have generously donated a piece of artwork to be sold as a gift-wrapped, sight unseen pieces for $100. All proceeds will go to the charity of the artists' choosing, creating a community give-back and furthering the mission of Fox Tax – i.e. attaining affordable art. Expect art from over 80 artists including Andrea Stanislav, Jennifer Davis, Miles Mendenhall, Frank Gaard, Drew Peterson, Broken Crow, David Hansen and many, many more.

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

Artwork by Jennifer Davis


SATURDAY DECEMBER 11TH

Icon: Erin Sayer & Louis Greenstock

@ Gallery13
811 LaSalle Avenue
Minneapolis

8 p.m. / Free

Faces of local, national, and international icons will fill the walls of Gallery13 Saturday, as local painters Erin Sayer and Louisa Greenstock introduce their new collaboration, fittingly titled Icon. Sayer is known for her distinct and powerful portraits of icons in their prime, working with modern materials such as spray paint, sign paint, paint markers, and varnish on sheet metal. Greenstock works with more traditional materials, predominantly oil on canvas, and is often praised for her visually aggressive style and bold color choices. Their chosen icons have yet to be revealed, but it’s no secret that this show will pack a punch – especially with opening event tunes a la Space Lounge with DJ Venus DeMars.

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


SATURDAY DECEMBER 11TH

Rock for Socks

@Turf Club
1601 University Ave
Saint Pau

9 p.m. / 21+ / $6 or $3 with donation of new socks

We’re willing to bet the socks on our feet that you don’t have Saturday night plans firmed up. Head to the Turf Club this Saturday, as four of our favoritefavoritefavorite bands rock a benefit concert for The Family Partnership. Join Me And My Arrow, The Goondas, Canby, and Pictures of Then in what will surely be a sound explosion so awesome your mom will hear it. Plus, show up at the door with a brand new pair of socks, and you’ll get your cover charge slashed in half! (Just enough to get you that standard PBR tallboy.) Rock the Cause will be hanging around, looking cool and collecting socks for The Family Partnership, to make sure that the socks go to families who need them. Rock for socks indeed.

Click HERE for the Facebook event


SATURDAY DECEMBER 11TH

Serious Dance Party

@ Old Tibet
2815 Hennepin Ave S
Minneapolis

Midnight to 6 a.m. / 18+, $7,/ 21+, $5

Think what you will of Four Loko: it's too weak, it's too strong...yadda yadda yadda. What matters is when VH1 does their looking back special on 2010, one of the highlights will indubitably be this sweet, caffeine-ridden, alcoholic nectar of the gods and the craycray nights it's induced. And just so you'll know and your children will someday know (in the words of Julia Sugarbaker), let's get a head start on hailing this Four Loko business and its banning drama with tonight's par-tay. Join the boys of The Moon Goons and their DJ friends for an evening that celebrates the madness that is Four Loko. Come ready to dance, dance, dance, get LOKO...and likely not remember a vast majority of the night. You've been forewarned!

Click HERE for the Facebook event


SUNDAY MUSIC PICK: MN BEATLE PROJECT VOLUME 2

What's l'etoile listening to this week?

Another reason to absolutely adore the North Star state: the albums produced by The Minnesota Beatle Project, which feature Minnesota-born-or-based musicians performing originally arranged compositions of their favorite Beatles songs. Volume 2 is fresh from the studio, with Total Babe performing “Revolution,” Pert Near Sandstone performing “I am the Walrus,” A Night in the Box performing “Happiness is a Warm Gun,” and that’s just the beginning. Even better: all proceeds go to benefit music and art programs in Minnesota public schools. Pick up your copy – and grab a few for stocking stuffers – at Target or the Electric Fetus and online.

Click HERE to order online


SUNDAY DECEMBER 12TH

Rockstar Storytellers: Game Night

@ Minneapolis Theatre Garage
711 W Franklin Ave
Minneapolis

7 p.m. to 9 p.m. / $10 - $12

Bust out your board games and egg nog to celebrate the season with cheer! Minneapolis' own spoken word studs, The Rockstar Storytellers, are hosting another bout of their annual holiday Game Night. Let out your inner child this Christmas with mounds of board games, video games, card games and more whilst listening to the Rockstars spin their yarns and nibbling on holiday treats. Game Night will be hosted by Ben San Del and Joseph Scrimshaw and will featuring stories from Mike Fotis, phillip andrew bennett low, Courtney McLean, Dave Mondy and Amy Salloway.

Click HERE for the Facebook event


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

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