The forecast this weekend looks a bit dreary, but that certainly won't stop us from enjoying ourselves! With all the amazing events going on any given weekend, you Twin Citians always manage to have fun, rain or shine -- are we right? Consider this weekend your opportunity to bust out that cute vintage umbrella you've been saving (literally) for a rainy day; or simply forget about the weather and get sweaty at an awesome rock n' roll show. We have faith that something as trivial as "weather" couldn't possibly get between you and a good time. That said, we'll see you out and about -- just don't forget that cute vintage umbrella!
xo-l'étoile
ALSO THIS WEEK ON L'ETOILE
Lauren Gantner snaps pix at Soundset
Jahna Peloquin recaps the One Man Minneapolis event
Jahna Peloquin updates our Sales & Shopping Guide
THURSDAY JUNE 3RD (THROUGH SUNDAY)
Sound Unseen International Duluth
@ Various venues
Duluth, MN
Various times/ Various costs
Minneapolis' beloved and uber cool international music & film festival moves to Duluth? Is nothing sacred anymore? Just kidding! We're stoked to share the love. The fest – which officially kicked off Wednesday – is attracting tons of music hipsters and indie-film-loving visitors this weekend with a showcase of music-based films from around the world paired with some awesome MN-based bands. Duluth's Pizza Luce serves as the official Sound Unseen headquarters/music venue to bands Heiruspecs, Charlie Parr, Bight Club, Roma di Luna, Gay Witch Abortion and more. The fest also features Midwest premieres including the teen sensation film, Sounds Like Teen Spirit as well as award-winning documentaries, SXSW and Sundance Film Festival hits plus international films and directorial debuts. One of the major highlights will come closing night: Phil Harder's highly aticipated Low Movie, a short film/music vid/documentary mashup art piece that is sure to be something special. And – as just a hop skip and a jump away from the Twin Cities – Duluth's Sound Unseen fest is the perfect artsy mini-getaway for you and your friends; you know you need it!
Bonus: Check out Kate Iverson's City Pages interview with big name MN-bred filmmaker and Low Movie director, Phil Harder.
Click HERE for the Sound Unseen Duluth site
THURSDAY JUNE 3RD
Opening the Field: A Conversation and Celebration Kick-off
@ Walker Art Center
1750 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis
6-10pm/free
After the disappointing announcement regarding Movies in the Park this year, the Walker guarantees to soften the blow with a series of art-inclusive programs designed to be a community-wide playground and intellectual hub. Kicking things off is the Walker's summer-long experiment, Open Field. Part melding of minds, part outdoors party, Open Field welcomes five guest speakers from across the “field” spectrum to discuss topics ranging from new media and art to philosophy and education and more, transforming the Walker's backyard into a cultural commons. The mélange of lecturers includes the Director of Web and New Media Strategy at the Smithsonian Institute, the co-founder of OurGoods network, as well as innovative artists, a landscape designer and even a musicologist! This week's guest is Jon Ippolito – conceptual architect and web collaborator working to promote network art and culture with his web projects, The Pool and ThoughtMesh. After the social hour, head outdoors for “happy hour” featuring cocktails, DJ spun tunes and more culture-related tète-à-tète. In addition to the lecture series, Open Field will feature a weekly drawing club, a collective tool shed filled with summer toys, artist collective projects, workshops – including a screen printing session with Calpurnia Peach, outdoor games and other family-friendly activities. In other words, the Walker insists “me backyard es su backyard!”
Bonus: Don't forget – tonight is also the Walker's Target Free First Thursday affair. So head down early and stay late to peep new exhibits, films and get crafty -- all for the amazing price of $0.
Click HERE for this art event and more at mplsart.com
THURSDAY JUNE 3RD (THROUGH SATURDAY)
The Great American Semi-Annual Scratch & Dent $5 Poster Sale
@ Who Made Who Studio
158 13th Ave NE
Minneapolis
Thursday 5-9pm, Friday 5-9pm & Saturday 12-5pm
This weekend the graphically talented peeps of Who Made Who are offering up a giant pile of glorious posters for bargain basement prices! This time around, their Semi-Annual Scratch and Dent event is supplying peeps a fab selection of slightly misprinted or damaged poster prints -- which more often than not -- makes the print in question that much more unique. Pick up a new poster for your room for just five bucks, hand made by one of Minneapolis’ finest poster design collectives. Stop by Thursday through Saturday to get your paws on some of these unique pieces of art before they are gone! Plus, the team will be handing out yummy homemade cupcake, and who can argue with that?
Click HERE for the Facebook event
DRESSING ROOM ART PICK: CO EXHIBITIONS
The Twin Cities are so cool. It seems like every other day something inventive, innovative and inspiring pops up, and summer's fertile ground is the perfect catalyst for high levels of creative activity. Enter CO Exhibitions. As the Dressing Room reported last week, this new Northeast gallery is about to enter our hemisphere -- and it's a doozy! A collaborative effort between the art rockstars at Burlesque of North America/First Amendment Gallery and curator/art instigator Joseph Belk of design collective Permanent, CO Exhibitions certainly has the street cred and the know-how to make big things happen -- and big things are already slated for this summer and beyond. With a kick off exhibition featuring the artwork of the Twin Cities most beloved hip hop crew, Doomtree, this first impression is definitely one that will make one hell of an impact. The Dressing Room had a nice chat with co-ringleader Joseph Belk, a man who has had his talented fingers in some of the coolest exhibits and installations in the cities over the past couple of years including Save Canvas, Sweet Hair, The Slow Mirror & The Metronome and more. This week, he talks Co gallery, Doomtree, and of course, the local art scene.
Click HERE to read the rest of Kate Iverson's Dressing Room interview with Joseph Belk on CityPages.com
FRIDAY JUNE 4TH
Bike Art V Opening
@ Altered Esthetics
1224 Quincy St NE
Minneapolis
7pm / Free
It’s back! Northeast’s finest warehouse wonderland, Altered Esthetics, is hosting their 5th annual Bike Art exhibit. Stop by this Friday for their opening party to peep tons of art -- all based on bikes, of course! The exhibit will show off an array of art, from photography to sculptures to live performances from almost 30 artists. Expect a showcase of talent from artists like custom bike creator Dominick Austin, France Barbeau, Adam Turman, Jamie Schumacher, Robbie Halverson and many more. Plus, The Eclectic Ensemble will be keepin’ the beat all evening with their solar powered tunes. But don’t fret, if you srsly can’t make it on Friday, the rad exhibit will be up and running until June 24th.
Click HERE for this art event and more at mplsart.com
FRIDAY JUNE 4TH
Beautiful Darling: The Life and Times of Candy Darling
@ Walker Art Center Cinema
1750 Hennepin Ave.
Minneapolis
7:30pm / $5
The Walker Art Center’s fifth annual “Queer Takes” series delves into the controversial and oft complex concept of family within the LGBT community. Launching this year’s series is “Beautiful Darling: The Life and Times of Candy Darling, Andy Warhol Superstar,” a documentary produced by Candy’s lifetime partner, Jeremiah Newton. Born James Slattery in the suburbs of Long Island in 1944, transsexual performer Candy Darling fled her family’s mockery and abuse to New York City. There she was embraced by the city’s radical and oh-so-risqué underground theater circuit, which eventually led her to Andy Warhol’s legendary Factory. Through both current and original interviews, excerpts from Candy's diaries and letters, and vintage footage of Candy and her friends, this film explores her extraordinary, albeit short (she died of lymphoma at the age of 29) life, carrying with it themes of boldness, self-creation and being true to yourself.
Click HERE for the WAC site
FRIDAY JUNE 4TH
ART MATters
@ SooVac
2638 Lyndale Ave S
Minneapolis
6-9pm / $10 suggested donation
We'll be the first to admit we may have packed on a few lbs of winter weight last season – after all nothing goes better with a good Buffy episode than a pizza, right? That's why tonight's SooVAC event – promising yoga + a gallery party – really caught our eye. Fitness and art, what could be better?! Things kick off with a Vinyasa Practice at 6pm outdoors led by local yoga aficionados, Gorilla Yogis. After a little stretching, muscle building and intense mind-clearing, head inside the gallery for wine, snacks and tunes courtesy of DJ Sheik; not to mention, the unveiling of Art MATters, a whole exhibit devoted to locally designed yoga mats! Peep through original designs from artists Isaac Arvold, Peter Bekke of Burlesque North America, Jennifer Davis, Terrence Payne, Amy Rice and many more. Vote for your faves and even enter to win an one of the awesome locally printed yoga mats – perfect for mastering your form and getting bathing suit ready. BYOMat.
Bonus: This will be your first chance to peeps SooVAC's new space -- conveniently located directly next door to their old space!
Click HERE for this art event and more at mplsart.com
FRIDAY JUNE 4TH (THROUGH JUNE 13TH)
Persephone: Reign of Fire
@ Bedlam Theatre
1501 6th St S
Minneapolis
9pm/ $15 adv, $18 door, children 14 and under $7.50 adv, $9 door
Maybe it's the pyromaniac in us – or perhaps we've just seen Firestarter one too many times – but we love anything pyrotechnics-related, especially a good fire spinning spectacle. Tonight, Bedlam & Infiammati Fire Circus don't just bring you any ol' fire show, they present the flame-filled fire experience of your life! Without jail being involved, that is. Promising a bigger, better - and even choreographed - performance, Bedlam Associate Artistic Director and Infiammati creator, Rah Kojis, teams up with award-winning Vox Medusa choreographer, Kristin Freya and the Northern Lighters Pyrotechnics' fireworks impresarios to tell the tale of an underworld journey complete with mythical monsters, blazing costumes and epic fire lore. Not to mention, aerial performers, shadow puppetry, video projection, dance, acro-stilts and live music by Naomi Joy and Asylum Soundsystem. Viva la fire! Stick around after Friday night's performance for a live music set featuring The Book of Right On, Slow Spokes and Lady Hard-On. Visit the link below for specials on premium seating and Reign of Fire meet-the-artists packages.
Click HERE for the Bedlam site
FRIDAY JUNE 4TH
Frances Gumm, The Tisdales , Easy Baby and The Crossing Guards
@Turf Club
1601 University Avenue West
St Paul
9pm / 21+ / $5
Leave it to the Turf Club to put together another stellar lineup. Trek out to St. Paul for the Crossing Guards, who sound like “Elvis Costello in a fist fight with Guided By Voices on a party bus driven by Paul Westerberg” (according to their MySpace page, and who wouldn’t want to hear and see that?), the awesome Easy Baby, the rockingly harmonic Tisdales, and, of course, the legendary Frances Gumm, whose pop-noise sounds have shared the stage with Pavement and will surely rock your face off.
Click HERE for the Turf Club site
FRIDAY JUNE 4TH
Get Cryphy
@First Avenue VIP Lounge
701 First Ave. North
Minneapolis
10pm / 18+ / $3 adv., $5 door
So, urban dictionary defines the term “cryphy” as a one-part crunk mixed with two-parts of ‘gettin’ stupid,' and who can argue with that? Join tune-slingers DJs Plain Ole, Jimmy2Times, Mike2600, Fundo and Last Word for s heavy helping of hip hop and funky club bangers.
Click HERE for the Get Cryphy Blog
FRIDAY JUNE 4TH
Hotel
@ Kitty Cat Klub
315 14th Avenue SE
Minneapolis
10pm / 21+ / Free
Take care of that spring/summer fever in Dinkytown this Friday with the monthly HOTEL get-down at the Kitty Cat Klub. Along with the usual hunky host Jonathan Ackerman, DJs like Le Principle (Chicago) and DJ Lady Jane will be spinnin’ the night away. Grab your group of girls and guys and pop on in to the club to start June off on the right foot.
Click HERE for the Facebook event
COOL LINK: CHEWED BY TUESDAY
Cubicle angst, writer’s block, economics class boredom – a lot of things are responsible for those chewed up wads of plastic covering Bic pens everywhere. And thanks to a brand-spankin’ new jewelry label, the well-masticated Bic pen lid can now adorn...your neck? Inspired by the random objects we chew, but aren’t meant to chew (sorry, bubblegum), Chewed By Tuesday is the brainchild of Melbourne-based creative/designer/stationary enthusiast Vivienne Gibson. Its first collection, “The Penlid Collection,” features a chewed Bic pen lid necklace, and for those without the oral fixation, an unchewed one. Each piece is individually numbered (CBT only made 50 of each), handmade and (breathe easy, now) made of 925 sterling silver. Who knew a vice – or an office supply, for that matter – could be so darn adorable?
Click HERE by the Chewed by Tuesday site
SATURDAY JUNE 5TH
Minneapolis Mosaic
@ Downtown Mpls
Hennepin between 7th & 8th
Minneapolis
1pm-10pm / Free
Make your way Downtown Minneapolis Saturday afternoon/evening for a mind-boggling display of vibrant culture and fantastic entertainment! The 8th Annual Minneapolis Mosiac event is a celebration of the cultural diversity in our fair city, helping promote a slew of great events that happen through out the summer. It all kicks off today with the Mosaic Festival, a huge outdoor party in the heart of Downtown Minneapolis that features over 40 live musical and performance acts, food from Midtown Global Market, interactive kid's activities, and the premier of the 2010 Collaborative Performance Commission exhibit and more. What's better? The whole thing is totally FREE, so you really have no excuse, now do you?
Click HERE for the Minneapolis Mosaic site and a full schedule of events
SATURDAY JUNE 5TH
What Remains
@ Soap Factory
518 2nd St SE
Minneapolis
7-11pm / Free
Each year, approximately 500 submissions go through the hands of the Soap Factory jurors. Out of those submissions, only 50 paramount artists are chosen to be included in the year's exhibitions. Tonight, the Soap Factory showcases What Remains – an exhibit featuring 8 of the best submission artists from 2010. Unlike traditional “concept” gallery exhibits, the submission exhibit relies heavily on visual aesthetics and the artists are selected for their unique vision utilizing the Soap Factory's space instead of working around it. The local and non-native artists included present large-scale laser cut cardboard installations, suspended Gothic chandeliers made from candy, horse sculptures, a maze and nature-inspired 3D models. Honestly, they had us at "candy chandeliers."
Click HERE for this art event and more at mplsart.com
Artwork by Kathleen Griffin
SATURDAY JUNE 5TH
We Work Here: Opening Reception
@ Intermedia Arts
2822 S. Lyndale Ave.
Minneapolis
7pm / Free
What does it take to make art work? How are artists and arts organizations reimagining the creative economy? What is the future of art in the Twin Cities? Questions like these are the heart of We Work Here, Works Progress’ month-long exhibition that aims to spark discourse among visitors about the value of art in our lives and community. Inspired by the social media project slash newspaper Artwork: A National A National Conversation About Art, Labor and Economics, which consists of writings and images from artists, activists, and others about how working in struggling economies has impacted the artistic process, We Work Here also serves as a temporary employment agency for creative workers and a reading room full of material highlighting topics explored in the exhibition. Head over to the opening reception at Intermedia Arts tonight for a drink, some contemplative conversation, or for all you starving artists – er, creatives out there, sign up for the Help Wanted crew. RSVP via the Facebook event page.
Click HERE for the Facebook event
SATURDAY JUNE 5TH
Pink Mink Beach Party
@ Hexagon Bar
2600 27th Avenue S.
Minneapolis
9pm / 21+ / Free
All hail Pink Mink! On top of having a totally righteous name, this new band - comprised of veteran local musicians - rocks like no other. The girl-punk powered super group features (deep breath) Christy Hunt (Ouija Radio, Von Bondies), Arzu Gocken (Lefty Lucy, Selby Tigers, Strut and Shock), Charles Gehr (Mark Mallman, The Short Fuses, Ouija Radio), and Jacques Wait (Twilight Hours, Iguano). Tonight's surf-inspired party encourages you to toss on some swimwear, tote along a flotation device and get ready for some ear-searing rock and/or roll. Also on the bill are equally awesome bands Iguano, The Mood Swings, and Sleeping in the Aviary.
Click HERE for the facebook event
SATURDAY JUNE 3RD
Private Dancer/France Has the Bomb/Slapping Purses
@ Turf Club
1601 University Avenue
St. Paul
9pm / $6
Don’t be fooled. Private Dancer is not a Tina Turner tribute band. In fact, they’re far from – the surfer meets garage meets punk quintet of misfits rock the Turf tonight with a stellar lineup of bands. Sure to compliment (if only in quirky awesomeness) is the dance-electro-noise mishmash of local one-man project Slapping Purses, produced by New Tectonics’ wizard Neil Zumwalde and France Has the Bomb, whose jangly, jagged-edgy pop-rock sounds are just as out there, but certainly less alarming than their name. Also playing are Capricorn Vertical Slums, the latest endeavor of ex-Vampire Hand Colin Johnson, and Teddy and the Turks.
Click HERE for the Turf Club site
Slapping Purses being awesome:
SATURDAY JUNE 5TH
Goondas CD Release
@ 331 Club
551 13th Ave NE
Minneapolis, MN
10pm / 21+ / Free
The word "Goondas" means Hooligan or Ruffian. And hey, we like those, so there's a good start right there. Hailing from Chanhassan (what?!), these kids truly know how to rock - Stooges style - the lead singer is so confident in his live prowess that he flails about on stage as if channeling Iggy Pop himself. This Saturday, the Goondas bring you their first full length and they don't disappoint, churning out a jangled, mangled, heavy, heady and downright catchy bunch of tracks, with all the gleeful energy of the Stones at their most frenetic and the Black Keys at their most loose-limbed and lo-fi. Joining them is Red Daughters and Satellite Voices in a thrilling triple bill that is sure to melt your face.
Click HERE for the Facebook event
SUNDAY MUSIC PICK: PARALLELS
While some folks might be electro-thriving alongside Crystal Castles latest album, we're hiding in the shadows enjoying a taste of CC's live drummer Cameron Findlay's underground side project, the Parallels. A '80s dance-laced, synth-pop trio, the band relies heavily on their fabulized “nu vintage” sound -- and we are entirely convinced it's the band Stevie Nicks would have made, had she gone dark wave. Parallel's vocalist, the golden-locked ingénue, Holly Dodson, is a delicious Kate Bush/Madonna songbird hybrid sinking her musical chops into electro-pop harmonies with elements of Italo disco. Listening to their dreamy, synth beats is like being bathed in neon rainbows. We're addicted!
Click HERE for the Parallels site
Parallels - Ultralight (Official Video) from Parallels on Vimeo.
SUNDAY JUNE 6TH
Grand Old Day
@ Grand Avenue
St. Paul
8am-5pm / Free / $10 for Festival Gardens
Spend your Sunday roaming one of the most charming streets in historic St. Paul: Grand Avenue! Grand Old Day is offering something for everyone, with races starting early in the morning, the Grand Ole Day Art Fair running all day, a massive outdoor yoga class in the Sporting District, multiple parades, a Teen Battle of the Bands, and lots and lots of delish food. And, of course, there will be a decadent serving a live music, featuring more drool-worthy bands than we have room to mention, but to name a fraction: Dessa, Heiruspecs, Ari Herstand, Red Pens, the Melismatics, Chooglin’, Zoo Animal and oh-so-many more. One of the biggest annual street festivals in the Twin Cities, Grand Old Day is definitely a local tradition we never miss. Art, shopping, beer, food, music and thousands of people all concentrated in one of our favorite areas in the Twin Cities? We're so in.
Click HERE for the Grand Old Day site
SUNDAY JUNE 6TH
Riot Act Reading Series
@ Turf Club
Clown Lounge (basement)
1601 University Ave.
St. Paul
7pm / 21+/ $5
Tonight, the Turf Club's rebellious ruffians aren't the stumbling lushes in the corner – they're the literary hooligans with the mic! The Riot Act Reading Series returns to the Turf Club's Clown Lounge after a couple stints in the 612 with a kick ass line up of rowdy readers. Hemled by punk poet Paul D. Dickinson along with clever cohort Laura Brandenburg, tonight's extra special edition will feature a solid list of talented performers including Joan Vordebruggen, Danny Sigelman, John Schreiner and music from Charlie Parr and the Roe Family Singers. And what better day than Sunday to let a little "riot" into your life?
Sponsored by l'etoile, of course!
Click HERE for the Facebook event
TUESDAY JUNE 8TH
JagerCon: Sci-Fi Tuesdays
@ Clubhouse Jager
923 Washington Avenue N.
Minneapolis
Every Tuesday
10 p.m. / 21+ / Free
Join hosts Kate Iverson (l'étoile magazine, Secrets of the City) and Beth Hammarlund (l'étoile magazine, A Tiny Machine) every Tuesday Night for JagerCon! JagerCon is a weekly sci-fi party featuring screenings of classic nerdy movies and television shows -- topped off with 2-4-1 cocktails all night served by Star Captain Paul!
Mingle with like-minded sci-fi geeks, discuss D&D strategies, and use that Captain Picard impression you've been perfecting to pick up chicks at the bar. Snort-laugh the night away while bragging about your MMORPG addiction and enjoy a cozy, nerd-friendly environment.
This week's flick is The Garbage Pail Kids Movie!
Editor in Chief: Kate Iverson // Contributors: Juleana Enright, Tara Sloane, Lauren Gantner, Natalie Gallagher, Kate Iverson, Robyn Lewis, Beth Hammarlund, Jahna Peloquin
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