This Weekend is a big weekend for the arts! Not only do we have the glorious Fringe Festival kicking off, but we've also got multiple large-scale art fairs, epic art openings and, as per usual, fantastic music. Get out, see art, buy art, and appreciate the creative awesomeness that is the Twin Cities.
xo-l'étoile
THURSDAY AUGUST 5TH (THROUGH AUGUST 15)
Minnesota Fringe Festival
@ various times + venues
across the Twin Cities
$12/$14 + $4 fringe button
The fest where anything goes, impromptu reigns king and surprises lie around every stage corner is back for another week-long extravaganza of original plays, spoken word, storytelling, puppetry, comedy and more from MN-bred provocateurs. This season promises to showcase 169 dramatic, wacky, shell-shocking performances creating sheer madness in theater form. If you're a Fringe virgin, don't be ashamed. Just close your eyes, spin around and leave it up to fate to pick shows out of the line-up for you. We guarantee whichever one you land on will be entertaining, to say the least. But for tonight's kick off, we've got you covered: check out l'étoile's own word-slinger and prose prince, Rob Callahan, as he presents his one-man-show, “Idiosynchronicity” at the U of M Rarig Arena at 8:30 pm. Prepare for an evening of literary madness, pop culture jabs and broodingly funny short tales in masterful Callahan quip. And don't forget to pick up your $4 Fringe button. You can't get into a performance without it and wearing one throughout the year also scores you mad discounts throughout the TC. Happy Fringing!
Click HERE for the Fringe Fest site
THURSDAY AUGUST 5TH
Courtney McClean’s Birthday/Naughtybilly Hoedown
@ Storefront-in-a-Box
2441 Lyndale Ave S
Minneapolis
6 p.m. / 21+
From the first naughtybilly band evar (no, that’s not a typo) comes a week of rhinestones, chaps, and dirty ditties aplenty. That’s right, pahdner, Courtney McClean & The Dirty Curls (who else) have turned Storefront-in-a-Box into a weeklong Naughtybilly Hoedown. Weekend events include Sleaze Book Club and Naughty Open Mic on Friday and Story and Limerick Day on Sunday, but the real blowout is happening Thursday, when the foul-mouthed, banjo-pickin’ McClean will be celebrating her birthday – complete with a penis piñata and a “Jug of Death.” We couldn’t tell you what’s in either, but we reckon partygoers are in for some of the silliest, most boot-scootin’ shenanigans ever – er, evar.
Click HERE for the Dirty Curls site
THURSDAY AUGUST 5THLOL/OMG Social Media Meetup & Rock Show
@ 501 Club
501 Washington Avenue S.
Minneapolis
9 p.m. / 21+ / Free
We're back for our second installment of the LOL/OMG Social Media Meetup and Rock Show! Those of you who came to our kick off event last month had a great time according to your tweets, so let's make this one even better. Tweeters, Facebookers, bloggers, Foursquarers and any/all social media hounds are encouraged to come hang out, have a drink and rock out to the some of our favorite LOL/OMG-worthy bands! Featuring Mark Mallman's new side project, Waxx Maxx; BNLX, and Phantom Tails. Drink specials will be available but if you check in on Foursquare and show the bartender you'll get a FREE Cherry Bomb shot. A secret celeb guest will be on hand to kick off the festivities, but you'll have to show up to find out who it is! Name tags will be available.
Click HERE for the Facebook event
FRIDAY ART PICK: NEWWORK MAGAZINEFind out what l'etoile's looking at this week!
We here at l'etoile still have a penchant for print mags, despite the ever-evolving online media world. Luckily, Newwork Mag still loves paper as much as we do, so much so they print each biannual issue in large-format - which means it can also easily double as glorious wall art! The fifth issue of Newwork is full of words, but more specifically: typography. The beautifully minimal black & white layout takes you on a visual journey of simply sublime typesettings, clean and serene visual layouts and moody art photography. Unfortunately you can't pick up a copy at any local retailer at the moment, but you can scoop it up online here. Or if you're content with pixels, you can always just view it online. We, however, recommend the real deal for maximum artsy goodness.
Click HERE for issue 5 of Newwork Mag online
FRIDAY AUGUST 6TH
Lutefisk Sushi opening
@ Altered Esthetics
1224 Quincy Ave
Minneapolis
7 p.m. / Free
Fortunately for us, this event has nothing to do with Minnesota’s least appetizing signature dish. In conjunction with the release of Lutefisk Sushi, Volume D, a nearly-yearly collection of Minnesotan-made mini-comics divvied up into hand Silkscreened bento boxes, Altered Esthetics is launching their annual Comic Art exhibit, with an opening reception on Friday. The exhibit will feature the work of over 50 Minnesota comic artists, including Danno Klonowski, the creator of “The Manly Tales of Cowardice” whose work appears in 3-D on the cover of LSD. Go and be amused – and make sure you check out the Little Funny machine, a vintage cigarette vending machine that will vend miniature comics by local and national artists.
Click HERE for this art event and more at mplsart.com
FRIDAY AUGUST 6TH (THROUGH AUG 22/27)
Hot Off The and Common Room
@ Soap Factory
514 2nd St. SE
Minneapolis
H.O.T.: Thursdays 6 p.m. – 8 pm., Fridays 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., and
Sundays 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., August 1-22
Common Room: Wednesdays and Fridays, August 6-27, 7 p.m. (tonight!)
Escape the dead-of-August heat at the Soap Factory, where two exhibits, “Hot Off The” and “Common Room” are hosting a slew of art events all month long. In lieu of an age where the written word is becoming less and less concrete (thanks, internetz), Hot Off The (H.O.T.), now happening at the Soap Factory, is at once an independent publishing house, library, and reading room. For the month of August, Tiff Hockin and Ariel Pate, or Art Review and Preview (ARP!) will be in-residence at the Soap Factory, taking submissions, editing works, and printing and binding works. Be on the lookout for other bookish events, such as book-binding and book-mending workshops. After you’ve submitted your latest masterpiece, head to the Common Room, the factory’s fully furnished, 1940s-style workplace, hosting bi-weekly events throughout August. The first event, an informal Yankee Swap-style gift exchange, happens Friday, exploring themes of sacrifice, loss, gain and transferring of value, with the aim of setting the Common Room stage as one of interactive generosity. Bring a wrapped gift of value (open to personal definition).
Click HERE for the Soap Factory site
FRIDAY AUGUST 6TH
Blood in Blood Out
@ Cult Status
2913 Harriet Ave S
Minneapolis
8 p.m. to midnight / free
No longer just an early 90's Benjamin Bratt crime-drama flick, Blood in Blood Out is now also the title of Cult Status' latest exhibit featuring the artwork of local graffiti artists at their most mobile. While us Minneapolians have been sunbathing at the beach, street art guru, Deuce 7, Von Shank and wheat paste wielders Tomàs Villasenor and Peyote (the peeps responsible for Cult Status' crazy cool bathroom) have been hard at work, road trippin' across the country, and tonight join them for a colorful journey through photography of the places they've been on their epic adventures.
Click HERE for this art event and more at mplsart.com
FRIDAY AUGUST 6TH
Glamorama
@ Orpheum Theatre
910 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis
8 p.m. / Orpheum Fashion Show
10 p.m. / Post-Party on Macy's top floor
$60-$750
Get ready for the hottest fundraiser in town as Macy's Passport hosts a fantastical, star-studded evening of glitz, glam, music and haute fashion, all for a great cause! The four-city tour makes it's annual stop in Minneapolis tonight and is definitely pulling out all the stops to raise money to benefit the Children's Cancer Research Fund. Head to the Orpheum for the magical, special effects-crazed fashion event featuring performances from Grammy Award winner Macy Gray and piano man, Eric Hutchinson. “Ooh” and “aah” over the latest fall fashions strutted down the runway from designers Jean-Paul Gaultier, Marc Jacobs, Sonia Rykiel, Versace, Just Cavalli, a debut from Issey Miyake and more. Not to mention, theatrical, flashing lights dance numbers choreographed by Brian Friedman (the same dude who provided the sexy dance moves on Britney Spears' “Toxic” video). And if that wasn't enough, stick around for a glamorous, ultra ritzy after-party on Macy's 8th Floor and adjacent rooftop with plenty more cocktails, dress coveting and fashion gossip. Fashionable attire def required!
Click HERE for the Glamorama site
Get a taste of Glamorama in this sneak peek video:
FRIDAY AUGUST 6TH
Marching Band + The Craziest Show Ever
@ Starting in Riverside Park
2700 8th St. S
Minneapolis
Ending at 1419 space
1419 Washington Ave S.
Minneapolis, MN
9 p.m. / Free
So here’s how your Friday night is looking: You get a mini tour of the city, starting at the Riverside Park with a marching band and a parade. You’re with them, okay? You make your way over to Curry Park, taking in the view, chatting, mingling (and flirting?). Then you amble on over to the nifty 1419 space featuring a gorgeous rooftop view of this fine city, where a phenomenal night of music awaits, featuring the noisy, energetic sounds of Gay Beast, the psychedelic jams of Mother of Fire, the outrageous punk-jazz combos of No Babies, Orange Coax and their experimental rock, and the atmospheric waves of Brute Heart. We dare you to find something cooler than this.
Click HERE for the Facebook event
FRIDAY AUGUST 6TH
Hotel
@ Kitty Cat Klub
315 14th Avenue SE
Minneapolis
10 p.m. / 21+ / Free
Take care of that summer dance 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 Matt Forest and Ben Grimes will be spinnin’ the night away. Grab your group of girls and guys and pop on in to the club to start August off on the right foot.
Click HERE for the Facebook event
FRIDAY AUGUST 6TH
Get Cryphy
@First Avenue VIP Lounge
701 First Ave. North
Minneapolis
10 p.m. / 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 Bill, Last Word, and Fundo for a heavy helping of hip hop and funky club bangers. All. Night. Long.
Click HERE for the Facebook event
COOL LINK: THE SELBY
Portrait, interior and fashion photographer Todd Selby is guy you wouldn't mind stumbling around your otherwise intimate dwelling, snapping pics to share with the world. He has a way of invading the personal space of the creative with an artist's eye for detail. One could say he dips into the realms of your home's quiet psyche, drawing out the brilliant, riffling through its messy, skeleton-lurking closets. Starting out as a low-key website where Selby posted photos of shots he did of his friends and their homes, “The Selby” quickly gained popularity from viewers across the globe who wanted Selby to feature their spots. Soon, “The Selby” was collaborating with big ad campaigns like Nike 6.0, Habitat , Architectural Digest France, Vogue Paris and the New York Times T Magazine. And now Selby even boasts his own coffee table book filled with photographs of some of the most interesting people around the world and their creative spaces. On the site and in the book, you'll find the shoots paired with a Q&A section filled out by the residents that reads like a modern-day Proust meets “MTV Cribs,” and manages to mix a bit of humor into analyzing the subculture of creative living. Check out our fave photo shoot of Peaches Geldof and friends Bunny & Lily in the “Brooklyn” project.
Click HERE for the Selby site
SATURDAY AUGUST 7TH
Uptown, Powderhorn, and Loring Art Fairs
Loring:
Oak Grove St. and Hennepin Av. S.
Minneapolis
Sat 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. / Free
Uptown:
Lake Street and Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis
Fri noon – 8 p.m., Sat 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. / Free
Powderhorn:
5th St. and 15th Av. S.
Minneapolis
Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun 10 a.m.-5 p.m. / Free
Every August, Minneapolitans prepare their shelves, walls, and gardens for an onslaught of crafty wares found at the city’s annual trifecta of outdoor art fairs. This weekend, the streets of Uptown and the pretty, tree-lined Loring and Powderhorn Parks will host more than 680 artists offering everything from painting and sculpture to textiles and jewelry to decorative pieces (we dig the copper and brass-molded sunflowers for your yard made by Alex Zaves, who will be at the Loring Park Festival). The festivals will also feature live music, kids’ activities, and plenty of food to munch on while you shop. Feeling a bit overwhelmed? Take the Metro Transit Art Hop, a free shuttle service between the three fairs. An air conditioned ride, no parking hassle, and plenty of space for all your new goodies? An already artful weekend just hit awesome status.
Check out our Guide to Sales and Shopping for more specifics on other artists we love at each respective event!
Click HERE for info on the Metro Transit Art Hop
SATURDAY AUGUST 7TH
Smell the Glove: Spinal Tap Art Exhibit
@ CO Exhibtions
1101 Stinson Blvd NE, Suite 2
Minneapolis
7-10 p.m. / free
If you're a fan of the '82 mockumentary, This Is Spinal Tap, no doubt the “none more black” story has left you feeling horribly, horribly cheated. In the film, Fran Drescher's record rep character vividly details the band's proposed album cover art featuring a greased, naked woman in shocking S&M pose forced to “smell the glove.” Later in the film, the band discovers their album design has been censored, reduced to a mere black square due to “sexist” nature. The band was appalled and one Spinal Tap fan, local artist Michael Gaughan, has never been the same. Determined to lift the black box censor, Gaughan elicited the help of dozens of U.S. artists to create their version of the “smell the glove” scene. The result – showcased in tonight's opening reception – is a provocative exhibit of paintings, drawings, screenprints, videos, collages and sculptures of the taboo cover. Peep the “glove” art and sing along to your favorite Spinal Tap karaoke tunes backed by a Spinal Tap cover band featuring an all-star line-up of local rockers. And don't forget to plug your nose!
Click HERE for this art event and more at mplsart.com
Check out CO's awesome call for artists vid that should give you some insight:
SATURDAY AUGUST 7TH
Ninja/Pirate Prom
@ Geek Central
1121 Jackson St. NE
Minneapolis
(Waterbury Building)
7 p.m. - Midnight / $10 ($8 with food donation)
In case you haven't heard, there's a new geek-centric event space over in ye olde Nordeast. For those of you who go to CONvergence or simply dig nerd culture, the Geek Partnership Society is something you really ought to acquaint yourself with. And as to be expected, rampant nerdiness will abound as tonight's soiree features a totally awesome/random ninja/pirate theme. We didn't know ninjas and pirates necessarily got along, but what the hell, we'll throw caution to the wind. Formal attire is not required but the organizers encourage you to dress your geekiest - whether that's pirate, ninja, or something else entirely.
Click HERE for the Geek Partnership site
SATURDAY AUGUST 7TH
Yeti Records Presents: the August Killer Bill
@ Turf Club
1601 University Ave
St Paul
7 p.m. / 21+
In an era dominated by MP3 players and downloaded music, two music lovers are confident other fans are hungry for the real thing: vinyl, and lots of it. Jake Luck, longtime local musician (Leisure Birds, Thunder in the Valley) and wife, aritst Lisa Yednorowicz, are banking on the importance of being able to touch your music collection. This October, Yeti Records will open its doors in the old Art of This space on 35th and Nicollet, featuring everything a music nerd could hope for - hard to find vinyl classics, local records, vintage audio electronics, turntables, old school receivers, tape decks and eight track players. Fans of the experimental Art of This space need not be discouraged - these walls will also function as a gallery space for visual artists who work with local musicians, show casing local art with an involvement in the local music scene. In anticipation for the grand opening, they are throwing a big old Turf Club party and have put together an amazing line up including Haunted House, Velvet Davenport, Voytek, Camden, Come Fizzy Dolphin, and DJs Jenn from Hot Roxx and Bennett from Daughters of the Sun. We wouldn't miss it, and neither should you.
Click HERE for the Facebook event
SATURDAY AUGUST 7TH
Arts 501 opening
@ 501 Club
Washington Ave
Minneapolis
9 p.m. / $5
You havetohavetohaveto stop down to the 501 Club this Saturday for the debut of the Arts 501 series. Here’s why: Kate Burgau does these amazing, explosive colorful paintings that we’re so in love with we want to take them home and wake up beside them day after day. Matt Scharenbroich has an illustrative style that packs a massive personality with a whimsical twist. Brian Severns envelopes us in a space of color and makes us think at the same time. Not to mention the awesome tunes of Pink Mink, Alpha Consumer, and Teenage Strangler.
Click HERE for this art event and more at mplsart.com
Art by Kate Burgau
SUNDAY MUSIC PICK: SLEIGH BELLS
Find out what l'etoile's been listening to this week!
Okay, we admit: we’ve shamelessly jumped on the Pitchfork train and are blasting Sleigh Bells like spunky synth-pop has no tomorrow – and you should, too. Seriously. The Brooklyn duo’s full-length debut, Treats, is the kind of album where every song seems specifically crafted to burst through your speakers at blowout volumes. The record begins with “Tell ‘Em,” a hard-hitting track that answers, should you ever be curious, what it might be like to dance to a massive lightsaber battle, and the music only gets better (albeit more electro-bizarre) from there. Purposely compressed and cacophonous, the Treats sounds like something that might come from the closed bedroom door of an angsty teenager trying to piss off uptight parents, but let’s be honest, that’s what makes Sleigh Bells so crazy fun.
Click HERE for Sleigh Bells' site
SUNDAY AUGUST 8TH
Last Call: The Azia Closing Party
@ Azia/ Caterpillar Lounge/ A25
2550 Nicollet Ave
Minneapolis
6pm-2am/ 21+/ $50
The “is it gonna close or isn't it” debate has been blowing up on social media outlets ever since the news leaked a few weeks back. It would appear the latter has won, which can only mean one thing for die-hard Azia fans: a killer closing party to send the 8-year Nicollet Ave staple off with style to help ease the heartbreak. Tonight, join Azia owner Thom Pham for a real “Last Call” celebration with food specials and an OPEN BAR night long. Plus, groove to three rooms of hot DJ-spun tunes and live music including sets by sax jazz player, Walter Chancellor, acoustic soul musician, Billy Johnson, DJs Kevin Beacham, Espada, Nick Gunz, Daniel Paul and many more! Tickets are limited and are good for both admission to the Closing Party as well as the opening party of Pham's Wondrous Azian Kitchen restaurant later in the month, so act fast, tickets are limited and will likely sell out by Sunday, so pick them up online HERE or stop by the restaurant and purchase yours today. Thanks for the memories, Azia!
Bonus: Don't miss Azia's last Bloody Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., $7 gets you a bloody and a commemorative Azia pint glass!
Click HERE for the Facebook event
L'ETOILE NEWSWIRE
Vote for Jake Rudh!
Remember last year when Jake Rudh was in the top tier of contestants for the Mad Men Casting Call Contest, then got totally shafted when the website crashed for the last few days
of the contest and a bunch of randoms who weren't even in the top somehow got into the finals? We remember it, bitterly. Anyhoo: the Transmission kingpin and general party starter (he's the one who throws the Mad Men party at Jax Cafe!) is not giving up. This year he's back once again for the online voting-fueled competition, which awards a male and female winner the coveted prize of a walk-on role on Mad Men. Visit site everyday HERE to vote for Jake. You needn't sign up for anything, just click "vote" - it's that easy. All personal l'etoile love for Jake aside, he REALLY would be great for the show. Just look at his picture: old-timey AND foxy!Click HERE to vote for Jake
Register now for the 1st Annual High Heel Dash!
The first ever Aegis Foundation High Heel Dash invites both men and women to show off their
glamorous athletic prowess for a good cause! On Wednesday, August 11th at Peavey Plaza in Downtown Minneapolis contestants will compete against each other in 25-yard dash heats wearing heels 3 inches or taller. MyTalk 107.1's Lori & Julia will begin broadcasting live with emcee Foxy Tann at 3pm! Heats will start at 5:30pm to give you time to leave work and dash to Peavey Plaza for a great cause. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place dashers! The top fundraisers will get Spectacular prizes too!!Participants are encouraged to raise a minimum of $100 to dash (tax deductible). Contestants will receive an official High Heel Dash t-shirt. All proceeds benefit Soles4Souls and the Emergency Foodshelf Network. REGISTER NOW!
High Heel Dash 2010 is proudly co-sponsored by l'étoile!
Editor in Chief: Kate Iverson // Contributors: Juleana Enright, Tara Sloane, Lauren Gantner, Natalie Gallagher, Kate Iverson, Robyn Lewis, Jahna Peloquin
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