As the weather turns chilly, we can't help but fight the urge to go into early hibernation mode. After all, the idea of a book, a blanket and a bottle of wine is pretty appealing, is it not? Luckily for us, the movers and shakers of the Twin Cities tend to disagree! Never ones to cease momentum, Twin Citizens forge ahead into the autumn season with more gusto and creativity than ever. From Mark Mallman's insane 78-hour marathon performance to the weekend-long St. Paul Art Crawl and so much more, we can't imagine you'll submit to the call of hibernation any time soon. The book and blanket can definitely wait...but we're sure there will still be plenty of wine!
xo-l'étoile
Photo by Stephen Stephens for l'etoile
ALSO THIS WEEK ON L'ETOILE
Jahna & Lauren update our Guide to Sales & Shopping
l'etoile's founder & ad guy get hitched at the Weisman
THURSDAY OCTOBER 7TH (THROUGH SUNDAY)
Mark Mallman Marathon 3
@ Turf Club
1601 University Avenue
St. Paul
8 p.m. / $7 / 21+
Runners and sideliners alike were challenged, inspired even, at last weekend’s Twin Cities marathon. But 26 miles seems a tiny feat compared to the endurance extravaganza at the Turf Club this weekend: a 78-hour-long performance by – can you guess who? – Mark Mallman. This is not a joke. Starting at 8 p.m. Friday, the not-so-unsung indie rock hero will begin singing Marathon 3, and three 26-hour phases, 500 pages of lyrics, and over 75 local celeb backup musicians later, he’ll stop. No sleeping, no audience between 2:15 a.m. and noon (when the venue is closed), just the odd bathroom/meal break and Mallman being himself: a musical treat, but totally off his rocker. But, hey, the man did stop drinking, start jogging (the Star Tribune reported he’s been averaging seven miles per day in recent weeks), and stretched out his sleep patterns for the project. "Why," we all ask? "Because," says Mallman. We’re excited to see if he makes it...scratch that, we KNOW he'll make it - Mallman is a magical beast!
Click HERE for more info and to watch Marathon 3 streamed LIVE!
Poster design by Who Made Who
THURSDAY OCTOBER 7TH
Bee in Her Bonnet Variety Show
@ Honey
205 East Hennepin
Minneapolis
9 p.m. / $5
The energetic ladies from Double Trouble – aka DJs Carol Lee and Sara Jean – invite you to enjoy an exquisite evening of eclecticism and merriment. Ripe with music, fashion, dance, tonight's Bee in Her Bonnet Variety show has it all and then some. Featuring live tunes from siamese twin glamour duo/polka band, Lady Hard-On; psych heavy garage rockers, Iguano; a snazzy fashion show with designs from locals Lollicopter and Everything Lovely; plus performances from Jen March, Haley Lasché, Annette Schiebout and a debut of “Antique's Daughter” performed by dance troupe Garner Group.
Click HERE for the Facebook event
THURSDAY OCTOBER 7TH
LOL/OMG Social Media Meetup & Rock Show #3
@ 501 Club
501 Washington Avenue S.
Minneapolis
9 p.m. / 21+ / Free
We're back for our third installment of the LOL/OMG Social Media Meetup and Rock Show! Those of you who came to the last couple events 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 and performers! Featuring Satellite Voices, Thought Thieves, and a special edition of Riot Act Reading Series with Paul D. Dickinson. Drink specials will be available but if you check in on Foursquare and show the bartender you'll get a FREE shot. Official hashtag of the night is, as always, #LOLOMG
Click HERE for the Facebook event
ART PICK: WIDE OPEN WALLS PROJECT
1,000 can of paint, 8 artists, 2 weeks, 1 Village in Gambia, Africa. Put them all together and they form the ingredients for an ambitious new project/art safari curated by NY-based street artist, Eelus. Conceptualized by Lawrence Williams – one of the founders of the Makasutu Culture Forest and Ballabu Conservation Are in Gambia & a member of the Bushdweller art collective – the project's main aim is to help eliminate poverty through sustainable tourism while incorporating in a bit of cool art into the village's culture. The 2-week long mural project will transform the village of Kubuneh into a graffiti-inspired wall of art. Awesome! Among the participating artists are an eclectic cast of mural masters and large-scale painters including Logan Hicks, Eine, Mysterious Al and MPLS' own duo, Broken Crow! We couldn't be more excited that the boys from BC were enlisted to assist on such an amazing, environmentally important cause and can't wait to see what they come up with!
Bonus: Catch a taste of the local pair Broken Crow's exhibit When Trust is the New Money at the XYandZ before they take their talent over to Africa.
Click HERE for more info on Wide Open Walls
Sneak preview of one of the new pieces Eelus will paint while in Kubneh
FRIDAY OCTOBER 8TH
Funpocolypse
@ Tarnish and Gold
1511 Marshall St NE
Minneapolis
6 p.m. / Free until 9:30 p.m., $5 after / 21+ after 9:30 p.m.
Funpacolypse, opening Friday at Tarnish and Gold, is the joint venture of Minneapolis artists Chuck U and Zamon. More specifically, it features a collection of painting, prints, and drawings from both artists. Expect to look at Chuck U’s eye-poppingly glorious, psychadelic illustration work and imagine some wild story behind it – the possibilities are endless. Emcee “Z-Man” Zamon’s acrylic canvas work is inspired by sketches, though the colorful, fantastical worlds they depict are anything but. To further get your fun on: Dance Band, Unknown Prophets, Wide Eyes, and DJs Monsterbrusten will be performing later in the evening. And even further: keep an eye out for the closing Halloween party (details TBD). Funpocolypse, indeed.
Click HERE for this art event and more at mplsart.com
FRIDAY OCTOBER 8TH
Nauticalia Tentacalus: YeOldeSe(a)menShoppe
@ They Won't Find Us Here Gallery
3500 Bryant Ave S (alleyside)
Minneapolis
7 p.m. to 11 p.m. / Free
In his latest exhibit, sociopolitical artist Pete Driessen explores the adventure-ridden plate of the deep sea and nautical quests. As part painter, part way-faring captain, the veteran Minneapolis artist takes the viewer into a vivid underwater world of metaphor and symbolism while exploring reoccurring themes of current events, art history and iconography. Wet suit and oxygen tank not required.
Click HERE for this art event and more at mplsart.com
FRIDAY OCTOBER 8TH (THROUGH SUNDAY)
Sound Unseen
@ Various Locations
see website for full schedule.
Film, music, and music-film geeks (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t fall into at least one of these categories?), be excited: Sound Unseen, Minneapolis’ annual showcase of films about music is currently in full swing. For those new to the annual festival, expect a plethora of music documentaries, rare concert footage and interactive cinema paired with awesome live music. Film highlights include David Byrne and Brian Eno’s Ride, Rise, Roar, a dance documentary about Byrne’s most recent tour; Look What the Light Did Now, a film about indie pop darling Feist; and Do It Again, music writer Geoff Edger’s attempt to reunite the classic British rock band The Kinks. Live events include a Hipshaker dance party in support of The Agony and the Ecstasy of Phil Spector (happening Friday after the 7:30 p.m. film premiere) and Gary Louris of the Jayhawks playing after Sunday’s performance of Who is Harry Nilsson (and why is everybody talkin’ about him?). Now that’s what we call music to our ears. Er, and eyes.
Click HERE for the Sound Unseen site
FRIDAY OCTOBER 7TH (THROUGH SUNDAY)
Fall Lowertown Art Crawl
@ Various Locations
Lowertown St. Paul
6-10 p.m. Fri, Noon-8 p.m. Sat, Noon-5 p.m. Sun / Free
Head to St. Paul’s bustling Lowertown Arts District this weekend for the annual fall art crawl. The district's various studios, warehouses, art lofts and galleries in Lowertown and beyond will host open studios, art openings plus other cool performance events - like pretty guitar pickings of local folk musicians and even a performance from a Laptop Marching Band. We suggest hitting up Kara Hendershot's opening at her Northern Warehouse studio (#516) for her latest batch of colorful paintings, illustrations and t-shirt designs; the studio of artits Lauryn Buda and Genevieve Mariani at The Tilsner; and the off-the-beaten-path "Mad Science" opening at Carleton Place Lofts featuring graphic novel-esque art and monster plushies by Tim Monsters, Buttermilk and Tiffokne. Check the website for a map of locations and a lineup of artists.
Click HERE for the St. Paul Art Crawl site
Painting by Kara Hendershot
FRIDAY OCTOBER 8TH
Soundcrawl Fall 2010
@ Twin Cities Public Television
172 East Fourth Street
Saint Paul
7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. / Free
Okay, so, yes, obviously, there is the St. Paul Art Crawl going down this weekend. And obviously, you’re going to that. Because you’re cool. Cleverly coinciding with the art crawl, TPT, McNally-Smith and MNOriginal team up to bring you three stellar music acts at TPT's St. Paul studio: Jazari, the stage name of Patrick Flanagan, who wields three electronic percussionists to create some utterly kick-ass jazzy improvs; Freestyle Summit, who is none other than Mike Eyedea (Eyedea & Abilities) and Joe Horton (No Bird Sing) with Big Quarters; and Liminal Phase, with Adam Levy. Seriously, we dare you to hold back your shriek of excitement. And we double-dog dare you not to expand your musical palette with this awesome set.
Click HERE for the Facebook event
FRIDAY OCTOBER 8TH
Benefit for Brad Kern
@ 1st Avenue
701 1st Ave N
Minneapolis
6:30 p.m. / 18+ / $24
When local superstar sound engineer Brad Kern was injured in a hit and run while riding his bike home last month, it didn't take long for the local music community to rally. As one of the top sound gurus in town, Kern has been running live shows and working as a recording engineer for not only every band on the bill, but oh-so-many more. To make a long story short, a lot of the glorious sounds that have passed through your ears since 1988 have benefited from the Kern touch, and we think that's pretty cool. Tonight an epic lineup of local bands will grace the iconic stage of First Avenue to help raise money to offset Kern's mounting medical bills and lost wages. Witness the stylings of big names like Semisonic, Mason Jennings, Jeremy Messersmith, Twilight Hours, The Hang Ups (special reunion!), Two Harbors, and special guests TBA. The event is hosted by MPR's Mary Lucia with music between sets by DJ Jake Rudh. Talk about a star-studded lineup!
Click HERE for the Facebook event
FRIDAY OCTOBER 8TH
Extra Large
@ Record Room
701 1st Ave N
Minneapolis
10 p.m./ 18+/$3 adv. & $5 door
Well, we all know about Too Much Love, have heard of The Moon Goons, and probably have gotten down at Bomp or gotten dirty at Street Sounds. This week, however, local DJ mastermind Mike 2600 is creating his own kind of dance party to try to top ‘em all and he’s calling it Extra Large. That’s right, this new-fangled monthly boogie bash in the cool First Ave Record Room will feature jam sets from Mike 2600 himself, covering all kinds of tunage from hip-hop to techno to funk. On top of that, Mike is welcoming a VIP guest DJ each month to really get your body moving...and lucky for us, this month’s main man is stud-muff Jonathan Ackerman.
BONUS: If you can’t make it to the party, check out their new blog for free music downloads and other fun junk!
Click HERE for the Facebook event
COOL LINK: SCARS WITH BUBBLEGUM
What's l'etoile peepin' on the web this week?
You’ve picked out your sub-costume, mastered a fake blood recipe, bought your wristband in advance, updated your Facebook status in anticipation, practiced shouting “braiiiiins” when you thought your roommate wasn’t listening – and this Saturday it will all culminate in one of most ridiculous spectacles of the year: The Zombie Pub Crawl. Occupy your time with this week’s cool link: an instructional video on how to make scars out of bubblegum. Gross, but wicked awesome. Undead away; we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled (get it?) on Saturday to see what you’ve learned.
Scars With Bubblegum - Click here for the most popular videos
SATURDAY OCTOBER 9TH
Rocktoberfest II
@ Grumpy's Northeast
2200 4th St. NE
Minneapolis
Noon to 10 p.m. / $10
Well, for starters, it’s called Rocktoberfest. So, that means in addition to, you know, the awesomeness that is Grumpy’s NE , there is a rocktacular lineup of bands on what will probably be one of the last patio-worthy weekends before the unrelenting cold of Minnesota sets in again. It’s probably best, in our expert opinion, to offset the impendingly brutal cold with some brutally awesome rock ‘n’ roll, like that of Chibalo, Wolvhammer, Rockford Mules, Tonnage, Rat Catcher, Total Fucking Blood, Kentucky Beltfight and Disasteratti. Featuring $2 PBR tallboys from noon ‘til music starts, grilled treats, plus a FREE t-shirt to the first 100 peeps to show up for the big shindig. Wait, what? All that plus a t-shirt? Pretty sweet.
Click HERE for the Facebook event
SATURDAY OCTOBER 9TH
Zombie Pub Crawl VI: It Just Won't Die
@ various locations
West Bank
Minneapolis
4pm / 21+ / required wristbands - $5 advance, $10 day of
They want your brains...They want your blood...But mostly they just want an f-ing beer! Here at l'etoile, we love a debaucherous pub crawl; throw in zombies and you have an undead soiree even the demented master, George A. Romero, would be proud to tip his hat to. This year, ZPC is calling all zombies to rise, join the crawl and help break the official Guinness World Record for “undead” lurching – and yes, there is one – set by Seattle earlier this year at 4,200. And we're certain that with all the theme-loving lushes MPLS homes it should be an easy accomplishment. Featuring circus oddities, karaoke of the dead, a bloodbath dunk tank, cheap dranks, live sets from Har Mar Superstar, Impaler and tons of other great bands, and more blood and gore than the entire Saw series – it's the perfect event to rouse your Halloween spirit, as long as you don't mind being crushed in a huge mob of drunken braineaters for an evening. Come as the freak you are!
Bonus: This year, our friends at Secrets of the City are hosting a secret and totally sweet dance party at the Love Power Church space during the pub crawl, complete with dranks, DJs and elite, undead fun.
Click HERE for more info or to purchase a wristband in advance
SATURDAY OCTOBER 9TH
No Assumption
@ 13th Street & Monroe Street NE
Minneapolis
7 p.m. / Free
The story behind the No Assumption home is a heartbreaking one. For 12 years, Mirelle Zacharis lived there with her mother. Though its value was far above realistic, and though the loans began to pile up, it was their dream home – a home Mirelle’s mother struggled to maintain until she passed away last year, a home now facing foreclosure. Enter No Assumption: A Collaborative Exhibition of Art in a Residence, a 12-day project that examines the themes surrounding property, the pursuit of happiness and contemporary American domesticity in the context of the foreclosure crisis. Featuring the work of several local artists, the exhibition is taking place inside Zacharis’ home, with the intent to encourage discourse about the effects of the many contemporary struggles in pursuit of property and security.
Click HERE for this art event and more at mplsart.com
SATURDAY OCTOBER 9TH
John Tottenham + Brian Beatty
@ Magers & Quinn
3038 Hennepin Ave S
Minneapolis
7:30 p.m. / Free
It's nice to see that British ex-pat poet, John Tottenham, hasn't lost his distinctly English morbidity after all those years living in Cali. Taking lessons in bleakness from fellow Brits the Graveyard Poets and Joy Division, Tottenham manages to turn brutal narcissism, monotone and poems about idleness into dark and laceratingly funny tangents on the failure of life's grandiose expectations. Join the clever scribe tonight for a reading from the a newly embellished edition '05 collection Mojo Mag deemed “quiescent genius,” The Inertia Variations. Plus, catch a double-header of literary comedy as one of our favorite local writers, Brian Beatty reads from his hilar chapbook, DUCK!. It's high-brow humor at its best, ladies and gents!
Click HERE for the Magers & Quinn site
SATURDAY OCTOBER 9TH
Curtiss A's John Lennon Birthday Tribute
@ 331 Club
331 13th Ave NE
Minneapolis
10 p.m. / free
Who doesn't love John Lennon? Not only did the dude give us two decades of beautiful and iconic music both solo and with The Beatles, but the peace-loving, rebel-rouser was a revolution igniter and pretty much the godfather of the hipster/freak folk beard. Tonight, join KFAI's Freewheelin' series as they present a tribute to the “jealous guy” himself: John Lennon's 70th Birthday Celebration. The long-running annual Lennon-lovefest is helmed by kindred renegade rocker, Curtiss A and backers the Jerks of Fate as they take on classic Lennon songs for a killer evening of rock nostalgia. For the first half, the band will flow through Lennon's '75 oldie's cover album “Rock 'n' Roll” in it's entirety and then bust out other faves sure to bring out the adoring Yoko in you. All we are saying...is give it a chance.
Click HERE for the 331 site
SATURDAY OCTOBER 9TH
Galaxy Bounce
@ Clubhouse Jager
923 Washington Ave N
Minneapolis
10 p.m. / 21+ / Free
A long, long time ago in a bar not too far away...Galaxy Bounce! This weekend, galactic gurus grab your alien friends for a dance party that will totally be out of this world. Clubhouse Jager is transforming into an outer space dance planetarium, complete with extraterrestrial grooves from Naughty Wood and Ian Traas as well as super celestial vids from Bobby Kahn and of course, totally cosmic cocktails from the classy Clubhouse bar. Plus, if you dance partiers feel like being super festive, come in your astronauts best (NO CHEWBACCAS PLZ).
Click HERE for the Facebook event
SUNDAY MUSIC PICK: THE LOVE LANGUAGE
What's l'etoile listening to this week?
Ah, the tempestuous '20s: a time of ennui, heartbreak, inebriation, and, for The Love Language’s Stuart McLamb – inspiration. Fueled by a bad break up and a drunken night in jail, the band’s self-titled debut was never intended to go anywhere, save perhaps the doorstep of McLamb’s ex-girlfriend. But the indie music world loves a lo-fi, basement-recorded tale of rejection and redemption, so a year later, the band (now an actual band, not just McLamb flying solo) has released Libraries, an album not quite so lo-fi, although equally rife with the joy and ache of everyday living. We’re especially fond of the '60s heartbreak pop-like “Heart to Tell,” which you can snag to here. Clap-happy Sunday.
Click HERE for the Love Language Myspace
Editor in Chief: Kate Iverson // Contributors: Juleana Enright, Tara Sloane, Lauren Gantner, Natalie Gallagher, Kate Iverson, Robyn Lewis, Jahna Peloquin
Emoticon