As Republican delegates from all over the country breeze into town in preparation for next week's RNC melee, the city is literally ablaze with more art, entertainment, and political buzz than you can shake a stick at (no State Fair pun intended). Show your stripes by hitting up such inspired events as the Liberty Parade, the Call & Answer Block Party, or the Take Back Labor Day Festival - all of which give the term "political party" a whole new meaning.
xo-l'étoile
Arts Orbit is a multisource blog about the local arts scene, featuring both original contributions by Daily Planet writers and entries reprinted from partner blogs and online publications.
THURSDAY AUGUST 28th
Youth & Boobie Brigade Bake Sale
@ 7th St. Entry
7th St. and 1st Ave N.
MPLS
8 PM/ +18/ $8
Who says a party can't save the world? Join 1st Ave and the Entry in presenting a fundraiser in honor of the 3-day Breast Cancer Walk (in the Twin Cites September 19-21st). Get your dance on with DJ Jonathan Ackerman, dynamic duo Tendercakes, and electronic indie-rock trio Tim Rally Gold. Munch on scrumptious sweets, and feel good about it because it's all in support of an awesome cause: your boobs!
CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THE CAUSE
FRIDAY ART PICK: STEVEN GAGNON
@ Intermedia Arts
2822 Lyndale Ave S
Minneapolis
Nightly, 7pm-12am
The only police patrol car that won’t be looking to bust protesters is rolling into town, fresh from the DNC in Denver. Installation artist Steven Gagnon’s Border Cruiser is a mobile video projection, with a Brazilian immigrant’s story flashing on the back windows of the car. The work focuses the ordeal of entering and staying in this country “illegally”, and the difficult daily lives of undocumented workers. People have been talking about this work all the way from Art Basel, so you’ll have a chance to chase down this cruiser for a change. August 31st through September 4th.
CLICK HERE FOR THE STEVEN GAGNON SITE
FRIDAY AUGUST 29TH (THROUGH SEPT 4TH)
The UnConvention
@ Intermedia Arts (and various locations, see site)
2822 Lyndale Ave S
Minneapolis
Intermedia Arts is opening its doors to all artists, activists, organizers, journalists and others of the democratic persuasion as a place to rest, exchange information, and mentally climb on their digital information playground. This includes online reports from community journalists, political karaoke, a one mile UHF TV station, (you had us at karaoke), and of course, art. The UnConvention is a non-partisan exercise in participatory democracy using art, community activism and input, and forums for free discussion in response to the RNC. Many, many, many other associated Unconvention events are going on throughout the RNC so visit the link below to find out more!
Click HERE for the Unconvention Site.
FRIDAY AUGUST 29TH
ARP! Issue Release Party
@ Art of This
3506 Nicollet Ave S
Minneapolis
7pm / $5 suggested donation
Every ARP! release party is a blast. This issue is appropriately entitled DissentObjectProtest. Taking on the lesser-realized forms of protest like buycotting, driving below the speed limit and voting for Mickey Mouse, the sixth issue of Art Review and Preview is shaping up to be timely and as always, provoking. Pick up a copy hot off the presses, support your favorite art writers and start formulating your own underhanded protest plans.
CLICK FOR THIS ART EVENT AND MORE AT MPLSART.COM
COOL LINK: THE SOCIETY
Television news is so blasé, the future is all blogs, baby! Of course, you knew that or you wouldn't be here. Check out this newly revamped site from l'étoile's friends,The Society. With eclectic posts about consumer tidbits, music and entertainment news, politics, local updates and a little flossy flossy fashion wear; you can find out who Obama chose as his running mate and learn Da Brat got sentenced to 3 years in jail all in one place! Definitely a pop culture junkie's dream.
BONUS: The Society throws killer secret location parties every so often, keep your eye on their blog for details!
CLICK HERE FOR THE SOCIETY SITE
SATURDAY AUGUST 30TH
Spark24
5 p.m. Saturday to 5 p.m. Sunday
Peavey Plaza and Orchestra Hall
A non-stop marathon of free entertainment called Spark24 will get underway at 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 30, 2008 and will continue until 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 31 in the days just preceding the start of the Republican National Convention. For 24 hours straight, Peavey Plaza and Orchestra Hall on Nicollet Mall will be filled with a showcase of entertainment, visual arts, music, and dance performances. Plus, over 60 venues, ranging from restaurants and bars to hotels and retail stores, will also feature live entertainment during the 24-hour period. Spark24, offered free to both visitors and local residents, was designed to promote the local arts scene to a global audience during the convention. Highlights include an all night jam at Orchestra Hall featuring Cloud Cult, White Light Riot and a slew of others; an assortment of the finest local dance and theater companies such as Zenon and the Brave New Workshop will also be on exhibit.
BONUS: Look for What's What Editor Kate Iverson downtown and ham it up for her camera as she live-blogs and documents the occasion for The Rake for 24 hours straight!
CLICK HERE FOR THE SPARK 24 SITE
SUNDAY AUGUST 31ST (AND SEPT 2ND)
Call & Answer: Black Dog Block Party
@ Black Dog
308 Prince St
Lowertown, St. Paul
2-10pm / All Ages / FREE
Sunday promises to be an incredible day, with the second annual street bash thrown by the Black Dog Café and Wine bar. Taking inspiration from the Robert Bly poem of the same name, Call and Answer is the mission and theme for the festivities at Black Dog this weekend. The first of two days of music in the streets of Lowertown will host largely experimental bill of jazz, folk, instrumental and indie bands from both sides of the river, including Bloody Turncoats, Aviette, Big Quarters, Spaghetti Western String Company, The Brass Messengers, Down Lo, and many more.
Co-Sponsored by l'etoile magazine!CLICK HERE FOR THE BLACK DOG SITE
SUNDAY AUGUST 31ST
The Liberty Parade & After Party
@ Nicollet Mall to Loring Park
1pm parade, music around 2:30pm or 3pm / Free
Billing itself as Minneapolis’ art and music celebration for freedom of expression, the Liberty parade takes liberties with the definition in question. For instance - most parades don’t have the Missle Dick Chicks, who mock sexism and consumerism while wearing missle dicks. Follow the parade down the route and end up in Loring Park to see The Dillinger Four, The Retribution Gospel Choir, STNNNG, Happy Apple, Vampire Hands, the list goes on. This DIY approach to the UnConvention cost the organizers a lot of money, so ante up if you can.
CLICK HERE FOR THE LIBERTY PARADE SITE
SUNDAY AUGUST 31ST
Flaming Carnivale of Deviance
@ Pi Bar
2532 25th Ave S
Minneapolis
4pm-12am /$5 or free with costume
A summer carnival is a great distraction from all the political craziness and a reason to wear a costume. DJ Lori Barbero spins, The Knotwells, Gay Witch Abortion and Doric make music, and adult vendors and a fire show amaze all comers. Sideshows and Dykes on Bikes keep company with all the carnival game players. The performances are outside, so wear something non-flammable yet still danceable.
CLICK HERE FOR THE PI SITE
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 1ST
Take Back Labor Day Festival
@ Harriet Island
St. Paul
11am-7pm / 21+ / $10
Labor Day used to stand for a lot more than a three-day weekend and the chance to throw up at your friend's barbecue. Thankfully for working folks, the Service Employees International Union are hosting an all day concert that’s going to be so good even the McCainsters will want to come. Just across the Mississippi River from the RNC (which happens to open the very same day) will be an insane bill of world-class music that should appeal to folkies and hip-hop heads alike – a reunion of the full, original lineup of the Pharcyde, a rare appearance by rapper Mos Def and local idols Atmosphere; plus outspoken political folkster Billy Bragg and protest country singer Steve Earle. And in anticipation for their massive reunion show at the Target Center, Tom Morello shares the stage with some very special guests.
TIP: Buy tickets at Fifth Element to avoid extra fees.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
Arts Orbit is a multisource blog about the local arts scene, featuring both original contributions by Daily Planet writers and entries reprinted from partner blogs and online publications. Follow ArtsOrbit on Twitter and subscribe to Arts Orbit Radar for the latest scoop.
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