The MN State Fair may be gone, but there’s plenty to do and see this weekend in the Twin Cities (and surrounding areas). Below are a few of this weekend’s highlights:
Flow Art Space presents “Me, Myself, and Eye” Group Exhibition in St. Paul, Friday, September 6. The reception will be held at the Flow Art Space in the Northern Warehouse in Lowertown; the event is free and open to the public. More details per the Flow Art Space website:
“This group exhibition reflects the many ways artists see themselves. Please join us for a reception to meet and greet artists. Light refreshments and beverages served. Friday, September 6 from 6-8 pm. Held in conjunction with Lowertown First Friday, with additional art spaces open in the building and throughout Lowertown.”
- Monarch Festival / Festival de la Monarca, Saturday, September 7, at Nokomis Naturescape in Minneapolis. This colorful event is bound to set the cameras aflutter. Sponsored by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, and the Nokomis East Neighborhood Association, the festival will feature artwork highlighting the Minnesota-Mexico migration path of the monarch butterfly. There will also be food, including roasted corn, live music, and fun activities for kids. Go here for more information.
- Public Art St. Paul presents the Western Sculpture Park Festival, Saturday, September 7. Festival activities include: art making, face painting, spin art, music, puppets, performance, sculpture and much more! Visit the Public Art Saint Paul website for more info.
- The Soap Factory Presents: , , , Opening Reception, Saturday, September 7, in Minneapolis. Per the Soap Factory website:
“,,,presents a perspective of emerging contemporary art made in Minnesota. Curated by John Marks and David Petersen (co-directors of Art of This) , , , is immersive and interdisciplinary exhibition comprises 38 artists whose work spans visual and sonic art, performance, writing and interactivity.
, , , is an exhibition without a title, without a theme, and without a destination other than the exhibition itself. The third iteration of The Soap Factory’s presentation of a Minnesota biennial , , , is a philosophy that seeks to empower the exhibition’s artists, whose work has been included to dictate the course of exhibition more than the work and words of the curators.”
- Tell Congress: Vote NO on War protest, Saturday, September 7, in Minneapolis. Do you have strong feelings about U.S. intervention in Syria? Make your voice heard at this anti-war protest, taking place on Hiawatha Avenue and Lake Street in Minneapolis, from 12:30 – 1:30pm. Initiated by Minnesota Peace Action Coalition, the aim is to use this busy intersection to raise awareness and show a strong anti-war presence in the community. Go here for more details.
- 3rd Annual Festival of Giving, Saturday, September 7, in Minneapolis. This family-friendly event features live folk music and dancing, spoken-word artists, and plenty of food and activities. Admission is free, but donations are gratefully appreciated and go towards community organizations fighting hunger and homelessness, and other important causes. Go here for more information.
- Rise Up Singing Sing-Along Concert, Saturday, September 7, in St. Paul. Join Peter Blood and Annie Patterson, creators of Rise Up Singing songbook and the soon-to-be-published book, Rise Again, for this sing-along benefit concert for Friends for a Nonviolent World organization. Visit the Friends for a Nonviolent World website for more information.
- Concrete and Grass Lowertown Music Festival, September 5, 6, & 7, in St Paul. The Lowertown Concrete and Grass Music Festival is advertised as:
“a free outdoor event held at Mears Park, downtown Saint Paul. The festival is a unique partnership of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Opera, Ordway Center, Schubert Cluband the Twin Cities Jazz Festival. Concrete and Grass celebrates the opening of the performance season and includes a range of genres, including: jazz, opera, chamber music, rock, dance, roots and world music. “
The festival lineup for Fri. and Sat. per the Concrete and Grass website:
Friday, Sept 6
5 p.m. Alison Scott
6:30 p.m. Marimba Africa presented by the Ordway
8:30 p.m. Lucy Michelle featuring Chan Poling and John Munson
Saturday, Sept. 7
4 p.m. Copper Street Brass Quintet presented by the Schubert Club
5:30 p.m. Minnesota Opera
7 p.m. The Sphericals presented by McNally Smith College of Music
8:30 p.m. Halloween, Alaska
- Last but not least, outside of the Twin Cities we have the 12th Annual Bluegrass Festival, Saturday, September 7, in Lake Elmo MN. This free festival is a wonderful way to appreciate the outdoors and hear great local musicians. Exhibits, camping, food vendors, and family-friendly activities will be on hand. Go here for more info.
Coverage of issues and events that affect Central Corridor neighborhoods and communities is funded in part by a grant from Central Corridor Funders Collaborative. Reporting for this article also supported in part by Bush Foundation.
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