The daily digest of Twin Cities culture | Secrets of the City

FESTIVALS
Pride Weekend Spotlight: LOW LIFE Minneapolis

As part of the all-city-consuming extravaganza that is this year's Pride Weekend, hip (and delicious) Loring hot spot Nick and Eddie jumps on the bandwagon for their first year open during the Festival. Calling in favors from their hipper-than-thou friends in New York to rock the alley behind the restaurant, which is definitely one of the more charming alleys (really) in the city, you can expect the most enticing of stage shows and the most glamorous of costuming. Put on by the infamous NYC nightlife pioneers from The Jackie Factory, this is one Pride stop that you certainly do not want to miss. Hopefully you won't be so enthralled by the show that you forget to stop by the Festival in Loring Park, the Parade on Sunday, or any number of other fantastic Pride events going on over the weekend. Not sure where to begin? Click HERE.

Friday from 7pm, Sat-Sun from 2pm, Nick & Eddie, 1612 Harmon Place, Loring Park, Free


FILM
My Winnipeg

Described by Maddin as a "Docu-fantasia," My Winnipeg portrays the director's hometown and his experiences growing up there. The film is somewhat of therapy for Maddin, putting down in writing and on the big screen many of his remembrances, thoughts, opinions, and stories he heard while growing up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The melding of melo-dramatic silent-film style cinematography with archival footage from the past gives the film a real nostalgic feel. - Christopher Kelleher

Read the full review...HERE

Opening Friday, Lagoon Cinema, 1320 Lagoon Avenue, Uptown, $8.75

Pride Bonus: The Walker is screening the Queer Takes film series through the weekend!

MUSIC
John Hiatt and The Ageless Beauties

John Hiatt is an ersatz curmudgeon, a faux eccentric, a dilapidated Everyman with an undeniably big heart and an equally undeniable knack for songwriting. He can jangle a slant-back country blues song or ambush you emotionally by confessing for redemption. He's got elements of a Nashville pro and a guy who's listened to a lot of Dylan. He's a painstaking lyricist who doesn't try to make it all add up. His latest album, Same Old Man - between his 15^th and 25^th release, depending on how you count best-ofs, live recordings, and groups like Little Village - may be his most enjoyable outing since the sweet spot two-fer of Bring The Family and Slow Turning in 1987 and '88, but it isn't that much better than the ones in-between. -Britt Robson

Friday, Pantages Theater, 710 Hennepin Ave., Downtown Minneapolis, $47.50

Pride Bonus: In the mood for something a little more boisterous? Head to nearby Epic Nightclub for the "Big Gay Pride Party"

ART
Order, Happiness, and other Fictional Perceptions

Imaginative curator Emma Berg of mplsart.com brings us an interesting body of work featuring photography by Conor King, collage by Jaron Childs, drawings by Pam Valfer, and film by Amy Pierce - all artists with a connection to Minnesota. This exhibit invites the viewer to "look beyond the first layers of assumptions and into those that are born from looking into the obscured details." The artists were challenged to delve into themselves and examine assumptions and perceptions of everyday life - things that too often pass us by. Not to mention, The Gallery at Fox Tax, always throws killer openings that attract a bevy of up and comers on the Minneapolis art scene. Good people watching to be sure! Want to make a night of it? Dine at The Red Stag Supper Club, located virtually right next door to the gallery! Runs through July 26th.

Saturday, 6pm-11pm, The Gallery at Fox Tax, 503 1st Avenue NE, Northeast Minneapolis, Free

ART
Umber Studios 1 Year Anniversary

This little-known underground art gallery has been quietly throwing some of the best art parties in the Twin Cities for the past year. Umber has featured photography, drawing, painting, and installation work by artists of all levels and backgrounds which makes for unexpected and adventurous exhibits - thanks to the in-the-know artists who run the space. Speak of, tonight's show will focus on work by those very people, Umber founders Jessica Helvey, Janelle Vircks, and Phil Behrend. All amazing artists in their own right, it's time for a moment in the sun for these scene supporters who have devoted so much of their time and energy to up and coming local creatives of all shapes, sizes, and mediums!

Saturday, 8pm, Umber Studios, 3109 E 42nd Ave., South Minneapolis, Free


FESTIVALS
GLBT Pride Parade

There is no question that the annual Pride Parade is THE most visually enticing and entertaining parade of them all. Forget Miss Cowpatty Minnesota riding in a convertible, or your typical off-key highschool marching band - the Pride Parade is what (fabulously gay) dreams are made of! Last year about 135,000 people showed up, so I'd suggest getting there early to stake your claim on some prime parade-viewing real estate. You'd hate to miss the scores of gloriously adorned trannies strutting their stuff, the decked out and shimmering floats, or the inevitably oiled up, half-naked men that will be out if full force. If that last sentence didn't hook you, well then, I'm not exactly sure what would. The parade starts at 11am on 9th and Hennepin and ends at Loring Park. Pre-Parade show at 9th and Hennepin starting at 9am. For more Pride events click HERE.

Sunday, 9am pre-show, 11am parade, 9th & Hennepin, Downtown Minneapolis, Free