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

MUSIC
Concrete & Grass: Lowertown Music Festival

As if the RNC never happened, the Concrete and Grass Festival glides into Downtown St. Paul's Mears Park with nothing but music and good times in mind. Kicking off on Friday at 5pm and running through Sunday evening, you'll be treated to a lineup of spectacular sounds and performances that will please anyone with eyes and ears. Highlights include an enchanting program put on by Rake BFFs The Minnesota Opera at 7:15pm on Friday. The program will feature nine selections from their eclectic operatic repertoire, including Gioachino Rossini performing the signature opera tune made famous by Bugs Bunny (you know, Figaro, Figaro, Figaro?) from The Barber of Seville. Other performers throughout the weekend include Chris Koza, M.Anifest, Haley Bonar, Vicious Vicious, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Dosh, just to name a few. So bring a blanket or a lawn chair and kick back for a weekend of non-politically charged fun.

Friday-Sunday, Check website for times/schedule, Mears Park, Sibley & 6th, St. Paul, Free


ART
Animal Art 2: Critical Habitat

Leave it up to the folks over at Altered Esthetics to indulge not only my art addiction, but also my intense love of anything cute. One of my fantasy vacations includes renting out Superman's bedroom (you know, the one with the big silver bed where he gets it on with Lois Lane) surrounded by dozens of nyquil-drugged puppies (they have to remain sleepy, somehow - puppies do have an obnoxious side you know). There are elements of unicorns, rainbows, big screen TVs, and lots of sleeping included in this fantasy as well, but lets not get off topic. Anyhoo, Altered Esthetics churns out another winner tonight with this huge animal-themed group show featuring woodcuts, letterpress, bronze, photography, painting and much more - with plenty of underlying political fodder to make it as socially conscious as it is cute n' cuddly. Runs through September 27th.

Friday, Opening Reception 7pm-10pm, Altered Esthetics, 1224 Quincy Street NE, Minneapolis, Free

ART
Empty: Marshmallows, Popcorn and Cigarettes

One of my favorite artists in the city (and Rake office neighbor) debuts his first well-deserved solo show at Umber Studios tonight! Ruben Nusz has long been astounding the local art world with his photo-realistic paintings and versatile style that spans numerous mediums. An artist whose crazy sense of humor, thoughtfulness and colorful personality seeps into his work, I'd easily describe Nuszs' creations as gloriously clever pop art eye-candy - and candy it is, considering the concept of this show. Empty: Marshmallows, Popcorn and Cigarettes focuses on the bad habits of Americans and the empty calories and corporate lies we happily devour on a regular basis. Set your sights on carefully crafted trick-of-the-eye sculptures and juicy paintings featuring some of your favorite snacks, that will alternately have you drooling and slapping yourself. According to Umber's website refreshments will be served, most likely "tasty popcorn, yummy marshmallows, and delicious cigarettes," and who can argue with that? Show runs through September 24th.

Saturday, Opening Reception 7pm-11pm, Umber Studios, 3109 E. 42nd Street, Minneapolis, Free

PERFORMANCE
The Cooking Show Con Mero Cocinero Karimi

This weekend, the Bedlam Theater will prove both delicious and entertaining! Chef Mero will cook up delectable Iranian-Guatemalan- Filipino food live on stage, and will even let you taste it in between comical cooking stories and light-hearted political commentary. Bring your own bowl and sample a smattering of his tasty treats, which, in honor of the RNC will feature a menu for “protestors and politicians, foodies and fundraisers, carneys and conventioneers.” Stick around after the show for cocktails on the Bedlam's fantastic rooftop patio, where you can always expect a lively crowd of theater-types, punk rockers and West Bank booze hounds.

Read Food Writer Jeremy Iggers' stellar endorsement of the evening HERE.

Saturday-Sunday, 8pm, Bedlam Theater, 1501 S. 6th Street, Minneapolis, $20

MUSIC
Jenny Dalton CD Release Show

The talented Miz Jenny Dalton strikes again! We can always count on Jenny to keep things interesting with shows and projects that almost always include some sort of crazy collaboration, multimedia phantasm, or theatrical explosion - and tonight definitely continues that theme. Join the sugar-voice darlin' at the Ritz Theater tonight as she releases her highly anticipated new album, Rusulka's Umbrella, a collection of sweet and moody pop tunes inspired by such things as "Twin Peaks, the Morton Salt Girl, ghosts, and mermaids," and featuring numerous collaborations with local faves like Cloud Cult, Murzik and more. With purchase of the enhanced CD, you can also snap up a copy of Jenny's first book, Daughters of the Dead, which includes over 100 pages of personal journal entries, poems, lyrics and scribblings. Tonight's performance will be backed up by the uber-talented Lamb Lays with Lion Theater Company for extra pizazz, along with openers Fort Wilson Riot, Massgraves and Kill the Vultures.

Saturday, 7pm, Ritz Theater, 345 13th Avenue NE, Minneapolis, $10