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

ART
The St. Paul Art Crawl

Put on your berets and head across the river to soak up more local art than you can shake a paintbrush at! This bi-annual art-stravaganza is always a pleaser, with hundreds of artists opening their studios to show off (and sell) their creations for an entire weekend. Hit up almost 30 buildings in Downtown and in other areas of St. Paul that will feature a ridiculous amount of open studios, gallery shows, music, and most definitely, wine. It's pretty safe to say that you'll never be able to see it all in one night, so feel free to return more than once - art should never be hurried! After taking in the sights (and hopefully putting your money where your art-loving mouth is), take a siesta at the centrally located Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar for live music on both Friday and Saturday nights - look for fire dancers and stilt walkers to guide the way!

Friday 6-10pm, Saturday 2pm-10pm, Sunday Noon-5pm, Various Locations, St. Paul, Free


BENEFIT EVENT
Art For Choice

This 5th annual fundraiser will feature a slew of the Twin Cities' hottest artists who have all stepped up to donate work to be auctioned off for non-profit group Pro-Choice Resources. Place your bid and win cool art by such notables as Alec Soth, Jennifer Davis, Terrance Payne, Michael Birawer, Jodi Reeb-Myers, Amy Rice, Tara Costello and many, many more - work you'll most likely get away with at a fraction of its actual value. Guests will have the opportunity to play exciting games and win prizes while boppin' to the beats of Ms. Lori Barbero on the turntables and nibbling on an assortment of yummy treats courtesy of the Red Stag. All money raised will go towards reproductive and sexual health education for youth and adults throughout the state.

Friday, 6:30pm-9:30pm, Graves 601 Hotel, 601 1st Avenue N, Minneapolis, $35 Suggested Donation

ART
Gallery Grooves: HEARSIGHTED

Join us for a special Saturday night edition of Gallery Grooves as we team up with the Weisman on their latest exhibit, Hindsight is Always 20/20 by R. Luke DuBois. This hip evening of art, music, dancing, food and drinks (hello, 45th Parallel Vodka!) will definitely not disappoint the art lover, or the party lover in you! Peruse the exhibition and take in tunes from University of Minnesota electronic music students in the galleries, then catch a special performance of Bioluminescence by DuBois at 9:30 p.m. Following the performance, you can dance the night away to electronic grooves spun by Minneapolis-based DJ E-tones. Reservations are encouraged, as space is limited, so we suggest RSVPing to 612-625-4460 asap! Mention The Rake's Gallery Grooves to receive the discounted member admission rate of $5! Gallery Grooves is sponsored by The Rake, KBEM Jazz88, and 45th Parallel Vodka and the Weisman Art Museum.

Saturday, 8pm, Weisman Art Museum, 333 East River Road, Minneapolis, $10 ($5 with RSVP mentioning Gallery Grooves to 612-625-4460)

SPECIAL EVENT
Free First Saturday & museo aero solar Balloon Inflation

Saturday is bustling over at the Walker Art Center! Bring your brood (or you boyfriend, or your bff) to this family-friendly monthly party that spans the whole museum. Enjoy free admission all day and watch as museo aero solar creators Tomás Saraceno and Alberto Pesavento inflate their 100% recycled solar powered air balloon made with locally-gathered plastic bags. Stroll the galleries and peep the super-amazing Eero Saarenin: Shaping the Future or the Journeys to Nowhere: Selections from the Collection. Top it all off with a light treat in the Gallery 8 Cafe, or something a bit more decadent at Wolfgang Puck's 20.21 Restaurant - try the chicken-filled lettuce cups or the roasted baby beets - both items are craved religiously by certain Rake staffers on an all-too-regular basis.

Saturday, Balloon Inflation 10am, Galleries Open 11am, Walker Art Center, 1750 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, Free


MUSIC
Bella Koshka

If you haven't had a chance to catch this entrancingly lush and dreamy act yet, tonight is the perfect opportunity. Head down to the cozy and cute Kitty Cat Club for an intimate evening of starry-eyed song-smithing complete with violins and searing vocals that will do nothing less than enchant. The perfect soundtrack to an crisp autumn evening, Bella Koshka blends velvet-touched classical with dark and moving pop sensibilities to create an utterly unique sonic experience. While you're there, pick up a copy of their debut CD, Slow Dancing on the Ocean Floor, which will definitely fit right in on your Fall playlist.

Saturday, 9pm, Kitty Cat Klub, 315 14th Avenue SE, Dinkytown, $5