FAMILY
A Taste of Minnesota
Party with the masses at this annual blowout celebration of Minnesota
in all it's glory! The Taste of Minnesota is all about music, revelry,
and most importantly, FOOD. This extravaganza almost (almost)
puts the
State Fair to shame with an endless list of delightfully
unhealthy delicacies. While the Taste doesn't have deep fried Spam like
the Fair, it does boast fried cheesecake, fried apples, and fried ribs. Mmmm...heart-attacky! Once your arteries are comfortably clogged, take in tuneage
by likes of R.E.O. Speedwagon, The Zombies, Seether, and Eddie Money -
just to name a few. If you're traveling with little ones, there's
plenty to keep them entertained;
carnival rides, kid-friendly performances, paddleboat tours, dance
parties, and even fireworks each night at 10:15. Just don't forget the leash.
Thurs., Sat., Sun. 1 p.m.-10:40 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 10:40 p.m., Harriet Island, Downtown St.Paul, Free
ART
First Thursdays in the Arts District
Now that the Art-A-Whirl after-glow has worn off a bit, you ought to be
primed and ready for another round of art-crawlin' in Northeast. First
Thursdays in The Arts District
is the perfect chance to leisurely peruse open studios minus the
throngs of tourists nipping at your heels. Stop into The Casket Arts
Building, the Thorpe Building, The Q.arma Building, or any number of
Arts District staples, then make a cameo at the Northrup King Building,
the granddaddy of all art buildings, for tons of open studios AND a
special "surprise" in the parking lot...Is it a dance routine? A pie
eating contest? Bingo? You'll have to come to find out.
Thursday, 5-9 p.m., Northeast Arts District, Various locations, Free
FILM
10 Second Film Festival
Is ten seconds long enough to spark real emotion? Put your reaction time to the test tonight at the Soap during this annual outdoor film festival!
Over 100 ten-second film submissions will compete for best-of
awards in
such categories as "Under the Influence", "Arthouse", "Kubrick Award",
"Most Disturbing" and more. The Soap makes this yearly tradition even
more raucous with live bands, a beer truck, and a panel of fun
celebrity judges. Get a bird's-eye view of the Riverfront fireworks
at 10 p.m., with the festival starting promptly at 10:15. Then, come back to the Soap Factory
between noon on Saturday and noon on Sunday for a full 24 hours of
performance and new media with Artery 24.
Friday, 10 p.m., The Soap Factory, 518 2nd Street SE, Minneapolis, Free
ART
Freedom: Annual Juried Art Show & Resident Artists Show
Altered Esthetics jumps on the patriotic bandwagon for the second year in a row with this "freedom" themed group show.
Considering AE's 
liberal nature, and considering that artists typically
lean towards the radical rather than the conservative, it's probably safe to say that this exhibit will have plenty of cool art with extra political
undertone. If you're not in the mood for heavy topics, however, don't
despair - This month AE puts on a double header show with work by their
Resident Artists as well. One major highlight is the installation by
mysterious local art duo "Pop Vomit",
which consists of a huge wall covered floor to ceiling with
duplicated and vibrantly colored panels of Warhol-esque proportions -
with a modern graphic twist. So, get yourself down to Altered Esthetics
for this red-white-and-blue-inspired opening reception which will also feature a barbecue, live music
and more. The perfect pre-fireworks activity if you want to keep your
evening all-american! Runs through July 26th.
Friday, 7-10 p.m., Altered Esthetics Gallery, 1224 Quincy Street NE, Northeast Minneapolis, Free
MUSIC
Roomful of Blues
Being one of the classiest joints in town, the Dakota Jazz Club
knows just how to create a mood with their alluring ambiance, cool,
cool music, and decadent cuisine, and this weekends' festivities will once
again prove it. World-class ensemble Roomful of Blues rolls
in for a full weekend of jazzy jump-blues, soul, swing and r&b.
Singer Dave Howard, well known for his soulful vocals, adds a gritty and
nostalgic charm to this engaging group of mega-talented musicians, lead
by guitarist Chris Vachon. Make an exquisite evening of it by mixing
your music with a meal - The Dakota shines in the dining department
with gourmet fare
such as Scallion Crusted American Kobe Beef Tenderloin, Star Prairie
Trout Roulade, and Yucca Root Gnocchi, just to name a few. Or, just
stick to vino - the Dakota's got an amazing selection that will please wine snobs and booze-hounds alike.
Saturday & Sunday, 7 p.m. or 9:30 p.m., The Dakota Jazz Club, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Downtown Minneapolis, $21-$27
MUSIC
Acoustic Sunrise Series: Larry Ravenswood
Pop in to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts this bright and cheerful Sunday morning for some coffee and live music, then stick around for 
the art! Each Sunday, the MIA's ArtsBreak Cafe
hosts a different acoustic musician to entertain while you sip your
latte and scarf down a scone. You're especially in luck this time
around because local silver-tounged smoothie Larry Ravenswood
will treat you to a dose of his grooved-out, acoustic indie
pop from 11am to 1pm. After you've got your fill of tunes and tea take
a meander through the expansive galleries of the beautiful Minneapolis
Institute of Arts, which if you ask me, is the perfect lazy Sunday afternoon
experience. Acoustic Sunrise is sponsored by The Rake and Cities 97, so
you know it's good!
Sunday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 2400 3rd Ave. S, Minneapolis, Free
of moody country rock n' roll along with his
backup band, The Wolfmen. If Dave's super sexy swagger isn't enough for
you, factor in the bluesy Tammy Wynette-esque stylings of 
neighborhood,
Sam's is a delightful stop for any vino afficianado. This evening's
perfectly timed tasting is your opportunity to find out what's cool to
sip this summer, just in time for the 4th - if you're not planning on
going the icky hot dogs and cheap beer route, that is. Sample Sam's
latest selections of "crispy whites, pretty pinks, and light bodied
tasty reds", chat with the in-the-know staff who can pair you up with
complimentary wines for any occasion or meal, and maybe even meet some
like-minded folks. Want to make it a date? Check out the wine tasting,
then head over to nearby 
some Aveda! So, naturally when I caught
wind of this butterfly exhibit, the thought of it was especially
charming. Is it possible these are special, pretty-smell producing
butterflies that are drawn to 
one (or a hundred) too many times. No more! The boys from 
back in 1970. As part of Brown's
backup band, The J.B.'s, who played on some of Brown's most famous
albums on unforgettable tunes such as "
for his
commentaries on NPR's All Things Considered, and definitely for his
autobiographical storytelling performances, will enrapture you with
witty tales that are as amusing as they are eloquent. Accompanied by
the seven-time Grammy nominated McCutcheon, tonight's show will
definitely be a riveting performance that might just warm the cockles
of your 
and swirling dancers in a beautiful
evening on their last tour-this amazing 11-piece band does have another
superb record's worth of tunes in their arsenal: Made In Dakar,
released in May, and equal or better than their comeback triumph,
Specialist In All Styles. Barthelemy Attisso's multifaceted guitar
lines are the main attraction, but it is hard to discount the vibrant,
beseeching griot vocals, the Afro-Latin polyrhythms (especially the
verbose vocabulary of the talking drums) and the snazzy saxophone phrases.
And like all great bands, the synergy is abundant. - Britt Robson
have been burned into my mind, along with probably 3 or 4
songs from the game's soundtrack. Members of Wu Tang have come
a long way since Playstation 1 however, with numerous solo projects, as well
as clothing lines, film projects - and 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 
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
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, 
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, 
Minnesota riding in a convertible, or your typical
off-key highschool marching band - the Pride Parade is what (
