The Rake Magazine

ART
Jeff Hettwer

With the untimely passing of Jeff Hettwer, the world instantly became a little less beautiful. A vibrant and talented artist, Jeff was tragically killed in a car accident just over three weeks ago, and even as someone who knew him only slightly, I can say without hesitation that his bright shine will be missed by friends, family, and the art community as a whole. Jeff Hettwer was a passionate artist who was always happy to show and talk about his work with friends and strangers alike, and his studio in the Northrup King Building was constantly bursting with color and personality. It's really no wonder that a memorial art show, at the Walker Art Center no less, has been organized in his honor tonight. Come take in the amazing work of this prolific local artist who left us way too soon.

6pm-11pm, Walker Art Center Skyline Room, 1750 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis

FILM
Bicycle Film Festival

The eighth annual event celebrating all things pedal-powered promises to be more than just your average film festival. The 2008 Minneapolis Bicycle Film Festival, running July 9 - 12, features music, films and, yes, maybe even a little biking. The festival, just one of many being held around the world this summer, kicks off July 9 at 8 p.m. with a Bikes Rock party at the 7th Street Entry. The screenings begin on July 10 with a showing of the beloved 1979 sports classic *Breaking Away*. Screenings will be held at the Riverview Theater, Macphail Center for Music, the Theatre de la Jeune Lune and other venues. Valet bicycle parking will be provided! - Andrew Newman

July 9th-12th, Various times and locations click HERE for full schedule


MUSIC
Reloaded Wednesdays

This new weekly music night at the Turf Club pays homage to the good old days, namely the long-dead and sorely missed Groove Garden series Freeloaded Wednesdays, which ruled The Front back in the late nineties. Reloaded Wednesdays, aptly lead by long time scene staple Sean ‘Twinkie Jiggles' McPherson of Heiruspecs, focuses on hip-hop, r&b, and jazz, with a promise of "no fucking rock music", according to their Myspace page. Tonight's edition will feature the cool, cool tunes of Burning City Skyline, Aaron Rice, Tarlton, and resident record-spinner DJ Anton. Want to make an evening of it? Hit up greasy but tasty neighborhood spots such as The Best Steakhouse or Checkerboard Pizza - all within a block of the Turf.

9pm, Turf Club, 1601 University Avenue, St.Paul, $4

SPECIAL EVENT
331 Club Blingo

No, not Bingo, BLINGO! The always sassy 331 club puts their spin on your Grandma's favorite sport with this weekly hipster-friendly bingo party. Come on down to one of my fave neighborhood bars (and not just because it's within stumbling distance of my place) and prepare yourself for a rowdy night of bingin' and blingin'. Hostess with the mostest Ellie Blades will call balls as you try your luck at winning glitzy prizes. Enjoy the 331's tasty Tuesday $2.50 drink special and fill up on tacos from Raliegh's Texas Tacos, which will be in abundance tonight. Never played bingo to rap music? Well, here's your chance! After you win that Mr. T medallion, stick around for some electro-sauve tunes from the likes of Chemical Hawk, The Economy Team, and the amazing Venus DeMars.

Blingo 7-9pm, Music 9pm-2am, 331 Club, 331 13th Avenue NE, Northeast Minneapolis, Free

LECTURES
Lets Talk About It: Modern Marvels

Every other Tuesday through August the Highland Park Library hosts "Modern Marvels", a series that will appeal to both comic book afficiandos and the culturally curious. Focusing on graphic novels by Jewish artists, tonight's edition will spotlight "The Complete Maus: A Survivor's Tale", a famous graphic novel by Art Spiegelman. A moving and beautifully illustrated historic recount of the experiences of the artists' parents Vladek and Anna, who came of age in Europe on the verge of Nazism, and their sad tale of survival in the concentration camps. A serious story with a twinge of irony in it's characters, Maus depicts Jews as mice, Nazis as cats, Polish as pigs, and Frenchmen as frogs. Tonight's discussion will be moderated by Professor Judith Katz.

7pm, Highland Park Library, 1974 Ford Parkway, St. Paul, Free


MUSIC
9 Nights of Music

The Minnesota History Center is retro-central tonight with an extended evening of solid gold rock n' roll along with a 50s fashion show. If you missed May's Retrorama, this might be just the ticket! The evening also serves as a tribute to the Society's Minnesota’s Greatest Generation project which encourages the public to share their stories of family members who lived during the Depression, and in honor of this iconic time period, the History Center challenges you to dress the part! Show up in 50s threads and strut your stuff in the fashion show, or simply twist and shout to fun retro cover band The Rockin' Hollywoods. This is an outdoor party, so bring a blanket to sit on, and protect that vintage frock from modern grass stains!

6:30pm, Minnesota History Center (Outdoors), 345 W. Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, Free

FAMILY
History HiJinx: The State on a Stick: Sesquicentennial Hat

Did you know Minnesota is 150 years old this year? Well, it is, and the Minnesota History Center has been throwing her (yes, Minnesota is a girl) an epic year-long b-day bash to celebrate. If you've not checked out the MN150 exhibit yet, here's a good excuse that also may appeal to your fashionable side; today through August 22nd, try your creative paw at millinery at this History Center sponsored art activity for all ages. The Center will provide you with a hat to embellish with assorted Minnesota-themed bric-a-brac such as state symbols, flags, stars, and ribbons. So, make a date with the Minnesota History Center and celebrate L'Etoile du Nord's sesquicentennial in style!

11am-3pm, Minnesota History Center, 345 Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, Museum admission $10 Adults, $5 Children


MUSIC
Jimmy Eat World

Arizona rockers Jimmy Eat World came onto the underground alternative music scene back in the early nineties - right around the time that the unfortunate "grunge" trend was in full effect. By easily garnering the respect of the dirty flannel wearing masses, Jimmy Eat World has been able to carve out and maintain a huge fan-base to this day with their power punkish static riffs and juicy hooks. Tonight's show will most definitely feature plenty of unkempt 30-somethings reminiscing on the days of yore when girls wore babydoll dresses with Doc Martins and smelling bad was en vogue.

5:30pm, All Ages, First Avenue, 701 1st Ave. N, Downtown Minneapolis, $25


ART
Genus Elephas

Just in time for the Republican National Convention, Premier Gallery goes the safe route with an elephant-themed art show. This technically non-politically charged but Republican tourist-friendly exhibit features painting, sculpture, and mixed media work by local and national artists. Juried by a panel of museum specialists, this exhibit will explore "imagery of the elephant and the human fixation with elephant-inspired art". While Premier is always quite tame (which makes sense considering their primo retail spot downtown Minneapolis), the harmless political twirl to this show ought to appeal to everyone, because, lets face it, Republican mascot or not, elephants are cute!

Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, Premier Gallery, 141 S. 7th Street, Downtown Minneapolis, Free

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

MUSIC
Dave Wolfe & The Wolfmen with Sweet Mamma J

There's a hootenanny down at Lee's tonight! You're in for an old-timey treat with local Rockabilly legend Dave Wolfe (of Sci-Fi Western, The Vibro Champs, and Reverse Cowgirl fame) playing his infectious brand 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 Sweet Mamma J and The Lonesome Fugitives; a local roundup of talented country crooners who, for tonight, turn Lee's into a small town roadhouse of the most nostalgic variety. Drink your whiskey straight up and grab your sweetheart for a dance - and if you've got two left feet, get to Lee's early for free dance lessons with Shannon at 8pm!

9pm, Lee's Liquor Lounge, 101 Glenwood Avenue, Minneapolis, $5

WINE
Summer Wine Tasting

If you're a wine connoisseur in the Twin Cities, you're most likely familiar with Sam's Wine Shop. A quaint yet hip nook located in the trendy North Loop 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 Bev's Wine Bar for some yummy apps, conversation, and yes, more wine.

5-8pm, Sam's Wine Shop, 218 Washington Avenue North, North Loop, Free


FAMILY
Aveda Butterfly Garden

I am obsessed with Aveda products. Not only do they work like a charm, but they smell wonderful as well. I burn Aveda candles, I wear Aveda perfume, use their shampoo, hair spray, lotions, etc...I love me 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 good hair and want to nestle in as living accessories for a night on the town? Most likely not, but wouldn't that be nice? Ok, back to reality; this exhibit is a fluttering flurry of delicate wings and vibrant colors, with over 40 different species of North American butterflies and moths on display. Housed in an equally beautiful environment, which includes a trickling stream and a variety of plants, this educational exhibit fills you in on the life and times of the butterfly - from chrysalis to mating habits. Oh-la-la!

10am-5pm Daily, Minnesota Zoo, 13000 Zoo Blvd, Apple Valley, Zoo Admission $14 Adult, $8 Children