Art Shanties, Ice Castles, Ski Jumping: This Week’s Best Events

Now that the temps have dropped into the frozen tundra zone, it’s time for Minnesotans to decide how they are going to spend their days until the thaw. Do we dare to venture outside, where the elements might kill us? Do we head indoors, where the plague awaits? Or, do we stay home and hermit away, sharing stories (streaming services) in front of a campfire (TV)?

No matter what approach you take this winter (or each day), we’ll have options for you every Monday here in Event Horizon.

MONDAY 1.10

The Minnesota Ice Castle

Long Lake Regional Park

This year is already bringing us bummer news: Park officials recently warned that it’s probably not going to be a good winter for access to the Apostle Ice Caves. So if you’re looking to see ice doing weird/cool stuff, you’re going to have to venture elsewhere. One option: This massive, man-made ice castle filled with all kinds of things to see and do. The enchanted “home” is made out of millions of tiny icicles that have been pressed together by hand, and the results are gorgeous. There are huge archways and caverns that will make you feel like an arctic explorer, there are ice slides to zoom down, and there are little tunnels to crawl through to discover a magical surprise on the other side. There’s also private, fire-lit VIP alcoves, if you're looking for a romantic date spot… or just a majestic place to social distance. Dress warm and RSVP online to reserve a time to visit. $11-$15; $16-$22 weekends. Thursdays through Mondays. 1500 Old Hwy 8, New Brighton. Through February 13 –Jessica Armbruster

TUESDAY 1.11

Reframed: Forgotten Film Remembered

Walker Art Center/Virtual Cinema

Film in the Cities was a revolutionary media arts and education program for teens formed in the early ’70s—if you want to learn more about it, a new documentary, Radical Roots of Youth Media, will debut on TPT next month. For this project, artist Ingrid Weise essentially remixed Super 8 outtakes shot by FITV students into a new, 25-minute collage of images, which is accompanied by original music from Jeremy Ylvisaker. You can watch online at the Walker’s Virtual Cinema or pop into the museum’s Bentson Mediatheque. Also screening are newly digitized three-minute FITC Super 8 films: At the Roller Garden by Tim Leonard and A Day at Oxford by Alex Jackson. Free. 725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis; find more info here. Through January 25 —Keith Harris

SATURDAY 1.15

Ice Palace Maze

Stillwater Zephyr Theatre

Getting lost in a land of ice: No, it’s not a life-or-death situation, it’s whimsical winter fun! For this massive ice maze in Stillwater, 775,000 pounds of ice was used to build 10-foot-tall walls that will take you on a half-mile stroll designed to (safely) confuse the fuck out of you. Once you escape you’ll be treated to other things to see, do, and consume. A huge slide is open to kids and grownups alike, hot chocolate and s’mores will be served, and there will be an ice bar pouring delicious booze for those of age. Learn more about this little ice fest here. $20; $12 kids 12 and under. 2-10 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; noon to 10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. 601 N. Main St., Stillwater. Through February 20 –Jessica Armbruster

The Art Shanty Projects

Bde Unma/Lake Harriet

Hell yeah! After taking a coronavirus year off, the Art Shanty Projects are back. There is a teeny tiny catch, however: All shanty shenanigans will be 100% outside this year. But the usual fun will be familiar, as artists, scientists, teachers, musicians, and more will invite guests to engage and explore a variety of themes and ideas, including global warming, equity, and accessibility. There will be art, including an installation of 600 ceramic flowers by Damien Wolf and ice sculptures that people are welcome to smash to bits. There will be athletics, with lacrosse sessions and frozen yoga led by BIPOC instructors. Winding Sheet Outfit will present a play from inside a translucent clock tower, and a giant amp-shaped shanty will host local musicians and DJs. Admission is a suggested donation of $10-$20 to keep things going into the future. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. 4135 W. Lake Harriet Pkwy., Minneapolis. Through February 6 –Jessica Armbruster

Fuck 2020/2021 

Turf Club

Described as a “wunderkind” by our pals at MN Comedy, Cianna Violet tops the bill at this comedy roast where, it seems, the roastee isn’t Milton Berle or Marty Allen, but instead the last two dogshit years. Also performing are Devohn Bland (author of one of the most popular Racket stories of 2021), comedian/writer/videographer Joey Hamburger, Riley Cosgrove, Ryan Kahl, and host Courtney Baka. Based on how the past 10 days have gone, we’re confident this crew of comics will have plenty of material for a takedown of 2022. $15-$18. 8 p.m. 1601 University Ave. W., St. Paul; more info here.—Jay Boller

Eisbock Poking Party

Northbound Smokehouse & Brewpub

A freshly remodeled Northbound Smokehouse & Brewpub is back in action and ready to welcome y’all to their annual Hot Poking Party. Wriggle into your long unders and get ready for an afternoon on the patio (don’t worry, there’s a fire), where the beer poking starts at noon. And they’re not just poking bocks at Northbound this weekend. With a triple release of their Eisbock, Wampa, and Helles Frozen Over, you can poke ‘em all, not unlike the early days of Facebook, to see how each reacts. Free. Noon to sundown. 2716 E. 38th St., Minneapolis; more info here. —Em Cassel

SUNDAY 1.16

2022 Flyfest

Minneapolis Ski Jumping Club

This Sunday, athletes from around the country (and the world) will make their way up a 300-foot structure to propel themselves down a ramp at a speed that will send them into the air. You’re invited to watch this spectacle, as top athletes vie for first place in the Minnesota leg of the Midwestern 5 Hills Tour, which is part of the U.S. Cup Series. Wear lots of layers and bring a mug of hot cocoa if you go; this event is totally outdoors and concessions will be closed this year (thanks, Covid!). $10; find tickets here. 5 to 9 p.m. 8401 E. Bush Lake Rd., Bloomington. –Jessica Armbruster

The Coldest Bike Ride of the Year

If the forecast for Sunday holds—it’s looking like a balmy 27 degrees at the moment—then this might not be the coldest bike ride you take this year. (Last week was a doozy!) But it’ll be chilly for sure, which is why it’s nice that this group ride, organized by the Beer Dabbler, gives you an opportunity to warm up at four participating Minneapolis breweries: Arbeiter Brewing Co., Eastlake Craft Brewery, Northbound Smokehouse & Brewpub, and Venn Brewing Company. The route itself is roughly seven miles, and almost all of the riding takes place on bike-friendly roads and trails. This is a leisurely, go at your own pace affair—plus your $5 ticket gets you two bucks off a crowler or draft beer at each stop. $5. Noon. Find more info here. —Em Cassel

Canned Laughter

Bauhaus Brew Labs

Prolific dad Jeff Pfoser brings a warm, fatherly presence to his standup, which comes across more like funny midwestern storytelling than punchline-joke, punchline-joke. The veteran local comic might sound wholesome, but he’ll sneak in wisecracks about wishing his eldest had never been born. Pfoser, who works as an ad man during the day, is currently prepping his debut album for Stand Up! Records. Randall Reid, Drew Hehir, and host Phil Kolas round out the flight of comics at this brewery showcase. Don’t get sticker shock: The entry fee includes a pint of beer. $22. 7 p.m. 1315 Tyler St. NE., Minneapolis; more info here.—Jay Boller

ONGOING

Outdoor Rinks are Open

Various Locations

Now that the deep freeze has arrived, outdoor ice skating has returned to the cities. While this handy map can help you find a Minneapolis or St. Paul park rink, there are also a few new additions and special events scheduled this week worth noting. If you venture out to Eagan (2611 Nordic Way), you’ll find that the Vikings’ training campus is hosting Winter Skolstice, a two-month celebration of ice sports. Multiple rinks will be open for free ice skating (bring your own skates), and there’s a hill for sledding. Pond hockey tournaments are planned, and free curling lessons will be offered on weekends during the Winter Olympics.  If you’re feeling bold, there’s outdoor yoga and HIIT workouts scheduled, too. A warming house with Nordic eats, hot drinks, and live music will be open daily to keep you from freezing to death. Out in Edina (7499 France Ave. S.), Centennial Lakes is hosting daily ice skating until the melt. A warming house will have skates available to rent for $8, or take to the ice in your own pair for free. –Jessica Armbruster

Winter Warm-Up

US Bank

Ever thought to yourself: “Gee, I sure wish I could take a few laps in my inline skates on the very field where the Vikings embarrass themselves week after week.” Well you are in luck! Winter Warm-Up is back this December and January, letting runners and skaters alike zip around the stadium’s main and upper concourses. Family skate starts first at 5 p.m., followed by “athletic skating” from 8 to 9 p.m. Tickets are only available online—grab yours and find additional info via Ticketmaster—and be prepared to sign a waiver in case you pull an Adam Thielen and sprain your ankle. $12 (free for children 3 and under). 5-9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through January. 401 Chicago Ave., Minneapolis. –Em Cassel