Freeloader Friday: 26 free things to do this weekend

Not heading to the Fair this weekend? No problem. There's plenty of free festivals, artist markets, theater in the park, and even some opera from a truck.

Do you have a free or $5 event coming up? Feel free to email me at Jessica@racketmn.com (bonus points if you put “Free” or “$5” in the subject line. 

FRIDAY:

Red Hot Fridays

In the “before COVID” times, Red Hot Art was a yearly two-day event. Surprisingly, this summer the rocking fest actually expanded, becoming a monthly series showcasing artists and offering services to the community. This month’s installment will feature tasty eats (La Tortilla Food Truck, MaraBee’s Cupcakes, Red Wolf Chai), and tunes and entertainment will be provided by FreeQueenSee & Friendz, Ashley Mari, and DJ Sci-Fi. There will be an artists’ market; makers include jewelry, pottery, rugs, and other artsy oddities. Added bonus: Red Hot Arts will also host Red Hot Shots. So if you are in need of a vaccine you can not only score one for free here (administered by Black Nurses Rock), but they will also give you cash and vouchers that can be used on the food vendors tonight. Free. 4 to 8 p.m. Stevens Square Park, 1801 Stevens Ave. S., Minneapolis.

Pickup Truck Opera Volume 1: The Odyssey

Mixed Precipitation is taking its Picnic Operetta on the road with an adaptation of Homer's Odyssey, using selections from Monteverdi's 1639 opera, Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria (The Return of Ulysses to his Homeland), baroque melodies, and Dolly Parton tunes. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. 7 p.m. Tony Schmidt Park, 3500 Lake Johanna Blvd., Arden Hills.

Tractorworks Exhibit Closing Reception

See outdoor works by  Outdoor Painters of Minnesota indoors. There will be lemonade, wine, and snacks. 4 to 6 p.m. TractorWorks Building, 800 N. Washington Ave., Minneapolis. 

Matt Wilson and his Orchestra

With DJ Truckstache. 7:30 p.m. Lake Harriet Bandshell, 4135 W. Lake Harriet Pkwy, Minneapolis.

Friday Art-Making in the Garden

Weekly free, drop-in sessions for kids four and up. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Walker Art Center, 725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis.

SATURDAY:

La Movida/The Hustle

Art exhibition of new sculpture, drawings, and prints by Maria Cristina Tavera. The opening reception will include live music and  a LatinX open air market. 5 to 10 p.m. NE Sculpture/Gallery Factory, 1720 Madison St. NE, Minneapolis.

Pickup Truck Opera Volume 1: The Odyssey

Mixed Precipitation is taking its Picnic Operetta on the road with an adaptation of Homer's Odyssey, using selections from Monteverdi's 1639 opera, Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria (The Return of Ulysses to his Homeland), baroque melodies, and Dolly Parton tunes. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. 2 p.m. Oak Hill Park, 3201 Rhode Island Ave. S., St. Louis Park.

Piss Mints, Birch Tree and Lil Pops, Black Market Mothership

8 p.m. Terminal Bar, 409 E. Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis.

CANCELED: All Of Us Or None Of Us: A Black August Door Knock + Kick Back

[UPDATE: This event is moving online in anticipation of storms this weekend, join folks on livestream at noon on Facebook live at facebook.com/BlackVisionsMN.] This event is for and by Black people. Featuring guest speakers from Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee Twin Cities. Featuring training, canvassing, and BBQ and music. Register here: bit.ly/BlackAugust2021. 11 a.m. to  5 p.m. North Mississippi Regional Park, Shelter A, 5116 N. Mississippi Dr., Minneapolis.

Heavy Metal Swap Metal

Browse thousands of CDs, tapes, records, shirts, books, artwork, toys, oddities, and more from local vendors, artists, and record labels. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fraternal Order of Eagles, 2507 E. 25th St., Minneapolis.

Summer Slurpn’ II

Glass-art show featuring 100 slurpers (it’s a type of pipe) by 100 artists. 2 to 11 p.m. Legacy Glassworks, 2928 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis.

Ride Bright Block Party

This is a BIPOC centered event, open to all. Featuring lights, locks, and helmets for BIPOC riders, and other giveaways, followed by a group ride, a fix-a-flat class, and food from La Tortilla food truck available for purchase. Noon to 3 p.m. One on One Bike Studio, 4461 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis.

Terrarium Art Fest

This underground arts festival/garage sale celebrates young Twin Cities artists of many mediums. With tarot readings, flash tattoos, live music, secondhand goods, and local vendors in a people-sized terrarium. 2 to 6 p.m. 1815 Portland Ave., St. Paul.

Zack King and Pigs Unlimited

6 p.m. Wabasha Brewing Company, 429 Wabasha St. S., St. Paul.

Pirate Mermaid Family Beach Party

ArtRageous Adventures hosts a treasure hunt, pirates-themed games, hands-on art making, and a professional chalk artist creating a beautiful mural of a mermaid. Snacks will be provided. 3 to 6 p.m. Hidden Beach, 2000 S. Upton Ave., Minneapolis.

“UnVessel”/“Listening to the Mississippi”

[UPDATE: This event is moving to next week in anticipation of thunderstorms today.] Tia-Simone Gardner’s site-based work “UnVessel” explores landscape photography and the Mississippi, drawing on historical connections between Blackness and the river. Meanwhile, Monica Moses Haller and Sebastian Muellauer present underwater and above ground recordings of the Mississippi from 2015, shared in this iteration as a composition by Michi Wiancko and Judd Greenstein. Noon to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Pickerel Lake at Lilydale Regional Park, 950 Lilydale Rd., St. Paul.

ITS FACTORY

Featuring pop-up installations, an artists’ market, food trucks, local musicians. 2 to 10 p.m. 1304 N. 10th Ave., Minneapolis.

Sunshine Pet Spa: Grand Opening and Art Crawl

With cartoon watercolor pet portraits. Noon to 6 p.m. 339 NE 22nd Ave., Minneapolis.

Colab: Art and Music

Featuring artists Rachel LaClaire and Puddle Flood; music by Blazz 1, Greensky, Modest, Blazz, and Northern Barrier; and hosts MC Hyde and MC Brace. 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Clockwerks Brewing, 25 N. Fourth St., Minneapolis.

SUNDAY:

Celtic Junction Open House

An open house of the Celtic Junction Arts Center Open House in tandem with partners Center for Irish Music, O'Shea Irish Dance, and Irish Fair of Minnesota, as well as Keane Sense of Rhythm and the Minnesota Scottish Celtic Dance Association. With building tours, the Eoin McKiernan Library, refreshments, and news on classes. 2 to 4:30 p.m. Celtic Junction Arts Center, 836 Prior Ave. N., St. Paul.

Nyttu Chongo/Minnesota Mandolin Orchestra

2 p.m./5:30 p.m. Lake Harriet Bandshell, 4135 W. Lake Harriet Pkwy, Minneapolis.

Pickup Truck Opera Volume 1: The Odyssey

Mixed Precipitation is taking its Picnic Operetta on the road with an adaptation of Homer's Odyssey, using selections from Monteverdi's 1639 opera, Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria (The Return of Ulysses to his Homeland), baroque melodies, and Dolly Parton tunes. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. 3 p.m. Hidden Beach, 2000 S. Upton Ave., Minneapolis.

Nicollet and Alcohol

An Oasis tribute band plays tunes on the rooftop lawn. 6 p.m. Brit’s Pub, 1110 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis.

Garden Pizza Party

Help garden and be rewarded with pizza and drink. 4 to 7 p.m. Redeemer Community Garden, located behind Venture North, 1830 Glenwood Ave., Minneapolis. 

Philip Shorey

The author celebrates the release of Travelogues of a Family Sideshow. 7 Corners Coffee, 1851 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis.