Freeloader Friday is your weekly guide to having fun no matter what your budget looks like. Each week we have a list of 100% free events like gallery parties, music, and films in the park, as well as free admission events like special happy hours, markets, and more.
FRIDAY
Uncle Jesse’s Comb
With Oeurth, Total Gaze. 8 p.m. White Squirrel Bar, 974 W. Seventh St., St. Paul.
Parishes Listening Party
Album and remix EP. 21+. 4:30 p.m. 331 Club, 331 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis.
White Line Darko, Admiral Fox, Beneath Green
21+. 9:30 p.m. 331 Club, 331 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis.
Frost Fest
Featuring food trucks, illuminated walking paths, puppetry, and misc. winter fun. 6-9 p.m. Pearl Park, 414 E. Diamond Lake Rd., Minneapolis.
The Jugsluggers
7 p.m. 612 Brew, 945 Broadway NE, Minneapolis.
Papa Greezy
8 p.m. Schooner Tavern, 2901 27th Ave. S., Minneapolis.
Crazy Larry
9 p.m. Gluek’s Restaurant and Bar, 16 N. 6th St., Minneapolis.
RuPaul’s Drag Race Viewing Party
Hosted by B. Louise. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Black Hart of St. Paul, 1415 University Ave. W., St. Paul.
Friday Night Open Mic
21+. 10 p.m. The Comedy Corner Underground, 1501 S. Washington Ave., Minneapolis.
SATURDAY
Winter Warm Up
There’s a long-running myth that the outdoors is both “free” and “accessible to everyone.” Outdoor recreation has historically excluded people of color, and gear—especially the nice, functional stuff that keeps you warm and dry in the winter—can be prohibitively expensive for huge segments of the population. (Have you ever looked up the cost of an Arc’teryx jacket?) It’s why Twin Cities PBS and Melanin in Motion are partnering to bring you this Winter Warm Up at Theo Wirth, where all are welcome, but the focus is on communities of color and folks who are new to winter outdoor sports and looking for a low-barrier entry point. They’ll supply the instruction and the gear you need to try tubing, snowboarding, snow shoeing, and cross country skiing. Register here. Free. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Trailhead at Theodore Wirth Park, 1221 Theodore Wirth Parkway, Minneapolis.—Em Cassel
Market Collective MN Makers Market
Check out a new makers’ market featuring queer and BIPOC vendors, including teas, sweets, artwork, clothing jewelry, candles, and more from Chingona Goods, Hala Sweets, Big Bubbe Energy, Sarah M. Sosa, and others. 2-6:30 p.m. Bad Weather Brewing Co., 414 7th St. W., St. Paul.
Carnival Brasiliero
Featuring traditional food and drink, entertainment, music, and martial arts demonstrations. Noon to 2 p.m. Midtown Global Market, 920 E. Lake St., Minneapolis.
Butter Boys, Flowerstalks, Rhino Shrine
331 Club, 331 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis.
Surrounded by Water
With Vin, Longwinter. 8 p.m. White Squirrel Bar, 974 W. Seventh St., St. Paul.
Starkbierfest
Featuring food from Kevin’s Gyros, live music from Small Town Radio, beer poking, and the beer release of Rock Out with your Doppelbock Out. Noon to 11 p.m. Alloy Brewing Company, 2700 Coon Rapids Blvd. NW, Coon Rapids.
The Suzy Greenberg MFA Exhibition
For the past 20 years, Soo Visual Arts Center has hosted an annual showcase featuring emerging artists in the Twin Cities. These artists, who are all working through their MFAs or recently received an MFA at either MCAD or the U of M, have been creating and critiquing through the pandemic. This Saturday the artists–Jocelyn Suzuka Figueroa, Olivia Gallenberger, Cody Hilleboe, MAC, Prerna, David Ruhlman, and Anda Tanaka–will share recent pieces. They are working with a variety of topics, including mixed racial identities, addiction, American bureaucracy, and domestic life. The mediums include ceramics, paintings, and sewing. “These works are as varied as the artists that created them,” says juror Nicole Soukup. “Yet all were made during the absurdity of the past two years.” See them this Saturday at the opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Soo Visual Art Center, 2909 Bryant Ave. S., Minneapolis. –Jessica Armbruster
Six Nations Rugby
Featuring Scotland vs. France at 8:15 a.m., and England vs. Wales at 10:45 a.m., plus $5 Guinness, Heineken, Strongbow specials during the games. Brit’s Pub, 1110 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis.
Open House and Art Talk with Laura Stack and Mary Gibney
1-4 p.m. Rosalux Gallery, 315 W. 48th St., Minneapolis.
Twin Cities Brass Band
7 p.m. Boom Island Brewing, 5959 Baker Rd., Minnetonka.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Art Show
Mixed-media rock 'n' roll themed art by Rob Sav. Saturday’s closing party will feature music from Noise Quean Ant. 6-9 p.m. Caydence Records & Coffee, 900 Payne Ave., St. Paul.
Gus the Bard
8 p.m. Dubliner’s Pub, 2162 University Ave. W, Minneapolis.
Free Saturday Yoga at Union Depot
Bring a yoga mat, water, and towel if you need them. 9 a.m. Union Depot, 214 Fourth St. E., St. Paul.
Mill City Farmers’ Market
With local farmers, artisans, ceramics, giftables, food, and more. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mill City Museum, 704 S. Second St., Minneapolis.
SUNDAY
The Mikkel Factory with Charlie Parr
21+. 3 p.m. 331 Club, 331 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis.
Game Night
Some guy named Chris H. is stopping by with board games. Or bring your own. Noon to 5 p.m. LynLake Brewery, 2934 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis.
Six Nations Rugby
Featuring Ireland vs. Italy at 9 a.m., plus $5 Guinness, Heineken, Strongbow specials during the games. Brit’s Pub, 1110 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis.
Carabao Cup Final: Liverpool vs. Chelsea
With $5 Guinness, Heineken, Strongbow specials during the games. 10:30 a.m. Brit’s Pub, 1110 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis.
Beatles Trivia
Get there early with a team of 6 or less. There will also be $2 off pints of Summit. 6 p.m. Brit’s Pub, 1110 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis.
Open Mic Night
Music, poetry, comedy, whatever is welcome. Sign up at 4:30 p.m. The Cave at Keg and Case Market, 928 W. 7th St., St. Paul.
The Bad Companions
Roots, rock, rockabilly. 8 p.m. White Squirrel Bar, 974 W. Seventh St., St. Paul.
