Welcome to Event Horizon, your weekly roundup of the best events in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
MONDAY 7.11
Japanese Breakfast
First Avenue
I know you can’t say stuff like this anymore without people (accurately) throwing around phrases like “parasocial relationship,” but I’m just so goddamned happy for Michelle Zauner. When I first saw her onstage with the short-lived and underrated Philly band Little Big League, I never could have imagined she’d be one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people a decade later. The Japanese Breakfast singer/guitarist/writer/sound-layer-er now has two Grammy noms for her latest, the resplendent and aptly joyful Jubilee. Not only was her first book, Crying in H Mart: A Memoir, a runaway success upon its release last year, but it’s being adapted into a feature film. (Zauner is providing the soundtrack.) One day she’s performing on SNL; the next she’s throwing out the first pitch at the Mets/Phillies game. And the beauty—and rarity—of that success is not lost on Zauner: “How’s it feel to be at the center of magic/To linger in tones and words?” she asks on Jubilee opener “Paprika.” You can see her answer the question in real time on July 11. With viral tween/teen punks the Linda Lindas. 18+. $49.50. 7 p.m. 701 N. First Ave., Minneapolis; find more info here.—Em Cassel
TUESDAY 7.12
Steve Earle and the Dukes
Dakota
Now 67, Steve Earle splits his time between the new and the old. He’s collaborated on a full-fledged musical, Coal Country, with original tunes, but he also seems to have settled into recording single-artist tribute albums. And why not—you get the band together, yowl some of your favorite songs, maybe turn some of the younger fans (you know, the 45-year-olds) on to songwriters they should already know more about. Earle’s third tribute in recent years, for Texas outlaw pioneer Jerry Jeff Walker, is even looser than his Guy Clark collection, Guy, though more appropriately so. Unlike Todd Snider, whose own better-enunciated Jerry Jeff tribute Jerry Jeff doesn’t quite equal, Earle’s hardly a kindred spirit—he’s ornery where Walker was wily. But aside from the obligatory “Mr. Bojangles,” the atypical hit you likely know Walker from, the songs stand up to that shift in sensibility. And you should hear Earle stomp through “Charlie Dunn,” about JJW’s favorite bootmaker. $90-$120. 7 p.m. 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis; find more info here.—Keith Harris
Fuzzy Math
Icehouse
Mark Vandermyde is a fluid as hell pianist, generously melodic without ever being florid, offering tuneful vamps from which his fellow instrumentalists can launch their equally tuneful improvisations. On his band’s latest, Sweet Liberty, he works with alternately tender and brawny saxophones from Andrew Schwandt and Brian Handeland, as well as a nuanced rhythm section featuring drummer Haralds Bondaris and either Matt Peterson or Charlie Lincoln on bass. You’ll know the Tears for Fears song, if Vandermyde plays it; the originals, obviously, won’t be quite as familiar but won’t perplex you with their oddity either. This is jazz that never gets too far out but never dawdles too close to home—a genuine sweet spot. If you miss this, you can catch Fuzzy Math at Amsterdam next Monday. With Power/Devereaux. $10/$12. 8 p.m. 2528 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis; more info here.—Keith Harris
THURSDAY 7.14
Mitski
Surly Festival Field
“Please don’t be weird to Mitski,” Racket’s Keith Harris wrote in his review of her Palace Theater show earlier this year, “I want her to keep touring.” We assume, then, that Racket is to thank for the reluctant star’s speedy return to the Twin Cities, this time at (arguably ethically compromised) Surly Festival Field. What can we say about Mitski here that Keith didn’t already, and at length, in his March review? Um… it’s interesting that Mitski is following in the footsteps of a few other favorites on our big summer 2022 music guide—Orville Peck, Jenny Lewis—and opening for Harry Styles’s UK shows this June, isn’t it? I think it is. Also, with a few months of distance from the release, Laurel Hell kind of grows on you, even if it never does seem to find its footing. Give it another shot, and get to the gig either way. For far more eloquent Mitski thoughts, please return to Keith’s Palace review—thanks! With Indigo De Souza. All ages. $49.50. 5:30 p.m. 520 Malcolm Ave. SE, Minneapolis; find more info here.—Em Cassel
Brad Zellar
Moon Palace Books
Sure, he’s my friend, but you think I go around making friends with lousy writers? So take this with a grain of your preferred seasoning, but City Pages album Brad Zellar’s first full-fledged novel, Till the Wheels Fall Off (Coffee House Press), is a more thoughtful, insightful, well-crafted, and just plain pleasurable take on the inner lives of melancholy, aging white men than we might seem to deserve. The novel’s a first-person account from a solitary guy named Matt Carnap who drifts back to his dying Minnesota hometown, finds a home in an abandoned high school stadium, and journeys inward through his past to connect with his former stepfather. It’s steeped in the stuff of nostalgia: music, roller rinks, and small towns, and how they exert their pull on a certain sensibility. But there’s no glib Nick Hornby schtick here, and no sad sack demands for sympathy—just an honest look at a certain kind of masculinity, the bonds it creates, and the limitations it draws. If you’re partial to St. Paul, Zellar will also be reading at Barely Brothers Records and Next Chapter Booksellers in St. Paul in upcoming weeks. Free. 7 p.m. 3032 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis; more info here.—Keith Harris
FRIDAY 7.15
Minnehaha Falls Art Fest
Minnehaha Falls Park
Minnehaha Falls have inspired artists for centuries, so it just makes sense to celebrate art down by the ol’ waterfall. That’s the thrust of this annual fest, which tends to draw around 150 artists from around the country pedaling paintings, jewelry, dog bandanas, and so much more. Hey, you’ve been to art fests, you get it. The bargain billing sets this one apart; each booth will feature items under $30, we’re told. There’ll be plenty of fun for looky-loos too, with live tunes (Trevor McSpadden and Mary Cutrufello, Matt Yetter, BrassZilla, among many others) and food trucks (Thai Thai Street Food, Cookie Dough Bliss, KCM Egg Rolls, Adam's Gyros, Rollin Nolen BBQ). Free. 3-8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 4801 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis; find more info here.—Jay Boller
SATURDAY 7.16
West 7th Summerfest
Keg & Case
Does Racket write enough about St. Paul? Our four editors all live in south Minneapolis, thus making them prone to the prevailing anti-St. Paul biases that course through our so-called mainstream local media. Frankly, it makes me sick. My first and only recourse? Writing this neat little blurb about West 7th Summerest, the inaugural two-day celebration of two uniquely St. Paulian elements: “summer and community.” Can’t argue with those! The constellation of Keg & Case tenants will play host, though an additional army food trucks has been commissioned. The outdoor concert calendar is legit stacked, locally speaking: Tabah and Covalent Blonde headline Saturday; Solid Gold and Faith Boblet take us home Sunday. Free. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. 928 West Seventh St., St. Paul; find more info here.—Jay Boller
Lowertown Blues & Funk Fest
Dual Citizen Brewing
Well lookie here: Another St. Paul event. It seems Racket truly is the savior the capital city wants and needs. Anyway, blues and funk… in this economy? It’s true, the inflation-proof Lowertown Blues & Funk Fest bucks economic headwinds each year by remaining free of charge. This year’s bill includes: Minneapolis-launched "Evil Woman" hitmakers the Crow; local blues legends Lamont Cranston a.k.a. "the kings of da boogie,” according to the Strib’s Jon Bream; Florida guitar ace Selwyn Birchwood; and Harlem vocal powerhouse Shemekia Copeland, whose politically charged 2020 album, Uncivil War, drew raves from blues critics. Free (a $100 VIP option exists). 2-10 p.m. 725 Raymond Ave., St. Paul; find more info here.—Jay Boller
Francis Fest
Sociable Cider Werks
When’s the last time you got to soak someone in a dunk tank? We’ll answer for you: It’s been too long. At this weekend’s first-ever Francis Fest, the makers of some of the Twin Cities’ finest vegan burgers are taking over Sociable’s patio with all kinds of summer-fair favorites, from tie dye to live music to the aforementioned dunk tank. They’re bringing a bunch of other local vegan favorites along for the fun, including Root to Rise and MN Nice Cream, along with more than 30 local artisans, vintage sellers, and more. Free. 1-8 p.m. 1500 Fillmore St. NE, Minneapolis; find more info here.—Em Cassel
LynLake Street Art Series
Various Locations
The Lyndale neighborhood is already home to some sweet-ass murals. There’s the skeleton man and his dog at 38th, the broom-wielding zombie fighter at 31st, the gorgeous afro flower lady at 28th, and the bad-ass skull-filled sea at 27th. Like a tattoo collector, new murals are always being added, and this weekend, Lyn-Lake takes one step closer to completing the sleeve. For the next two days, mural artists both local and national will be adding 30 new pieces to the ‘hood. Spots to check out include Common Roots Cafe, Jungle Theater, the Uptown VFW, the Greenway, and Cub Foods. During both days Legacy Glassworks will be a central event location, hosting glass blowing demonstrations, food trucks, morning yoga, and live music from Sesay, Pretendians, Space Monkey Mafia, and others. Find more details about where things are happening at lynlakestreetart.com. Free. 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Lake Street and Lyndale Avenue, Minneapolis. –Jessica Armbruster
8 Years of Awesome
Bauhaus Brew Lab
Northeast beer makers Bauhaus know how to throw a decent party. A few of their greatest hits, from this year: Mini Market, a parking lot pop-up featuring local makers; a Father’s Day meat and beer extravaganza (no explanation needed, obviously); and St. Patrick Swayze’s Day, an annual celebration of the dude from Point Break, Dirty Dancing, and Ghost. This weekend, however, they’ll be high-fiving themselves with a daylong hang. Animale’s Barbecue Co. will be serving up meats, and Bauhaus will have a few special kegs tapped for the occasion. There will be live rock tunes starting around 4 p.m., with Bird Room, Kansas Plates, Solid Gold, Viva Knieval and friends taking the stage. Free. Noon to 11 p.m. 1315 Tyler St. NE, Minneapolis. –Jessica Armbruster
SUNDAY 7.17
Mondo Queer Beach Party
Lake Nokomis 50th Street Beach
TIGERRS (Transgender, Intersex, Gender-Expansive Revolutionary Resources & Services) is inviting everyone, “from our gender fabulous kids all the way to our amazing elders,” to a queer beach day on Lake Nokomis! BYO sunscreen, sanitizer, and masks—this is a fun and COVID-conscious hang. They’ll have individually packed snacks and refreshing bevs to share; everything is free, but any donations will help fund TIGERRS’ youth groups and intergenerational events. You can sign up here if you’re interested in volunteering; find more info about Sunday’s beach hangout here. All ages. Free. Noon to 5 p.m. 5000 Lake Nokomis Parkway E., Minneapolis; (“look for the pride flags hanging from the trees and polls!”). —Em Cassel
March For Abortion Access
St. Paul College
Look, Event Horizon tends to focus on the happy, quirky, fun stuff happening around town. But this event is simply important. If you are a person who can get pregnant, right now the United States does not view you as an autonomous person. You do not have the final say regarding your body. Though it will never feel like enough, there are things we can do to push back. We can donate time and money to orgs fighting for change, we can stay on top of the news so we’re informed when we talk about our rights, and we can march. This Sunday, Unrestrict Minnesota along with a dozen other groups–including Gender Justice, Planned Parenthood, and MN ACLU–are marching to the capitol. People should meet at St. Paul College at 11 a.m., where there will be remarks and a rally before people head out en masse. Find more info at unrestrictmn.org. 235 Marshall Ave., St. Paul. –Jessica Armbruster
ONGOING
Love’s Labor’s Lost
Various Locations
Classical Actor’s Ensemble is back in the parks this summer to bring free theater to the masses. This year’s production is Shakespeare’s Love’s Labor’s Lost, a comedy poking fun at masculine desire while celebrating feminine intelligence. The plot: The young King of Navarre forces he and his friends to swear off “worldly pleasures” for three years of fasting and academia. His virtuous goal gets completely fucked, however, when a French princess and her crew show up in town to talk diplomacy. Horniness ensues, and—spoiler alert!—wins. Find times and locations at classicalactorsensemble.org. Through July 17 –Jessica Armbruster
Artist Designed Skyline Mini Golf
Walker Art Center
Now in its 15th year, Artist Designed Skyline Mini Golf returns to WAC for another season of putt putt played in the sky. No really: You’ll be heading up to the museum’s rooftop to play these 10 holes, which means you’ll see gorgeous city views in addition to the spectacle of the quirky course. The new hole this year, Always Have Been Sewn, was designed by Asian American Organizing Project’s Youth Action Team, and was inspired by Hmong “story cloth,” a.k.a. a paj ntaub. Mini golf aficionado Tom Loftus also has two holes featured this year. $10. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday–Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis. Through September 25 –Jessica Armbruster
