Here's your weekly guide to the best Minneapolis and St. Paul events.
MONDAY 9.13
Fashion Week MN
Various Locations
As wise fashion icon Mr. T once said, “Hey, everybody gotta wear clothes, and if you don't, you get arrested, but that don't mean you have to let some fashion designer in New York or Paris tell you what to wear. Clothes express your personality, so express yourself, and not someone else.” With that in mind, Fashion Week MN has returned with a variety of happenings to get you out of those work-from-home pajamas and into something that is you--but fashion! Notable runway shows include Native Visions, a night celebrating indigenous designers from Minnesota, New Mexico, and Canada; vintage fashion galore at Welcome to Wonderland; and Golden Runway, which showcases everyday looks from female-run businesses. For those who prefer a good party, IAmMoody is collaborating with MartinPatrick3 for an all-black alley hangout previewing the shop’s fall season, and the Freakshow will offer circus spectacle with dark and campy local brands, burlesque and drag performances, vintage pieces, and other fun. Thoughtful talks and panels will cover topics such as sustainability and finding your fashion when you’re over 50. Most events require tickets, while others are free but first-come, first-served. Find the complete schedule online at fashionweekmn.com/calendar. Through Saturday --Jessica Armbruster
TUESDAY 9.14
St. Vincent
Armory
The sudden concern that St. Vincent’s latest album, Daddy’s Home (Lorna Vista), stirred up over Annie Clark’s blurred artistic vision highlights just how many benefits of how many doubts her fluent guitar, visual panache, and crisp diction have gotten her till now. She’s always suggested more than she’s articulated. But if you can groove to this Watergate-era period piece as a luxurious ambient bummer, you’ll find an impressive kaleidoscope of splintered vinyl, a jaunt on Sheena Easton’s morning train to the dark side of the moon while harmonizing with LaBelle, all influences dotingly reconstituted rather than received. With Ali Macofsky. All ages. Tickets are $45 and up. 6:30 p.m. 17 W. Seventh Place, St. Paul. —Keith Harris
WEDNESDAY 9.15
Trash Film Debauchery Presents: But I’m a Cheerleader
The Trylon
If your (absolutely justifiable) Natasha Lyonne crush wasn’t ignited until you saw Netflix’s Russian Doll, then you’ve got some catching up to do, my friend. (No, not the American Pie movies.) Lyonne is the titular pom-pom shaker in But I’m a Cheerleader, the teen movie sendup in which her family thinks she’s *whispers* a lesbian and sends her to a Christian conversion camp. Starring RuPaul as an “ex-gay” camp counselor, it’s colorful and campy and a lot of fun. Do NOT trust the 41% on Rotten Tomatoes; this queer comedy classic kicks ass. Director Jamie Babbit said it was her attempt to make a “gay Clueless.” More info and tickets here. $5. 7 p.m. 2820 E 33rd St., Minneapolis. — Em Cassel
THURSDAY 9.16
Mannequin Pussy
7th St Entry
Plenty of great screamers can dial down the volume for effect, but Marisa Dabice has more subtlety than that. She sharpens, flattens, blurs, and distorts, never stooping to theater kid enunciation, swerving off into a new timbre just when you hear a hint of some influential forebear. The band’s latest EP, Perfect, rocks, duh. Especially on the lust-taunting title track and “Pigs Is Pigs,” which gives bassist Colins Regisford space to vent his internalized fear and anger as a Black man in 2021 America, brawling hardcore clenches and pummels. But it doesn’t just rock—what fun would that be? Their sound has expanded, and the college rock guitars of “To Lose You,” accented with trebly keyboards, chime as though destined to soar over vast festival crowds. With Angel Du$t and Pinkshift. 18+. 18+. 8 p.m. 701 First Ave. N., Minneapolis.—Keith Harris
Armand Hammer
Turf Club
With Haram, New York rappers Billy Woods and Elucid became the parties responsible for maybe the grossest album art of 2021. (Do not Google unless you’re into bloodied pig’s heads). It’s also a damn great rap record, with the Alchemist handling all the production (and sharing the billing) to create a mood that’s murky yet ornate in the East Coast underground tradition. In that same tradition are Armand Hammer’s “deep or just stoned?” rhymes. The answer is usually both—break down their densest imagery line by line and you’ll be amazed where they lead you. With Blood $moke Body. 21+. $18 advance; $20 day of show. 8 p.m. 1601 University Ave. W., St. Paul. —Keith Harris
FRIDAY 9.17
Big Freedia
Varsity Theater
After years thriving on the New Orleans circuit, Big Freedia became bounce music’s emissary to the wider world about a decade ago. By the time her voice introduced Beyoncé’s “Formation” in 2016, she was a nationwide sensation thanks to her own Fuse reality TV show and joyous live performances. Just when she was ready to soar, however, legal troubles arose and her brother was murdered. Freedia’s kept bouncin’ though, releasing two albums last year (including her second Christmas album), and this year she dominated a remix of Lady Gaga’s “Judas” and contributed one of the few enjoyable tracks on the horrific Space Jam: A New Legacy soundtrack. With Too Many Zooz. 18+. Tickets start at $27. 7 p.m. 1308 SE Fourth St., Minneapolis.—Keith Harris
Oktoberfest
Various Locations
Do you have a favorite brewery? We guarantee you they're doing something for Oktoberfest. There are at least four celebrations happening this weekend that look pretty solid. Starting on Friday, Forgotten Star Brew Co. will feature 11 bands onstage over two days. Food will include treats from Aki’s Bakery, the Sizzlin’ Wagon, and in-house brats, sauerkraut, and pretzels. Other fun things to discover: log rolling, games, a stein holding contest, and a local vendor market. On Saturday, Boom Island Brewing is hosting Harvest Fest. This daylong party will offer special releases on tap: Punkin' Pie, a pumpkin spice autumn ale, and barrel-aged brews Hoodoo Dubbel and Wyld Stallyns Barrel Aged Wild Ale. New Orleans eats and cheesecake food trucks will be stopping by, as will Lavish Loon Supply Co., a company that makes candles with Minnesota-inspired scents. Racket buddies Fair State Brewing Cooperative are throwing a seventh b-day party, titled Co-optoberfest. Revelers will be able to pick up seven special beers in crowlers or bottles--one for each year they’ve been around. That includes: Best Friends Day (BA Stout), Triple Universe (DDH Hazy TIPA), Foamo (Foeder Helles), Rebillionizing (Table Beer), Secret Highways (Sumac Saison), Lichtenhainer (German Wheat Beer), and Festbier (Oktoberfest Lager). The party will also include stein hoisting, cake, a taco truck, and polka lessons outside on the patio. Finally, LTD Brewing Co.’s Oktoberfest Block Party will feature a special beer release, food trucks, live music, German trivia, and a ton of stein-related competitions. All of these events are all ages and free. Forgotten Star’s fun starts on Friday, and all four events will be raging on Saturday. --Jessica Armbruster
SATURDAY 9.18
Home of Memories Opening Reception
Hennepin History Museum
Guys! New museum exhibitions are starting up again! This Saturday, HHH is hosting a very cool photography exhibition featuring portraits of Iraqi Minnesotans by Iraqi Minnesotan photographers Ahmed Alshaikhli and Jaafar Alnabi. The show is part imagery, part storytelling; alongside pics you can read contemplations on life in Iraq, life in America, and the ever-fluid meaning of home. For the public reception, guests will be able to take a guided tour with storyteller Eynas Alnabi and curator Peng Wu. Black tea and homemade baklava will be sampled, and you can try writing your name in traditional Arabic calligraphy. Free; donations accepted. 2 to 4 p.m. 2302 Third Ave. S., Minneapolis. --Jessica Armbruster
Mdou Moctar
Cedar Cultural Center
If you caught this Nigerien electric-guitar master and his band at the Cedar in 2017, you know what to expect: spiralling Saharan blues runs cut by plenty of pyrotechnics inspired by Hendrix and Van Halen. After several recordings for the Sahel Sounds label, Moctar’s starring turn in the Prince-indebted 2015 film Akounak Tedalat Taha Tazoughai (Rain the Color of Blue with a Little Red In It—get it?) pushed him out in front of the many fellow Tuareg guitar aces out there, and with Matador releasing Moctar’s latest, Afrique Victime, he’s probably reached the widest audience of any. An outspoken anticolonialist who consistently calls out the French for pillaging uranium from Niger in interviews, Moctar gets no more specific politically on the new album than singing, “Africa is a victim of so many crimes.” He’d rather let his guitar do the talking. With Pure Adult. All ages. $20 advance; $22 at the door. 7 p.m. 416 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis.—Keith Harris
Greenway Glow Arts Festival
Midtown Greenway
This Saturday it’s a party on the Greenway, as the Greenway Glow returns for a night of artsy fun. Folks who travel this bike/pedestrian highway will be treated to a variety of live creativity, art installations, concerts, and interactive fun. That includes flamenco, Palestinian, and Aztec dance performances; DJs traveling via bike; and music from Bryan Miller of Velahsa, Rumba Eterna, and Maria Isa. Things will be particularly bumping at the Ivy Building, where a beer garden is stationed to keep riders hydrated. This event is free, but if you purchase VIP tickets ($55) the proceeds will benefit the Midtown Greenway Coalition. Find more info here; click here for the event map. 4 to 10 p.m. Midtown Greenway, from Hennepin Avenue to 29th Avenue, Minneapolis. --Jessica Armbruster
Three-Season Porch Walking Tour
Casket Arts Building
Three-season porches rule. In the summer, they serve as a hang-out spot that’s kinda outdoors but keeps the mosquitoes out. In the fall and winter, you can use them as a bonus freezer. Local artist Monica Sheets has a lot to say about these porches, and has even released a book about them, titled Three Seasons. This Saturday, she’ll lead a walking tour where she will point out some unique homes while posing some tough questions about these spaces. “Like a lot of Minnesotans themselves, they send mixed signals, which makes them tough to interact with,” the event’s release points out. “Are they private spaces? Front doors? Places for low-stakes interactions with neighbors?” Ponder these things and more on this casual one-mile’ish walk through northeast Minneapolis. No reservations are necessary, just show up. Find more info here. Free. 2:30 p.m. 681 17th Ave. NE, Minneapolis. --Jessica Armbruster
SUNDAY 9.19
Pryes and Glory
Pryes Brewing Company
I’ve heard of prize fighters, but Pryes fighters? It’s true, folks! This Sunday, Sunday, Sunday, F1rst Wrestling brings a lineup of some of the best up-and-coming wrestlers around to Pryes Brewing Company: Devon Monroe, Warhorse, Dan the Dad, Tootie Lynn, JAH-C, and more. Ever experience the magic that is Blood, Sweat, and Beers at Bauhaus Brew Labs? If this brewery brawl is even a tenth as fun as that annual smackdown, it’ll be one hell of a show. Find more info on Facebook and snag tickets on Eventbrite. All ages. Tickets are $15 and up; kids 12 and under are free. 4 p.m. 1401 West River Rd. N., Minneapolis. —Em Cassel
Japanese Breakfast
First Avenue
“I wanted [it] to be about joy,” Michelle Zauner says of Jubilee (Dead Oceans), her quartet’s leap from its shoegazier origins into Forever Changes orchestrations, Tango in the Night synthetics, and Cardigans sweet ‘n’ sour pastels. Italics mine, but that “about” does double overtime here: Zauner doesn’t express joy, she rotates it like a 3D image, tinkers under its hood to learn its mechanics, feels along its surface for a secret entrance. The extraordinary technicolor arrangements don’t overwhelm her ordinary human-sized voice; they set up a revealing contrast between the desire and the desirer. After all, if pop can make yearning sexy, why can’t it make wishing you were having a good time fun? Bonus: It’s a great night-biking soundtrack. With Luna Li. 18+. $25 advance; $30 day of show. 7 p.m. 701 First Ave. N., Minneapolis.—Keith Harris
