Monday, November 4, 2013

Things to do in the Twin Cities, week of 11/04

 Top things to do for Families
 

Top pick: St Martin's Day at the Landmark Center

 

     It doesn't matter if you haven't heard of him, doesn't mean you can't enjoy some mulled wine or cider and run around in the dark. The landmark center will focus on the German celebration of the holiday of St Martin's Day. The post says that Rice Park will be transformed into a "winter wonderland" which if the weather channel is correct about Tuesday's storm, should be pretty accurate intentional or no. This family friendly event will center around creating a lantern with your kids or just by your lonely selves and then following "St Martin", on horseback around Rice Park on parade. There will be Germanic pastries, wine and cider for the kids. The event is free and runs from 4-6pm on Sunday.

Other notable events for families:


    The Wong Kids in the Secret of the Space Chupacabra is a play at the Children's theatre and runs through November 17th. It sounds as kooky as it gets but the critics seem to like it. It "combines the hipness of manga and anime with a fantastic voyage of tenacity..." Someone should alert the writers, reading manga and watching anime has rarely been hailed as hip. Don't wait too long to get tickets though because this super popular play has been selling sold-out shows. Tickets will run you $42 to $54.

     Backyardigans Pirate Party is going on at the Mall of America for Toddlers on Tuesday 10AM - noon. The giant, pastel characters will all be present to meet and greet the kids and they'll play an episode of the show. Sitting through this event as an adult might truly show how much you love your kids, talk about sacrifices.

Top things to do for Adults

Top pick: Ferris Bueller's Day Off; A Drinking Game

 

     This classic movie needs no introduction, and really neither does the explanation of the event. Ferris Bueller's Day Off at Bryant Lake Bowl involes the script being read by improv actors with some props and light audience participation, you've been warned. The poster also recommends coming in your best 80's outfits, I think a side pony-tail suffices. So how does it work? Well the jist I've gotten from youtube is that the cast reads the script and acts out some of the scenes and in Peewee Herman style certain key phrases are passwords which signal you to drink, and not just you but everyone including the actors who run around with glasses or beer in hand alongside their scripts. Ohhhhh Yeahhhhhh!

 

Other notable events for Adults:


    The Landmark Center Gala for you snooty, snooty types is being held on Friday from 5:30 to 10:00pm to celebrate the 111th year of the Landmark Center. Why 10? Well you can't stay out too late for this, you need to get home in time for your butler to bathe you. The ticket price is a $125 a person. The black tie is optional however a period costume is encouraged, these people sure sound like fun. There will be fine dining, door prizes and music along with theatrical entertainment. Funds raised go to benefit the Landmark association.

     Guy Fawkes Day at the Happy Gnome is Tuesday, the 5th of November in St Paul. Remember, Remember the 5th of November and go have a few drinks and forget everything. Before being known as the V for Vendetta Mask, and less well-known Anonymous Mask the Guy Fawkes Mask was renown and worn in remembrance of his plot to blow up the House of Lords in 1605. Britons commonly celebrate with bonfires and beer and occaisionally burning him in effigy... when was the last time you burned someone in effigy? Too long, am I right? Happy Gnome might not actually be condoning that activity but they will be tapping Young's Double Chocolate Stout, Meantime IPA and Blackthorne Cider so something for everyone. The event runs from 5pm to 10pm.

    Sweeney's Abrasive Release Party is also happening tomorrow which is heralding in not only the release of Abrasive but the arrival of Surly to Sweeney's Saloon. There will be a bonfire and both Abrasive and Furious on tap. The event runs from 5pm to 7pm.

Top things to do for Foodies

Top pick: Izzy's Ice Cream Grand Opening- Minneapolis location

 

     Even if for some sick reason you don't like ice cream you should come out to this event just to check out the amazing architecture of the building designed by award-winning Minneapolis architect, David Salmela. This husband and wife owned ice cream shop in St Paul started off as the dream of a former teacher and lawyer and now is a St Paul institution and this week is opening in Minneapolis. The Minneapolis location Grand Opening will be held Saturday and will host kids activities such as face-painting, balloons, giveaways, tours for the adults including tastings of ice cream made with such ingredients as Summit Oatmeal and Wuollet bakery cardamom toast. The event will run all day from noon to 8:30pm.

 

Other notable events for Foodies:


    Autumn Brewhaha is on Thursday at the Cafeteria in Uptown. For $40 you can try unlimited samples, that's right unlimited of eight different breweries along with tasting fall menu creations. The breweries involved included Summit, 612, Bad Weather, Schells, Crispin, Flat Earth, Lucid, and Rush River and the event runs from 5pm-8pm.

    Finally just a side note about the upcoming holidays, if you're sick and tired of the regular Thanksgiving tradition at home, especially if you're the one preparing it here is a link of fabulous restaurants that have Thanksgiving hours. Give your poor Mom or wife a break!



Top things to do for The Arts
 

Top pick: Dialogue and Retrospective with Steve McQueen


 


     So yea, I'm somewhat continuing the obsession with Steve McQueen after seeing 12 years a slave this past weekend. The Walker is hosting a Dialogue and Retrospective with Steve McQueen on Saturday, November 9th at 8pm. He will discuss his creative process and influences in regards to his past work. With the buzz surrounding 12 years a slave this is a rare chance to hear directly from the director himself. Tickets are $25 a person, $20 for Walker members.


Other notable events for The Arts:





    Edina Film Festival is going on this weekend at the Landmark's Edina Cinema. There's a wide variety of films on the schedule although much smaller in scope in comparison to the film festival last weekend in the West End. However I think I should draw special attention to the capstone event, the Put Your Dude On screening on Saturday. Oh yes, it's a Big Lebowski screening complete with costume contest, prizes and trivia. $10 and just in time for Shomer Shabbos to end!


Top unusual activities
 

Top pick: State Capitol Lego Model Display


      No, you read that correctly; There's a six foot long, four foot wide model of the Minnesota State Capitol on display. It took over 150 hours to build and is made up of more than 150,000 bricks. You can take a free guided tour of the capitol, Lego display included during normal tour hours through December 29th. No mention of the point of it, but hey... Legos!
 

Other notable unusual events:


    Jul to the World at the American Swedish Institute is happening on Saturday and is really focused on families with young children. The day kicks off the holiday season with a tomte hunt. What holiday season isn't complete without a tomte? It's basically a mythical elf-gnome creature that was once believed to protect the home and family. After hunting him down there's bakeshop exhibit which will inspire you with tastes of the season. There will be Norwegian singing while families are learning how to cut snowflakes. Finally you can ride Gustaf, the worlds only known mechanical Dala horse... maybe. The event is $9 for adults and $7 for senior, $5 for under 6-16 and free under 6.

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