Monday, December 16, 2013

Things to do the week of 12/16 in the Twin Cities

Things to do for the Family


Top pick: Holiday Delight at Calhoun Square


      Holiday Delight at Calhoun Square in Uptown is Saturday. The event will feature a hot chocolate bar by Uptown Cafeteria, free holiday photos, kid's Christmas crafts, prize drawings, live music, free holiday cookies from Republic and local Uptown business specials. Best part about the event? Yea, it's free and did I mention free gift wrapping? The event runs from 12 - 6 pm. 


    Skate with Santa at the White Bear Lake Sports Center is Sunday and runs from 1 - 3 pm. Besides having the obvious activity of skating with the big man there will be face painting, crafts, a DJ, Concessions, and some little gifts for the kiddos. The cost is $5 a person and skate rentals are $2.50. 

    Winter Solstice Celebration is this Saturday at the American Swedish Institute. Come out and celebrate winter's longest night, and the very slow, gradual descent towards Spring. There will be bonfires, tours of the Jul to the World exhibit, and FIKA, the on-site cafeteria will be open late for a festive dinner and glogg, which is a mulled wine (look you learned something). The holiday pop-up store will also be offering a special deal on holiday lights. The event runs 3 - 8 pm.

Things to do for Adults


Top pick: Ugly Sweater Crawl


      On Saturday there's another reason for you to bundle up and head out into the cold, and it involves booze! The Ugly Sweater Crawl is Saturday in Minneapolis and involves four bars, starting at Cowboy Jack's at 6 pm. You're heavily encouraged to wear your ugliest sweater and the first 200 people receive Santa hats and beads, if only work had such punctuality incentives. Tickets are $10, but are free if you bring an unwrapped toy donation. The ticket allows you to partake of food and drink specials at each stop on the itinerary. 


Things to do for Foodies


Top Pick: Surf and Turf, Cooks of Crocus Hill


          Not only will your get a demonstration on making surf and turf but you'll also get to sample each local wine pairing at the Surf and Turf Demonstration in Stillwater. Meat, seafood and wine, what's not to love? You'll be directed by a head chef and a sommelier through the class. The class is at the Stillwater location of Cooks of Crocus Hill and runs 6 - 9 pm on Thursday night. 


         Holiday Food for a Crowd cooking class is this Tuesday at Nordicware 7 pm - 9pm. Nervous about cooking for your family, have high-maintenance in-laws you scrutinize your every move- wow them with your skills once you take this class! You'll learn to make an entire Christmas Day meal complete with dessert. The class costs $25 and you'll need to register.


Things to do for the Active


      Sleepless in St Paul: Jumpin Jack Frost 5k - $50 fee, Saturday 4:50pm at Harriet Island. This race will be outdoors and at night against the cityscape of St Paul. Runners will wear glow sticks, Christmas lights will light the way and of course with the beautiful city in the background it will be a sight for the eyes. 

Things to do in the Arts


        The SOO Visual Arts Local Holiday Show is open for it's last weekend this weekend on 35th and Nicollet in downtown Minneapolis. The pop-up shop will have crafts and art from area artists and will run 12-4 pm Saturday and Sunday.

        The Ballet of the Dolls: Nutcracker (not so suite) is running at the Ritz Theater. Yuppie Marie lives in her ritzy New York penthouse playing with her Barbie dolls until one Christmas she gets a brand Ken doll and all hell breaks loose,. It's a modern, fun spirited take on an old classic. The show goes through the 31st and tickets run between $23.50 - $150.

Unusual Activities


Top Pick: Comedy Roast of Mr Scrooge


         Bringing the modern times to the old school classics, The Comedy Roast of Mr Scrooge at the Camp Bar in St Paul with make you jolly in time for the holidays. Watch as the cast of The Christmas Carol has one too many 'nogs and start telling Mr Scrooge just what they think of him. This is a very adult production, so 18+ strictly and tickets run $14.50 - $24.50 depending on whether you buy in advance and/or can take advantage of any group rates. This show ends this weekend!


       The British Arrow Awards which celebrate the best in UK Commercials is currently going on at the Walker. The Brits must think we're crazy, paying to see commercials, especially for brands we're not aware of. However, let's face it with most commericals these days you tend to forget what the Ad was even for. The screenings run through January and are $12.


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