Things to do in the Twin Cities this week
It's a quieter weekend as we slowly ready ourselves for the onslaught of holiday related merriment that comes next week but that doesn't mean there's not still some fun to be had!
Things to do for Families
Top pick: Macy's Santaland
The holidays are nearly upon is and it's time to stop the denial that Christmas is on it's way and for the annual Macy's Santaland Display in Minneapolis to open this Saturday. You can start taking tours of Santaland starting at 9am on Saturday. After your tour Santa will be on hand for meet and greets, to listen to everything your kid plans on having you buy them and photos. Also in addition if you'd like to enjoy a buffet breakfast downtown, with a visit from Santa following you can do so for $19.95 an adult and $13.95 for children under 10. To make a reservation or for more details regarding the chow you can call 1-877-556-2297 and there's also a dinner option a few nights during the holiday season as well.
Victorian Christmas in Stillwater at the Washington County Courthouse is this weekend only in Stillwater. This event combines a lot of local businesses in downtown Stillwater. At the courthouse itself you'll find local crafts and holiday gift items, live music, tea, tours of the historic jail, and Santa visits in the afternoon and all for $3 at the door. For the VIP treatment see the below Adult listing and leave the kids at home.
Things to do for Adults
Top Pick: Victorian Preview Gala
Leave the kiddos at home for this one. Held at the Stillwater Historic Courthouse Friday from 6:30pm until 9:00pm, The Victorian Christmas Preview Gala comes at a very decent price; $25 for pre-ordered tickets and $30 at the door. Walk booths of local holiday crafts and gifts while enjoying coffee, champagne, sparkling cider or Liftbridge Brewery beer. There will also be appetizers and desserts served while you shop in style and door prizes called out throughout the evening. Giftwrapping will also be offered by staff and volunteers. Now that's how you shop!
"Big Gay Comedy Show" at Bryant Lake Bowl is Thursday, November 21st at 7:00pm. The title says it all, it's big and gay and a comedy show. It features some of the funniest gay and gay-friendly comics, no names but if you take their word for it at least it's not too much to spend; Tickets are just $10.
Things to do for Foodies
Top pick: Mill City Indoor Farmers Market
Not only will you get a chance to peruse and shop some of the best produce from around the Twin Cities but some really great food options will be available from the likes of Chef Shack, Gorkha Palace and D'Amico & Sons. What's better than eating some food while you buy some food? There will also be arts and crafts and live music during the event. The Indoor Farmers Market will run Saturday 10am - 1pm all held within the comfy confines of the Mill City Museum.
If you're free for dinner on Thursday, highly recommend The Wild Game Dinner being held at Tria in North Oaks. The meal consists four courses of wild game and wild wines and a dessert to cap the evening off. Crawfish, duck, frogs and wild boar, oh my! The price for the meal is $65.
I've mentioned this in prior posts but I'll reiterate here- give your Mom or Wife a break this Thanksgiving and check out the following list from OpenTable of restaurants open for the holiday here.
Things to do regarding the Arts
Top Pick: A Don't Hug Me Christmas Carol
"A Don't Hug Me Christmas Carol" from the folks at the Hennepin Trust Theatre is like A Christmas Carol, only it's not. Gunner Johnson from the previous play "Don't Hug Me" finds himself in a predicament when a trail of bad luck leads him to falling into a coma and conversing with Sven Yorgenson who plays the ghost of Christmas past, present and future all at once. The show opens Friday at 7:30pm. KQRS's Tom Bernard's take on it? "Go see it!"
Minnesota Bluegrass Harvest Jam Acoustic Music Experience is going on downtown at the Marriott in Minneapolis. The event will feature live performances in various ballrooms, jam sessions, workshops, a band contest, and a variety of vendors. There will also be a dinner celebration and the tickets run from a $49 VIP ticket with dinner to completely free on Sunday admission, all depends when you go and what you want to do. I can almost guarantee the sightings of interesting facial hair will also be optimum.
Born Yesterday at the Guthrie opens this weekend. The play follows the life and times of a corrupt businessman, Harry Brock who moves to D.C. and attempts to get ahead in society with his chorus-girl sidekick, Billie Dawn. However Billie is no debutant and hijinks thus arise while attempting to turn her into a socialite, too bad she didn't have Richard Gere on her side. Tickets run from $35 to $53 depending on when you go and where you sit.
Top Unusual Activities
Top Pick: Mansfeld Manor Gallery
Mansfeld Manor: Peculiar Color Illustrations and Sculptures in Fetted Wool at Gallery 360 opens this Saturday with an opening reception from 7pm until 10pm. The Event is odd, but very interesting all at once. These felted creations made from wool and dyed fibers are hauntingly strange and revolve around strange, fanciful and morbid tales. Think of the mice from Dinner for Schmucks, meets Wallace and Gromit, meets Tim Burton.
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