Weekend Best Bets: June 23–25

Your Twin Cities to-do list for a weekend including Pride, jazz, comedy, and more

Friday June 23

New Brews

What: 6th Annual Beer Dabbler
When: 5:30–9:30 p.m.
Where: Loring Park, Minneapolis
As part of Twin Cities Pride weekend, this beer dabbler offers brews from 50 local breweries, including Boom Island, Bent Paddle, and Indeed. Bring your dancing shoes because there will also be live music and a silent disco, where participants jam out to music transmitted via wireless headphones.  Learn more.

Texas in Town

What: Aaron Watson Concert           
When: 7 p.m.
Where: The Cabooze, 917 Cedar Ave., Minneapolis
The Honky Tonk Kid is coming to town. Grab your cowboy hat and your belt buckle and buy some last-minute tickets to see country-singing Texan Aaron Watson at the Cabooze. Songs from this year’s twanging Americana album Vaquero is sure to have you stompin’ in your boots all night. Learn more.


Saturday June 24

A Music Festival…

What: Twin Cities Jazz Festival
When: 4 p.m.–Midnight
Where: Mears Park, Lowertown, St. Paul
Since 1999, the Twin Cities jazz festival has provided a free weekend of celebrating jazz music, pulling some 90,000 attendees last year. Pop into venues such as Barrio or Green Lantern for live music or attend a jazz clinic with the musicians. Learn more.

…And A Comedy Festival

What: Twin Cities Improv Festival
When: Shows from 6–10 p.m.
Where: HUGE Improv Theater, 3037 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis
Laugh out loud at various improv comedy shows all night long during the 11th annual Twin Cities Improv Festival. Earlier in the day, try it for yourself by signing up for workshops meant to get you comfortable with fast-paced comedy and sharpen your awareness. Learn more. 


Sunday June 25

A Colorful Affair

What: Twin Cities Pride
When: 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m
Where: Loring Park, Minneapolis
Check out the 400 community-oriented vendor booths spangling Loring Park and indulge yourself at 25 food booths whlie winding through the Sunday Pride event. If running is more your style, take part in the Rainbow Run 5K. As the evening rolls on, get down to live, local music on four free stages. Learn more.

Pacific Pride

What: Lurcat Love Luau
When: Noon–6 p.m.
Where: Cafe and Bar Lurcat, 1624 Harmon Pl., Minneapolis
If you want to experience Minneapolis Pride with Hawaiian flair and urban sophistication, check out this all-day dance party at Cafe and Bar Lurcat, featuring three DJs, tropical cocktails, beers, two dance floors, outdoor patios, food favorites from the menu, and more than 10 drink stations. Learn more