Weekend Best Bets: May 20-22

Friday

Fresh Air, Ale, and Rootsy Tunes

WHAT: Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
WHEN: 5 p.m.
WHERE: Surly Brewing Company, St. Paul
After the release this year of their newest album PersonA, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros are on the road. The show, in conjunction with First Avenue, will be the first in Surly’s new Festival Field, a space created to host outdoor music. Experience the new space, the folky band’s new material, and opening act Preservation Hall Jazz Band. surlybrewing.com

You Want Me to Change?

WHAT: The Changelings
WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Open Book, Minneapolis
Ten Thousand Things is known for bringing great theatre to a diverse audience, whether it’s a pay-what-you-can ticket or an accessible storyline. Its newest show, The Changelings, features a couple stuck in drudgery until an estranged son changes their day-to-day existence. tenthousandthings.org


Saturday

Itty Bitty Books

WHAT: Little Free Library Festival
WHEN: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
WHERE: Minnehaha Park, Minneapolis
Little free libraries are literary pop-ups that work on a trust basis. You take a book for free, hopefully replenishing the bookshelf with other pieces of literature. In celebration of this communal push to read, Saturday’s festival will not only have a huge book swap, but other activities such as spoken-word performances, music, and dog dress-up competitions. littlefreelibrary.org

Tipsy Twirly Artsy Whirly

WHAT: Art-a-Whirl
WHEN: 12-8 p.m.
WHERE: Northeast Minneapolis
The annual all-weekend art event returns for its 21st year. More than 500 artists will display their work and create interactive galleries in more than fifty locations around the city. There will be dozens of events and the opportunity to interact and buy directly from local makers. Plan your weekend with the Art-a-Whirl app to make sure you see everything on your agenda. nemaa.org


Sunday

Row Row Row Your Paddleboard

WHAT: Paddlepalooza
WHEN: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
WHERE: Excelsior Beach
The event started on Gull Lake, and after a high turnout last year, MN Surf has added a Lake Minnetonka version to get more people paddling. Join other paddleboarders for a seven-mile route around Lake Minnetonka. The course includes a stop for snacks and music at Big Island, and a finish line for celebratory beers at Excelsior. mnsurf.com

Spin to the Beat

WHAT: Whirlygig 2016
WHEN: 12-8 p.m.
WHERE: Indeed Brewing Company
Following Art-a-Whirl’s lead, Indeed Brewing Company has worked with First Avenue to bring artists together for an amazing lineup at this annual music event. Explore the Northeast neighborhood while eating, drinking, dancing, and enjoying great music. facebook.com