September 4
Mountain High
WHAT: Annapurna
WHEN: 8 p.m.
WHERE: The Jungle Theater, Mpls.
This production, which finds an estranged couple reuniting 20 years after their separation, is the Jungle’s first under the tutelage of new artistic director Sarah Rasmussen. An uninterrupted 90 minutes and featuring a cast of two, Annapurna is basically one long conversation—and surely worth a look. The show runs through October 18. For tickets, check out the Jungle’s website.
Band of Poets
WHAT: McKnight Artist Fellows Reading
WHEN: 7 p.m.
WHERE: The Loft Literary Center, Mpls.
The Loft annually awards the McKnight Artist Fellowship to promising Minnesota poets and creative writers as a way to financially support them as they pursue their creative goals. This event showcases the work of the prestigious award’s 2014 winners: poets Sun Yung Shin, Carolyn Williams-Noren, Sierra DeMulder, and Danez Smith. The reading is free and open to the public. For more information, check out the Loft’s website.
September 5
Folk at the Fair
WHAT: Music-on-a-Stick: The Avett Brothers
WHEN: 7 p.m.
WHERE: Minnesota State Fair Grandstand, St. Paul
Taking the place of the annual 89.3 the Current-sponsored Minnesota Music-on-a-Stick, the final Grandstand concert features indie folk favorites and North Carolina natives The Avett Brothers. Best known for their melancholy singles “I and Love and You” and “Morning Song,” the band will hopefully absorb energy from renowned New Orleans ensemble Preservation Hall Jazz Band, which serves as the opening act. For tickets, check out the State Fair’s website.
Feeling Blue
WHAT: Steve Earle & the Dukes
WHEN: 8 p.m.
WHERE: The Pantages, Mpls.
If battling State Fair crowds isn’t your thing, this concert from veteran folk-rocker Steve Earle should serve as a good alternative to the Grandstand show. Grammy Award-winning Earle has released 16 studio albums during his long career, and his longtime band is known for its dynamic live shows. His latest effort, Terraplane, was praised for its vulnerability and bluesy sound that served as a departure from his earlier work. For more info, check out the event’s website.
September 6
Brews on the Block
WHAT: Porktoberfest
WHEN: 2-10 p.m.
WHERE: Day Block Brewing Co., Mpls.
Oktoberfest has come early. Take advantage of the last days of summer with this block party devoted to high-quality barbeque and brews. The event includes live music from local bands, food from the Day Block pub, and plenty of craft beer. In case the name scares off the vegetarian crowd, be forewarned that just as many meatless options are on the menu. For more info, check out Day Block’s website.
Pretty Corny
WHAT: Green Giant Corn Feast
WHEN: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
WHERE: Valleyfair, Shakopee
In case you need another reason to go to Valleyfair, here it is: Over Labor Day weekend, the fair will be giving away more than 30,000 pounds of corn on the cob to admitted guests. Other foods only available during the Feast include plenty of corn-themed treats, including corn chowder, cornbread, and tacos on corn tortillas. For more info, check out Valleyfair’s website.
