Best Bets: Jan. 29-Feb. 4

Things to do this week: Hudson Hot Air Affair, Saint Paul Winter Carnival, Great Northern festival, themed dinners, and more
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Dry January Send Off

When:  Jan. 31
Where: The Lexington, 1096 Grand Ave., St. Paul
The Lexington teams up with food writer/blogger Stephanie Hansen for its first all non-alcoholic wine dinner. The event will showcase locally made Dry Wit beverages and the creative NA cocktails.

Taste the Med

When: Jan. 31
Where: Momento, 360 St. Peter St., St Paul
This five-course dinner highlights culinary traditions and cuisines of Spain’s Western Basque region with cocktail, wine, or spirit-free beverage pairing and valet parking.
Hudson Hot Air Affair

David Hermansen

Up in the Sky

When:  Feb. 2-4
Where: Hudson, Wisconsin
Hot air balloons fill the sky at this annual community festival that includes balloon launch celebration and flights, live music, torchlight parade, and more.
Anthony Amoako-Attah (b.1989, Kumasi, Ghana). “BIRTH, 2022.” Screen printed and kilnformed glass. Collection of the Cafesjian Art Trust Museum

Acquisition Party

What: Cafesjian Art Trust Acquisition Party
When: Feb. 2
Where: Cafesjian Art Trust (CAT) Museum, 4600 Churchill St., Shoreview

The Cafesjian Art Trust (CAT) Museum marks its first anniversary with an expanded collection of artists and artworks. At this special acquisition event, the CAT will introduce seven new works that have been acquired for the museum’s permanent collection and includes access to the current exhibit, “Fooling the Eye.”

Lunar New Year

Xu Yang

Year of the Dragon

When: Feb. 3
Where: North Garden Theater, 929 Seventh St. W., St. Paul
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a night of live music and lion dancing with Theater Mu—plus cocktails and complimentary desserts. Performers include Katie Bradley and a cadre of longtime and new Mu artists. Expect glamour, merriment, and a whole lot of entertainment to end the Year of the Rabbit and the Cat and begin the Year of the Dragon together.

Birthday Celebration Concert

What: Philip’s Favorites
When: Feb. 4
Where: Larson Hall at the American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave., Minneapolis

For 55 years, Philip Brunelle has been at the helm of VocalEssence, and now he is celebrating another milestone—his 80th Birthday—with no plans of slowing down. As a tribute, hear music from composers including Dominick Argento, Stephen Paulus, John Rutter, Libby Larsen, Melanie DeMore, Eric Whitacre, and more.

Saint Paul Winter Carnival

Saint Paul Winter Carnival

Cool Happenings

What: Saint Paul Winter Carnival
When: Through Feb. 4
Where: Various St. Paul locations

The “Coolest Celebration on Earth” returns for its 138th year with events mainly centered in downtown St. Paul. Enjoy winter-themed activities including parades, ice carving competitions, concerts, and coronations.

 

AKU MATU

Nicholas Galanin

Be Bold, Be Great

What: Great Northern Festival
When: Through Feb. 4
Where: Minneapolis and St. Paul

Embrace the winter season by partaking in this celebration across Minnesota with pond hockey tournaments, skijoring, film festivals, art exhibits, panel discussions, food and dining events, and other northern classics.

UPCOMING

Flower Power

What: Spring Flower Show
When: Feb. 8-March 10
Where: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska

Immerse yourself in vibrant color, rich textures, enchanting fragrance, and lush floral vignettes while learning about the Arboretum’s gardens, history, architecture, and specialty collections. Don’t miss special events either, including the Opening Night celebration on Feb. 8 and After Hours with the Flowers Date Nights on Thursdays in February.

Lunar New Year Event

What: Lunar New Year Celebration
When: Feb. 10
Where: Midtown Global Market, 920 E. Lake St., Minneapolis

As part of this free, family-friendly celebration of the Lunar New Year (Year of the Dragon), see performances by CAAM Chinese Dance Theater, Cypher Side Dancers, and Tay Phuong Lions. There will also be a martial arts demonstration, food tasting from Pham’s Rice Bowl and Intown Sushi, and a kids’ craft table and reading presented by YWCA Midtown.

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