October 2018's Arts and Entertainment Picks

Travis Pastrana’s Nitro Circus, Slice of the Twin Cities, and a Harry Potter concert take center stage this month

Travis Pastrana of Nitro Circus performing a stunt in a little pink car.
Nitro Circus

photo by sport the library/courtney crow


Nitro Circus: You Got This | 10/3 

Extreme athlete Travis Pastrana takes to Target Center in Minneapolis for crazy stunts and big air on huge ramps, with some of the best in freestyle motocross, biking, scootering, and skating.

La Rondine | 10/6-14 

Feel the emotions of the Minnesota Opera’s La Rondine at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul as affluent Magda decides whether to pursue her love for a poorer, young poet.

Grand Opening | 10/12-11/4 

At Theatre in the Round in Minneapolis, 12-year-old Brendan moves from Minneapolis to rural Minnesota with his parents and meets people who challenge his notions of good and bad in this play based on hometown writer Jon Hassler’s most autobiographical novel.

Mankato History Fest | 10/13 

This family-friendly event at McGowan Farm covers much more than the history of Mankato. Think: 17th-century Scotland, the Wild West, and belly dancers as well as demonstrations of cannon fire and cider making.

Minnesota Orchestra Celebrating Northrop’s Restored Pipe Organ | 10/12-13 

The Minnesota Orchestra and Northrop in Minneapolis celebrate the auditorium’s restored organ with a world premiere that highlights its rich sound, plus a piece by Bach and “Organ Symphony No. 3” by Camille Saint-Saëns.

Twin Cities Book Festival | 10/13 

This festival brings in hundreds of exhibitors, dozens of authors (this year including Dessa, Geoff Dyer, and Ngugi wa Thiong’o), and special children’s programming at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.

Red Wing Arts Festival | 10/13-14 

More than 100 juried artists attract about 16,000 people to downtown Red Wing. Music, a children’s area, and food trucks add to the draw.

Twin Cities Film Fest | 10/17-27 

Midwest creations fill this fest at Showplace Icon Theatres in St. Louis Park.

Wolves After Dark | 10/19-20 

At the International Wolf Center in Ely, camp out next to the wolf-viewing windows in the auditorium and discuss in the morning over a continental breakfast.

Moose Madness Family Festival | 10/19-21 

Bring the kids to this festival in Grand Marais, complete with moose-themed scavenger hunts, art workshops for all ages, coloring contests, and more.

Slice of the Twin Cities | 10/21 

Bring the family to Earle Brown Event Center in Brooklyn Center to eat the best pizza in the Twin Cities. Guests get access to the orchard, with samplings of seasonal beer and wine, too. Tickets available at slicetwincities.com.

Mario García Torres: Illusion Brought Me Here | 10/25-2/17 

Working in installation, photography, and soundscapes, artist Mario García Torres explores little-known histories. See the first U.S. survey of his work at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban In Concert | 10/26-28 

Enjoy a live soundtrack performed by the Minnesota Orchestra during a screening of the third Harry Potter film at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis.

Adam Pascal And Anthony Rapp: Acoustically Speaking | 10/27 

At the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul, Broadway giants Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp sing songs—from showtunes to pop—that have mattered to them, ending with hits from the show that made them famous, Rent.