Friday, April 21
Youth and Music from the Reservation
What: Indigenous
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ordway Music Theater, 345 Washington Street, St. Paul
As part of the Target World Music & Dance series, blues-rock band Indigenous brings a sound inspired by Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana, and Stevie Ray Vaughan to the Ordway, fronted by Yankton Sioux Reservation native Mato Nanji. The band’s latest rock-tilted album, Time is Coming, speaks to young people growing up on reservations. Learn more
Raise a Glass to the Earth
What: Earth Day Wine Tasting
When: 6–8 p.m.
Where: Top Ten Liquors, 9887 Norma Lane, Woodbury
Before assisting your community in an Earth-Day cleanup on Saturday, take a trip to Woodbury Friday evening and learn about how to keep your drinking sustainable, too. Experts will answer your questions. What does it mean for a wine to be biodynamic? Come in, try some samples—30–40 wines from local wineries—and purchase a bottle or two. Learn more
Saturday, April 22
Electric Fetus Keeps On Spinning
What: Record Store Day
When: 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
Where: Electric Fetus, 2000 4th Ave. S., Minneapolis
Since opening in 1968, Electric Fetus has celebrated Record Store Day every year. This year, as vinyl sales near $1 billion for the first time this millennium, the indie stronghold features exclusive releases and in-store performances from local artists, including rapper Sims, glam revivalist band Flipp, and rocker Monica LaPlante. Come for drinks and prize giveaways. Learn more
Acquiring a Taste for Insects
What: The Gateway Bug Banquet
When: 8 p.m.–10 p.m.
Where: Gyst Fermentation Bar, 25 E. 26th St. Minneapolis
We’ve been dreading insects as a putatively imminent superfood, but without any bright ideas to avert climate crisis, consider getting used to that crunch. With insect protein-producer Entomo Farms, Gyst offers a four-course tasting menu of bug dishes paired with drinks after the MSP International Film Festival documentary on bug cuisine, The Gateway Bug. Learn more
Sunday, April 23
Bringing Nature Back to Life
What: Book Signing of Creekfinding by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
When: 3 p.m.
Where: Red Balloon Bookshop, 891 Grand Ave., St. Paul
Jacqueline Briggs Martin’s picture book Creekfinding describes the true story of a creek brought back to life in the Driftless Area of northeast Iowa—after becoming submerged under cornfields—and the revived ecosystem of bugs, frogs, trout, and birds. Marin and illustrator Claudia McGehee will read from the book and sign copies amidst art activities for kids. Learn more
Returning to Cambodia
What: Book Signing of Music of the Ghosts by Vaddey Ratner
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Magers & Quinn Booksellers, 3038 Hennepin Ave. S., Minneapolis
April celebrates literature, so keep in mind another book signing this Sunday from Minnesota author and Cambodian refugee Vaddey Ratner, whose poetic debut novel, Music of the Ghosts, looks into the aftermath of a genocide—with questions of justice and forgiveness wrapped up in a refugee’s search for answers about her own personal history. Learn more
