Friday, August 5
Art mart
WHAT: Uptown Art Fair
WHERE: Hennepin Avenue and Lake Street, Minneapolis
WHEN: Friday, August 5–Sunday, August 7
It’s ba-a-a-ck. Many of the finest artists in the country have paid big bucks for a booth in which to present you with their latest, greatest photography, ceramics, paintings, and more—in the hopes that you’ll spend big bucks on them. If you’re overwhelmed at the thought, try the Loring Park Art Fair or Powderhorn Art Fair running simultaneously. Learn more at uptownarfair.com
Friday, August 5
Boho to go
WHAT: Drafting daydreams: Studies on Paper and Canvas by Rudy Fig
WHERE: Rogue Buddha Gallery, Minneapolis
WHEN: Artist reception from 8–11 p.m.
Looking for the next great Minnesota artist, or simply the most entertaining? You could do worse than placing a bet on Rudy Fig, a 23-year-old self-taught oil painter (her parents are toy designers), whose lush canvases of vixens and magical tea parties plays well with the current fantasy-world craze. And Rogue Buddha knows how to throw a party. Learn more at gutofart.com
Saturday, August 6
Live on the fringe
WHAT: 2011 Minnesota Fringe Festival
WHERE: Various venues throughout Minneapolis
WHEN: Various times, through August 14
You can’t beat the variety of these hour-long performances: more than a hundred shows, ranging from a serious drama about World War II to Highlander: The Musical to Hamluke, the year’s most promising twist on Shakespeare: Stars Wars meets the bard. Check out the recommendations of local theater pros as a place to start. Learn more at fringefestival.org
Saturday, August 6
Hot art
WHAT: Hot Metal Pour
WHERE: Franconia Sculpture Park, Franconia
WHEN: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Metal artists from the around the world converge on this playful sculpture garden in the fields near Taylors Falls to make molds. You can make your own for a nominal fee. Or, you can just take the opportunity to wander the park, a breezy walk through the latest, greatest, giant creations. Savage Aural Hotbed will perform throughout the afternoon and evening. Learn more at franconia.org
Sunday, August 7
The carnage ends
WHAT: God of Carnage
WHERE: Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis
WHEN: 7 p.m.
This is your last chance to catch the summer’s most talked about play in the Twin Cities, a Tony Award–winning comedy about two high-strung couples who meet for a civilized discussion about a playground fight between their sons, which naturally gets uncivilized rather quickly. Learn more at guthrietheater.org
Sunday, August 7
Back to (fun) school
WHAT: St. Catherine University’s Chatauqua
WHERE: St. Catherine University, St. Paul
WHEN: Various times, runs Aug. 3–12
For the first time, St. Kate’s is holding a summer chatauqua, essentially summer school, though more fun than that sounds: choose day classes on everything from salsa lessons to Asian wisdom on aging to an insider’s look at the Union Depot renovations in St. Paul. Learn more at stkate.edu
