Thursday, February 9
Hometown Wordsmith
What: “I’m a poet, and I know it”: The Literary Bob Dylan
When: 4 p.m.
Where: Lind Hall 207, 207 Church St. SE, Minneapolis
When the Minnesota-born songwriter Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize for Literature, some people were calling shenanigans. University of Minnesota English professor Katelin Krieg previews her summer course “Literary Bob Dylan” to probe the merit behind his lyrics—the devices and forms he used that earn him a place beside Toni Morrison and Alice Munro. Learn more
“Young, Fly, and Woke”
What: My Token Friend’s Launch Party
When: 6–10 p.m.
Where: Urban Growler Brewing Company, 2325 Endicott St., St. Paul
My Token Friend podcast brings young women of color together to talk politics, pop culture, and Twin Cities living. It launches with a “Galentine’s Day” celebration featuring local, women-of-color entrepreneurs and a chat with community organizer and activist Bo Thao-Urabe, with DJ Miss Brit bringing the music. Learn more
Friday, February 10
Winter Temptations
What: Gourmet Hot Cocoa Pop Up Bar
When: 4–6 p.m.
Where: Radisson Blu Minneapolis Downtown, 31 S. Seventh St., Minneapolis
Upgrade your boiled water and cocoa powder combo this weekend. These three unique gourmet hot chocolates, each inspired by truffles, should do the trick: the Mamacita, with chili, vanilla, cinnamon, and dulce de leche caramel; the Icy Mint, with peppermint and dark chocolate; and the St. Croix Creamery, with chocolate ganache and gianduja. Learn more
Minnesota Ghost Songs
What: The Lost Forty
When: 7:30–10:30 p.m.
Where: Celtic Junction Arts Center, 836 Prior Ave. N., St. Paul
The Great Lakes have a history of folksong, and a few years ago, two string players exhumed 47 tunes from the annals of 1920s northern Minnesota—including logging songs, railroading songs, and shipwreck songs. Playing mandola, guitar, and bouzouki, Brian Miller and Randy Gosa show off 12 tracks, plus stories and historical photos. Learn more
Saturday, February 11
Start Valentine’s Right
What: Mill City Valentine’s Market
When: 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: Mill City Farmers Market, 704 S. Second St., Minneapolis
Stock up on local produce, cheeses, and meats for a fresh Valentine’s Day meal while checking out jewelry and pottery featured by area artists. Wander North Distillery will offer cocktail samples, and accordionist Daddy Squeeze will play classic folk music—a productive start to the day that we all know will end in chocolate. Learn more
The Perfect Pair
What: Valentine’s Weekend Wines
When: 7–9 p.m.
Where: North Loop Wine & Spirits, 218 S. Washington Ave., Minneapolis
Valentine’s Day permits a little luxury, and Darrin Minehan, a 30-year wine industry expert, wants to give you a lot of it, for an evening of eight worldly wines paired with smacks of sweet and savory foods—including shrimp; sausage; cheddar, blue, and Sartori Montamore cheeses; blue berries; roast beef; and white chocolate. Learn more
Sunday, February 12
Party, Paints, & Pollinators
What: Ely Winter Festival
When: 9 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
Where: Multiple locations throughout Ely
Looking to get out of the Twin Cities this weekend? Head north for Ely’s biggest celebration of the year including snow carvings, crafts (such as making your own ski rack), a painting class, an ice bar, demonstrations of winter gear, and an ArtWalk in downtown Ely. Also, prepare for spring by making your own free planter, packed with seeds that will sprout for pollinators—once the spring thaw hits. Learn more and check out Minnesota Monthly’s full February “To Do List” of events.
In the Dead of Winter…
What: The Dead of Winter Double Feature
When: 3 p.m.
Where: The Phoenix Theatre, 2605 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
Sure, winter can be cozy and magical—but that’s all golden windows and hot chocolate. Mostly, it’s dark and bleak. Honor that with a horror double feature, one about an old man during a zombie pandemic, another about a mysterious murderer in Minneapolis, both set in snow-hushed Minnesota and featuring local writers and directors. Learn more
