Friday, January 26
Friday Night Lights
What: Candlelight Walk at Spring Lake Park Reserve
When: 6–9 p.m.
Where: Schaar’s Bluff, Spring Lake Park Reserve, 8500 127th St. E., Hastings
Winter’s not done yet, so experience yet another night of luminary lights at Spring Lake Park Reserve. The Mississippi River Trail and sidewalks will be lit by 1,000 candles with roaring bonfires sprinkled throughout the trail to warm up chilly visitors. (Bring kids, as ages 5 and younger get in for free.) Hot chocolate and other concessions will be available from food trucks as well. Learn more.
‘Sota Pop
What: Explore Minnesota Pop-up Event
When: 4–9 p.m.
Where: Renaissance Square storefront windows, 500 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
Presented by Explore Minnesota, ‘Sota Pop is a gallery of photo ops shareable through the hashtag #OnlyinMN. Each of the pop-up backgrounds are created by Minnesota artists. This ongoing event, starting this Friday, attempts to correct many first impressions of the state: “Minnesota is more than cold, it’s cool.” These photo spots will also be part of Super Bowl attractions. Learn more.
Saturday, January 27
Music: The Safe Kind of High
What: Last Waltz Tribute, Ft. Big Pink
When: 8 p.m.
Where: The Cabooze, 913 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis
The 14th annual Last Waltz Tribute is in full swing this weekend. In a night of tributes, local singers Annie Mack and Jerry Eskridge will cover the soulful, gospel-funky Staple Singers while Tristana Ward covers singer-songwriter and trailblazer Joni Mitchell, performing the lengthy, winding verses of “Coyote.” Hosting 13 guest artists, this year’s Last Waltz Tribute will have one of its largest lineups yet. Learn more.
“Whiskey” Business
What: Minneapolis Winter Whiskey Festival
When: 4–6 p.m.
Where: The Pourhouse, 10 S. 5th St., Minneapolis
In this cold weather, whiskey will warm you right up. The Pourhouse hosts its special two-hour whiskey tasting, featuring 11 of the best whiskey and alcohol brands. Proceeds will go to a local charity, allowing drinkers to donate to the community while maintaining a solid buzz. Hurry, because the fest is almost sold out, and only 300 people can attend—to ensure a quality, educational, networking experience. Learn more.
Sunday, January 28
Sunday Strings
What: Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante
When: 3 p.m.
Where: St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 900 Stillwater Rd., Mahtomedi
The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra (SPCO) will perform Haydn, Tsontakis, and Mozart this weekend, ranging from classical to contemporary. The program will include the propulsive, glassy-stringed O Mikros, O Megas for string orchestra. O Mikros, O Megas translates to This Tiny World, This Enormous World, and has a hint of Debussy. The concert concludes with performances by violin and viola soloists. Learn more.
Can’t Break This Iron Heart
What: 2018 Valentine’s Community Mold-Making Workshops
When: 10 a.m.–1 p.m., 2 p.m.–5 p.m.
Where: Franconia Sculpture Park, 29836 St. Croix Trail, Franconia
Head to Franconia this weekend to make your own scratch block, also known as a cast mold. With a cast mold, you can participate in the Valentine’s Day Hot Metal Pour on February 17. At the workshop, you can design the size, shape, and design of your metal cast. This mold will then be filled with molten iron during the Hot Metal Pour to create your iron sculpture—a heavy-duty Valentine. Learn more.
