Photo by Jan Van Hecke/Courtesy Northstar Artists
Lowertown Sounds
What: Lowertown Sounds Concert Series
When: Thursday, June 6
Where: Mears Park, 221 Fifth St. E., St. Paul
St. Paul’s Mears Park puts on a summer concert series on Thursday evenings, running this week through August 29 (and excluding the Fourth of July). It’s free, staged from 6 to 9:30 p.m., and features original local music—plus food trucks, craft beer, cider, and wine, with benefits going to the St. Paul Yellow Ribbon Network. On June 6, check out headliner Jaedyn James & the Hunger and take your pick of Tot Boss, Rollin Nolens, Original Hockey Mom Brownies, and other food trucks. Learn more.
A Finale of Mozart
What: Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Prague Symphony with Martin Fröst
When: June 7-8, 8 p.m.; June 9, 2 p.m.
Where: Ordway Concert Hall, 345 Washington St., St. Paul
It’s the 2018-19 season finale for the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. The ensemble plays Mozart’s overture for operatic master work Don Giovanni—written in an overnight creative burst—before Genesis, about the secular and sacred roots of classical music, featuring premier clarinetist Martin Fröst. Learn more.
Minne-Apple Drinks
What: Minnesota Cider Festival
When: June 8, 1-5 p.m.
Where: Como Lakeside Pavilion, 1360 Lexington Pkwy N., St. Paul
For a taste of the state’s—and the world’s—best cider, this outdoor fest hosted by the Minnesota Cider Guild treats guests to unlimited samples from about 100 local, national, and international cideries. Also: food by Spring Cafe and Red River Kitchen. Learn more.
Party Animals
What: Beastly Bash: A Wild Summer Night
When: June 8, 6-11 p.m.
Where: Minnesota Zoo, 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley
In support of the Minnesota Zoo, check out the animals, enjoy cocktails, and stick around for a mini-concert by Prince’s old backing band, the New Power Generation, featuring Ashley Támar Davis. Learn more.
Feast of the Forest
What: Wild Food Fandango
When: June 9, 1-9:30 p.m.
Where: Keg and Case Market, 928 W. Seventh St., St. Paul
Sixteen of the state’s top chefs strive to devise a crowd-favorite dish that fits the theme “Forest to Fork,” to win the Golden Morel trophy. It takes place inside St. Paul’s sprawling West Seventh food hall, with a musical performance by Joe Huber and the May North, with Ryan Acker of the Last Revel. The starring fare: foraged gems from the lakes and thickets of Minnesota. Learn more.
3 Music Acts, 2 Days, 1 Venue
What: Eli Young Band, Frankie Ballard, and Rob Thomas at Mystic Lake
When: June 7, 8 p.m.; June 8, 8 p.m.
Where: Mystic Showroom, 2400 Mystic Lake Boulevard, Prior Lake
Mystic Lake has a big weekend planned. On Friday, Eli Young Band and Frankie Ballard take the stage, both country-music hit-makers. Then, on Saturday, the now-solo lead singer of Matchbox Twenty, Rob Thomas, brings in his freshly announced Chip Tooth Smile Tour. Learn more.
