Weekend Best Bets: May 15-17

A Golden Anniversary

WHAT: Black Forest Inn’s 50th Anniversary
WHERE: Black Forest Inn, Mpls.
WHEN: 6 p.m.
Celebrate 50 years of German fun on Eat Street at Black Forest Inn’s weekend-long anniversary celebration, where beer will be flowing and the kitchen will be cranking out bratwurst by the pound. Festivities include live alphorn and accordion music, German movies, and more entertainment, plus a special family day, games, and plenty of food. Prost! For more information, check out the Black Forest Inn’s site.

A Nobel Event

WHAT: Cocktails at the Castle: Dynamite Night
WHERE: American Swedish Institute, Mpls.
WHEN: 7 p.m.
The American Swedish Institute hosts Cocktails at the Castle this week to honor Alfred Nobel—the man who invented both dynamite and the Nobel prizes—and show off the Institute’s current Nobel Creations: Inspired by the Nobel Prize exhibit. Fun will be in no short supply: The night features food from Fika, DIY “Blinky Bling” electronic jewelry making, and a castle-wide scavenger hunt. For tickets, go to the American Swedish Institute.

Saturday, May 16

Grilled Out

WHAT: 4th Annual Minnesota Monthly Grillfest
WHERE: CHS Field, St. Paul
WHEN: 1 p.m.
Sunshine, baseball, grilling, and brews? Yes! Head to the 4th Annual Minnesota Monthly Grillfest this weekend to preview the best of summer and get a sneak peek at St. Paul’s new CHS Field. Test out the hottest grills, sample summer wines and specialty beers, check out live local music, and grab tips on how to be a barbecue master at all of your summer parties. For tickets, head to the Grillfest site.

Born to be Wild

WHAT: Wild Night Gala
WHERE: Mill City Nights, Mpls.
WHEN: 7 p.m.
Let your wild side free at the Minnesota Zoo’s Wild Night Gala to help support the zoo and preserve wildlife. Bid on silent auction prizes (including paintings made by the zoo’s Grizzly bear), check out the Zoomobile animals, and don’t leave before the dance party starts. For tickets, check out the Minnesota Zoo.

Sunday, May 17

What a Whirl

WHAT: Art-A-Whirl
WHERE: Northeast Minneapolis
WHEN: 12 p.m.
After recently being named Best Art District in USA Today, Northeast Minneapolis is hotter than ever. See what all the fuss is about at this year’s Art-A-Whirl, where the neighborhood’s artists show off their studios and galleries and sell their work. It’s the largest open-studio tour in the country and not one to skip. To pick up an artist directory and learn more, go to the Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association.

Aftershocks

WHAT: 7.8 Rubbles: Nepal Earthquake 2015 Relief
WHERE: The Loch at Macalester, St. Paul
WHEN: 12 p.m.
With eight million people affected, the recent earthquake in Nepal is a major world event, and the Association of Nepalis in Minnesota is raising money and awareness with its 7.8 Rubbles event. The day will feature food, an art sale, live music, and more to help provide relief for the country. For tickets, go to the 7.8 Rubbles site.