Courtesy Red Bull Flugtag
Fall means the arts are in full swing. Check out our coverage of Minnesota’s must-see autumn shows in music, theater, dance, comedy, and the visual arts.
Creative Conservation
What: Theaster Gates: Assembly Hall
When: Sept. 5-Jan. 12
Where: Walker Art Center, 725 Vineland Pl., Minneapolis
Walk through four immersive rooms of 75,000-plus collected works and artifacts, all plucked from disuse and uplifted by installation artist Theaster Gates. The art slides, books, furniture, and other castoff objects pose questions about abandonment and conservation.
Stolen Hearts
What: The Great Northfield Bank Robbery: A Love Story
When: Sept. 5-7
Where: Northfield Arts Guild Theater, 411 West Third St., Northfield
Two retired Star Tribune journalists—reporter Bill McAuliffe and theater critic Graydon Royce—have joined forces on a play 25 years in the making. While reporting, McAuliffe stumbled upon the true story of a 22-year-old Pioneer Press journalist who struck up a romance with one of the famous raiders of the First National Bank of Northfield. Now, the Northfield Arts Guild stages the star-crossed duo’s tale during the town’s Defeat of Jesse James Days.
Life in Three Acts
What: Artistry presents Our Town
When: Sept. 6
Where: Schneider Theater, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Rd., Bloomington
The Pulitzer Prize-winning Our Town brings a meta-theatrical tale to the Artistry stage. Set in a small-town New Hampshire theater, the “stage manager” introduces the audience to its residents, who march through all seasons of life in three acts.
It’s Greek to MN
What: Minneapolis Greek Festival
When: Sept. 6-8
Where: St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church, 3450 Irving Ave. S., Minneapolis
Three days of Greek food and drink (lamb burgers, shishkabobs, sausage, phyllo, wine, butter cookies, a bake sale, and more) and culture (dancing lessons, iconography talks, a bookstore, a boutique) round out the Taste of Greek fest in Minneapolis.
Summer Send-off
What: James J. Hill Days
When: Sept. 6-8
Where: Shores of Lake Minnetonka, 402 Lake St. E., Wayzata
Lake Minnetonka’s biggest three-day festival sends off summer with logrolling, fireworks, craft beer, a carnival, a street market, a car show, corgi races, free live music, and more.
Vikings Fans, Assemble
What: Vikings Kickoff Rally
When: Sept. 7, 1 p.m.
Where: Commons Park (outside U.S. Bank Stadium), Minneapolis
Rockstar Bret Michaels helps the Vikings christen football season in U.S. Bank Stadium’s backyard. Get autographs, enjoy family activities, and stop by food editor Jason DeRusha’s top six spots for tailgate food.
When Juicy Lucys Fly
What: Red Bull Flugtag
When: Sept. 7
Where: Harriet Island Regional Park, 200 Dr. Justus Ohage Blvd., St. Paul
Twenty-five teams from the Twin Cities have home-designed aircraft of childlike inspiration: shaped like a Juicy Lucy, the NPR raccoon, “Spoonbridge and Cherry,” and a s’more, for starters. Watch them launch over the Mississippi.
Edina Arts
What: Edina Fall into the Arts Festival
When: Sept. 7, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sept. 8, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Centennial Lakes Park, 7499 France Ave., Edina
Peruse jewelry, pottery, sculpture, wearable arts, glass, fibers, paintings, and more along the paved, dappled paths of Centennial Lakes.
Big Murals, Little Mekong
What: Chroma Zone Mural & Art Festival
When: Sept. 7-14
Where: Creative Enterprise Zone, 2334 University Ave. W., St. Paul
A week of creative, inclusive activities—including the unveiling of 12 large outdoor murals created by local and national artists—comes to St. Paul’s St. Anthony Park neighborhood, with events at nearby breweries, the Little Mekong Night Market, galleries, and more.
Women in Art
What: What Is Forbidden?: The Women’s Art Institute 20th Anniversary Exhibition
When: Sept. 7-Oct. 19
Where: Catherine G. Murphy Gallery at St. Catherine University, 2004 Randolph Ave., St. Paul
A dual exhibit marks the Women’s Art Institute’s 20th anniversary. The first highlights 12 visiting collaborators who work across various media, and the second examines the place of women and non-binary artists in art.
Dean Phillips Meets Ari Shapiro
What: Immigrants…”Making a Difference”
When: Sept. 8, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 S. Fourth St., Minneapolis
Ari Shapiro, host of National Public Radio’s All Things Considered, joins Congressman Dean Phillips in celebrating 35 years of the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest, devoted to telling and preserving Jewish stories in the region.
Rock Hard
What: Sheer Mag
When: Sept. 8
Where: Turf Club, 1601 University Ave. W., St. Paul
The energetic Philadelphia power-pop quartet, led by tough-as-nails frontwoman Tina Halladay, is on the road in support of this year’s album of arena-sized melodies, A Distant Call. It’s AC/DC-level rock chops met with deeper social messages. –Reed Fischer
Kravitz in Concert
What: Lenny Kravitz
When: Sept. 8
Where: Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
With more than 30 years of soul, funk, and rock to his credit, Lenny Kravitz has a deep catalog for live exploration. Songs like 2018’s hit “Low” show he’s still on top of his game. –Reed Fischer
