September 29, Friday
What’s Finnish for “Good Music”?
What: Kardemimmit
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis
Four musicians from Espoo, Finland, serenade you with the Finnish national instrument, the kantele. This instrument, which appears to be part harp, part guitar, can range from five strings to more than 30. Along with the playing the kantele, the group will sing and perform Finnish dancing music from the 19th century. Prepare to add more words to your Finnish vocabulary than “sauna.” (And, according to Google Translate: “Hyvää musiikkia.”) Learn more.
Drinking for a Cause
What: Tapped & Uncorked: Pour for Parks
When: 6–10 p.m.
Where: Roseville Skating Center, 2661 Civic Center Dr., Roseville
With 24 craft brewers, 7 wineries, 9 distilleries, 3 cideries, and 4 food trucks, including Tot Boss and the Anchor Fish and Chips—all in 1 place—the 4th-annual Pour for Parks event raises money for Roseville recreational facilities and parks. Last year’s Tapped and Uncorked raised $46,700. The organization has helped fund playground equipment, a shelter kitchen, soccer field equipment, and more. Learn more.
September 30, Saturday
Row, Row, Row Your Canoe
What: Mississippi River Day Canoe Trip
When: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Where: Brooklyn Park to Boom Island, East River Flats to Sand Flats, Hidden Falls to Harriet Island
Explore Minnesota while hunting for picture-perfect scenes via a 24-foot voyageur canoe. This two-hour active-but-not-strenuous ride has three possible routes: Brooklyn Park to Boom Island, East River Flats to Sand Island, and Hidden Falls to Harriet Island. Snacks and water are provided but a bag lunch is suggested. Most importantly, there are restrooms at the beginning and end of the trip. Plan accordingly. Learn more.
Family Fall Festivities
What: Fall Harvest Festival
When: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska
Kids can get their faces painted, play pumpkin tic-tac-toe, pumpkin bowling, and ladder golf. Those over 21 can sample local craft beers and ciders from vendors including Bent Paddle Brewing Co., Excelsior Brewing Co., and Sociable Citer Werks. Before leaving the festival to explore the scenic rest of the arboretum, hang around for live music from roots band Traveled Ground and indie-rockers Stone Arch Isles. Learn more.
October 1, Sunday
Non-Runners Welcome
What: The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon
When: 8 a.m.
Where: Race begins at 6th and Portland in Minneapolis and ends at the Capitol in St. Paul
If running for roughly four and a half hours does not sound appealing to you, grab a cup of coffee instead and hang out in what the marathon map designates as an “awesome spectator spot.” Or, if you still want to be part of the event, volunteer to pass out water and Gatorade to the thousands of runners at one of the 14 fluid stations along the route of the metro’s annual race known as the “most beautiful urban” variety in the country. Learn more.
Running with It
What: The Assembly with Gretchen Seichrist
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Strike Theater, 824 18th Ave. NE, Minneapolis
Every month, sketch show the Assembly features a local artist and bases improvised performances around a conversation with that person. This month, Minneapolis songwriter and visual artist Gretchen Seichrist, whose music ranges from blues to punk and from folk to pop, takes the hotseat. Her work has been described as “uniquely American” and “gritty,” so maybe expect something along those lines from the Assembly. Learn more.
