Weekend Best Bets: September 5-7

What you need to see, do, hear, and experience this weekend

Friday, September 5

Twin City Tunes

WHAT: Concrete and Grass Lowertown Music Festival
WHERE: Mears Park, St. Paul
WHEN: 5:30 p.m.
What beats free music on a Friday night? Catch music on the lawn (and concrete) before these warm summer evenings come to an end. In its eighth celebration, Mears Park in St. Paul hosts a fusion of the Twin Cities’ finest orchestral sounds, Latin grooves, and a healthy share of a capella. Concreteandgrass.com has a closer look at the festival lineup.

Second Bananas

WHAT: Garfunkel & Oates
WHERE: The Varsity Theater
WHEN: 6:30 p.m.
Musical theatre meets stand-up comedy under folk duo Garfunkel & Oates. These oddball television personalities—the female counterparts to Bret and Jemaine of Flight of the Concords—will give their quirky account of life in L.A.  Go to varistytheater.org for more info.

Saturday, September 6

Stretching with a Twist

WHAT: Yoga Rocks the Park          
WHERE: Father Hennepin Park
WHEN: 11 a.m.
Combining local arts and family fun won’t be too much of a stretch at this event. Veteran yoga instructor Jason Hulsof teams up with local DJ ensemble Lady Heat for a soulfully crafted yoga experience. Arranged by local sponsor Athleta for adults and children alike, join Saturday as community yoga visits Father Hennepin Park. For tickets to the event, reach for yogarocksthepark.com.

Beer Here!

WHAT: Summer Beer Dabbler
WHERE: Midway Stadium
WHEN: 5 p.m.
Live music. Fireworks. Beer. This year, the event comes with the added bonus of feeling like a Beer Dabbling All-Star while enjoying a selection from 87 breweries on the Midway Stadium field itself. Also, be sure to enter your home brew in this year’s contest. See more at beerdabber.com.

Sunday, September 7

Scenic Cycling

WHAT: St. Paul Classic Bike Tour
WHERE: St. Thomas University, St. Paul
WHEN: 7:30 a.m.
Take advantage of the earliest of fall weather and ride along one of three scenic St. Paul bike routes this Sunday. Weave 15 miles along the Mississippi River flats, or challenge yourself and catch the panorama atop a distant climb to Indian Mounds Park. Learn how to register at bikeclassic.org.

Maserati Madness

WHAT: 12th Annual Wheels of Italy showcase
WHERE: Lake Calhoun Executive Center
WHEN: 10 a.m.
A taste of Italia comes to Minneapolis as Europe’s most famous racing league gears up for the 2014 Italian Grand Prix. The event will feature an array of stylish Italian vehicles to get everyone fired up about Formula 1 racing. For more details on the Wheels of Italy event, go to wheelsofitaly.com.