Friday, May 31
Boy Band Unplugged
WHAT: Covers: A Pop Concert
WHERE: Cowles Center, Minneapolis
WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
Cantus is the ultimate boy band: nine dudes with amazing voices singing a cappella. Where their concerts usually consist of ancient hymns and deeply moving canticles of sorts, this concert is a come-one-come-all celebration of top 40 tunes. Minus the digitization, of course. For additional concert dates and ticket info, see cantussings.org
Friday, May 31
Take a Bow
WHAT: TU Dance
WHERE: The O’Shaughnessy Center, St. Paul
WHEN: 8 p.m.
It’s not often you can see a show for the very first time. Here, you’ll get to see two such productions as TU Dance closes its ninth season with two world premieres: No Middle Name, a triptych of duets, and Escapades, a full-company work delving into the ways in which we attempt to escape everyday monotony. Learn more at oshaughnessy.stkate.edu
Saturday, June 1
Oh So Artsy
WHAT: Edina Art Fair
WHERE: 50th & France, Edina
WHEN: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
The Edina Art Fair is all about the numbers: first official art fair of the season, second largest art fair in Minnesota, 320 booths. The fair has been voted the best fine-art festival in the state; the 32nd best in the nation. It runs all weekend long, rain or shine, and is free to enter. Basically, there’s no reason not to come browse. Learn more at edinaartfair.com
Saturday, June 1
Arts Avenue
WHAT: ARTFRONT on Eat Street
WHERE: Nicollet Avenue and Franklin Avenue, 26th Street; Minneapolis
WHEN: 2 p.m.–midnight
There will be burgers. There will be music. There will be art. (And a rummage sale. And drinks.) What’s not to love? Learn more on Facebook.
Sunday, June 2
Putt-Putt Heaven
WHAT: Artist-designed Mini Golf at the Sculpture Garden
WHERE: Walker Art Center, Minneapolis
WHEN: Through September 8, 2013
We all have fond (albeit awkward) memories of mini golf: first dates, family vacations, Happy Gilmore. To celebrate the sculpture garden’s 25th anniversary, the Walker is upping the game with its two eight-hole courses, both designed by local architects, artists, engineers, machinists, mini-golf lovers, and a group that goes by Makeshi!t (yep). For $12, you get to be artsy and sporty all in one. Win-win. Learn more at walkerart.org
Sunday, June 2
Isn’t That Grand
WHAT: Grand Old Day St. Paul
WHERE: Grand Avenue, St. Paul
WHEN: 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
You know summer has officially begun when Grand Old Day rolls around. It’s the start of fair-food stands and overly crowded streets, too-loud live music and people pretending their strollers don’t take up half the street. It’s a festival, gosh darnit, and it says “Minnesota summer” like nothing else. Learn more at grandave.com
