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A Little Bit of Iceland
What: Taste of Iceland Cultural Festival
When: May 2-5, 5-10 p.m.
Where: Various locations
It’s more than just the land of Björk. The Twin Cities host a weekend of Icelandic programming, featuring collaborations between a world-class Icelandic chef and Red Stag Supperclub; a renowned mixologist and the Rooftop at the Hewing Hotel; and a lineup of Icelandic music groups and the Fine Line Music Cafe. There’s also a short-film festival at Trylon Cinema and a discussion with author Andri Snær Magnason at Open Book bookstore. Learn more.
Life Is an Anti-Cabaret
What: Jane Lynch & Kate Flannery: Two Lost Souls
When: May 3, 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Ordway, 345 Washington St., St. Paul
You know Jane Lynch as the drill-sergeant-like gym teacher on Glee and Kate Flannery as the loose-cannon supplier-relations representative on The Office. It makes some kind of pop-cultural sense that they would team up, for an “anti-cabaret” of song and comedy. They’ve chosen mostly showtunes and ’60s swing—”like the Rat Pack with a couple of broads.” Learn more.
The Thunder Rolls In
What: Garth Brooks
When: May 3 and 4, 7 p.m.
Where: U.S. Bank Stadium, 401 Chicago Ave., Minneapolis
Country star Garth Brooks brings his stadium tour to Minneapolis, hauling with him all the songs that have made him an award-winning, record-breaking arena filler since the ’90s. He’s taking it specifically to football stadiums across the country. Learn more.
Courtesy Cinco de Mayo-West Side St. Paul
Cinco de Mayo
What: Cinco de Mayo-West Side St. Paul
When: May 4, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Cesar Chavez St., between Wabasha and Highway 52, St. Paul
Don’t miss the Cinco de Mayo festival on May 5 in Minneapolis (at El Nuevo Rodeo, with food vendors, a musical lineup, beer gardens, and an after-party). And, the day before, you’ll especially want to make time for the St. Paul celebration, on May 4. On the Mexican-rooted west side of the capital, a parade kicks off at 9:30 a.m., followed by live entertainment, food vendors, a car show, a jalapeño-eating contest, a screaming-in-joy contest, activities for kids, and more on Cesar Chavez Street. (Check out deals at great Twin Cities Mexican restaurants, too.) Learn more.
Dueling Comics
What: Bobcat Goldthwait and Dana Gould: The Show with Two Heads
When: May 4, 8 p.m.
Where: The Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Ave., Minneapolis
Another comedy duo in the lineup: Bobcat Goldthwait, who rose to prominence in the ’80s and ’90s with his dark humor and strange (grating?) voice, and standup comedian and Simpsons writer Dana Gould. They trade head-lining slots at the Cedar Cultural Center. In both cases, it’s new material by sharp-witted guys who have been in the game a long time. Learn more.
First Ave Forever
What: First Avenue: Stories of Minnesota’s Mainroom Exhibit Opening
When: May 4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Minnesota History Center, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul
A new exhibit at the Minnesota History Center unpacks all the messy history of legendary Minneapolis music venue First Avenue, and this party marks an appropos grand opening. DJs include Lazerbeak and Papersleeves, authors sign copes of their scene-documenting books, and First Ave gets the retrospective treatment it deserves ahead of its 50th birthday in 2020. Learn more.
Best Burgers in Town
What: GrillFest
When: May 4-5, 1-5 p.m.
Where: CHS Field, 360 N. Broadway St., St. Paul
Our May/June “Best Burgers” feature has come out just in time for GrillFest, which we’re hosting for the eighth year. Stop by CHS Field before or after you party it up for Cinco de Mayo on the west side of St. Paul. You can taste the Twin Cities’ best burgers, get grilling ideas, try delicious seasonal drinks, and more at the home of the St. Paul Saints. Learn more.
MayDay, MayDay!
What: MayDay Parade
When: May 5, starting at noon
Where: Along Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis, then at Powderhorn Park
Maybe the last MayDay Parade? We’ll see if In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre can rally enough interest to keep this 45-year-old tradition alive. It features a cavalcade of larger-than-life puppets in south Minneapolis, followed by the Tree of Life ceremony, ferrying a sun puppet across Powderhorn Lake. It’s a community-minded, diversity-championing explosion of color, music, and dance. The festival in Powderhorn Park, where a ton of food vendors set up alongside live entertainment, goes until dusk. Learn more.
Sun’s Out…
What: The Gun Show
When: May 3-18, 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Where: Off-Leash Art Box, 4200 E. 54th St., Minneapolis
Uprising Theatre Company continues its series on gun violence with The Gun Show, a solo performance written by playwright E.M. Lewis. Lauren Diesch takes the stage to take on the diverse viewpoints in the gun debate, in a nonpartisan, humorous, poignant attempt at conversation. Learn more.
