by staff
This weekend, let your rainbow flag fly – literally! It’s Pride, and you know what that means – foam parties, drag shows, the parade, dance parties. It’s an all-out sausage fest as Butcher & the Boar’s aptly named “Sausage Fest,” while Jetset snagged dance band Scissor Sisters’ for an official afterparty. Too mainstream? Delve into the queer underground with the annual performative fest “Queertopia,” which joins forces with the Dirty Queer Show this year; the TransDykeQueer March; and an art show at queer arts center Madame. Whatever you do, keep it classy! (Oh, who are we kidding. Be safe, kids!)
xo-l’étoile
THURSDAY, JUNE 21ST
Inbogural Pink Swamp Reading + Party
@ 3220 Garfield Avenue S #105
Minneapolis
8 pm / FREE
Forget everything you know about poetry, in fact Our Flow is Hard is banking on it. A local collective of ladypoets whose first installment series will literally shatter your preconceived notions of poetry, Our Flow is Hard is your experimental friend. Tonight, the self-proclaimed troupe of “sticky and feathered girlpoets” launch their first reading, the “Inbogural Pink Swamp Reading,” featuring Omaha poet Natasha Kessler, local poet and editor for dislocate magazine Aaron Apps, Montevidayo culture blog contributor Lucas de Lima, and an enigmatic chapter known as Mystery Swampbeast. After the reading, stick around for a hot n’ heavy houseparty birthed outta the orgasmic explosion that is your brains on nu-poetry. Click HERE to read our interview with Our Flow Is Hard co-founder Carrie Lorig. -Juleana Enright
Click HERE for the Facebook invite
THURSDAY JUNE 21RD-SATURDAY JUNE 23RD
Queertopia: Rallying Cry! & Dirty Queer Show 4: Dirtyqueertopia
@ Intermedia Arts
2822 Lyndale Avenue S
Minneapolis
Queertopia: 7:30 pm nightly / $12 advance, $15 door
Dirty Queer Show: 9:30 pm-1 am Saturday / $5-$10
In the words of Madonna, “So if you want it right now, make him show you how, express what he’s got, oh baby ready or not.” Express yourself! That is exactly what Queertopia is calling for you to do. The Bedlam Theater presents the annual showcase of queer artists coming together to celebrate, perform and show their pride for the community. This year boasts a big lineup including dancer/choreographer Dustin Maxwell, hip hop MC Heidi Barton Stink, and performance troupe SuperGroup. But, we all know Pride needs to get a little dirty once the sun goes down, so on Saturday night prepare to be filthy when the Dirty Queer Show kicks off the after party. It’s just what you need to keep partying during Pride weekend, with a cabaret, two dance floors, DJs, sexy go-go dancers and booze, what more could you want? -Alexandra Katz
Click HERE for the Bedlam Theatre site
THURSDAY, JUNE 21ST
Minneapolis 48-Hour Film Project Awards Show
@ Riverview Theater
3800 42nd Avenue S
Minneapolis
7-9:30 pm / $15
Haven’t you wanted to go to a film awards show with a “Best Vehicular Homicide” category? Two weeks ago, 67 local teams collaborated in the race-against-time annual short film competition. With so many differing crews (including a mother/son team, a crew of one, a crew of 50, and a unit that somehow managed to do some location shooting in Austria), the results promise to be unpredictable, and perfect with copious amounts of alcohol and laughter. The nominees for this year’s top-ten (previewed in the clip below) will be screened this evening, along with the said booze, local celebrities, and bands to keep the audience salivating for more Minneapolis movie goodness. As a special bonus, Josh Richardson from the Flavor Crystals and Ben Kyle from Romantica will be performing, so come for the films and stay for the music. -Niles Schwartz
Click HERE for the Facebook invite
THURSDAY, JUNE 21ST–SUNDAY, JUNE 24TH
Twin Cities Improv Festival
@ Huge Theater
3037 Lyndale Avenue S
Minneapolis
7 pm Thursday & Friday, 6 pm Saturday & Sunday / $5-$10 per show
Huge Theater hosts the 6th annual TCIF this weekend, presenting multiple shows spread over 15 time slots for four nights. Attend, watch, and shout out ridiculous demands at such comedic improv legends as Mustache Rangers, Foterson, Comedysportz and Stevie Ray’s. For a full schedule and a roster of the many performers taking part, visit twincitiesimprovfestival.com. -Rob Callahan
Click HERE for the Twin Cities Improv Festival site
THURSDAY, JUNE 21ST-SUNDAY, JUNE 24TH
The Ladies of La Femme
@ The Gay 90′s
408 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis
8pm / 18+ / $5-10
Minneapolis Pride weekend starts kicks of on Thursday, and is one of the biggest Pride festivals in the nation, and the Gay 90′s may just be the unofficial headquarters. Along with the normal dance nights and multi level bars the La Femme lounge will be open all weekend for some all star drag shows. Thursday night hosts the Miss City of Lakes Pageant, where local drag queens compete in creative swimwear, evening wear, and talent, with $1 drinks to boot. Friday thru Sunday night the the La Femme Lounge is open for the Ultimate Pride Drag show featuring some all star performances by some of the Cities’ best and returning drag queens. The two featured performers are Miss Minnesota Continental winner Courtney Van Wales, and BeBe Zahara Benet, winner of the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Miss BeBe cut her teeth as a lady of La Femme at the Gay 90′s in Minneapolis, and used her fabulous performance skills to take her all the way to the top. Now residing in NYC, BeBe returns to Minneapolis as an extra special treat for Pride weekend 2012. -Danielle Morris
Click HERE for the Gay 90′s site
BeBe Zahara Benet
THURSDAY, JUNE 21ST
Pride Soul Thursday White Party
@ Hell’s Kitchen
80 S 9th Street
Minneapolis
9 pm / 21+ / $5
Getchyo dance on with Soul Thursday’s White Party for a special night of dancing and celebrating the kick off to Pride Weekend. Shannon Blowtorch, Lady L, and Naughty Boyy will be DJing and spinning the best tunes in old school, R&B, old and new hip-hop and more. Enjoy late night a la carte soul food and drink specials including $3 Michelob Golden Light, PBR, and Miller tap; $5 Jameson; $4 Soul Friday shot; $7 Any beer special and shot of Jameson or SF shot. Kick off Pride in style and enjoy wearing your whites before Labor Day sneaks up on us all. -Chelsea Streich
Click HERE for the Hell’s Kitchen Underground site
FRIDAY, JUNE 22TH-SUNDAY, JUNE 24TH
LUSH Pride Block Party Weekend
@ LUSH Foodbar
990 Central Avenue
Minneapolis
6 pm Friday, 9 pm Saturday, 4 pm Sunday / 18+ / $20 Friday, $20 Saturday, $30 Sunday
Celebrate Pride all weekend with fabulous shows at LUSH. Kick off Friday with girly-tough rockers Sick of Sarah, Hunter Valentine (part of the cast on the third season of The Real L Word), and electro-pop group Vanity Theft. Take part in art with Clyde Valentine and enjoy a super-short $10 manicure and beer. Saturday, catch late night live shows from DJ Nina Sky, playing a mix inspired by R&B, ’80s, and electro pop as well as dance and hip-hop connoisseur DJ Cazwell. Spend your Sunday like a G6 with DEV, electro-pop vocalist Wynter Gordon and Anjulie. Along for the ride are DJ’s Kris Holiday, Shiek and Evl E to finish your celebratory weekend right. -Meg Junkermeier
Click HERE for Friday’s Facebook invite, HERE for Saturday’s Facebook invite, and HERE for Sunday’s Facebook invite
FRIDAY, JUNE 22ND-SUNDAY, JUNE 24TH
Walker Cinema Reopens
“Beasts of the Southern Wild”: 7:30 pm Friday / sold out
“This is Not a Film”: 7:30 pm Saturday / $9 or $7 for Walker members
“Aelita, Queen of Mars”: 3 pm Sunday / $12 or $10 for Walker members
The Walker Art Center’s Cinema is revamped, remodeled, revised, rejuvenated, and ready to rock and roll this weekend, with state-of-the-art equipment to nurture film fans, and with cinema selections from all over the planet, past and present. To celebrate, the lead-off trio of films slated for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are a cosmopolitan mixture, though oddly consistent in how they are pictures obsessed
with the past while envisioning a future through images. Friday features the much-discussed Sundance darling feature debut from director Benh Zeitlin, Beasts of the Southern Wild. This is Not a Film follows on Saturday, a documentary about Jafar Panahi, an acclaimed Iranian filmmaker whose support for anti-Ahmadinejad demonstrators led to his house arrest, impending prison sentence, and a “ban” from making or writing films for 20 years. On Sunday is the 1924 Soviet science fiction drama Aelita, Queen of Mars, perfect as an earlier time’s ruminations on concepts currently twirling through Ridley Scott’s recent Prometheus. It’s the start of an exciting new chapter for the Walker Cinema. Click here to read full reviews on each film. -Niles Schwartz
Click HERE for the Walker Art Center site
The new Walker Cinema
FRIDAY JUNE 22ND & SATURDAY JUNE 23RD
Ad Hoc Art Grand Opening
@ Ad Hoc Art
88 10th Street S
Minneapolis
5–11 pm / FREE
Emergent pop-up art gallery Ad Hoc Art is endeavoring to create a central hub for artists and art patrons to create connections and engage the community in n interactive way. Via a highly visible storefront downtown on Nicollet Mall, the gallery will be an opportunity for arts patrons who may not typically seek out local art to happen upon objects of beauty, interact with the work of local artists, and perhaps be inspired to purchase local art. Ad Hoc ups the egalitarian ante by encouraging artists of all kinds to submit their work for consideration, giving the enterprise a democratized element that seems appropriate to their goal of fostering creativity and accessibility. The two part grand opening festivities will feature music, snacks, interactive arts events and competitions, and vibrant local art from more than 30 artists. Come check out this new space and get used to the location as they’re planning to keep things fresh with new events every two weeks! -Anthony Enright
Click HERE for the Ad Hoc Art site
Art by Jacqueline Bates
FRIDAY, JUNE 22ND
Medium of Exchange: The Art of Cash
@ Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts
6666 E River Road
Fridley
6-9 pm / FREE
Local artist John Schuerman has curated a show about the root of all evil: the Kardashians. Wait, we mean money. Provocative local artists Alexa Horochowski, Caitlin Karolczak, Eric Lunde, Karen Searle, David Bartley, John Ilg, Rachel Breen, Beth Parkhill, Rob McBroom and Pete Driessen were given free rein to interpret both conceptual and literal ideas about money, finance and cash. With the recent upheavals in both the world financial markets and in the finances of most Americans, the time seems ripe for an interesting artistic dialogue on the liberations and constrictions of having (and lacking) money. The artists, through painting, drawing, installation, print-making, photography and sculpture toy with both the material nature of the forms that currency takes (cash, cards, checks, ATMs) and with the emotional cultural and spiritual implications of exchanging this artificial notion for real world goods and services. Fortunately for all, the event is free so it won’t cost you a penny to view and participate in a rich dialogue about the meaning of that stuff that lives in your wallet. -Anthony Enright
Click HERE for the Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts site
Art by John Ilg
FRIDAY, JUNE 22ND
“Uncrustables: Sophie Weil, Aaron Anderson, Christine Peterson”
@ Northrup King Building
1500 Jackson Street NE #456
Minneapolis
6-8:30 pm / FREE
The trio of longtime friends and collaborators Aaron Anderson (he of the defunct art collective Hardland/Heartland), Christine Peterson and Sophie Weil have – like many artists – had their own work influenced by one another, whether knowingly or subconsciously. For “Uncrustables,” the influence is palpable, with the collective body of work having been traded back and forth among the three before its final synthesis. Finding strength as a team, the three tearing off the proverbial crust of vulnerability to reveal a soft, and sometimes gory interior. -Jahna Peloquin
Click HERE for the Hardland/Heartland site
FRIDAY, JUNE 22MD
Grown & Sexy Pride
@ First Avenue
701 1st Avenue N
Minneapolis
Ugh – that feeling you get when you look around the club and as far as the eye can see there are 18-year-olds (not that we have anything against 18-year-olds, but you know). With “Grown & Sexy,” it’s for everyone 21 and older to get down. DJ Shannon Blowtorch, Nadine DuBois and Sweetpea are bringing their monthly night to First Avenue for a big, blown-out Pride edition. Blowtorch will be spinning hits all night long for a dance party that won’t quit until you are ready to kick off your stilettos, and glitter and glam will be served up every hour on the hour with burlesque performances by Nadine DuBois and the “Cyclone Seductress” herself Sweetpea. -Alexandra Katz
Click HERE for the First Avenue site
FRIDAY, JUNE 22ND
The Big Gay Pride Party: Afterglow
@ Epic
110 N 5th Street
Minneapolis
9:30 pm / 21+ / $15 adv, $20 door
For the fifth year in a row, the biggest and the gayest celebration is coming your way. Dress in whites, neons and glowsticks and get body painted during the first two hours of the event. See New York club DJ Escape paint the soundscape and all the shocking decor, dancers and acrobats. The rest of the night, catch DJ Rich B on the main dance floor or head to the rooftop bar for DJ Shiek and enjoy drink specials all evening. -Meg Junkermeier
Click HERE for the Facebook event
FRIDAY, JUNE 22ND
Gay 90’s Foam Party
@ Gay 90’s
408 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis
9 pm / 18+ / $5-10
Instead of a coat check you’ll need a clothing check to come to this Pride event. The Gay 90’s monthly Foam Party blows up for Pride with DJ AJent Orange, spinning Top 40 and dance music on the ones and twos. This slippery fiesta sure to be a rowdy, half-naked night. -Alexandra Katz
Click HERE for the Gay 90′s site
FRIDAY, JUNE 22ND
Brute Heart + Food Pyramid + Rollerblade + Orchard Thief
@ Hexagon Bar
2600 27th Avenue S
Minneapolis
9 pm / 21+ / FREE
Brute Heart are one of those bands with non-traditional instruments – viola, no guitar – where you just don’t notice at all, or care, because the space is still filled so marvelously. Over the course of two experimental albums, Brute Heart chart a course that draws from spiky post-punk and mysterious folk, sprinkling a hell of a lot of eldritch magic o’er the top. Food Pyramid make delightfully weird electronic music – it’s catchy (despite minimal words!) and a hell of a lot of fun. Openers Orchard Thief play a low-key, lo-fi brand of mostly instrumental music that you can’t help but pull for. -Jon Hunt
Click HERE for the Facebook invite
FRIDAY, JUNE 22ND
Walker Kong w/ Still Pacific + ABlaze
@ Amsterdam Bar & Hall
6 W 6th Street
St. Paul
9 pm / 21+ / FREE
Walker Kong!! Walker Kong!! L’étoile is still excited as heck that they’re visible again, and fresh from recording a brand new LP (“Phazes of Light”). Their brand of smart, slightly twee pop is damn fine stuff — just the kind of music there isn’t enough of locally. Still Pacific is Brad Weller and Tracy Taberry-Weller’s new project – fantastic songwriting, influenced by everything from new wave to classic British pop, mixes with some great, jangly playing. ABlaze – with not much web presence, alas – promises “savage minimalism.” -Jon Hunt
Click HERE for the Amsterdam Bar & Hall site
Walker Kong
FRIDAY, JUNE 22ND
Sleazy and Easy Getting Creazy
@ Clubhouse Jäger
923 Washington Ave N
Minneapolis
10 pm / 21+ / FREE
This Friday, don’t miss the long-awaited return of down n’ dirty DJ duo, Sleazy (Mark Mallman) and Easy (former Jäger GM Angie Heitz). Get down at this dynamic dance party as the sassy pair masterfully mixes all your favorite jams. It’s hard to deny booty bumpin’ beats and lyrical lust flowing from legendary artists like Missy Elliot, Usher, Robyn, Kanye, Azealia Banks, Iggy Azalea, and Kreayshawn – and just when you think the night can’t get any better, Clubhouse Jäger serves up free jello shots at midnight! Find your friends, lure your lovers and bring your best dance moves, because this Friday night is about to get sleazy, easy and frankly, downright freak nasty. -Staff
Click HERE for the Facebook invite
FRIDAY, JUNE 22ND
UMAMI, Red Daughters, Heavy Syrup
Palmer’s Bar
500 Cedar Ave S
Minneapolis
10 pm / 21+ / $5
The Red Daughters play a kind of aggressive mashup of skittering indie pop and the soundtrack to the best Western movie you’ve ever seen. Their songs are absolutely laden with organ and guitar angularity, not a million miles from where Kings of Leon probably should have ended up if they hadn’t gone horribly wrong, if that makes sense, with a bit of rural Band-isms thrown in for good measure. UMAMI play a weirdly tribal sort of electro dance music, not a billion miles from MGMT, I reckon, but with a hell of a lot more genuine weirdness and fucked-up-ness. Heavy Syrup opens. -Jon Hunt
Red Daughters
SATURDAY JUNE 23RD & SUNDAY JUNE 24TH
Twin Cities Pride Festival, Parade & Pride in Concert
Festival & Pride in Concert @ Loring Park
Parade starts @ 3rd Street & Hennepin Avenue, ends @ Spruce & Hennepin
Minneapolis
Festival 10 am–10 pm Saturday, 10 am-6 pm Sunday / All Ages, 21+ for Beer Garden / FREE, $5 for Beer Garden, $35 for Beer Dabbler
Pride In Concert 5:30 pm Saturday / All Ages / $15 advance, $25 gate
Parade begins at 11 am Sunday
Since 1972, Minneapolis’ Loring Park has hosted a celebration of LGBT life, pride and acceptance that’s one of the largest and most robust in the country. For this year’s 40th anniversary, the celebration is bigger and better than ever with dozens of musical acts, hundreds of vendors, art exhibits, food, pet events (doggy drag show anyone?) and the chance for an epic mingle while basking in the exceptional diversity that makes the Twin Cities such a great place to live. The annual Ashley Rukes Pride Parade is a highlight of the year for many and is sure to have a political edge this year with the upcoming anti-marriage amendment. Pride in Concert will offer a sufficiently divalicious headliner in Miss Kelly Rowland (of Destiny’s Child fame) and plenty of hometown flavor with locals Spearz and Sick of Sarah. If you’re a beer fan of foodie, the Beer Dabbler is offering an amazing Pride event where $35 gives you admission, unlimited craft beer samples from dozens of local breweries and access to 20 local food trucks who will be pairing special $3 gourmet menu items with the beer. There are so many events, activities and excursions surrounding the Pride festival we can’t even scratch the surface, so check out all the details for yourself and plan your Pride itinerary early. -Anthony Enright
Click HERE for the Twin Cities Pride site and HERE for the Beer Dabbler site
SATURDAY, JUNE 23RD
TransDykeQueer March 2012
@ begins at the steps of the Walker Art Center
1750 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis
Begins at 7 pm / FREE
Founded as a way to address issues in the midst of a white-gay-men dominated Pride, the Dyke March has been going strong for over powerful five years. This year – in the wake of the CeCe McDonald case – the annual local Dyke March joins Pride-hands with the Trans community, rechristening itself the TransDykeQueer March, an all-inclusive, all-representative celebration of diverse identities. With a triple theme of “keep loving,” “keep fighting” and “free CeCe,” the march tackles body/health issues, sex positivity, sexual violence and consent and intersectionality. Check out the TwinCities Avengers’ Facebook page for a chance to snag your awesomely art-splashed march tee and rock the solidarity. -Juleana Enright
Click HERE for the Facebook invite
SATURDAY, JUNE 23RD
The Unsettled Foundation: A Live Dark Literature Anthology
@ Hollywood Theater
2815-2819 Johnson Street NE
Minneapolis
7:30 pm / FREE
The Unsettled Foundation’s dubious dignitaries come together on Saturday night to present an evening of scary stories and literary kinship. The group invites authors William Alexander and David Steffen and Red Sofa literary agent Jennie Goloboy join forces to tell scary stories at the semi-abandoned Hollywood Theater, a dilapidated Art Deco homage to Minneapolis’ cultural history. There is no charge for this event, but seating is limited. RSVP at http://www.indiegogo.com/tuf. -Rob Callahan
Click HERE for the Unsettled Foundation site
SATURDAY, JUNE 23RD
“The Changing Erotic Zones: A 150 Year Photographic Illustration of the Evolution of Women’s Clothing Design by Timothy G. Piotrowski”
@ Hennepin History Museum
2303 Third Avenue S
Minneapolis
6:30–9:30 pm / FREE
It’s hard to conceive of a time when the very sight of a woman’s ankle could send a wave of shock or swooning desire through a room, but a scant century ago the idea of exposing that erotic zone in public would have been unthinkable to many women. (And to think we can hardly count the number of times we’ve seen Lena Dunham’s nether regions this television season!) Photographer Timothy G. Piotrowski’s Minnesota State Arts Board project, opening this week at the Hennepin History Museum, uses thirty toned gelatin silver photos spanning the years from 1800 through 1945 to chart changing mores and how women’s fashion both reflected and subverted the notions of propriety and beauty that accompanied each era. Take a look at how fashions changed from the 19th to the 20th century and contemplate where we’re headed in the 21st. -Anthony Enright
Click HERE for the Facebook invite
SATURDAY, JUNE 23RD
“Lifestyle Plus Form Bundle”
@ Madame of the Arts
3401 Chicago Avenue S
Minneapolis
8 pm /FREE
Tonight, join Madame for a feminist/queer print portfolio exhibit showcasing abstract works from artists from four cities meant to be viewed and contextualized with queerness in mind. “Lifestyle” dares to ask “what happens when intuitive abstraction is derived from a feminist/queer body?” Featuring a DJ set by Plunging Necklines and Gold Star plus a sexy, sexy can-you-handle-it erotic storytelling by Lucas DeLima, Ryan Murphy, Consenticorn Triskit and Michael Franklin. Peep silkscreens, risographs, offset prints, digital and xerox paper works from Minneapolis artists Andrew Boos, Britta Anderson, Michael Franklin, Daniel Luedtke (aka Danimal), Dante Carlos, Katelyn Farstad and Jes Buns, Chicago’s Aay Preston-Myint, Ector Garcia and Edi Fake, Montreal’s Walter Scott and New York’s R.E.H. Gordon. -Juleana Enright
Click HERE for the Facebook invite
Offset print by Danimal
SATURDAY, JUNE 23RD
BERLIN Pride
@ Hell’s Kitchen
80 S 9th Street
Minneapolis
10 pm / 21+ / $6
If you’re the sort of soul who’s more inclined to hit Austra than Rihanna on your Spotify and itching to show off your mastery of Robyn dance moves to someone besides your cat, look no further than newish monthly dance night BERLIN. Hosted by local DJ powerhouses Shannon Blowtorch and Lizzy Tymus, Berlin promises to be your answer to an “indie” queer-friendly monthly dance party. BERLIN will be serving up groove-tastic hot tracks from artists like Le Tigre, Crystal Castles, Peaches, MEN, Major Lazer, Amanda Black, Deadmou5, Siouxsie, Yelle and tons more, not to mention dubstep, mash-ups and bounce musak. No party rock anthems allowed! Oh yes, Top 40 can suck it. -Juleana Enright
Click HERE for the Hell’s Kitchen Underground site
SATURDAY, JUNE 23RD
FAMILY Pride + Scissor Sisters Official After Party
@ Jetset
115 1st Street N
Minneapolis
9 pm / 21+ / FREE
It’s no secret that we here at l’étoile love Jetset. You wouldn’t have a hard time finding staff members and contributors there just about every weekend. A random Saturday night at the dance-friendly little bar in the Warehouse District where shots flow like wine is already a guaranteed blast, so a Saturday night during Pride Week is sure to be a can’t-miss event. This night will also be host to the official Scissor Sisters afterparty following their show at the River’s Edge festival, so get there early to get down with Ana Matronic, Jake Shears, Del Marquis and Babydaddy themselves. Be sure to wear your dancing shoes and hot weather duds, because DJs Punchy and JR know how to throw down, and every square foot of Jetset is a dance floor. Except for the women’s restroom. Ba-dum-ching! -Beth Hammarlund
Click HERE for the Facebook invite
SATURDAY, JUNE 23RD
Magic Castles + Gospel Gossip + Food Pyramid
@ Palmer’s Bar
500 Cedar Avenue S
Minneapolis
10 pm / 21+ / $5
It’s not hard to see why local band Magic Castles captured the interest of the legendary Anton Newcombe (Brian Jonestown Massacre) enough to add them on his label quicker than you can say “shroom daze”. Maybe it was their lyrical odes to trolls, hobbits and trip-induced creatures. Maybe it was their epic stretched out musical buildup combining the elements of psych drone, forest folk and dangerously dark garage rock. Whatever the case, we can’t wait to hear the latest release from MC – a double LP doused with tracks from their first three out-of-print records. Tonight, head down to the Kitty Cat to celebrate its presence with live sets from fuzzy shoegaze mainstays Gospel Gossip, the propulsive, instrumental electronic music of Food Pyramid, and tuneage from the Magic Castles themselves before they head out on tour later this summer opening for – who else? – Brian Jonestown Massacre. Fairies, mushrooms and tie-dyed shirts not included. -Juleana Enright
Click HERE for the Facebook invite
SUNDAY, JUNE 24TH
Pride Brunch & Parade Viewing: Bitch-N-Brunch + MiX Pride
Bitch-N-Brunch
@ Seven Sushi & Steak Ultralounge
700 Hennepin Avenue S
Minneapolis
9:30 am-3 pm / All Ages / $30 brunch, $10 viewing only
MiX Pride
@ Le Meridien Chambers Rooftop Lounge
901 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis
9 am-2 pm / All Ages brunch, 21+ viewing / $20 brunch, FREE viewing only
Without a doubt, the Ashley Rukes Pride Parade on downtown Hennepin Avenue is one of the highlights of Pride week in the Twin Cities. What better way to enjoy the festivities than with a delicious brunch followed by a bird’s eye view of the spectacle? The annual Bitch-N-Brunch, hosted by queen diva drag queen Bitch Flowers, offers a buffet brunch and DJ Sheik on the rooftop patio. And while you’re there, be sure to bid in the silent auction, benefiting the Smile Network. Meanwhile, D’Amico Kitchen’s street level restaurant at Le Meridien Chambers will be hosting a family style brunch with complimentary mimosa. Afterwards, head up to the rooftop for a good seat for the parade at 11 am. While you’re up there, enjoy music from DJ Lenka Paris and happy hour drink specials. The rooftop is an indoor/outdoor space with a partially covered terrace, so you can enjoy the parade even if it rains, though at the moment it looks like you’ll be getting plenty of sun. Wear protection. From the sun. To reserve a brunch spot at MiX, call 612-767-6960 or book through opentable.com; tickets for Seven are available at the door only. -Beth Hammarlund
Click HERE for Bitch-N-Brunch and and HERE for the MiX event invite on Facebook
SUNDAY, JUNE 24TH
Saloon Pride Block Party
@ the Saloon
830 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis
4:30-11 pm / 18+ / $15 adv, $20 door
During Pride weekend in Minneapolis, the Saloon is a major hot spot. Centrally located on Hennepin Avenue in the heart of downtown, it hosts its biggest Pride event on Sunday, the annual Pride Block Party. This year is extra special with some guests with extra star power. Crystal Waters, ’90s dance music singer best known for her 1994 smash hit “100% Pure Love” graces Minneapolis with her presence, as does R&B superstar Mýa. The Grammy Award-winning artist whose hits include “It’s All About Me,” “Ghetto Superstar” and “Lady Mamalade” is sure to enchant the crowd with her smooth as sugar pop songs. Opening are up-and-coming pop singer Simon Curtis, cover band Pop Rocks and DJ David B. -Danielle Morris
Click HERE for the Saloon site
SUNDAY, JUNE 24TH
Sausage Fest
@ Butcher & the Boar
1121 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis
9 am-5 pm (DJs start at 11 am) / 21+ / FREE
Nothing goes better with Pride than a good ol’ sausage fest. Get your filthy minds out of the gutter – we’re talking literally, here. New gastropub the Butcher and the Boar is showing their Pride with the aptly-titled Sausage Fest, a day-long celebration of DJs, beer, and – of course – sausage. The eatery is acclaimed for their delish meats (as detailed in Anthony Enright’s pun-intended Rogue Epicurean column on sausage for l’étoile earlier this week), as well as their expansive back patio beer garden, which will feature a meaty roster of DJs including Naughty Wood, the Nightstalker, DJ Bach, and Nancy Cheng and – wait for it – a sausage eating contest. -Jahna Peloquin
Click HERE for the Facebook invite
SUNDAY, JUNE 24TH
Sequin Sundays: Queer Pride Edition
@ the Town House Bar
1415 University Avenue
St. Paul
9:30 pm / 21+ / FREE
Join in for an evening filled with drag, live cabaret, burlesque and glitter in the weekly production known as Sequin Sundays. Presented by hosted with the mostest Esmé Rodríguez, this week’s Pride Edition show will be in celebration of JoJo Mackie’s Birthday and features a unique lineup – Sasha Rodgers, Martina Marraccino, Gabrielle Deveaux and Vivi Vuiton Rodgers, to name a few. See your favorite kings as queens and wrap up what is sure to be a fabulously fierce weekend of Pride. -Chelsea Streich
Click HERE for the Facebook invite
Editor in Chief: Jahna Peloquin / Contributors: Juleana Enright, Anthony Enright, Jon Hunt, Rob Callahan, Niles Schwartz, Meg Junkermeier, Beth Hammarlund, Danielle Morris, Alexandra Katz, Jahna Peloquin
