Koi show

Some very fancy fish will be on display this weekend at the Upper Midwest Koi Club Show & Product Expo. Koi fish, which have been bred for patterns, size and body shape by emperors of Japan and breeders worldwide, are considered living works of art. Some of the most prized koi in the Upper Midwest will be on hand at this year's show, with tours offered throughout the day to educate visitors about the different varieties of koi and answer questions. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 1; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 2. Free. Heritage Room at Bachman's, 6010 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls.

Japanese gardens

What makes Japanese gardens so serene? Learn about the art and craft of the tradition when the North American Japanese Garden Association hosts a two-day event, "It's All in the Details," in the Twin Cities.

On Aug. 7 is a hands-on skills development workshop at the Charlotte Partridge Ordway Japanese Garden at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul. Participants will learn what it takes to maintain a high-quality Japanese garden all year round. The workshop will be followed by a visit to a private Japanese garden, also in St. Paul.

On Aug. 8, there will be an educational bus tour, featuring the Garden of Quiet Listening at Carleton College in Northfield, the Normandale Japanese Garden at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, and the Garden of Pure Water at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Cost is $269 for both days, or $169 for the workshop on Aug. 7, $115 for the bus tour on Aug. 8. Lunch is included both days. For more details and to register, visit najga.org or call 949-529-6356.

KIM PALMER

Sculpture by Alex Zaves from the Loring Park Art Festival, Aug. 8-9. Credit Sher Stoneman.

Art fair trifecta

You never know what you'll unearth for your interiors at three Minneapolis outdoor art fairs promising "something for everyone" next weekend. The Uptown Art Fair, Loring Park Art Festival and Powderhorn Art Fair will display sculptures, paintings, watercolors, photography, ceramics, woodworking, fiber, clay and mixed-media works by more than 600 regional and national artists.

The Uptown Art Fair, the granddaddy and largest of the group, offers a bustling urban vibe along Hennepin Avenue and Lake Street. Events include live music, kids' interactive art activities, youth art fair and Culinary Arts Competition.

The Powderhorn Art Fair is held in a 66-acre city park around Powderhorn Lake, and features craft demonstrations, live performances and hands-on art for kids.

The Loring Park Art Festival is a compact setting of tree-lined walkways along a pond and gardens in Loring Park near the Walker Art Center. Live music, kids' art projects in the Art Bus and artist demonstrations are scheduled throughout the two days.

The free Metro Transit Art Pass makes it easy to travel to the three fairs by bus or light rail. Download the pass at metrotransit.org/ArtPass.

Uptown Art Fair: Noon to 8 p.m. Aug. 7, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 8 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 9; Lake St. and Hennepin Av. S.; uptownartfair.com; 612-823-4581.

Powderhorn Art Fair: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 9, 35th St. and 15th Av. S., powderhornartfair.com; 612-767-3515.

Loring Park Art Festival: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 8 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 9; Oak Grove St. and Hennepin Av. S.; loringparkartfestival.com; 612-203-9911.

LYNN UNDERWOOD