Their new rock-opera, 21st Century Breakdown, is quite a visceral yet brainy affair, but no matter. The Bay Area punk trio has been consistent on tour ever since it stole the Lollapalooza shows in 1994, and its prices are still relatively punkish. Chris Riemenschneider
Be faux French for a day and play into all the stereotypes: berets, striped T-shirts and cigarettes. Its only natural for Americans to be clueless about real French culture, but hey at least were celebrating with Barbettes annual Bastille Day block party. Music includes Brooklyn-based Frenchie band Les Sans Culottes and locals Halloween Alaska, Romantica, Sims, the Idle Hands, Yid Vicious and host Foxy Tann. Also: aerialist Jim Domenick, the North Star Roller Girls, a hula-hoop contest and skateboarding action. Oui, oui! Amber Schadewald
The annual block party will take place rain or shine on Irving Avenue. The free event is open to the public and is a zero waste event. Enjoy locally produced and organic foods, cold beverages and a flea market with local artists. A portion of the event proceeds will benefit the MN Fringe Festival a Minneapolis-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect adventurous artists with adventurous audiences.
The Bastille Day Block Party is sponsored by Vita.mn, 89.3 the Current, New Belgium Brewing, 45th Parallel Vodka, Cristalino Champagne, Eureka Recycling and Red Bull.
Barbette
1600 W. Lake St.
Minneapolis, MN
612-827-5710
Parker's annual free outdoor performance on the lawn bowling courts, preceeded by "The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged)" beginning at 3:30 p.m., and followed by an outdoor screening of "French Kiss," at 8:30 p.m.
For an "old wine, new bottles" preview of what the ever-amazing drummer Steve Smith and his fierce and fun fusion ensemble Vital Information will dish up this week at the Dakota, check out the just-reissued 1989 recording, "Vitalive," which includes a couple great tunes that remain in the band's set lists 20 years later. "The Perfect Date" is still a perfect showcase for Smith's trap set pyrotechnics, while "Europa," the Santana classic that Vital Info member Tom Coster co-wrote in his days with Carlos, now serves as a feature for Mr. Coster's childhood instrument, the accordion. Accordion in jazz fusion? Yeah, Vital Information is an intense band that dares to inject a squeezebox into jazz-rock, that also is conversant with South Indian drum and vocal techniques, and that never fails to inspire and surprise in person.
Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant
1010 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN
612-332-1010
Attendees and participants for this year's event include Elton John, Gladys Knight, Tony Bennett, Billy Crystal, astronaut Buzz Aldrin and golf legend Arnold Palmer. To benefit the Starkey Hearing Foundation and its work.
RiverCentre Convention Hall
W. 7th St. and Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul, MN
1-866-354-3254
Though she was born in Lisbon, singer Lura has thoroughly embraced her Cape Verdean ancestral heritage, digging deeper into the musical motifs of such islands as Santiago and Santo Antao with each succeeding CD. Still, she's a studio-savvy, postmodern city gal -- no hardcore folkie. Lura often gooses her "roots" music with Afro-pop and Euro-pop, discreetly and tastefully. The brand new album, "Eclipse," is another fine showcase for Lura's truly gorgeous voice, which excels on poetic melancholy ballads (a la her famous predecessor, Cesaria Evora), yet also nails quirky beat-driven songs. In the beat-driven category, check out the hip farmer's saga, "Tabanka," which comes complete with barnyard animal and rain shower sounds.
Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant
1010 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN
612-332-1010
For his first headlining date in the Twin Cities, guitar prodigy Julian Lage is bringing along a quintet with both predictable bass violin (by Peru's Jorge Roeder) and surprising cello (Aristides Rivas, of Venezuela). Lage starred in an Academy Award-nominated documentary at age eight, played professionally with mandolin legend David Grisman when he was a mere 10 years old, and has since amassed a sheaf of cool credits, working with Gary Burton's band, Bela Fleck, Chris Thile, pianist Taylor Eigsti, singer Nnenna Freelon, even with the ageless "Piano Jazz" host, Marian McPartland. Now 21, with 13 years already spent in the public eye, Lage is touring in support of his long-awaited debut release, "Sounding Point," on which he plays both acoustic and electric guitar, on original tunes and jazz classics ("All Blues," Lil' Darlin'|").
Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant
1010 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN
612-332-1010
This third annual homegrown, volunteer-run bash offers rawer, rough and/or rustic blues and blues-spiked rock. The show moves into Minneapolis from Lake Elmo, thanks to the Caboozes indoor/outdoor setup, with 74 acts ranging from old Delta vets T-Model Ford to young punks Black Diamond Heavies. Chris Riemenschneider
331 Club
331 13th Av. NE.
Minneapolis, MN
612-331-1746
For his first headlining date in the Twin Cities, guitar prodigy Julian Lage is bringing along a quintet with both predictable bass violin (by Peru's Jorge Roeder) and surprising cello (Aristides Rivas, of Venezuela). Lage starred in an Academy Award-nominated documentary at age eight, played professionally with mandolin legend David Grisman when he was a mere 10 years old, and has since amassed a sheaf of cool credits, working with Gary Burton's band, Bela Fleck, Chris Thile, pianist Taylor Eigsti, singer Nnenna Freelon, even with the ageless "Piano Jazz" host, Marian McPartland. Now 21, with 13 years already spent in the public eye, Lage is touring in support of his long-awaited debut release, "Sounding Point," on which he plays both acoustic and electric guitar, on original tunes and jazz classics ("All Blues," Lil' Darlin'|").
Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant
1010 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN
612-332-1010
Not only will fierce-looking boats glide across Lake Phalen during this year's Dragon Festival, but the aromatic cuisine of Asian Pacific Islanders will tempt the taste buds of all within smelling distance.
Find special offers on dining, travel and more ways to save money in the Twin Cities area. Dealspotter blogger John Ewoldt gives you daily ways to stretch a dollar. Also, sign up to get deals sent to you with our newsletter.
Drink cheap this week
Bar: Kitty Cat Klub. With summer here, there are fewer drunken students clogging the Dinkytown streets. Sounds like a perfect time to lounge on the sea of sofas at this vintage bar.
Deal: $2 beers (about a dozen to choose from), $2 select wines and $3 rail drinks.
Join the discussion: Your Voices is a group blog featuring unique perspectives from members of your community. Find commentary on current events, public issues and day-to-day life in Minnesota.
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Find special offers on dining, travel and more ways to save money in the Twin Cities area. Dealspotter blogger John Ewoldt gives you daily ways to stretch a dollar. Also, sign up to get deals sent to you with our newsletter.
Use our interactive map to find attractions, festivals, free outdoor music, water parks and more. Coming in June, look for Fourth of July events, too.
Join the discussion: Your Voices is a group blog featuring unique perspectives from members of your community. Find commentary on current events, public issues and day-to-day life in Minnesota.
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