Newness in Spades

Back in January, Light Nightclub (formerly Elixir Lounge) closed after a burst pipe caused water damage to the downtown Minneapolis nightspot. After undergoing repairs, the dance bar is rebranding for the second time in less than a year (clubland loves newness), with plans to reopen as Spades Nightclub this month. The remade club neighboring the Fine Line hosts a two-night grand opening party June 27-28 with Denver EDM duo Manufactured Superstars on Friday and progressive house DJ Max Vangeli on Saturday.

9 p.m., June 27-28, 21-plus, $10 per night ($15 two-night pass), 322 1st Av. N., Mpls., 612-746-4004, www.spades­nightclub.com

Whisky Park goes dark

Once a hotbed for bros gone wild, the little-bit-country Whisky Park has quietly closed. Founder Gene Suh of the Tap House bars opened the rowdier downtown Minneapolis joint, which hosted DJs, cover bands and occasional country acts. Last year Suh sold the business to a new ownership group, and he said there is pending litigation involving himself, the new owners and the building owner. Bachelorette parties will now have to turn to Cowboy Jack's for their mechanical bull fix in party-bus territory. But maybe they already were.

Polka in the eye

Oktoberfest in June? Not exactly. The summertime GermanFest takes over the old Schmidt Brewery in St. Paul for a weekend-long Deutschland shindig. More than a beer and brat bash (don't worry, they'll have those, too), GermanFest is about all things German — from polka tunes to, uh, strong man competitions. We suggest hitting the family-friendly event at 2 p.m. Saturday to watch Germany battle Ghana in the World Cup or for the 8:30 p.m. Schmidt sign relighting ceremony. Attend Friday night's VIP pre-party (5 p.m.) and $35 gets you unlimited food and drink.

10 a.m.-10 p.m., Sat., 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun., 882 W. 7th St., St. Paul,

www.germanfestmn.org

Fun, the variety pack

There's no shortage of opportunity for adult jack-assery at Saturday's Great Bull Run at the Elk River Extreme Motor Park. If you can keep your pants clean while being chased by 18 1,500-pound bulls for a quarter-mile ($75, 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. start times), sully them afterward in a massive tomato fight (3:30 p.m., $55 or free for paid bull runners). If you're content watching others act a fool, $15 spectator tickets are available and there will be plenty of food, beer and apparently foam dance pits (in case you change your mind). Heads up on the $10 parking fee.

21591 Hwy. 169, Elk River, Minn., www.thegreatbullrun.com

Michael Rietmulder