Nothing says "summer in the city" like watching a cult-classic film in the grass under the stars, especially with a good local band to kick it off. Fortunately, the Twin Cities is replete with outdoor movie-and-music options. Here are three of the summer's best series.
CINEMA & CIVICS
The Stevens Square neighborhood's underappreciated Wednesday series combines bands and movies with community-oriented discussion and an urban vibe. Where: Stevens Square Park
- June 6: Nightosaur & "Jurassic Park" (see page 16).
- June 13: Me and My Arrow & "The Blues Brothers"
- June 20: Birthday Suits & "The Goonies."
- June 27: Zoo Animal & "Ghostbusters"
- July 11: Kristoff Krane & a Minnesota short-films program
- Info: www.cinemaandcivics.org
SUMMER MUSIC & MOVIES: IN DREAMS
The Walker's venerable Monday series returns with bands and movies reflecting the dreamlike exhibition "Midnight Party." Where: Loring Park (July 30-Aug. 13) and Walker Open Field (Aug. 20). Walker Cinema if it rains.
- July 30: Night Moves & Alfred Hitchcock's "Spellbound"
- Aug. 6: Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits & "Artists and Models."
- Aug. 13: Rogue Valley & "The City of Lost Children."
- Aug. 20: Brute Heart performs a live score for the silent classic "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" at Walker Open Field.
- Info: www.walkerart.org
VITA.MN'S AUGUST MUSIC & MOVIES
Not to be outdone, Vita.mn jumps into the fray with a nostalgia-tinted Friday series in a picturesque setting. Where: Lake Harriet Bandshell
- Aug. 3: Caroline Smith and the Good Night Sleeps & "So I Married an Axe Murderer"
- Aug. 10: Bloodnstuff and Is/Is & "Army of Darkness"
- Aug. 17: Heiruspecs & "Wayne's World"
- Aug. 24: S. Carey & "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"
- More information
4 FREE MUSIC SERIES
- Music in Mears: Thursday nights at Mears Park in St. Paul, with Dan Israel (June 7), Communist Daughter (June 14), Joey Ryan and the Inks (June 21), the Idle Hands (June 28), more.
- Northrop Plaza Summer Music Fest: Haley Bonar and Brute Heart (June 8), Alison Scott (June 27), MaLLy (July 13) and more on the U of M East Bank.
- Twin Cities Jazz Festival: Delfaeyo Marsalis (June 29), the Bad Plus and Joshua Redman (June 30) in Mears Park.
- Cedar Outdoors: Thursday nights outside the Cedar with Charlie Parr (June 21), Evie Laden (June 28), Mandolin Orange (July 5), Guante (July 26), Wizards Are Real (Aug. 2), more.
Related links
- Summer Guide 2012 12 weeks of summer concerts, festivals and fun!
- Year of the festival How to tell the differences between the summer's top music festivals
- Rocking the gardens Community-run gardens provide a social outlet in the summertime
