THURSDAY
Third Thursday: Art + Lit
Swap books, schmooze with Twin Cities literati and hear the stories behind the Minneapolis Institute of Arts' collection at the museum's latest Third Thursday event. Local literary center the Loft will be in-house, Coffee House Press will lead gallery label erasure poetry, the Rockstar Storytellers will spin tales, the Minnesota Center for Books will have a letterpress on hand for bookmark-making, and the soundtrack will be provided by K.Raydio & O-D Music. Print isn't dead; it's partying. (6-9 p.m. Thu. Free. Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 2400 3rd Av. S., Mpls. www.artsmia.org.) Erica Rivera
OPENING
Macy's Flower Show: Art in Bloom
The lush garden installation of the Flower Show comes to life in the downtown Macy's eighth-floor auditorium. This year's show, "Art in Bloom" (not to be confused with the MIA's "Art in Bloom" event, which pairs artworks with floral interpretations), explores the connections between art and nature through trees, plants and flowers sourced from around the world by Bachman's. The show includes 11 individual gardens, each inspired by a distinct art genre, including impressionism, abstract, Art Nouveau, Renaissance and surrealism. The centerpiece is a Pop-inspired reinterpretation of Michelangelo's iconic David sculpture that incorporates pixel-mapping technology. Macy's also developed a special app that allows visitors to transform their smartphone pics of the show into impressionistic artwork. The show's two-week run includes culinary demonstrations and artist markets. (Store hours March 22-April 4. Free. Macy's, 700 Nicollet Mall, Mpls. 612-375-2200 or www.macys.com.) Jahna Peloquin
