Party-A-Whirl

With more than 500 artists showing their wares, there's a lot to see at the 13th annual Art-A-Whirl. But with the massive art crawl growing over the years to encompass almost all of northeast Minneapolis, the experience has become about more than just art. Musicians and bars have jumped into the fray, turning it into a senses-stimulating extravaganza. In this guide, you'll find some art, but mostly a list of events that put the "whirl" in Art-A-Whirl.

Grumpy's Northeast outdoor party The neighborhood bar celebrates its 10th year of throwing this bash. More than 10 bands will perform Saturday, including Romantica, Awesome Snakes and Chooglin'. Expect great barbecue, plus local art work inside.

Noon-10 p.m. Sat. 2200 NE. 4th St., Mpls. $3. 612-789-7429. grumpys-bar.com/nordeast

331 Club musicfest This Northeast favorite is promising its biggest outdoor bash yet. A full day of bands starts at 1 p.m. Saturday, including the Liquor Pigs, Askeleton, Roma di Luna and more. Heiruspecs headlines at 8:30 p.m. A dozen art vendors will be on hand, as will Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School, which is basically a life-drawing class with burlesque dancers and beer.

1 p.m.-2 a.m. Sat. 331 13th Av. NE., Mpls. Free. 612-331-1746. www.331club.com

The Gallery at Fox Tax Guest curator Emma Berg, of the super-cool website www.mplsart.com, has picked four great young artists for a show opening Saturday that's titled "I Dreamed I Dream." The artists -- Deuce Seven, Rudy Fig, DC Ice and Keith Eric Williams -- create dreamscapes that are both whimsical and frightening.

Opening reception 6-11 p.m. Sat. Runs through June 15. 503 1st Av. NE., Mpls. Free. 612-824-2829. foxtaxservice.com/gallery

6-10 p.m. Fri. Gallery also open Sat. and Sun. 1620 Central Av. NE., Studio 125, Mpls. Free. 612-242-9199. placementgallery.blogspot.com

Sandra Dowd's 'Dancing With Paint' Dowd does performance art in every sense of the word. She paints large portraits of famous musicians, synching her brush strokes to the rhythm of their music. Last year, she painted a nonmusician, Albert Einstein, to the "Hair" soundtrack in 20 minutes. This year she'll paint a John Lennon portrait to Beatles music.

8 p.m. today. Northrup King Bldg., 1500 NE. Jackson St., Studio 376, Mpls. sandradowd.com

Ritz Theater concerts There are two great events to check out at the revived Ritz. First is Heliotrope, the annual music festival dedicated to local underground acts. Presented by Flaneur Productions, they include Vampire Hands, Gay Beast and many more. (6-11:30 p.m. today-Sat. $8 one day, $15 two days.) The other is a screening of "My Art School Summer," a hand-drawn, animated, adults-only sex comedy by David and Mary Sandberg. It premiered at the Festival of International Erotic Animation in Rio de Janeiro last year. (2 p.m. Sat. $5.)

345 13th Av. NE., Mpls. 612-623-7660. ritztheaterfoundation.org

10 p.m. Sat. 509 1st Av. NE., Mpls. Free. 612-767-7766. redstagsupperclub.com

'15 Minutes of Fashion' No one can say Art-A-Whirl doesn't make the most of these old Northeast buildings. Inside the Thorp building Saturday, a fashion show will be held in the freight elevator at 4 p.m., with clothes by local designers including Laura Fulk and Ivan Idland. The building will also be the site of local music from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday by Slim Dunlap, Molly Maher, Alicia Corbett and more. Expect beer and wine samples.

1618 Central Av. NE., Mpls. Free.

Crêpes at Two 12 Pottery A well-made crêpe is as much of an art form as anything. For six years, hungry Art-A-Whirlers have lined up outside Two 12 Pottery to taste owner Bob Sorg's famous crêpes. The potter makes them on a crêpe iron he picked up in Paris years ago. "I enjoy doing it, but for one weekend only. I don't think the carny life is for me," Sorg said. You can have one of these sweet, pillowy delights for $3.50. Oh, and while you're at it, check out some pottery.

5 p.m. today-Sun. 212 13th Av. NE., Mpls. 612-331-1556. www.two12pottery.com