pick of the week: It's time to get out your dancing shoes and high step over to the Minnesota History Center. The Tapestry Folkdance Center is providing dance instruction at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays through the end of August. To make sure you have a chance to put your new moves to use, there's live music from 7 to 8:30 p.m. (You don't have to dance; you can bring a lawn chair and just soak up the tunes, if you prefer.) This week's show features Dan Chouinard & Friends with Maria Jette. Future performers include the Dweebs (Aug. 8), Rockin' Pinecones (Aug. 15), Orkestar Biz Ime (Aug. 22) and Boiled in Lead (Aug. 29). Admission is free, The History Center is at 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. (mnhs.org/event/2538)
Playing the market: It's always fun to visit farmers markets, but with this being the prime harvest time for summer vegetables, there's no better way to spend a sunny summer morning. And it's not just about the veggies. With craft booths and free entertainment along with brat stands and lemonade kiosks, the larger markets are like mini-State Fairs — except you don't feel obligated to eat a bucket of chocolate chip cookies.
Day by day: Tuesday is National Night Out, of course. Before you head over to the neighborhood block party, remind the kids that it's also national Respect for Parents day — assuming they're paying attention to you, that is.
Recommended reading: A play about pickles? It's all kosher. Check out Thursday's Variety.
JEFF STRICKLER
