The651.com

Planning your State Fair itinerary is key. This week on the651.com we’ll be cluing you in on some of our can’t-miss selections of some of the coolest stuff to see and do a the Fair, which runs this Thursday, August 26th through Labor Day.

One of our favorite “off the beaten path” attractions is definitely the International Bazaar. This bustling little world on the edge of the grounds is where we go to chill out for a bit and take in some non-deep fried foods and cultural music. In 2008, 14,000 additional square feet were added to the Bazaar’s expanse, making way for more food vendors and two entertainment stages. Take a siesta on the patio under the shade of vibrant cabana umbrellas while you sample tasty foods from Holy Land Deli, Panda Palace, Midtown Global Market, “Shanghaied” Henri’s Foods and Brews from Around the World and Bavarian Roasted Nuts. A small respite from the greasy, traditional Fair foods for those that want to try something a little different (or perhaps something a bit healthier). Not to say we’d ever argue against such delights as a deep fried corn dog or bacon on a stick. It’s the State Fair after all!

Maria Isa by B-Fresh Photography

The Bazaar also features to entertainment stages, sponsored by St. Paul-based beer giant, Summit Brewing. Check out dance, instrument and craft demos every day on the Festival of Nations stage during the day - a great (and dare we say educational?) activity for the whole family. Or simply sit back and enjoy live music by a slew of culturally-inclined live acts on the main stage including Hayor Bibimma African Dance, Jack Brass Band, Cafe Accordion Orchestra, Flor Y Canto and many more. When the sun goes down there’s always the Bazaar After Dark stage that includes live tunes from local luminaries such as Maria Isa, The Belfast Cowboys, Dosh, Alison Scott and more.

Another favorite cultural mecca at the State Fair? Heritage Square, which is located on the other side of the Fair Grounds by the Midway. Along with ethnic foods, culturally-related exhibits, and live music shows there are vendors galore. Score unusual treasures and sparkly trinkets from dozens of colorful booths, set up flea market style. Heritage Square merchants shill everything from delicate Chinese fans to handmade dreamcatchers and everything in between. A fun place to find a State Fair souvenir that you won’t throw away…or eat.

The International Bazaar is located on Judson Avenue and is open from 9am-10pm daily. Heritage Square is located on Dan Patch Avenue next to the Mighty Midway and is open 9am-10pm. For more info visit www.mnstatefair.org.

You’ve heard it before and we’ll say it again: Braaaaaaaains. And what goes with brains better than a side of good old fashioned baseball? Not much, say we! Conjured up by the Saint Paul Saints and the nuts that put on the famed Zombie Pub Crawl (a day-long bar hopping expedition that brings out thousands of undead to the streets of Minneapolis each year) today’s melding of rotting flesh and America’s favorite past time serves as a teaser for the pub crawl  (held in October).  And, well, basically it’s just a good excuse for people to put on zombie makeup, say “brains,” and drink a lot. After all, what better way to cover up public drunkeness than with an exaggerated zombie shamble?

The Saints’ July 30th game has been officially coined the “Game of the Living Dead,” and while we’re pretty sure the players won’t be zombified, we expect that the legions of undead in the stands will be creeping the living out enough for everyone. On the fence about getting dressed up? Think again: Prizes for the best zombie costumes AND a “So You Think You Can Thriller-Dance” contest will abound.

And just to round things out, Midway Stadium is holding a mini-Zombie Pub Crawl of its own: shuffle your way to at least five beer vendors, get your card stamped at each one and you’ll get a free t-shirt (and hopefully some brains).

The game happens Friday, July 30th at 7:05 p.m. and tickets are available online or at the gate. For more info visit www.saintsbaseball.com

If you ask us, one of the coolest things to happen in Minnesota this past year was the inception of local arts-focused public television program, MN Original. Each episode focuses on a few Minnesota artists of any and all genres, mediums and career levels, making the title “MN Original” a truly accurate statement. Dancers, painters, sculptors, musicians, photographers, actors, designers — the list goes on and on. If you’ve yet to catch this dynamic and fascinating new program on the MN Channel or TPT Life don’t fret, you can watch each and every episode online on the MN Original website. And we certainly do recommend that you catch up on those missed eps, before this Friday!

To celebrate the successful launch of the series — which began airing in April of this year — the MN Original crew is throwing an all-out bash in Downtown St. Paul’s lovely Mears Park. What does this mean for you? Well, aside from one helluva good time it means free live music, art activities, food and drink and most likely the chance to immortalize yourself on film in some way, shape or form.

You’ll enjoy live music from local artists who have been featured on the show including the sweet, folksy toe-tappin’ tunes of Caroline Smith and the Goodnight Sleeps; the hipshakin’ sounds of renowned Latin jazz pianist, Nachito Herrera; the rotating-door jam sessioneers of the Mad Ripple Hootenanny. DJ Scott Stulen (who also just happens to be the director of mnartists.org!) flips wax between band sets and Suicide Commandos front man Chris Osgood (Who just so happens to be a major arts leader around these here parts!) emcees the evening.

Also on the bill is a drawing club with mnartists.org and local artists Calpurnia Peach, Andy Ducett, Doug Padilla, Mary Griep (materials provided), plus musicians and local artists selling their wares in the park, food for sale from Barrio, and remarks from MN Original executive producer, Dianne Steinbach.

MN Original’s Party in the Park happens on Friday, July 23rd in Mears Park in downtown St. Paul bordering 5th St., 6th St., Sibley, and Wacouta. The event is from 5-8pm and is free and open to the public - rain or shine. For more info visit www.mnoriginal.com.

Episodes of mn original air Thursdays at 7:30pm, on tpt2, with additional broadcasts statewide on the MN Channel and TPT Life.

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If we celebrated our birthdays this long, we’d be called self-absorbed, self-obsessed, narcissistic and the like. But in the case of the iconic St. Paul Hotel, a year-long b-day party is fully necessary. After all, 100 years as one of the state’s most legendary hotels and architectural landmarks isn’t exactly something to take lightly.

To make things more official, Mayor Chris Coleman will declare this Monday, July 12th “Saint Paul Hotel Day” — how cool is that? And of course, the grand Saint Paul Hotel plans to celebrate in old-timey style, with a charming ice cream social across the street in beautiful Rice Park. Take an early afternoon siesta by the park fountain and cool off with $1 scoops of Kemp’s ice cream (proceeds go to benefit the downtown St. Paul based Listening House). You’ll also be treated to an performance by the Capital City Wind Ensemble headed by Mary Livingston as part of St. Paul’s “Music in the Park” series. Kind of the perfect way to kick off boring old Monday, if you ask us!

The event runs from 11:30am to 1pm in Rice Park. In case of rain, the event will be held in the Saint Paul Hotel Ballroom.

For more info visit www.saintpaulhotel.com

We love all things fancy and French. We just can’t help it. French fashion, French food, French wines. So pretty!  If you’ve ever tasted a French Macaroon you probably understand. This Saturday embrace your inner Francophile by heading to the swanky University Club of St. Paul for a Bastille Day celebration.

In case you’re not down with history, Bastille Day is basically France’s version of Independence Day. The country’s national holiday commemorates the storming of the Bastille fortress-prison  in 1789, which was considered a major milestone in the modernization of the nation. And despite the fact we are indeed thousands of miles removed from the romanticized locale, local organization, Alliance Française, does its part to keep French tradition alive and well in the Twin Cities — a dedication that facilitates not only this weekend’s celebration at the University Club, but also numerous events throughout the year.

This year’s La Fête Nationale invites the public to celebrate with live music from the French Cabaret Orchestra featuring Francine Roche, French food and drinks with the  “crème de la crème” of the local French community. A vintage French auto show will be presented by the Citroen Club of Minneapolis, enticing voiture aficionados who appreciate graceful European design. Also on hand will be the Minneapolis Pétanque Club, who will invite you in on a game of the popular French relative of bocce ball.

Personally, we’re looking forward to mysterious strangers, possibly in berets. We’re also not adverse to non-sinister mustache twirling, and of course, French Macaroons.

The event runs Saturday, July 10th from 5pm-10pm and admission is $10.00 AF/UC Members, $15.00 Non-Members and Children 10 and under are FREE, while supplies last. Purchase tickets by calling 612-332-0436 or order online at www.afmps.org. University Club of St. Paul, 420 Summit Avenue, St. Paul 55102.

The big deal in St. Paul is, of course, the Taste of Minnesota fireworks display. In years past, the Taste has popped off fireworks on each night of the festival, but this year they are only doing one display on the actual 4th, so it ought

By Grundlepuck on Flickr

to be a doozy. I for one, am not a big fan of standing in a massive crowd on a hot summer night, so I’ve whipped up a quick guide on the best “secret” places to watch fireworks in St. Paul — without having to brave the crowds.

1. Highland Reservoir: The man-made hills that lie beneath the big blue water towers near Snelling & Ford Parkway double as additional water storage, but neighborhood peeps know that sneaking up onto the top of the reservoir on the 4th of July is pretty awesome. A perfect view from the highest point of Highland Park, seeing the Taste of Minnesota fireworks is easy, breezy and unobstructed. You’ll surely run into more people from the neighborhood up there, but it’s a large, flat surface with plenty of spreading-out space.

3. Smith Avenue High Bridge: Avoid the fray of the Taste while still reveling in the camaraderie of your fellow

by Elkman via Wikipedia

Americans on the High Bridge this 4th of July. One of the couple bridges that connects West St. Paul to Downtown, the High Bridge is a perfect place to leisurely watch the ‘works. Plenty of other neighborhood folks come out to watch from this classic landmark located on Smith Ave & River Road, so you’ll still get in your people watchin’ minus the claustrophobia.

2. The tops of parking ramps: This may require a little recon to find the best spot, as ramps change their policies frequently. You need to find a ramp with an open air roof. Most ramps are designed this way unless they are built into a building or underground. You’ll just need to check the ramp’s hours and make sure you can see the river from your vantage point. There are many ramps that dot the landscape of Downtown St. Paul along Kellogg. Once you get closer to the edge of Lowertown they become pretty cheap too. Surface lots further down along the river are probably a good bet too. $5 for a stampede-free fireworks experience? We can deal. (costs may vary the closer you are to the Taste).

Each summer the State Fair Grounds takes it back to the era of malt shops, poodle skirts, and black leather jackets with the annual Back to the ’50s extravaganza. But make no mistake, this ain’t your momma’s sock hop. Back to the ’50s is all about classic cars and the culture that goes along with them. Collectors of all stripes convene for this huge auto show-off to buy, trade, sell, and of course, admire well-maintained 1950s rides.

While the die-hards spend their time swappin’ stories and talking up their crown jewel autos to fans, the event is a fantastic day excursion for aficionados and families alike. Peruse the sprawling grounds and peep everything from muscle cars and hot rods to dreamy, ice cream colored classics that wouldn’t be out of place at a drive-in movie theater. Check out the Cruise-N-Art Craft Fair, shop numerous vendors shilling everything from clothing to memorabilia, or sign your kids up for activities like coloring contests, tractor pulls and more. Eat tasty fried food then take a siesta from all that walking around with live music from South Dakota’s PowerPlay and Duluth cover band The Shackshakers, who will entertain with toe-tappin’ ’50s favorites. And for the kiddies, “Imaginick” a.k.a. Nick Bretz will perform magic tricks, juggling, yo-yo tricks and more.

Oh, and ladies: fear not! If you’re not into car talk, the Dairy Building will be bustling with girly activities to keep you busy. Treat yourself to a little relaxation and beautification at the Aveda Pampering Clinic, score a sweet swag bag, check in with the CJ Banks fashion consultants, taste some truffles and cookies, meet author Janet Izzo and more.

Out of towners can register for camp ground spots or at area hotels through the website. Admission is $10 (free for kids under 12 when accompanied by an adult). $8 Discount tickets are available at O’Reilly Auto Part Store. The event runs from 7am-9:30pm Friday, June 18th; 7am-10pm Saturday, June 19th; 6am-1pm, Sunday June 20th.

The State Fair Grounds are located at 1265 Snelling Avenue N. in St. Paul. For more info on Back to the ’50s visit www.msra.com.

It’s a literary riot! Not your momma’s poetry night, the long-running Riot Act Reading Series returns once again to the Turf Club’s Clown Lounge this Sunday evening. The unruly spout-off  features silver-tongued smarties rattling off their witty work for your listening  pleasure. Hear everything from poetry to short stories — most of which typically doubles as high-brow (or low-brow, depending on how you look at it) comedy with an edge.

The series is led by punk poet Paul D. Dickinson, a St. Paul music and art scene staple who ran the legendary and long defunct Speedboat Gallery on Selby Avenue in the ’90s. The Speedboat was a D.I.Y. art gallery which doubled as a semi-secret music venue after the sun went down — hosting a slew of iconic punk bands like Bikini Kill, Bratmobile and more. In other words — a very cool underground spot! At any rate, after the closing of Speedboat, Paul D. carried on as a writer and eventually landed a slot playing (sort of) himself in the popular Electric Art Radio Show, a monthly performance that depicted a live, old-timey radio show. The Riot Act Reading Series came about at some point and has been going strong for a number of years — with a few hiatuses here and there.

This Sunday, jump on the bandwagon — even though you’re late (it’s never too late!) — and enjoy the literary hooliganism of Paul D. and his clever co-host Laura Brandenburg. This month’s extra special edition will feature a solid list of talented performers including Joan Vordebruggen, Danny Sigelman, John Schreiner and music from Charlie Parr and the Roe Family Singers. And what better day than Sunday to let a little “riot” into your life?

Sunday, June 6th, 7pm. $5/21+. Turf Club, 1601 University Avenue, St. Paul (in the basement Clown Lounge).

Click HERE for the Facebook event

Oh, the beautiful summer months. How we love thee! With the lovely warm weather come oodles of outdoor music  and film events — and who can argue with that? Since we spend a good portion of the year hibernating,  St. Paulites like to take advantage of the warm season that much more. St. Paul’s 2010 Music in the Parks series recently kicked off  and will continue through the summer, with live entertainment practically every day of the week at a number of picturesque city parks. From Como’s pretty Lake Side Pavilion to the breezy Phalen Amphitheater to urban green spots like Rice Park and Mears park, there’s a little something for everyone.

Also on task this summer, starting June 16th is Comcast’s Movies in the Park, held at various city parks and rec centers and featuring a fun lineup of family friendly flicks like Where the Wild Things Are, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Free Willy, Up, the Wizard of Oz and many more.

And don’t forget the awesome annual Music in Mears series, starting June 10th, which features a more hipster-friendly lineup of bands such as the Idle Hands, Romantica, Communist Daughter, Zoo Animal, Unknown Prophets, Caroline Smith & The Goodnight Sleeps, Halloween Alaska and many more.

courtesy of MidwestComicBook.com

Attention sci-fi nerds and comic art lovers! The Midwest Comic Book Association (MCBA) puts on its annual SpringCon at the Minnesota State Fair Grounds this weekend.  Thousands of comic book aficionados from near and far invade the 80,000 square foot Grandstand in search of rare comics and graphic novels . SpringCon is not JUST about buying coming books, however. Special guest speakers, panel discussions and vendors of all castes will be round out the experience — not to mention there will be plenty of costumed die-hards (and we LOVE costumed die-hards). Not quite as debaucherous as a sci-fi convention, but a lot more exciting then sitting in your mom’s basement watching the complete box set of the Batman (the cartoon, not the live action of course!).

One of the SpringCon highlights is a talk with sci-fi movie maven Sarah Douglas. Who is Sarah Douglas you ask? You may not recognize the name, but she’s certainly got a legacy! Douglas played the evil vixen villain in both Superman I and 2, as well as various “evil” characters in numerous films such as Conan the Destroyer and Solarbabies, The People that Time Forgot and many more.  The best part (in our opinion)? She totally played sexy schemer Pamela Lynch on the ’80s prime time soap, Falcon Crest!  Douglas recently came out with an autobiography entitled A Resident Alien in Hollywood and will discuss the book and her career and sign copies as well.

Plenty of other shenanigans will commence, including as a costume contest, panel discussions with comic book industry professionals, writers, artists and more. SpringCon is a great place to A. learn more about the amazing world of comic art, or B. Simply indulge your nerdy side (we all have one), or C. experience some totally epic people watching!

SpringCon runs both Saturday May 15th and Sunday May 16th at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand. Doors open at 10am on both days and tickets are $11 and good for both days of the con. Kids under 9 years old are free, and you can get a $1 discount on your admission with the donation of a canned food item. Bonus: the first 500 fans to arrive on Saturday and the first 250 on Sunday get a sweet swag bag full of comic-related coolness.

For more info and a full listing of special events visit www.midwestcomicbook.com