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Is there possibly a cuter lunch date than enjoying an beautiful summer afternoon listening to live music in St. Paul’s intimate Mear’s Park? Likely not, say we. And especially when you factor in the summery stylings of a eclectic lineup of bands, a potential picnic gets that much more appealing. Pack a few sandwiches, grab shady perch, and settle in for some serious lunch-hour jams every Tuesday through the Summer. Definitely a charming way to ease yourself into the long week ahead, and perhaps even to impress a certain office crush.

Music kicks off at noon every Tuesday and the event is free and open to to public. For a full schedule of upcoming Music in the Parks events and more info click HERE.

JUNE LINEUP:

June 7th: Parisota Hot Club

June 14th: The Fountainheads

June 21st: Rum River Brass

June 28th: Charlie and the Good Times

Downtown St. Paul just got a lot more fun, considering the Science Museum of Minnesota has once again reconfigured its considerable green space for summertime folly. But this ain’t your neighborhood playground: the Science Museum blends super-fun with super-smart with a miniature golf course that illustrates “landscape evolution, river dynamics, and biodiversity” so you’ll be learning while ya putt. Ever wonder how landscapes erode, how rivers transport sediment, and what happens to sediment when it reaches the ocean? Look no further than this mini-golf experience.

What’s more? For a small fee ($5 for a small bag, $8 for large) you and the kids can pan for sparkly gemstones and fossils in the giant sluice, and bring home your own sack of sovineures. You’ll also be invited to stroll through a maze of Minnesota prairie plants and meander about in the back yard’s Native American Gardens while following the Big Back Yard Plant Guide. Our suggestion? Pack a picnic lunch and bask in the sun at one of the outdoor tables.

Viewing the Big Back Yard is free with museum admission any time during your visit. Mini-golf is an additional charge: $3.00 for children ages 4-12, or $4.50 for adults and seniors. Members discount on mini-golf: 10%. Golf for only $5 after 5 p.m.: Play mini-golf after 5 p.m. for only $5 without the purchase of museum admission. To do this, stop at the box office and pick up a special sticker. Open daily from 10 a.m. to dusk, weather permittin For more info visit www.smm.org/bigbackyard

The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and Como Lakeside Pavilion is open for business! After the long (extra long!) winter, we feel you deserve a little outdoor fun, and coinciding perfectly with the purported nice weather comes the kick off of the annual Music in the Parks series.

Leading the charge with performances every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday is the airy and charming Como Lakeside Pavilion. You can pick and choose your pleasure, with music ranging from swing to symphony, from rock to big band–all while chilling out in the breezy lakeside amphitheater. Our suggestion? bring a picnic to share with friends or pick up a sweet treat at the adjacent cafe.

For more information on Music in the Parks, including a full summer roster of events at Como Lakeside Pavilion, Mears Park, Rice Park and more visit the City of St. Paul’s website HERE.

The schedule for the month of May is as follows:

St. Paul’s West Side will once again be bustling with music, food, fun and lowrider cars as thousands of people descend upon District del Sol for Minnesota’s “spiciest” celebration. Explore the festive district while you enjoy the sights and sounds of the Cinco de Mayo celebration and get a little fresh culture with a side of fresh salsa (no really, there’s a salsa contest!).

Friday evening kicks things off with the annual lowrider car show as well as live music and a hip hop sound off. Up to 100 decked out rides are expected to participate in the lowrider show–expect a lot of custom paint jobs (like the one below), ridiculous hydraulics, and maybe even some bass wars between pimped out stereo systems.

Saturday morning hit up the annual Cinco de Mayo parade, where you’ll lay eyes on extravagant floats, amazing musical and dance performances, and plenty of neighborhood and cultural charm–plus all the traditional parade fodder you’d expect. Throughout the day on Saturday enjoy family activities, live music, food vendors galor and much more. Our suggestion? Join in on the jalapeno eating contest, where the first person to eat 10 whole jalapenos without drinking water, wins the title of Rey del Jalapeño or Reina del Jalapeño!

The event runs Friday from 4-9pm and Saturday from 9am-6pm. For more info and a full lineup of special events visit www.districtdelsol.com.

High-tech nerds and futuristic dreamers are encouraged to make their way to the Science Museum this Thursday night to learn a thing or two from kinetic sculpture artist, David Bowen. Bowen will show you how to make a machine
that responds to light and sound sensors and will introduce you to the Pico Cricket, and education-friendly micro-controller.

A pro at crafting interactive works that react to their environment, Bowen’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally including Artbots: the robot talent show at the Eyebeam Atelier in New York, NY and a group exhibition at Pasadena Museum of California Art curated by the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. David will fill you in on his work with a brief presentation then lead a hands-on workshop. Micro-controllers will be available for use, not to take home.

Making After Hours is a series of art, technology, and engineering workshops for adults (18+) that takes place once a month from February through August. The workshops include an introduction led by a guest artist, materials and technology you can use in your project, and a great atmosphere for “making” after work.
Thursday, April 7th / 6:30-8pm / $18 ($15 for Science Museum members)

Workshop designed for beginners. Reserve a seat now by calling (651) 221-4511. Last minute admission at the door is $18—exact change only.

Science Museum of Minnesota Level 2 (Lab 7)
120 W Kellogg Blvd
Saint Paul, MN

Click HERE for the SMM site

Lift Bridge wins the 2010 Golden Firkin for their specialty brew "A la Nutsack"

How often do you get the opportunity to sample over 80 specialty craft beers in one spot? Once a year at Firkin Fest at the Happy Gnome, that’s where.

Head to the Selby Ave watering hole for an afternoon of brewski sippin’ and partyin’ with hundreds of other beer connoisseurs. Held in a tent outside, you’ll travel around to vendors shilling their exclusive casks (or firkins) of ale, lager, stout, and more.

Featuring beers with funny names like Left Hand Good Juju, Boulder Mojo Risin’, New Holland Dragon’s Milk, Rush River Double Bubble Dry Hopped, Fulton War and Peace (a Russian Imperial Stout with whole bean Peace Coffee!), Futhermore Fatty Boombalatty, Languintas The Hairy Eyeball, Tallgrass Buffalo Sex (Buffalo Sweat Stout infused with Chocolate and Cherries), Surly Abrasive (Tea Bagged and aged on oak!), Tyranena Bitter Woman, Flying Dog Raging Bitch Belgian, Dark Horse Scotty Karate, and many, many more.

Photo by Tony Anderson via The Happy Gnome

Attendees will get to vote their favorite in for the Golden Firkin award, and will be automatically entered into a raffle for a home brewing kit from Northern Brewer, Schell’s Beer Dinner tickets and Brooklyn Beer Dinner Tickets at the Happy Gnome and more.

Firkin Fest happens this Saturday, March 26th and runs from 1-5pm and tickets are $35.

The Happy Gnome, 498 Selby Avenue, St. Paul / 651-287-2018

For more info or to purchase tickets online visit www.thehappygnome.com

The legendary Mancini’s Char House & Lounge downtown St. Paul will host a Beer Tasting on Thursday, April 14^th benefiting Wishes & More, a local non-profit organization that grants wishes to children with terminal or life-threatening illnesses.

ESPN Broadcaster, Clay Matvick, will assist in showcasing a variety of beers from across the nation.  Participating breweries include: Stone Brewing, Odell Brewing, Goose Island Beer Co and Tallgrass Brewing.  Now that’s something to toast to! Attendees will also enjoy specially paired food samples to compliment the beers.  Live & silent auctions will be held throughout the night with all proceeds funding wishes, memorials and scholarships given to the children of Wishes & More.

Attendees may purchase tickets for the Beer Tasting by calling the Wishes & More office at 763-502-1500 or online at www.wishesandmore.org.  Tickets are $30 in advance and $50 at the door. Attendees must be over 21 years of age to purchase tickets.

CHEERS!

Join our homeboys and girls from the Twin Cities Daily Planet on Wednesday, January 19th for a musically-infused beer bust at the Summit Brewery in St. Paul. Suck down some Extra Pale Ale (or rootbeer for you responsible and/or under 21 types) while taking in tunes from Jimmi Langemo, the Band of Souls, Patty and the Buttons, accordionist Patrick Harison and his Old School Hot Jazz Trio, Kenn Wanaku and SunPlug’d. Chat with Daily Planet honchos and contributors, mix and mingle with fans of the online rag, and explore the Ratskeller of the famed brewery – all whilst the beer flows freely, of course. All ages are welcome (kids are free) and food from Sawatdee, Rainbow Chinese and Davanni’s Pizza will be available for purchase. Admission is $15 (which includes beer and/or rootbeer) and the event runs from 6-9pm. Capacity is limited so we’d recommend snapping up tickets online at http://bit.ly/hZKKMM or visit www.tcdailyplanet.net.

Content shared by Secrets of the City

It’s hard to believe the holidays are actually upon us. All the build up over the past couple months makes it seem almost unreal. Shopping, pine trees, and yes, Santa, seem to have become a way of life for St. Paulites (and Americans in general!). This Saturday night, however, will put you into holiday overload, because nothin’ says “holiday cheer” more than a fleet of Santa Clauses running amok between several Lowertown bars and restaurants.

The 3rd Annual Lowertown SantaCon pops off at 5pm Saturday and will lead an army of Santas and assorted costumed revelers through the streets of Downtown St. Paul, stopping at seven venues within walking distance of each other. The Facebook event invites you to come dressed as “Santa, elves, trampy elves, reindeer, Krampus, Santasaurus, trampy elves; you get the idea.” Sounds like fun to us, though the whole “trampy” suggestion may be a bit wishful, considering the temperature!

Escorted by the holly, jolly musical spectacle that is the Brass Messengers and feisty ringleader/event emcee, Foxy Tann, you’ll be shepherded to the following venues:

Hat Trick Lounge – 5pm
Trattoria da Vinci
Barrio
Bulldog
Black Dog – around 8pm
Station 4
Senor Wong – around 10pm

The group gathers at 5pm at the Hat Trick Lounge and will travel together for the duration of the tour (but splitting off is fine too!)

Click HERE for the Facebook event

For more details as well as photos and video from past Santacons visit tilsner.net

For a detailed map of Lowertown bar locations visit lowertowned.com

As part of the ongoing campaign to educate and encourage people to “Buy Local” Riverview Economic Development Association (REDA) is featuring the local neighborhood discount card over the next few weeks. The FREE card serves as a great resource for those wanting to be a part of all that the West Side of Saint Paul has to offer.  With discounts and specials updated weekly the discount card is a valued item for any West Side shopper!

How to get the card: Cards are available at all participating businesses. You can also stop by the REDA office or call them at (651.222.6347) to have a card mailed to you.

Specials can be found here at any time.

Here are a few of the current specials available:

-       StormSister Spatique – 15 percent off your purchase!

-       El Burrito Mercado – Free bag of El Burrito tortillas with a purchase of $20 or more!

-       Capitol View Café – 20 percent off your total bill!

-       Captain Ken’s Foods – 20 percent discount on all “out-the-door” purchases!

-       West Side Hair Care – Purchase a 20 dollar gift card and receive 5 dollars extra free!

-       Great River Office Products – 10 dollars off any order of 50 dollars or more (1 time per customer) and 30 dollars off any order of 100 dollars or more (1 time per customer)!