The651.com

While you’re in town checking out the St. Paul Winter Carnival activities (which kicks off this weekend), there’s also a ton of other nightlife events happening this weekend in St. Paul:

Daughters of the Sun

FRIDAY: Modern Radio 10-Year Anniversary Shows at Turf Club
The record label has been pronounced dead to many in the recording industry, but Twin Cities-based label Modern Radio is still kicking after ten years. They’ve also become one of the most well-respected, enterprising, and fair labels in town. To celebrate, they’ve invited a number of its bands to play a couple of gigs, and day one happens in St. Paul’s Turf Club. The lineup includes the Chambermaids, FT (The Shadow Government), psych rockers Daughters of the Sun, Double Bird, and Sheridan Fox. The night promises special bonuses, like fresh-baked cookies by label owners Tom Loftus and Peter Mielech. With so many awesome local bands signed to it, Modern Radio is definitely worth celebrating. (9 p.m. $7. 21-plus. 1601 University Ave. W., St. Paul. 55104. 651-647-0486.)

"Troll 2"

SATURDAY: Trash Film Debauchery: “Troll 2″ at Turf Club Clown Lounge
The experts say not to trust Wikipedia, but you can trust it when it comes to its take on the terrible D movie Troll 2: “(It’s) widely considered to be of poor quality.” That’s enough for Trash Film Debauchery, a group of trash film afficionados who regularly hold screenings at the Turf Club. The 1990 horror film doesn’t actually include any trolls from the original Troll, nor does it have anything to do with the original movie. Instead, the film follows a family that travels to the far-away kingdom of Nilbog, which turns out to be a goblin den. The strangest part may be that the goblins are actually vegetarians, so they have to turn people into plants in order to eat them. It’s bad enough to have inspired a recent documentary called Best Worst Movie. (10 p.m. Free. 1601 University Ave. W., St. Paul. 55104. 651-647-0486.)

Beer Dabbler

SATURDAY: Beer Dabbler at St. Paul Winter Carnival in Mears Park (SOLD OUT)
For the first time, the St. Paul Winter Carnival has teamed up with the traveling Beer Dabbler Showcase. More than 40 different breweries will serve all-you-can-handle tastings of its selections, including locals Lift Bridge, Fulton, Finnegans, Brau Brothers, and others. Head over post-parade or after the Coronation, or before the hot air balloon launch. If you get hungry, Lowertown eatery The Bulldog Lowertown will be serving food onsite, and Barrio will have its inaugural run of its Taco Truck in Mears Park beginning at noon; offerings include menu favorites like Potato Sopes and Tacos de Lengua. Buy tickets at or get more info at www.BeerDabbler.com and www.winter-carnival.com. (3:30-7:30 p.m. $20. 221 E. 5th St., St. Paul. 612-269-1674.)

Deep Blues Film Festival

SATURDAY: Deep Blues Film Festival at Dayton’s Bluff Eagles Club
Thanks to the success of St. Paul outdoor festivals such as Concrete & Grass, Jazz Fest, and Music in Mears, the organizers behind the Deep Blues Festival (which normally takes place in Lake Elmo) to the capital city. To celebrate, they’re throwing a blues film festival, featuring documentary blues films and performances from some of the most innovative musicians around. Click here for the full schedule. (Noon-11 p.m. Also next Saturday, Jan. 30. 287 Maria Ave., St. Paul. 651-774-7643.)

This weekend, St. Paul is packed with everything from circuit bending experimentation (TART and FoodTeam), a return from local punk rock heroes (Arcwelder), a new Leonard Cohen collaboration (Kid Dakota and the Fantastic Merlins), Turf Club’s annual blowout with three Turf favorites (Birthday Suits, Vampire Hands and The Blind Shake), and a local hip-hop illustrator’s first solo show (Chuck U).

Ryan Olcott of FoodTeam

THURSDAY: TART + FoodTeam at Big V’s
Call it what you like (math electro? Post-math?), but the music of local one-man projects TART (Phil Khalar) and FoodTeam (Ryan Olcott of the beloved 12 Rods) are equal parts cerebral and enjoyable. Khalar and Olcott both seem to approach sounds as bits and pieces of a whole, which are then constructed into cohesive, sonic compositions. TART is said to be based on the concept of blending beauty with noise, the electronic with the organic, and the sweet with bitter, while Olcott’s project involves what he calls “circuit bending,” or the de-programming of yesteryear’s forgotten consumer keyboards. Community!Fire!Exchange! opens. 9 p.m. $5. 21-plus. Big V’s, 1567 University Ave. W., St. Paul. 651-645-8472.)

Arcwelder

FRIDAY: Arcwelder at Turf Club
Punk-rock trio Arcwelder are one of those local acts that seemed on the verge to be the next big thing internationally, but they have always been beloved in their hometown. They even have a star on the hallowed walls of First Avenue. After forming in 1988, the band toiled on the road and in dank punk rock clubs until 1991, when none other than New Order named their song “Favor” as their pick for “Punk Rock Single of the Week” in NME. Before long, they were signed to hip indie label Touch and Go Records (also home to Shellac and the Jesus Lizard) in 1992, and enjoyed popularity culminating in an international tour with Jawbox in 1996. The punk rock heroes haven’t toured since, but have played the occasional local show. With haze-rock duo Gay Witch Abortion, Double Bird, and DJ Freddy Votel (former Cows drummer). (9 p.m. $6. 21-plus. 1601 W. University Ave., St. Paul. 651-647-0486.)

Kid Dakota

FRIDAY: Fantastic Friday Music Series at Black Dog Cafe
Innovative jazz-chamber band The Fantastic Merlins recently joined together with haunting indie-rock trio Kid Dakota to collaborate on a yet-to-be-released album of Leonard Cohen covers, How the Light Gets In. At this intimate, stripped-down show at Lowertown cafe Black Dog, the ensemble will preview the release before heading off to perform together in Paris. On the impending European tour, Kid Dakota says on its myspace page, “We will be returning to some of the places we played last spring and also finally making it back to countries that we haven’t visited since our 2004 tour with LOW (Yes, Im talking to you England and Ireland!). We will be touring with two fabulous bands from Berlin, Ter Haar and It’s a Musical.” Ingo Bethke opens; see below for more on happy hour specials. (8 p.m. Free. All ages. 308 Prince St., St. Paul. 651-228-9274.)

Barrio Lowertown

FRIDAY: Lowertown First Fridays happy hours
Every first Friday of the month, Lowertown First Fridays open studio and gallery crawl takes over the district. (CLICK HERE for the651.com Arts writer Kate Iverson’s interview with Lowertown artist Rhea Pappus.) To keep art lovers well-fed (and well-lubricated), bars and eateries in Lowertown’s bustling entertainment district offers up a slew of happy hour specials. Black Dog Cafe has its daily happy hour from 4-7 p.m., which includes $3 Summit pints, $2.50 Grainbelt Premium bottles, and $4.75 house wine. (308 Prince St., St. Paul. 651-228-9274.) Mexican fusion bar and eatery Barrio is offering $5 small plates, two tacos for $5, $5 margaritas, $18 margarita pitches, and $3 taps from 2-6 p.m. & 10 p.m.-midnight. (235 6th St. E., St. Paul. 651-222-3250.) Gastro-pub The Bulldog has its happy hour from 3-6 p.m., including $1 off pints, wells and domestic bottles and half-priced appetizers. (237 E. 6th St., St. Paul. 651-221-0750.)

Art by Chuck U

SATURDAY: Robozoology at Nickademus Art & Framing
Local illustrator Chuck U is presenting his first solo show, and his collection of graphic, color-drenched paintings and prints. Chuck U (né Ungemach) has long been well-known in the local hip hop community for his posters and cover art, and their organic, hand-drawn feel depicts fiendish monkeys, monsters in top hats, and spewing furry snakes. True to Chuck U’s music roots, the opening reception will also include a live set from local Brit-popsters The Idle Hands. (Opening reception 6 p.m.-midnight. Sat. Ongoing through Feb. 9. Free. All ages. Nickademus Art and Framing, 225 N. Snelling Av., St. Paul.)

Birthday Suits

SATURDAY: Turf Club Blowout
Japanese metal two-piece Birthday Suits team up with psychedelic prog indie-rockers The Blind Shake and spaced-out noise rockers Vampire Hands for a solid night of noisy sounds to bring in the New Year. The annual blowout also serves as a sort-of Vampire Hands reunion as original member Colin Johnson returns for a one-off show - it just may be the last time you’ll see them all together again. (9 p.m. $6. 21-plus. 1601 W. University Ave., St. Paul. 651-647-0486.)

Star Tribune’s Chris Riemenschneider lauds St. Paul
St.Paul’s Lowertown entertainment district and music fests such Taste of Minnesota and Concrete & Grass get props in Chris Riemenschneider’s “Finding nine reasons to cheer Twin cities culture in ‘09″ from the Star Tribune.

Lowertown’s rebirth of cool
I already fawned over downtown St. Paul’s hot “new” nightlife district in a column in September, but three months later and 70 degrees colder, I’d like to more strongly state my fondness for eating Barrio tacos and drinking Bulldog beer under a starry night, listening to Romantica in Mears Park during the Concrete & Grass Festival.
(Too bad the new Twins park didn’t get built down there.)

Outdoor music cranked to 11
There were more block parties, themed fests, music-in-the-park series, and zoo and museum gigs of note this year, and best of all they lasted well into the fall thanks to the aforementioned Concrete & Grass and Vita.mn’s cool Movies & Music Series at the picturesque Lake Harriet Bandshell.
(All this, despite what the Aqua-tennial and Taste of Minnesota have done to music fests’ image in this town.)

New Year’s Eve may be over, but the weekend still holds a few reasons worth leaving the house in zero-degree weather for in St. Paul.

Jake Rudh

Jake Rudh gives St. Paul guilty pleasure
Tonight, Jake Rudh of Transmission fame makes a rare St. Paul appearance - and a rare Saturday night gig - tonight at O’Gara’s. If you dig the Transmission “Guilty Pleasures” night, the set list should be right up your alley - expect early ’90s booty-shakin’ hits from the likes of Salt N Pepa and Bel Biv Davoe. (10 p.m.-2 a.m. Sat. Free. 21-plus. 164 Snelling Ave. N., St. Paul. 651-644-3333.) It’s the official after party for the Minnesota RollerGirls‘ home season kick-off game at Roy Wilkens Auditorium. The game itself begins at 7:30 p.m., and costs 13 bones for entry.
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On tap this weekend in St. Paul: a new residency from DJ Jonathan Ackerman, First Friday Happy Hour in Lowertown, a men’s fashion show, and Mark Mallman at the Turf Club.

Jonathan Ackerman

THURSDAY: DJ Jonathan Ackerman at Barrio Lowertown
Prolific beatmaker Jonathan Ackerman hops over the river for his first weekly residency - at the newly-minted Barrio Lowertown, natch. The hip Mexican fusion bar and eatery should provide the perfect backdrop for Ackerman’s eclectic sound, alternately hard-rocking and gently-grooving. While you’re there, take advantage of the night’s drink specials: $3 Barrio margaritas and $4 Red Bull vodkas. (9 p.m.-1 a.m. Free. 235 6th St. E., St. Paul. 651-222-3250.)

Artists' Quarter

FRIDAY: Lowertown First Friday Happy Hour
Every first Friday of the month, St. Paul’s independent art galleries and studios join forces for the First Friday open studio. Afterward, a bunch of Lowertown clubs and bars get into the mix with an evening happy hour. This month, the Artists’ Quarter will open early just for us Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. Enjoy live jazz music from McNally Smith College of Music students and free pizza compliments of Wild Tymes. The Artists’ Quarter is located in the basement of the Hamm Building. As usual, you can expect two-for-ones on select tap beers at The Blackdog Wine Bar & Cafe, The Bulldog Lowertown, Rumours/Innuendo, Senor Wong, Station 4, and Trattoria da Vinci. Just say “FIRST FRIDAY” to receive your discount. (6-9 p.m. Free. Various locations. Click HERE for more info.)

Also recommended: The 8hz label releases its first compilation with a lineup including many of the featured bands: Me and My Arrow, Fort Wilson Riot, Economy Team, Buildings, Phantom Tales, and Speed’s The Name. (9 p.m. $5. 21-plus. 1601 University Av. W., St. Paul. 651-647-0486.)

SATURDAY:

A look from Flirt boutique

Hunting Opener Party at Flirt
To celebrate the men being out of town for hunting opening, lingerie boutique Flirt is hosting a cheekily-named Hunting Opener Party. Indulge in champagne, cupcakes and 20 percent off one item, and sample products from Sunrider skin care and cosmetics. (3-7 p.m. 177 Snelling Av. N., St. Paul.)

A Ben Sherman look at Details

Men’s Fall Fashion Mingle
One of the very few all-men’s boutiques in the Twin Cities, Details Style Lab hosts a Men’s Fall Fashion Mingle. Male models will don the latest in fall and winter fashions, including looks from Ben Sherman, Skunk Funk, Cloth Logic, Bertigo, and the popular Bjorn Borg underwear line. (10-11:30 p.m. at Rumours & Innuendo, 213 4th St. E., St. Paul. 11:30 p.m.-1 a.m. at Camp Bar, 490 N. Robert St., St. Paul.)

Mark Mallman

Mark Mallman at Turf Club
Mark Mallman blows the lid off Turf Club with his madmen piano stylings. Boasting “the fastest piano in the Midwest,” Mallman should be up to his usual antics, which have included driving a motorbike onstage and playing from inside a refrigerator box for hours on end. He’s sure to dip mainly from his latest release, September’s The Invincible Criminal, as well as his catalog from over the past ten years. The Alpha Centauri and Total Babe open. (9 p.m. $6. 21-plus. 1601 University Av. W., St. Paul. 651-647-0486.)

It all seemed to start when the Bulldog opened its first St. Paul location in Lowertown. A buzz had already been happening around St. Paul’s nightlife district, also home to music club Station 4, gay bar Rumours & Innuendo, the laidback Black Dog Café, and Mexican eatery Señor Wong. Soon afterward, Barrio Tequila Bar opened next door, and it was official – Lowertown was becoming St. Paul’s version of Uptown (before it became overrun with chains, that is).

Mears Park

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As I looked forward to summer in Saint Paul this year, I thought back to last June around Mears Park during the summer solstice weekend. It was one of the most eclectic and entertaining weekends.

It began on a Thursday evening, with Martin Devaney and Little Man playing Music in Mears Park, a free Thursday night concert series. That morphed into Ravi Coltrane in Mears Park on Friday evening as part of the Twin Cities Jazz Festival. Then, a block away from the park on Saturday was the Pride Celebration Kick-Off Block Party. And, throughout the whole weekend ending that Sunday was the Solstice Film Festival at Galtier Plaza.

It was the kind of weekend people travel to other cities for, but all was here and most for free.

Summer in Saint Paul is a great season. While I play no favorites as I like skating and skiing, the City takes on a different persona, especially over the last three years as we have reclaimed the Mississippi River as the lifeblood of the city, opened new parks, and welcomed new music festivals.

Even everyday activities can take on a different life on the banks of the Upper Mississippi. A morning run through Harriet Island and Lilydale Park turns into a nature outing, with bald eagles flying overhead and the occasional sighting of a fox or coyote in the distance – all within view of Saint Paul’s skyline.

Finishing up the run at the Farmer’s Market in Lowertown provides a well-earned reward. Grabbing a coffee and grilled – yes, grilled – bagel makes the cool down a treat as you walk among the tables of locally produced fruits, vegetables, meats and cheeses. Grab a baquette, some cheddar, tomatoes, basil, and some meat, and lunch in the shadows of the river bluffs at a newly redesigned Raspberry Island in the middle of the Mississippi.

There is so much to look forward to doing this summer in Saint Paul, it is hard to single any one thing out. From wine on the patios of one of the restaurants on West 7^th Street to welcoming the new Barrio (coming in mid-June) next to the Bulldog in Lowertown; going to the third Concrete and Grass Music Festival and enjoying one of our many neighborhood parades; seeing great theater productions; tailgating at a Saints baseball game; experiencing the Titanic exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota; golfing on one of the city’s championship golf courses … this may require a vacation.

We don’t often take the time to appreciate what we have. I say, though, plan a long weekend, forget the chores, leave the yard, and live like a tourist in your city. The memories will be long lasting without having to take a long trip.

- Mayor Chris Coleman