A harmonious union between local arts and fare, don’t miss as Springboard for the Arts and St. Paul’s Black Dog cafe team up for the second meeting of the entertaining and comradic event, the St. Paul Bureau of Arts and Beverages.

Arguably Lowertown’s best and only monthly happy hour devoted to the local art scene, the St. Paul Bureau of Arts and Beverages meeting always you to brush shoulders with fellow artists and like-minded art supporters while enjoying treats from Black Dog’s creative, local & organic-focused menu which features Minnesota-made sodas, coffee, sandwiches, cookies and other treats.

Over the past few years, Lowertown has established itself as St. Paul’s trendiest neighborhood and a true arts hotspot housing some of the most intriguing and progressive artists in the mediums of visual artists, filmmakers, illustrators, writers, freelancers and their studios. So, it’s no surprise that an event encouraging artists to get to know each other in a causal, fun environment would exist in the heart of Lowertown, and even more appropriately hosted by the ever hipster-friendly locale, the Black Dog.

Hobnob with awesome locals, enjoy games and prizes all while taking advantage of fantastic specials all evening long on wines from Black Dog’s small yet impressive wine list and locally-brewed beers like Lift Bridge. Definitely not to be missed.

Viva la Artists Happy Hour!

St. Paul Bureau of Arts and Beverages 2^nd Meeting is open to the public and takes place November 7^th from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar 308 Prince St. #100, St. Paul. 651.228.9274

Lowetown keeps getting cooler and cooler – and we’re not JUST talking about the seasonal weather shift. Despite heavy lightrail construction in the area this year, Lowertown businesses and artists are just as upbeat and creative as ever, and the recent elaborate hoax inspired by the bones of King Boreas proves just that.

In the wake of the aforementioned construction, a few Lowertown inhabitants cooked up a fun rumor that got the Twin Cities buzzing. Was a human skeleton really unearthed near Broadway & Prince Street? The answer is actually no, but the publicity stunt sure was a clever precursor to this Friday’s “Dancing on the Grave” party at the Black Dog Cafe. The humorous hoax involved Black Dog co-owner Andy Remke, local artist (and skeleton crafter) Michael Bahl, and Anoka-Hennepin Community College journalism professor Richard Broderick who staged a faux archeological dig photo featuring fake bones near some uprooted Lowertown street signs. Before long, the internet was buzzing with the “discovery,” and the planted speculation that the bones belonged to “King Boreas” (a clever St. Paul Carnival correlation). Officials, of course, soon nixed the rumor as fake.

The Black Dog’s party this Friday, however, is far from fake, as the neighborhood gets together to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the monthly Lowertown First Friday Art Crawl. Amidst open studios throughout the district in numerous buildings, you can stop into the Black Dog Cafe, which will surely be rockin’ with live music from the Fantastic Merlins, Todd Harper, and Dan Newton and Friends, plus fire spinners, dancers, food, drinks and new artwork in the cafe by locals Kristoffer West Johnson and Aaron Marx. You’ll also be able to inspect the “bones” and other interesting “artifacts” unearthed during the construction.

Dancing on the Grave runs from 7-10pm at the Black Dog Cafe on Broadway & Prince Street in Lowertown and is free and open to the public. For more info visit www.blackdogstpaul.com.

The Lowertown First Friday Art Crawl runs from 6-9pm and is free and open to the public. For more info click HERE.

Ah, breakfast. Not only is it notorious for being the most important meal of the day, but – regardless of how late in the day you like to call morning – there always seems to be a place just around the corner waiting to satisfy your “pancake and bloody mary” cravings. This weekend, resolve to resurrect the classic Sunday brunch tradition with a great St. Paul diner that understand each and every one of your morning needs, whether they be caffeine or “hair of the dog” related.

Each of these St. Paul breakfast spots are bursting with local flavor and possess that certain “je ne sais quois” that set them apart from the ubiquitous breakfast chains. Because if you’re going to get up early on the weekend, there had better be some righteous perks involved.

Bread, Coffee, Cake (385 S. Wabasha St., St. Paul, 651.222.7608)

AKA BC2, this family-owned cafe is the Artisan baked heart of the West Side. Featuring environmentally-friendly Rio Lobo Coffee and a vast selection of homemade breads, baked goods, breakfast bakery sweets (including their famous Streusel coffee cake and caramel pecan rolls) and Blue Plate breakfast specials. BC2 is dedicated to bringing local hand-made goods to the Twin Cities and even sells their freshly baked items every Saturday at Downtown MPLS’ Mill City Farmers Market.

Note: BC2 is closed Sunday, so for a tasty weekend morning delight stop in Saturday.

Weekend Hours: Saturday 8 AM – 4 PM

Jerabek’s New Bohemian Coffeehouse and Bakery (63 W. Winifred St., St. Paul, 651.228.1245)

Who better to fry up a delectable morning course than a place that’s been in the business of breakfast for over a century. In addition to fresh brewed Dunn Bros. coffee, Jarabek’s also serves homemade quiche, breakfast burritos, pastries and a variety of vegan and vegetarian specialties, all reasonably priced. This local nook has been featured in the mag Midwest Living and voted “Best Coffeecake” by City Pages in 2001 and although they’ve come under new ownership in the last year, the delicious recipes and 32-year-experienced baker remain unchanged factors.

Weekend Hours: Saturday and Sunday 8 AM – 2 PM

Capital View Cafe (637 S. Smith Ave., St. Paul, 651.290.0218)

If you’re looking for a mom and pop breakfast diner feel, don’t head to Denny’s, Capital View Cafe has all the casual feel and generous portions you want but with a local, family-owned twist. Their American meets Tex-Mex cuisine definitely doesn’t cater to vegetarians, but if you’re a carnivore-loving breakfast seekers their served anytime breakfast menu looks mighty tasty.

Note: CVC doesn’t accept credit cards purchases under $50. There is an ATM at the restaurant, but I suggest coming with cash already in pocket.

Weekend Hours: Saturday 7 AM – 2:30 PM, Sunday 8 AM – 2 PM

The Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar (308 Prince St., St. Paul, 651.228.9274)

Known for it’s finest locally-roasted espresso and coffee selects for your weekend morning pick-me-up, Lowertown’s Black Dog is a mostly organic cafe with daily brunch specials and delicious weekend-only waffles. Grab some coffee, a quick bite to eat and then visit the St. Paul Farmer’s Market, which is just across the street.

Weekend Hours: Saturday 7 AM – 9 PM, Sunday 8 AM – 8 PM

Swede Hollow Cafe (725 E. 7^th St. St. Paul, 651.776.8810)

Located in St. Paul’s unique East Side neighborhood, this late 90′s diner has a fantastic view of the downtown skyline and a perfect outdoor patio to enjoy it – and your meal – on. Their recently expanded Saturday Breakfast Special features daily quiches varieties, potato cheddar pie, French toast, strata as well as muffins, hash browns and boasts an “incredible” breakfast croissant sandwich. We hear that it is also home to a few attractive punky counter staff.

Weekend Hours: Saturday 8 AM – 2 PM, Closed Sundays

Pizza Luce (1183 Selby Ave., St. Paul, 651.288.0186)

Twin Cities infamous pizza parlor and hipstery hangout just got better, for St. Paulians at least. In addition to hosting local art and being a great place to grab lunch, dinner or late-night eats with friends, St. Paul’s Luce now offers a to-die-for weekend brunch menu from 10 AM to 2 PM every Saturday and Sunday which includes delights like the massive Breakfast Burrito and Brie Stuffed French Toast. Highlights: cage-free eggs, Fair Trade Peace Coffee, vegan and vegetarians items and $1 mimosas! Can’t beat that!

Chatterbox Pub (800 Cleveland Ave. S., St. Paul, 651.699.1154)

Served only at St. Paul’s Highland and MPLS’ Linden Hills locations, the note-worthy home to micro-brews and signature ales is now a yummy weekend breakfast hot spot. Beer promises to go great with any of the Chatterbox specials, including Steak & Eggs, Chatterbox Benedict or a plate of their made from scratch Old Fashioned Buttermilk Flapjacks. While you wait for your food, start your morning off right with a few rounds of their featured old-school Atari and Nintendo games.

Weekend Hours: Saturday and Sunday 8 AM – 2 PM

The Liffey ( 175 W. 7^th St., St. Paul, 651.556.1420)

The local Irish bar turns family-friendly every Sunday morning serving classic breakfast from 7 AM to 10:30 AM. and then Brunc from 11 AM – 2 PM. Their brunch special features an “Eat Until You Are Full” breakfast buffet, A La Carte Eggs Benedict and a Bloody Mary Bar. For a bit of Irish culture flavor, traditional Irish musicians drop by the restaurant to serenade you while you digest.

All hail morning food!

Black Dog Cafe

When the hustle of the day slips away and the summer evening light begins to fade, there’s nothing better than a relaxing dinner out with the simple pleasures that only a city night can afford. I rounded up a few close friends and started out a steamy summer evening with a refreshing glass of wine on the rustic terrace of the Black Dog Coffee & Wine Bar. This Lowertown gem offers an eclectic mix of coffee bar, wine and beer outpost, and cafe style dining. It’s a perfect “go to” for a casual dinner or – in our case – a quick glass of wine before dinner.

Tanpopo Chef/Owner, Koshiki Yonemura, photo by Andrew Ciscel.

Our true goal for the night was a Zen-like evening of Japanese noodles at the delightful and unique Tanpopo Noodle Shop. Tucked in a row of lively art galleries and artist co-ops, Tanpopo is an oasis of authentic Japanese flavors. If your only experience of Japanese cuisine is the sushi bar, you may be stunned by the comforting warmth of a steaming bowl of Japanese noodles, somehow able to evoke the exotic and the homey simultaneously. The rustic meets industrial vibe of the entire space – enormous exposed wood beams and shoji style partitions matched to exposed ducts and sealed concrete – strikes the perfect balance between historic and modern. We were seated at a large communal table with stones and candles recessed into the center, a nice touch that immediately immersed us in the calm atmosphere. Our table-mates were two sweet seeming middle aged couples who appeared to have just come from a day of golf and chatted amiably with each other in Japanese while perusing the menu. While trying to decide on an appetizer, we each ordered a sake flight. The 3 sakes are served in delicate glasses along with a small mat that identifies the sake and orders them from dry to sweet. It’s a nice introduction to the beverage if you are not already an aficionado, but if you are already a sake fan, you may want to order one of the 300ml bottles (ranging from $16 to $18) to share with your dinner companion. Beer and wine is also available with most beers under $4 and wines by the glass mostly in the $7 range. Sushi is on offer, and the shop hosts sushi education workshops, we suspect they would be worth checking out if even a small amount of the simple elegance of Tampopo’s food could become part of your home cooking skill set.

For starters we ordered Agedashi Tofu ($4.75) and Cold Tofu ($4.00). The Agedashi is a deep fried tofu served in a warm savory broth with an artful and delicious topping of bonito flakes, green onion and ginger. We loved the contrast of textures and flavors between the silky tofu and the unami flavors of the broth and the bonito. Vegetarians should consult their server to determine what on the menu is in fact compliant, but one item that is a treat for vegetarians and omnivores alike is the Cold Tofu. The deceptively simple dish brings together house made fresh tofu and a rich and savory sesame paste to create and addictive and refreshing starter. We could have eaten additional orders had we not already had our noodles on the way.

Nabeyaki Udon, photo by Andrew Ciscel.

For our main courses we sampled noodles both hot and cold. The menu is separated into Hot and Cold Soba or Udon bowls and Teishoku, home-style meals consisting of an entree, rice, miso soup, a salad, and a side of pickles. With either option you receive a georgious laquered platter littered with traditional Japanese ceramics, each meticulously arranged for maximum visual delight. This is food as minimalist art, and all the more delicious for the obvious care and effort that goes into the preparation. I decided on the Kitsune Udon (after much debate between Udon or Soba) ($11.95) which was a huge steaming bowl of Udon in a hot broth with deep fried tofu, shitake mushrooms and wakane (seaweed). It was exactly what I was craving and somehow managed to be fun to eat in addition to endlessly sophisticated. Perhaps it was the setting or perhaps the noodles are just that good, but I literally felt more calm and content with each bite. One of my companions declared “I’m having some meat” and ordered hot Nabeyaki Udon ($11.95), served in a ceramic ‘nabe’ bowl with shrimp tempura, chicken, shitake mushrooms, a fish cake, japanese omlet and wakane. She was delighted with her choice and constantly surprised how harmoniously the various flavors worked together with each bite. My other companion opted for cold Bukkake Soba with shitake mushrooms, wakame, cucumbers, seasoned tofu, Japanese omelet, tempura shrimp and nori ($13.95). He was also enamored with his choice declaring it “refreshing, clean and beautifully balanced”.

As the evening progressed our Japanese table companions became increasingly friendly, chatting us up about our sake selections and giving one of our party’s chopstick challenged members friendly tips. The vibe was perfect, like having an impromptu dinner party at the house of a close friend – who also happens to be a phenomenally talented chef. We left Tanpopo feeling we had participated in the uniquely urban experience of trying something new and exotic that also manages to become a study in the power of wonderful food to sustain and comfort. That’s the kind of dining experience that has you patting your full belly while vowing to return often.

Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar, 308 Prince St. #100, St. Paul, 651.228.9274

Tanpopo Noodle Shop, 308 Prince St. #140, St. Paul, 651.209.6527

The Red and the Black

Workers of the World Unite for a artsy party at the Black Dog Cafe this Saturday! Head Lowertown for a rousing Community celebration of the 120th anniversary of May Day being the official holiday of the International Labor Movement. Experience stories, poems, songs, video, art work, and presentations based on the struggle for economic and social justice. Performers include spoken word artist Anya Achtenberg, Ed Bok Lee, Kyle Chase, Diane Jarvi, and Rich Broderick. Tunes from The Fantastic Merlins and Diane Jarvi will entertain your ears. Listen in on informative presentations a la Dr. Stephan Peter, faculty member in political science at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, as well as members of the Minnesota chapter of the I.W.W. (Industrial Workers of the World). Continuous video feeds of May Day celebrations in Paris, Berlin and elsewhere will also be on screen. The event is on May 1st and runs from 6:30-9pm and is free!

Saturday, May 1st, 6:30-9pm
The Black Dog Café, 308 Prince St., St. Paul

Bonus: On Monday, May 3rd from 7-8:30pm the Black Dog continues to celebrate the pro-worker movement with this month’s edition of the Lowertown Reading Jam. The festive evening will be based on what it means to be a Cultural Worker and the power of using the arts to heal, create and build community — and who can argue with that? Curated by theater artist and playwright, Deborah A. Torrain, Monday’s jam will feature several writers, poete, storytellers, playwrights, a gospel singer and spoken word artists including Louis Alemayehu, Lisa Brimmer, Clair DeCoster, Lenora Harris, Michael Haynes, Q, and Leonard Wilkes.

Photos courtesy of B. Zon

For the past twelve years Sara Remke has been the reigning proprietress of Lowertown’s premiere off-beat hangout: The Black Dog Cafe & Wine Bar.  Located in the heart of the Lowertown art district within the Northern Warehouse, this bohemian cafe serves as stomping grounds for the area’s vast creative community as well as downtown business-types looking for a tasty lunch or a glass of wine after work. Eclectic rotating art shows featuring local artists brighten the walls, making the ambiance of the cafe feel communal and welcoming. During the day, the Black Dog is a great place to grab a cup of joe and work on your laptop or even relax with a book. The weekends often feature special events and live musical acts, including local jazzmasters (and Black Dog resident house band) The Fantastic Merlins each Friday Night. Definitely a cozy spot worth checking out. And who knows — creative inspiration may just strike you — it is the art district after all.

Owner Sara Remke took time out of her busy day to chat with us about her business, the Lowertown Arts Community, and what the Black Dog has in store for the upcoming St. Paul Art Crawl and beyond…

The Black Dog Cafe is sort of the home base for the Lowertown Art Scene. From a business perspective what’s it like being at the epicenter of such creativity and how do you tailor your business to be welcoming to the community?

Well, as you can imagine that has its pros and cons.  We are very happy to be in the center of so much creative life, that’s for sure.  Sometimes that creativity creates a bit of drama, but that comes with the territory.  You could say that we, The Black Dog, are a reflection of our neighborhood and our community.   People still have a lot of ideas for us, but at this point we kind of know what works for us and what does not. However, we’re constantly recharging and reinventing ourselves.  We love to invite musicians and artists to be a part of The Black Dog.  Each month we have new art exhibits and live music every Friday and sometimes on Saturdays.  Tango dancing once a month too! The Black Dog is very adaptable. We can move almost any piece of furniture and make room for all kinds of events.  The St Paul Almanac hosts their reading jams here and we’ve become part of that community as well.  McNally Smith students are showing films here twice a month and that has been really cool.

You host all sorts of cool music and art events at the Black Dog. What’s on the schedule for the St. Paul Art Crawl this April, and do you have anything especially exciting planned for 2010?

We have a show entitled Recycled set for April. We have invited  people to submit work that is made from recycled objects and materials.  Scott Demerenville is in charge of this show.  Folks are bringing their work in this week, and so far it looks interesting. On the weekend of Art Crawl we will have live music.  Friday nights are curated by Nathan Hanson, a wonderful sax player in the Fantastic Merlins.  The 23rd will be Carnage, Rahijta Ren on Piano and Brian Roessler on Bass. Raj and Brian play together all the time and Carnage will fit right in with these two. Saturday night will be Jimmi Langemo a bluesy, rock musician with really well written music. Larry Englund, a  KFAI DJ, will be spinning outside on our patio on Friday as well. We are also working on our annual block party which will take place in late July. I am working with a few awesome bands so now we can only pray for the good weather. That has not always been kind to us over here.

Not only are you a full service coffee bar, but you’ve also got a tasty menu. What are some of your most popular items? Do you have any special deals?

Our Cuban Sandwich is currently one of our most popular items.  When we got the Pioneer Press award it was amazing how many people came to try that out. We have good pizza, made to order. We are baking our own cakes. The Flourless Chocolate is always a hit and we make a killer mocha cheese cake and carrot cake, and our baked oatmeal (served with real maple syrup and warm milk) is also homemade here.  We serve a ton of breakfast items, including waffles and quesadillas on the weekends. When the Farmer’s Market is going and (and even when it is not) we are pretty busy on weekend mornings. Monday nights we have a deal that includes a Pizza and bottle of wine or 4 summit taps for $20 and we have a daily happy hour from 4-7 with beer and wine specials.

I’ve been a fan of the Black Dog even before it was the Black Dog — back in the Kuppernicus days — how has the community in Lowertown evolved since back then?

Well you are dating yourself a bit there. We have been here for over 12 years now. The neighborhood is certainly busier. We like that.  When we first opened it was almost scary to leave our employees down here at night. There were so few people on the street and very few businesses. Perhaps that is how Kuppernicus got so notorious. The new housing and more people living downtown has been a real boon to us. Also so many more small businesses have moved into Lowertown over the last few years and that’s brought a lot of new folks to downtown — and not just the government commuters. When people make their life in the downtown it changes the city a lot. Offices with 3-20 people are all around here and they come out for lunch and after work for drinks.

What are your favorite things about living in Saint Paul?

I own a home and work in downtown St Paul.  We have lovely parks with lots of cool stuff happening, like Music in Mears, the Jazz Festival, Movies in the Park, the Farmer’s Market, and just people hanging out eating lunch outdoors. That I can live in a house and walk to downtown in 5 minutes just blows me away. I can have the quiet of my backyard or the busy energy of West 7th anytime. St. Paul really is a city of neighborhoods with different characteristics. When we go out on the street I see all kinds of people that I know; seeing familiar faces that tells me that I really live here, and that it’s a community. You can find fantastic Latin flavors and food on the West Side, and incredible Asian food on University, Downtown can offer both elegant and casual dining options, all with in a three mile radius. St. Paul is a small town with really big and crazy ideas. It is small enough to where implementing those big ideas isn’t as hard as it may seem, and that is really rare. It’s a crazy town and I love it!

The Black Dog Cafe is located on the corner of 4th & Broadway in Lowertown St. Paul. For more information, special events listings and menu check out www.blackdogstpaul.com

Salty Tart heads to St. Paul
Fans of Midtown Global Market bakery Salty Tart can now grab some of the bakery’s goods across the river at Golden Fig Fine Foods. Salty Tart is helmed by five-star pastry chef Michelle Gayer, who also does pastries for La Belle Vie and Solera. Look for their fresh-fruit tarts, take-and-bake brownies, and fabulous focaccia bread. (790 Grand Ave., St. Paul, 651-602-0144.)

Restaurant Week in Roseville
This week, the St. Paul suburb of Roseville kicks off its Restaurant Week. Visit any participating Roseville restaurant and enjoy a three-course meal for just $25 (excluding beverages, tax and gratuity). Participating restaurants include Rosedale eateries Green Mill, Flame, Granite City and Big Bowl, as well as Roseville restaurants Axel’s Charhouse, Charley’s on Centre Pointe, Chianti Grill, Good Earth, Joe Senser’s Sports Theater, Old Chicago, and TGI Friday’s. In addition to this week’s dining deals, take $5 off a general admission ticket to the Roseville Winter Jazz Blast evening concert featuring JazzMN Big Band and guest vocalist Debbie Duncan on Saturday, January 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Maranatha Hall on the Northwestern College campus. Visit www.visitroseville.com for more info.

Kathie Jenkins of the St. Paul Pioneer Press listed her Top 10 dishes in the Twin Cities, and a few of St. Paul’s finest make the list:

Black Dog cuban

1. Cuban Sandwich
BLACK DOG COFFEE AND WINE BAR
Whenever I’m at Black Dog in St. Paul’s Lowertown, I check to see if the Cuban sandwich is on the specials menu. A twist on the traditional Cubano — forget the roast pork and Cuban bread — this sandwich is made with lots of lean pulled pork and served on ciabatta bread along with the usual ham, cheese, mustard and pickle. A 12-year-old neighborhood gem, Black Dog also serves a great cup of coffee and damn fine brownies. (308 E. Prince St., St. Paul; 651-228-9274; blackdogstpaul.com)
(Pioneer Press: Scott Takushi)

Shrimp Salad at Cheeky Monkey

4. Shrimp Salad
CHEEKY MONKEY DELI
Shrimp salad is pretty much a lazy person’s meal, an easy way of ordering without having to pay any attention to the menu. So, imagine my surprise after taking a bite of the shrimp salad at Cheeky Monkey Deli. Chef/owner Matt McArthur actually put some thought into the mix — chickpeas, cucumber, crisp greens and plenty of shrimp that still have a snap when you bite into them. I was tempted to also list the amazing coconut cream pie as a best dish of 2009. If you can score a slice, go for it. (525 Selby Ave., St. Paul; 651-224-6066; cheekymonkeydeli.com)
(Pioneer Press: Richard Marshall)

French fries at Cherokee Tavern

5. French Fries
CHEROKEE TAVERN
KFC has its 11 secret herbs and spices. At Cherokee Tavern, it’s all about Tony’s 5-Step Fries. Hot, crisp and greaseless, with plenty of salt, parmesan and potato flavor, these are seriously great fries. Cherokee also serves ugly but delicious hand-battered onion rings. Order both along with one of the Tavern’s juicy burgers — just don’t tell your doctor or your personal trainer. (886 S. Smith Ave., West St. Paul; 651-457-2729)
(Pioneer Press: Richard Marshall)

Brasa's collard greens

9. Collard Greens and Corn Bread
BRASA ROTISSERIE
This Grand Avenue outpost is just as crowded as the day it opened almost a year ago, and that’s because the food is so good. It’s almost all local and organic. I love the juicy pulled pork tossed with citrus, olive oil and garlic sauce; the cornmeal-dusted crunchy tilapia; the slow-cooked braised beef; and the lacquerlike rotisserie chicken. No matter what I get, my order always includes a side of collard greens. Cooked but not mushy and studded with tender smoked turkey, they’re the best greens I’ve ever had. The flavorful and not overly sweet corn bread is another must-have. (777 Grand Ave., St. Paul; 651-224-1302; brasa.us)
(Pioneer Press: Scott Takushi)

St. Paul Cheese Shop's fennel sandwich

10. Fennel Salami Sandwich
ST. PAUL CHEESE SHOP
The salami sandwich at the tiny St. Paul Cheese Shop looks fairly ordinary — until you take a bite. While not gargantuan, the handheld feast stacks up nicely with fennel-flavored Tuscan salami and cheddar on ciabatta bread slathered with sweet, creamy garlic confit. While you’re waiting for your sandwich to go, you’ll find it hard to resist the shop’s eye-popping array of cheese, olive oils, vinegars, handcrafted pastas, sea salts and chocolates. (1573 Grand Ave., St. Paul; 651-698-3391; stpaulcheeseshop.com)
(Pioneer Press: Ben Garvin)

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.)

If you’re like me, you get a little claustrophobic at the mall or big box stores around the holidays with thousands of people clamoring for that perfect gift.  I mean look at what OSHA has spent their time on recently:

OSHA Tries to Prevent Holiday Shopping Trampling Deaths

Thursday November 19, 2009

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has issued new guidelines on how retail employers can prevent their employees and shoppers from being trampled to death – yes, trampled to death – during holiday season sales events. (continue reading…)

Black Friday was only the beginning. This weekend, holiday shopping in St. Paul really gets a kick start, thanks to a bunch of St. Paul’s finest boutiques. Snag locally-made fashions, accessories, gifts and art for your loved ones while enjoying libations, gifts, prizes, and deals galore. And remember: shopping local is a virtue.

ONGOING THROUGH SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6:

Up Six Holiday Sale

Head to vintage capital of the Twin Cities, St. Paul, for Up Six’s annual holiday sale. Snag 15 percent off all jewelry, 20 percent off all clothing and accessories, and 10 to 50 percent off all furniture and housewares. On Saturday and Sunday, snack on cookies from Bread & Chocolate and hot apple cider. While you’re in the area, check out St. Paul’s other fab vintage shops, many of which are part of the St. Paul Retro Loop. (We recommend Lula’s Vintage Wear and Sophie Joe’s Emporium.) Bonus: You can pre-shop the sale on Monday if you mention hearing about it on l’étoile. (Begins noon Tue. Ends 4 p.m. Sun. 157 Snelling Ave. N., St. Paul. 651-917-0470.)

Go Live image by Meghan Sitek

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2:

Home for the Holidays at FiveTwoSix
The holiday edition of St. Paul salon spa and gallery FiveTwoSix’s monthly fashion, art and music soiree offers the usual entertainment and art, as well as tons of great gift ideas. For sale will be original art, sculpture, glass, photography, handmade candles, and a jewelry trunk show by local designers. You can also get your ‘do done or a facial acupressure for free, register for prizes, and enjoy gifts-with-purchase opportunities and refreshments. (5-8 p.m. 526 Selby Ave., St. Paul. 651-222-3839.)

Landmark Center

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3-SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6:

Old-Fashioned Holiday Bazaar and Gift Stroll at Landmark Center
Head to St. Paul’s historic Landmark Center and stroll the marketplace of over 75 exhibits with unique, hand-crafted gift items from Midwest artists in Landmark’s Musser Cortile. Afterward, head out for the gift stroll, featuring neighboring gift shops Sophist-a-Gifts and the Artist Mercantile. Visit all three shops for gifts and prizes. (10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thu. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. $3. 75 5th St. W., St. Paul. 651-292-3230. Artist Mercantile: 24 7th Pl. W., St. paul. 651-222-0053. Sophist-a-Gifts: 406 St. Peter St., St. Paul. 651-291-7948.)

CVA Art Sale

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4-SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6:

CVA Holiday Art Sale at College of Visual Art
CVA’s newly expanded Holiday Art Sale promises to be filled with fresh artwork by CVA students, alumni, faculty and staff for you to peruse and purchase. Your best bet at snatching up the hottest artwork? Friday night’s Preview Party, of course. Artwork and prints from the CVA Art Archives will also be included in a silent auction benefiting the CVA. (Preview party: 5-8 p.m. Fri. $20-25. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. Noon-4 p.m. Sun. 173 Western Ave. N., St. Paul. 651-224-3416.)

DC Ice art at AZ Gallery

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4: Lowertown First Fridays & Handmade Holidays Market Sale at Black Dog Cafe

Over 40 artists team up for the ninth annual Handmade Holidays Market Sale at Lowertown’s Black Dog Cafe, coinciding with Lowertown First Fridays art crawl. Items include jewelry, stained glass, dolls, ornaments, bags, hats, soaps, knits, paintings and more by an eclectic mix of artists. Sip a latte or glass of wine while you shop. (5-9 p.m. Fri. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat. 308 Prince St., St. Paul. 651-292-9746.) Snag more one-of-a-kind local art at Lowertown First Fridays studio and gallery crawl, featuring open studios at Jax Building (253 E. 4th St.), Lowertown Lofts Artist’ Cooperative (255 E. Kellogg Blvd.), Northern Warehouse (308 Prince St.), Tilsner Artists’ Cooperative (300 Broadway St.), as well as galleries AZ Gallery (308 Prince St.), Black Dog Cafe (308 Prince St.), and Peach (275 E. 4th St.). (6-9 p.m. Click here for more info.)

Grand Avenue

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5:

The Grand Meander on Grand Avenue
Have an old-world, holiday experience at Grand Avenue’s annual Grand Meander, which invites shoppers and their families to revel in holiday cheer as they walk the expansive avenue. Take advantage of holiday promotions, sip hot cocoa, meet reindeer, sit on Santa’s lap and even see a penguin! You can also swing by the Saint Paul City Ballet studio (Noon-4 p.m. 1680 Grand Ave.) to see the dancers rehearsing for their premiere performance of The Enchanted Toy Shop, featuring living dolls and dancing snowflakes. If your arms get tired from all the shopping bags, you can even hop a ride on an old-school trolley. (8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Grand Avenue. Visit grandave.com for details.)  

The Commodore

MONDAY, DECEMBER 7: First Mondays at The Commodore
The Commodore Hotel, frequented by the likes of F. Scott & Zelda back in the ’20s, provides the delightful art deco backdrop to this monthly art mart. Stock up on handmade holiday gifts by artists and vendors including Lynn Alpert, Vandalia Street Press, Lisa Freeburg, Heinz Brummel and many more. (4-8 p.m. 79 Western Ave. N., St. Paul. 651-222-1751.)