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Just because the Minnesota Museum of America Art moved out of its home on Kellogg Boulevard a couple of years ago, doesn’t mean they’ve forgotten how much we loved their annual Patio Nights live music series. Hence, the reincarnation of the popular river-adjacent party at St. Paul’s City House!

Join the MMAA this Friday for the kick off of the series, complete with the saucy rock n’ roll stylings of local faves, Communist Daughter. Enjoy drinks and eats for purchase via the tasty 128 Café while you take in the tunes and marvel at Jim Campbell’s Scattered Light installation, a sculpture made up of 1,600 LED lights, located in Upper Landing Park, just adjacent to City House. (Scattered Light will remain on view through July 24).

Photo by Rhea Pappas

City House is located at Upper Landing Park in St. Paul on Shepard Road and Old Chestnut Street behind Caribou Coffee and Anytime Fitness. A former municipal grain elevator situated on the Mississippi River, it was renovated in 2009 by the City of St. Paul (with the help of St. Paul Riverfront Corporation) into a unique space with open-air views of the water. As the Patio Night music begins, guests can take a seat within the pavilion or stand at one of the many tables along the balcony overlooking the river.

Admission is FREE and the event is appropriate for all ages.

Patio Nights @ City House

Fridays June 17, July 8, and July 22

7:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Music begins at 8 p.m.

Communist Daughter on City of Music:

City of Music: Communist Daughter from MPLS.TV on Vimeo.

Suicide Commandos

The annual Concrete and Grass Lowertown Music Festival (not to be confused with last month’s Lowertown Music Fest) gives you the perfect excuse to check out St. Paul’s hippest district. Produced in partnership with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Opera, Ordway Center, Schubert Club and the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, the annual neighborhood music festival offers everything from indie rock and hip hop to traditional salsa to chamber music, taking place on two stages (one amplified and one acoustic) in Marks Park – not to mention plenty of tasty food and drink options from Lowertown eateries. Best of all, it’s free.

Dessa

Though it doesn’t have as high-profile of a lineup as the Lowertown Music Fest, we’ll venture to say it’s better-suited to the eclectic and relaxed vibe of Lowertown. Friday’s roster includes spoken word/hip-hop favorite Dessa (8:30 p.m.), long-known as the lone female member of the Doomtree collective before breaking out on her own with her thoughtful, R&B-laced Badly Broken Code – critically acclaimed for its literary prowess. Jazz musician Irv Williams (6:30 p.m.) and a performance from the Minnesota Opera (5 p.m.) round out the main stage lineup, R&B singer/MC Desdamona with Carnage (6 p.m.) and folkie Molly Maher (7:30 p.m.) on the acoustic stage.

Saturday boasts a lineup headlined by seminal Twin Cities punk band Suicide Commandos (8:30 p.m.) – fronted by Chris Osgood, who also happens to be Vice President of Organizational Development at McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul.

Communist Daughter

Buzzing local indie rockers Communist Daughter (6:30 p.m.) are also worth catching, also on the main stage on Saturday. Frontman Johnny Solomon and guitarist Adam Switlick found buzz locally with their former outfit Friends Like These, landing the cover of City Pages and getting the Hold Steady’s Craig Finn to guest on some recordings before disbanding a few years ago, Solomon seemingly turning his back on music to focus his energies on opening a restaurant. Fortunately, things are looking up with Solomon’s return to music – the band’s even garnered praise in Rolling Stone for their debut album Soundtrack to the End. Visit www.concreteandgrass.com for the full schedule.

While you’re there taking in the autumn air, nosh on snacks from Lowertown eateries (we suggest a pizza from Black Dog Cafe or fish taco from Barrio), and beer from Flat House Brewing,

(6 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Mears Park, 221 E. 5th St., St. Paul, www.concreteandgrass.com)

It’s almost hard to imagine now, but there was once a time when breast cancer benefits were serious and somber affairs (and for good reason). But thanks to some creative party planning, and capitalizing on the kitschier aspects of the body part in question, breast cancer benefits are some of the hippest parties in town. After all, what better excuse is there to party than for a good cause?

Racktacular II poster by Adam Turman

Probably the first benefit of its kind to hit the club circuit is Racktacular, which debuted to bombastic success last summer. Organized by Donette Ambrosy, a one-time Victoria’s Secret lingerie designer, the event combines burlesque, rock ‘n roll, and its crown jewel, an Art Bra contest.

Lili's Burlesque

Joining Ambrosy once again is Lili’s Burlesque, whose ladies will be donning the winners of the MNfashion-juried Art Bra contest. The roster includes such well-loved performers as Lili’s owner Nadine Dubois, Ophelia Flame, Sweetpea, Coco Dupree, Gina Louise, and Karen Vieno Paurus, plus two Chicago starlets, Frenchie Kiss and Sasha Darling. Lili’s “houseboy” Switch the Boi Wonder will be on hand to help emcee.

Communist Daughter

In between, take in live sets from local buzz-band Communist Daughter and electro-popters Alpha Consumer, or get your hands on one of the Art Bras by bidding in the silent auction (a perfect decoration for your boudoir, or for doing your own private show!). Tickets are $10 at the door, with all proceeds going toward the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

9 p.m. Saturday. 21-plus. Turf Club, 1601 University Ave. W., St. Paul, 651-647-0486‎, www.racktacular.com.