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WinterSkate, downtown Saint Paul’s annual outdoor ice skating venue, opened this past weekend for the start of the holiday season. WinterSkate is a great way to experience Downtown Saint Paul, particularly during the holidays. We visit WinterSkate a number of times each year. My kids have honed their skills on this ice, especially early in the season when other outdoor rinks are unavailable. We’ll bring grandparents and other guests to enjoy the surroundings and watch our kids strut their stuff. With the amazing architecture in this area, the sound of holiday music and a diversity of participants, this is one of the more unique places to be in the Twin Cities.

The mechanically chilled sheet of ice, located in the shadows of the beautiful Landmark Center in Landmark Plaza, is available for free public skating all winter through the Saint Paul Winter Carnival. No skates? Don’t worry, skates are available to rent for only $2. Open skating is available from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week, and open later on weekends, 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 9 p.m. on Sunday. A warming house offers beverages and snacks.

In addition to WinterSkate, Rice Park, located kitty corner from the ice rink, is decorated in full holiday glory this time of year, featuring a gigantic Christmas tree adorned with 15,000 LED lights.

Although WinterSkate and Rice Park are destinations of and by themselves, our family parlays outdoor skating Downtown with visits to nearby coffee shops, one of our favorite restaurants, or shopping at Macy’s or another our other preferred shops such as Heimie’s Haberdashery. Also, special events take place throughout the holidays that make Downtown Saint Paul a unique place in December. Landmark Center offers the Holiday Bazaar in the main cortile, December 1-3. Saint Paul’s multiple theaters offer great shows this time of year, including the Ordway‘s Cinderella.

For more information on WinterSkate with directions and links to other things to see and do in Saint Paul, go to wellsfargowinterskate.com.

For me, the key to a good family activity is finding something that will sufficiently entertain both parents and children. In the case of our visit last weekend to the final installment of Urban Expedition at Landmark Center, I was fairly certain that the interests of all parties would be attended to. Urban Expedition is a series of 5 cultural events that feature a different country and takes place on Sundays in March and April. I was familiar with this series as it has taken place each year over the last couple years, but I have not had the opportunity to attend prior to this.

Sunday’s event was dedicated to the Czech Republic / Slovakia (the others were Nepal, Chile, Somalia and Egypt), and featured the prerequisite native costumes, with music, dancing and food, plus crafts and vendors ranging from jewelry and cultural clubs to information on the Ms. Czech Minnesota contest. Urban Expedition is definitely billed as a kid-friendly event, but I was struck by the number of adults in attendance. None-the-less, there were plenty of activities to keep the young ones entertained.

The series features an activity called Passport to Adventure. To participate, kids attend each or any of the events in the series, visit a few passport stations at the event and write something they learned about each country in the passport. Upon entering Landmark Center, they have the chance to get their picture taken, it’s placed in the passport and off they go. My 4 year old daughter Anna is chronically shy in these situations and refused to get her picture taken, but my 7 year old son Leo was persuaded to participate and enjoyed it. The stations offered projects and entertainment areas, such as a postcard making table and a puppet show. Czech children’s books, toys and other artifacts were also on display.

One thing I’ve learned as a parent is that kids love costumes and perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this event for Leo and Anna was seeing other children decked out in costumes and participating in dances. This, plus the hot dogs and dessert, was enough to make the visit worthwhile by Brock children standards.

Although this was the last of the series for this year’s Urban Expedition, I definitely recommend families pencil it in on their calendars for 2012. Also, Landmark Center is a magnificent building, one of my favorite places in Saint Paul. It offers year-round events, many of which (similar to Urban Expedition) are geared towards families. It features a visitor information center that provides info on events and attractions in Saint Paul, plus the terrific Uncle Sam Worked Here exhibit, the American Association of Woodturners Galleries, The Schubert Club Museum of music and the Ramsey County Historical Society’s exhibit. Though the permanent exhibits and galleries may not be well-suited for young kids, the building itself is spectacular, and the view from the upper floors to the atrium and cortile below will fascinate most children and makes Landmark Center worth dropping in on from time to time. For more information, check out www.landmarkcenter.org.

We here at the651.com will be first to admit that St. Paul isn’t exactly known for its nightlife. But if you decide to ring in the New Year across the river – or if you’re looking for a quieter way to celebrate – St. Paul has a bunch of charming events and activities, perfect for sharing with a date.

Rice Park

Fort Snelling State Park is offering a family and date-friendly candlelight walk and ice skating (bring-your-own-skates) from 3 until 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. The event will have a bunch of cute elements including marshmallow roasting on an outdoor fire, a cup of cider around the fireplace, a skating pond on Snelling Lake, and a candlelit trail offering plenty of wintery sights. It’s a great opportunity to appreciate a nature-infused experience rarely found in big cities. (3-9 p.m. Free. Fort Snelling State Park, Post Rd. off Hwy. 5, St. Paul. 612-725-2389 or 612-725-2724.)

If downtown is more your vibe, grab a date or a group of friends and head to Wells Fargo WinterSkate. The rink will be kept open until 1 a.m. just for New Year’s Eve. The rink comes equipt with a warming house, hot chocolate and snacks for sale, and skate rental, not to mention the surroundings of the gorgeously-lit Rice Park and the historic buildings of downtown St. Paul. And in case you want to warm yourself up with a little libation (or want something to cheers the New Year with), be sure to tuck a flask into your coat. (11 p.m.-1 a.m. Free, $2 for skate rental. Landmark Center, corner of 5th & Market Sts., St. Paul, 651-291-5608, www.wellsfargowinterskate.com.)

Wells Fargo WinterSkate

Another classic winter activity that is sure to bring back waves of nostalgia (and be a great date): snow sledding. All it takes is a sled, long underwear, warm weather accessories and a sense of adventure. The city of St. Paul’s website has a handy map of sledding hills in St. Paul. Tip: make it an adult version (and stay extra warm) by bringing a flask.

Take a tour of holiday light displays in St. Paul’s Phalen Park neighborhood during its final night of the year. View over 50 holiday light sculptures and animated displays from the comfort of your own vehicle. It’s $10 per vehicle, but proceeds go directly to local Minnesota charities. (5:30-10 p.m. Beginning at 1615 Phalen Dr. E., St. Paul, www.lightsinthepark.org.)

Another fun date option (and a chance to get some exercise): cross-country skiing. The city of St. Paul grooms the following trails every winter: Como (1431 Lexington Pkwy. N.), Highland 9 Golf Course (1797 Edgcumbe Rd.), and Phalen Golf Course (1615 Phalen Dr.). Click here for a map of all winter activity locations in St. Paul. (Note: ski chalet and equipment rental is available at the Como location only.)

This week in St. Paul shopping, Landmark Center hosts the annual Old Fashioned Holiday Bazaar and the Holiday Gift Stroll, First Friday in Lowertown, Grand Meander takes over Grand Avenue, and more:

Thursday-Saturday: 31st Annual Old Fashioned Holiday Bazaar
What: Head to St. Paul’s historic Landmark Center to meander through this seasonal marketplace featuring over 75 exhibitors shilling unique, hand-crafted gift items made by Midwest artists. If you’ve never been inside the Landmark, you’re definitely in for a treat, as the structure is one of the area’s most beautifully maintained historic structures. Take your time exploring the vendor booths while listening to happy holiday tunes, then recharge with some tasty snacks and pastries. Participate in the “gift stroll” which invites you to trek to neighboring shops, Sophist-a-Gifts and the Artist Mercantile. Have your “Gift Stroll Card” (available at all three locations, no purchase necessary) stamped at each stop and receive a free gift, plus, be entered to win one of six awesome prize giveaways. (Entry: $3)
When: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, December 2 & Friday, December 3; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, December 4.
Where: Landmark Center, Musser Cortile/3rd floor, 75 W. 5th St., St. Paul, 651-292-3230, landmarkcenter.org

Thursday-Saturday: 3rd Annual Holiday Gift Stroll
What: Landmark Center is really hopping this weekend. In addition to the Old Fashioned Holiday Bazaar, Landmark’s gift shop is hosting the gift shops of Rice Park for the 3rd Annual Holiday Gift Stroll. Artist Mercantile, Sophist-A-Gifts, Landmark Jewelers (all located within the Hamm Building) and Landmarket Gift Shop (located inside Landmark Center) will have their best offerings for sale. Plus, by picking up a Gift Stroll postcard at any of the shops anytime before the sale, shoppers can be entered into a drawing for prizes including an overnight stay at the Saint Paul Hotel; tickets to Ordway’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat”; an Orrefors crystal vase; an assortment of theatre tickets, restaurant and shopping certificates and more. And if you visit all participating shops, you can receive two free tickets to “Sample Night Live” at the History Theatre (a $40 value). (Pictured: Artist Mercantile)
When: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, December 2 & Friday, December 3; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, December 4.
Where: Landmark Center, Musser Cortile/3rd floor, 75 W. 5th St., St. Paul, 651-292-3230, landmarkcenter.org. Pick up postcards at Artist Mercantile, 24 W. 7th Pl., 651-222-0053; Sophist-A-Gifts, 405 St. Peter St., 651-291-7948; Landmark Jewelers, 402 St. Peter St.,651-222-2282; or Landmarket Gift Shop, Landmark Center, 75 W. 5th St., 651-292-1239.

Friday: Loeber + Look Jewelry Trunk Show
What: The 30-year jewelry collaboration between husband and wife artists Ken Loeber and Dona Look offers contemporary, clean-lined, 18 karat gold and sterling silver. Meet the designers, place special orders and enjoy refreshments at St. Paul’s Grand Hand Gallery.
When: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, December 3; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, December 4; Noon-5 p.m. Sunday, December 5.
Where: The Grand Hand Gallery, 619 Grand Ave., St. Paul, 651-312-1122, thegrandhand.com

Friday: Lowertown First Friday
What: Missed Black Friday? Get your first at St. Paul’s monthly art crawl, Lowertown First Friday. The studio crawl always provides plenty of opportunities to check out what the art district’s artists are working on – and scoop up some new arty pieces. Participating buildings include Jax Building (253 E. 4th St.), Northwestern Building (275 E. 4th St.), Lowertown Lofts Artists Cooperative (255 E. Kellogg Blvd.), Northern Warehouse (308 Prince St.), adn Tilsner Artist Cooperative (300 Broadway St.), as well as openings at AZ Gallery (308 Prince St.), Black Dog Cafe (308 Prince St.) and Echo Arts (275 E. 4th St. #B200) – plus several Lowertown bars and restaurants will be featuring food specials, along with entertainment. Click here for a map of Lowertown First Friday locations. (Pictured: Art from Jax studio #204)
When: 6-9 p.m. Friday, December 3.
Where: Various artist studios and galleries throughout the Lowertown district,
lowertownfirstfridays.com

Sunday: Moxie Salon Cut-a-thon
What: Time to get that ‘do cleaned up for the holidays – and what better way to do it than for a good cause. Moxie Salon’s St. Paul location is diong an all-day cut-a-thon this weekend with all proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity. It’s only $20 a cut (dry cuts only); walk-ins are welcome but just to be safe, call for a reservation (cash or check only). Moxie is also holding a winterwear donation drive to benefit The Listening House of St. Paul (a shelter and community resource center for homeless and disadvantaged persons); if you donate three or more items, you can receive 20 percent off take home products and/or ProTools.
When: Noon-6 p.m. Sunday, December 5.
Where: Moxie Salon Midway, 722 Snelling Ave. N., St. Paul, 651-251-6820, moxiesalon.com

ONGOING:

Handcrafted Holidays
What: The Grand Hand’s annual Handmade Holiday bazaar opens for the holiday shopping season just in time for Thanksgiving. Stock up on fresh finds and perennial favorites, including a wide selection of ornaments, jewelry, prints, and pottery as well as work in fiber, glass, metal and wood. We’ll be adding new goods throughout the season, with plenty of options under $60. -Jahna Peloquin (Pictured: Jewelry by Brittany Foster)
When: During store hours November 19-December 24.
Where: The Grand Hand Gallery, 619 Grand Ave., St. Paul, 651-312-1122, thegrandhand.com

November Deals at FiveTwoSix Salon
What: Every month, St. Paul salon FiveTwoSix – which was recently named one of the top 100 salons in America by Elle Magazine – has tons of ways to keep you pretty with great deals and promos. This month, get your winter hair fix with Bumble & Bumble’s Wear and Care Quenching Treatment; the line starts at $35, and you can take 20 percent off when you invest in all four treatments from the line. For your dry skin fix, take in a winter skin spa treatment from Dermalogica; get a 30 minute treatment for only $35, and take home its Smooth and Renew kit with free travel size samples for only $36 ($66 value). More deals running through the month: get a free 4 oz. Bumble & Bumble hairspray with a Messy or Dressy production collection purchase; free makeup touch-ups from Smashbox Cosmetics after any hair or spa appointment; and if you refer three people to your stylist, you’ll receive a free haircut, and they’ll receive a complimentary Bumble & Bumble product.
-Jahna Peloquin
When: Through November.
Where: 526 Selby Ave., St. Paul, 651-222-3839, 526salon.com

Content shared with l’etoile magazine.

We’ve long pined for the locally-charged exhibits of the Minnesota Museum of American Art, which was forced to shutter its Kellogg Boulevard location last year. With one of the largest collections of Minnesota art in the state, the MMAA was a flagship museum filled with local creative history. Gone, but not forgotten, the museum staffers are still working tirelessly to get the institution back on its proverbial feet, and will be filling in the public on their upcoming plans through a series of lunchtime meetings at the Landmark Center.

An Art Collection for St. Paul

Tuesday, October 19th / Noon / Free

Get clued in on the vast collection the museum has in its holdings and hear about their plans to get it exhibited and appreciated both locally and nationally.

The Future of the Minnesota Museum of American Art: A Public Forum

Wednesday, November 3rd / Noon / Free

Listen in on a chat with the MMAA’s executive director who will share the museum’s plans to rebuild and restructure. Attendees are welcome to share their thoughts, ideas and strategies with museum staff.

For more information visit www.mmaa.org or www.landmarkcenter.org

Yaay!  We are back with some 65FUN trivia!  We thought we would mix it up a little for everyone.

The first person to answer the trivia question correctly wins a CRAVE Guide Minneapolis/Saint Paul.  Thank you to Becky Sturm and her fabulous StormSister Spatique for the generous donation.  Y0u will find StormSister and many others in this sassy guide, which features everything you CRAVE about the Twin Cities!

E-mail your answer to stacy@capcitypartnership.com.

Name the person who has NOT visited the historic Landmark Center in Saint Paul.

-John Dillinger                                                                             

-Phil Hartman

-Lindsay Lohan

-Grand Arch Duke of Austria

-Katie Holmes

-Meryl Streep

-Arnold Schwarzenegger

GOOD LUCK!

And the answer is…Katie Holmes!

Congrats to Kris!  Kris won the most unique and stylish guidebook for Twin Cities living.  CRAVE Minneapolis is a celebration of women entrepreneurs that showcases some of the most creative, interesting, and gutsy proprietors throughout our city, like Becky Sturm of StormSister Spatique!  Check out this article to learn more about Becky, StormSister, and her favorite summer products.

We can’t help but love the Landmark’s seasonal lunchtime series, Music in the Cafe. If you’re a downtown office worker, a shopper, an out-of-towner or just a local who’s looking for lunch with a punch, the Landmark Center ought to be your destination each Wednesday at Noon.

Held in the Landmark’s gorgeous, historic atrium, or the “The Musser Cortile” if you’re fancy, Music in the Cafe features delightful local entertainment on your lunch hour. Just adjacent to tasty spot, Anita’s Cafe, tune-seekers are invited to purchase yummy items like sandwiches, wraps, salads, and entrees while tapping their feet to good tunes and marveling at the extravagant architecture of the Landmark Center. You are free to brown bag as well, if you’re on a budget. The best part? All the performances are totally free and open to the public.

This coming Wednesday, May 26th, take in the unique folk sounds of Joel Roberts, best know as one half of husband-wife fronted group, The Parlour Suite. And after lunch feel free to explore the building and check out the cool exhibits on display. All Music in the Cafe events begin at Noon each Wednesday and are free and open to the public. For more information visit www.landmarkcenter.org.

Music in the Cafe schedule:

May 26th: Joel Roberts (of The Parlour Suite)
June 9th: Joey Ryan (from Joey Ryan & the Inks)
June 16th: Will Hutchinson
June 23rd: Davina and the Vagabonds
June 30th: Bethany Larson
July 7th: Adam Svec
July 14th: A Night in the Box
July 21st: Ashleigh Still and Nick Salisbury
July 28th: Chastity Brown
August 4th: Lauren Redpath (of Redpath)
August 11th: Jennifer Grimm
August 25th: Darren Jackson

Saint Paul’s biggest holiday is coming up on Wednesday, so bust out your leprechaun garb and meet us downtown! Each St. Patrick’s Day, Saint Paul pulls out all the stops to celebrate Irish culture through, dance, music, performance, parades, and of course, green beer and crazy shenanigans!

Saint Patrick’s Day Parade

The biggest draw every year is the annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, which snakes through the streets of downtown St. Paul spreading luck and good cheer to hoards of merry revelers. Featured in the parade are scores of floats, troupes, organizations and more including the 2010 Miss Shamrock royalty, the St. Paul Police, the City Council, the Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band, the Vulcans (yes!), The Saint Paul Saints, the Rollergirls, and scads of proud Irish family clans, musicians, businesses and dance groups. Almost 100 different organizations participate, and each one of them goes all out to create one grand spectacle of Irish pride. (Noon, parade starts at Sibley & 4th and continues on to Rice Park) For more info click HERE.

Landmark Center Irish Celebration

Another big destination on St. Paddy’s Day will be the Landmark Center. The historic atrium and numerous other areas of the building will be alive with traditional Irish dance performances, live music, readings and more. On the main stage see O’Shea Irish Dance and a tribute to Brenda Buckley and Tim ‘Fitz’ Fitgerald and more as well as live tunes from The Eddies, Locklin Road, Tara Hill, and Legacy. Meanwhile, the Weyerhaeuser Auditorium will host an all day lineup of traditional dance from the likes of Green Fire Irish Dancers, Handful of Fun, Mooncoin Ceili dancers, and many more. In addition, the Tea Room will host a more intimate presentation of live music, including harpists and Uillean pipe players. If literatures is more your style, visit the Seminar Room where John Dingley and Will Kenny will be reading from their Irishly inspired works. Have kids? Well, there’s a kid’s stage too! (10am-5pm throughout the Landmark Center) for more info click HERE.

Finnegan’s Leprechaun Pub Crawl

For those of you who plan on imbibing in green beer and Jameson all the live long day whilst wearing a bright green wig, look no further than the Finnegan’s Leprechaun pub crawl. The awesome non-profit beer-maker will host three separate crawls in three different areas of Saint Paul where revelers are likely to converge. Downtown Saint Paul will include stops at Alary’s, The Liffey, McGovern’s and Tom Reid’s. The Upper West 7th crawl will cover J.R. Mac’s, Shamrock’s, Joe & Stans, and Bennetts, while the Grand Avenue contingent will hit up Sweeny’s, Tavern on Grand, Dixie’s, and Billy’s. For $30 each pub crawler receives a FINNEGANS Leprechaun Crawl T-Shirt, party favors, exclusive specials in participating accounts along the route and access to the Pub Party at the final stop including a complementary pint and appetizers. The deadline to sign up for the pub crawl is Sunday the 14th, so click HERE for more details and to sign up!

Saint Paul’s got some great ongoing exhibits this week, plus this coming Friday (March 5th) marks the monthly First Friday Art Crawl in Lowertown, which is a great way to kick off your weekend!

They Played for the Love of the Game (through August 20th)

In honor of Black History Month, the Ramsey Country History Society celebrates the outstanding athletes involved in the Twin Cities’ Negro Baseball Leagues in the ’40s-’60s. The exhibit, They Played for the Love of the Game, traces the history of the African American players and explores why the Negro League was formed and how American sports were altered after Jackie Robinson broke the color barriers. The exhibit runs through August 20th. While you’re there, be sure to check out other ongoing exhibits at the Landmark including Henry P. Bosse’s Views of the Upper Mississippi and Uncle Sam Worked Here, an interactive interpretive exhibit that gives visitors a glimpse into federal courts, wartime activities, prohibition, Immigration and more that occurred in Landmark Center over the past 105 years.

RCHS Exhibit Gallery, Landmark Center, 75 W Fifth Street, St Paul
8-5pm Monday-Friday, Thursdays until 8pm, Saturday 10-5pm, and Sunday 1-5pm

Illo Minn: Volume Two (through March 6th)

Attention design geeks! Head over to the College of Visual Arts before March 6th to peruse the prowess of 28 commercially active Minnesota illustrators. This biennial exhibition features one original work from each artist, along with a custom created Munny doll by each as well. What’s a Munny, you ask? It’s a vinyl figure that comes as a blank canvas for anyone to work their creative magic on; Munnys are customizable versions of the collectible, artist-designed Dunnys that always seem to get custom toy lovers in a tizzy. The illustrated munnys will be sold in a silent auction that will raise funds for the CVA scholarship fund. Artists involved in the show include local favorites such as Allen Brewer, Mike Carina, DC Ice, Adam Turman and many, many more. The exhibit runs through March 6th. Free and open to the public. (Cover art pictured by Andy Powell)

CVA Gallery, Western Avenue North in St. Paul (on the corner of Western and Selby avenues)
Gallery Hours: Wed & Fri Noon-6pm / Thurs Noon-8pm / Sat Noon-4pm

Lowertown First Friday Art Crawl (March 5th and every first Friday of the month)

Head to Lowertown this Friday night for the next installment of the First Friday Art Crawl,  featuring artsy exploration, live performances, food and drink specials, and plenty of creative hobnobbing! Participating galleries and art spots include the Tilsner, Jax Building, Lowertown Lofts, Northwestern Building, Northern Warehouse, Peach Gallery and the AZ Gallery. After art crawlin’ to your heart’s content, head down to Lowertown‘s happenin’ hot spot, the Black Dog Cafe for a glass of vino, a peek at original art pieces, and tunes from the Fantastic Merlins. Cap things off with late night happy hour at Barrio where $5 margaritas and cheap snacks abound. Lowertown First Fridays Art Crawl runs every month from 6-9 pm at various venues in the St. Paul’s Lowertown district. (art pictured by Kara Hendershot)

6-9pm, March 5th, Lowertown St. Paul, Various Locations. Click HERE for the First Fridays blog.

This weekend, a jazz drummer returns to his hometown, a renowned guitarist takes up the Haiti cause, and a ’60s soul singer is still hot.

Matt Slocum

Friday & Saturday: Matt Slocum Trio
One of St. Paul’s prodigal sons has returned – as a big-time jazz composer and drummer from the Big Apple. Though he was born and raised here, Matt Slocum has never performed in the Twin Cities until now. After high school, he went out of state to study, subsequently doing session work on both coasts and eventually moving to New York. He’s on the road promoting his debut recording of originals, Portraits, released just last month. Expect lush instrumentation, soulful saxophone, and intellectual subtleties. (9 p.m. Fri. & Sat. $15. 18-plus. Artists’ Quarter, 408 St. Peter St., St. Paul. 651-292-1359. www.artistsquarter.com”.)

illo Minn

Friday & Saturday: Illo. Minn: Volume Two

The opening party was last Thursday, but there’s still time to check out the must-see show if you didn’t make it out. The ROBOTlove-sponsored show features 28 local illustrators and two pieces from each, including their individual takes on the beloved Munny doll. (Though the dolls were purported to have sold during Thursday’s silent auction.) Next Thursday, hear from illustrators including DC Ice, Adam Turman, Nancy Carlson, Andy Powell, and Eric Hanson during a panel discussion. (Noon-6 p.m. Fri. Noon-4 p.m. Sat. Discussion: 6-7:30 p.m. next Thu. Exhibition runs through Mar. 6. Free. College of Visual Arts, 344 Summit Ave., St. Paul. 651-224-3416. www.cva.edu.)

Syl Johnson

Friday & Saturday: Syl Johnson
Soul singer/guitarist Syl Johnson has been around since the late ‘60s, when he made a name for himself with socially-conscious lyrics and a smooth, Al Green-esque voice. His vintage soul has since resurfaced via samples in classic hip hop tracks from the likes of Public Enemy and Wu-Tang Clan. Either way, his voice is sure to stir some familiarity within you. (8 p.m. Fri. & Sat. $12-15. Wilebski’s Blues Saloon, 601 N. Western Ave., St. Paul. 651-228-9959.)

Zoo Animal

Saturday: Zoo Animal, Hildur Victoria, Ten Centuries, Telepathos
Runners-up in City Pages’ Picked to Click in 2009, minimalist grunge-pop trio Zoo Animal are one of the hottest local acts in town coming into 2010. The band will be joined by some other up-and-comers – folksters Hildur Victoria and nu-gazers Telepathos. The new two-piece from Bill Caperton of Ela, Askeleton and One for the Team fame, Ten Centuries, also performs. (9 p.m. $5. 21-plus. Turf Club, 1601 University Ave. W., St. Paul. 651-647-0486. www.turfclub.net.)

'Transylvania Television'

Saturday: ‘Transylvania Television’ Meet-and-Greet
Meet the cast and producers of Transylvania Television, a “retro monster comedy that’s not really for kids.” The show, about a television station run by monsters in the Carpathian Mountains, was conceived of by a Minneapolis-based filmmaker Michael J. Jeagle and special effects guru Gordon Smuder. We’re hoping to spy some of the Henson-esque puppets. (4-8 p.m. Sat. Free. Source Comics and Games, 1601 W. Larpenteur Ave., Roseville. 651-645-0386. www.sourcecandg.com.)

Hungary

Sunday: Urban Expedition: Hungary
If you’re looking for something a little more family-oriented, round up the kids and head to the Landmark Center for this event showcasing the best in Hungarian culture and customs. Everything from art and dance to food and music will be represented. (1 p.m. Sun. Free. Landmark Center, 75 W. 5th St., St. Paul. 651-292-3293. www.landmarkcenter.org.)

Details Style Lab

Sunday: Charity Salon Service Jam for Haiti
The ever-charitable folks at Details Style Lab are giving you the chance to get pretty – for a good cause.The salon and spa host a charity salon service jam for one day only, with all proceeds going to White Bear Lake’s Healing Haiti organization. Call now to make your appointment.(Sun. Noon-5 p.m. Details Style Lab, 346 St. Peter St., St. Paul. 651-251-8700. www.detailsmn.com.)

Peter Lang

Sunday: Haiti Recovery Benefit Concert
Renowned acoustic guitarist Peter Lang is behind the latest Haiti concert in the Twin Cities. He’s joined by an impressive group of national and local blues and folk acts, including Pat Donohue, Peter Ostroushko, Nikki and the RueMates, Phil Heywood and others. The proceeds go to benefit the Friends of the Orphans organization, which provides pediatric medical care and run an orphanage in Haiti. (2-6 p.m. Sun. $50 suggested donation. Wellstone Center, 179 Robie St. E., St. Paul. 651-482-1703. www.friendsoftheorphans.org.)

"Under ther Cherry Moon"

Monday: “Under the Cherry Moon”
A little-known film directed by and starring Prince and Jerome from the Time, Under the Cherry Moon is receiving a rare screening thanks to underground film collaborative Trash Film Debauchery. The duo play gigolos who swindle rich women out of money; things get complicated when Prince falls in love. The romantic comedy-meets-drama-meets-musical film was best-known for its soundtrack, Parade, which featured the Prince hit “Kiss.” Unlike Purple Rain, the only performance by Prince in the film is for “Girls & Boys.” Prince is our hometown celeb, so it’s kind of required viewing. (10 p.m. Free. 21-plus. Turf Club, 1601 University Ave W., St. Paul. 651-647-0486.)