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Sing Renaissance Music with the Rose Ensemble and Voces8!

Warm up your vocal chords and head on over to the Landmark Center this Tuesday to join in on a special performance/workshop with the Rose Ensemble and Voces8! Attendees are invited to sing along with the musical luminaries, who will be performing classic, old-timey tunes. Don’t worry, experience is NOT necessary, but we would recommend downloading and printing the scheduled tunes HERE before hand.  Fun for the whole fam, or for those who want to experiment with new sounds alongside some of the best musicians in town.

Tuesday, Feb 2nd, 7-9pm, Landmark Center, 75 W. 7th Street, St. Paul, Free

History of Hip: Yesterday’s Tomorrow

The MN Historical Society futurizes 2010 with its cool and educational series, “History of Hip,” at the Turf Club’s Clown Lounge. Focused on the oddball predictions of days gone by, this event will have you laughing along with Historian Brian Horrigan and blogger Matt Novak, who will highlight trends in science fiction and share their thoughts on the subject. Personally, we were hoping there would be flying cars by now!

Tuesday, February 2nd, 7:30-9pm, Turf Club (Clown Lounge), 1601 University Ave, St. Paul, $6

Minnesota Opera presents Roberto Devereux

The first installment in the Minnesota Opera’s Tudor Trilogy, this Bel Canto tradgedy retells the treacherous tale of Queen Elizabeth and the object of her affection, Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex. While his heart belongs to another, Elizabeth stops at nothing to keep him for herself, going so far as to force his lover to marry another. Dramatic shenanigans ensue, and the rest…well, you’ll just have to find out for yourself at the Ordway! A free prologue beginning one hour prior to each opera performance offers an entertaining and informative half-hour with Artistic Director Dale Johnson or other artistic staffers in Ordway Center’s mezzanine lobby.

Feb 2, 4, 6, and 7, 7:30pm (2pm Sun), Ordway, 345 Washington Street, St.Paul, Tickets from $20. For more info or to purchase tickets visit www.mnopera.org.

Juried Student Exhibition

Head to the College of Visual Arts this Thursday to take in the work of the art school’s best and brightest! In a blind review process, the best works have been selected by an outside panel of jurors and exhibited in the CVA Gallery. While the official opening reception was last week, this week you’ll be privy to a panel discussion about the work with the students themselves. A great opportunity to seek out fresh, up and coming artists. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find a new favorite!

Thursday February 4th, 6-8pm, CVA Gallery, 173 Western Avenue North, St. Paul, Free

The Schubert Club Courtroom Concert

This week, the Landmark Center offers a lunchtime respite with the next event in their Courtroom Concert Series. Hosted by the Schubert Club and locally-based composer, Randall Davidson, you’ll experience sweet sounds of the classical variety from top local performing artists. Guests are encouraged to bring lunch, or to purchase a sandwich at Anita’s Cafe located on the ground level of the Landmark. Quite a spectacular way to break up the day, if you as us!

Thursday, Feb 4th, Noon, Landmark Center, Courtroom 317, St. Paul, Free

It’s safe to say that international travel these days is overpriced and a pain in the butt.  However, what if you could experience the unique attributes of a foreign culture without airport security, Dramamine,  or that annoying, crying kid kicking the back of your seat.  Well, you can!

Landmark Center is ready to kick off its sixth season of the Urban Expedition series “Urban Expedition: Korea” on Sunday, February 7 from 1-3pm.  This opportunity for the entire family costs less than one checked piece of luggage on a flight–it’s FREE!
KATE THOMPSON | PROGRAMS & MARKETING ASSISTANT | (P):651-292-3063 | kthompson@landmarkcenter.org

Families can celebrate the Korean culture with traditional music, dance, food, arts and crafts without experiencing jet lag! Come and enjoy traditional Korean drumming performed by Shinparam, dance by the Mu Gung Hwa Dance Academy and a Taekwondo demonstration by Kukkiwon TKD Academy.

Kids and adults alike get a passport and enjoy authentic cultural experiences from around the world. The Urban Expedition program draws on the Twin Cities’ rich multi-cultural array of performers, artists, chefs, and other community members sharing their heritage with both their own community and Twin Cities’ community at large. Urban Expedition is made possible with support from Travelers Foundation.

In addition, Landmark Center has partnered with community organization, Hallie Q. Brown Food Shelf, who will be hosting food drives at each of the Urban Expedition programs in order to benefit those members of our community in need.  You are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items.

Urban Expedition: Korea! is a part of the Sundays at Landmark event series sponsored by Minnesota Landmarks, the nonprofit programming and management agency for Landmark Center. Sundays at Landmark is sponsored by Travelers Foundation.  Landmark Center, owned and sponsored by Ramsey County, is located in downtown St. Paul at 75 West 5th Street, facing Rice Park, next to the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts and The Saint Paul Hotel.  Landmark Center is accessible to those with impaired mobility.  Parking is available on street and in nearby Macy’s, Lawson, Science Museum and RiverCentre Ramps. For more information call 651.292.3276 or visit www.landmarkcenter.org .

Mark your calendars for every second Tuesday of the month through April! The historic Landmark Center has teamed up with the Saint Paul City Ballet to bring you “Ballet Tuesdays,” a free lunchtime ballet performance!

Running every second Tuesday of the month starting January 12th through April 13th, this special performance will take place over the lunch hour, inviting guests to bring a bag lunch or to purchase a tasty, freshly made treats from the popular Anita’s Cafe, located at the south end of the Landmark Center’s cortile.

Most of the Ballet Tuesdays performances will feature Saint Paul City Ballet’s Company of dancers, who will twirl about for your entertainment and at the same time educate you on various aspects of ballet and preview upcoming performances.   The kick off event on January 12th at Noon features Saint Paul City Ballet’s Bruce Larson North End Outreach program, who will preview select works-in-progress from their spring show.  The students are from Washington Technology magnet and are under the direction of Bridget Higgins, Saint Paul City Ballet Outreach Director. February and March 2010 performances will include excerpts from the Company’s Sister City tour to Manzanillo, Mexico, this winter as well as the Company’s performance at the Ritz in March.

The series runs every second Tuesday of the month through April at Noon. The event is free and open to the public. Upcoming performances include:

Tuesday, Jan 12th

Tuesday, Feb 9th

Tuesday, Mar 9th

Tuesday, Apr 13th

The series will return September 14, 2010 and run the second Tuesday of the month through May 10, 2011.

For more info visit www.landmarkcenter.org

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.)

This past Thursday, downtown Saint Paul scored major glamour points as hundreds of the Twin Cities most fashionable residents took over the Saint Paul Hotel and the Landmark Center for l’etoile magazine’s red carpet premiere of fashion design reality show, Project Runway. Two of the show’s contestants, Ra’mon-Lawrence Coleman and Christopher Straub who both have local ties were in attendance, adding to the excitement of the event.

Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman & Christopher Straub

Dual screenings were held; one for the public in the beautiful Landmark Center, and a private screening for media, fashion industry insiders, and the designers and their close friends and families in the Saint Paul Hotel’s lavish ballroom.

Screening at the St. Paul Hotel's Ballroom

The Saint Paul Hotel’s program kicked off about 8:15 with a welcome to the crowd of hundreds from the event producers and a big thank you to all the sponsors (one of them being our own Capital City Partnership, creators of this very website!) followed by an exuberant speech by Mayor Chris Coleman, who declared “I can safely say this is the best-looking crowd I’ve ever seen in St. Paul” and went on to talk about the growing fashion scene in the Twin Cities.

Ra'mon, Christopher and their families

Next up, was a surprise fashion show by Ra’mon-Lawrence, who gave the audience a sneak peek of his new line, which will be shown this September at New York Fashion Week. Then, both Christopher and Ra’mon bounced over to Landmark Center to greet the public audience of 300+ people and invite them to a post-party at the hotel following the screening.

Part of Ra'mon's fashion show

When the lights went down, the crowd cheered wildly, and each time Ra’mon or Christopher appeared on-screen they cheered some more! In a surprising turn of events, our two local boys ended up being the top two in the first episode’s design challenge. Christopher was announced the winner for his edgy, textural red carpet-inspired dress (which he said he designed with the VMA’s in mind), with Ra’mon’s sophisticated midnight blue gown coming in at a close second. The guys jumped up and hugged each other happily while the crowd went crazy!

Ra'mon and Christopher address the crowd

Next up was the post-party in the Saint Paul Hotel’s lobby, where the public and private events finally merged for cocktails and a special trunk show by Christopher Straub, who signed his own designer t-shirts, handbags, and accessories for fans. An after-after party was held at Camp Bar, where both designers danced the night away with their new fans, friends and families. All together, a fabulous night in St. Paul!

For 200+ photos from the event click HERE.

For my official recap on l’etoile/thank you list click HERE

For more info on Project Runway, and to watch the first episode for free click HERE

This weekend and early next week, St. Paul’s got loads of options to keep your nightlife buzzing. Local psychedelic rockers Vampire Hands have their LP release at the Turf, while Tracy Chapman delivers her stripped-down, bluesy acoustic act at the O’Shaughnessy, Christians rock Harriet Island, and Blink-182 reunite at Xcel.

40 Oz. To Freedom

THURSDAY: 40 Oz. To Freedom at Station 4
Sublime tribute band 40 Oz. To Freedom, named for the band’s most only album, has developed a following in its own right. The San Diego four-piece have been on the road for years, giving the popular reggae punk-rock band’s catalog of much-loved tracks like “What I Got” a fresh twist. It doesn’t hurt that frontman Dane Scott shares a striking resemblance in both vocals and appearance to Bradley Nowell, who died of a drug overdose in 1996 shortly before the band released its debut album. (8 p.m. $12-15. 201 E. 4th St., St. Paul. 651-298-0173.)

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Some of my most memorable dining experiences this year have been in none other than downtown Saint Paul, and a recent trip to French bistro, Meritage, bumped the area to the top of my list of favored culinary destinations. I’ve always been quite charmed with the area near the Ordway; the narrow, cobblestone streets that twine around Rice Park and intersect the Landmark Center and the St. Paul Hotel remind me of a little slice of Europe. Meritage lies just beyond Landmark Plaza on St. Peter Street; its attractive, Parisian cafe-style patio and beautifully designed storefront make the restaurant an architectural landmark. If this isn’t the most romantic place to dine in the city, I honestly don’t know what is.

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If there’s one thing about Minnesotans, it’s that we thoroughly appreciate our non-winter months. So much so, that there isn’t a day that goes by where some sort of outdoor music, film, or performance whoop-dee-do is occurring. From symphonies on the lake, to movies in the park, to theater on the pavilion, Saint Paul makes certain that your outdoor entertainment cravings are fully indulged.

While our talented fleet of know-it-alls here at St. Paul STAYcation have touched upon many of these outdoor fests, I thought a little reminder may inspire you to get outside this week and enjoy the amazing weather — and the local talent!

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If you work or live near Downtown Saint Paul, why not treat yourself to a lunch-time musical excursion to the Landmark Center? At noon, each Wednesday through the end of August, visitors to the Center will be treated to sweet sonic stylings from some of the Twin Cities’ favorite tunesmiths — for free, no less!  You can even make an afternoon of it, with a delightful lunch at Anita’s Cafe, located in the atrium where the performances occur. Feast on a wide variety of sandwiches, wraps, salads, and entrees while you tap your feet to the tunes and marvel at the exquisite architecture of the Landmark Center.

If you’re not due back at work, you can continue your afternoon exploration of the Center with a visit to the new exhibit, Public Enemies: A Retrospective, which opens July 10th. Featuring intriguing artifacts from the St. Paul Police Historical Society, as well as from numerous regional collectors, you’ll be privy to rarely seen items such as John Dillinger’s “hit list”  and Dillinger henchman Homer van Meter’s straw brim hat, worn when he was gunned down in St. Paul.

UPCOMING MUSIC IN THE CAFE PERFORMANCES:

July 15th: Molly Maher
July 22nd: Joey Ryan
July 29th: Davina and the Vagabonds
August 5th: Jenny Dalton
August 12th: Redpath
August 19th: James Allen and Vicky Mountain
August 26th: Michael Rossetto & Nicholas Lemme

Musical performances run from Noon to 1 p.m., Wednesdays in July and August. Look to www.landmarkcenter.org for more details.

Landmark Center is located in downtown St. Paul at 75 West 5th Street, facing Rice Park, next to the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts and The Saint Paul Hotel.  For more information call 651.292.3276 or visit www.landmarkcenter.org