The651.com

Believe or not despite the amenities I bestow my taste buds, I’m not by nature a self-pamper. Case and point: I went an entire year without haircut, not even so much as a trim. But on a recent day off and a whim, I began what might have just developed into a permanent stretch of spoiling myself. Within the last week, I’ve indulged in a haircut, my first professional massage and an inaugural trip to a bed and breakfast. During my stay at said B&B, I discovered an abandoned cooking custom – the multi-course breakfast. Being a person who usually opts for extra sleep and skips the breakfast, I found the idea of a four-course breakfast extraordinarily decadent. Really, what better way to start the morning that with a little lavishment?

If you live the life I lead, likely you don’t have the time to slave away weekday mornings in the kitchen attempting to Julia Child your way into elaborate multi-course breakfasts. Instead of a four-course, try a two-course: savory and sweet – never skimp on the dessert courses – trade a hustled Tuesday for a more relaxed Saturday AM – perhaps after a trip to St. Paul’s Lowertown Farmer’s Market – and I have two recipes that will have you whipping up delicious, local ingredients into a fancy, deceptively intricate breakfast.

Start with two simple ingredients: fresh asparagus and locally-produced organic eggs. Asparagus and eggs have a natural affinity. Paired together they exude both luxury and freshness, not to mention flavor. A simple vegetable frittata highlights the best of what’s in season right now while providing a satisfying and light spring/summer meal. The recipe is very forgiving and you can adjust the vegetables and garnishes to reflect what you have on hand, or what looks best at the market. It’s equally as tasty subbing zucchini for asparagus, using the method below, or subbing spinach by adding a large hand-full of chopped spinach moments before you add the egg mixture so it just barely wilts. If you decide to make this for lunch with a few guests, I suggest you serve it with some crust bread from Grand Avenue’s Cafe Latte, local butter – another Farmer’s Market purchase! – and a tangy, light and crisp Sancerre from my favorite St. Paul wine shop, Cathedral Hill’s Solo Vino. You’ll impress yourself and your guests with your culinary talents.

Spring Vegetable Frittata
10 to 12 – asparagus spears, chopped
1/2 – red onion, sliced
8 – crimini or white mushrooms, sliced
fresh basil or chives (to garnish)
6 – large eggs
1/4 cup of milk or cream
2 – 3 tbsp. butter
1/2 cup shredded cheese (Manchego, Parmesan or other hard aged cheese)
cracked black pepper
coarse sea salt

Preheat Oven to 375 degrees.
Chop asparagus spears into approximately 3/4″ lengths, discarding woody stem portions. Chop onion in half and then slice; Slice mushrooms into 3 to 4 slices each. Add 1 to 2 tsp of butter (or olive oil) to preheated oven safe skillet. Once butter is melted add asparagus, onion and mushrooms and saute until asparagus is tender and mushrooms have browned. While vegetables are cooking crack eggs into a bowl, whisk lightly and add milk or cream, shredded cheese, and salt / freshly cracked black pepper to taste. When vegetables are ready turn skillet down to low and add 1 tbsp. butter to vegetable mixture. When butter is melted, add egg mixture and ensure vegetables are covered. After approximately 2 minutes on the stovetop, transfer skillet to the over and bake until just set (approximately 12 min). Serve with a chiffonade of fresh basil or chives and a pinch of flaky sea salt.

Don’t forget dessert! Eating dessert with breakfast is hardly a new culinary trend. At a proper full Irish breakfast (aka a “fry”) one can find sweet pies and puddings and the British Isles are famous for their multiple-course breakfasts including a sugary finale. In the spirit of this “let them eat cake” breakfast mantra, for a course finale going with seasonal, summer treat that’s easy to find and we can’t get enough of – rhubarb.

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

1 package (2-crust size) frozen pie crusts, thawed

1 1/2 pound sliced and trimmed fresh rhubarb
3 1/2 cups strawberries, trimmed and sliced or halved
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg yolk blended with
1 teaspoon water
non-stick cooking spray

Stir together the rhubarb, strawberries, sugars, cornstarch, cinnamon, and salt until the fruit is well coated. Put one pie crust into a pie pan coated with non-stick spray. Pour the filling into the pan. Use the remaining pie crust for the top of the pie, crimping the edges to seal the pie. Trim excess crust from the edge of the pie. Either poke the top of the pie with a fork many times, or make some small slits with a knife, to all the steam out. Glaze the top of the pie with the egg/water mixture. Reduce oven to 350 degrees F, and bake pie until the center thickens, anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half ovens vary. Be sure to remove the pie and let it cool completely before eating, or it will be mushy.

And voila, approximately 1 hour to an hour and a half later you have an impressive, dual-course, local savvy breakfast with all the bells and whistles of a elegant bed and breakfast, sans the complexity, the money and the elbow grease.

Artist Tracy Olson a.k.a. T.Young has been proving her artistic chops in the Lowertown Art District since ye olde 2008. An artist whose work is one part abstract and one part tangible, the colorful infusions and urban landscapes she creates are a representation of a contemporary artist living in the city. Stop into Tracy’s studio in the Jax Building (studio 204) during the St. Paul Art Crawl, happening this weekend, April 29th-May 1st and get an eyeful!

We caught up with Tracy this week to talk about her art, Lowertown, and more…

How long have you been working in Lowertown and why were you drawn to the area initially?

In February 2008 I saw an ad for studio space for rent at the JAX Building. The minute that I walked into studio 204 I fell in love with the space. At that time I was one of four other artists there. I actually use the space as a gallery I have an in-home studio that I work from. I now share 204 with Tom Dunn a local photographer that I’ve known for many years. We both participate in Art Crawl and the ongoing monthly event Lowertown First Friday. The draw to Lowertown is a magic one for me. When I walk around Lowertown, I get the feeling of a close community. I feel really at home when I’m there.

How would you describe your work? What is your creative process?

My work is abstract in form using color as my texture and expression. I am generally inspired by the things I see and hear in my daily life. Music is also a very important part of my art process as I believe both create an atmosphere for me to express my thoughts from my minds eye to paper or canvas. I most often title much of my art after tidbits of conversation that I may have heard or a line in a song that strikes a particular chord (pardon the pun) with me.

What do you have lined up for the Art Crawl? What can people expect to see at your studio?

Well I like to entertain so this is my shining moment for that. Visitors will see a lot of art – I hang salon style so it’s pretty much a floor to ceiling explosion of color and movement. I have some new work that I am really excited about. There is paper, ink, oil pastel, acrylic paint and beeswax involved. Tom Dunn will be exhibiting new images from his Saint Paul collection. We also have a really fabulous musician that will be performing on Friday night for our opening reception. Chris Schuette who is a local piano player, composer and overall really funny and nice guy! It’s pretty rare these days that he performs past the doors of his studio so we are excited and honored that he’ll be entertaining us on Friday evening.

What other artists or events are you excited about this art crawl?

Unfortunately I won’t get a chance to get past the JAX doors this whole weekend (except to go home and sleep : ) to see other artists or events. I do plan to take some time to visit many of the JAX Building artists though. I am REALLY excited about this as this is a rare opportunity to get to say hi and chat with fellow artists. I am also looking forward to hang out an browse through the art of Malcolm Myers in Studio 304. Mr. Myers was a Professor of Studio Art at the U of M. He passed away in 2002. Only two times a year is his space at the JAX open, and that’s for spring and fall Art Crawl. I love to look at his work that spans about 60 years. And the best thing is they are for sale, one day I will own a piece of his art. The JAX also has some several new artists that I’m really excited to meet. There are five floors and 19 plus artists that will have their studios open at the JAX for the spring Art Crawl.

How do you see the area evolving over the next few years?

That’s a tough question – I see the area evolving and that’s pretty prevalent with the Light Rail construction and that excites me. As to the direction, I believe that the Lowertown area will continue to be an important hub for the arts community. As with anything, growth produces a change and sometimes change can be awkward and uncomfortable, that’s because there is an element of the unknown. I believe in going with the flow and I think the flow will be awesome!

For more info on the Saint Paul Art Crawl, running April 29th-May 1st, visit www.stpaulartcrawl.com.

For more info on Tracy Olson’s art visit www.tyoung.info.

It’s hard to believe the holidays are actually upon us. All the build up over the past couple months makes it seem almost unreal. Shopping, pine trees, and yes, Santa, seem to have become a way of life for St. Paulites (and Americans in general!). This Saturday night, however, will put you into holiday overload, because nothin’ says “holiday cheer” more than a fleet of Santa Clauses running amok between several Lowertown bars and restaurants.

The 3rd Annual Lowertown SantaCon pops off at 5pm Saturday and will lead an army of Santas and assorted costumed revelers through the streets of Downtown St. Paul, stopping at seven venues within walking distance of each other. The Facebook event invites you to come dressed as “Santa, elves, trampy elves, reindeer, Krampus, Santasaurus, trampy elves; you get the idea.” Sounds like fun to us, though the whole “trampy” suggestion may be a bit wishful, considering the temperature!

Escorted by the holly, jolly musical spectacle that is the Brass Messengers and feisty ringleader/event emcee, Foxy Tann, you’ll be shepherded to the following venues:

Hat Trick Lounge – 5pm
Trattoria da Vinci
Barrio
Bulldog
Black Dog – around 8pm
Station 4
Senor Wong – around 10pm

The group gathers at 5pm at the Hat Trick Lounge and will travel together for the duration of the tour (but splitting off is fine too!)

Click HERE for the Facebook event

For more details as well as photos and video from past Santacons visit tilsner.net

For a detailed map of Lowertown bar locations visit lowertowned.com

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.

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 street-blocking light rail construction isn’t enough to keep music-loving locals from traversing across the river, thanks to tons of big events (Red Bull Flugtag), parties in the park (MN Original’s launch in Mears Park), titilating benefits (Racktacular) and dance parties (Let’s Dance). Now with the newest music festival to hit the Capital City, the organizers of Saturday’s Lowertown Music Fest (not to be confused with the Concrete and Grass Lowertown Music Festival in September or last weekend’s Lowertown Block Party) have upped the ante by booking three local acts that can easily sell out the First Avenue Mainroom: Mason Jennings, Cloud Cult, and Tapes ‘N Tapes.

Mason Jennings

Probably one of the most popular singer-songwriters in town, Mason Jennings has been steadily building a fanbase without giving in to commercial gloss. On 2009′s Blood Of Man, Jennings played all the instruments himself, giving a rough-around-the-edges feel to the solid set of songs.

Duluth experimental folk band Cloud Cult made a name for themselves nationally after their song “Lucky Today” was featured in an ad for Esurance and they found themselves on Last Call with Carson Daly. They’re bound to preview some new tunes from their upcoming full-length Light Chasers, which doesn’t hit stores until September, but the orchestral pop album is already available for purchase online.

Tapes 'N Tapes

Indie-rockers Tapes ‘N Tapes also found some fame after garnering an impressive 8.3 rating on Pitchfork for their breakthrough album The Loon as well as a coveted spot on Late Show with David Letterman back in 2006. Though the band’s upward trajectory has plateaued, hopefully they can make good on the buzz when their upcoming third album (recorded this past March) is released.

The fest clearly is capitalizing on the resurgence of the Lowertown arts district over the past couple of years, but it’s hard to complain about such a good lineup, which is rounded out by buzzing folkies Peter Wolf Crier, UK folk-punk singer Frank Turner and wacky kid-friendly duo Koo Koo Kanga Roo.

3 p.m. Sat. $25-30. Mears Park, 5th & Sibly, St. Paul, www.lowertownmusicfest.com

St. Paul Farmer's Market.

When it comes to sustainability, Heartland Restaurant has long been one of St. Paul’s finest proprietors of fine dining with a local and organic spin. Once tucked away in the Mac-Groveland location, Heartland recently made the jump to the district often likened to NY’s Soho, Lowertown. This allows it to highlight a relationship between its food and direct farm sources on display at the St. Paul’s Farmer’s Market across the street – a simple paring, yet an innovative idea that subtly links fresh produce with the final product, fresh cuisine. After all, there’s a mindset that goes hand-in-hand with a trip to the Farmer’s Market. While surrounded by delicious organic ingredients and friendly local farmers you may find yourself making tiny goals towards culinary self-improvement. You inevitably start daydreaming about creative recipes for that bundle of Swiss chard in your bag. You want to eat better, to live better…maybe you’ll even take up composting… It’s that steadfast mantra of better living through dining that flows from the hearts and fingers of the chefs in Heartland’s kitchen straight onto the meticulously arranged plates night after night.

Hand-cut angel hair pasta from Heartland. Photo by Steve Rice.

One could call Heartland a foodie’s dream restaurant, because like the mainstays of dreams the nightly menu is constantly morphing, a new set of provocative dishes every evening. This ever-evolving carte, not only provides diners with a multifarious sample of a Heartland’s artistry, but also a mouthful of season-appropriate ingredients. On any given night, one can expect such delicacies as veal bacon glace de viande and Butterscotch duck egg pot de crème on the three course Fauna fixed menu ($40 per person) or chilled golden beet borscht and morel mushroom gnocchi on the Flora menu ($30 per person). Their upscale, chef-driven menus feature ingredients indigenous to the Upper Midwest, including wild boar, salmon, Rainbow trout, savory wild mushrooms and regional artisan cheeses. In past years, the restaurant has received soaring reviews from former City Pages’ food critic, Dara Moskowitz, Mpls/St. Paul Magazine’s, Andrew Zimmern, and the Star Trib’s Rick Nelson, who have praised it for a creative and ingenuous twist on simple heartland-style cooking.

Heartland Executive Chef, Lenny Russo.

Heartland owner, Executive Chef and James Beard Foundation’s 2010 Best Chef Midwest Finalist, Lenny Russo, continues to showcase the best modernized Midwestern cuisine in his newly opened downtown restaurant with a few added bonuses. One, the new space is located in the Market House building (a former shoe factory turned condos) and is significantly larger than the Mac-Groveland location. It features a 80-to-90 seat dining room that overlooks the farmer’s market, several chef tables that wrap around the exhibition kitchen, an in-house, watch-them-work butcher shop and a gourmet market (set to open at the end of August) that will feature Heartland’s own proprietary label products including house made charcuterie, jellies, and stocks and soups, plus and grab-and-go Heartland prepared lunch items.

Can self-improvement really start in the kitchen? After a visit to Heartland, we think you’ll be inspired to say yes. So, maybe start your day with a trip to the St. Paul Farmer’s market and end with a fabulous dinner at Heartland to see if you can make the goal of better living through food a reality!

Heartland Restaurant & Farm Direct Market, 289 East Fifth Street, Suite #104, Lowertown, St. Paul

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, 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.)

When Local photographer Rhea Pappas graduated from MCAD in December of 2008, no one was surprised at how quickly she gained momentum. As a student, Pappas scored numerous awards and even taught at area high schools and at IFP (a job she still holds). Over summer break, she even taught community education in Duluth while living on a sailboat with her dog. Talk about dedication to the arts!

Upon graduation, the young photog (still just a mere 23 years old) scored her first gallery show in NYC; had her debut show in Minnesota; was sponsored by Aquatica Underwater Housing; and was accepted into the Northern Warehouse Art Collective in Lowertown Saint Paul, where she’s one of a group of artists who started the Lowertown First Fridays Art Crawl. With a style that seems to be one part surreal dream and one part poignant, real-life documentation, Pappas has, over the past year, turned her craft into an all-encompassing career that spans both the art world and the educational sphere.

We had a chat with this talented shutterbug about life in Lowertown, her art, and what’s on the horizon….

One of your main bodies of work is the underwater series. What inspired this and do you have any plans to do more underwater work?

The inspiration for the underwater work came from my previous project, Sister. People were telling me, “You need to photograph more in water.” Since this was my first time shooting in water, I definitely have a lot in store for 2010. I have some awesome collaborations, projects, and some huge shows coming up this year, all underwater.

You have a very interesting style of photography that often combines fashion editorial with photo journalism. How do you plan your shoots? Do you storyboard or plan out your shots, or do you just fly by the seat of your pants?

That’s a huge compliment, thanks! Usually I write first. I sit down and daydream while letting my mind go. This allows me to take in the images of my surroundings and mold it in my mind to a functional idea. Once this happens, all I have to do is set it up.

You also do photography workshops. Can you tell me more about that?

This year I am starting for the first time in the Twin Cities, a Photography Boot Camp. My new teaching studio is called: Rhe Pops Photo Ed, it’s starting here in February. I love teaching and it’s where my heart belongs. The one goal I wish to achieve in every class is to help inspire people to learn and create with photography in a way teachers rarely did for me. Otherwise, I do teach at IFP (independent Film Project) and love working with the organization greatly.

If you could shoot anything, anywhere, what would it be?

Right now I am on a family or adventure kick. I am really hoping to combine them both and shoot in Greece or France this year. Discovering my family from the past to present.  The image that started the project is of my mother in NYC.

You are also one of the ringleaders of the Lowertown First Fridays art crawl. How has that been going and what are your thoughts on Lowertown in general? How do the artists work together to draw attention to the district?

I think that Lowertown has been making a name for itself recently as others have been discovering it, but it’s been like this for sometime. I have only lived in Saint Paul about a year now, but it seems that my collaborations have been out of this world. The connections I have made down here have opened up many doors for me. When you think of all the artists who live in Lowertown, it’ll amaze you how many heavy hitters you’ll find. I’m 23 and due to the place I live I have had the opportunities to talk, show, and work with artists that show at the walker and international galleries. There is no other place in the state that has this kind of successful, high density area of working artists. All of us together make it worth while for people to come out and visit us with First Fridays and the Art Crawl. We respect each other enough to help and enjoy each other down here in Lowertown. That’s why four working artists (including me) wanted to start First Fridays.

Do you have any cool new projects coming up in 2010 that you’d like to divulge?

I would love to tell them all, but most of the really cool things are under wraps. I will say that I am in the works with a large gallery for a 4 month long show this summer, talking with specific fashion designers, and wanting to work with some larger events for developing promotional materials. I can talk about my new project on Ice Scuba Divers and also on the probability of a month in France sometime this summer for that family project I was talking about earlier. So, lots of stuff. You can keep up with new work on my flickr page.

What are your top 5 favorite things about Saint Paul?

Top 5… hmmmm….

1. The down to earth people and lack of pretentious behavior.
2. Lowertown- community is excellent (especially in the Northern Warehouse)
3. The Minnesota Boat Club and the Mississippi River
4. Great Waters, Sawadee, The Black Dog, Princess Garden, and Mississippi Market. Amazing food.
5. The respect for a living and breathing community. I love that things close at 9/10pm and people go to bed. Respect for self brings respect for the people surrounding you. St. Paul has got that down.

The Lowertown First Friday Art Crawl has been moved to the Second Friday (January 8th), this week only due to the New Year’s Holiday. The crawl runs from 6-9pm. Check out the Facebook page HERE for more info or visit the info page at MnArtists.org HERE.

Check out Rhea’s work on her website or flickr page.