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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.

New Year’s Eve may be over, but the weekend still holds a few reasons worth leaving the house in zero-degree weather for in St. Paul.

Jake Rudh

Jake Rudh gives St. Paul guilty pleasure
Tonight, Jake Rudh of Transmission fame makes a rare St. Paul appearance - and a rare Saturday night gig - tonight at O’Gara’s. If you dig the Transmission “Guilty Pleasures” night, the set list should be right up your alley - expect early ’90s booty-shakin’ hits from the likes of Salt N Pepa and Bel Biv Davoe. (10 p.m.-2 a.m. Sat. Free. 21-plus. 164 Snelling Ave. N., St. Paul. 651-644-3333.) It’s the official after party for the Minnesota RollerGirls‘ home season kick-off game at Roy Wilkens Auditorium. The game itself begins at 7:30 p.m., and costs 13 bones for entry.
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On tap this weekend in St. Paul: a new residency from DJ Jonathan Ackerman, First Friday Happy Hour in Lowertown, a men’s fashion show, and Mark Mallman at the Turf Club.

Jonathan Ackerman

THURSDAY: DJ Jonathan Ackerman at Barrio Lowertown
Prolific beatmaker Jonathan Ackerman hops over the river for his first weekly residency - at the newly-minted Barrio Lowertown, natch. The hip Mexican fusion bar and eatery should provide the perfect backdrop for Ackerman’s eclectic sound, alternately hard-rocking and gently-grooving. While you’re there, take advantage of the night’s drink specials: $3 Barrio margaritas and $4 Red Bull vodkas. (9 p.m.-1 a.m. Free. 235 6th St. E., St. Paul. 651-222-3250.)

Artists' Quarter

FRIDAY: Lowertown First Friday Happy Hour
Every first Friday of the month, St. Paul’s independent art galleries and studios join forces for the First Friday open studio. Afterward, a bunch of Lowertown clubs and bars get into the mix with an evening happy hour. This month, the Artists’ Quarter will open early just for us Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. Enjoy live jazz music from McNally Smith College of Music students and free pizza compliments of Wild Tymes. The Artists’ Quarter is located in the basement of the Hamm Building. As usual, you can expect two-for-ones on select tap beers at The Blackdog Wine Bar & Cafe, The Bulldog Lowertown, Rumours/Innuendo, Senor Wong, Station 4, and Trattoria da Vinci. Just say “FIRST FRIDAY” to receive your discount. (6-9 p.m. Free. Various locations. Click HERE for more info.)

Also recommended: The 8hz label releases its first compilation with a lineup including many of the featured bands: Me and My Arrow, Fort Wilson Riot, Economy Team, Buildings, Phantom Tales, and Speed’s The Name. (9 p.m. $5. 21-plus. 1601 University Av. W., St. Paul. 651-647-0486.)

SATURDAY:

A look from Flirt boutique

Hunting Opener Party at Flirt
To celebrate the men being out of town for hunting opening, lingerie boutique Flirt is hosting a cheekily-named Hunting Opener Party. Indulge in champagne, cupcakes and 20 percent off one item, and sample products from Sunrider skin care and cosmetics. (3-7 p.m. 177 Snelling Av. N., St. Paul.)

A Ben Sherman look at Details

Men’s Fall Fashion Mingle
One of the very few all-men’s boutiques in the Twin Cities, Details Style Lab hosts a Men’s Fall Fashion Mingle. Male models will don the latest in fall and winter fashions, including looks from Ben Sherman, Skunk Funk, Cloth Logic, Bertigo, and the popular Bjorn Borg underwear line. (10-11:30 p.m. at Rumours & Innuendo, 213 4th St. E., St. Paul. 11:30 p.m.-1 a.m. at Camp Bar, 490 N. Robert St., St. Paul.)

Mark Mallman

Mark Mallman at Turf Club
Mark Mallman blows the lid off Turf Club with his madmen piano stylings. Boasting “the fastest piano in the Midwest,” Mallman should be up to his usual antics, which have included driving a motorbike onstage and playing from inside a refrigerator box for hours on end. He’s sure to dip mainly from his latest release, September’s The Invincible Criminal, as well as his catalog from over the past ten years. The Alpha Centauri and Total Babe open. (9 p.m. $6. 21-plus. 1601 University Av. W., St. Paul. 651-647-0486.)

[Eisley]

THURSDAY: Say Anything, Eisley, Moneen + Moving Mountains at Station 4
Orange county mall-punkers Say Anything don’t exactly break the mold when it comes to the pop-punk equation, but their latest double-disc offering In Defense of the Genre is a welcome return to stories about girls and apologies to past and present band members. The real ones to watch for is Texas quintet and family act Eisley, whose sweet pop tunes are wrapped in longing and a whimsical romanticism that will bring you back to the innocence of youth. (5 p.m. $16-19. All ages. 201 E. 4th St., St. Paul, 651-298-0173.)

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It all seemed to start when the Bulldog opened its first St. Paul location in Lowertown. A buzz had already been happening around St. Paul’s nightlife district, also home to music club Station 4, gay bar Rumours & Innuendo, the laidback Black Dog Café, and Mexican eatery Señor Wong. Soon afterward, Barrio Tequila Bar opened next door, and it was official – Lowertown was becoming St. Paul’s version of Uptown (before it became overrun with chains, that is).

Mears Park

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE (continue reading…)

From ripe, juicy raspberries and vibrant, crisp green beans, to bacon, eggs, bread, and cheese, there isn’t an edible essential I can think of that you can’t get at the downtown St. Paul Farmer’s Market this time of year. Happily for my taste buds and cooking pleasure, the growing season is in full swing. I dream of firing up the grill and throwing on chicken breasts marinated in fresh herbs, grilling zucchini, roasting sweet corn and slathering it in butter, and making from scratch blueberry ice cream—made entirely from locally ingredients. The crazy thing is, it’s possible! It isn’t always easy be a locavore living in Minnesota, but in July and August, it’s incredibly simple.

So why not try eating local for one week? August 2-8 is National Farmer’s Market Week and in my house, we’re marking the week by taking the Eat Local Challenge. Inspired to try it, too? Pledge your commitment here. (continue reading…)

Rocket Club kicks off the weekly Music in Mears series

Nothing beats a Minnesota summer. The weather is amazing, of course, but we should count ourselves lucky for all the free outdoor concerts and movies in the Twin Cities’ various parks.

For the past five years, Mears Park has been home to St. Paul’s premier music-in-the-park event, Music in Mears. The 12-week concert series runs until August 27, with a different band and food vendor every Thursday (except July 2). Beginning July 23, a movie will also be screened at dusk. It kicks off tonight with music from local country rockers Rocket Club and food from Lowertown’s newly-opened Bulldog. (6-9 p.m. 221 E. 5th St. 651-291-9128.)

Upcoming musical acts include cover band Hookers and Blow (June 11), soul singer Chastity Brown (June 18), glam rockers The Melismatics (July 16), popsters The Hopefuls (July 23), folk singer Dan Israel (July 30) hip-hop band Maria Isa (August 20) and singer-songwriter Jeremy Messersmith (August 27). Films include Cool Hand Luke (July 30), Sixteen Candles (August 6), and American Graffiti (August 13) with food vendors including The Bulldog, Barrio, Senor Wong, and Station 4. Check out www.MusicInMears.com for additional information.