The651.com

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

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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.