The651.com

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!

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE…

(continue reading…)

St. Paul’s got your nightlife and music needs covered this weekend. Check out the highlights of Thursday, July 16 through Wednesday, July 22:

THURSDAY

Fancy Ray in the '80s

Fancy Ray and John Conroy at Station 4
If the name Fancy Ray doesn’t seem familiar, his face will. Chances are you’ve seen him hawking products in local commercials looking like a dead ringer for Little Richard, for which he’s become relatively well-known since the mid 1980s. When he’s not being a TV pitchman, running for governor of Minnesota (which he did in 1998), or auditioning for realty TV shows like America’s Got Talent, the self-proclaimed “Best Looking Man in Comedy” also happens to have a comedy act. Though his slapstick act may elicit more groans than belly laughs, it’s worth seeing for the sake of witnessing a longtime local fixture. (8 p.m. Free. 21-plus. 201 E. 4th St., St. Paul. 651-298-0173.)

Also Thursday: Renowned folk singer Arlo Guthrie at the Fitzgerald Theater…Music in Mears featuring The Melismatics in Mears Park…The University Of Minnesota’s Noontime Concert Series featuring Chris Koza at the St. Paul Student Center…Golden Animals, The Suits and Hildur Victoria at the Turf Club.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE…

(continue reading…)

Easy Company: The Jay Epstein trio

Local jazz fans may not realize the Twin Cities has quite the local jazz scene, and a lot of it’s centered at St. Paul’s own jazz club The Artists’ Quarter. Tonight sees the release of the latest effort from local jazz drummer Jay Epstein and his trio, comprising bassist Anthony Cox and pianist Bill Carrothers. The trio’s new album Easy Company features another set of what the Jazz Times calls “energetic, sometimes dark and eerie” music from the acclaimed jazz masters. (9 p.m. Fri. & Sat. $10. All ages. The Artists’ Quarter, 408 St. Peter St. 651-292-1359.)

Craving a Southern-style dinner after the show? Head to Creole-inspired eatery Brasa, which serves such mouth-watering meaty options as rotisserie chicken, slow-cooked pork shoulder, braised beef, and more. (There are vegetarian options too for you herbivores.) (777 Grand Av. 651-224-1302.)

In other local jazz news, the Hot Summer Jazz Festival is happening next weekend, June 18-20 in Mears Park. The premier jazz event in the Twin Cities includes such big names in the jazz scene as Allen Toussaint, Esperanza Spalding, and The New Standards. It coincides with the weekly Music in Mears series; next Thursday’s edition features local jazz singer Chastity Brown. (Look to Juleana Enright’s Off the Beaten Path blog for St. Paul STAYcation next week for more on the festival.)

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.

The next few weeks are packed with outdoor events worthy of planning for. Here are a few of my picks for getting outside, getting active, or cheering for your favorite athletes in St. Paul. I hope to see you out and about!

June 6: Who needs to travel to some far away, exotic destination for a volunteer vacation when you can get into nature and help spiff things up right here at home? June 6 is National Trails Day and there’s a local service project happening at St. Paul’s Battle Creek Regional Park. You’ll make new friends, feel good about your work, and get free lunch and a free wicking t-shirt. That’s the kind of staycation that’s way cheaper than, say, a volunteer vacation in Cambodia. Pre-registration is required. Contact Mikaela for more details at mkramer@rei.com or at 952-884-4315 x. 203.

June 7: There is a ton to do and see during one of St. Paul’s most festive days of the year—Grand Old Day—but for active types, get involved by signing up for a morning race. Choose from the in-line skate, 8K run, 1/2 mile youth run, or the 5K walk/jog and register here. Sports fans should head to the “Sporting District” between Fairview and Cambridge for interactive games, demos, and/or scrimmages by the Minnesota Rollergirls, Timberwolves, Minnesota Thunder, St. Paul Saints, and more.

June 10: Get absorbed in the high-speed energy of the Minnesota Bicycle Festival, which starts in St. Paul. Watch pro racers speed by (Mears Park is the best viewing spot) during the evening races. The women’s pro/elite race (40 laps) starts at 6 p.m.; the men’s race (45 laps) at 7:40 p.m. More info on the pro races is here. If you have kids under 12 who are budding racers, bring their bikes and helmets and sign them up for the Hoigaard’s Tour de Kids, which starts at 7:15 p.m.

June 13: REI is hosting its free Paddle Demo Day at Ft. Snelling State Park. Whether you’re a novice or a pro-paddler, you’ll find something at this Snelling Lake event. You can test boats and accessories, and get paddling tips from REI staff. Just bring a snack, water, and dress for getting wet. REI provides the boats, personal flotation devices (PFDs), paddles, plus a 15 percent off coupon good for the purchase of a full-price boat in case your passion for paddling is ignited. More info here.

June 14: The Happy Trails Family Nature Club is hosting a family walk at Crosby Farm Regional Park from 10 a.m.-Noon. The walk starts along a paved forest trail and goes to a soft, sandy beach along the Mississippi River. Happy Trails says about the event, “We will spend the majority of our outing playing and relaxing in this beautiful area on the beach.  Kids will love testing their skills as they climb the bent-down-low trees in this area.” Feel free to bring a picnic! Meet near the pavilion in the first parking lot.

Now you have no excuse for hiking your same-old, well-worn trail or worse, getting stuck inside. Put on your hiking, running, walking or biking shoes and get out to enjoy the abundant active life that St. Paul has to offer!

When I traveled through Europe as a young 20-something, I did the clichéd baguette, cheese and wine thing at most every meal. What I loved about those simple picnics (aside from the cheap, good wines and amazing cheeses) was the opportunity to plunk myself down on the grass, soak up the sun and people watch. For some odd reason, I don’t picnic often enough right here at home.

That’s something I’m out to change, especially considering that the city of St. Paul boasts 170 parks and outdoor spaces. Plus, the abundance of local, independently-owned shops and restaurants make ordering healthy food to-go incredibly simple.

Here’s my take on how to make your city picnic Staycation-worthy:

1)    Pick your place. Any open space of grass and sunshine near your home or office will do. Downtown St. Paul, for example, boasts no small number of such places. Try Mears Park, Rice Park, or cross the Wabasha Street Bridge to Harriet Island or the just-renovated Raspberry Island, where the Mississippi River flows around you on both sides.

Raspberry Island- newly renovated!

2)    Pick your picnicking partner. Surprise your sweetie, a friend, or your family with a weeknight al fresco dinner. Or, simply step away from your computer at lunchtime, grab a friendly co-worker and get the heck out of the office. Who says it has to be a weekend to get outside and enjoy this beautiful weather?

3)    Plan your feast. A few of my fast, healthy food favorites:

• Mississippi Market (622 Selby Ave.): More than just a grocery store, the location at Dale and Selby has a full-kitchen where you can order smoothies (try the refreshing Pineapple Pleaser), made-to-order sandwiches (I’m currently noshing on a grilled turkey and brie panini with roasted red peppers), or choose something freshly-made from the deli case. My ultimate picnic recommendation: walnut pecan pate, spicy Tunisian mix olives, and tomato, basil and mozzarella salad with a baguette.

• Cheeky Monkey Deli (525 Selby Ave.):  This recently-opened deli boasts an array of fantastic hot and cold sandwiches, salads, entrees, and side items. But there’s one dish in particular that just screams summer picnic: the shrimp, chickpea & cucumber salad tossed with mixed greens, tarragon, scallions, and a citrus cilantro vinaigrette. Yum!

• Golden Fig (790 Grand Ave.): This gourmet market focuses on locally-made foods and offers a selection of ready-made items in its back cooler. Many of the items are things you’d need to take home and heat up, but if it’s simplicity you’re looking for, you can’t go wrong with a loaf of Rustica bread and a block of horseradish and chive havarti.

4)    Swing by Solo Vino (517 Selby Ave., by Cheeky Monkey). Ask the friendly staff at this unpretentious wine shop for advice. I usually look for a decent bottle in the $10-$13 range and I’ve never been disappointed in their recommendation. Their chiller will cool your wine (if needed) in minutes.

Bon Appetit!

As I looked forward to summer in Saint Paul this year, I thought back to last June around Mears Park during the summer solstice weekend. It was one of the most eclectic and entertaining weekends.

It began on a Thursday evening, with Martin Devaney and Little Man playing Music in Mears Park, a free Thursday night concert series. That morphed into Ravi Coltrane in Mears Park on Friday evening as part of the Twin Cities Jazz Festival. Then, a block away from the park on Saturday was the Pride Celebration Kick-Off Block Party. And, throughout the whole weekend ending that Sunday was the Solstice Film Festival at Galtier Plaza.

It was the kind of weekend people travel to other cities for, but all was here and most for free.

Summer in Saint Paul is a great season. While I play no favorites as I like skating and skiing, the City takes on a different persona, especially over the last three years as we have reclaimed the Mississippi River as the lifeblood of the city, opened new parks, and welcomed new music festivals.

Even everyday activities can take on a different life on the banks of the Upper Mississippi. A morning run through Harriet Island and Lilydale Park turns into a nature outing, with bald eagles flying overhead and the occasional sighting of a fox or coyote in the distance – all within view of Saint Paul’s skyline.

Finishing up the run at the Farmer’s Market in Lowertown provides a well-earned reward. Grabbing a coffee and grilled – yes, grilled – bagel makes the cool down a treat as you walk among the tables of locally produced fruits, vegetables, meats and cheeses. Grab a baquette, some cheddar, tomatoes, basil, and some meat, and lunch in the shadows of the river bluffs at a newly redesigned Raspberry Island in the middle of the Mississippi.

There is so much to look forward to doing this summer in Saint Paul, it is hard to single any one thing out. From wine on the patios of one of the restaurants on West 7^th Street to welcoming the new Barrio (coming in mid-June) next to the Bulldog in Lowertown; going to the third Concrete and Grass Music Festival and enjoying one of our many neighborhood parades; seeing great theater productions; tailgating at a Saints baseball game; experiencing the Titanic exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota; golfing on one of the city’s championship golf courses … this may require a vacation.

We don’t often take the time to appreciate what we have. I say, though, plan a long weekend, forget the chores, leave the yard, and live like a tourist in your city. The memories will be long lasting without having to take a long trip.

- Mayor Chris Coleman