The daily digest of Twin Cities culture | Secrets of the City

ART
L'âge du fer

Head Northeast for your Friday serving of fine art! Rabi Sanfo, a longtime Northeast artist (by way of West African country Burkina Faso) presents a solo show of his amazing metalwork sculpture and decorative furniture. An appealing blend of contemporary and African tribal art, Sanfo's pieces have modern elegance, cultural relevance, and a playful spirit. When this artist last exhibited at Frank Stone Gallery, his work nearly sold out, so the collectors among you best show up early! Wine, appetizers, and live music by local progressive rock group, Until the End, will ensure your evening is a multi-faceted good time.

5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Frank Stone Gallery, 1224 2nd Street NE, Minneapolis, Free

FILM/MUSIC
Billy McLaughlin Films

Renowned new age guitarist and hometown hero Billy McLaughlin makes a double-header appearance at the Parkway Theater this weekend in support of two films based on his career. Diagnosed in 2005 with Focal Dystonia, a neurological condition affecting muscle control, McLaughin developed his distinctive left-handed playing style, with the neck of the guitar toward his right shoulder. On Friday, take in Suzanne Jurva's documentary Changing Keys, a film chronicling McLaughlin's struggle and triumph over the disease. Enjoy a pre-film reception and a post-film q&a with the director, as well as a live performance by Billy & The Eclectric Quartet. Saturday brings us David Taylor's concert film, Billy McLaughlin: Coming Back Alive, followed again by a live performance by Billy and special guests. A must-see for any Minnesota music fan!

Friday 6:30 p.m., Saturday 6:30 p.m., Parkway Theater, 4814 Chicago Avenue S., Minneapolis, Friday $25, Saturday $15

SPECIAL EVENT
Firkin Fest

Attention Beer lovers! If you are any manner of connoisseur, then you best direct yourself to the Happy Gnome this Saturday! Over 25 breweries will bring an astounding 55+ specialty brews for your drinking enjoyment. The line up remains a mystery but mnbeer.com reports that Surly will bring the following brews: 16 Grit, Bitter Brewer, Tea-bagged Furious, and Oak-aged Bender. Flat Earth Brewery will bring their Double Dry Hopped Angry Planet, IPA, and Black Helicopter. Fun names for fancy barley pop! And depending on your tolerance level, the event is relatively recession-proof -- a $5 admission and $1 beer-pour tickets inside (or use the one buck tix for food) ensure you won't drink your bank account dry.

Saturday, 2 p.m. to close, Happy Gnome, 498 Selby Avenue, St. Paul, $5 admission, $1 beer tickets

SPECIAL EVENT
Spring Renewal

Spring has (almost) sprung, so what better time to wipe your "Chi" slate clean! Head to the bright and airy Black Dog Cafe in Lowertown and treat yourself to an evening of sensory indulgence. Local specialists will be on-hand to provide chair massages, psychic mini-readings and healings, henna tattoos, reflexology and more, along with vendors selling beautiful handmade jewelry and wearable art. Pricing is a la carte so you can choose your own assortment of renewing treatments, and the Black Dog, as always, offers a tasty array of sips and nibbles to make the experience that much more delightful. Plus, what a perfect excuse to visit the arts mecca that is lovely Lowertown!

Saturday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Black Dog Cafe, 308 Prince Street, Lowertown St. Paul

ART
Figure in the Landscape

Twelve photographers. Four models. Five days. The culmination of this collaboration is wonderfully represented in this exhibit at Umber Studios, opening tonight! See stunning photographic work created on the picture-perfect landscape of South Dakota's Badlands. Lead by photographer Doug Beasley, as part of his Vision Quest Photo Workshop Series, the artists were challenged to work with the nude human form, the rich natural environment, and the cultural heritage of the area.  And our little secret: Umber's opening receptions are always a hoot!

Saturday, 8 p.m., Umber Studios, 3109 E. 42nd Street, Minneapolis, Free

MUSIC
Cloud Cult DVD Sneak Preview  

Although the title of the new Cloud Cult DVD, No One Said It Would Be Easy, could suggest the painstaking effort involved on the trek to fame, the path this local band has taken seems anything but. Or maybe its upbeat members are fabulous at hiding it. With a sound earning national coverage due to its use in E-surance commercials, Cloud Cult's following is not just local anymore. Tonight, the Varsity Theater invites you to a special screening of the band's epic story, created as both an introduction to and retrospective of the group, for newcomers and die-hard fans. Interviews are interspersed with tour and recording session footage. From their eco-friendly label Earthology Records (a small, home-made studio which runs on geothermal energy) to the multi-faceted artistic talents of the band's musician/painter members, Cloud Cult's musical philosophy remains constant. The film documents the history behind each of the seven full-length releases as well as the tragic lows and hopeful highs that have surrounded the band's individual lives. Purchase advance tickets through the Varsity Theater.  -Juleana Enright

Sunday, 5-8 p.m., The Varsity Theater, 1308 4th St. SE, Minneapolis, $5