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

Photo of Arwyn Birch by Nic Marshall

SPECIAL EVENT
Twin City Scene Mixer

Where caffeine meets couture! Head Uptown this evening for an apt kickoff to Fashion Week. Secrets of the City's own Juleana Enright aka DJ Julie Grind provides the music, while the art and culture bloggers of TwinCityScene.com provide free wine and beer! Local designer Arwyn Birch will showcase some of her classically cute, girlish fashions and will be on hand to answer any pressing questions as well. Consider it a sneak preview to Birch's line that will be debuted this coming Friday at Voltage: Fashion Amplifed.

Extra: See our guide, Secrets of the Stylish for the full MNFashion Week Schedule plus a comprehensive list of Twin Cities shopping destinations!

5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (patrons can stay all night), Urban Bean Coffee, 3255 Bryant Avenue S., Minneapolis, Free

SPECIAL EVENT
Social Media Workshop

Join marketing and social media dynamo Christian Erickson of branding firm Zeus Jones (also recent winners of Microsoft's National Phizzpop competition) for this informative workshop at the Textile Center. Learn how to best use the free online resources that are available to you, and how to market yourself in the most effective ways. See examples of how fashion designers and other creative professionals use social media such as Facebook, Twitter and more to promote themselves. You'll even be invited to talk with Christian one-on-one for an evaluation of your current marketing plan. While this is also an official event of MNFashion Week, it's not just for the well-dressed; Erickson's advice is invaluable to anyone looking to get the inside scoop on promoting an independent business. Spots are limited, so click HERE for tickets asap!

7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Textile Center, 3000 University Avenue, Minneapolis, $30

SPECIAL EVENT
Sound Opinions

Listen in as Jim DeRogatis (Chicago Sun Times pop music critic) and Greg Kot (Chicago Tribune music critic) tackle the topic of "the Future of Music." This discussion will delve into the quickly evolving music scene and how traditional platforms such as retail stores and record labels are falling by the wayside as casualties of the digital age. DeRogatis and Kot will also chat about the creative ways musicians are now marketing themselves and connecting with fans in a more direct way. It's somewhat of an industry revolution, and the little guys seem to be pulling ahead. Get a big-picture analysis from those in the know tonight at the Cedar!

6 p.m., Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Ave. S, Minneapolis, Free