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

Photo by Andrew Evans, Voltage 2008

FASHION
Voltage: Fashion Amplified

Definitely the most hyped fashion event in the Twin Cities each year, Voltage: Fashion Amplified showcases some of the best and brightest designers our cities have to offer. Presented in true rock n' roll style at First Avenue Nightclub, Voltage combines music and fashion; local bands are styled by designers, and a runway show is presented during each musical performance. The premier event of MNFashion Week, Voltage is an absolute can't-miss for anyone who considers good style an art form. Featuring bands Gospel Gossip, Lucy Michele & The Velvet Lapelles, Maria Isa, First Communion After Party, and Mercurial Rage. With fashions from 2709, Allison Quinell, Amanda Christine, Arwyn Birch, Calpurnia Peach, Carmichael Claith, Emily Weich, Ivan Idland, Maritza Ramirez, and Max Lohrbach. Tickets are still available, but will most likely sell out -- click HERE to get your's now!

Co-sponsored by Secrets of the City!

Friday, 8 p.m., First Avenue, 701 1st Avenue N, Downtown Minneapolis, $30

READINGS
Raking Through Books: MN Book Awards Special Edition

Put on your spectacles and join us along with the Loft Literary Center and the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library as we host a conversation and celebration of the Minnesota Book Awards and our local book publishing scene. On the eve of the awards ceremony, editors and authors gather at our usual haunt, the Titanic Lounge in Kieran's Irish Pub, to talk about the writing, editing, and publishing processes.  Guests confirmed to date include Kao Kalia Yang and Chris Fischbach from Coffeehouse Press, Margaret Hasse and Norton Stillman from Nodin Press, Al Davis and Tim Nolan (New Rivers Press), Rae Katherine Eighmey (Minnesota Historical Society Press), and Chris Monroe (Carolrhoda Books). Find specially priced copies of the books at the U of M Bookstore.

Raking through Books is co-sponsored by The Loft Literary Center, the University of Minnesota Bookstore, KFAI, and Secrets of the City.

Friday, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Kieran's Irish Pub, 330 2nd Avenue S., Minneapolis, Free

Extra: Want to attend the Book Awards gala itself? Tickets may still be available HERE if you hurry!

ART
St. Paul Art Crawl

Get a major art fix in one shot this weekend, as the St. Paul Art Crawl kicks off its annual Spring open studio event. Traverse the workspaces of over 350 artists, mingle with like-minded creative souls, and (we can't stress this enough) buy local art! We love to surround ourselves with pretty things, but knowing the story, and the person, behind said pretty things definitely makes us cherish them more. This bi-annual crawl is quite the party as well, with lively conversation, refreshments, music, and colorful art as far as the eye can see. Stop into Lowertown's Black Dog Cafe for a glass of wine and free live music from The Fantastic Merlins on Friday, or Jello Slave on Saturday at 8 p.m., then explore to your heart's content. Free bus transportation (disability accessible) is available to carry visitors to the various buildings and from some of the parking lots. Watch for the yellow school bus with the Art Crawl signs. Buses stop at red "S" signs by many buildings as well.

Friday 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday Noon to 8 p.m., Sunday Noon to 5 p.m., Various Locations, St. Paul, Free

ART
We Don't Do Clever

Local painters Jennifer Davis and Jake Keeler are savvy enough about art openings to realize it takes more than a "clever" moniker for a new exhibit to standout. Tonight's premiere of We Don't Do Clever -- a dual display of the two artists' work -- avoids the hype and brings to the table exactly what it should: interesting, visually awesome, and thought-provoking art. Unknowingly long time fans of each other's work, Davis and Keeler finally have a chance to explore one another's creative thought-process for a show that mixes vivid colors, subtle surrealism and themes of anthropomorphism. The paintings, drawings and installation pieces highlights the artists' similarities and celebrates the differences in their individual styles. While you're there, don't miss a special debut performance from local band, The Book of Right On, and a set from resident gallery deejays Wes Winship and Mike the 2600 King. Good art AND good tunes?! If that's not clever, we don't know what is.

Saturday, 7-9 p.m., First Amendment Gallery, 1101 Stinson Blvd., Basement Rooms A & B, Minneapolis, Free

SPECIAL EVENT
White Knight

You know him, you love him, Minneapolis wouldn't be the same without him. Iconic Twin Cities artist, Scott Seekins, is one of our most recognizable fixtures. Dark, wild hair sprouting from a black headband, circular specs, and a neat little mustache set the tone for Seekins' signature style. Known for wearing a black suit during the cold months and a white suit in the spring and summer, you've surely seen this character roaming the streets with his "traveling art gallery" in tow. Tonight we celebrate the art scene's version of the Spring Equinox, as Seekins makes the official transition from black suit, to white. Loring park hot spot Nick & Eddie plays host to this quirky affair, where cocktails, prizes and an audience with "the artist" himself await. Wear all white and receive a free drink; dress up like Seekins and you may just win a dinner for two at Nick & Eddie plus a limited edition Seekins art print. A fitting end to MNFashion Week, say we!

Sunday, 8 p.m. to close, Nick & Eddie, 1612 Harmon Place, Minneapolis, Free