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

SPECIAL EVENT
Bakken Evening Out

Summer is our favorite time to visit the Bakken Museum! The electricity-themed educational center not only is home to a "shockingly" awesome array of cool exhibits within its walls, but the meticulously manicured grounds are definitely a sight to behold. The museum itself is a beautifully maintained historic manse on the west shore of Lake Calhoun that boasts extensive gardens on its property. The Florence Bakken Medicinal Gardens feature medicinal plants and English landscape-style perennial gardens. Celebrate summer tonight at The Bakken's monthly "Evening Out" event, with live music on the terrace, complimentary wine and appetizers, and a guided tour of the gardens in which you'll learn about the medicinal plants. Get tips from an expert herbalist, see and touch birds from the Raptor Center, then head inside to talk with the curator of the museum and guess the "mystery object" on display from The Bakken's vault.

5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Bakken Museum, 3537 Zenith Avenue South, Minneapolis, $7 (click here for a BOGO admission coupon!)

SPECIAL EVENT
TC Uncorked: Damn Good Scotch

TC Uncorked is on the verge of shedding its shy shell. While the membership organization has focused on offering a little education and a lot of wine sampling, it is now actively planning new, inventive gatherings at a wide range of venues. Hell's Kitchen hosts the group and real-live trained Scotch professionals (in kilts?) to let us taste a few Scotch Whiskeys. Prepare to be guided through the Highlands with selections from The Macallan and The Famous Grouse - including the newly released Naked Grouse. Rumors are that we'll sip a surprise treat from the Lowland isle of Islay.  Laphroiag? Caol Illa? Join us and find out.

TC Uncorked memberships are free, and don't be intimidated.  That's the whole point, as you'll see on their web page. When you sign up you'll receive info on upcoming events, like the Wine and Art gathering June 22 at Chambers, and special offers for members only.

7 - 9 p.m., Hell's Kitchen, 80 South 9th St., Minneapolis.  With membership, tickets are $35.  Seating is limited,, and tickets are NOT available at the door. For tickets, visit Twin Cities Uncorked.

READINGS
Raking Through Books

The Loft Literary Center and the rakish folks at Secrets of the City are intrigued!  With authors Greg Brick and Gretchen Kreuter, we'll plan our summer escapades as they lead us through historic sites, underground discoveries, and imaginative stories of the Twin Towns. In Subterranean Twin Cities (University of Minnesota Press), geologist, historian, and urban speleologist Greg Brick takes us on an adventurous tour into the myriad tunnels, caves, and industrial spaces that make up the Twin Cities' vast underground landscape. In her Women's History Tours of the Twin Cities (Nodin Press), Gretchen Kreuter invites us to explore the contributions made by women to the history of the cities, from the earliest years to recent times. Both are eager to offer tips and lead us through lively discussions of favorite haunts. Secrets will undoubtedly be unveiled. Co-presented by the Loft, Secrets of the City, KFAI, U of M Bookstores, and Kieran's Irish Pub

Also, try your hand at our Trivia Contest. The winner will receive a pair of tickets for a tour of the Wabasha Street Caves in Saint Paul! Books are available at a discount of 20% from the University of Minnesota Bookstore, and will be available for sale and signing at the event..

5:30 p.m., Kieran's Irish Pub, 330 2nd Avenue South, Minneapolis. FREE with complimentary appetizers, cash bar.