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

MUSIC
2009 Twin Cities Jazz Festival

Do you hear soft sax and heavy bass notes in the distance? No, Kenny G isn't serenading you outside the window. The Twin Cities Jazz Festival rides again for a weekend packed with excitement and musical zing. Celebrating the best in the genre, local and national and world jazz performers will be belting out scats and bebopping the blues in Lowertown St. Paul's Mears Park this weekend. Featuring Allen Toussaint, Esperanza Spalding, Jim Anglo, Atlantis Quartet, George Avaloz Quartet, Paula Berends, The New Standards, and Chastity Brown -- just to name a few! -Juleana Enright

Friday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday Noon to 10 p.m., Mears Park, 221 E. 5th Street, Downtown St. Paul, Free

ART
Hootenanny: A Community

If you're at all into local music you've no doubt heard of The Mad Ripple Hootenany. Created by notable music critic, author, and musician Jim Walsh, this long-standing music series has evolved from a jam session between friends to a legendary local showcase of songwriting talent -- and photographer Tony Nelson has been there to capture it all. Going a step further, however, Nelson has documented these passionate musicians in their natural habitats: their studios, homes, and the places that inspire them most. See this candid collection of images on display at the Gallery at Fox Tax, then head next door to the Red Stag for a special edition of the Mad Ripple Hoot, immediately following the reception.  

Friday, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Fox Tax Gallery, 501 1st Avenue NE, Minneapolis, Free (Runs through July 24th)

THEATER
Singin' in the Rain

Get your umbrella-ellas ready because no summer would be complete without sentimental romance -- and nothing says dewy-eyed love better than the musical Singin' in the Rain. The Ordway's  production of the 50's classic and endearing musical promises a performance overflowing with cheesy romance, dancing on air, memorable songs and a few set surprises, including a stage crew that'll "make it rain." Check your calendars, grab your tickets, and maybe even modify a rain jacket to sport to this delightful production. Runs through June 28th. -Juleana Enright

Friday, Saturday, Sunday (times and dates vary through June 28th) 8 p.m., Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 345 Washington St. N., St. Paul, $27-67

SPECIAL EVENT
I Heart NE Pub Crawl

Nothing like an ice cold pint (or 12) to cool off the summer heat. Head on down to ye old Nordeast for a chance to check out some places off the beaten path: places not crowded with yuppies, trend followers or other prickly creatures. Sip a few tall boys at the Northeast Palace, enjoy the stand up shower urinals at Stasiu's, gulp a refreshing "greenie" at Tony Jaro's, get classy at the 22nd Ave Station Bar (aka the Double Deuce), booze with some olde time reg's at Grumpy's NE, get a Bud and a Beer Stick at Jimmy's Bar & Lounge, stumble into the Knight Cap for another round, gobble down a killer roast beef at Mayslacks, make fun of hipsters at the 331 Club, cozy in the Spring Street basement, and sing karaoke with Princess at the Vegas Lounge! At the end, survivors will receive an "I Survived the I Heart N.E. Pub Crawl 2009" shirt. Registration fee also includes shuttle transportation and access to drink specials at the bars. -Juleana Enright

Saturday, shuttles depart 2 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m., Starting point/Check in: River Liquor Store, 2435 Marshall Street NE, Minneapolis, $20 pre-registrations/$25 day of event

SPECIAL EVENT
Stone Arch Festival

It seems like the past year just breezed right by! The 2008 Stone Arch Fest is still fresh in our minds, and rightly so. How could we forget such an epic summer event? With the mighty Mississipp as its picturesque background, the annual Stone Arch Festival of the Arts is a guaranteed good time. Take a bazillion arts and crafts vendors and add in delicious edibles, super awesome music and fantastic people watching and you've got yourself some primo weekend festivities. Stone Arch runs through Sunday, so bring your Pappy and make it an artsy Father's Day! Featuring live music by local faves The Idle Hands, Roma di Luna, Brad Senne, Eliza Blue and many, many more.

Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., St. Anthony Main, Minneapolis, Free

Extra: Looking to go on a mini road trip? Get out of the city and check out Art Soup: The Elk River Community Arts Festival -- bringing Art, Dance, Theater, and "Soup" to Historic Downtown Elk River. For more info, visit www.elkriverart.org