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

Photo courtesy of the MIA

SPECIAL EVENT
Third Thursday: Tour de Force

Pedal on down to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts "Third Thursday" party for an artful celebration of all things bicycle related! This themed monthly soiree will feature such bike-friendly highlights as a create-your-own "vintage" French bike poster; a self-guided tour celebrating transit-related works of art in the museum's collection; a screening of 1948 Italian Neorealist classic, The Bicycle Thief; stylin' bicyclist fashion by Ruby3's Anna Lee; and the folky-goodness of local indie darlings Kid Dakota. Roll on up on your two-wheeler and receive free bike valet at the Third Avenue entrance!

6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 2400 Third Avenue S., Minneapolis, Free

Extra: Pre-party at One on One Bicycle Studio from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., with a 6 p.m. group-ride over to the MIA!

SPECIAL EVENT
Minnesota Fringe Downtown Showcase

As the Twin Cities gears up for the annual Fringe Festival (July 30-August 9), related events seem to be cropping up right and left, including numerous preview showcases featuring tasty samplings of what's to come. One such showcase occurs tonight at the beautiful downtown Central Library and features 10 bite-sized previews by artists who live or work in Downtown Minneapolis. This evening's showcase is an amazing way to weed out which plays you may or may not want to see during the actual festival, which can easily overwhelm with almost 200 productions on its schedule. Not to mention, you get to go to the Library, which nerdily enough, always makes us giddy.

5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Minneapolis Central Library, Pohlad Hall, 300 Nicollet Mall, Downtown Minneapolis, Free

Extra: Peep the Fringe site for more showcases leading up to the actual festival HERE.

SPECIAL EVENT
Raking Through Books

Sean Carabini married an American girl - from Minnesooota - and learns that even though Ireland and MInnesota share a common language, a funny guy from Eire has lots to learn. Join the happy hour (later than usual for summer) Raking through Books crowd for a relaxed evening of stories and discussion centering around Carabini's book, Sticking out in Minnesota: A Dubliner's Journey.   Food and beverages are available for purchase. Presented by The Loft Literary Center, Secrets of the City, and Kieran's, with support by University of Minnesota Bookstore, and KFAI

7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Kieran's Irish Pub, 330 2nd Av. S., Mpls, free