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

SPECIAL EVENT
Basilica Block Party

Hot summer days are here at last! The 15th annual church-sponsored drink-a-thon known as the Basilica Block Party goes down this weekend, with a surprisingly remarkable roster of musicians. Highlights include Tapes n Tapes, the Hold Steady, Counting Crows, the Black Crowes, and a fiercely anticipated reunion of original alt-country troubadours, The Jayhawks, who have not played together since ye olde 1995. And above all else, there will be the most spectacular people watching this side of the State Fair! -Robyn Lewis

Extra: This year, the Basilica Block Party has added some family-friendly fun, with games and entertainment on Sunday!

Friday & Saturday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday 10:30 a.m., Basilica of St. Mary, 88 N. 17th Street, Minneapolis, $40 per day or $70 for the weekend

THEATER
As You Like It

To the cast and crew of the theater company, Strange Capers, all the world truly is a stage. And the best place to entertain isn't inside a theater, but among the natural world. For this weekend's Shakespeare in the Park opening, nine talented local thespians take to the great outdoors in a lively rendition of the Shakespeare classic, As You Like It, directed by prolific local actor/director Randy Reyes. Drawing inspiration from the beautiful backdrop of the Mississippi River and Boom Island Park, the performers inventively and alluringly re-tell the frolicking tale of love in a enchanting forest, where song, dance, clowns, wrestlers, mistaken identity, and, our favorite Shakespeare theme (cross-dressing) reign supreme. -Juleana Enright

Extra: Read our interview with director Randy Reyes HERE.

Saturdays & Sundays through August 16th, 2 p.m., Boom Island Park, 724 Sibley Street NE, Minneapolis, Suggested Donation

SPECIAL EVENT
Zinefest

What is a "zine" you ask? Well, zines are handmade booklets of many shapes and sizes that are created do-it-yourself-style with copy machines, screen-print presses, typewriters and good old fashioned artistic ingenuity. This weekend's festival at Steven's Square Center for the Arts features over 40 zine-makers who will be peddling their artsy handmade periodicals. Ranging from topics such as old-time gangster history, bicycle repair, and even proper etiquette, these collectable creations are cool, pop culture artifacts. During the day there will be an open mic reading by exhibitors, a showing of a documentary and a "living zine" performance.

Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Stevens Square Center for the Arts, 1905 3rd Avenue S., Minneapolis, Free

Extra: Stop by Arise Bookstore after 6 p.m. for a special after party on the back patio with live music by Zombie Season, Bla Bla Blacksheep, Gerald Prokop, and Teenage Moods!

ART
The Art of Yo Gabba Gabba!

We bet you had no idea that some of the animation you see on popular kid's show Yo Gabba Gabba! was created right in our own backyard! The creative crew over at Minneapolis' Puny Entertainment (just adjacent to Pink Hobo Gallery) have lent their artistic expertise to the show since its inception, and tonight you'll get an insider's glimpse into the zany world of Yo Gabba Gabba! Pulling never-before seen sketches, animations, props and other such memorabilia from the large network of YGG contributing artists, Pink Hobo's colorful new exhibition will widen the eyes of young and old alike. Rooted in contemporary design, art, music and more, Yo Gabba Gabba!, while obviously geared towards the little ones, is also goofily appealing to pop culture enthusiasts. Show up early with the kiddies or come later to mingle with the hip art set, who we're sure will be out in full force!

Saturday, 5 p.m. to Midnight, Pink Hobo Gallery, 507 East Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, Free

SPECIAL EVENT
Bastille Day Block Party

Celebrate French Independence, American-style! Uptown cafe, Barbette, waves their berets in the air like they just don't care at this annual block party inspired by France's Fête Nationale. Munch on Barbette's tasty, organic French fare, suckle down a few brews or sip some wine while you rock out to the sounds of local luminaries The Idle Hands, Sims of Doomtree, Romantica, Halloween, Alaska. See street performances by aerialist Jim Domenick and the North Star Roller Girls, and shop for unusual knick-knacks at the flea market. Who knows? You may even get up close and personal with one of those freaky French clowns!

Sunday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Outside of Cafe Barbette, Lake & Irving, Uptown Minneapolis, Free