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

Image from 'The Real Story of Little Red Riding Hood'

THEATER
Minnesota Fringe Festival 2009

When it comes to the 11-day pastiche that is the Minnesota Fringe Festival, the phrase "anything goes" is more than an understatement. As the largest performing arts festival in the Midwest, our Minnesota Fringe holds the cheeky title of largest, nonjuried, uncensored platform of Fringe work in the United States. Needless to say, its audience is in for an eclectic treat of hundreds of plays, improv, musicals, dance, satire, puppetry and original variety acts from local and guest performers. Not for the faint of heart, no topic is off-limits during the festival, and no prude is safe. Prepare to be shocked, appalled, moved, and endlessly entertained by the two-week-long revelry. For those with theater A.D.D., this year the Fringe offers the Fringe Odyssey program, a guided tour and deal package procured by seasoned Fringers to help you and your fest-going friends navigate the overwhelming maze of performances. The Fringe Festival starts tonight and runs through August 9th. Be sure to pick up your Fringe Button to receive discounts throughout the year at participating theaters. Visit the Minnesota Fringe website for a more in-depth look at shows and times. -Juleana Enright

Now through August 9th, Various times, Theater venues throughout Minneapolis & St. Paul, $12 Single tickets, $5 Kids 12 and Under, $10 Seniors, Students and MPR Members, $50-150 Package Deals

Extra: Keep your eye on SecretsoftheCity.com for Fringe coverage by our own festival blogger, Christopher Kidder.

ART
Hot Off the Press

Equal parts education center, publishing business, and art gallery, Minneapolis' Highpoint Cooperative is unlike any other printmaking studio in the Upper Midwest. Their accessible assortment of public programs combined with spacious workshop areas provide the perfect junction for professional endeavors to meet creative innovation. Join Highpoint for the opening reception of their annual Summer co-op exhibit, Hot Off the Press. Tonight's exhibit features the 21 local artists who make up the members of the community printshop, including Jon Vogt, Nate Christopherson, Anna Tsantir and Brian Hartley Sago. Meet the members and check out the printshop's new, state-of-the-art space while you enjoy tasty complimentary beverages and hors d'oeuvres. Original lithographs, relief prints, intaglio and unique screenprints will be on view and for sale during the event and through September 19th. -Juleana Enright
 
Friday, Opening Reception 6:30 - 9 p.m., Highpoint Center for Printmaking, 912 Lake Street West, Minneapolis, Free

SPECIAL EVENT
Red Bull Bailout

Red Bull knows all the cool kids! This Saturday, the O.G. energy drink teams up with the local skateboard purveyors of Cal Surf for a wild evening of grinding, ollies, kick-flips and more. And although our knowledge of skateboard lore ends with a few awkward games of "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater" played on a Sony Playstation many years ago, and a number of equally awkward makeout sessions with skater boys in our teen years, we here at Secrets of the City have always envied the coordination it takes to remain upright on a skateboard for more than 30 seconds. Tonight, watch in awe as those crazy kids trick their way to glory (glory being $2000 in cash and prizes) at one of the most notoriously hard-to-skate spots in the city: "Fed Four Stair," or, to those of us living in the land of the perpetually uncool, the "Minneapolis Federal Reserve Building."

Saturday, 5:30 p.m. registration and warm up, 6 p.m. event, Hennepin Bridge Plaza/MN Federal Reserve Building, South side of Hennepin Ave. Bridge on West River Road, Downtown Minneapolis, Free

SPECIAL EVENT
Common Room Opening

The recession has sparked a bevy of grassroots arts and entertainment movements, and we like it! The latest feat of collaboration comes from the quirky/cool mind of former SOTC writer Andy Sturdevant and cohort Sergio Vucci. The Common Room, an extension of the Soap Factory art gallery, is an intimate spot where both performers and spectators can entertain and interact in a casual setting. Tonight's opening party will feature an open acoustic jam with the Common Room Community Orchestra, who will play to the backdrop of old timey silent movies. Feel free to bring an instrument and join in, or simply sit back and enjoy. Keep your eyes peeled for more upcoming events at the Common Room including movie nights, game nights, readings, pot lucks, karaoke, dance parties and more.

Saturday, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., Soap Factory's Common Room, 110 5th Avenue SE, Minneapolis, Enter on the 5th Avenue side of the Soap Factory, not through the gallery entrance, Free

MUSIC
Summer Opera Soiree

Join Tempo and the Crescendo Project for a dramatic finale to the Summer season: a presentation of the classic Verdi drama, Aida. Mix and mingle with Crescendo and Tempo members as you enjoy a pre-opera cocktail at Peavey Plaza and the music of Salsabrosa. Then, prepare yourself for a beautifully composed evening of love, torment, sorrow as you enjoy the emotive Italian performance. -Juleana Enright

Update: Word on the street is this performance has sold out. But all are still welcome for outdoor drinks on Peavey Plaza -- work some of your social magic and who knows, perhaps you'll be lucky enough to snag a ticket after all.

Saturday, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., Orchestra Hall, Peavey Plaza, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, $42

Extra: Save the date! The MN Opera's uber-hip 'Opera Tasting' event is coming up September 19th. Get your tix now!