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

Photo by Darin Back

SPECIAL EVENT
Summer Music & Movies in Loring Park

Just when you thought we couldn't possibly list another "movies and music in the park" event, the Walker Art Center returns with their uber-cool annual series and we just couldn't help ourselves. The first event in this popular summer lineup features local quartet Halloween, Alaska; a catchy indie-pop outfit that has been garnering national attention with their latest release, Champagne Downtown. Following the music, settle in for a screening of Tennessee William's 1959 classic, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, starring a minxy young Liz Taylor. In case of rain, events will move to the Walker Cinema. Check the WAC site for upcoming "music & movies" events, which will run Mondays through August 10th.

Music at 7 p.m., Film at dusk, Loring Park, Minneapolis, Free

READING
Julie Kramer: Missing Mark

Head to St. Paul's Common Good Books this evening for a reading by buzzed-about local author Julie Kramer. Her first book, Stalking Susan,  made the national bestseller list and we expect the sequel, Missing Mark, will follow suit. The series' heroine, Ripley Spartz, is an investigative reporter who gets tangled up in a missing persons case involving a disappearing groom -- a case that has more layers than anyone initially suspects. Keeping the subject matter close to home, Kramer writes what she knows; her day job is that of a freelance television news producer for NBC's "Today" show, "Nightly News," and "Dateline." She was also a national award-winning investigative producer for WCCO-TV in Minneapolis. Tonight's reading will surely be full of mystery and intrigue!

7:30 p.m., Common Good Books, 165 Western Avenue N., Suite 14, St. Paul, Free

SPECIAL EVENT
Martinis and Manicures

This event is so girly it's almost cliché, but we really don't care! Our claws are in serious need of some maintenance and we never turn down a good martini. Grab your lady friends and head down to the W Hotel's Living Room bar for this chick-intensive evening of maxin' and relaxin' for the reasonable rate of just $17. The beautifiers of Denny Kemp Salon and Spa will be on hand to manicure your mitts and massage your Monday madness away whilst you sip a complimentary 'tini and complain about how inattentive your boyfriend and/or husband is. Martini & Mani Mondays kicks off tonight and will continue each Monday thereafter.

5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., W Hotel at the Foshay, 9th & Marquette, Downtown Minneapolis, $17 (tips not included), Call 612-597-2413 to RSVP