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

ART
Matthew Bakkom: Strange Victory

Minneapolis native Matthew Bakkom has shown his stunning artwork across the country from New York galleries to exhibitions in Paris, Berlin and Dublin, but his latest solo piece, Strange Victory, brings him back to his roots to explore his memories of personal achievement. Using a scanner as an artistic tool, Bakkom has created a unique series of works highlighting "uncooked digital information," and a connection between artist and audience through time and space, the seen and the unseen. Don't miss a peek into his successful journey as the Burnet Art Gallery celebrates with tonight's opening reception. The exhibit runs through November 8th. -Juleana Enright

Friday, Reception 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Chambers Burnet Art Gallery, 901 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, free

ART
American Youth

American Youth features the work of 25 photographers represented by Redux Pictures, capturing the newest generation of 18 - 25 year olds in direct, no-nonsense detail.  Along with the release of the collection in a 240-page book, the exhibit features 50 photos, including a shot by former Twin Citian Mark Peterson (recipient of a Eugene Smith support grant) of a JROTC in her prom dress. Mpls Photo Center continues to combine exhibitions with talks, workshops, and plenty of space for fans, hobbyists, and pros to share in discussions and discovery of the art of photography.The opening reception on Friday, October 2, with photographers Mark Peterson and Erika Larsen in attendance, will be followed by workshops over the weekend by these busy contributing photographers. Workshops are limited in size, so email education@mplsphotocenter for more details.  As for the reception, indulge in the wine and cheese and the realism of American Youth. Sponsored sampling by Crispin Natural Hard Cider

Friday, Reception 7 - 11 p.m. Mpls Photo Center, 2400 N. 2nd St. Mpls, MN  55411, free

ART
Travel Stories

We can always count on Altered Esthetics Gallery to surprise us with cleverly themed group shows. Tonight, travel Northeast and check out work by local and international artists who tell tales of vacations, road trips, adventures and more through visual art. See postcards that AE fans have sent to the gallery detailing their own travel stories and contribute your own to be displayed with the show. So, shake the sand off your art-viewing flip-flops and get down to Altered to swap stories, gaze at art, and enjoy some refreshments and good company. Through October 29.

Friday, Reception 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Altered Esthetics, 1224 Quincy St. NE, Minneapolis, free

ART
Fall Art Tour

Sometimes we glaze over the many amazing art exhibits that are held in the galleries of local educational institutions -- not because we don't care, but simply because a lot of them open quietly, without receptions or much off-campus fanfare. The Fall Art Tour looks to rectify that lack of fanfare with a festive crawl of 11 college gallery spaces! Hop on the shuttle and cruise to campus galleries at such locales as Macalester College, Concordia University, Augsburg College, University of St. Thomas, College of Visual Arts and many more. Traverse the galleries, enjoy live music and refreshments and take your sweet time -- the shuttles run every 20 minutes so you'll never have to wait long to hop to the next. You can also opt to print out the handy map and drive yourself!

Saturday, Various locations, Twin Cities, Free, Click HERE for locations

MUSIC
Lookbook CD Release Show

While one is the loneliest number and three's an uncomfortable crowd, electro darlings, Lookbook prove it just takes two (baby) to run a proper electronic sound show. Although the infectious duo may not be a household name yet, give it time; with their excitable fan base and a little help from the old fashion word-of-mouth, Lookbook is definitely on the rise. Evoking power-packing, magnetic vocals a la Chrissie Hynde, Maggie Morrison lends her echoed voice to heartbreaking lyrics while reverb master Grant Culter - dressed like an homage to 70s pornstars - lays synth-laced and drum machine flair to what is quite possibly the best electro album the Twin Cities has seen in years. With a heavy-handed '80s throwback sound, their new album, Wild at Heart, will have you strutting your stuff on the dance floor like a Jennifer Beals incarnate in no time. The anticipated first full-length EP drops this Saturday at the Kitty Cat Klub with special local guests one-man-calypso project Shahs, dreamy pop minimalists, Zoo Animals and DJ Skullbuster. We guarantee you'll fall in love with the Lookbook upon contact - be it metaphorical, physical or strictly audio. -Juleana Enright

Saturday, 9 p.m., Kitty Cat Klub, 315 14th Ave. SE., Minneapolis, 21+, $5

SPECIAL EVENT
Rockstar Storytellers

The Rockstars kicked off their third season of sassy storytelling last month at the BLB (we're impressed!) and tonight they return once again with an aptly Octoberish theme: Horror and Mystery. Join host Allison Broeren as she supports some of the best yarn spinners in town for spooky session of literary wonderment. Performers include Mike Fotis, Allegra Lingo, Ben San Del, Dave Mondy, Laura Bidgood, and Amy Salloway along with special guest and sci-fi scribe, Rob Callahan, whose clever writings have graced the web-pages of Secrets of the City. The perfect weekend wind-down, if you ask us -- and you did if you're reading this Secret!

Sunday, 7 p.m., Bryant Lake Bowl Theater, 810 W. Lake Street, Minneapolis, $12 ($10 with Fringe button)