Explore Minnesota Weekly Events Update - May 6, 2015
10,000 Minutes of Minnesota Craft Beer
10,000 Minutes of Minnesota Craft Beer is a week filled with Minnesota Craft Beer events across the state, from tap takeovers on the North Shore to beer tours of the Twin Cities to special firkin tappings in Southern Minnesota. Complete list of dates, times, locations and activities. Check out the many fun craft beer events taking place May 4-10 throughout the state.
Special Celebrations During Minnesota Museums Month
May is Minnesota Museums Month, a 31-day celebration of the more than 500 historic sites, art museums, zoos, gardens and science centers across the state. Whether your passion is history, science, art or even hockey, there’s a museum for you. Check out the many Minnesota museum events offered in May!
Other highlights this week include:
May 8-10, Rochester
Gold Rush
May 8-10, Harris, Lindstrom, North Branch, Schafer & Taylors Falls
St. Croix Valley Potters Tour
May 9, Fergus Falls
StepCrew
May 9, Walker
Dressed to Impress Style Show
May 8 & 9, Duluth
Duluth Junk Hunt
This semi-annual sale features the area's finest "junk" and all things vintage, antique, and re-purposed. Duluth Heritage Center. 218-348-5333
Southern Minnesota
May 8 & 9, Faribault
Norah Long & the Imaginators: Adventures in Childland
Norah Long and the Imaginators lead audiences on a magical interactive adventure of songs, poems, and stories from animated movies, children's classics, and children themselves! Part of the 2015 KGP Logistics Music Season. Faribault Art Center. 507-332-7372
May 8-10, Rochester
Gold Rush
The Gold Rush antique show & flea market is known to be one of the top antique destinations in the nation, with dealers from across the United States displaying their wares. Graham Park. 507-269-1473
May 9, Red Wing
Tour de Red Wing & Bark in the Park Walk-a-thon & Pet Festival
Start your day by biking the beautiful bluffs and valleys around Red Wing. Choose from 4 biking distances (10, 16, 37 or 43 miles) with supported aid stations (drinks and healthy snacks) along the way. Enjoy pancakes, sausage and fruit following the rides. Afterwards, head to Colvill Park for the Bark in the Park Walk-a-thon & Pet Festival, with training & agility demonstrations, nail trims, microchip implanting, races & games, face painting, art activities for people and pets, blessing of the animals, free refreshments, door prizes and goodie bags! 651-380-4296; 651-385-5286
May 9, Plainview
Carley Bluebell Festival
Highlights of the annual Carley Bluebell Festival include Mother's Day Wildflower Card activities, trout fishing for kids, archery in the park, guided wildflower walks, a plant sale, and wine tastings. Carley Park, downtown Plainview and Whitewater Wines. 507-534-2229
May 14-17, Lanesboro
Bluff Country Gathering
The Bluff Country Gathering is a four-day event presenting traditional American music, dance and singing styles. Workshops, conducted by a staff of nationally acclaimed musicians, singers, dancers and folklorists, are designed to pass along the traditions of old-time music. 507-467-2696, 507-467-3722
May 15-17, Preston
Preston Trout Days
The annual Trout Days celebration features a $500 fishing contest, kids' fishing tournament, 23rd Annual Car & Street Rod Show, 11th Annual Tractor Pull, street dance, family activities, children's games, garage sales, vendor expo, Grand Parade, fireworks, and more! 507-765-2100, 507-765-2153
May 16, Milan
Syttende Mai
Head to Milan for a wide array of traditional Norwegian arts, crafts, foods, and music on two stages, as well as the Uff-da Parade, children’s activities, authors & book signings, the Kviteseid Smorgaas Tea, and more! 320-734-4411
May 22-24, Dundas
Rice County Steam and Gas Engines Show
The 15th Annual Rice County Steam and Gas Engines Show includes a flea market, swap meet, consignment auction, exhibits, and tractor pull. Rice County Steam and Gas Engines showgrounds. 612-816-3131
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan vicinity
May 7-10, Burnsville
Mom!
Mom! celebrates the twists and turns, delights and dilemmas, rewards and regrets of parenting. This musical celebrates the humor and the terror of parenting. Narnia: The Ballet runs May 8-10 at the Ames Center. This world premiere of the Twin Cities Ballet's newest original full-length production is based on C.S. Lewis' classic book, "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." 952-895-4685
May 8-10, Harris, Lindstrom, North Branch, Schafer & Taylors Falls
St. Croix Valley Potters Tour
The 23rd Annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour and Sale is held at seven pottery studios in the upper St. Croix River valley, less than one hour drive from Minneapolis and St. Paul. Meet forty-seven accomplished guest potters from around the nation who have been invited especially for this nationally recognized event. St. Croix Valley Potters Tour map. 651-674-4656, 651-674-4555
May 9, Falcon Heights/St. Paul
National Train Day & Twin City Model Railroad Museum Hobby Show and Sale
The Twin City Model Railroad Museum celebrates National Train Day with two great events. Enjoy a Spring Hobby Show at the State Fairgrounds Education Building with operating layouts in several scales, over 200 tables of new and used scale models, toy trains, antiques, collectibles, tools, books, videos, magazines, prints, posters, photos and more! And don't miss all of the National Train day activities at the Museum with Amtrak and other passenger train layouts, coloring contest, photography competition, and free round trip historic bus rides between the Twin City Model Railroad Museum, the Jackson Street Roundhouse, the Union Depot and the James J. Hill House! Complete details. 651-647-9628
May 15-17, Lake Elmo
Shepherds' Harvest Festival
Minnesota's largest sheep and wool festival fills the Washington County Fairgrounds with music, food, artisans and animals. Enjoy fleece competitions, sheep shearing, fleece skirting demos, book-signings, sheep and goat exhibits, and the new Farm Work Dog Trial! 612-961-9625, 763-242-2488
May 16-18, Minneapolis
NEMAA Presents Art-A-Whirl
Art-A-Whirl is the largest open studio tour in the country with more than 500 participating artists. This is a great opportunity to tour private artist studios and galleries, connect with the artists, and purchase original artwork. Presented by the Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association. Complete details. 612-788-1679
May 24, Shakopee
Soundset Music Festival
Soundset is the world's largest hip-hop music festival selling out each year with 30,000 attendees. In addition to over eight hours of music on four different stages, enjoy a 150 vehicle car show, skateboard park, live graffiti and painting exhibitions, and more! Canterbury Park. 952-445-7223
Upcoming Twin Cities concerts and performances include:
Rush: R40 Live Tour 21015 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, May 12
Kids in the Hall at the Historic State Theatre in Minneapolis, May 16
Chicago at the Historic State Theatre, May 19
New Kids on the Block with TLC and Nelly at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, May 20
Jeff Beck at the Historic State Theatre, May 23
Dick Fox's Golden Boys at Mystic Lake Casino & Hotel in Prior Lake, May 29
Patti LaBelle at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, June 6
Seth Meyers at the Historic State Theatre, June 6
Bette Midler Divine Intervention at the Excel Energy Center, June 7
For more on these and other performances, contact Ticketmaster. 651-989-5151
Central Minnesota
April 6 - May 25, St. Cloud
For All the World to See: Visual Culture and the Struggle for Civil Rights
This nationally touring exhibition offers a compelling assortment of photographs, television clips, art posters, and historic artifacts depicting how the modern civil rights movement jolted Americans, both black and white, out of a state of denial and complacency. Stearns History Museum. 320-253-8424
May 8 & 9, Cold Spring
Songs from American Cities
Enjoy dinner and a concert by the Maennerchor at the Great Blue Heron. 320-224-6759
May 9, Fergus Falls
StepCrew
StepCrew is an unbelievable dance production featuring the world's top talents in Irish Stepdancing, Ottawa Valley Stepdancing, and Modern Tap. Fergus Falls Kennedy Secondary School Auditorium. 218-332-5425
May 9, Sauk Centre
Big Rig Show
Climb on all of the "Big Rigs" at the Sauk Centre Civic Arena. 320-352-5201; 855-444-SAUK
May 16, Glenwood
Scandinavian Festival Dinner Theater
This annual festival and celebration of Syttende Mai kicks off with a Scandinavian dinner show featuring The Flemming Fold performing a wide variety of high-energy, toe-tapping music including Americana (bluegrass, country, old-time, & gospel) and Alpine folk music with yodeling. Tickets include dinner. Reservations required. Central Square: Lee Paulson Stage. 320-634-0400
May 17, Willmar
Willmar Car Club Car Show and Swap Meet
See one of the largest shows in the area with 37 classes of cars, as well as cruises, dash plaques, goodie bags, drawings, shuttle bus to the mall and car museum, and '50s-70s music! Kennedy Elementary School. 320-444-0368
May 22-24, Brainerd
Street Car Showdown
The 7th Annual Street Car Showdown features Muscle Car Series drag racing and SCCA Harvey West Classic road racing. Brainerd International Raceway. 218-824-7223
Northwest Minnesota
April 7 - May 11, Lake Bronson
Sharp Tail Grouse Blind Viewing
See first-hand the comical and entertaining display of the male sharp-tailed grouse as they attempt to attract a mate on a real dancing ground, aka lek. This is truly one of nature's most spectacular events. Warm clothing, boots and reservations are a must. Lake Bronson State Park. 218-754-2200
May 9, Walker
Dressed to Impress Style Show
Local retailers gather together at Northern Lights Casino and Events Center to offer a fun and energetic afternoon with fashion, door prizes, coupons, food and fun. 218-547-1313
May 9, Ulen
Street Corner Renaissance a cappella group
Street Corner Renaissance, an a cappella group from Los Angeles, was recently invited to perform in Dubai! Don't miss their infectious energy and versatile show-set which combines the polish of a seasoned Las Vegas act with smooth harmony and soulful urban swag. Top Hat Theatre. 218-596-8854
May 12-18, Thief River Falls
Norwegian Heritage Week
This Scandinavian extravaganza celebrates Syttende Mai, Norwegian Independence Day, along with Scandinavian heritage. Enjoy exciting cultural events each day and evening including programs, presentations, old time dance, music, and a Syttende Mai dinner! Venues throughout Thief River Falls. 218-681-2116
May 14-17, Detroit Lakes
Detroit Lakes Festival of Birds
The 18th Annual Detroit Lakes Festival of Birds offers birders a chance to view more than 250 species of birds during spring migration. Enjoy numerous birding field trips and workshops, as well as a variety of exhibitors, special book signings and socials in this unique transition zone of tall-grass prairie, northern hardwood & conifer forests. 218-847-9202
May 22-24, Cass Lake
Memorial Pow Wow Traditional Pow Wow
The 2015 Memorial Pow Wow Traditional Pow Wow includes grand entries, flag raisings, a royalty contest, Jingle Dance Special, drumming, and more! Veterans Memorial Grounds & Palace Casino. 218-308-3120, 218-760-3127
Northeast Minnesota
May 8 & 9, Duluth
Duluth Junk Hunt
This semi-annual sale features the area's finest "junk" and all things vintage, antique, and re-purposed. Duluth Heritage Center. 218-348-5333
May 8 & 9, Tower/Ely
Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener Community Picnic and Birding at Bear Head
Lake Vermilion is the location of this exciting annual event. On Friday afternoon, May 8, head to downtown Tower for a Family Fun Community Picnic featuring a program by Governor Mark Dayton. Also enjoy games, casting contests, bouncy houses, sponsor booths, great food, live entertainment, merchandise displays, and even a fishing simulator from the Minnesota Fishing Museum. And on Saturday, head to Bear Head Lake State Park for a guided walk to listen and look for a variety of bird species within the park. 800-648-5897; 218-365-7229
May 9, Schroeder
What's Up with the Birds?
Join Margie for an update on her bird banding activities at Sugarloaf Cove. She will talk about the interesting birds she has banded over the years and the plans for this summer. Find out how you can help her band more birds while learning about our fascinating feathered friends. Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center. 218-525-0001
May 15-17, Grand Rapids
Gathering Partners in Natural Resources
Attend the 2015 Gathering Partners in Natural Resources Conference with field trips to nearby forests, educational sessions, workshops, and birding tours. Sponsored by the University of Minnesota. Sawmill Inn. 320-589-1711
May 16 & 17, Ely
Jeremy Rush Hiltbrunner Cystic Fibrosis Walleye Tournament
This annual walleye tournament on White Iron, Farm and Garden lakes in Ely is held each year to honor the memory of Jeremy Rush Hiltbrunner. Silver Rapids Lodge. And on May 16, take time to hunt for treasures during the 5th Annual City Wide Rummage Crazy Day Sale. 218-235-8134; 800-777-7281
May 22-24, Hinckley
Bird Bonanza Weekend
The 7th Annual Bird Bonanza Weekend is designed for birders of all ages and experience levels, with a chance to count your species in the birding marathon, get close to birds at the banding demonstration, submit images for the photo contest, and enjoy a variety of presentations and activities. St. Croix State Park, located 15 miles east of Hinckley on State Highway 48. 320-384-6615
