Art A Whirl 2013 in Northeast Minneapolis

The 18th Annual Art-a-Whirl kicks of in Northeast Minneapolis, Friday, May 17th at 5pm at the Casket Arts Building and runs through 5pm on Sunday, May 19th.  This event showcases some of Minneapolis' most talented artists, as well as a host of food, snacks, drinks, and concerts a nearby venues. Here is ThriftyHipster's top picks for events during this 2013 Art-A-Whirl Season:

Thursday Night Art-A-Whirl (May 16, 2013)

Honey hosts a Art-A-Whirl pre party with Live Art & Canvas Collaborations and Live Music. It's $5, but lots of artists from the weekend will be there.

Friday Night is the Official Kick Off (May 17, 2013)

And the public reception; Kick off Party/Silent Auction is the place to be to get great art, listen to KFAI DJ's and get a preview of the different studios... The auction opens tonight and ends at 5pm on Sunday (also HINT: Stop in on Sunday to place your last bid!)  At the Northrup King Building #332
We'll for sure be at the Solar Arts Building where Liminal Phase (Adam Levy's experimental band) is teaming up with visual artist Chris Park for a special video installation (711 15th Ave NE).
The Newest party on the block is at 612 Brewery, where they'll feature bands Friday and Staurday, as well as Food Trucks and the art of DWitt.

Saturday, May 18th, 2013 - Art and Parties all Day!

Grumpy's NE is always one of our favorites! The lawn and patio open to an all day party will be their 15th year of Art-a-Whirl shenanigans, this year featuring L'Assassins, Ol' Yeller, Pennyroyal, Seawhores, and more.

Another popular stop off is the 331 Club, where their free concert series keeps getting better each year! Shows start at noon outside, and moves inside after 10pm. Featured acts daytime include Parlour Suite, Marijuana Deathsquads, STNNNG (ep Release) and more. At Night, don't miss the 12am show with Story of the Sea. Prissy Clerks and Sleep Study open.
Dog Lovers should check out Psycho Suzi's for a patio party and puppy kissing booth, including the 1st Annual Puppy Fashion Show (2pm). Costumes for your pets encouraged (register your pet: 612-788-9069)

Check out below for resources, ThriftyHipster's top gallery picks, and more...

Sunday, May 19th, 2013 - Parties end at 5pm

Make sure you stop over to the Northrup King Building #332 to put your final bid in, 5pm the Silent Aution Ends!
The 331 Club keeps the party rocking with Sunny Era, Night Moves, and more all day!

Art-A-Whirl Resources

Don't miss the Rivard Art Gallery, which will have custom designed skateboards, $10 prints, and usually is a great scene/party for those looking to enjoy art and a drink. (2205 California St NE building, #514) 

Also, Northrup King Building is hosting the MCAD MFA Thesis Exhibition, with over 20 graduates and their works for a steal!  Open all weekend, but the party goes down at 6pm - 9:30pm Friday night.

At Night, you might plan to head closer to St. Anthony Main, where you can visit the Fox Tax Gallery and then stick around for happy hour at the Red Stag, who will have music Friday and Saturday night

• Download the Art-A-Whirl Map (pdf)
• Art-a-Whirl Artist Directory
• Free Bus Pass (good Sat & Sun) 
• NEMAA - for all the rest of the info

Some of Rivard Gallery's Skateboards

Too Many Parties this weekend!

Summer in Minneapolis has begun.  Kicking it off with tons of great parties and events all weekend!  But the real indicator is the start of block parties.  For the next 20 weeks or so, we're going to have a beer fest or block party of some sort. So get ready...  Sometimes it's hard working at Thrifty Hipster.

Art-a-Whirl Weekend!

There are too many good parties to note, so we'll just tell you where we'll be. FOR A FULL OFFICIAL LIST HERE IS THE LINK.

Starting Friday Night, the Fox Tax Gallery is hosting a kick-off party from 5-10pm. Party all the Time! That is the theme of this artistic glance in to the life of an adolescent; young people living a life of opposites.  Plus, Mr. Fox knows how to throw a great party (afterparty to follow).

Personally, I'm torn because the Leg Up Studio is the RAW Artists kickoff spot AND Father You See Queen will be playing.  Add in some free food from the Red Stag, and this art opening is sure to be sweet. Plus, it if does on the very off chance suck, the Leg Up Studio is in the Casket Arts Building (681 17th Ave NE #119, 55413) so there will be options.

I also promised Kate at L'etoile that we'd try to make it down to Co-Lamity at the Co Exhibitions, but it looks like they'll have DJ's and some great bands on Saturday, so I'll drop by then.

Saturday is just as much about the music as the art it's looking like!  As mentioned, the Co Exhibitions is having quite the bash; the closing party for Isaac Arvold's Second Hand Emotion exhibit with DJ Sets Get Cryphy's Last Word & Jimmy 2 Times a live performance by Wolf Lords (featuring Aby Wolf & Grant Cutler), plus a super special performance by Seawhores, complete with mind-bending multi-projector visuals and an experimental set.

I'm also planning on making it over to see our friends at Anchor Fish & Chips; they're launching their new food truck and having a little bit of a bash themselves. Starting at 2-8pm (Saturday and Sunday) with The Knightinghales, National Bird, and Romantica to name a few. (Sunday the party continues with Jen Markey, Black Audience, and Magic Castles).

The 331 Club is also a great party, and they usually are in full swing during the day! The true hipster spot, where BNLX, Buildings, Me and My Arrow, and a ton of others will be outside in their lot.

Chuck U at Art-a-Whirl 2011

Beyond Art-a-Whirl

There is plenty happening outside of Northeast Minneapolis this weekend too!

Friday Night you can join Mayor Rybak for a Ribbon Cutting in front of Vertical Endeavors on Eat Street.  Food sampling will be provided and the New Standards are playing for free!  Afterwards, we'll be having a few friends next door to help us with a keg the boys from Lucid Brewery dropped off yesterday.

Saturday Night,  George Clinton is doing a set at the Brick and that seemed awesome! Every time I see him is honestly the last time I every wore myself ragged dancing, so how could I miss that chance?

And Sunday, who could forget about the Lyn-Lake Street fest?  We were a bit worried when they didn't have a headliner 3 weeks ago, but Halloween Alaska signed down, so I went from worried to pumped in a matter of seconds! Mayda, Communist Daughter, and a bunch more will be on 2 stages, with food from the Tap House, Moto-i, and all the rest.
(of course, James Diers is next Thursday and the other guys from Halloween Alaska are playing solo sets all week at Barbette!)

Artsy A-List: A brand new gallery opens this weekend!

The Grand Opening of Light Grey Art Lab: Patterns & People on 3/16 at 7pm:

There is something that makes me genuinely teary-eyed when it comes to new galleries being brought to life. It is always a great feeling to know that there are artists out there devoted to art and they want to bring more of it to the community. The thing about galleries is that you can be anyone and walk through that door. The world of art is so open to different understandings of each individual's work and there is something quite delightful about a piece of art resonating with you, no matter who you are. Light Grey Art Lab isn't just your typical space of pieces on the wall - it is so much more than that. They utilize the space by teaching art classes, throwing art fairs & having lectures. So to celebrate the instructor's individual work and the opening of the space, they want the community to come out to party. There will be refreshments, music & an art raffle. They are located on the corner of Stevens Ave & 26th st. I would anticipate some awesome events in the months to come, too!