A LABOR DAY SHOW WORTH ITS METAL

A LABOR DAY SHOW WORTH ITS METAL

Robyn Schindeldecker

A venue that boasts authentic Ethiopian cuisine and a beer list that makes hopheads swoon seems an unlikely place for an impromptu mosh pit. Yet somehow, heavy metal music blends easily, if somewhat oddly, with the atmosphere of the Blue Nile Restaurant & Lounge. This Sunday, get a colossal serving of high-speed, high-decibel flavor in you ears at the Labor Day Metal Smash, a show featuring some of the area’s most fervent thrashers and grinders.

According to King Goro guitarist Tory Nelson, the Twin Cities metal scene is extremely diverse and welcoming. “It’s not the typical scene bombarded with giant dudes with their arms crossed who look like they’re not having fun,” he says. Although those guys do exist, a general feeling of community prevails, as musicians come together for shows, lend equipment to each other, and arrange gigs and tours together.

Sunday’s show will feature Nelson’s project King Goro, which began as a novelty band but has since evolved into something slightly more serious. “Our music has progressed in the year we’ve been together,” he says. “It’s noisy, sometimes sludgy, sometimes fast and heavy. It’s metal.” Bassist Paul Hermanson adds, “We call it ‘Beef Grind.’”

Rounding out the lineup are the riffing, screaming, yelling Dissident Clone, thrash masters LocKGnaR, and Agitate, with its the no-frills mincing grindcore.

“There will be lots of hair, drinking, moshing, laughing, and good times to be had,” Nelson promises. In short, everything that defines Twin Cities metal.

What? Labor Day Metal Smash

When? Sunday, September 2, doors at 9:00 PM

Where? Blue NIle Restaurant & Lounge, 2027 E Franklin Ave Minneapolis, MN 55404

For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/264808926958274/

YOUR WEEKEND, THRIFTY HIPSTER-APPROVED

YOUR WEEKEND, THRIFTY HIPSTER-APPROVED

Robyn Schindeldecker

Wishing to avoid the army of fanny pack-clad State Fair goers? Looking for something to supplement your umpteenth deep fried sustenance-on-a-stick? Here are three Thrifty Hipster-sanctioned options for the penultimate weekend of summer.

Summer Set Music & Camping Festival

DJ Abilities

The celebration is but a border away as the Summer Set Music & Camping Festival invades Somerset, Wisconsin on Friday. Spanning three days over three stages, this inaugural event seeks to raise the bar for festivals in the Midwest.

With over 40 acts, including jam band, hip hop, electronica, and indie rock favorites, this buffet-style lineup promises to be a sonic experience second to none. The headliners alone are a study in juxtaposition, as rappers Nas and Black Star go toe-to-toe with jam band stalwarts Umphree’s McGee and Big Gigantic and electronica powerhouse Pretty Lights. The local scene is well-represented, too, as Solid Gold, Prof, and DJ Abilities all inject their own unique flavor into this musical melting pot.

Complement the onslaught of aural stimulation with a host of other diversions such as a lazy river that borders the festival grounds, dances held inside a 3,000-capacity hockey rink, live body painting, and nightly onsite after-parties.

mmersetfestival.com/

Final St. Paul Saints Tailgating Party of the Season

Brats. Brew. Baseball. Fill up on these seasonal staples as Lucid Brewery and Thrifty Hipster host the final tailgating party of the season at Midway Stadium. Follow the smell of pulled pork and the shouts of people playing cornhole across the parking lot to the Thrifty Hipster tent. Afterward, settle down in the stands to watch the Saints face off against the Winnipeg Goldeyes in what is guaranteed to be an entertaining nine innings of hardball.

Dandylion Warpaint

https://www.facebook.com/events/127224094087194/

Wildcat Sanctuary Benefit at Triple Rock Social Club

What’s better than live local music? Live local music for a cause, as a portion of the proceeds from Saturday night’s show will benefit the Wildcat Sanctuary. The lineup features progressive dance rockers Vienna, indie five-piece Dandylion Warpaint, genre-spanning Soul Train, and tripped-out indie/soul/pop band MunQs. This is one show that will both lift your spirits and heighten your awareness.

https://www.facebook.com/events/391489787566288/

THEY'RE NOT PLAYERS, THEY JUST CRUSH A LOT

THEY'RE NOT PLAYERS, THEY JUST CRUSH A LOT

Robyn Schindeldecker

With the explosion in the number of festivals and block parties over the past few summers, Minneapolis can certainly add “City of Celebrations” to its list of unofficial titles. Enter the second annual Crush Fest, a sonic smattering of established local acts, fresh arrivals to the music scene, and out-of-town bands connecting with the pulse of our own fair city. Hosted by Cause Spirits and Soundbar and anchored by the eponymous Dream Crusher, this event promises to pack more punch into two evenings than you thought possible. (SPOILER ALERT: It’s possible.)

Bleubird

Both nights feature Dream Crusher, a collection of musicians from various Minneapolis bands including Me and My Arrow, Fort Wilson Riot, and Hardcore Crayons (all of which also take stage this weekend). A rotating lineup of players that differs on any given night and a menagerie of instruments culminates in a constantly evolving sound. This “Choose Your Own Adventure” format lets its members experiment and indulge without consequence, while keeping listeners both engaged and electrified.

Friday showcases the heavily-tattooed and bespectacled Florida rapper Bleubird. Armed with a rapid-fire delivery and lyrical wit, you won’t want to miss him perform from Cannonball!!!, his debut release that truly merits that exclamation point trifecta. The following night, Ghost Army will help you unleash your drunken phoenix with its terrifying psychedelic prog punk sound. Equally as fearsome as it is exhilarating, GA will remind you that when they’re on stage, chilling out is never an option. Afterward, feast your ears on Saltee, the improbable amalgamation of beatboxing, cello, and guitar.

Ghost Army

This is one festival that isn’t for the faint of heart, so crush your inhibitions and come let your whiskey-fueled dreams take flight.

What? Crush Fest II, 21+, $7
When? Friday, August 17, 7:00 PM doors and Saturday, August 18, 6:00 PM doors

Where? Cause Spirits and Soundbar, 3001 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408

KINSEN: BRINGING THE WORLD OF ENDLESS SPECIALS TO UPTOWN

KINSEN: BRINGING THE WORLD OF ENDLESS SPECIALS TO UPTOWN

Robyn Schindeldecker

Amid the hustle and bustle of Uptown’s core stands Kinsen Noodles and Bar, a venue with a cooly refined vibe that makes it distinct from its neighbors. Featuring pan-Asian cuisine, its culinary boundaries extend far beyond its Lagoon Avenue site to include menu items from Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, China, and Korea. Both its location and expansive menu make Kinsen the perfect place to drop in any day of the week. Your curiosity will be rewarded with one of many specials.

Monday Ease into the work week with a movie as Kinsen plays fan favorites such as The Big Lebowski and Anchorman promptly at 9:00 PM. This week’s feature is 80s classic The Goonies. Snag a free drink simply by telling your server Chunk’s real name in the film. Bonus: The entertainment is indoors, so you won’t get eaten alive by Minnesota’s unofficial state bird, the mosquito.

Tuesday It’s always Happy Hour somewhere, and on Tuesdays that somewhere is at Kinsen, which boasts Happy Hour prices all day long. Complement your cocktails with one of many filling and fulfilling noodle offerings. From Pad Thai to Red Curry to Udon Soup, all bowls are just $10. 

Wednesday Need a pick-me-up to get yourself over the hump? Fortify yourself with a full-size appetizer and find yourself rewarded with 2-4-1 drinks. Indulge in a specialty cocktail such as the Dirty Geisha (raspberry purée with Farmer’s Organic Gin on the rocks), or select from among the comprehensive beer and wine lists.

Bellying up to the bar.

Thursday Whether you’re on a blind date or a celebrating a relationship milestone, Kinsen offers a sumptuous, yet affordable Date Night. From 4:00-11:00 PM, get an appetizer, two entrées, dessert, and a bottle of wine for only $45. The sleek and sexy décor will undoubtedly act as an aphrodisiac.

Friday Kick off the weekend by kicking back with a $15 carafe of sake. After braving your way through the throngs of carousers that descend upon Uptown every weekend, you deserve at least this much. Let Kinsen’s eye-popping orange door act as a beacon for a much-needed respite from the surrounding chaos. 

Saturday Good: Wine. Better: Half-priced bottles of wine. Best: Half-priced bottles of wine all day long. Take your spirits outside and imbibe al fresco on Kinsen’s newly opened patio.

Sunday Beat the summer’s relentless heat and make it a Sunday Funday with $3 Bloody Marys, Greyhounds, and screwdrivers. The fun is even more pronounced for service industry workers, who receive a generous 40% off their bill.

What’s that? You want MORE specials? Well, Kinsen will gladly oblige. Every day is a Choose Your Own Adventure with $3 select bottles and taps of beer, rail drinks, and appetizers from 4:00-7:00 PM.

Come see for yourself how quickly a special can turn into an excuse for another (and another) visit to Kinsen.


Kinsen Noodles and Bar
1300 Lagoon Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55408

SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST: SUMMER SET MUSIC & CAMPING FESTIVAL

SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST: SUMMER SET MUSIC & CAMPING FESTIVAL

Robyn Schindeldecker

Need one last hurrah before summer comes to an end? Look no further than Summer Set Music & Camping Festival held in Somerset, Wisconsin. Spanning three days over the last weekend in August on three different stages, the inaugural celebration aims to set a new (and quite impressive) standard for festivals in the Midwest.

Nas

The extensive music lineup features jam bands, hip-hop, electronica, indie rock, and reggae performances, creating the perfect sonic storm. The confluence of over 40 musical acts spanning multiple genres will provide a jolt to your ear drums in what can truly be described as a one-of-a-kind musical experience. 

With an array of big name performers such as Nas, Black Star (Mos Def and Talib Kweli), Pretty Lights, Umphrey’s McGee, and Big Gigantic, the headliners alone invite the use of the “something for everyone” cliché. The festival also provides a showcase for local favorites such as Solid Gold, Prof, and DJ Abilities.

You can supplement the smattering of aural stimulation with dance parties held inside a 3,000-capacity hockey rink and a lazy river that borders the festival grounds. Nightly onsite after-parties will carry the revelry into the early hours of morning. Once you are thoroughly and blissfully exhausted from the day’s events, you can retreat to the campgrounds and recharge under the stars.

Come for the music, stay for the camping. And the dancing. And the carousing. And everything else that will make Summer Set a super-sized exclamation point to the season’s end.

What? Summer Set Music & Camping Festival

When? August 24-6

Where? Somerset Amphitheater in Somerset, Wisconsin

For tickets and additional information, visit www.summersetfestival.com.