December 16, 2015, Wednesday - Sawatdee Holiday Wine Dinner (benefits People Serving People)

Time:  5:00pm – 9:30pm

Location: Sawatdee Restaurant, 607 Washington Avenue South

Sawatdee Holiday Wine Dinner

Sawatdee is offering a two-course wine dinner for two people that will benefit People Serving People. The dinner includes a sampler of three first course appetizers, a choice of two entrees and three choices for a bottle of wine. The price will be $40 for two people, with $6 going to People Serving People.

People Serving People serves homeless children and their families, providing new opportunities for a healthy, stable family life.

December 14, 2015, Monday - Later with Lisa at The Normandy Inn

December 13, 2015, Sunday - Swing Brunch at Aster Cafe

Time: 11:00am - 2:00pm

Location: Aster Cafe, 125 Main Stree SE

Today: Swing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons

December 13, 2015, Sunday - Wee Book Series at MCBA

Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Location: Minnesota Center for Book Arts, 1011 Washington Avenue South

Family Class: Sunday Wee Book Series

Love miniature books? In this new series of playful, hands-on classes, learn how to make a bunch of them in no time at all! Great for families with kids, or for kids-at-heart. Four classes will be offered, each of which will focus on different binding styles. This class will include the following styles: Mini Hidden Page Book; Mini Stab Bound Book and Mini Japanese Pocket Folder.

For grades 1 and up. Adult/child pair: $32 ($29 members) + $6 supply fee; additional participant (adult or child): $16 ($14.50 members) + $3 supply fee.

Individual adult participant: $20 ($18 members) + $3 supply fee. To register: http://www.mnbookarts.org/event-registration/?ee=824

December 13, 2015, Sunday - Johnny & Molly of Communist Daughter Sing Sad Christmas at Southern Theater

Time: 7:30pm

Location: Southern Theater, 1420 Washington Avenue South

Johnny & Molly of Communist Daughter Sing Sad Christmas
Presented by Johnny & Molly of Communist Daughter

Johnny & Molly of Communist Daughter, return to the Southern Theater bringing their soaring harmonies and lyrical songwriting to sing some of the saddest songs they know for the Christmas season.

Hear their take on Christmas murder ballads from 100 years ago, songs from Joni Mitchell and the Pogues about lost chances from holidays past and many more including favorite sad songs from the Communist Daughter catalog.

They've been to 48 states and played over 150 shows in the last year performing in living rooms and lofts and this is one of the rare chances to see them in a public, theater setting. Hear the harmonies soar through the beautiful Southern Theater and listen to what Filter Magazine calls the "bittersweet, autobiographical harmonies of one of Minneapolis' greatest singer/songwriter."

Chicago Sun Times says they are "filling the void left by the Civil Wars break-up"

Get your tickets asap for this rare chance to go behind the music of one of the Twin Cities favorite up and coming bands.

Performance run time: 90 minutes, with no intermission.

General Admission: $12 + $3 Facility Fee

December 12, 2015, Saturday - Downtown Community Choir Rehearsal at the Guthrie

Time: 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Location: Guthrie, 818 S 2nd Street
 
The Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association, MacPhail Center for Music and Emanuel Housing have partnered to pilot a free community choir.  All abilities welcome are welcome and there is no cost to participate. J.D. Steele has graciously agreed to lead the choir. Contact Joan.Bennett@thedmna.org to pre-register.

Check out our article in the Mill City Times for more background.

December 12, 2015, Saturday - Santa at the Christmas Tree Ranch

Time: 10am-2pm and 4pm-7pm

Location: The Christmas Tree Ranch, 522 E Hennepin Avenue

Santa at the Ranch!

 

* Bring the kids, take your picture with Santa!
* Warrm yourself with a cup of hot cocoa, coffee or cider!
* Holiday movies daily in the warming hut!

NEW AT THE RANCH THIS YEAR:
1. DELIVERY SERVICE!
2. PRE-ORDERS...
Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/566799390134004/

TREE RANCH HOURS:
Mon-Fri: 12pm-9pm
Sat-Sun: 10am-9pm

December 12, 2015, Saturday - Mill City Farmers Market in Mill City Museum

The Mill City Farmers Market has moved indoors for their monthly Winter Markets - 10:00am to 1:00pm every second Saturday thru April 9 inside the Mill City Museum.  Plus there are a few bonus dates as noted on the below schedule:

December 12, 2015, Saturday - History Day Hullabaloo at Central Library

Time: 11:00am-3:00pm

Location: Central Library, Room N-361, 300 Nicollet Mall

History Day Hullabaloo

Also - January 23, 2016 11a-3p

For teens. Get personalized help with narrowing your topic, developing your paper, identifying primary resources and finding the best library materials. Librarians, Minnesota History Day staff and mentors from the University of Minnesota will help you make sense of and break down your project into workable phases. Plenty of time for questions.

This project is funded with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
Presented in collaboration with Minnesota Historical Society ; Presented in collaboration with MELSA (Metropolitan Library Service Agency).

December 12, 2015, Saturday - Opening Reception for Winter Book: From the Center: On Community and the Practice of Making at MCBA

Event schedule:

6pm: Public reception
7pm: Reading by several contributors
Book signing and desserts to follow

Location: Minnesota Center for Book Arts, 1011 Washington Avenue South

JOIN US in celebrating MCBA's twenty-fifth Winter Book: From the Center: On Community and the Practice of Making

In celebration of MCBA’s thirtieth anniversary, From the Center: On Community and the Practice of Making features writing by members of MCBA’s artist community for the first time in Winter Book history. In a collection of short essays and poems, contributors reflect on what it means to work in a community and practice book arts processes such as binding, letterpress printing, and papermaking.

For more information on MCBA's Winter Book celebrations and to purchase a copy, please visit our website.

December 12, 2015, Saturday - Taste Twin Cities Downtown Minneapolis Skyway Tour

Time: 11:00am

Location: Tour begins at LaSalle Plaza (800 LaSalle Plaza)

Taste Twin Cities Downtown Minneapolis Skyway Tour

What You Need to Know
•Indoor 3 hour walking tour in the heart of downtown Minneapolis using the skyway system
•Flat route with slight inclines and declines, approximately .8 of a mile, bathrooms available at some stops
•5 stops
•Tour limited to 12 people, advance tickets required.  Private tours available year round for larger groups.
•Begins at LaSalle Plaza (800 LaSalle Plaza), located on Hennepin Ave between 8th & 9th Street; ends at Metro Building (80 9th Street S)
•$45/pp

Tour Description

While it's chilly outside, join us as we weave our way through the cozy corners of downtown Minneapolis skyways on a food adventure.  We will stroll through the "Broadway" Theatre District and enjoy VIP service as we visit some of the newest and hottest award winning restaurants downtown has to offer. The tour includes seeing the Minneapolis skyscraper that was modeled after the Washington Monument and visiting the famous Statue of Mary Richards tossing her hat.  Along the way we will also visit quaint eateries that have pride in local ownership; including a favorite since 1932.  You will participate in tea sampling and learn the secrets behind the great food you are enjoying.  You'll leave the tour with a tasty experience of some of the best food finds Minneapolis has to offer all while learning history of downtown and soaking in the local culture.

Tastings
•Mouth watering flat bread pizza at a local hot spot
•Fine chocolates to be savored
•Locally brewed Minnesota draft beer paired with appetizer (non-alcoholic tastings available)
•Ham and Pear Crisp Sandwich with fresh home-made chips from the restaurant that has "damn good food"!
•Sinfully delicious variety of cupcakes (private tours only)
•Deliciously sweet and salty popular Chicago Mix® popcorn
•Sip on warm and comforting loose leaf tea (private tours only)
•Variety of a delicious French pastry; the Macaroon (private tours only)
•Featured on the Cooking Channel Unique Sweets - Bourbon Whiskey Caramel Donut Bread Pudding Loaf (private tours only)

*Tastings subject to change without notice. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated.

December 11, 2015, Friday - Macbeth Opens at Film Society’s St. Anthony Main Theatre

 

MACBETH opens at The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul's St. Anthony Main Theatre

 

Official Synopsis:

From the producers of The King’s Speech comes the story of a fearless Scottish General, Macbeth (Michael Fassbender), whose ambitious wife (Marion Cotillard) urges him to use wicked means to gain power of the throne. A thrilling interpretation of one of Shakespeare’s most famous and compelling characters, Macbeth is a dramatic reimagining of the realities of war-torn times and a tale of all-consuming passion and ambition. Academy Award® winners Iain Canning and Emile Sherman of See-Saw Films (Shame, Tracks, Mr Holmes) produce with Laura Hastings-Smith (Hunger).

December 10, 2015, Thursday - Can we talk? A Conversation with Funders About Funding at Southern Theater

Time: 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Location: The Southern Theater, 1420 Washington Avenue S

Can we talk? A conversation with funders about funding.

It’s more than just writing a stellar proposal or competing with your peers. Grants are a relationship between funders and recipients.

Join us as we examine this relationship. This December, we’ll be having a conversation with funders and experts about the funding process. What are some of the most significant challenges foundations experience when working with applicants or grant recipients? What are the things organizations and artists should keep in mind as they approach the funding process? And, as we consider both sides of the conversation, what are things we want funders to be mindful of for the organizations and artists they are working with?

We’re assembling a panel of open-minded, awesome representatives from some of the leading foundations and nonprofits and we want you to join us for a healthy discussion. Come with questions, concerns, and your listening hat as you familiarize yourself with the nuances of the foundation-grantee relationship.

Guests are invited to submit questions in advance of the event using the following form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/11899OaTddKdTDy0OIpSnQMWsEQ01CwFbI7Qen9vSJnU/viewform?usp=send_form

Panelists:
 - Kathee Foran, Minnesota State Arts Board
 - Sarah Lovan, McKnight Foundation
 - Jeff Prauer, Metropolitan Regional Arts Council
 - Jun-Li Wang, Springboard for the Arts
 - Session will be moderated by: Jamie Schumacher, West Bank Business Association

Tickets

December 10, 2015, Thursday - Holidazzle in Loring Park (Weekends thru Dec 20)

Join the Minneapolis Downtown Council and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board at the 2015 Holidazzle. It's taking place in Loring Park, is free and open to the public, and even includes a skating rink!

Thursdays through Sundays:
Thursdays & Fridays from 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Saturdays & Sundays from 11:00am – 9:00pm

Enjoy holiday movie classics that have brought us together to enjoy the season for generations. Upcoming schedule includes:

Sunday, December 13 | 5 pm: Home Alone
Sunday, December 20 | 5 pm: Frozen

More Info

December 10, 2015, Thursday - “Oliver Holiday & the Yuletide Caper” at First Covenant Church (2 nights)

Time: Doors 7:00pm, Show 7:30pm

Location: First Covenant Church, 810 S 7th Street

“Oliver Holiday & the Yuletide Caper”

From the makers of Bear & the Barrel, comes the riveting story of Oliver Holiday & the Yuletide Caper. Oliver is not just any Christmas detective, he has a special kind of something that you can't deny makes him the perfect man for this case. Come join the cast and witness this great tale, along with a wonderful variety of acts making this an event not to miss.

2 Shows: Thursday December 10 and Friday December 11

Get your Tickets! Tickets $10, kids 12 and under get in free!

December 10, 2015, Thursday - Little Box Sauna at Piazza on the Mall (3 days)

Little Box Sauna Heats Up the Piazza on the Mall this Holiday Season!

Little Box Sauna (LBS), a project of MRAJ Architects  has teamed up with the 612 Sauna Society and The Musicant Group to bring the nordic sauna experience The Piazza on the Mall this holiday season! 

The Little Box Sauna will be open for three, 1.5-hour shifts between 5-9:30pm on:

December 10th-12th (Th, Fr, Sat)
December 17th-19th (Th, Fr, Sat)

Every sauna experience will be accompanied by:

Free sauna with towels, t-shirts, and water
- Hot drinks
- Kubb and winter lawn games
- Fire pits and s'mores
- Friday Specials!
- Every Friday we'll have special programming to enhance the experience for sauna goers and the public alike!

Storytellers - Dec 11th
Singing Circle - December 18th

Walk-ins will be welcome, but in order to secure your spot, you must secure a (FREE) ticket, at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/little-box-sauna-sign-up-tickets

December 9, 2015, Wednesday - Sip of Science at Aster Cafe

Time: 5:30pm

Location: Aster Cafe (River Room) 125 SE Main Street

RSVP for Sip of Science 

December Sip of Science - If we found rock evidence for life on Mars, what might it look like? Microbialites from ancient lakes with Tom Hickson, Professor, University of St. Thomas.

The Mars orbiter has used remote sensing techniques to demonstrate the presence of active groundwater seeps on our planetary neighbor.  The Curiosity Rover has sent back stunning images of deposits that indicate flowing water and, from Gale Crater, what look like lake deposits.  If standing water had been present on Mars, it is more likely to have been in the form of lakes, not widespread oceans.  If life inhabited these lakes, it would be more likely to be microbial in origin.  Geologists have studied marine microbialites (rocks that formed under the influence of microbes), mainly stromatolites, for many decades. 

However, these marine microbialites differ in important and significant ways from those formed in modern and ancient lakes.  We should expect to find lacustrine (lake-influenced) microbialites on Mars if life had established itself there.  Ancient lacustrine microbialites here on Earth, mainly from the Cenozoic, provide excellent examples of what to expect if we encounter them on Mars.  In this talk, University of St. Thomas geology professor Tom Hickson will cover the basics of microbialite formation, the macro- and microscopic textures of lacustrine microbialites, and some basic microbialite chemistry. We will then focus on ancient and historical lakes from southern Nevada, with examples from other units in the Western U.S.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Thomas Hickson is professor of geology and environmental science at the University of St. Thomas.  He graduated from Stanford University in 1999 and completed a post-doc at the St. Anthony Falls Lab immediately before coming on board the St. Thomas faculty in 2000.  He is engaged in active collaborative scholarship with undergraduate students to understand the tectonics, paleoclimate, and landscape evolution of the Lake Mead region (Nevada) during the Miocene.

No cover; food and drink available for purchase.

December 9, 2015, Wednesday - Live Artist Denise Houk at The Depot

Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Location: Stone Arch Bar at The Depot Minneapolis, 225 Third Avenue South

Live Artist Denise Houk

Talented local artist Denise Houk will be performing live art in our Stone Arch Bar. Join us and watch her art come to life while you sip one of our hand crafted cocktails or savor an intriguing appetizer.

December 8, 2015, Tuesday - New Downtown Park Designs Open House at Elliot Rec Center

Time:  6-8pm

Location: Elliot Recreation Center, 1000 E 14th Street

New Downtown park designs Open House

Please visit one of three open houses scheduled Dec. 3, 8 and 10 to view and comment on designs

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) invites the public to examine and comment on designs for parks and open spaces in downtown Minneapolis at one of the three open houses scheduled in December. These concepts were created after months of listening, careful planning and creative design work.

Stop by any time 6-8 pm to view the concepts created and chat with project staff. The designs for every downtown park will also be available at:

South Area Open House
Thursday, December 10, 6-8 pm
Loring Community Arts Center—1382 Willow St.
________________________________________
About this project
The MPRB's Downtown Service Area Master Plan will set the vision for future park and recreation development and improvements in the downtown area. It will establish a new, urban model for service delivery, maintenance, funding and operation of parks in downtown Minneapolis.

This project is part of a joint effort between the MPRB and City of Minneapolis to improve parks and public spaces downtown. The cooperative work done on the MPRB's Downtown Service Area Master Plan and the City of Minneapolis' Downtown Public Realm Framework is known collectively as Pathways To Places: Shaping Downtown Together.

December 8, 2015, Tuesday - Learn Together: The Art of Play at Central Library

Time: 9:30am-10:30am

Location:  Central Library, Children's Library, 300 Nicollet Mall

Learn Together: The Art of Play

For families. Enjoy interactive arts and stories. Learn ideas and arts strategies for how to creatively play and bond with your child and meet other families, providers and early childhood special education staff. For families and caregivers of children age birth to 3 with or without special needs.

Presented in collaboration with Upstream Arts ; Presented in collaboration with Minneapolis Public Schools.