I’ll help usher in your arts-filled weekend when I moderate “MinnPost Social: Empty Seats and the Arts” on Wednesday, July 31 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. I hope you’ll join me as I talk with local theater directors Leah Cooper and Justin Lucero about the perceptions vs. reality of drawing audiences back to the theater. Afterward, you can either head to the Cedar Cultural Center for the fabulous Sista Strings performing with Brianna Lane, or you may decide to make your way to the White Squirrel for a lively poetry reading presented by Conduit Books & Ephemera. Later this week, Chris Smither is joined by vocalist BettySoo for some poetic bluesy music, and the Basilica Block Party will get Boom Island bumping over the weekend. Read on for a handful of recommendations for this year’s Minnesota Fringe Festival, and a reminder that the Powderhorn Art Fair has an abundance of artistic delights in store.
SistaStrings with Brianna Lane
Violin, cello, and vocals duo Chauntee and Monique Ross blend classical music training with a contemporary interweaving of folk, soul, and gospel sounds. Earlier this summer, the Milwaukee-born siblings shared a bill with Brandi Carlile in London, with whom they also performed on Saturday Night Live. The talented duo has played with lots of other famous musicians as well— Joni Mitchell, Ed Sheeran, and Jason Isbell among them. They’re swinging by the Cedar to perform with Twin Cities-based singer-songwriter Brianna Lane. Wednesday, July 31, 7:30 p.m. at the Cedar ($30). More information here.
Minds on Fire Live
Conduit Books & Ephemera teams up with the White Squirrel Bar for its quarterly live poetry series. Emily August, a literature professor at Stockton University and Pushcart Prize nominee will read her work along with “Junker Dreams, an Automotive Memoir” author Paul D. Dickinson and Rachel Moritz, author of two poetry books and five chapbooks, and who works with the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop. Wednesday, July 31 at 7 p.m. at the White Squirrel (free). More information here.
Chris Smither with BettySoo
79-year-old blues and folk singer/songwriter Chris Smither recently released his latest album, “All About the Bones,” a collection of songs that tease the devil, ponder life’s meaning, and offer sweet words of love. BettySoo sings with him on the album, contrasting his gritty baritone with her soft harmonies. They’ll perform together Thursday, Aug. 1. at 7:30 p.m. at the Cedar. $35 in advance, $40 day of the show. More information here.
Basilica Block Party
The Basilica Block Party returns for the first time since 2021 and nestles into a new location at Boom Island in northeast Minneapolis. On the main stage, the Goo Goo Dolls and the Counting Crows headline the two nights of the festival, with Denver-based rock band The Fray, and Christian rock-turned-crossover band NEEDTOBREATHE, adding to the lineup. Local favorites Yam Haus and St Paul and The Minneapolis Funk All Stars also play on the main stage, and local musician Chris Strouth curates the local stage.
The local acts kick off with Cindy Lawson getting the party going. NUR-D will make an appearance, as will the DIY surf-punk-psyche Black Widows, and Socktapus, who won the Basilica Block Party and Surly Brewing’s Battle of the Bands earlier this summer. Taylor Carik, of Whiskey Rock ‘n’ Roll Club MPLS, performs with that band and also his solo music project PARISHES, timed with a new album. He performs with bassist Liz Draper, who has toured with Low, Chris Hepola, who drums for the Cactus Blossoms, and vocalist/instrumentalist Sally Linda.
Friday, Aug. 2 and Saturday, Aug. 3, 12:30 p.m.-10 p.m., Boom Island, General: $99 for one day; $169 for two days, Fanzone: $169 for one day; $299 for two days, VIP: $349 for one day; $599 for two days. More information here.
Minnesota Fringe Festival
I have your guide to the Minnesota Fringe Festival starting this weekend ➡️
Powderhorn Art Fair
The Powderhorn Art Fair celebrates 33 years with 190 artists exhibiting their work across the park, plus over 20 food trucks. Enjoy the summer weather and pick up some goodies for your home from a mix of local, regional and national artists. Saturday, Aug. 3 and Sunday, Aug. 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Powderhorn Park. More information here.
Sheila Regan
Sheila Regan is a Twin Cities-based arts journalist. She writes MinnPost’s twice-weekly Artscape column. She can be reached at [email protected].