Weekend Best Bets: June 17-20 – Minnesota Monthly
Photo by Gina Reis, Courtesy of The Stone Arch Bridge Festival and Meet Minneapolis
Pride Month: Join the Chorus
What: Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus: “TCGMC Sings Back”
When: Friday, June 18, 7 p.m.
Where: Online via YouTube
Celebrate Pride Month 2021 with the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus this Friday. The group will be hosting a concert on their YouTube page featuring various songs from blockbusters, including An American Tail, CAMP, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, and Meet Me in St. Louis. Join the free concert as the Men’s Chorus wraps up its 40th season.
Ring in Juneteenth
What: Juneteenth events
When: June 19
Where: Various locations
Juneteenth is this Saturday, celebrating slavery’s end in the United States and officially a city holiday as of this year. City programming that celebrates Juneteenth this year includes music at Bethune Park, featuring DJ D.I.M.E., Jovonta Patton, Royal Family and Music Group, along with a kite flight from 1-3 p.m. At 9 p.m., Jumanji: The Next Level shows at Webber Park outdoors.
At Target Field Station, bring a yoga mat for a day of “breathing, healing, and getting stronger together” that takes place starting at 1 p.m., free to attend and presented by Choose Love Minnesota in partnership with Lifetime National Community Relations.
A Black bike ride for healing and liberation takes place on Saturday starting at Wirth Lake Access, assembling at 4 p.m.. Find more info on the event and how it got started here.
You can also find other Juneteenth events throughout the metro area.
Staging the Golden Age
What: “The Best of The Worst of Old Time Radio” presented by the Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society
When: Saturday, June 19, 7 p.m.
Where: North Garden Theater, 929 Seventh St. W., St. Paul
Take the opportunity to get out of the house and attend the “Best of the Worst of Old Time Radio.” Although the radio era is behind us, the Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society revives that tradition by staging plays that revisit seemingly unbelievable stories. Purchase your tickets now to get the best seats in the house.
Rock-Solid Tradition
What: Stone Arch Bridge Festival
When: Saturday, June 19, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, June 20, 10 a.m-5 p.m
Where: West River Parkway, from Portland Ave. to N. Fourth Ave.
Kick off your Father’s Day weekend by attending a Twin Cities tradition: the Stone Arch Bridge Festival. Although it’s been held on the east side of the Mississippi River for 25 years, this year the festival takes place on the west side. Don’t miss out on the annual Collector’s Poster Reveal, designed by local artist WASCO, with live music and other art pieces also on display.
Super Cheesy
What: Curd Fest
When: Saturday, June 16, 11: a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: Jer-Lindy Farms/Redhead Creamery, 463rd Ave., Brooten
Calling all cheese heads! This year’s third annual Curd Fest begins this weekend at the Redhead Creamery in central Minnesota, about a two-hour drive from the Twin Cities. Join 13 vendors in celebrating the amazing creation of the cheese curd with live music, food, and drinks available for all ages.
Art Adventure at the Walker
What: Open-Air Art for All
When: June 17, 6-9 p.m.
Where: Walker Art Center, 725 Vineland Pl., Minneapolis
Let your creative spirit run loose this Thursday at the Walker Art Center. Learn from local artists as they host their own teaching stations to help visitors create various pieces of artwork. From kite making to sculpture constructing, the decision is yours on what you’d like to create this Thursday.