Shannon Fitzgerald here with Episode 11 of the Underground Arts Club, a newsletter for the readers of Minneapolis Voices. The club is a recommendation, not a review. My goal is to introduce you to all of the Twin Cities art that you haven't yet discovered.
The MUSIC Must-See
When I started the Underground Arts Club, my biggest concern was that I know nothing about the amazing music scene that I know exists in the Twin Cities. Rather than think too much about why this is, I reached out to a friend who is deeply connected to get some great recommendations for you. Thanks to Carl Atiya Swanson, who will be our guest host for all things music!
Next episode will be a full music issue, but be sure to check this out this week:
HEYARLO's Shifting Forms at Berlin
Berlin's intimate room and wide programming range means you'll always find something interesting to drop in on, and on June 26, three members of the instrumental group HEYARLO come together to kick off their Shifting Forms series that runs through the summer. HEYARLO in total is DeCarlo Jackson on flugelhorn, Mickey Mahoney on bass, Evan Slack on guitar, Sam Rosenstone on keys and Rick Haneman on drums – and if any of those names seem familiar, they play in groups like Hippo Campus, Sid Sriram, Lissie, Boyish, Honeybutter and more. On the 26th, we get a classic drums, bass, and guitar combo with Haneman, Mahoney and Slack coming together for pop-inflected jazz grooves that should be an engaging journey.
Thursday, June 26, 2025
7:30 PM 10:00 PM
Tickets $15
Series runs through August on the third Thursday of the month
The Must-See
American Craft Festival St Paul
Website: American Craft Festival
Who: American Craft Council
When: June 28 11:00-5:00; June 29 11:00-4:00
Where: Union Depot, Saint Paul
The technical difference between arts and crafts runs along the lines of “expression” vs “usefulness,” “concept” vs “process,” “innovation” vs “tradition,” etc etc etc… For me there’s big-A Art that includes everything from pottery to Picasso and the sidewalk chalk drawings that the neighbor kids have created. And then you can debate all you want about the differences within that particular pie. I say it all belongs in the Underground Arts Club and stop debating and just go check it out.
The Craft Festival is huge and full of opportunities to buy things that are both useful and beautiful, as well as check out live demonstrations, hands-on crafts, and collaborative chalk art.
Things to know
- Parking: Take the train! But, here’s parking info too.
- Dining: Hopefully it’s nice enough to sit out on the 1881 Eating House patio! If you go Saturday, they have some amazing deals at their Happy Hour from 2:00-5:00. Check out the incredible Happy Hour deals from 2:00-5:00 and Brunch starting at 10:00 both days
- Attire: Wear what you want, but bring a shopping bag to hold all of your treasures and a blank tote bag because HC Lou will be printing onsite.
- Accessibility: While the Union Depot website has a nifty accessibility tool, I wasn’t able to find much information about accessibility within the building. It is ADA accessible, with elevators indicated on their directory map.
The Discovery
You must know that Union Depot has the world’s largest LiteBrite installation, with 600,000 bulbs placed by volunteers in a design by local artist Ta-coumba T. Aiken. But did you know there are many other art installations commissioned for the building, including a custom ping pong table?
Find it all at the Union Depot Scavenger Hunt.
Field Notes
My husband and I went to a bookstore on our first date, got engaged in a bookstore (that’s you, Magers and Quinn!), and visit bookstores literally everywhere we travel. I once bought a large collection of poetry at a New York bookshop to carry it all around the city and jam it in my luggage to get it home. Could I have bought the same book at one of our amazing local bookstores? Sure, but now when I open those pages it comes not just with the poetry but with the love and sweat that is a visit to NYC.
Union Depot has its own lovely little bookstore - go check it out and add some weight to that tote bag!
