The Must-See

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Thanks to our friend Carl Swanson for this curation of a varied collection of underground art! 

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Heavy Hitters at Hair + Nails

Hair + Nails is one of the Twin Cities most innovative and ambitious contemporary art galleries, with a small South Minneapolis space, a New York City outpost, and regular presence at contemporary art fairs. Their roster of artists runs the gamut from painters pushing form, to crafty experimentalists, and sculptors and conceptual artists. Their current group show, Heavy Hitters, lives up to the name with a trio of artists to know. Maggie Thompson (who also runs the knitwear firm Makwa Studio) shows a photo series, "She Trains" on the power dynamics between Native women and white men, playing with beading and BDSM for striking images. Hair + Nails regular Cameron Patricia Downey experiments with form and found objects as they relate to Black life, memory, and sculpture. Painter Emma Beatrez leans into the occult, Midwestern norms, and rituals for new paintings, as well as installation and sculptural work. Go get your perspective shifted.

https://hairandnailsart.com/upcoming/

November 7 through December

Open hours beginning Saturday, November 8th, and every Thursday/Friday/Saturday/Sunday from 1-5pm.

LUMINESCENCE at the Basilica of St. Mary

Immersive art experiences are all the rage, but some can seem more like giant screensavers than an actual creative experience. Enter Europe's LUMINESCENCE, which is making its North American debut at the Basilica of St. Mary in November and December. Specializing in turning Europe's cathedrals and sacred architecture into psychedelic sound and light shows, instead of just making oversized Van Goghs, this promises to be an engaging escape in a busy holiday season. With show options including recorded music, live choir, and choir and orchestra (with a creative team including Dan Lawonn, cellist and arranger for jeremy messersmith and Dessa) slip away into something surprising.

https://luminiscence.com/minneapolis/

November 7 – December 31

Times vary, tickets $24-48 depending on show type

Poolboy, Full Catholic, and Laura Hugo at Pilllar Forum

Concerts abound, and this show promises a fun night of Twin Cities staples with a range of sounds. Laura Hugo is an Indigenous singer/songwriter from Teec Nos Pos, AZ located in the Navajo Nation, with a voice as clear as a bell that rides over her Americana backing sound. She uses that vocal clarity to sharpen the lyrics in her songs of heartbreak and loss wrapping you up in a warm blanket of sound. Full Catholic, by comparison, create a crunchy, psychedelic folk rock soundscape. With a full-length LP, "Things Go Quiet" out this last September, don't expect it to live up to its name. Rounding out the bill is Poolboy, indie-rock mainstays who were named City Pages' Best New Band. Expect them to thread the needle between their stage mates, with sweet harmonies and guitars, unafraid to get loud.

https://www.pilllar.com/collections/tickets/products/music-poolboy-12-4-2025

November 20th, 2025

Doors 6:00, Music 6:30

Tickets $10 Advance, $12 Day of Show