Guide to July 2011

Apologies to non-Minnesotans, I’m sure you’re sick of hearing about how our government basically shut down last week (with 23,000 state workers laid off!) and none of our state parks and rest areas are open to visitors!



Here are things happening in the Twin Cities:



400 BAR

400bar.blogspot.com

When: Friday, July 8, 2011 and July 22, 2011

Price: $8 Advance/$10 Door



I’m going to at the 400 Bar tonight, to see a bunch of girl bands. You know that I do like my riot grrrls, so here’s a preview and background on each band.



Jettison Juliet looks tough. Their influences include The Donnas and Motion City Soundtrack. All I know about them is their drummer, Amy, used to be in Fuzzy Machete, who are pretty dorky, singing songs about Star Trek (in particular Scott Bakula) and zombies and bunnies.



Having just survived NXNE, I can tell you that the city has a lot of different ethnics food offering: Korean, Indian, Japanese, Greek, Chinese, Italian, etc. So,
Torontonians, Hunter Valentine, must be eating well. I’ve seen them before, they have great stage presence.



Sick of Sarah who also just survived Canada last May, got their name from singer Abisha Uhl’s ex-roommate, Sarah. They are heading out on a national tour next week.



It looks like the odd band out is Julie Puppets, the only all-dudes band on the bill. It looks like they’ve been around since 2001, but have maybe reformed recently?



Oh, I was also on the 400 Bar’s website, I see that The Blow is coming back to Minneapolis, on July 22nd. We like the Blow, so I’ll try and see if I can make it to that show.

BASILICA BLOCK PARTY 2011

basilicablockparty.org

When: July 8, 2011 to July 9, 2011

Price: Expensive ($80 for both nights)



A few W♥M people are going to be there, this year looks like an all-star lineup: Including
David Gray, The Jayhawks, Lissie, Scars, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Fitz and The Tantrums, G. Love & Special Sauce, White Light Riot, Usonia, Zoo Animal, Ray LaMontagne and The Pariah Dogs, Amos Lee, Gomez, Stuart D’Rozario, Drive-By Truckers, Citizen Cope, 4onthefloor, The Pines, Hunting Club and The Arms Akimbo.



Not much to add, except there’s quite a few bands that we’ve previously covered here, including Citizen Cope, The Jayhawks, Amos Lee, Gomez, 4onthefloor, etc.



UPDATE: Dan sent in a photo from 7/8/11.

The Jayhawks at Basilica Block Party, Minneapolis (07/08/11)

HIGHLAND FEST 2011

highlandfest.com

When: 7/15/11 to 7/17/11

Price: FREE



This three-day festival is organized and promoted by the Highland Business Association, who said that they draw in about 60,000 and 65,000 visitors each year. I believe most people turn out because there are massive fireworks each night, plus, it’s free.



The bands on two stages are typical of an event like this, mostly bands I’ve never heard of. I believe to see the bands might cost you money, Sell Out Stereo (Friday), Rocket Club (Saturday), and Power of 10 (Sunday).



Band of interests, I was told to look out for Maudlin, a power pop/rock trio, who just recently opened up for Urge Overkill (which regrettably I was not in town when they stopped by, but they are one of those 90s bands that will be forever remembered for that Neil Diamond cover). Maudlin is set to go on at 3pm. Since the show actually costs money, I’m told it’s $30 in advance, and I haven’t really heard of the other bands, I’ll likely not attend this one.

LAKEFRONT JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL 2011

lakefrontjazz.com

When: Saturday 7/16/11

Price: $5 advance/$10 at door



Not exactly in the Twin Cities area, this Jazz & Blues festival takes place in
Prior Lake, Minnesota, which is about a half an hour drive south.



Haven’t heard of any of the bands on the lineup, but the price is right ($5).

BASTILLE DAY BLOCK PARTY 2011

bastilledayblockparty.com

When: Sunday, July 17, 2011

Price: FREE



This will be my third time seeing Bastille Day. This year, the lineup includes our favorites Solid Gold and Rogue Valley:

Event is from 2pm to 10pm, each band plays a brief set, with various street entertainers when bands are setting up.

BICYCLE FILM FESTIVAL MINNEAPOLIS 2011

bicyclefilmfestival.com

When: 7/21/11 to 7/24/11

Price: FREE (Thursday and various activities)/$8 per movie program/$27 for full pass



Bicycle Film Festival, aka BFF, is taking place this late July. UPDATE: You can buy individual programs each for $8 + $1.43 fee, which includes one movie ticket (with the exception of Thursday, which is free). All other activities are free.


If you’ve got a thing for bicycles and movies and beers see below:

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