Spark24

Are you up for sustained exposure to the Minneapolis/St. Paul arts scene for 24 straight hours? If so, spark24 is for you. Starting at 5 p.m. on August 30, Peavey Plaza, Orchestra Hall, and over 60 other venues including restaurants, bars—even stores in the downtown Minneapolis area—will be awash in theater, music, and dance performances. From the Minnesota Orchestra to Lucy Mitchell and the Velvet Lapelles, Fuego Flamenco to Zenon Dance, the Children's Theater Company to Troupe America's Church Basement Ladies, you can stuff your gullet with a smorgasbord of arts and entertainment. The opening 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. slot features performing arts, the 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. slot slyly inserts "adult-oriented entertainment," 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. rocks with gospel and choral groups, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. swings in with family fare. Perhaps some of the convention delegates will wander over to see how we Minnesotans amuse and improve ourselves. Free. 5 p.m. Saturday to 5 p.m. Sunday. For a complete schedule of evens and venues visit spark24.org.
Sat., Aug. 30, 5 p.m., 2008