Upcoming Arts Events in the Twin Cities

The Twin Cities arts scene is particularly hopping during the summer. There are a few important and fun events coming up that you should know about!

First there is KOOZA, the Cirque du Soleil show happening on the St. Paul riverfront for the rest of the week.  Written and directed by David Shiner for Cirque du Soleil, there are shows happening every day through August 2, when they pack up their giant tent and leave. Tickets are $42-$215. Call 1-800-450-1480 or order them online at www.cirquedusoleil.com.

This Thursday and continuing through August 9th, the Minnesota Fringe Festival starts off its 15th installment.  This year, 160 productions will fill 11 days with 800 performances. The Fringe is the nation's largest nonjuried festival. Its performers, writers and companies test their work in a Darwinian scrum for audience approval and critical attention. Most are locals, but acts also appear from around the country and a few from Great Britain and Australia. Its taking place at 22 venues in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Tickets cost between $5 and $12, but admission to shows also require a $4 Fringe button. Multishow passes are available. Call 866-811-4111 or visit www.fringefestival.org.

Finally, next weekend on August 7, 8, and 9 the Uptown Art Fair takes places at the intersection of Lake Street and Hennepin Avenue and “The Mall” in Southwest Minneapolis. Perues a variety of creative and original works of art including sculptures, paintings, photographs, woodcarvings, glasswork, jewelry, multimedia compositions and more. Over $2.5 million of art is sold during the festival, but there are other events happening too.  Enjoy food and drinks from over 20 vendors, as well as non-stop entertainment on the CBS Outdoor Performance Stage. Relax in the Wine Garden, or create your own art at the Family Imagination Station activity area. Visit the website here.

Also, it's a little further into the future but the Burnsville Performing Arts Center's first "Broadway-caliber theater engagement" will hit the Cities in December.  The holiday musical "Junior Claus," now under development in New York, will play there for a sneak preview before the show goes nationwide. Mark your calendars!

That's all for now, but there will surely be more. If you know of something that is happening within the next 2 weeks in thw Twin Cities that isn't on this list, please post a comment and a link. If it fits, I can add it to this post.