Kamasi Washington
In May, saxophonist Kamasi Washington dropped his 172-minute masterpiece, “The Epic,” on Flying Lotus’ Brainfeeder Records. The sprawling musical tale is the spark jazz needed to feel relevant and fresh again on a larger scope as well as being righteous food for your earhole. Washington is swinging by Icehouse to deliver a set that’s hopefully as visionary as his album.
Where Icehouse, 2528 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis.
Hours 10 p.m.
Cost $22-25 (Sold out)
Friday
Taylor Swift: The 1989 World Tour
I have a confession: I have a crush on Taylor Swift. Something about her poppy, biting lyrics and coy smirk make me a goner. Her album,“1989,” only deepened my admiration and respect for Swift, who’s both the queen of pop and a brilliant businesswoman. If you have a “Blank Space” on your Fridaynight, hit up her show at the Xcel, and prepare to have all of your “Wildest Dreams” fulfilled.
Where Xcel Energy Center, 199 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul
Hours 7:30 p.m.
Cost $39.50-139.50
Saturday
Backyard Bash 2015
If you haven’t been to enough brewery parties already over the summer, there’s always time for one more before the weather turns cold. Summit’s Backyard Bash 2015 celebrates their 29th birthday with specialty beers, casks and food truck. And who doesn’t want to listen to the Suburbs, Toki Wright and Al Church (among other acts) rock and groove out while drinking a cup of Sága?
Where Summit Brewing Company, 910 Montreal Circle, St. Paul
Hours Noon-7 p.m.
Cost $15-20
Age 21+
Eat this:
Boat Noodle Soup at Bangkok Thai Deli
Beating the heat with more heat sounds counterintuitive, but nothing is more refreshing than a spicy soup on a hot summer evening. The Boat Noodle Soup at Bangkok Thai Deli in St. Paul is rich, deep and funky. While beef parts are the traditional mix-in, opt for the pork version ($7.95) if you’re faint of stomach. Throw a couple dashes of Thai chili powder in, and you have a bowl of soup complete with glorious pork meatballs suitable for winter, spring, summer or fall.
Read this:
“I Know You Think You Know It All”
As the semester begins, it’s always a good to soak up the wisdom of others before tackling life’s challenges. While reading great philosophers like Marcus Aurelius and Plato is fine and dandy, check out Chris Black’s “I Know You Think You Know It All” for a jolt of straightforward and honest life lessons. Black is the founder of New York City creative agency Done to Death Projects and has learned countless things along the way about how to conduct oneself and deal with the joys and hardships of this little thing we call life.
Don’t do this:
Get wasted
Look, drinking is fun. Having a beer or three with friends or partying down with whiskey are undeniable recipes for fun, but don’t overdo it. You don’t want to be that person or end up in the drunk tank the next morning. Remember: Everything in moderation.
