THINGS TO DO
THURSDAY
Art in Bloom
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Art in Bloom brings floral artists to the Minneapolis Institue of Arts for a four-day tribute to all things art, flowers and gardening. If plants don’t get you excited for the yearly event, consider that the event includes a cash bar and performances from Pavel Jany and the Talking Strings. The signature artwork for this year’s event is Jennifer Steinkamp’s “Hurdy Gurdy Man (Chrysanthemums),” a video installation that will premiere at the museum Thursday. The video unites the world of fine art and flowers with Donovan’s late-’60s song of the same name. Expect hippies and flower-lovers of all kinds.
Where: Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 2400 S. Third Ave.,
Minneapolis
When: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. (through April 28)
Cost: Free
FRIDAY
Danny Brown with Kitty
Hip-hop needs more eccentric characters like Danny Brown. As the story goes, G-Unit nearly signed the Detroit rapper, only to retract the offer after meeting him because Brown refused to ditch his skinny jeans. Whether you choose to write him off as a yelping outcast or another misogynistic lyricist, the Bruiser Brigade leader crafts complex songs with attention to detail. 2011’s “XXX” showcased his incredible range — from the hedonistic title track to more poignant “DNA,” Brown built a fully realized autobiographical narrative. What’s more, his esoteric references to pop culture make his songs endlessly entertaining. His latest album “Old” comes out later this August, so expect a preview of what’s to come at Friday’s show.
Where: Triple Rock Social Club, 629 Cedar Ave., Minneapolis
When: 8 p.m.
Cost: $20
Age: 18+
SATURDAY
West Bank Ride
Meet at Murphy Park on the Augsburg College campus for a day of biking and boozing (if you so choose). You can choose to ride solo or with a group of friends as you take in the sweet smell of springtime on the seat of your two-wheeled vehicle. Take advantage of the numerous drink and food discounts for West Bank venues as well (Palmer’s Bar, Cedar Cultural Center and Whiskey Junction, to name a few). The event will feature a scavenger hunt and a bunch of after parties to follow the family-friendly ride. Sounds like a choice way to either sober up after Spring Jam or enjoy a drunken ride through the West Bank neighborhood’s choice bars.
Where: Augsburg College, 2211 Riverside Ave.,
Minneapolis
When: 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: Free
CULTURE TO CONSUME
LISTEN: Daft Punk, “Get Lucky” feat. Pharell
Since teasing audiences with a 70-second advertisement for their new album on “Saturday Night Live,” the French electronic duo further cemented their status for inciting mystery over forthcoming projects. The first single off of the upcoming “Random Access Memories” features shiny pop sheen with a riff reminiscent of disco thanks to guitarist Nile Rodgers. Rapper-producer Pharell gives the track’s sound a 2013 update to the classic Sister Sledge-style riffs —a good indication of the types of collaborations to follow on the highly anticipated album. Apparently, Julian Casablancas and Animal Collective’s Panda Bear will also appear on “Random Access Memories.”
WATCH: “Tim & Eric’s Go Pro Show” on YouTube
The comic absurdist team Tim & Eric launched a new web series as part of JASH, a new YouTube joint channel with Michael Cera, Sarah Silverman and Reggie Watts. Tim & Eric are back to biting satire in short form, something lost due to the ending of their Adult Swim show and premiere of their movie. The duo’s foray into longer stories didn’t translate nearly as well as the 11-minute cult classic, but “Go Pro Show” revives the absurdity. Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim strap small cameras to their foreheads in an effort to document their lives as part of the reality show. Tensions run high as Tim refuses to perform any of the extreme stunts Eric wants to do.
READ: “The Martian Chroniclers” by Burkhard Bilger for The New Yorker
Now in its sixth decade, the search for life on the red planet continues with NASA’s latest rover Curiosity. More than forty spacecrafts haven’t found any fossils or living things, yet Mars remains a destination for our high-tech toys. Bilger recounts the strange history of our fascination with Mars, beginning with an Italian astronomer who dreamed of an interstellar paradise and ending with the current exploits of Curiosity. Maybe the strangest news will unravel in the future, as a Dutch company wants to send volunteers to colonize the planet in 2023. Will this be the greatest reality TV show ever broadcast? Could Tim & Eric even predict, through farce, this level of insane television?
