Friday: Battle of the Bands: Battle II
You don’t have to catch an Uber or Lyft to listen to local music for free. Head to the depths of Coffman Memorial Union to catch this round of bands fighting it out for a chance to play at this year’s Spring Jam and WAM-O-Rama. Why not enjoy the power trip that comes with voting for your favorite while supporting student talent?
Where: Whole Music Club, 300 Washington Ave. SE, Minneapolis
When: 7:30 to 11 p.m.
Cost: Free with U Card, 18+
Saturday: Hogwarts and Hashbrowns: A Wizardly Drag Brunch
If you head down to Union for breakfast, prepare for costumes, house points and an overall magical time. Featuring an a la carte meal and bottomless mimosas, this Harry Potter-themed morning is your chance to live the wizarding life, even if you didn’t get a Hogwarts letter on your 11th birthday.
Where: Union Restaurant, 731 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
When: Seating at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Cost: $8 cover
Sunday: 35th Annual Battle of the Jug Bands
Everyone loves a good jug band. Luckily, multiple jug bands will battle for a coveted waffle maker trophy down at The Cabooze. Listening to the musical reverberations of washboards, spoons and sheets of metal sounds like the best possible way to end a weekend.
Where: The Cabooze, 917 Cedar Ave. S, Minneapolis
When: Noon to 9 p.m.
Cost: Free, suggested $5 donation (proceeds go to KFAI and the West Bank School of Music)
Culture to consume
Watch this: “Hidden Figures”
If you haven’t seen this movie, yet … why?The film follows three strong African-American women working as scientists and mathematicians at NASA in the ’60s. Finally putting the spotlight on these real-life women’s struggles and triumphs (not a spoiler, just history) is well-timed; the film’s focus on race and gender issues is beyond relevant today.
Listen to this: The Search for Everything — Wave One by John Mayer
Lucky for us, John Mayer has decided to release a new four-song EP every month of 2017. Wave One starts off strong with the bouncy funk of “Moving On and Getting Over.” Next, “Changing” provides a slow down before the summery single, “Love on the Weekend.” Wrapping up the EP is the gut-wrenching ballad “You’re Gonna Live Forever in Me,” which sounds perfect for a Pixar soundtrack.
Save for this: Bonnaroo
It’s time to decide where hundreds of your hard-earned dollars are going this summer. This festival in Tennessee is the perfect musical compilation of rock, EDM and folk. From headliners Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Weeknd to DJs Marshmello and Major Lazer, there is something for everyone to enjoy in the southern June heat. Local favorite Hippo Campus will even be there.
