Not-to-miss Fringe shows, a neighborhood happy hour, beer and bikes…a few of our favorite things for August arts and culture.
 
2016 Minnesota Fringe Festival
Through August 14
Various time and venues
$16-$22
 
This year, one of the world’s most high-profile and best-loved Fringe Festivals, Minnesota’s Fringe, includes 168 shows—from wild theatricals with bewitching to questionable content, to dance shows and site-based performances outdoors. Here are a few shows we wouldn’t miss:
            A Pie, A Duck. And a Shoe combines the considerable talents of tap-dancer extraordinaire Rick Ausland (of Buckets and Tap Shoes fame) and the comic elegance of dancer Alejandra Iannone—not to mention there is a magician, a beatboxer and shadow puppets involved, as well. It’s all kids show, but the adults will probably enjoy the crew’s madcap antics even more.
Southern Theater, Minneapolis
Thursday, August 11 @ 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 13 @ 2:30 p.m.
            I (Heart) Brains literally feeds into our seemingly insatiable hunger for zombies. The premise isn’t new: A real flesh and blood boy falls for a zombie girl (see “I Zombie” and the like). But this version is a musical, a rock musical at that, by a team that appropriately calls itself Desperate For Approval.
Rarig Theater, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
Wednesday, August 10 @ 10 p.m.
Saturday, August 13 @ 4 p.m.
            Four Duets & One More reunites two gorgeous dancers who once regularly graced stages as performers with Zenon Dance Company—Denise Armstead and Christine Maginnis. The five duets also bring veteran modern dancers Gerry Girouard and Cade Holmseth into the mix. Choreographed by Armstead, these works of contemporary dance explore a range of emotions, from the humorous to the provocative.
Barbara Barker Center for Dance, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
Tuesday, August 9 @ 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 11 @ 7 p.m.
Saturday, August 13 @ 1 p.m.
Sunday, August 14 @ 7 p.m.
            Of Something Human is a new piece by Fringe regular Tamara Ober, one of the most adventurous and compassionate dancers and choreographers in town. She’s collaborated with Leslie O'Neill, Timmy Wagner and Dustin Haug in this work of film and movement, which boldly ventures into scenarios conjuring war and peace, community and isolation, order and chaos. Expect incisive, explosive movement and thought-provoking emotion.
Intermedia Arts, Minneapolis
Tuesday, August 9 @ 7 p.m.
Wednesday, August 10 @ 8:30 p.m.
Saturday August 13 @ 5:30 p.m.


Summer Beer Dabbler
August 20
CHS Field, St. Paul
$45-$55
 
Craft beer fanatics: This event is for you. Where else can you indulge in your favorites and safely venture in search of your next great love? More than 100 breweries from throughout the Midwest will be happy to serve you. Music is also on tap, including Nooky Jones, K.Raydio, Porno Wolves and Hipshaker Minneapolis! Fireworks conclude the event.
 
 
We Make It Here Happy Hour: Vandalia Tower
August 25
Vandalia Tower, St. Paul
Free
 
One of the hottest neighborhoods in St. Paul is the Creative Enterprise Zone. Microbreweries are booming. Woman-owned businesses are going full-bore. Coffee roasters and coffee houses are moving in. And such creative businesses as letterpress printing have made the CEZ their new home, while artists, sewers and makers of all kinds are boosting the area’s profile. Find out what the CEZ is all about during this event, which takes place in the newly developed Vandalia Tower. Beer from Lake Monster Brewing will be on tap. Coffee from Bootstrap Coffee, a small craft roaster that distributes its coffee through home subscriptions and wholesale, will be available. A showcase of work from IFP Minnesota and SPNN youth programs will be screened in the courtyard. 
 
Babes in Bikeland 10
August 27
Kenwood Park, Minneapolis
$5
 
Babes in Bikeland, a bike race and ride for women/trans/femme (WTF) cyclists, celebrates a decade of awesomeness with a short and long course for riders. Starting at 5 p.m., the courses wind through Minneapolis, stopping at points of interest along the way. The goal is fun and safety for all. Register here.