Festivals galore during the month of June, just a few of them listed here. There's the big one--Northern Spark 2016--as well  smaller neighborhood gatherings and opportunities to make new friends over food and brews.  


Northern Spark
Saturday, June 11, 9 p.m. - 5:26 a.m.
Free
Minneapolis-St. Paul
 
This year’s Northern Spark, a project of Northern Lights.mn, focuses on global climate change with a distinctly local approach: artistic, architectural and scientific events, workshops and performances that explore situations and solutions. Opening at dust at the Minneapolis Convention Center Plaza, Northern Spark continues all night with interactive events along the Green Line from Minneapolis to St. Paul. The events examine “the effects of climate change through five concepts — Move, Nourish, Interconnect, Perceive, Act,” according to a news release.
            Highlights include Alchemy Architects’ LIGHTHOUSE, a sustainable living space constructed within a shipping container, which has been positioned underneath the Stone Arch Bridge in Mill Ruins Park for the evening; BareBones’ luminous puppet-like sea creatures honoring the coral reef and the community of biodiversity it supports; Futures North’s “Phase Change,” comprised of 12,000 pounds of ice harvested from Lake Calhoun in March, stored and then constructed into a sculptural form facing a lattice of infra-red lamps programmed with climate change data to demonstrate how face our ice caps are melting; and Aniccha Arts’ “Census,” an ongoing outdoor performance with 100 dancers.
 
Chalk Walk Art Festival
Saturday, June 25, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Free
Minneapolis
 
The 40—a gallery, studio and performance space on Glenwood Avenue—sponsors this all day event, during which anyone is invited to bring chalk and draw. The premise is ephemeral: participants can watch artists create their pastel drawings, some of which explore trompe-l'œil effects, then watch as the artworks disappear in the breeze, under the shoes of passersby, or in the rain. Food trucks, live music and beverages from local breweries will be on hand during the event.
 
Uptown Food Truck Festival
Sunday, June 26, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Free
Minneapolis
 
Either you love it—the novelty, the freshness, the crazy assemblages of foods and flavors—or you don’t. There’s no better way to find out than during this annual fest, during which the true diversity of MSP’s globally inflected cuisine is on display. More than 50 local food trucks will fill the streets, as will libations from area microbreweries and music by local bands. Scheduled to appear are Hot Indian Foods, Hibachi Daruma, Taqueria La Hacienda, Kona Ice, Potter’s Pasties, Rusty Taco, Emconada, The Moral Omnivore, Natedogs, Anchor Fish and Chips, Bacon-Me-Crazy and Whole Sum Kitchen. Eat up!
 
Northern Brewer Classes: From Kegging to Cider Making
Throughout June
Free
Minneapolis and St. Paul
 
This month, Northern Brewer, which has locations in St. Paul and Minneapolis, offers a slew of free classes from Intro to Brewing (June 12) to Intro to Cheesemaking (June 19) to Making Hard Cider From Juice (June 25). Some of these classes repeat during the month, as well. Also on the docket is a History of Beer session, and an Intro to Kegging and Keezer Building (both on June 26). Questions are answered by knowledgeable staff in a small group environment. Discounts are given on equipment. Fun is had by all.