With autumn in MSP comes "the season," meaning so many art exhibitions, performances, parties and festivals that you could attend several events every evening. Here are our must-do's. 

 
St. Paul Art Crawl
October 14-16  
Lowertown, Downtown, West 7^th and around the Green Line’s Raymond Station, St. Paul
See website for events and times
Free
 
In celebration of its 25^th anniversary—and the creation of a participatory model for seeing and purchasing art directly from artists, which has been emulated and repeated across the country—the St. Paul Art Crawl has programmed a cornucopia of musical performances, artist talks and demonstrations, showcases and pop-ups—in addition to studio visits throughout the city. The Classical Music Crawl offers 15-minute performances every hour. A Lowertown Dance Showcase includes a selfie station with flamenco dance props. Carolyn Swiszcz holds an interactive workshop at the Minnesota Museum of America Art, during which you can create a zine about your neighborhood. Ta-coumba Aiken draws to live music by RAHS Jazz. Artspace concludes its Breaking Ground “Idea Lab” with its annual artist awards and celebration at Bedlam Theater. For a complete list of events go here. Click here for a free Metro Transit pass to destinations to the St. Paul Art Crawl.
 
 
Star Party
October 19
Como Planetarium, Como Elementary School, St. Paul
6-8:30 p.m.
Free
 
Stargazers of all ages are invited to explore the galaxies and investigate where science fact and fiction meet and separate during this event at the Como Planetarium. Created in collaboration with St. Paul Public Schools and its Community Education program, the Star Party includes hands-on and participatory experiences including time with telescopes. Take a pre-Halloween approach and come dressed as your favorite alien or astronaut. There’s no thrill like seeing the planets and stars up close and personal.
 
 
Skin(s)
October 21-23 Performance
October 21 Exhibition opening reception
Intermedia Arts, Minneapolis
See website for times and tickets
 
Governor Mark Dayton declared Monday, October 10, Indigenous Peoples’ Day. It’s been a long time coming. Among the many celebrations enlivening our communities there’s one that will spur critical thinking, profoundly impact your heart, and provide your senses with a feast of art making and cultural express: Skin(s).
The multi-platform project includes a dance work by Rosy Simas; a visual arts exhibit curated by Heid E. Erdrich with works by Carolyn Lee Anderson, Julie Buffalohead, Andrea Carlson, Wakemup, Dyani White Hawk and others; a film by Erdrich and Elizabeth Day that celebrates urban Native identity; and a web media project that launched October 1.
            Skin(s) is actually an evolving project, as it’s being developed not only in the Twin Cities but will also travel to the San Francisco Bay Area and Chicago. The images in the project—whether kinetic or static, performed or painted—investigate the lives of Minnesota artist who have multi-dimensional identities drawn from Dakota, Ojibwe, Ponca, Lakota, Navajo and other indigenous nations. Get tickets here.
 
 
Nordeast Big River Brew Fest
October 22, 1-4 p.m.
East Side Neighborhood Services, Minneapolis
$25 advance; $30 at the door; $10 designated driver

Let’s just begin to count the ways in which East Side Neighborhood Services’ 6^th annual brew fest is beloved: Fair State Brewing Cooperative, Lake Monster Brewing, Insight Brewing, Millstream Brewing Company, Uncle John’s Hard Cider, Wander North Distillery and Burning Brothers are only the beginning. Sampling local brews and spirits, and singular culinary concoctions from local food vendors, with friends and family also serves a worthy cause. All proceeds benefit the programs of East Side Neighborhood Services. Drink smart, drive smart: Order designated driver tickets by calling (612) 781-6011. Order Brew Fest tickets here.

                         
Twin Cities Veg Fest
October 29-30
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Coffman Memorial Union, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
Free
 
Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA) hosts its fifth annual Twin Cities Veg Fest this month and is preparing for record crowds. What’s not to love? Free samples of meat-free delectables from the likes of The Herbivorous Butcher is just one of the many draws. An array of plant-based foods and demonstrations showing how create delicious cuisine at home are among the attractions. Mexican TV personality Marco Antonio Regil is also a highlight.