What’s Fresh in the Twin Cities: Markets, Makers & May Day Moments

Happy Tuesday, friends.

It’s finally Farmers Market season—a time that’s reminding me how connected we really are. In so many ways, big companies and the convenience of modern life have made things easier for us. But there’s a subtler cost: we’ve drifted away from many of the physical ties that bind communities together. For most of human history, we knew who grew our food, who baked our bread, and who caught our fish. Then came the Industrial Revolution, and suddenly, so much of our daily life was outsourced to anonymous systems our ancestors couldn’t have even imagined.

Here’s what I love about hitting up local farmers markets: yes, it might cost a little more than shopping at a big box store. But the tradeoff is meeting the growers, bakers, and makers—real people who put care into the food that ends up on your table. There’s a kind of nourishment in those connections that goes well beyond what’s on your plate.

This spring and summer, I’ll be seeking out more ways to get involved with our local food ecosystem (and hope to share some stories along the way!). Would you like to see more local food spotlights in future Scouts? Let me know—maybe I’ll bump into you at a market.

—James

Arbeiter Brewing Co. is celebrating AAPI Heritage Month with its annual Asian Phoenix Festival. Arbeiter is an Asian-owned brewery uplifting AAPI culture through community. The Asian Phoenix represents resilience, revitalization, and harmony—values that echo Arbeiter’s commitment to helping South Minneapolis rebuild after the spring 2020 uprising. As one of the few AAPI-owned breweries in the country, Arbeiter invites you to join this free event and enjoy the festivities and flavors of Asian cultures, including food, performances, and family activities for all ages.

Event Date & Time: Saturday, May 10th, 2025 from 1 PM - 5 PM
Location: Arbeiter Brewing Company, 3038 Minnehaha Avenue S, Mpls, MN

Come celebrate, connect, and support community renewal—everyone is welcome!

Welcome to the second installment of our new series highlighting the work of creative individuals in the Twin Cities. Last week, we featured NE Minneapolis artist Maria Ahrens and her whimsical work with watercolor and realism.

This week, we’ll start off with a question. Which lake do you love?

If you live in the Twin Cities, you likely have a few answers. Lakes provide an alive, constant presence for memories to be born, shared, and held. They give us joy and provide solace. Minneapolis artist, Catherine Tong, aims to deepen the connections people have with their lakes through her watercolor and ink paintings towards the end goals of fuller life experiences and conservation.

Each watercolor painting depicts the lake’s bathymetry, the underwater depths and shapes, and is painted using collected lake water.

Find her work on Instagram at @lake_paintings, online at www.lakepaintings.com, or in person at her studio in Northeast Minneapolis.

Want to see your creative work featured in a future issue? Send a note with a brief description of your creative journey to hello(at)twincitiesscout.com.

This week, meet gentle Atticus, a curious and contemplative Retriever mix puppy who shares his name with one of my favorite literary characters. Atlas the loyal Boxer/Beagle mix is excited to be your work-from-home buddy. And finally, Ethel the adolescent Domestic Shorthair cat loves snuggles and comes with a special story.

Looking for ways to positively impact your community? Check out these three opportunities to get involved with meaningful local initiatives:

Appetite For Change is building health, wealth, and social change in North Minneapolis through three urban farms. In a community where getting fresh food can be tough, volunteers play a key role—helping with weeding, improving soil, and harvesting produce. Your time and energy will support neighbors’ access to healthy, local food. Get involved

Face to Face Health and Counseling offers health care and support for homeless youth. They serve over 3,000 youth each year. You can help by assembling snack bags with items like chips, granola bars, and juice pouches. Learn more

Redeemer Health Care Center, serving Lyn-Lake seniors since 1946, seeks volunteers to bring their friendly cats for Saturday afternoon visits with long-term care residents. Share your cat’s love

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Have an opportunity you’d like to share with everyone? Drop us a note at hello(at)twincitiesscout.com

Want to feature an event with a poster? Reach out to hello(at)twincitiesscout.com

Bad Weather Brewing is bringing back its Outdoor Arcade Party this weekend! The entire outdoor space transforms into a retro arcade, packed with classic cabinets, pinball, skeeball, and more. Admission is free; unlimited arcade play is just $10 (kids 12 and under play free). Food trucks will be on site all weekend.

Event Hours:

Friday, May 2: 3–11pm
Saturday, May 3: 12–11pm
Sunday, May 4: 12–8pm

Phil Cook Solo Piano, Icehouse – Experience Phil Cook’s solo piano show, blending songwriting and collaborations, starting at 8pm. Hear live piano

The Arcadian Wild w/ River & Rail, The Cedar Cultural Center – Enjoy a blend of indie folk and bluegrass from 7:30pm. Folk night out

Friends of the BWCA Event, Arbeiter Brewing Company – BWCA trivia and advocacy with friends and beer at 7pm. Support the BWCA

Fly Fishing Basics, Fish Lake Regional Park – Learn fly fishing equipment, casting, and presentation during a hands-on basics class at 5:30pm. Try fly fishing

St. Anthony Park Festival’s Rebrand Launch Party, Dual Citizen Brewing - Join for an evening of celebration with snacks, prizes, activities, beer, artist talks, and a collaborative art piece! From 6:30 - 8:30pm. More details

Courtroom Concert: Elkina Piano Duo, Landmark Center – Free lunchtime concert featuring twin pianists at 12pm. Free concert

Portraits of Indigenous Authors and Artists Photography Exhibit Memorial Reception, Minnesota State Capitol – An exhibit showcasing intimate portraits of influential Indigenous writers and creators, initiated at White Earth Nation. Starts at 4pm. More info

15th Annual Art 4 Shelter, Quincy Hall – Buy original art to support people impacted by homelessness at this free fundraiser for Simpson Housing Services. Learn more

Patio Herb Bowl Garden, Lake Nokomis Park – Grow culinary herbs, sample recipes, and plant a patio herb bowl, class begins at 6pm. Plant herbs

Paint and Sip Night (Paint your Partner edition), Wandering Leaf Brewing Company – No experience required painting class at 6pm. Create & sip

Cornbread’s 98th B-Day Party Extravaganza, The Hook and Ladder Theater – Toast the legendary Cornbread Harris Sr.’s 98th birthday with friends and music at 7pm. Birthday bash

Spring 2025 St. Paul Art Crawl - Como and Payne-Phalen, St. Paul – Weekend-long art galleries and music spaces, from Friday through Sunday. Discover St. Paul art

Weekday Market, Minneapolis Farmers Market – Shop for fresh food from local vendors, Friday and Saturday, from 7am - 1pm. Shop local produce

Shinrin-yoku “Forest Bathing”: Experience the Tranquility of Nature, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum – Guided Japanese mindfulness and nature walk starts at 8:30am. Find tranquility

Golden Hour, Marigold – Enjoy good vibes, NA beverages, and community at Marigold from 4pm. Golden hour vibes

Car Seat Headrest "The Scholars" Listening Party, Electric Fetus – Experience the new album, exclusive merch, and prize entries at 4:30pm. Spin the album

West Side Cinco de Mayo, 175 Cesar Chavez Street – Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with music, parades, and Mexican heritage from 5pm. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

Adrienne O'Shea in Concert, Celtic Junction Arts Center – Traditional Irish music evening with Adrienne O’Shea at 7:30pm. Get tix

The Cherry Tree Celebration, Como Regional Park – Free event at Cherry Tree Grove, celebrating the 2012 cherry tree gift from Japan to Saint Paul, featuring a former Nagasaki mayor, live entertainment, traditional dancing, and crafts. From 9am - 11:30am. Celebrate spring

Garden Tool Swap, Folwell Park – Free garden tool and equipment exchange in the park parking lot at 9am. Swap garden tools

2025 Fraser Festival, Saint Paul RiverCentre – Free sensory-friendly celebration of neurodiversity for all ages, with entertainment and activities from 9am. More info

Twin Cities Spring Book Hop, Open Book – Free book fair and book clubs starting at 10am. Book hop adventure

Black to Nature: Spring into Gardening, JD Rivers' Children's Garden – Free family garden event with seed sowing and art at 10am. Family gardening

Nova Pop-up Market, Eat Street Crossing – Savor local food and shop handcrafted goods at 11:30am. Pop-up shopping

Kinderfest, Arbeiter Brewing Company – Kid-friendly Maifest with crafts, folk music, and maypole dancing from noon. Spring festivities

2025 Spring St. Paul Art Crawl at Urban Roots – View local youth artwork, enjoy art activities and snacks from 1pm. Support community art

Ichiko Aoba, The Fitzgerald Theater – Mesmerizing folk from Ichiko Aoba and Owen Pallett’s world tour at 8pm. See Ichiko live

Wheels & Bike Rodeo 2025, Painter Park in Minneapolis - Bring your family and get ready for bike season with free bike repairs, a bike raffle, food trucks, and fun tunes. From 11am - 2pm. Join the rodeo

Book & Vinyl Fair, BlackStack Brewing - Spend the day flipping through an incredible selection of books and records from local bookshops and vendors, from 12-5pm. Deets

Urban Expedition: Ethiopia, Landmark Center – Free celebration of Ethiopian culture with music, dance, food, and crafts from 1pm. Cultural celebration

Square Foot Gardening, Brooklyn Park Library – Master Gardeners present simple techniques for efficient food growing at 1pm. Learn gardening basics

3rd Culture Cuisine II, Hyacinth - Hyacinth and Jook Sing are hosting a pop-up event that blends Chinese immigrant roots with Midwest American influences and Ethiopian culinary passion. Reservations starting at 5pm. Make a reservation

Growing, Harvesting and Enjoying Herbs, Rogers Library – Learn to use herbs in your kitchen and daily life, session starts at 6pm. Herb how-to

Lucy Dacus, Palace Theatre – Lucy Dacus performs with Katie Gavin and jasmine.4.t. at 7:15pm. Get tix

Jovial x Marigold: NA Cocktail Class, Marigold – Non-alcoholic cocktail workshop with crafting instructions and snacks at 6pm. Mix up drinks

Campfire Cooking, Stewart Recreation Center – Discover outdoor cooking and fun recipes for young adventurers by the fire at 6pm. Campfire skills

St. Paul Saints vs. Buffalo Bisons, CHS Field – Baseball game between St. Paul Saints and Buffalo Bisons starts at 6:37pm. Get your tix

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