on the list
Mark your beer calendar Two big beer events this week. First is Indulge, a new beer festival scheduled for June 20. Beer fans are notorious for gobbling up tickets to these festivals far in advance, so giddyap -- tickets go on sale today. Indulge promises to be a little more ambitious than your normal beer-sampling fest. It's more of a beer-dinner fest, where more than two dozen breweries will pair their brews with food by Twin Cities chefs. (6 p.m. June 20. Radisson, 615 Washington Av. SE., Mpls. Tickets: www.indulgecraftbeer.com or call Stub & Herb's, 612-379-0555.)
Can't wait till June? The second Firkin Fest happens Saturday at the Happy Gnome, with more than 25 breweries bringing in more than 55 specialty beers. Most will be served from firkins, which are basically smaller kegs containing beer that's been allowed to ferment naturally. (2 p.m. Sat. 498 Selby Av., St. Paul. $5 admission. 651-287-2018. www.thehappygnome.com.)
Mob mentality Earlier this month one of the Twin Cities' best trivia nights made a serious play for pub-quiz domination. The two guys behind the 331 Club's Sunday night trivia renamed themselves the Trivia Mafia and have suddenly taken over pub quizzes at 17 metro bars.
Sean McPherson (of hip-hop band Heiruspecs) and Chuck Terhark (of Metro magazine and the Como Avenue Jug Band) now command trivia nights at almost every Green Mill in the Twin Cities, plus one Old Chicago and a couple of Champps. Terhark said the duo will personally run trivia at several of these bars and have hired additional "mafiosos" to handle the rest. For more info and a full schedule, go to www.triviamafia.com.
Celebrate women March is Women's History Month. That means it's time to party. A full night of dancing, soul music and steppers is being planned at the 1200 Club in Burnsville. The night, called "A Sunday Affair," will feature music by R&B singers J. Most and Rachel Black, a steppers showcase, comedians, DJs and a pop-lock contest for people 35-plus. (6:30 p.m. Sun. 1200 E. Hwy. 13, Burnsville. $10-$13. 952-890-1200. www.1200club.com.)
TOM HORGEN
