Art-a-Whirl isn't for every art person. Despite the 600-plus artists showing across 50 northeast Minneapolis locations, a lot of it is hit or miss. This lil' guide guarantees you'll catch some fine art and not, er, just drunk people wandering from studio to studio. Never fear, there is still art here!
Midway Contemporary Art benefit: As AAW kicks off, Midway throws up the curtains to unveil — wait for it — an art auction! Alex Becerra, Tom Burr, Yuki Kumura, Jagdeep Raina, Nolan Simon and many more have donated works for the greater good. The tickets are a bit steep at $125 but hey, you want to support art, don't you? All proceeds benefit Midway, helping to keep their exhibitions, library and public programs flowing. (7-11 p.m. Fri., 527 2nd Av. SE., Mpls., advance tickets at midwayart.org)
"Eva Hesse" film screening: Mark Wojahn and Wilbur Ince's micro/studio series Casket Cinema shows this docu-pic about the fascinating sculptor and 1960s NYC art-scene powerhouse whose life was cut short at age 34 by cancer. Directed by Marcie Begleiter, it won the audience award at the 2016 Big Eddy Film Festival in New York. BYOB. (8-11 p.m. Sat., Casket Arts Studio 116, 681 17th Av. NE., Mpls., $5-$10 donation, which goes directly to the filmmaker. RSVP at facebook.com/groups/Casketcinema)
Russ White: Also at Casket Arts, the Southern-born artist and illustrator showcases his remixing of everyday objects such as "under construction" site barriers and the American flag. (681 17th Av. NE., Studio LL10, russ-white.com, @drunkle_russ)
"Aphotic" dance party: Public Functionary and CMND+CTRL roll out dance relief with DJs Just Nine, Frank Castle and Ms. Lakesha, and live projections by Nolan Regan Morice, Art by Mixie and Psychographics. 9 p.m. Sat.-1 a.m. Sun., Public Functionary, 1400 12th Av. NE., Mpls., $5, publicfunctionary.org)
Kate Iverson: "Semblance of Disorder" is a pop-up exhibition of her colorful yet minimalist work, influenced by fashion spreads. The name of the show suggests a reference to the chaotic nature of Art-a-Whirl, so have at it! (1101 Stinson Blvd. #8, Mpls., kateiversonart.com, @theiverson)
