Groundbreaker Battle, Bearded Lady Motorcycle Freak Show: Freeloader Friday

Photo by Rick A. Kolodziej

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Summer is in full swing, and it shows in this edition of Freeloader Friday. There's plenty of hip outdoor festivals, including breakdancing at the Groundbreaker Battle in downtown Minneapolis, there's the strong man competitions at Highland Fest, and there's beer and bikes at the Bearded Lady Motorcycle Freak Show. The Art Cars will be taking a cruise around Lake Harriet, and there's free theater to be had in both St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Take a look at our list and plan your weekend.

FRIDAY:

Highland Fest
(Highland neighborhood, Ford Parkway and Cleveland Avenue South in St. Paul)

Featuring live music, Beer Dabbler (not free, obviously), kids' activities, food, rides, the always entertaining strongman competition. Visit www.highlandfest.com for more info. Fri. 2-10:30 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. 

Middle Eastern Festival
(St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 1250 Oakdale Ave., West St. Paul, 651-457-0854, www.antiochian.org)

Featuring food, live entertainment, marketplace, silent auction, church tours, children's games, camel rides. Fri.-Sat. 12-10 p.m.; Sun. 12-6 p.m. 

Romeo and Juliet
(Wolfe Park, 3700 Montery Drive, Minneapolis, 763-682-4590)

A fast-paced version of Shakespeare's romantic tragedy presented outdoors. Friday-Sunday 8 p.m. 

Al Grande, Jim Crego Band, Elsie's Room
(331 Club: 331 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis, 612-331-1746)

10 p.m. 

Kelsey Henderson, School's Out

Paper View: The 21st Cooperative Exhibition
(Highpoint Center For Printmaking, 912 W. Lake St., Minneapolis, 612-871-1326, www.highpointprintmaking.org)

6:30-9 p.m.

Wabasha Days #5
(Ecolab Plaza: 376 Wabasha St N, St Paul)

With Idle Hands, We Became Actors, West of Aldine. For more info call 612.285.3112 or visit www.amsterdambarandhall.com. 4 p.m.

Earthrise, Torch the Spires, Morality Crisis, Lazaret
(Hexagon Bar: 2600 27th Ave. S., Minneapolis, 612-722-3454)

9 p.m.

Nice Bangs
(Acadia Cafe: 329 S. Cedar Ave., Minneapolis, 612-874-8702)

9 p.m. 

Greeks in the Street Festival
(Frogtown Center, 633 W. University Ave., St. Paul)

Gonzo Group presents Aristophanes The Frogs in its first Greeks in the Street Festival, outdoors at Frogtown Square at the intersection of University and Dale. The whole event will feature games, activities, and food trucks. For information, call 651.330.2404. Fridays, Saturdays, 6 p.m. 

France Camp, the Velveteens, Part Mammal
(Memory Lanes: 2520 26th Ave. S., Minneapolis, 612-721-6211)

10 p.m. 

Bob Nordquist & the Intangibles
(Wild Tymes Sports Bar & Grill: 33 W. 7th Place, St. Paul, 651-224-8181)