Todd Zuniga

​Since 2006, Todd Zuniga has been holding Literary Death Matches across the world. The event promotes local talent by giving them an opportunity to perform in a rollicking night of trouble-making. This Thursday, Zuniga will hold his sixth Twin Cities Death Match at the Nomad World Pub.

During the evening, four writers -- Martin Kihn, Tristan Jimerson, Sarah Stonich, and Kao Kalia Yang -- will read from new work. They will be judged by Emily Goldberg, Ian Rans, and Alexis McKinnis.

City Pages caught up with Zuniga last week as he was finishing a Death Match in Los Angeles that included Mark Mallman in its audience (the musician participated in LDM's fourth Twin Cities event last June). Zuniga will be holding more Death Matches over the next month in the U.S. and Europe.

More >>

B FRESH Photography

​More >>

Works by Guo Gai

​The Soap Factory's current show, "Three Artists: Guo Gai, Meng Tang, Slinko," is a provocative and lively exhibition that is both thought provoking and engaging. Political, humorous, and at times titillating, the works challenge the viewer to think about roles that culture, society, and government play in our everyday lives.   More >>

Be on the lookout for this man

​If you're familiar with the downtown Minneapolis bar scene, then you'll probably recognize L.A. Nik. He's easy to spot, as he often wears all black, including his nail polish, and looks like a rock star (because he is--he worked as a drummer in various L.A. rock bands in the '80s). His favorite haunts include the Loring Kitchen and Bar (he lives upstairs), Hell's Kitchen, Prohibition, and the Kitty Cat Klub.
More >>

Photo by jilly~bean

​Always a bridesmaid and never a bride? Don't fret--there's finally an event for bridesmaids that doesn't involve dress fittings, shower planning, or finding the perfect "something borrowed" for your girlfriend-turned-bridezilla.

This Friday marks the first annual Bridesmaid Bar Crawl. Now is the time to dig out that bridesmaid dress that is too adorable to have only worn once, or give one last gasp to the abomination that at one point was actually considered fashionable.

More >>

​While pro cyclists will be whipping through Uptown and downtown St. Paul this week at lightening-speed pace at the Nature Valley Grand Prix, northeast Minneapolis will host a slower, more buzzed race as the Pedal Pub turns into a sporting event this Sunday.

More >>

​Most couples share common interests and hobbies, but sports often lights up the incompatibility meter like a fire. For all of you basketball fanatics whose significant other couldn't care less about a guy who dribbles, we may have a solution for you: The Nomad World Pub has brilliantly combined date night with game night at Romansketball Wednesdays.

More >>

Air Sex, of course. Because why not?

​Simulating sex acts in front of a large group of people is generally frowned upon. Do it on the bus, at your office holiday party, or at the PTO meeting and you're likely to get tut-tutted. Or arrested, as the case may be.

But, human beings being what we are, there are people out there who want a safe and welcoming outlet for their erotic mime performances, and there are people who like to watch. And that's why there is the Air Sex competition, coming this Saturday to the Nomad World Pub.More >>

Photo by yto

​Fans of photography whose snapshot weapon of choice is the iPhone should take note: Tonight, First Avenue's Depot Taverb will be hosting a little get together celebrating the Instagram app.

Never heard of it? The free app follows photography's progression of taking exciting advances and using them to create retro images. Meaning, the Instagram recreates the look of a Polaroid on an iPhone. Think of it like visual meatloaf; it's the "comfort food" of photo world.

More >>

Alina Sofia via Flickr.com

​Sometimes the lack of intelligent happy-hour conversation can make things decidedly unhappy. Aster Cafe, however, changes up the after-work gossip scene on the second Wednesday of every month without sacrificing the salvation of libations.

A Sip of Science at Aster Cafe is "a happy hour forum that offers the opportunity to talk with researchers about their current work."More >>