Photo by Kathy Easthagen

A mother and son paint their dragon mask

What would it be like if we moved away from fossil-fuel dependency toward a sustainable future? That's the crux of the "transition-town" movement, which has been gaining steam since the mid-2000s, though its roots are much older than that. It's also the theme of this year's MayDay Parade and Festival, presented by In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre (HOBT), which has incorporated sustainability into its parade and ceremony by featuring an all new transition town called "Bloomingtown."  More >>

Photo by Nick Lethert

​What's the kookiest thing that could serve as a sled? Chances are, whatever it is, it'll be at the 5th Annual Art Sled Rally at Powderhorn Park this Saturday. The event is as theatrical as the ArtCar
Parade (one of last year's goofier entrees was a mitten designed by five teenagers). The winter fun is hosted by South Sixteenth High Jinks, a crew that includes founding members from BareBones' Halloween Extravaganza and the May Day Parade.

Last weekend, City Pages dropped in on the event's free community workshop. While there we got an eyeful of the phrenetic activity involved in sled making, and spoke with Julian McFaul of South Sixteenth High Jinks.

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​The Saint Paul Winter Carnival has been a Twin Cities favorite since 1886, when legend has it that the event began after some thought the city seemed uninhabitable and boring during the winter. Since then, the festival has developed a huge following, with events including the crowing of the Fire King, his Vulcan Krewe, the Klondike Kates, and of course, King Boreas and the Queen of Snows.

With over 350,000 visitors nowadays, it's clear that St. Paul knows how to heat things up in the dead of winter. And while this season hasn't resulted in the usual snow-capped skyline, it's not deterring the event organizers at all. Visitors can expect ice skating, parades, art shows, ice palaces, great food, warm drinks, and countless other activities for anyone looking to pull on their snow boots and romp around the city.

Of course, the famed ice carving contest will take place during festivities as well. We talked to local ice wizard Chris Swarbrick about the chills and thrills behind his art.

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​After taking a break last year, the Art Shanty Projects are back and eager to please. Twenty different shanties will be scattered around Medicine Lake starting this weekend and running through February 5.

We chatted with Sarah Honeywell of the Naughty Shanty to see what kind of naughty this shanty will bring to Minnesota Nice. While our state is finally experiencing a cold snap, a visit to the Naughty Shanty will certainly heat things up. Based on the idea of a gypsy vardoo, the teal structure has a lot of tricks up its mischievous sleeves. Step inside and peer into "naughty" little peephole dioramas, try your hand (or mitten) at fortune telling, steal a cookie, or even puff your way through the cold on a candy cigarette. Just remember to check your back on the way out for a "Kick Me" sign.

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The Sashay Shantay Shanty prepares to hit the ice

​Winter is full of traditions: Holiday get-togethers, sledding down the neighborhood's best hill, and trekking around a frozen lake to look at art. After a brief haitus, the Art Shanty Project is back on Medicine Lake with a lineup of 20 amazing shanties for you to peek into.

Powered and warmed by artists from around the state, this temporary community on ice offers visitors a chance to do more than just step into a musty ice-fishing house. Here, you can explore the unique world inside each shanty, from the Shanty of Wonder to the Monsters Under the Bed Shanty to the Dance Shanty. Participating artists have worked for months, collaborating on ideas that challenge the way that the space on the ice can be used for creative purposes. 

We recently spoke with Rachel Blomgren about the Sashay Shantay Shanty, the lake's destination location for fashionista shanty-goers.

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​This October, the Hub Bike Co-op is hosting a Women's Appreciation Month. During the next 15 days gals will have the opportunity to partake in classes exploring winter commuting basics, road bike racing, bike maintenance, and even bike polo.

City Pages recently caught up with The Hub's 'Spanish' Gonzales, who dubs herself the store's "unofficial fun coordinator" of the women's recreational rides.

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​Interact Theater, frequently dubbed "Minneapolis's Best-Kept Secret" by the folks who work there, has been a Warehouse District institution for 15 years. An art center, art gallery, gift shop, and theater all reside under one roof, and the artists there create some of the most unique pieces in the Twin Cities.

It's time to let the secret out and Interact is pulling out all the stops. This weekend, coordinating with the fall equinox, organization is throwing a party so big that if they are still a secret to anyone after this weekend, they are probably already hibernating.

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Image by Jill VanSickle

​Fall is a wonderful time to be outdoors in that it's cool, but not too cool, just enough so that the tactics we use to stay warm -- like drinking hot chocolate and wearing layers -- actually work to stay toasty. The window to wear fall outfits is not usually too long either, so now is the time to make the most of it.

This weekend is the Spirit of the St. Croix Arts Festival, where there will not only be plenty of beverages of the hot and cold variety, but live music performances and art.More >>

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This year marks the eight annual Twin Cities Zinefest. Along with this anniversary come changes: The event is moving from Stevens Square to the more spacious Powderhorn Park building, and the after party has been eliminated in order to put more energy toward the fest itself.

But removing some of the entertainment doesn't mean that it's going to be any less fun. Zinefest brings a chance for local creative-types to share their work via traditional booths as well as how-to panels. It also serves as a opportunity for regular folks to come by the park and check out a new medium -- one that offers limitless potential in terms of subject matter and community.

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