Owamni to hold Food is Medicine dinner
Tickets are still available for a special nine-course dinner at Owamni on Mon., Aug. 12 that’s curated by chef Sean Sherman and Linda Black Elk of NATIFS (North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems).
The event, called Food is Medicine, is a collaboration between NATIFS and Owamni that celebrates the healing power of traditional foods. There are two seatings (5 and 7:30 p.m.), and diners will learn the health and environmental benefits of reintegrating Indigenous foodways. Cost is $175, with the option to add on alcohol and zero-proof beverage packages. There’s a raffle, too. Guests will receive a take-home plant book from Black Elk detailing the healing benefits of the 20-plus traditional plants used throughout the dinner.
Owamni is at the Water Works Pavilion at Mill Ruins Park, 420 S. 1st St., Mpls., owamni.com. Tickets are available on EventBrite; proceeds will help send NATIFS staff to the Slow Food movement’s annual conference in Turin, Italy.
Vote for your vegan faves
It’s August, which means we’re in the middle of the annual Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge, with 26 local restaurants featuring all-new plant-based dishes for diners to enjoy and rate online. How it works: Eat as many dishes as you want at participating restaurants, vote online for your favorite, and post on social media (voting and posting also make you eligible to win prizes). Or, just enjoy the new plant-based dishes, which include a poblano tamale at AltBurger, mango spring rolls with Thai chile sauce at Duke’s on 7, Karee curry at Sawatdee, kimchi mac at Tori Ramen and many more. Find a list of participating restaurants and their dishes at exploreveg.org. The challenge runs through Aug. 31.
Butcher & the Boar block party
If you missed last month’s backyard bash at Butcher & the Boar, you’re in luck: There’s another one on Aug. 17, from 1-10 p.m. There will be live music, drinks and a menu of summer barbecue favorites. Food specials include bratwurst, footlongs, ribs, pulled-pork sandwiches, burgers, fries and cheese curds. Find the fun in the parking lot just outside of the restaurant (901 N. 3rd St., Mpls., butcherandtheboarmpls.com). The event is free (food is extra), open to all ages and dog-friendly.
Cornfest at Valleyfair begins Aug. 17
The Shakopee amusement park wants you to relish one of the best tastes that summer has to offer: sweet corn. Valleyfair’s annual ode to all things corn runs weekends from Aug. 17-Sept. 2. Expect corn-themed games and activities in addition to special corn dishes, such as corn ribs topped with cheese and bacon, Frito pie with corn and white bean chili, rainbow elote, corn ice cream funnel cake, loaded corn nuggets and, of course, roasted corn. Get all the corny details at valleyfair.com/events/corn-fest.
Eyes on the Pryes
Enjoy beer, Jinx tea, pizza and music (not necessarily in that order) at the annual Pryes Summer Music Festival Aug. 16-17 at Pryes Brewing. Bands play from 6:30-10 p.m. on Aug. 16 and 2-10 p.m. on Aug. 17; the taproom is open from 11 a.m.-midnight both days. It’s an all-ages event, and the $12 wristbands sold at the door are good for both days. Pryes Brewing is at 1401 W. River Road N., Mpls.; for a full lineup, go to pryesbrewing.com.
A celebration of culture
Head to the grounds of Minnesota’s State Capitol on Sat., Aug. 17, from 11 a.m.-11 p.m., for IndiaFest, a one-day celebration of India’s rich cultural heritage. Highlights include Indian cuisine, music and dance performances, cultural exhibits, crafts, games, interactive activities and more. A parade, too. The day ends with a traditional Bollywood Night. Held by the Indian Association of Minnesota, the event is from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Find more information at iamn.org.
