9 free things to do in the Twin Cities this week
From canines to outdoor performances, Minnesota has it all — cheap.
June 27, 2023 at 10:00AM
This 17-member big band, established in 2018, takes the stage at Central Park Amphitheater. Led by saxophonist and director Conrad Miska, it will play a mix of contemporary jazz and updated standards by Gordon Goodwin, Matt Harris, Jeff Jarvis and others. (7 p.m. Wed. 2893 145th St. W., Rosemount. rosemountarts.com)
Canine Carnival
Doggies get their day with special activities for them and their owners. Fido can splash in the doggie pool, run through the catching-and-Frisbee area and make a paw print craft. (6-8:30 p.m. Wed. Painter Park, 620 W. 34th St., Mpls. minneapolisparks.org)
Movie Nights at Target Field
Enjoy "Space Jam" outdoors as Michael Jordan teams up with Bugs and the gang to defeat a group of invading aliens in the 1996 live-action/animated sports comedy. (7 p.m. Thu. 335 N. 5th St., Mpls. mplsdowntown.com)
Classical Actors Ensemble
Bring a blanket and picnic for an outdoor evening with the Bard. Traveling to different parks in the metro area, the troupe performs Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing," directed by Joseph Papke. (7 p.m. Thu.-Sun. Free, advance registration requested. See website for locations. classicalactorsensemble.org)
Raedial Book Fair
Avoid the summer slide by immersing the family in literature. The day includes a drag queen reading hour, author talks and panel on the impact of social media. (11 a.m. Sat. Harriet Island Regional Park, 200 Dr. Justus Ohage Blvd., St. Paul. raedialreads.com)
'Dance Around Minnesota'
After suspending shows for three years because of the pandemic, DanceCo Performance Company is back with an interactive outdoor family-friendly show. It goes on a Minnesota historical journey with Paul Bunyan and Babe. (10 & 11:30 a.m. Sat. Minnehaha Falls Park Pavilion, 4825 Minnehaha Av. S., Mpls. dancecomn.com)
Open Skate
It's warm outside so why not cool off with a few turns around the ice rink? All ages and skill levels are invited for an afternoon of exercise. (3:30-5 p.m. Sat. Highland Arena, 800 S. Snelling Av., St. Paul. ramseycounty.us)
July 4 celebration
Get into the red, white and blue spirit with six days of carnival fun at Lakeside Memorial Park in Forest Lake. Try your hand at bingo and dance to local bands. Independence Day opens with a parade at 10 a.m. and concludes with a fireworks show at 10 p.m. (5-10 p.m. Thu.; noon-midnight Fri.-Mon.; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Tue. 355 W. Broadway. ci.forest-lake.mn.us)
Free Family Fun Day
Join in an insect discovery, searching for caterpillars, spiders, beetles and grasshoppers. Catch the little critters to observe and then release back into the wild. (10 a.m. Mon. French Regional Park, Plymouth. threeriversparks.org)
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