The back-to-school buzz has wrapped up, the leaves are changing color and despite the 70-degree temperatures, there is a familiar chill in the air — October is here, and spooky season has begun.

Instead of waiting until the end of the month for Halloween fun, why not celebrate all month long? Here are some haunts, horrors and other frightening festivities to take advantage of throughout October.

Ghost Walks

If you’re into all things paranormal, check out American Ghost Walks. They have walking tours through both Minneapolis and Saint Paul, where you can hear the haunted history and chilling ghost stories of the Twin Cities. Explore the spooky side of your favorite Twin Cities sites, and one of the ghosts themselves might even pay you a visit.

Scary Movies in the Parks

Classic horror movies are essential viewing during this time of year. Luckily enough, a few of them will be playing in Saint Paul parks throughout October. Grab a bite from the food trucks before the show, and curl up to watch “The Shining,” “Get Out” and other great horror flicks under the stars.

Twin Cities Horror Festival

If you like on-screen horror, chances are you’ll like it on the stage. The Twin Cities Horror Festival (TCHF) is an 11 day event centered around horror-themed performances. This year, there will be online shows available Oct. 21-24, as well as in-person productions Oct. 27-31 at the Crane Theater in Minneapolis. Tickets are on sale now, and you won’t want to miss all of the frightening fun these shows have to offer.

Halloween Party at First Avenue

If you’re still finalizing your plans for Halloween night, you should stop in at First Avenue for their annual Halloween party. There will be live DJ performances, as well as a costume contest with over $1,000 in cash prizes on the line, so show up in your most extravagant outfits for the night of dancing and fun.

As shoppers sporting biker shorts, baby tees and leather pants filed into Familia HQ Skatepark for Twin Cities Vintage Fest (TCVF), one thing was exceedingly clear: certain trends from decades past have withstood the test of time.

The festival on Oct. 2 commemorated the best of the 80s and 90s — over 50 vendors offered a curated selection of clothing, toys and other goods for those looking to expand their vintage collection. TCVF brought businesses and shoppers together to celebrate sustainability, tap into nostalgia and strengthen the Minneapolis vintage community.

The event was jam-packed with retro goodies and shoppers on the hunt for rare finds. TCVF is Minnesota’s largest 80s and 90s vintage event, and it’s much more than the average shopping experience — nestled beside the booths and clothing racks were food trucks, interactive photo backdrops inspired by 90s teenage bedrooms, a vintage arcade and a mobile record bus spinning vinyl all day to set the mood.

Sarah Emerson is a co-owner and marketing lead for TCVF. Emerson and her husband, Andy Emerson, own Green Threads Vintage, a clothing brand that specializes in vintage T-shirts, crewnecks and “grandma style” sweaters. When the chance to throw a vintage flea market came up, they jumped on the opportunity.

For Sarah, her interest in vintage clothing has various foundations. “I’ve always been a collector of trinkets and things that make me happy, and it eventually just sparked into clothing,” she said. “As a plus size person, I’ve always struggled finding vintage clothes in my size, then the 90s T-shirt movement came through and I could finally find clothes that fit me that were comfortable and cool.”

For younger generations, Sarah said she thinks the appeal of an 80s and 90s-themed event is rooted in the longing for an era before their time. “I think the 90s specifically is the last golden age before the internet,” she said. “It was very unplugged…it’s just that nostalgic feeling for a simpler time.”

For some, the condition of vintage clothes is also part of their appeal. “I like clothes when they’re aged and kind of ratty,” said Tony Zuchora-Walske, a shopper at the festival. “Like, you can tell it’s been around for awhile.”

But the large turnout at TCVF events goes beyond aesthetics. “I think there’s a huge movement for sustainable, eco-friendly anything,” Sarah said, “and vintage clothing is a great opportunity to find really unique pieces that are sustainable or secondhand.”

Sarah noted that bringing sustainable clothes to the masses plays a large role in what TCVF hopes to accomplish, and this is recognized by vendors and patrons alike.

Festival-goer Ethan Malenfant said that the sustainability of vintage clothes is important to them, in terms of how it compares to the practices of the fashion industry today. “I think that fast fashion now makes clothes a lot worse quality,” he said.

TCVF also works to support and strengthen the vintage community in Minneapolis. Sarah noted that renting a booth is much cheaper than a storefront, so the festival provides an entry opportunity for people who want to kick-start their business.

“It’s been crazy, I’ve watched people pay for college, pay off medical bills, all kinds of stuff from these and other events around town,” Sarah said.

Marissa Melhorn, owner of Guiltless Vintage, has experienced this impact firsthand having been a vendor at two TCVF events. “It helps me pay my rent, and it helps get exposure for my business,” she said.

Sarah describes the local vintage community as a family that TCVF wants to take care of. At the end of the day, they’re all connected through their love of old and vintage goods, and the festival provides a place for this connection to be fostered.

“When we come here, we all see each other and we meet each other,” Sarah said. “It’s been a magical thing, it really has.”

The air is getting crisp, our shorts have been traded for jeans and each day brings more things to accomplish within the decreasing hours of sunlight — summer has come and gone, and fall is upon us.

There’s something about the summer months that brings out our desire to have a picturesque life. We escape from our jobs, internships and other responsibilities by taking trips to the farmer’s market, reading classics on the beach and preparing charcuterie boards for picnics. TikTok told us that we have to start “romanticizing” our lives, — and this summer, that’s exactly what we did.

But the turn of the season doesn’t mean we have to stop seeking out opportunities to feel like the “main character.” There are plenty of ways to romanticize life on campus during the fall, turning your idealized version of autumn into a reality.

Walk along the river and admire the fall colors

Carving out 30 minutes for a walk is a great way to reduce the stress you might be feeling as classes ramp up. Better yet, it’s an opportunity to admire the beautiful fall foliage that Minnesota has to offer. One of the prettiest, most relaxing walks on campus is along East River Parkway, situated just behind the superblock dorms. Overlooking the Mississippi River and surrounded by trees, this path is the perfect place to take a study break, put on your fall playlist and check out the brightly-colored leaves.

A hot beverage, an old building and a good book

The sunny cottagecore days are things of the past, and the season of dark academia is upon us. Few things scream “dark academia” quite like literature and old architecture, both of which are in abundance here on campus. Built in 1907, Folwell Hall’s English Renaissance-inspired architecture is hard to beat. The building’s interior is decorated with marble floors, grand staircases and ornate woodwork, creating the perfect environment to grab a book and momentarily escape the realities of this century. Top it off with your favorite fall drink, and you’ve got quite the aesthetically-pleasing afternoon.

Relax in The Knoll

If your ideal fall day would be spent nestled under a canopy of trees, the grassy area outside Peik Hall, known as The Knoll, is where you want to be. This spot is perfect for setting up a hammock, enjoying the autumn breeze and listening to Fleet Foxes (because nothing encapsulates this season like folk music). Or, maybe you want to bring a blanket and set up a picnic. No matter how you pass the time, hanging out in The Knoll lets you appreciate the beauty of fall to its full extent.

Explore the campus museums

Wandering through a museum is a great option for a fall date, adventure with friends or even a solo outing. Even though the Weisman is still temporarily closed, there are a few other museums on campus that are definitely worth exploring; The Bell Museum in Saint Paul offers various natural history exhibits, as well as a planetarium, and the Goldstein Museum of Design contains an assortment of multidisciplinary objects from pottery to designer clothing. Throw on your favorite fall outfit and check out the artifacts, artwork and everything in- between.

Take the Washington Avenue Bridge at sunset

There is something truly magical about being on the Washington Avenue Bridge when the sun starts going down. The rosy, post-golden hour glow illuminates the city skyline and reflects off the Mississippi River. Biking or taking a scooter across the bridge around this time is nothing short of surreal — put on your favorite song, feel the wind against your face and have your “main character in a coming of age movie” moment.

Keeping up the momentum of a bustling Homecoming Week on campus, Tyla Yaweh will be taking the stage outside Coffman Memorial Union for a free performance on September 24.

The annual Homecoming Concert is a well-known University tradition, but have you ever wondered who calls the shots in terms of what artist will be performing? Look no further — A&E spoke with folks from the University’s Student Unions and Activities (SUA) about their jobs, the tedious process of selecting a performer and their goals for this year’s concert.

Nolan Litschewski is a third-year student studying strategic communications, and he serves as a lead student music event planner for SUA. Devin Graf is a University of Minnesota alum, and she oversees SUA’s music group committee as a program advisor. Both Litschewski and Graf play essential roles in the planning, preparation and execution of the Homecoming Concert.

Why did you choose to apply for your role with SUA?

N: I’m hoping to do something in the music industry, so that’s kind of what was interesting about this job for me as a student. I just saw it as an opportunity to get involved with music on campus in a way that’s supporting student music and supporting the music that students want to see.

D: I was a program board coordinator when I was a student, and when I had the opportunity to continue my work with SUA, it just kind of made sense to me. I knew how much my advisors meant to me, and being able to provide that support to future generations of students is really important.

I’m very curious about the behind the scenes of choosing the artist for the Homecoming show. What does the brainstorming process look like?

N: We scope out what kind of artists students are listening to, usually through surveys and feedback from students. I would also ask people during virtual events to let me know what kind of music they wanted to hear on campus. Our supervisors have told us to keep our ears open, whether it’s to people talking on the street or to the songs we hear while walking past frat row. We take all that data together and come up with ideas from there.

D: When I was a student, something I kept in mind was what we wanted the show to accomplish, and what kind of energy we wanted. That usually helps to frame what genre you’re going to aim for. We also have a huge performer database where we keep track of requests students have submitted for hundreds of different artists.

After some initial ideas have been generated, what kinds of factors go into finalizing the decision for the performer?

N: We want to know about their reputation, so we research the artist pretty in-depth. Social media numbers are a big thing for us as well, in terms of how they’re doing on Spotify or checking in on their Instagram activity. Especially during this past year, we look at what artists have been rising during the pandemic that there might be demand for. And, of course, budget and availability.

That sounds like quite the process. What does the timeline typically look like for crowdsourcing, research and ultimately booking the performer?

N: In a conventional year, it usually starts in January. But this year, we ran into different roadblocks. For a long time, we didn’t know what fall was going to look like, and we were just waiting to make sure that this was even a viable thing. This year we started in May, as soon as we heard that fall was looking good.

D: The biggest thing we keep in mind is when we want to launch the campaign. For our larger events, like Homecoming, people want to know a lot farther in advance, so our deadline is usually two to three months prior to the show.

This year’s concert is coming up at the end of the week. What sorts of things went into the decision to book Tyla Yaweh for the show?

N: We combined the feedback we received with his relevance in the past year and a half. He released a lot of new music during the pandemic, and his Spotify listeners were trending upwards. He also had songs with some really big names like Post Malone and Wiz Khalifa, so all of those things kind of came together.

Devin mentioned earlier that SUA has different “goals” for each of their events. What are some of your goals for the Homecoming Concert?

N: When I went to the concert during my freshman year, I started seeing people from my dorm that I hadn’t talked to that much, and experiencing a high-energy show together was a jumping off point in getting to know them better. That’s the goal for me, just for students to have an awesome experience where they can finally meet new people.

D: We wanted to make sure students had a free, accessible option to celebrate the Friday before Homecoming, and hopefully being surrounded by other students cultivates a sense of belonging on campus. I think that’s ultimately the heart of all of our programming — it’s a huge campus, so being able to be in a collective spot enjoying the shared experience is really important.

Editor’s note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

It’s an unusually warm afternoon in spring of 2020, and University of Minnesota graduate Colin Vehmeier sits at a picnic table in Van Cleve Park, Cuban sandwich and a yerba mate tea in hand. A few bites into his meal, Vehmeier notices that he’s not alone. “This one squirrel comes up behind me … like it was probably within a foot of me,” he said. “It had its eyes on the sandwich.”

To Vehmeier’s surprise, the squirrel brought reinforcements. “Now I have a squirrel on my table, a squirrel behind me and then one sitting next to me,” he said, “and I’m not doing well.”

After a total of eight squirrels had surrounded his table, Vehmeier surrendered the rest of his sandwich and left the park. “That’s their turf, and I learned not to mess with them,” he explained. “I felt like their motives were sinister.”

Apprehending the sandwich of an unsuspecting picnic-goer, taking off with a student’s lab notebook and cracking open a White Claw for happy hour — for a squirrel at the University, this is just another day in the life.

Big, brave and bushy-tailed, the campus squirrels are far from average. Their infamy at the University can be accredited to their mischievous antics, resulting in funny anecdotes and minor inconveniences for students. Whether they’re plotting a food heist or popping out of a trash can, it’s obvious that these city critters exhibit vastly different behavior than their rural counterparts. Nurture and nature combine in this tale of urbanization, as human influence works in tandem with physiology to create these fuzzy “urban exploiters.”

Move over, gophers — the squirrels just might be the real alpha rodents on campus.

Goldy gopher or Goldy ground squirrel?

The legacy of squirrels on campus extends far beyond their daring escapades. In fact, they play an interesting role in the University’s history, dating back over a century.

After graduating from the University in 2008, Ryan Barland went on to become an oral historian at the Minnesota Historical Society. The intersection between his love for sports and history has evolved into a unique area of expertise for Barland, especially when it comes to the Golden Gophers.

Barland explained that there’s more to Goldy Gopher — the beloved, buck-toothed face of the University — than his name might suggest. The mystery originated in the 1800s with a political scandal, railroad tycoons and a certain discrepancy in a newspaper cartoon involving none other than the squirrels themselves.

In 1857, a land grant bill was proposed to the Minnesota legislature that would authorize a $5 million loan to be used for the construction of railroads. The railroad companies at the receiving end of this grant were headed by prominent political figures, including representatives and leaders from both parties. Due to the railroad tycoons’ political prowess and hand in the legislature, the bill was passed with ease.

In opposition to this, a Saint Paul resident named Robert Ormsby Sweeny crafted a political cartoon depicting advocates of the bill as striped “gophers” pulling a cart across a railroad. Supporting the tracks from underneath are nine men with bags of money around their necks, which represent legislators who were allegedly bribed to support the passage of the bill.

Because of this, Minnesota became known as the “Gopher State,” Barland said, which ultimately led to the University’s adoption of the moniker and mascot. But there was a major discrepancy in the cartoon that was overlooked before its circulation and subsequent infamy; although Sweeny labeled them as “gophers,” the critters he depicted were actually 13-lined ground squirrels.

They’re not chipmunks, and they’re certainly not gophers — these often-misidentified ground squirrels are a species of their own. Their backs and tails are decorated with a distinct striped pattern, almost identical to that seen on the tail of the University’s fearless mascot.

“I don’t think the ‘University of Minnesota Squirrels’ has quite the same ring to it,” Barland said. “The ship had already sailed at that point, and everyone was pretty on board with the gopher name.”

Happy hours, heists and other hijinks

Whether or not you embrace his true identity, Goldy’s backstory makes one thing clear: squirrels are a part of the University’s roots. They’re not going anywhere anytime soon, and they’re not afraid to make their presence known.

“I once saw a squirrel trying to drink a White Claw that was left out on my deck,” said Alyssa Arnold, a third-year student at the University. If you’re from outside the city, this behavior might come as a surprise. Maybe you’re used to seeing squirrels hide acorns away for later, but probably not alcoholic seltzers.

These squirrels are interested in more than just cocktails, though — they’re here to wine and dine, and in a similar fashion to college students, they’ll do whatever it takes to get their paws on some free food. Avery Wageman, a senior majoring in communication studies, said she “once saw one steal a slice of pizza out of a garbage can and then climb a power line to eat it.”

Barrett Seeley, a second-year neuroscience major, experienced this tenacity first-hand. She was sitting outside after purchasing school supplies at Coffman Memorial Union, and decided to leave her belongings behind while she went in to use the bathroom. When she returned, Seeley said she was shocked to see a particularly “buff” campus squirrel running away with her chemistry lab notebook.

“It’s my first year on campus, so it was a bit shocking because all the squirrels in the suburbs are super small and they don’t interact with people,” she said.

Although she had to buy a new notebook, Seeley said this encounter painted the campus squirrels in a positive light for her. “It just shows their resilience when they want to complete a task,” Seeley said.

To habituate or not to habituate

The explanation behind this sort of behavior boils down to the physiology of squirrels on campus.

Charlotte Devitz is working toward her doctorate in ecology, evolution and behavior. Her dissertation is focused on how urbanization affects wildlife; specifically, how certain behavioral traits facilitate adaptation to urban environments.

Devitz chose to conduct her research on squirrels, referring to them as “urban exploiters.” She noted that they take advantage of novel resources that being on campus provides, like increased food availability. “They’re so used to being fed by people that they’re pretty relentless,” she said.

Devitz noted that one of the larger behavioral differences in urban squirrels compared to those in rural areas is their comfort level around people. “They basically just become habituated to the presence of people,” she said. “Similarly, they’re a lot more bold with stealing food and their willingness to interact with things that aren’t natural.”

According to Devitz, this habituation to people and other potential threats is beneficial for their immune system and other physiological functions.

She explained that if someone walked through a rural site with a dog that started lunging at a squirrel, the squirrel would mount a stress response, which is an extremely energy-costly process. Urbanization increases the frequency at which squirrels come in contact with such threats; if they mount a stress response every time one appears, this frequency could have a “whole cascade of physiological effects.”

“It can affect their ability to go on and reproduce … it can weaken immune function for them,” Devitz said. Thus, the city squirrels have to habituate and learn that these things aren’t always going to kill them. “Obviously there is still risk involved because there could be a dog that does come after them … so it’s a balancing of risks. But in most cases, it’s going to be beneficial for those animals to habituate,” she said.

On the flip side, this habituation might be less of a benefit and more of a nuisance for students. But if a squirrel ever stares you down for a bite of food, Devitz has some advice.

“If you ignore them long enough, and just try and run away, they might leave you alone,” she said. “You might not have to leave your Cuban sandwich for them, but who knows.”

If you’ve been longing for the nights spent grabbing a bite in Dinkytown and lining up outside Varsity Theater, the wait is finally over. Alongside in-person classes and activities, concerts will once again be part of our back-to-school agendas this year.

Mark your calendars, Gophers! Here’s a list of 10 shows happening in Minneapolis throughout the semester.

Sept. 19: Japanese Breakfast (with Luna Li) at First Avenue

Following the June release of her album “Jubilee,” Japanese Breakfast’s Michelle Zauner will be performing at First Avenue with Luna Li.

Sept. 24: Julien Baker (with Thao) at First Avenue

Whether you know Julien Baker from her solo career or from indie rock supergroup boygenius, you’re not going to want to miss seeing her perform live. Baker will be taking the First Avenue stage after releasing her third solo album, “Little Oblivions.”

Oct. 2: Leon Bridges (with Abraham Alexander) at First Avenue

The Grammy Award-winning R&B artist is hitting the road after releasing his third studio album, “Gold-Diggers Sound,” in July. His show at First Avenue with Abraham Alexander is a great opportunity to treat yourself after surviving the first month of school.

Oct. 19: 100 gecs at First Avenue

Good news, hyperpop fans: 100 gecs is returning to the Twin Cities. The duo consisting of Dylan Brady and Laura Les will be performing at First Avenue, presented by Radio K.

Oct. 22: bbno$ at Varsity Theater

The infamous Dinkytown venue will host bbno$ on his “eat ya veggies” tour. The rapper will be taking the stage with special guests SavageRealm, Shotgun Willy and ceo@business.net.

Oct. 27: Dayglow (with courtship.) at First Avenue

Dayglow, presented by Radio K, will take the stage at First Avenue following the release of his sophomore album, “Harmony House.”

Nov. 12: JPEGMAFIA at First Avenue

The rapper and producer will be at First Avenue after dropping a series of EPs, “EP!” in 2020 and “EP2!” in 2021, as well as announcing his upcoming album.

Nov. 17: Pink Sweat$ at Varsity Theater

Pink Sweat$ will be performing in Dinkytown after the release of his debut album, “PINK PLANET,” earlier this year.

Like many aspects of pre-pandemic life, WAM-O-RAMA is coming back this year with a bang.

The Weisman Art Museum (WAM) will hold its annual fall event on Friday, Sept. 10. Between performances from local artists, a pop-up from Radio K’s hip-hop stream and art-making activities, WAM-O-RAMA celebrates creative collaboration and the return of in-person activities at the University of Minnesota.

After a long year of online classes, the event will serve as a gathering place to celebrate being on campus, whether it’s for the first time or as a returning student.

“Some students may be second-years but they haven’t been to campus yet. That’s another reason we really wanted to push to have this program this year,” said Laura Pilarski, a program assistant at WAM. “It’s really our ‘welcome back’ to students.”

The back-to-school festival on the museum’s plaza will kick off at noon with an art-making activity from the Toaster Innovation Hub. At 1 p.m., WAM tour guides will be leading a public art walking tour, which is a great opportunity to explore the University’s vast collection of sculptures and other art pieces. For anyone looking for a midday boost, Misfit Coffee Co. will also be on the plaza serving drinks throughout the afternoon.

Heading into the evening, the event will shift gears towards the WAM-O-RAMA concert. From 5-7 p.m., two artists presented by the Whole Music Club will take the stage outside the museum; Minneapolis-based rapper OB will open, followed by local band Rhino Shrine.

Before their performances and in between sets, Radio K will keep the vibes going with a pop-up from their hip-hop stream, The Vanguard.

“We really want to add to the environment that they’re creating, which is super cool,” said Claire Knudten, training director at Radio K.

Knudten said that WAM-O-RAMA will demonstrate the creative collaboration that goes on at the University.

“These very artistic sides of campus are all collabing and going to create this really cool place for art,” she said. “It’s just going to be a cool, safe place for the beginning of the school year to kind of establish that side of campus.”

The WAM’s temporary closure for building repairs over the summer will continue into the fall. Susannah Schouweiler, director of marketing and communications at WAM, said they’re hoping to know when the firm reopening date will be by the end of September.

Even with the building closed, there are still plenty of ways for students to engage with the museum this fall. “Just Yesterday,” WAM’s outdoor exhibit, will be on display along the exterior of the museum until Oct. 1. Students can also apply to be a WAM Collective Officer or a part of the Digital Content Team. Lastly, public art group tours are available by request with a few weeks notice.

For those who want to learn more about these opportunities, to celebrate art and music, or to ring in the school year with friends, WAM-O-RAMA is the place to be.

“The last year and a half has been really hard … so this is a real moment of celebration and solidarity. We get to come back and listen to live music together in front of this building that we’re all really proud to have on our campus,” Schouweiler said. “But more than that, it’s a moment to celebrate the possibilities for the coming academic year for creative collaboration, and for taking advantage of everything that being in person on campus offers.”

Take everything you know about opera and spin it on its head. Instead of historic opera houses where folks perform, what if it’s a 2011 Ford Ranger pickup truck? Instead of an expansive orchestra, it’s a couple banjos. And instead of classical arias, it’s Dolly Parton’s discography. This isn’t your average opera, this is Pickup Truck Opera.

The Twin Cities theater company Mixed Precipitation is hitting the road this summer — literally. The Pickup Truck Opera puts a fun, country spin on Homer’s “Odyssey.” The epic is brought to life on the back of an old pickup truck, serving as a mobile stage that can reach new audiences across the state.

The opera will be making its way around the state for 16 full epic performances, consisting of three 25-minute episodes. The truck will be stopping in Minneapolis on Sunday, Aug. 29 for a performance at Cedar Lake East Beach.

The show combines Baroque opera music from composer Claudio Monteverdi with Dolly Parton tunes, adding a country carnival flare to the traditional tale of Ulysses and his family. But that’s not all — the fun continues with the production’s assortment of puppets, live instruments and tasty treats for audience members.

On summer evenings, neighborhoods can host pop-up performances of singular episodes in their streets and alleyways, where the pickup functions like a “theatrical ice cream truck.”

After studying theater at the University of Minnesota, Scotty Reynolds went on to become Mixed Precipitation’s founder and producing artistic director.

Reynolds said the outdoor theater company’s mission is “to create festive, theatrical events that inspire social engagement.” Their shows are more than just the average theater production, as they combine music, dance, food and storytelling to foster unique, multi-sensory audience experiences.

Mixed Precipitation’s summer tradition is a Picnic Operetta production, which typically draws a sizable audience in a garden, park or other green space. Reynolds said that due to pandemic concerns, they wanted to move away from a large gathering structure and focus more on neighborhood-specific events, which could also allow them to connect with new audiences.

Transforming a Ford Ranger into a mobile stage makes this possible. “Wherever it parks, we can put on a show,” said Pickup Truck Opera performer and University of Minnesota alum, Joni Griffith. “The truck is the main architectural anchor point of the show, but it’s also a sailboat, a musical stage, a cave, a lounging spot for sea sirens, a hiding spot for actors and so much more.”

Momoko Tanno earned her Master of Music in Vocal Performance degree from the University of Minnesota. She’s taken on many roles during her time as an opera singer and performer, including Penelope and Minerva in the Pickup Truck Opera.

Tanno said she appreciates Mixed Precipitation’s focus on giving performers an experience that allows them to showcase multiple skills. “For so long, I was taught that I needed to focus on one thing forever … My teachers would not allow me to do anything but classical singing,” she said, “And I felt very restricted by that.”

Taking theater outside of its traditional box is nothing new at Mixed Precipitation. In fact, William Beeman, who teaches performance theory and anthropology courses at the University of Minnesota and serves on Mixed Precipitation’s advisory panel, said it’s been their “whole principle of operation” to do so.

“Almost every director and theater company wants to bring something new and fresh to their audiences … and I think that’s been the experience with Mixed Precipitation,” Beeman said.

Ultimately, Reynolds hopes the Pickup Truck Opera brings people together to relish a unique experience with one another.

“I think it’s an approach to classical music that prioritizes having a good time,” Reynolds said.

As with many elements of pre-pandemic life, the lights are turning back on for live theater performances around the Twin Cities — and not just the dim glows of our computer screens.

After being completely virtual in 2020, the Minnesota Fringe Festival will return Aug. 5-15 with a handful of live in-person performances. But virtual shows won’t completely disappear from the Fringe, as they increase the festival’s accessibility for performers and audiences alike.

Fringe-goers have many options when it comes to watching performances this year. The festival is offering pre-recorded virtual performances, archival video recordings, audio only performances, livestreams and live in-person performances, with over 100 shows to choose from.

To attend the festival, you have to purchase a Fringe Button online. The button functions as an access pass that allows Fringe-goers to purchase tickets for specific shows and view virtual programming on the Fringe’s website.

Dawn Bentley is the Fringe Festival’s executive director, and she also teaches Nonprofit Financial Management within the Arts and Cultural Leadership Master’s program at the University of Minnesota.

On one hand, Bentley said that the Fringe decided to utilize a hybrid structure this year to take COVID-19 precautions. At this point in the pandemic, she said, “It’s very important to meet people where they’re at … because not everyone is comfortable returning to the theaters and not all theaters are comfortable hosting people.”

Even as the world regains some sense of normalcy, the pandemic has not yet come to a halt. Theaters across the globe are still having to delay or cancel productions due to positive COVID-19 cases, including a handful of shows in London’s West End.

But the decision to integrate virtual options again this year was also due to the various benefits of an online format. Bentley mentioned that travel and transportation aren’t a barrier to entry when it comes to virtual programming, which makes the festival more accessible for audience members and artists.

“We think there is room for a hybrid Fringe in our future,” Bentley said. “I see no reason to let go of virtual programming, because I feel like it has actually opened us up to new audiences, new artists and new ways to Fringe.”

Scott Pakudaitis has been a regular attendee of the Fringe Festival since 2001. Because of conflicts with his work schedule, he can only make it to one in-person performance this year, but he’ll still be able to experience the Fringe through the online streaming options; he plans on attending a few livestream shows and watching a handful of recorded performances.

“I really appreciate that there’s this virtual option that lets me experience this wonderful art and not have to worry about fitting it into my work schedule,” he said.

For in-person performances, Bentley said the artists behind these shows each selected their own venues. There are plenty of unique indoor and outdoor locations on this year’s schedule, including Boom Island and Minnehaha Park, various Minneapolis theaters, a distillery and even a museum.

“The Scribbler,” one of the festival’s in-person shows, is coming to the Bakken Museum in Minneapolis on August 6-8. The show is a comedy that depicts a kingdom where no one knows how to read or write, including the town scribe, who has been keeping this inability a secret.

The show’s writer, Kyle Munshower, and director, Kevin Duong, are also looking forward to getting back on stage as actors in the show. “After a year that was so devoid of in-person connection in a lot of ways, I think it’s just gonna be really exciting to create a space for that connection to happen again,” Munshower said.

Munshower and Duong also noted the importance of the festival for both artists and fans, especially in terms of making theater accessible.

“I think what the Fringe Festival provides is just a way for audiences to either dip their feet in or to experience theater away from all the grandiosity of what the stereotype of theater is,” Duong said.

For artists, the Fringe Festival provides a platform to set them up for success. “For people like us who really love creating theater, [Fringe] is such a great way to get a foot in that door,” Munshower said. “It helps you build an audience, and it helps you do better the next time you do a show.”

These sentiments are consistent with those behind the scenes at the Fringe, as Bentley said that she wants to make sure that art is accessible to everyone. “Any artist can be a Fringe artist… and if you have a story you believe in and you want to tell, then there’s an audience out there for you,” she said.

Let’s face it – taking an art class can be intimidating, especially if you’re looking to tap into a newfound burst of creativity. But what if you could make your own masterpiece while sipping on cocktails or getting your twerk on?

A&E rounded up a handful of classes right here in the Twin Cities that take the average art lesson to the next level, each with their own unique twist. Add these to the itinerary of your next night out with friends, a partner or even a DIY date with yourself!

Twerk N Paint — The Pourhouse

What better way to bring Hot Girl Summer to a close than by channeling your inner Megan Thee Stallion and Vincent van Gogh (two iconic artists of their respective crafts, of course)?

Twerk N Paint events take place once a month at The Pourhouse in Minneapolis. Attendees are given paint supplies and canvases with pre-sketched designs to work on while they socialize and drop it like it’s hot.

“It’s burning calories, it’s working the gluteus medius and maximus, it’s body positivity, it’s about people expressing themselves and doing art,” said Noval Noir, Twerk N Paint organizer and owner. “Everyone can vibe out and have a great time.”

Noir said the details for August’s Twerk N Paint event will be released soon, so be sure to keep an eye on their website.

Art and Wine Night — Driftwood Char Bar

Driftwood, the charming south Minneapolis hole-in-the-wall, hosts art and wine nights once a month. The classes are put on by Wine & Canvas Minneapolis, and each features a different sample painting for attendees to recreate. Come learn some art basics while enjoying a bite to eat or something from the bar.

Larry Sahagian, Driftwood’s music and events booker, said these classes bring friends together to express themselves and share what they create, whether they’re amateur painters or have years of art experience.

“We just are all about music and art, that’s what the Driftwood is,” Sahagian said.

The next art and wine night at Driftwood is taking place on Wednesday, July 28 at 7 p.m. The event is listed on Driftwood’s Facebook page, and attendees must register for the class online at least a day in advance.

Paint & Sip — Burning Brothers Brewing

If you’re looking for something on the other side of the river, Your Bearded Artist is putting on a Paint & Sip event at St. Paul’s Burning Brothers Brewing.

The class will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 18 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Participants will recreate a painting of the northern lights while receiving step-by-step guidance from local artists and enjoying food and beverages from Burning Brothers’ menu.

Registration for the class can be done online.

Project Socials — Upstairs Circus MPLS

If painting isn’t your thing, have no fear! With over 25 projects to choose from, the Project Socials at Upstairs Circus MPLS cater to a variety of crafty interests, whether you’re into woodworking, jewelry making, nail and string art or beyond.

After choosing their project, patrons are given a photo tutorial and the supplies they need. Everyone is able to customize the project to their liking while grabbing a cocktail from the bar and socializing with other “circus-goers.”

Anna Eastep, events and reservations manager at Upstairs Circus MPLS, said the Project Socials allow each guest to express their unique personality while also bonding with other makers.

“I think the appeal of our Project Socials is that they’re the perfect combination of individuality and togetherness,” Eastep said in an email to the Minnesota Daily. “People have the chance to work together with their friends, family and coworkers while watching each other enjoy their artistic sides – something a lot of our patons don’t get the chance to do often!”

The best way to reserve your spot at a Project Social is on Upstairs Circus MPLS’ website.