Secrets of the City

If you still haven’t had a chance to get over the College of Visual Arts for the illo minn exhibit, here’s a great excuse to pop into to St. Paul and check it out. On it’s own, the biennial illustration exhibition displays unique and inventive work from some of our state’s best illustrators. But tonight there’s also the added bonus of a hearing a panel moderated by Andy Powell and featuring Julie Delton, Charles Griak, Lindsay Nohl, and Ryan Peltier as they discuss the ins and outs of their craft. It’s sure to be a great event for working artists and art enthusiasts alike. 6 p.m. Free.

College of Visual Arts, 173 Western Ave. N., St. Paul, 651-757-4000, cva.edu

According to the curators themselves: “Alcohol By Volume showcases Minneapolis’ craft cocktail and music cultures side by side.” We’re not quite sure what they mean by craft music, but we’re totally digging MPLS.TV’s concept for Alcohol By Volume. For the first edition, the showdown goes down between Meritage bartender Rob Jones and Eli’s drinkslinger Richy Rivera set to the music of Wes Winship (host of Triple Double and artist for Burlesque North America). And since Red Stag has a late night happy hour, the blood, sweat, and tears of their battling is your cocktail-swilling gain (unless it gets into your drink, that is). 10 p.m. Free.

Red Stag Supperclub, 509 1st Ave. NE, 612-767-7766, redstagsupperclub.com

We’ve already given you the rundown of Kieran Folliard’s 2 Gingers Whiskey when it was given a limited release in November: it’s smoother than Joe Mauer’s hair, a sweet sipper, and makes for the perfect cocktail (i.e. “The Big Ginger”). Now, 2 Gingers will be added to the drink menu at Brit’s Pub, which will be celebrating tonight with a performance by Kinda Kinky and special 2 Gingers cocktails designed exclusively for Brit’s. 6 p.m. Free.

Brit’s Pub, 1110 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612-332-3908, britspub.com