The daily digest of Twin Cities culture | Secrets of the City

Photo of Desdamona by Hannan Photography

ART
B-Girl Be Gallery Exhibit: Mama Said Knock U Out!

This Friday the B-Girl Be squad and Intermedia Arts show mad props to the underrated, power punching ladies of the hip-hop realm. The female-focused exhibit, Mama Said Knock U Out!, showcases the work of 28 artists from around the world who have crossed barriers and broken stereotypes with their politically charged anthems, expressive art, and visual voices. View the artwork of B-Girl and infamous local spoken word artist, Desdamona, as well as other unique video, photography, sculpture, film, dance and textile pieces. Also take in a provocative world premiere installation from nationally known photographer and Huffington Post contributor, Lauri Lyons. Come show your support for the Twin Cities hip-hop scene - and the talented ladies behind it - while munching on delicious Bryant Lake Bowl snacks, grooving to music from DJ Drea. Mama said so!  -Juleana Enright

Friday, Opening Reception 6 - 9 p.m., Intermedia Arts, 2822 Lyndale Ave. S., Free

SPECIAL EVENT
And/Or Magazine Release Show

One could call the brains behind newish zine And/Or risk takers. After all, it takes guts to enter the print world, especially in this economic climate -- but we'd like to think of them as something entirely different: DIY visionaries. The free arts and culture zine has been popping up in local coffee shops and indie record stores across the Twin Cities since its creative birth early this summer and - despite being freakishly tiny - its pages are packed with fun, fresh and crazy collaborative art from local writers, illustrators, photographers and poets. For each issue, And/Or choses a theme and then lets artist's submissions interpret the topic in their own unique style -- making for quite the eclectic display of mixed media. Every issue is like a mini-optical and intellectual collection. And/Or sustains its 500 bi-monthly issues through benefit concerts like the one they're hosting tonight at West Bank pub, The Nomad.  Tonight's show features PB & the Jam (featuring members of New Rebelution and More Than Lights), Franz Diego, New MC, Dalia, and Moxy. Come down tonight to grab a copy and get aboard the And/Or train.

Friday, 9 p.m., The Nomad, 501 Cedar Ave, Minneapolis, 21+, $5

FILM
Funny Shorts

If the waning daylight hours are making you a little sad that summer is nearing the...oh, we won't say it! Raise your spirits by letting Minnesota filmmakers make you giggle with their clever short films.  Eat some popcorn, laugh at local comedian MC Pat Susmilch and enjoy the ambiance that is Rogue Buddha, which we always tend to enjoy. While you're there, peruse the current exhibit, The Beautifully Grotesque, a journey into the vivid, somewhat disturbing world of artist Sylvia Ortiz. All in all, a great night of art, short films and creative revelry!

8 p.m. to 1 a.m., Rogue Buddha Gallery, 357 13th Avenue NE, Minneapolis, Free (dontations appreciated)

ART
LoLa Art Crawl

We love to see new arts organizations pop up, and the League of Longfellow Artists (LoLa) is no exception. Join this newly formed group for a leisurely art crawl through one of our favorite Minneapolis neighborhoods, and set your sights on work by artists you may not have been privy to in the past -- and perhaps some you have. Northeast Minneapolis' Art-A-Whirl festival started out this way, so who knows what's in store for this burgeoning arts area! This two-day event spans 20 sites and over 40 artists, so there will be more than enough art action to please even those of us with the shortest attention spans. See sculpture, jewelry, painting, photography, mixed media, fiber art and much more, and return home with something locally made of your very own!

Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Longfellow Neighborhood, various locations, Minneapolis, Free

MUSIC
Grey Skies CD Release Party

Saturday's show at the 501 is not quite as gloomy as the band name may suggest. Local rockers, Grey Skies, do, however, have a dark edge to them, filled with driving guitars and fuzzy, layered arrangements that have both classic rock and gothic undertones. Their debut CD, while definitely rainy day fodder, has enough pop sensibility to appeal to a varied audience. Paired with the moody, violin-driven loveliness of supporting band Bella Koshka and the psychedelic sounds of Strangelights' Joe Werner, this show will definitely be one to remember.

Saturday, 9 p.m., 501 Club, 501 Washington Avenue N, Minneapolis, free