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

SPECIAL EVENT
Secrets of the City Happy Hour

Have you ever met Max Sparber, Kate Iverson, or Matt Bartel? If you have, you already know we are pretty cute, and if not, we encourage you to come down and judge for yourselves at the very first Secrets of the City Happy Hour! Mingle with the minds behind this mutually loved/hated bastardization of The Rake and MNSpeak while enjoying happy hour drink specials and free food. Yes, there will be free food. Even for Steve Marsh. Come down and party with us, put some names to some faces, and make us feel loved. It's your civic duty as net-trolling smart asses.

4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Barbette, 1600 W. Lake Street, Minneapolis, Free

FASHION
Ruby3 Progressive Holiday Trunk Show

Make a splash this holiday season with a wild and wonderful hat created by local designer Ruby3, perhaps better known as Anna Lee, a mover and shaker in the local independent fashion scene, producer the annual Voltage: Fashion Amplified and the founder of MNFashion.org. Lee's hats are pure sculptural decadence, made with a sense of whimsy that is often lost in functional fashion. You'll be the talk of the soiree with one of Ruby3's swirly and elegant cocktail hats perched atop your head. Also check out Lee's equally adorable cold weather accessories, as well as screen-printed legwear by Calpurnia Peach. Watch a live photo shoot with Jayme Halbritter featuring models styled by Miyagi Salon (wearing Ruby3 of course) before heading to the after party with local rockers Faux Jean at The Red Stag at 10pm!

7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Miyagi Salon, 411 E. Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, Free

SPECIAL EVENT
Holiday Preview Party

Start (or finish up) your holiday shopping tonight in Linden Hills. Funky furniture and upholstery shop Harriann is holding an open house  featuring tons of gifts made by local artists. Discover handmade delights including jewelry, bags, home decor, holiday decorations, skincare products (which you can try before you buy) from Hooked Studios and more. Featuring plenty of "up-cycled" gift items: cool stuff made from other formerly cool stuff. You'll be treated to festive snackings and bubbly champagne to match the holiday cheer, and throughout the evening special giveaways will abound. Not to mention, Harriann's is just one block west of the delicious Turtle Bread Company, so do we need to tell you twice?

5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Harriann Upholstery, 3537 W. 44th Street, Minneapolis, Free

ART
1st Thursdays in the Arts District

We love First Thursdays, and not just because part of it occurs in the building where our office resides, The Northrup King! Each month there is something new and fantastic to lay your eyes on, and this time around will be especially brimming with treasures - considering the holidays are officially here. Local artists in numerous studio buildings will swing their doors open to the public tonight, so shake a leg to the Arts District and buy local this season, or just wander aimlessly and enjoy this fun monthly studio hop!

5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Northeast Arts District, Various Locations, Northeast Minneapolis, Free.