MPR News Arts Reporter Marianne Combs joins Jill Riley and Sean McPherson to talk about summer festivals happening this weekend.

"It's kind of the highlight of summer," Marianne says. "All these crowds get together to celebrate the great weather and be outdoors together. … These three events are all things that would draw me out of my shell and get me there."

Uptown Art Fair — This annual fair features all sorts of art in an amazing showcase of local and regional talent, augmented by entertainment of all kinds, including live music, improv and activities for kids. It centers on where Lake meets Hennepin in Minneapolis, and it runs Friday, Aug. 7, to Sunday, Aug. 9.

Little Mekong Night Market — Situated at at Western and University Avenues in St. Paul, this night market is cast in the Southeast Asian tradition. From 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, and from 4 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, Western Avenue will be lit up with food, arts and crafts, merchandise from local vendors. "It's really about bringing people into this neighborhood called Little Mekong," Marianne says, noting that the neighborhood's name comes from the river in Southeast Asia that connects many countries and cultures. Similarly, this night market connects people, culture and community. Also useful, the Green Line stops right at Western and University.

Square Lake Music and Film Festival — Held at Square Lake just outside Stillwater, Minn., the festival gets started at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8, alternating between short films and live music. Performing acts include Dosh, Sonny Knight and the Lakers, the Roe Family Singers and more.

Marianne Combs joins The Current's Morning Show for the Weekend Arts Roundup every Thursday at 8:30 a.m. Read all the latest arts news from MPR News.