Following the third snowiest winter in Twin Cities history, Minnesotans are looking for any excuse to get outside and enjoy themselves. Thankfully, Art-A-Whirl is finally here this Friday through Sunday. For the uninitiated, Art-A-Whirl is the largest open studio tour in the country, which happens annually throughout northeast Minneapolis during the third weekend in May. Now celebrating its 28th year, Art-A-Whirl showcases more than 1,200 NEMAA member artists, galleries, and businesses across Northeast Minneapolis at more than 70 locations.

Art-A-Whirl is also one of the best weekends of the entire year for music lovers, and the weather forecast this year looks fantastic for all three days. (Finally!) So, if you are in the mood to check out art galleries and tour open studios, enjoy a favorite Minnesota band or discover some new ones, sample lots of local brews and food, or just feel like getting outside to wander around and people watch, Art-A-Whirl has something for everyone.

If you’re looking to get your schedule sorted out for the weekend, here’s a roundup of some of the best music and art activities on offer during Art-A-Whirl 2023.

Art-A-Whirl 2023 Schedule

May 19 – 21, 2023

Friday: 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Saturday: Noon – 8 p.m.

Sunday: Noon – 5 p.m.

331 Club

331 Club has a great music lineup planned for both their outside and indoor stages throughout Art-A-Whirl, with no cover charge all weekend long (as well as the rest of the year–bless the 331!).

Friday, May 19

OUTSIDE

MCN6 music channel presents Bands On Vans

8 p.m.: Butter Boys

INSIDE

6-8 p.m.: DJ Sill Phresh

10 p.m.: Fistful of Datas

Saturday, May 20

OUTSIDE

MCN6 music channel presents Bands On Vans

6 p.m.: Super Flasher

8 p.m.: Wish Wash

INSIDE

6-8 p.m.: DJ Still Phresh

10 p.m.: 120 Minutes Band

Sunday, May 21

2-5 p.m.: Mike Munson, Paul Bergen & Mikkel

8 p.m.: Tramps Like Us

612Brew

The NE brewery is celebrating their 10th annual Art-A-Whirl event, and they have a packed weekend planned. They are featuring the art of NEMAA member artists Dogfish Media and Melinda Wolff, food from Cheese Curd Tacos, Hana Bistro, and Brothers Gutierrez, a pop-up tattoo shop by Nokomis Tattoo, and live music on their outdoor amphitheater all weekend long. They also have plenty of special brews featured for AAW, including Basic Instinct West Coast IPA, Amarillo By Morning Pale Ale, Bubblehouse Hard Seltzer, as well as their brand new Kolsch. 612Brew’s Art-A-Whirl celebration is free and all-ages, with at valid 21+ ID needed for alcohol.

612Brew’s AAW live music schedule is below: 

Friday, May 19

8 p.m.: Kingsview

6:30 p.m.: The Skalectric Company

5 p.m.: Side Two

Saturday, May 20

8 p.m.: The Jeff Gavin Band

6 p.m.: J.Bell & The Lazy Susan Band

4 p.m.: Maria and The Coins

3 p.m.: Placaters

2 p.m.: Willard

Bauhaus Brew Labs  

Bauhaus’ Liquid Zoo is always one of the cultural highlights of Art-A-Whirl. And based on their stellar lineup of music, food, and beers, this year should be no exception. Bauhaus has rounded up food options from some of the best restaurants in town, with Brasa, Parlour Bar, and Animales all on hand for whenever you get hungry. Minneapolis Vintage Market will have vendors on hand selling vintage clothing, accessories, and home goods. Northmade will also be selling their Northern-inspired apparel. Bauhaus’ Liquid Zoo closes down on Sunday with a Made By Hands Art & Crafts Extra-Vaganza from 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Makers will be selling their wares, including paintings, jewelry, woodworkings, sweets, knits, ceramics, and more. All the events at the Liquid Zoo are free and all ages, and you need to be 21+ to drink.

Bauhaus Liquid Zoo live music schedule is below: 

Friday, May 19

KICK OFF DANCE PARTY

8:30 p.m.: Viva Knievel

7 p.m.: The Color Pharmacy

5:30 p.m.: Uncle Muskrat

Saturday, May 20

ALL-DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL

9-10 p.m. Early Eyes

7:30-8:30 p.m.: Solid Gold

6-7 p.m.: Mae Simpson:

4:30-5:30 p.m.: McNasty Brass Band

3-4 p.m.: Birdroom

1:30-2:30 p.m.: Obi Original (w/live band)

12-1 p.m.: General B and the Wiz

Eastside Food Co-op

The northeast Minneapolis food co-op hosts its second annual ALL TOGETHER NOW! event on Saturday, May 20, from 12-6 p.m. It’s a day of free music, art, food, beer, balloon animals, and more! Featured Artists include: Zoe Mae Huot-Link, Kay Rossbach, Rachel Weller, Brooke Spare, Jenny Weber, Megan Whipple, Paul Barnum, Mary Bowman-Cline, Meagan Baker & Lauren Infante, Mossformations, Michael Hubred, and Jasmin Osman.

Eastside’s live music schedule for Saturday, May 20, is below:

12 p.m.: Butter Boys

1 p.m.: Roe Family Singers

2 p.m.: All Tomorrow’s Petty

4 p.m.: Ozone Creations

5 p.m.: Monica LaPlante

Elias Metal Studio at the Waterbury Building

Friday, May 19, 5-9 p.m.

Creeping Charlie

Aiden Intro

FenixDion

Alairen

Saturday, May 20, 12-8 p.m.

Sax Sells

Uncle Katy

Flavor Crystals

Moy Dukksen

Lisa Michelle Anderson

Dancing Judas

Green

Indeed Brewing

Indeed is also celebrating the 10th anniversary of their annual Art-A-Whirl weekend party, Whirlygig. This year’s Whirlygig is going all out to mark the grand occasion, featuring delectable food from Red Cow, Revival Smoked Meats, The Donut Trap, Aki's, and KCM Eggrolls, which all pairs perfectly with Indeed’s tasty beers served both in cans and on tap, with THC beverages and non-alcoholic drink options also available. The Carefree Zone provides family-friendly entertainment for kids of all ages on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, featuring bubble fun from The Baron of Bubbles, balloon twisting, MONDO jugglers, and more. Legacy Glassworks will also be on hand doing live glassblowing demonstrations and making custom glass pipes all weekend, including a featured pop-up pipe show called Whirlyrig on Saturday from 12-4 p.m.

Indeed Brewing’s Whirlygig live music schedule is below:

Friday, May 19 from 3 p.m.-11 p.m.

8:45 p.m.: NUR-D

7:45 p.m.: Mayyadda

6:30 p.m.: Honeybutter

Saturday, May 20 from 12 p.m.-11 p.m.

8:45 p.m.: LA Buckner + Big Homie

7:30 p.m.: Joe Rainey

6:30 p.m.: Papa Mbye

5:30 p.m.: Denim Matriarch

4:30 p.m.: Room3

3:30 p.m.: Radiochurch

2:30 p.m.: Creeping Charlie

1:30 p.m.: Mik Cool

Sunday, May 21 from 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

5:00 p.m.: Turn Turn Turn

4:00 p.m.: The Foxgloves

3:00 p.m.: Cornbread Harris

2:00 p.m.: Dani Erin

1:00 p.m.: The Gemstones

11:30 a.m.: Divas of the Midwest: A Drag Review

Pryes Brewing Company

Pryes is hosting ART & CRAFT 2023 during Art-a-Whirl, featuring live music performances, the work of talented local artists, and hand-crafted beer.

Pryes live music schedule is below:

Friday, May 19

6 p.m.: South for Winter

8 p.m.: Mark Mallman

10 p.m.: Megan Hamilton

Saturday, May 20

2:30 p.m.: Maudlin

4:30 p.m.: Palms Psalm

6:30 p.m.: Graveyard Club

8:30 p.m.: Fastball

10:45 p.m.: Mikel Wright & The Wrongs

Sociable Cider Werks

Sociable has a weekend packed full of all-ages fun, games, and a celebration of community. In addition to their zesty cider on offer, food and tasty treats will be available from Unidos Food Co., Salsa Collaborative, and MN Ice Cream, as well as a craft market open all weekend long.

Sociable Cider Werks live music schedule is below:

Friday, May 19

Live Music 6 p.m.-9 p.m.

Kaat

Holm & Tanz

Rhino Shrine

The Real Chuck NORAD

Saturday, May 20

Live Music 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Machinery Hill

Tyler Haag

Trevor & Mary

The Common Practice

Rare Plant Summer Camp

Manias

The Silent Treatment

Collapsing Stars

Eleganza

Sunday

Kids’ Day

Live Music 12 p.m.-5 p.m.:

Featuring She’s Burgers and various talented young artists

Twin Ignition

The Twin Ignition Startup Garage is a totally-renovated 6,000-square-foot facility located in the heart of the historic Grain Belt Brewery District. Twin Ignition is not only a proud sponsor of Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association (NEMAA) and Art-A-Whirl, but they are also hosting 26 visual artists and eight musical artists between the Startup Garage and the Keg House throughout the weekend. Surly is the beer sponsor at Twin Ignition, and Parralily food truck will be on hand Saturday from 2 p.m.-8 p.m.

Twin Ignition’s live music schedule at the DEMO Live Music Stage is below:

Friday, May 19

5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.: Chris Lynch with The Dust of Suns Ensemble

7:45 p.m.-9 p.m.: The Starfolk

Saturday, May 20

2 p.m.: Mellifera

3 p.m.: Robert Wilkinson

4 p.m.: Chris Lynch with The Dust of Suns Ensemble

5 p.m.: Randall Throckmorton

6 p.m.: Lonesome Dan Kase

7 p.m.: Bleek & Grimm

This feature is part of The Current’s 89 Days series, helping you enjoy the best of the season with weekly guides to events, entertainment, and recreation in the Twin Cities.