Party Pictures and our Party Patrol bloggers take on the party scene in Minneapolis and St. Paul from mspmag.com

Arts Scene

Walker After Hours: CMYK vs. RGB

By Kara Eliason | Photos by Kara Eliason | Event Date: October 21, 2011
Posted on November 1, 2011 | Categories: Arts Scene, Openings

Who: Graphic design fans, art lovers, and party people
What: Walker After Hours: CMYK vs. RGB
Where: Walker Art Center
When: Oct. 21, 2011
Why: To get a sneak peek at the Walker’s new exhibit Graphic Design: Now in Production

When it comes to art parties, the Walker knows how to draw a crowd. For some, the party was a chance to see the new exhibit Graphic Design: Now in Production. For others, it was a way to mix and mingle with Twin Cities partygoers. Either way, it was a fun place to spend a Friday night.

Minneapolis Institute of Art's Art Perchance 2011

By Kate Crouse | Photos by Kate Crouse | Event Date: August 18, 2011
Posted on September 2, 2011 | Categories: Arts Scene, Benefits + Fundraisers

Who: Young professionals, artists, art lovers, and Friends of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts

What: Art Perchance 2011

Where: Target Park at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA)

When: August 18th

Why: To raise funds for the Minneapolis Institute of Arts in support of free lectures, MIA education programs, student transportation to MIA, and the conservation of the museum's permanent collection.

I walked along the beautiful birch-lined pathway of Target Park and was delighted to be a part of the crowd at Minneapolis Institute of the Arts’ 2011 Art Perchance. Sponsored by Friends of the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts, the 8th annual Art Perchance seamlessly combined fun entertainment and inspiring art. It also helped support future MIA projects and programs, some of which included the sponsorship of transportation for student field trips to MIA, the bolstering of MIA's education budget, and the conservation of museum artwork.

Basilica Block Party 2011

By Emily Howald | Photos by Josh Anderson | Event Date: July 8-9, 2011
Posted on July 13, 2011 | Categories: Arts Scene, Benefits + Fundraisers

Who: Music lovers, Basilica supporters, and anyone else looking for a warm way to spend two perfect summer evenings
What: Cities 97 Basilica Block Party
Where: Corner of 16th Street and Hennepin Avenue, outside the Basilica of St. Mary
When: July 8 and 9, 2011
Why: We love a good fundraiser, especially when it involves music, food, drinks, and sweltering heat.

I can’t lie. I’ve never been to the Basilica Block Party before. (insert gasp here). I know, I feel as though I’ve missed out on the last 16 years of good old-fashioned fun (the party began in 1995 as a means to raise money for the beautiful building’s structural restoration). I’ve heard of it, many times, but I’m relatively new to Minnesota and over these past few years, I’ve always either been out of town, preoccupied, or at a wedding while this illustrious concert commenced down the street. I’ve heard tales of the rowdiness; I’ve read reviews on the entertainment; I’ve seen the hung-over aftereffects of my friends, but I’ve never witnessed the event first hand. So you can imagine my excitement and anticipation as I prepared myself for what was sure to be a rockin’ good time of a weekend.

The Minnesota Orchestra's Crash the Ball 2011

By Kate Crouse | Photos by Kate Crouse | Event Date: June 25th, 2011
Posted on July 1, 2011 | 1 Comment | Categories: Arts Scene, Benefits + Fundraisers, Galas

Who: Young professionals, artists, music lovers, and friends of the Minnesota Orchestra
What: Crash the Ball 2011
Where: The Depot
When: June 25, 2011
Why: To raise funds for the music and education programs of the Minnesota Orchestra

This past Saturday night, I found myself standing below disco balls at The Depot. A perfectly balanced glam fest and benefit—this year’s Crash the Ball was a mix of Gatsbian elegance and purposeful conversation. Sponsored by Target, Haskells, and E & J Winery, the event aimed to raise $10,000 for the funding of bus transportation for 3,000 students to attend a Young People's Concert at Orchestra Hall. In total, the event raised nearly $65,000 for the music and education programs of the Orchestra.

Midway Contemporary Art’s The Judgment of Paris

By Maura Ryan | Photos by Maura Ryan | Event Date: Friday, April 29, 2011
Posted on May 6, 2011 | Categories: Arts Scene, Benefits + Fundraisers

Who: A trifecta of artists, curators, and art collectors

What: The 7th annual benefit for Midway Contemporary Art

Where: Jeune Lune, Minneapolis

When: Friday, April 29, 2011

Why: To raise funds for a gallery that sees itself as a place “for what’s new on the artistic horizon.”

The artsy crowd packed the party space du jour—Jeune Lune—for Midway Contemporary Art’s 7th annual benefit art auction, this year deemed The Judgment of Paris, which we heard was a nod to Greek mythology, and the art representing the “hot or not” contest among Hera, Aphrodite, and Athena.

Minneapolis Institute of Arts' Bella Naughty

By Maura Ryan | Photos by Mike Feltault | Event Date: February 5, 2011
Posted on February 10, 2011 | 1 Comment | Categories: Arts Scene, Openings

Who: Friends and Fans of Titian

What: Bella Naughty

When: February 5, 2011

Where: Minneapolis Institute of Arts

Why: An excuse to clink-clink in honor of Italian Renaissance masterpieces

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts invited us to break out of post-holiday hiding and hibernation with Bella Naughty, a Venetian-style masquerade party celebrating the kick off of the not-to-be missed exhibit Titian and the Golden Age of Venetian Painting: Masterpieces from the National Galleries of Scotland.

Under The Radar Foundation's The Best Party in Town

By Nina Holmberg | Photos by Nina Holmberg | Event Date: November 21, 2010
Posted on December 1, 2010 | Categories: Arts Scene, Benefits + Fundraisers

Who: Jazz fans and philanthropists.

What: An evening of entertainment for board members and friends of the Under the Radar Foundation touted "The Best Party in Town"

Where: Dakota Jazz Club

When: November 21, 2010

Why: To support Under the Radar Foundation, and to eat, drink, and be merry in the company of friends and musicians.

On a chilly Sunday night, what could be cozier than the company of friends, great live music, and a good meal? On a particularly nippy November evening, we hurried across Nicollet Mall into the Dakota Jazz Club for a truly memorable event.

2010 Ivey Awards and VIP Party

By Erin Gulden | Photos by Erin Gulden | Event Date: September 20, 2010
Posted on September 22, 2010 | Categories: Arts Scene, Restaurateurs, Special Events, TV Anchors + Media, VIPs

What: 2010 Ivey Awards and VIP party
Where: State Theatre
When: September 20, 2010
Why: Honor the Twin Cities amazing theater community, especially this year’s top performers, playwrights, set designers, sound editors, lighting technicians, and everyone else who helps make a performance great.
Who: Those involved in the Twin Cities theater community and those who simply enjoy a night out (or ten) at the theater. Needless to say the State was packed.

This is what I hate about the Iveys: Each year, as I watch awards go to amazing actors, set designers, directors, playwrights, et al, I kick myself for missing that particular production. How did I miss Live Action Set’s The Happy Show? What was I doing that one night it ran at some theater I have never heard of? What I love about the Iveys: Everything else.

Minneapolis Institute of Art’s Art Perchance?

By Maura Ryan | Photos by Maura Ryan | Event Date: August 19, 2010
Posted on August 20, 2010 | Categories: Arts Scene, Benefits + Fundraisers

Who: Artists and art gamblers, plus a bearded lady and gypsies
What: Art Perchance?
Where: Minneapolis Institute of Arts
When: Thursday, August 19, 2010
Why: To win prizes, for art's sake

Would you like some art per chaaaaance? I know I do!

Behind the Scenes Soirée

By mspmag.com | Photos by Erin Kirby | Event Date: April 17, 2010
Posted on July 1, 2010 | Categories: Arts Scene, Benefits + Fundraisers, Galas, Party Pics

Who: Red Eye Theater
When: April 17, 2010
Where: Marquette Place

The Red Eye’s annual gala featured a special sold-out performance of MARIA/STUART at the theater. Afterward, 125 attendees were ushered to Marquette Place to enjoy a soirée featuring sneak-peek performances and a silent auction.