Weekly Planner

METRO's guide to the week's best events in food, fashion, music and more

"The Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship" opens at the Science Museum of Minnesota on Saturday.

Image credit: Matt Prefontaine/Science Museum of Minnesota

By: Lauren Peck

The Twin Cities is blessed to have a deep cultural well from which to draw. But the diversity of options can be downright discombobulating. To help readers make the most of their precious free time, METRO is hand-selecting a collection of their favorite happenings every week. The "Weekly Planner" feature will appear every Wednesday. Whatever you do, doing nothing is not an option.

Honeydogs

Start your weekend early and spend the evening with renowned local rock band Honeydogs, performing a free concert at the McNally Smith College of Music. Part of the Soundbite Concert Series, the intimate show will include food and drinks beforehand and will be followed by a Q & A with the band featuring host David Campbell from The Current. Remaining free tickets are limited, so e-mail christian.betancourt@mcnallysmith.edu to try to snatch up the last few for this great event (if you miss this one, keep an eye out for other upcoming concerts in the series featuring Heiruspecs and Solid Gold). Thursday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. 19 Exchange St. E., St. Paul. mcnallysmith.edu.  

As You Like It

Ten Thousand Things Theater kicks off its run of this Shakespeare comedy classic at Open Book. As You Like It follows the tale of Rosalind, who flees her uncle's court for the forest of Arden and disguises herself as a man. One of the most talented theater companies in the Twin Cities, this production features actors Aimee Bryant, Pearce Bunting, Maggie Chestovich and more. The company also offers several free performances (reservations required) around the Twin Cities of As You Like It to promote their goal of creating accessible theater. Thursday, Feb. 16 to Sunday, March 11 at Open Book, 1011 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis. Tickets: $25. tenthousandthings.org. 

Rock the Cause: Rock for Socks II

Attend an awesome concert while also raising money to fight homelessness in the Twin Cities at the Amsterdam Bar and Hall, which hosts bands Pictures of Then, The Envy Corps, Apollo Cobra and Pretty Good Dance Moves in a benefit for People Serving People. Bring a new pair of socks to donate to get a discount ticket price. Friday, Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. Amsterdam Bar and Hall, 6th and Wabasha St., St. Paul. Tickets: $5 with sock donation, $12 without. irockthecause.org.

A Match Made in Hell: Dietrich & Von Sternberg

For film buffs, head to Trylon Microcinema to check out this month's Take-Up Production's retrospective series devoted to the talents of Marlene Dietrich and her work with director Josef von Sternberg. This weekend, you can catch Blonde Venus, featuring Cary Grant's first starring role, and Shanghai Express" where Dietrich becomes the Chinese courtesan Shanghai Lily. Friday, Feb. 17-Sunday Feb. 19. Trylon Microcinema: 3258 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis. Tickets: $8. take-up.org.   

Real Pirates

You'll be ready to set sail with the opening of the Science Museum of Minnesota's newest exhibit from National Geographic, Real Pirates. The exhibit tells the story of the pirate ship Whydah, North America's only pirate shipwreck, including information about the crew and artifacts from the ship. While the famous exploits of one Captain Jack Sparrow will not be included in the exhibit, it's sure to provide excellent insight into the real Golden Age of Piracy. You can all catch the new Omnitheater film Under the Sea and explore some of the most amazing and exotic underwater creatures. Opens Saturday, Feb. 18.  120 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. Tickets: $12-$31. smm.org.

50th and France Art Crawl

Artists and art students have created fabulous window displays for many of the businesses along 50th and France. Artists will be on hand to discuss their work and more of their art will be on display inside each store. Art enthusiasts can vote of the best window display and later enjoy a special Art Crawl menu at Barrio, Mozza Mia or Edina Grill. Saturday, Feb. 18 3-5 p.m. 50thandfrance.com.

+ Have a great event to share? Submit it to web editor Drew Kerr at drew.kerr@tigeroak.com.