Fireworks/Sommerfest; Diplo/CSS

Cultural Event #14, Minnesota Summer Fun

A few weeks ago, Bud and I ventured downtown to watch the big Aquatennial (water-yearly? annually waterful?) Fireworks Show on the river. On the Fourth, we took a chance that we'd be able to see fireworks from our roof deck (read: preferred to keep drinking and stay home). That was cool (see pic above), but this show was something else entirely. It was like a Grand Finale the whole time. So awesome and LOUD. Also loud was the woman sitting next to us who was one of those people who can't do anything without detailing how often, how many times, how long, how much they do this thing. Not one firework could go off without this woman gracing the whole riverfront with her opinion, "Oh! I love the purple ones. But they're not as good as the white ones that sparkle. I wonder when they're going to do those. Usually they would have already done those by now. You should see those. Just wait, they're the best." BARF.

After the show was over, we walked toward Orchestra Hall for Sommerfest. It was a balmy evening - perfect for sitting outdoors and listening to music. This particular evening there was a band playing Cuban music, and people were salsa dancing (with varying degrees of success). I was not among them, but it did inspire us to take lessons after my knees get better.

Cultural Event #15, Diplo and CSS at the Varsity

After a 12-hour workday, I arrived with aching feet at the Diplo show. I missed the first opener, but was there in time for CSS (Cansei de Ser Sexy - apparently Portuguese for "I'm tired of being sexy," which was something Beyonce said once). They were a lot of fun, and completely different from any concert I've seen lately. The lead singer (who goes by the name Lovefoxxx) is like a combination of Bjork and Karen Oh (in look and persona), minus the scariness. When she threatens to "break your face in two," you feel more like tousling her head than running for cover. She's a little ball of energy, and a great frontwoman.

Diplo came onstage, and quickly filled the dancefloor. He was spinning more recent hiphop and dance tracks, but got his biggest response early on when he played "Walk Like an Egyptian." It's to his credit that I never left the dancefloor (except for a G&T break), despite my blistered feet and aching knees. His set was full of recognizable pop, dance, hiphop and techno tracks, which was a great surprise for me. It's not the sort of stuff you sit and nod along with - it's the sort that makes you get up and shake your booty. That's a great way to spend a Monday night.