St. Paul Concert and Sports Venues

I recently went around Minneapolis, St. Paul and a few of the surrounding suburbs to take photos of all the great venues! I took pictures of 24 total venues.

Check out some of the great venues we have around St. Paul!

Grand Old Day 2012

Grand Old Day is almost here! Time to pump up that St. Paul pride and head on over to Grand Avenue to celebrate with art, entertainment, drinks and friends!

Sunday, June 3 is Grand Old Day - a celebration that takes place on Grand Avenue from the cross streets of Cretin to Dale in St. Paul, Minnesota.

There are four 'zones' that make up the celebration: Family Fun District (Cretin to Snelling), Art District (Saratoga to Albert), Sporting District (Hamline to Dunlap), and the Entertainment District (Lexington to Dale).

The Family Fun District features games, pony rides, a petting zoo, music and entertainment fit for the entire family! In the Whole Foods Market lot, there are several entertainers provided. The day starts at noon with Paul Spring and progresses to Koo Koo Kangaroo, Snapdragon Seeds, and Radio Disney. At Grand & Cambridge, the little ones can enjoy free pony rides, petting zoo, inflatables, mini-golf and other games!

The Art District is likely to draw major crowds as it features art and crafts by local and regional artists. From Saratoga to Albert, you can get your fill of art and crafts. Noon-5pm will feature the Artstart Art Project at Pascal & Grand. There you can make your own Grand Hand Headpiece out of recycled materials!

The Sporting District features interactive games and fun from the Minnesota Wild, St. Paul Saints, Minnesota Timberwolves, Minnesota Rollergirls and more!

Also in the Sporting District is Bike Parking. Free bike parking is available on the Ayd Mill Bridge. There are over 140 bike parking spaces installed along Grand Avenue for convenient parking. Generally it will be easier to find a bike parking space than a space for your vehicle.You should bring your own bike lock. 

Perhaps the most popular area of the Grand Old Day is the Entertainment District! This district, from Lexington to Dale, presents live music in 6 festival gardens.

In the Grand Garden (between Lexington and Oxford), bands will kick off the day in the US Bank Lot. At noon Zachary Scot Johnson will perform, followed by Dan Rodriguez at 1pm and SarahLou at 3pm. This garden is presented by Summit and Barefoot Wine, which means you should gear up for a good time!

At the Billy's Stage you will hear performances by Arc Flash Hazard, Orange Whip and Hookers and Blow. The Wild Onion Stage will bring White Iron Band and Rocket Club. The Grand Country Stage, located in the Pier 1 Lot, will feature Maiden Dixie and Tim Sigler. The 80's Stage in the Walgreens Lot will highlight Mish Mash and Boogie Wonderland. The Dixie's Stage will feature a heavy and fun lineup with Charlie Parr, Blind Shake, The Soviettes and Solid Gold.

The Grand Old Parade starts just after Dale & Grand and finishes in the Family Fun District at Fairview & Grand.

7:45am 
ON THE GO SPORTING EVENTS w/ start/finish line at Wheeler & Grand

7:45am In-Line Skate
7:50am 8K Run
9:05am 1/2 Mile Youth Run
9:15am 5K Walk/Jog

10:00am 
GRAND OLD DAY PARADE - "A Grand Salute to St. Paul" from Dale to Fairview

10:15am 
KID'S PARADE - registration at 10am, from Dale to Fairview 

10:30am
FAMILY FUN ZONE until 5pm

12:00pm
ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT from Dale to Lexington
6 festival gardens with live music (21+)

TEEN BATTLE OF THE BANDS until 5pm
WHOLE FOODS MARKET FAMILY FUN STAGE until 5pm
ART FAIR STAGE until 5pm

6:00pm
EVENT CONCLUDES

There is free parking located in the Anderson Parking Ramp at the University of St. Thomas (Cretin & Grand). A free shuttle runs along Summit Avenue (one block north of Grand Avenue) from Cretin to Dale from 10am to 7pm.

2012 Minnesota State Fair Grandstand Concert Series

The Minnesota State Fair announced its 2012 Grandstand Concert Series. Tickets go on sale Saturday, May 19. Here are the concerts coming to the MN State Fair! 

An Evening with Anita Baker 8pm Sunday, Aug. 28 

Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller 630pm Monday, Sept. 3

Journey 7pm Saturday, Sept. 1

Other grandstand shows available now are:

Bonnie Raitt with Mavis Staples 8/23
Alan Jackson 8/24
The Happy Together Tour 8/27
Kiss and Motley Crue 8/29
Rascal Flatts with Little Big Town, Eli Young Band and Edens Edge 8/30

Minnesota Vikings Stadium Vote Today

Ticket King St Paul has eyes and ears sighted on the Capitol today.

Construction workers and Minnesota Vikings fans make up the hard hats and jerseys mingling at the state Capitol chanting, "Build it!" Today is the critical vote on a proposed $1 billion stadium.

Gov. Mark Dayton greeted the group and praised their support in the hours before an afternoon debate in the House. The House vote may not come until after midnight. A Senate vote would come next on a separate version of the bill.

We will keep you posted.

Van Halen at the Xcel Energy Center

Van Halen is coming to the Xcel Energy Center on Saturday, May 19th. The show starts rockin' at 7:30pm.

Some of Van Halen's most popular songs include:

Right Now

Jump

When It's Love

One I Want

Dreams

Fire in the Hole

Poundcake

Humans Being

Without You

Catch Van Halen in concert at the X! Current band members include: David Lee Roth, Eddie Van Halen, Michael Anthony and Wolfgang Van Halen.

Barry Manilow at the X

Barry Manilow is coming to the Xcel Energy Center tonight. Yes, on Friday the thirteenth. Have no fear though, the stage is set to make for a great show!

Want tickets? There are still a few available... TICKETS!

ACM Awards Recap

Below are the results of the ACM Awards last night. I have listed the actual winner and my choice for the winner in caps.

Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean
Kenny Chesney MY CHOICE
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton
Taylor Swift WINNER

Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean MY CHOICE
Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton WINNER
Chris Young

Female Vocalist of the Year
Sara Evans
Miranda Lambert WINNER
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood MY CHOICE

Group of the Year
The Band Perry
Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum WINNER & MY CHOICE
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band

New Artist of the Year
Brantley Gilbert
Hunter Hayes
Scotty McCreery WINNER & MY CHOICE

Vocal Duo of the Year
Love and Theft
Montgomery Gentry
Steel Magnolia
Sugarland MY CHOICE
Thompson Square WINNER

Vocal Event of the Year
"Country Boy" - Aaron Lewis and Charlie Daniels
"Don't You Wanna Stay" - Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson WINNER & MY CHOICE
"Old Alabama" - Brad Paisley and Alabama
"Remind Me" - Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood
"You and Tequila" - Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter

Video of the Year
"Tattoos On This Town" - Jason Aldean
"Homeboy" - Eric Church
"Red Solo Cup" - Toby Keith WINNER & MY CHOICE
"Just a Kiss" - Lady Antebellum
"Mean" - Taylor Swift

Album of the Year
Chief - Eric Church MY CHOICE
Four the Record - Miranda Lambert WINNER
Hemingway's Whiskey - Kenny Chesney
My Kinda Party - Jason Aldean
Own the Night - Lady Antebellum

Single of the Year
"Crazy Girl" - Eli Young Band MY CHOICE
"Don't You Wanna Stay" - Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson WINNER
"Red Solo Cup" - Toby Keith
"Tomorrow" - Chris Young
"You and Tequila" - Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter

Song of the Year (goes to songwriters)
"Crazy Girl" - Eli Young Band WINNER
"Home" - Dierks Bentley MY CHOICE
"Just a Kiss" - Lady Antebellum
"Threaten Me With Heaven" - Vince Gill
"You and Tequila" - Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter