Things to Do

Artists will create paintings live on stage in just 20 minutes at the Mall of America on Friday.

• Art Battle, a nationally acclaimed live art tournament, pits 12 professionals against each other in three high-speed painting rounds. Anyone can stop by and watch them work.

🤑 Plus: After the crowd votes for the winner, every painting will go up for bid in a silent auction.

• Six local high school artists will join the show at 3pm.
• 2pm–8pm Friday; free.

In other entertainment news...

⭐️ The Bell Museum's Star Party returns on Friday night. Telescopes will be available to observe the Moon and deep space objects. If it's cloudy, guests can attend a first-come, first-served planetarium show. Free, registration required.

• Note: The northern lights likely won't be visible.

🌸 Galleria Edina's Floral Experience is in full bloom. This year's "World of Wonder"-themed installations include giant mushrooms, fairy gardens and a floor-to-ceiling willow tree. Free.

🚴‍♀️ Saturday marks Day One of 30 Days of Biking, a pledge to ride your bike every day in April. Organizers will lead a leisurely, family-friendly kickoff ride down the Mississippi River paths at noon. Free.

🍻 Over 100 breweries will grant unlimited pours at the Minnesota Craft Beer Festival on Saturday in Minneapolis. There are over 400 beers available. $50+

🪩 Celebrate First Avenue's 53rd anniversary at the Danceteria Through the Decades show on Saturday, featuring DJs who have played at the legendary music venue throughout its history. $10+

• 🫧 Alternatively, the "underwater-themed" Big Bubble Rave (previously known as the SpongeBob Rave) is Friday night. $22+

🩰 The Metropolitan Ballet will perform Tchaikovsky’s "Sleeping Beauty" in St. Paul on Sunday afternoon. If you want to go, get tickets now — this is the only show. $29+

"Love Is Blind," the popular Netflix reality dating show and social experiment, is now casting in Minneapolis and St. Paul, according to a post by its production company Kinetic Content.

Why it matters: Twin Cities residents can find out if love is truly blind.

A playground, a pickleball court and space for public art could be coming to St. Paul's Pedro Park.

Driving the news: The city released draft renderings Monday showing the planned makeover of the site at 10th St. E and Robert St. N.

It may not feel like it right now, but spring is technically here.

Why it matters: You've probably forgotten what beautiful weather and warm temperatures feel like. Can we just stop with this whole snow thing?

🤑 Come on down for "The Price Is Right Live!" at Mystic Lake Casino this weekend. The traveling stage shows aren't hosted by Drew Carey, but lucky attendees can win prizes. Technically $29+, but legally, no purchase is required to enter.

🎪 Acrobats, aerialists, clowns, animals and more will perform at the Osman Shrine Circus in St. Paul. Tickets for one of the weekend's eight shows start at $20.

Scott County is giving the Minnesota Renaissance Festival 10 weeks to come up with a traffic and parking management plan, or else officials will shut down the event.

Context: Traffic to get into last year's festival in Shakopee was often backed up for miles — blocking major area roads and frustrating fairgoers and Scott County residents.

The Minnesota Zoo is a popular family-friendly destination, but a few times a year, it becomes an adults-only playground.

What's happening: I attended the March 11 "Zoo After Hours" — a recurring, 18+ night for those looking for a kids-free experience.

• Because of the cold and early sunset, last week's 5-8:30pm event only featured the aquarium and Tropics Trail, a warm, lush and winding path through exhibits.

There are plenty of green-themed things to do this weekend. Here's what's on tap.

🍀 St. Patrick's Day celebrations are taking over the metro this weekend. Read our guide to the best events, including the parades, parties and a leprechaun costume contest for dogs.