Panda Fest 2: This time, it's Pandamonium Tickets go on sale Friday for the popular festival of Asian food, culture and merch, returning to the Mall of America this summer.

Tickets go on sale Friday for the popular festival of Asian food, culture and merch, returning to the Mall of America this summer 🐼

Cheers to the best beers in the state, according to the 2026 Minnesota Brewers Cup Spring Park’s Back Channel Brewing was named the brewery of the year.

The Minnesota Brewers Conference raised a glass to the state’s brewing industry while handing out awards for this year’s Minnesota Brewers Cup on April 9 🏆

What are the Twin Cities' top 10 record stores? Here's our spin. With another Record Store Day on deck, here’s a rundown of the best shops around town for vinyl and why we love them.

With another Record Store Day on deck, here’s a rundown of the best shops around town for vinyl and why we love them 🎶

Morgan Wallen on stage (not in Minneapolis, we didn’t photograph the show)

Review: At a new career high, why is Morgan Wallen so low? www.startribune.com/morgan-walle...

Hi-fi videos of the "Purple Rain" and "Streets of Minneapolis" live performances at Target Center were released today by Team Springsteen. Could there be a whole concert film released off the show? I'd say it's a worthy venture.
www.startribune.com/springsteen-...

Lady Gaga on stage in St. Paul, Minnesota at Grand Casino Arena

Review: Despite illness, Lady Gaga wows with maximalist spectacle in St. Paul www.startribune.com/lady-gaga-mi...

After years of speculation, Michelin is finally coming to Minneapolis The city will be a part of the guide featuring ‘American Great Lakes’ region.

The international restaurant rating system will release a guide to dining in six cities that together make up the “American Great Lakes” region ⭐️

Acclaimed Minneapolis restaurant Diane’s Place will double in size On deck for Diane Moua’s award-winning restaurant is a grab-and-go cafe, a renovated patio and an expanded kitchen.

On deck for Diane Moua’s award-winning restaurant is a grab-and-go cafe, a renovated patio and an expanded kitchen 👀

Bob Dylan to play new Shakopee amphitheater July 6 with guests His Mystic Lake Amphitheater date will be his first Twin Cities headlining gig in nine years and will feature two acclaimed openers.

The Mystic Lake Amphitheater date will be his first Twin Cities headlining gig in nine years and will feature two acclaimed openers 🎸

Coastal Seafoods St. Paul will close April 11 Plus: St. Paul’s newest cocktail lounge, dirty soda in the suburbs, a blast from the Chino Latino past, pizza awards, openings and more restaurant news.

In our restaurant news roundup: St. Paul’s newest cocktail lounge, dirty soda in the suburbs, a blast from the Chino Latino past, pizza awards and openings 🍽️

Meet Raye, the buzz-worthy British pop star She’s coming to instantly sold-out State Theatre in Minneapolis on Wednesday.

Music critic Jon Bream says: Sorry you didn’t snag tickets for Wednesday’s Minneapolis gig because the buzz for Raye is warranted 🎶

Minneapolis’ SexWorld is long gone, but you can own a piece of it from this online auction The legendary North Loop store, which closed last summer after 32 years in business, has listed hundreds of items — some cheeky and unique, some mundane.

Something for everyone!

Newly em-Bossed: First Avenue fast-tracks Bruce Springsteen star The Minneapolis rock venue put Bruce’s name on its wall of stars in time for his concert across the street at Target Center.

Bruce gets his star! And I might get a headline of the year award for this one. The club unveiled it today ahead of his concert tonight across the street.
www.startribune.com/first-avenue...

Kado No Mise chef is Minnesota’s lone James Beard nominee This is the second year in a row Minneapolis chef Shigeyuki Furukawa is on the ‘short list.’

Shigeyuku Furukawa of the Japanese restaurant Kado no Mise is Minnesota's only finalist in the James Beard Awards, the Oscars of the food world.

Justin: The five most magical music moments from the Twin Cities 'No Kings' rally Local artists held their own on a bill that included Bruce Springsteen and Joan Baez.

Local artists held their own on a bill that included Bruce Springsteen and Joan Baez 🎶🎸

The Brass Solidarity Band is leading #NoKings marchers from Harriet Island to the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul.

📷️: Kyeland Jackson

Russell’s restaurant on St. Paul’s Grand Avenue is for sale Owner Todd Russell expects to close his eatery in May, just a little more than a year after opening it.

Owner Todd Russell expects to close his eatery in May, just a little more than a year after opening it.

The 5 best things our food writers ate this week A fancy tribute to flavors in a Juicy Lucy, a memorable sandwich and veggie burger to put on your radar, and more.

A fancy tribute to flavors in a Juicy Lucy, a memorable sandwich and veggie burger to put on your radar, and more 🍽️

How Twin Cities chefs are building the kitchen culture Noma never had Minnesota chefs and hospitality pros reflect on what it actually takes to build a kitchen where people want to work.

Minnesota chefs and hospitality pros reflect on what it actually takes to build a kitchen where people want to work 🧑‍🍳

Springsteen says recent Minneapolis show was his most meaningful ever The Boss returns for a rally this weekend, and again on March 31 to kick off a tour with the E Street Band.

“There are certain moments where you’re in the right place at the right time and something deeply meaningful occurs that is bigger than the band. It all has to do with the events of the day, the moment you’re in,” the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer said.

Review: A fidgety Bob Dylan disappoints in Rochester His singing was heartfelt but he had microphone issues bringing it back home.

His singing was heartfelt but he had microphone issues bringing it back home 🎙️😟

Happy Joe’s hopes Minnesotans are hungry for nostalgia and taco pizza Fans of the franchise are looking forward to a summer opening in Mendota Heights.

Like Chi-Chi’s and Sizzler, the Iowa-based chain is betting that the taste for family-friendly outings will trigger a nostalgia-driven comeback 🍕

Springsteen will sing Saturday at No Kings rally in St. Paul He’ll offer “Streets of Minneapolis” before he opens his tour Tuesday, March 31, at Target Center.

“You want to try to meet the moment,” Bruce Springsteen told the Minnesota Star Tribune on Monday afternoon. “The No Kings movement is of great import right now.”

Minnesota State Fair books three giants of Gen-X R&B and hip-hop TLC, Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue are bringing their It’s Iconic Tour to the grandstand on Sept. 5.

Should be, um, crazy, sexy AND cool. The second Saturday (Sept. 5) of this year's fair. It's the sixth of the 12 grandstand shows so far announced for 2026.
www.startribune.com/minnesota-st...

A new sports bar is opening soon in Minneapolis; here’s a sneak peek Asher’s Bar & Grill replaces Chilango inside the Beach Club by Bde Maka Ska with a menu of casual and comfort classics. And there will be pull tabs.

Asher’s Bar & Grill replaces Chilango inside the Beach Club by Bde Maka Ska with a menu of casual and comfort classics. And there will be pull tabs. 🍺

Is Minnesota becoming a hotspot for launching Broadway shows? On the heels of “Purple Rain,” “Happy Feet” has been announced as the next big premiere.

Fresh on the heels of “Purple Rain,”another film-to-stage adaptation will take its first bow in the Twin Cities 🎭

Former Miss Minnesota tapped to host Netflix reality series about malls Haley Baylee to host “Win the Mall,” which will premiere this fall.

The streaming service announced March 16 that its upcoming series, “Win the Mall,” will be hosted by Haley Baylee, an influencer with deep Minnesota roots 🛍️

Gen Z is putting down phones and returning to movie theaters Looking to the big screen for a break from their personal screens, more in the 14-to-29-year-old demographic, in the Twin Cities and nationally, are heading to the cinema.

I wrote this story with my very cool colleague Chris Hewitt ahead of the Oscar’s tonight. Gen Z are the most movie-going demographic and they enjoy eschewing phones! (As do I!)

Bots, shutouts and headaches: AXS is losing fans among Minnesota concertgoers From Springsteen’s Target Center show to lower-buck First Ave and Turf Club gigs, Ticketmaster’s competitor has been hearing its own chorus of complaints.

The would-be alternative to Ticketmaster, AXS isn’t exactly endearing itself to Minnesota music fans either, with widespread complaints over technical glitches and, um, “access;” and its fees aren’t much more merciful.

www.startribune.com/axs-not-earn...

Jon Bream spoke w/ Patti Smith this week and she said: “My message to Minnesota will be of gratitude and admiration because of the resilience shown with everything that happened, seeing how people in the freezing cold stood out there and kept their position, even [with] a sense of humor at times.”