Get Your Winter On!

This weekend marks the start of the St. Paul Winter Carnival - and we couldn't be more thrilled!  If you're a guest of ours, visiting the area, or a local, there are so many things to do this weekend!

Skating!  Yes - you can still lace up your ice skates and glide around the temporary rink by the Landmark Center.  While you're there, check out all the events going on inside when you can no longer feel your toes...

Rice Park - A beautiful park all year round; transformed with an ice wall, sculptures and music!  This mild weather makes for no snow sculptures, but a more enjoyable time walking outside!

The Beer Dabbler - A SOLD OUT event, so if you're lucky enough to have tickets, enjoy the micro brews of Minnesota!  And get your tickets for next year and look for our banner as we are official sponsors of this great event!

Eurofest  Downtown Minneapolis may be where most of the cities' dance clubs are, but that won't be true on Saturday night.  Head down to the Germanic-American Institute on Summit Ave for a day of music, games, beer and brats.  If you're over 21, stay into the night for a truly European dance party.

Orchids Galore From 10am-4pm this weekend, visit the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at the Como Zoo for the MN Orchid Society's Winter Carnival contribution.

SPWC Juried Art Show - Visit the Black Dog Cafe, warm and caffeinate yourself while looking at a selection of juried local work. 

Grande Day Parade From Smith Ave to Rice Park, the royals and commoners alike will be merrymaking and marching around our grand city!  Follow the embedded link for more specific information - there's lots of it!

And of course, if you need to rest your head after a long day of revelling, we still have limited availability!  www.cpstpaul.com or 651.292.1900

Stay Warm!
Stephanie

Some drama for the holidays!

Downtown St. Paul is gearing up for the holidays!  There are quite a few themed performances around town.  Here's what you can find within walking distance from your hotel room:

Ordway
Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella - A musical telling of the timeless fairytale, fun for the whole family. December 13 - January 1; Tickets range from $27-88 (tickets are already limited).
Sister's Christmas Catechism : The Mystery of the Magi's Gold - Called "CSI:Bethlehem," this interactive comedy show is sure to delight.  December 13 - January 1; tickets $35.

Park Square Theatre
Hot Chocolate - A heart-warming tale of a modern couple in a busy holiday season.  Now through December 18; tickets $25-58.
The Soul of Gershwin - Enjoy a variety of music from Yiddish to opera in this fan favorite musical.  December 8 - January 1; tickets $25-58.

Fitzgerald Theatre
Of Mirth and Mischief  - For all ages, this is an original production commissioned by MPR, written by Kevin Kling and directed by Peter Rothstein; with original music by Steve Kramer and performed by local artists Haley Bonar and James Diers (of Halloween, Alaska). December 16-18; tickets $29.

History Theatre
A Civil War Christmas - This epic Christmas musical incorporates folk songs, spirituals, Civil War songs, and Christmas carols to reveal a world that is simultaneously torn apart by war and held together by the hope for redemption.  Closes December 18; tickets $15-38.

Actor's Theatre of Minnesota

Fezziwig's Feast - Located on Harriet Island (just across the Wabasha Bridge from the Crowne Plaza), this telling of Dicken's Christmas Carol includes a feast of a meal!  Weekends until Christmas; tickets are $39.50 for children and $74.50 for adults.

Bob's Holiday Office Party - Think your office party is awkward?  Watch someone else's unfold, it's much more comfortable to laugh from your seat in the audience!  At Camp Bar & Cabaret, Wednesday - Sunday through New Year's Eve; tickets $24.

Bye Bye Liver, The Twin Cities Drinking Play - A local hit, back for another year.  It is 21+ and an interactive improv show at Camp Bar & Cabaret.  Playing through New Year's Eve; tickets $19.50.

Comedy Roast of Ebenezer Scrooge - A truly creative and unique take on Christmas entertainment!  Not recommended for Children!  At Camp Bar & Cabaret, weekends until Christmas and one Tuesday performance; tickets $19.

Padelford Riverboats & Minnesota Centennial Showboat
The Match Girl's Gift - In a beautiful showboat, anchored at Harriet Island, this classic Christmas story by Hans Christian Andersen comes to life.  Come early for live music!  Now through December 31st; tickets $14-18 - proceeds benefit Second Harvest Heartland and Toys for Tots. 

Theater Space Project at The Lowry Lab
Spiked! (Too!) - A sequel to last year's hit - variety show. Through December 17th.

Now go out there and get some tickets (or stay online, it's cold outside!).  Enjoy your weekend!
Stephanie

Not just another shopping mall...

For all of our guests and locals, there are quite a few opportunities for unique gift hunting in St Paul this weekend.  Grand Ave and Selby Ave each have their own shopping districts that are filled year round with local gems, but this weekend, we have even more options for you!  Our recommended highlights are:

The Handmade Christmas - Trinity Church (1849 Marshall Ave, St Paul), a quick bus ride or drive from the hotel, will be bursting at the seams with handmade, quirky, 100% locally made gifts.  Only open on Saturday, December 3rd from 10am - 7pm.  Get there early for the best selection and chances to win prizes.  Shopping with prizes?  I'm in.

CVA Art Sale - The College of Visual Arts, located within 2 miles of the hotel, is a wonderful local college bursting at the seams with talented artists.  Take advantage of this yearly sale where you can get original works by up and coming artists for a fraction of what you'd pay at a gallery!  Open Saturday 10am - 4pm & Sunday, 12pm - 4pm.  
*Tip, take a walk around the neighborhood - see the beautiful Cathedral of St Paul and visit a St Paul gem, Common Good Books - a local bookstore owned by Garrison Keillor.

XYandZ Gallery - This one, you can walk to!  Take the skyway from the 1st level down to the Union Depot.  Exit to the right and walk NE for 2 blocks to the Black Dog Cafe and XYandZ Gallery.  Tonight (Friday, December 2nd) is the opening of their 2nd Anniversary show, where many local works will be on sale!  Warm up in the Black Dog - they have an excellent selection of coffee drinks, tea, beer & wine!

Landmark Center - EVEN CLOSER :)  Right on the edge of Rice Park, the beautiful Landmark Center creates an amazing backdrop for the WinterSkate (see previous blog entry) but also houses many opportunites and events.  This weekend, enjoy the Old Fashioned Holiday Bazaar and Holiday Gift Stroll. 

Of course, if the cold and threat of snow is makes you shake to the core, the Mall of America is a 10 mile drive or bus ride away.  And with THAT many stores - you're sure to find something for everyone! 

Have a great weekend - happy shopping!
Stephanie

Hello Blogging World!

We are so excited to introduce our brand new blog!  In addition to Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare and TripAdvisor, we will be updating this blog to keep you up to date on what's going on in St. Paul!  So stay tuned this holiday season, as there are so many events that can be seen right from your hotel window!

The Holiday Season is officially in full swing, and a sure sign of this is the opening of Wells Fargo's WinterSkate.  Just a few blocks away, right in front of the beautiful Landmark Center in Rice Park, you can lace up your own skates (or rent a pair for $2), and glide around the temporary ice rink!  Opens tomorrow!  For more information, visit the official website : http://www.wellsfargowinterskate.com/

Have a great weekend!
Stephanie