Wednesday, September 28, 2011

$1,000 Downtown Photo Contest

TAKE A PIC OF L.A. NIK.  WIN $1,000 CASH FOR THE HOLIDAYS.


If you haven't caught on yet, then you must not go downtown Minneapolis and have any fun...  Im giving away $1,000 and the whole idea is to get YOU into downtown businesses to support our local people.  It's pretty simple - find me downtown enjoying Minneapolis and capture a pic of me with something Minneapolis in the photo and you could be the winner !

Official rules of the contest are at www.RockinThisTown.com on the Contest page.  You may also go there to submit your photos.

Be sure to check in with www.facebook.com/DowntownMinneapolis to find your photo photo and share it with other for "Likes".

You can follow me on Twitter @RockerLANik and the above fan page for updates on where I"ll be.

Come on Minneapolis !!!  I know you can do better than this.  Share this video and spread the word.  Contest ends November 30th and we've got a panel of judges.  Let's see what you've got !

Saturday, September 24, 2011

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE: RED

Do you know where you are..?  You're in the Jungle Red Salon BABY !

There's a cool little place hidden behind Loring Park, just east of the Eitel Building City Apartments and Loring Kitchen & Bar called Jungle Red. I go there for services on my nails. They've been painted black for 25 years !

Check out this video of me, L.A. Nik, at Jungle Red Salon in Loring Park.


The owner of Jungle Red is Suzanne Erickson. I met her when I first moved to Minneapolis. Suzanne is a great networker and her business sponsors many of the local fashions shows and other events that take place in Minneapolis.

There are several PROMOTIONS happening at Jungle Red right now. You may just want to stop in and take advantage of them.



JUNGLE RED has a few Social Media links that you should visit to !

FACEBOOK     MYSPACE     TWITTER      YOU TUBE

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

TWIN CITIES FINEST IN THEATER

IVEY AWARDS AT THE HISTORIC STATE THEATER

Much of Minneapolis's elite joined together on Monday night to look upon those being recognized for their outstanding work in theater performance. There are two categories that are always recognized; being the Lifetime Achievement and the Emerging Artist Award. The rest of the awards seem to change from change from year to year, as well as the basis of recognition. The Ivey Awards are a public event, and the place was packed ! 

The evening started at the New Century Theater for the pre-party to the awards show. I hung out with the Mayor, R.T. Rybak, for a while. He's holding a flyer for the "Take a Pic of L.A. Nik" photo contest here.



The evening followed at the State Theater where I was the red carpet host. Below are some photos from the event.













This was a great night for Minneapolis arts. There were a bunch of sponsors for the evening, but I'd like to point out two. 

Sun Country Airlines had an interesting presence there with flight attendant girls passing out Sun Country pizza at the after-party - Sun Country is also a major sponsor for Hennepin Theater Trust

Also FAME was a major sponsor that designed most of what you saw in the marketing and print materials for the evening, including the booklet that was handed out to guests. If you liked what you saw, then hire FAME for marketing and branding. Tell em' L.A. Nik sent you !

Many of the local media people were present. If you'd like to see there photos and stories, then check out these links:

- METRO Magazine
- City Pages
- Minneapolis2Night

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

IVEY AWARDS RED CARPET HOST

JOIN ME Monday, September 19th at the Historic State Theater as I host the Red Carpet for guests and dignitaries in the Ivey Awards.



You may also visit their Facebook fan page... Information on the event is listed below.

VIP PRE-PARTY SOIREE
5:00PM at the New Century Theatre
Mingle with one of the most intriguing crowds in the Twin Cities as you enjoy complimentary food and drink.

2011 IVEY AWARDS
7:30PM at the Historic State Theatre
Walk the red carpet at 7:00 pm. Then, the saga unfolds at the main event, featuring hosts Seth and Charles Numrich, dazzling live performances and an unforgettable awards show. Seith is the star of WAR HORSE, which won this year's Tony for Best Play.

AFTER PARTY AFFAIR
Following the main event at LaSalle Plaza at CRAVE and American Burger Bar.
Step into the spotlight with the biggest names in Twin Cities theater.

YOUR SEAT AWAITS
$40 for Ivey Awards event and after party.
$125 for all three events.

For more information and to buy tickets, go to www.iveyawards.com,
the Historic State Theatre box office or call Ticketmaster at
1.800.754.3000

Sponsored by these fine companies: Best Buy, Sun Country, McKnight Foundation, Bombay Sapphire, Risdall Marketing Agency, Actor's Equity Association, Napa Cellars, Savvi Formal Wear, Tiger Beer, City Pages, Arts & Custom Publishing, Cities 97, Dorsey & Whitney, Robins Kaplan LarsonComcast, Clear Channel Outdoor, Fame, American Burger Bar, CRAVE, Metro Magazine, Shapco Printing, Continental Diamond, Joia, The Lab, & My Scene City.





DONT FORGET, my Take a Pic of L.A. Nik, Win $1,000 Cash photo contest runs until Nov. 30th. What's more iconic than the Historic State Theater? Make sure its in the photo to...


Monday, September 12, 2011

WHAT IS THE SECRET TO MINNEAPOLIS?


Art. Culture. Pride. That's the secret to Minneapolis. Whether you're a musician, a painter, a jewelry maker, a fashion designer, or a tattoo artist... there are so many reasons to Eat, Stay, & Play in Minneapolis.

I went to Stephen and Karen Sugarman's Gallery 13 on Friday night.



As usual in Minneapolis, the space was industrial and cool. There were several artists displaying their work here for people to enjoy. My favorite part of the entire evening was a kid named Zdenek Kratky. I met his parents first and had a great conversation with them. When they told me their son had a piece in the display and pointed in his direction, I expected to meet a 16-20 year old..

I walked around the corner and was greeted by 3 foot tall, 7 year old Zdenek. He was showing his marker and crayon drawing and standing proudly by it - all night long. I love a passion for the creative mind - this kid was Rockin' !


                                                        Zdenek Kratky with L.A. Nik

This next group shot is of Corrina Button (left), myself, Louisa Greenstock, Steve Sugarman and I can't remember the person on the right.. Someone help me out ! Corrina was showing her large-scale aquatint and drypoint works called "Flights of Fancy". These were really cool works.

Last time I was here, it was for Louisa Greenstock's show. Definitely, check out her Rockin' art. You can find it all over Minneapolis.



This guy is a local artist named Fransisco Bernard. He makes unique clay jewelry and he's wearing some in this photo. Fransisco does not run his business online, so find him on the streets or go down to the gallery and say hi. Tell him L.A. Nik sent you !



These two shots are of Corrina Button's work (the darker paintings) and the light geometric oil and linen works were by Adam Considine.







Gallery 13 is on LaSalle across from LaSalle Plaza. Another hidden downtown gem in the heart of Minneapolis.. Tell em' L.A. Nik sent you.

Friday, September 9, 2011

TOUR MINNEAPOLIS LIKE A ROCKSTAR

THE HITCHING COMPANY

Want to see the city in a different way? Why not get treated like a rockstar...

Grab a carriage ride from Greg Queal. During this fall season, you can catch him in front of the Millennium Hotel on Nicollet Mall - Fridays 6:30 - 10:30pm and weekends 2pm - 10-30pm.


Greg Queal and his companion "Marty"

Just the other day, I watched Greg take the carriage through Loring Park. I had no idea he could go into places like that ! I talked to Greg and he says he can even take you for a tour of Stone Arch Bridge and the St. Anthony Main District.





The Hitching Company has a stable full of horses in various locations; Marty just happened to get his exercise tonight. This is the only way to roll.. and there's packages for everyone. Weddings, Proms, Historic Tours, Parades, Funerals, Parties, Corporate Events, or just spending the night Rockin' the Town.




You can reserve a ride ahead of time by calling (612) 388-7777. Sixty minute rides are $105 and a half hour tour runs $55. Tell em' L.A. Nik sent you.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

THE FOLKS AT MINNEAPOLIS DID

The Minneapolis DID

These people are so welcoming and really get what its about. The Downtown Improvement District was put into place by Sarah Harris just two years ago. I had just come to Minneapolis at that point and the street ambassadors did not exist. The impact this crew has had on the streets of downtown is really noticeable. Look for the people in bright yellow ! They'll say hi, and they'll get you in the right direction. They might even point me out for a chance to win $1,000!  Find the posters in Kiosks all along Nicollet Mall.

I got a privileged chance to join their afternoon download with their team yesterday afternoon at the operations center on 9th and Portland. What a great bunch of people that do an amazing job. Minneapolis is lucky to have these people.



ROCKIN' DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES YOU MUST VISIT

I want to always recommend places to go in Downtown Minneapolis. Two of my favorite businesses on Nicollet Mall that I visit all the time are James & Mary Laurie Book Sellers and Jeromeo's. I can not recommend these businesses enough times - you will not be disappointed in the new friends you make by patronizing these places.



Go in and meet Jim. He's the nicest guy you'll ever run into. From the street, this place is deceiving. You would never guess that the place holds over 200,000 rare and used books ! They also carry posters and 30,000 vinyl records.

I regularly frequent the store and really enjoy talking to Jim. When you go there, don't forget to say hi to Jim and Mary's dog Teddy !







Speaking of Dogs, next door to Jim's book store is Jeromeo's http://jeromeo.com/ where a great looking siberian husky hangs out and acts as store mascot! As for the store, you can find any kind of asian antiques, art, fine jewelry made in-house, and one-of-a-kind women's fashions. My girlfriend loves checking out the clothes in the back of the store. There's a second location at the Gaviidae Commons Skyway Level to !

Those who know me know I love dogs. I'd rather check out a store with a dog than without one!









Saturday, September 3, 2011

THE BEST FOOD I'VE HAD IN MINNEAPOLIS


I stopped by Nyes on Thursday night for a bite to eat (after First Thursday Happy Hour). I Had the best meal Ive had since the last time I was there! Nye's Prime Bites (seared prime rib with mushrooms and onions served on a skewer with blue cheese and Bearnaise sauce) are so good that if you haven't had them yet you have to go try them.  In case you didn't know.. Nyes has been rated one of the top ten bars in America by Esquire, Amazon.com, and USA Today.

It's worth trying if you haven't been there !

I walked home over the Hennepin bridge with my girlfriend and caught the most beautiful view of the city on the way home. Love this Town !


Thursday, September 1, 2011

Minneapolis Photo Contest

SEPTEMBER 1ST 2011

The Downtown Minneapolis Photo contest officially starts today !  Look for this poster in the kiosks all along Nicollet Mall.  You'll see updates, posted photos, and tips to my location at 

www.facebook.com/DowntownMinneapolis & Twitter @RockerLANik

Official rules and contest info @ www.RockinThisTown.com

Will you get $1,000 CASH to spend during the holidays?  Will you spend it Downtown ?