Who's the 'Real Man' now?

We were tipped off by one of our loyal readers, Kris Huson today that local dude Kurt Schmidt, aka @KRTS, is one of the 25 semi finalists in Esquire's Best Dressed Real Man contest. Exciting! Kurt is a development manager for Sierra Bravo, former pro BMX'er, St. Paulite and father of two. He also has a great sense of personal style and makes his own bow ties! Check out Kurt's Esquire profile here and vote, vote, vote!

Submitted by @marrina.

mplsart.com gets an iPhone App

Our pals at mplsart.com just got a fancy iPhone application! Now, you can keep up with what cool art openings are happening each weekend while you're out and about -- just pull out your iPhone, tap on the shiny pink button and get an exhibition listing. You can also take advantage of a fun draw capability to view current exhibitions.




Submitted by @marrina.

Annie Larson gets national press for knitwear designs

OMG!

Fresh off the debut of her knitwear collection recently at the New Land of Milk and Honey show at Soap Factory and the recent launch of her e-store, local knitwear designer Annie Larson has garnered herself some national press via the widely-circulated e-newsletter Daily Candy! Here's what they have to say about Miss Larson:

Annie Larson in her own designs

"Denise Huxtable and her dad didn’t agree on much. But they would both love ALL. The new knitwear collection from Annie Larson combines the dizzying patterns of Dr. H’s signature sweaters with the edgy stylings of his second daughter’s look."

Click HERE to read the rest of the write-up, and http://www.allforeveryone.com/ to check out Larson's e-shop.

Submitted by @jahnapeloquin.

DeRusha Loves DeRusha

LOL!
Thanks @taulpaul for capturing this truly magical moment in social media. And btw, DeRusha said the best way for people to mock him is by linking to his Facebook page.

Submitted by @marrina.

GAYNGS releases first video for "Cry"

It's hard to believe this news has been so quiet locally (besides AV Club), but Twin Cities-based supergroup GAYNGS released its first video on MySpace yesterday. And it is undeniably, unsurprisingly EPIC. The video features just about every member of the band, from what we can tell, plus a number of supporting characters and friends of the group, singing its cover of Godley & Creme's "Cry." As in the original video, each person's face merges into the next.

Cry

GAYNGS | MySpace Music Videos

The understated but well-executed video has already been reblogged on such sites as Stereogum. For comparative purposes, here is the original video for "Cry" by Godley and Creme:



In addition to the usual suspects (P.O.S., Dessa, Maggie Morrison, various members of Solid Gold), we also spotted local icon Scott Seekins in the mix. What other cameos can you spot?

Submitted by @jahnapeloquin

Mrs. MN Goes to a Twins Game

While waiting in the line for Murray's steak sandwich at Target Field tonight , Steve Marsh ran into 2009 Mrs. Minnesota Heather Hall. Steve snapped a photo of Hall posing with an adorable little girl and some dude who's face expression we absolutely love.

Here is another pic Steve took: this is a clear case that Hall uses to carry her crown.


Submitted by @marrina.

Jeremy Messersmith releases 'The Reluctant Graveyard' online

Our favorite local singer/songwriter, Jeremy Messersmith, officially released his mega-anticipated (and amazing) new album today! Not only is the album available around town on cd, vinyl, AND cassette, but it's also available on Jeremy's site as a pay-what-you-can download. Jeremy directed tweeps and facebookers to his site this morning to do just that, so let the power of social media compel you and get thee to jeremymessersmith.com or a local record shop tout suite!

submitted by @letoilemagazine

Minneapolis Gay Boy Band?

Yes, you read that right: there's an audition happening for Minneapolis' first ever gay boy band. Thanks to Taylor over at Mediation Tumblr we've learned about a Craigslist ad posted April 24th saying:

"Okay, we've all heard of boy bands. We've all heard of gay boys in boy bands. But what about an entire boy band of gay boys. I know a couple of things, Minneapolis has talent and it definitely has gays. If you've ever been interested in starting a gay boy band or being in one, come to the audition and we'll see what we can come up with. Auditioning for two more members of the band. The audition will be American Idol style. You come a with a prepared song or two and we let you know if you've made it to the callback right away. THIS IS SERIOUS. Our goal is to put together a show that will start out traveling to different venues around the TWIN CITIES and grow from there. We will likely start out doing covers, but will eventually graduate to original songs. Looking for guys with good voices, the ability to harmonize, and who can move (no need to be a professional dancer but some skills are required. Song writers are a plus. "

Despite obvious spelling mistakes in the ad, we tend to think this is for real. And we personally know plenty of sassy gays who would be perfect! If interested, audition will be held at Rumours/Innuendo in St. Paul on Friday May 14th.


Submitted by @marrina

Weekend Twitterings

Happy Monday everybody and welcome to the latest edition of Weekend Twitterings. You tweeted from the May Day parade, local bars and strip clubs, as well as New York City bars where they play solid Gold. Enjoy!

Ah, the good ol' May Day fun.


Oh, Kadlac.


#stupidkiteeatingtree


Perfect timing.


That you're awesome?


Blondes rule.


True, they are easy to spot.


That's the power or Maker's Mark.


Snap!


Cool!


We can already envision these scene in our head...


Yay!


Where??


Great news! Make sure you vote.


Where's a TwitPic when you need one?


Spanx alert!


Solid Gold are taking over NYC!


Ah, what can you do?

Submitted by @marrina.

This Week in (Uploaded) Pictures

Co-producer Colin Kloecker hangs out stage side at this month's edition of Salon Saloon. We're digging the framing on this pic!

Val Escher captures the magic at the Bitch Flowers party!


Christian Erickson gets a cool shot at the River Centre ramp after a family outing to the Festival of Nations.


Trips trubs: Matt Peiken, Ed Kohler and Aaron Landry have what we're sure is some sort of high-brow discussion at the Twin Cities Daily Planet B-Day Bash. More pix here.


Thea Jensen snaps this cool shot of some peeps at a warehouse party. We like the composition!


LOL/OMG pal Paul Duhram uploads this pic from a Vision party at the Fur Building in 1999. We especially like Paul's "blue steel" look. Also, boobs!


Mayor Ryback and Mayor Coleman channel Governor Schwarzenegger.


The lovely Mackenzie Labine gets some air. Viva la Spring!


l'etoile releases their spring fashion editorial: Kiss Me, Cake. See the whole spread here.


Amy Gee does a film noir inspired shoot with cuties Kara Nesvig and John Sand.


Birthday girl and l'etoile culture editor Juleana Enright shoots pool at the 501 Club's 1-Year anniversary bash! Photo by Christian Erickson.


Jay Gabler kicks it with a new friend during the Bryn Mawr Festival of Garage Sales.


Drinking croquet with Mark Fox? We're in.


Emma Berg snaps some May Day Parade action on her iphone.


Dave Wolfe uploads some cool pics from back in the day. We'd love to know who these peep are!


Ironman celebrates Free Comic Book Day at the intersection of Snelling & Larpenteur. Pic by Damon Thrift.


Taylor Carik admires a bottle of tequila...shaped like a machine gun! Where do we get one?! Photo by Paul Schmelzer.


The Bangles still look as hot as they did in the 80s while playing the Fine Line this week! Photo by Tony Nelson. Slideshow at City Pages here.

Amber Miss-Nomad snaps a sweet crowd shot at the May Day Festival and puts a filter on it that reminds us of an impressionist painting. Cool!

Upload a cool pic lately? Send us the link to omg@letoilemagazine.com for consideration in next week's edition of This Week in Uploaded Pictures!

Submitted by @letoilemagazine