Here’s the presser:
“The Church of St. John the Evangelist will host the 9th annual St. John’s Block Party on Saturday, July 14, from 3 to 11:30 p.m. in downtown Rochester. Six bands will rock the new single-day, single-stage format. Headlining this year’s unprecedented lineup is OK GO.”

Here’s the full lineup:
- OK GO
- Six Mile Grove
- Martin Zellar and his band the Hardways
- Pink Mink
- Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles
- Solid Gold

Family entertainment and activities will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. The engaging Okee Dokee Brothers return. Also back by popular demand is Geoffrey Weeks’ World Instrument Petting Zoo.

Tickets will be available for $25 from Saturday, June 2, through Friday, July 6. Tickets the week of the event and at the gate will be sold for $35. Children under 12 free with a paid adult.

For more info, contact the Church of St. John at 507-288-7372, or check out the St. John’s Block Party Web site (http://sjblockparty.org/). Follow the Block Party on Facebook (http://facebook.com/stjohnsblockparty) or Twitter (http://twitter.com/sjblockparty) for the latest news and event information.

Margarita Tasting and Silent Auction

Thursday, May 24, 2012 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Hosted by Canadian Honker Events at the Ramada 1517 16th Street SW, Rochester

Featuring samples of a variety of margarita flavors, delicious Mexican food, and an extensive silent auction. (Non-alcoholic options and a cash bar are also available.)

Tickets are $25 per person, or $30 after May 17. A reserved table for eight is $175 (limited availability). Tickets are available at the Red Cross, 310 14th Street SE, Rochester or at redcrossmn.org. 507-287-2200 for more information.

“On March 16^th 2012, starting at 7pm, celebrate St Patrick’s Day, on the eve of St Patrick’s Day, the traditional way. Not with green beer in a raucous pub, but with friends, neighbors, authentic Irish food, and traditional music and dance. Irish Fest and Söntés are joining together to offer an evening of fine dining and entertainment in the spirit of our Irish ancestors.

The event will feature a Céilí Dance (pronounced kay-lee) called by Máirtín de Cógáin and music by the Twin Cities Céilí Band (featured at Irish Fest, Sept 2011). Céilí means social, and so a Céilí Dance is a social dance, celebrated and performed all over Ireland to this very day.

Söntés will be serving a traditional Irish dish made with Chef Bryce Lamb’s signature interpretations. The distinctive flavors of the Emerald Isle will be the perfect accompaniment to the evening’s entertainment, dance, and camaraderie. Drink specials for the evening will include McManis Petite Sirah and, of course, Guinness on tap. The evenings details including the announcement of which traditional dish is chosen for the evening will be posted closer to the event, so be sure to watch Söntés’ website (www.sontes.com), Facebook page (Sontes Restaurant), or Twitter feed (@Sontes) for further updates.

Come celebrate on the eve of St Patrick’s Day by gathering with family and friends for a warm meal and even warmer company. Tickets are $20 per person and include Chef Lamb’s decadent food and the Céilí Dance. Food will be served from 7-8pm and the Céilí will begin at 8pm. Tickets are on sale now at Söntés and at the Rochester Civic Theatre.

For more information, contact Sinéad Chick via email at sinead@irishfestmn.org / 507-271-2430 or Tessa Leung at tessa@sontes.com / 507-292-1628.”

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