Twin Cities Calendar - November 2012

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
				1 Haley Bonar	2	3 Gopher football Madonna
4 Daylight Savings Ends (Fall back) Madonna Paul Ryan Pres. Bill Clinton	5	6 Election Day (see below)	7 Day of Healing Bob Dylan	8	9 Veterans' Day Movie: Skyfall	10 Dierks Bentley Zac Brown Band
11 Bruce Springsteen Vikings	12 Bruce Springsteen	13 Invisible War	14	15 Monkees	16 Movie: Lincoln	17 Brian Setzer New Orleans Jazz
18 Aussie Pink Floyd	19	20	21	22 Thanksgiving	23 Shopping Day Black Friday Hours (below)	24 Gopher football
25	26	27 The Who	28	29	30

Twin Cities Calendar for November 2012

	November 1	songwriter Haley Bonar, Varsity Theater (8pm, $14+) -- saw her perform this summer & bought her CD >> Here's Candy Machine Gun debate Marriage constituional amendment, Fitzgerald Theater (7pm, free)
	November 2	acrobatics Circus Juventas Gala, 1270 Montreal Av, St. Paul (6pm, $150)
	November 2-4	show Sexapalooza, Minneapolis Convention Center ($15)
	November 3	comedy Anti-Social Comedy Tour, Mystic Lake Casino (8pm, $57) >> Artie Lange, Dave Attell, Amy Schumer, and Jim Norton choral Choral Kaleidoscope, Ted Mann Concert Hall, UofM West Bank (7:30pm, free) powwow Gathering for Our Children & Returning Adoptees, Mpls American Indian Center (1pm & 7pm) comedy Joel Hodgson, Pepito's Parkway Theater, 4817 Chicago Av S, Minneapolis (7pm, $19) politics Million Muppet March, national mall, Washington, DC WI politics Scott Walker & Rudi Giuliani, Hudson Victory Center, 213 2nd St S, Hudson, WI 54016 (5:30pm) dance So You Think You Can Dance, Orpheum Theatre (7:30pm, $40+)
	November 3-4	pop Madonna, Xcel Center (7pm, $47+) -- here's Vogue
	November 3, 24	football Minnesota Gophers, TCF Bank Stadium
	November 4	politics Former Pres. Bill Clinton, Atwood Center, 651 1st Av S, St. Cloud State U (6:45pm) politics Paul Ryan, Sun Country Hangar, 2005 Cargo Rd, Mpls 55111 (MSP) (free ticket, doors 1:30pm) debate U.S. Senate - Sen. Amy Klobuchar (DFL) v. State Rep. Kurt Bills (R), Fitzgerald Theater (7pm, free)
	November 5	football Vikings Cheerleaders Holiday Show, Mall of America rotunda (7pm, free)
	November 6	politics Election Day, polling places (7am-8pm) -- vote411, candidate filings, races to watch: President Barack Obama v. Former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney v. Former NM Gov. Gary Johnson US Senate: Senator Amy Klobuchar v. State Rep. Kurt Bills US Representatives (Districts 1-8) including - US Rep. (District 6): US Rep. Michele Bachmann v. Jim Graves (AmericInn, Graves Hospitality) MN State Senators & Representatives MN Constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage (voters < 45yrs oppose by 60%, chart) MN Constitutional amendment requiring voter ID (Our Voice Our Future )(Vote No Twice) In 2008, 77.9% of eligible Minnesotans voted (more than any other state) Election Results politics Election Night DFL, Crowne Plaza, 11 East Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul (8pm-2am) MN United for All Families, River Centre, 2nd Floor, 175 Kellogg Blvd, St Paul (8pm-2am) Republican Party, Hilton Hotel, 3900 American Blvd, Bloomington (7pm)
	November 7	holidayish Day of Healing folk rock Bob Dylan, Xcel Center -- here's Knockin' tax hike Water Rate Hike Hearing, City Council Chambers, 3rd floor, City Hall, St. Paul (5:30pm, news)
	November 8-11	TV autobio Alison Arngrim, Camp Bar Cabaret, 490 N Robert St, St. Paul ($31) -- here's Prairie Bitch crafts Autumn Festival - an Arts and Crafts Affair, Canterbury Park, Shakopee ($8, coupon)
	Nov 8-11, 15-17	play Romeo & Juliet, Theatre Coup d'Etat, Southern Theater (8pm, $20)
	November 9	holiday Veterans' Day folk Singer-Songerwriter Series, Patrick's Cabaret (8pm, $10) movie Skyfall, 23rd James Bond movie, stars Daniel Craig -- here's the trailer; 50th anniversary of Dr. No
	November 10	country Dierks Bentley, Treasure Island Casino (8pm, $49+) -- here's Am I The Only One country Zac Brown Band, Target Center (7pm, $70+) -- here's Toes in the Water
	November 11	classical Haydn - Creation, St. Catherine Choral Society, St. Olaf Catholic Church, Mpls (7:30pm, $10) football Minnesota Vikings, Metrodome (noon) bells, choral Music New and Old, Hennepin Av Methodist Church, 511 Groveland Av, Mpls (4pm, free) dating Nerd Dating, Tavern on Grand, St. Paul (3pm, $30)
	November 11-12	rock Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Xcel Center (7:30pm, $84+) -- here's Born To Run
	November 13	folk dance Hofesh Shechter Dance Company, Orpheum Theatre (7:30pm, $37) -- here's an ad film Invisible War (rape in the military), Founder's Hall, Metro State U., St. Paul (7pm, free) -- trailer
	Nov 13 - Dec 29	xmas play A Christmas Carol, Guthrie Theater ($41+) -- here's the ad
	November 15	rock Monkees, State Theatre (7:30pm, $59) -- here's I'm a Believer legal Outstanding Service Awards, MN Justice Foundation, Intl. Market Square, Mpls (5:30pm) veterans Veterans' Day party, Aqua, Minneapolis
	November 15-17	art sale MCAD Art Sale, Minneapolis College of Art and Design
	November 16	rock Hennepin Church Rock, Hennepin Church, 511 Groveland Av, Minneapolis (7pm, free) movie Lincoln starring Daniel Day-Lewis, directed by Steven Spielberg
	November 16-17	show Girlfriends Expo, Treasure Island Casino volleyball Minnesota Gophers, Sports Pavilion, UofM
	November 16-18	show Home Show, Minneapolis Convention Center ($8) dance Tu Dance, O’Shaughnessy, St. Catherine University (7:30pm, $16+)
	Nov 16-Dec 9	play 84 Charing Cross Road, Theatre in the Round, Minneapolis ($22)
	November 17	xmas rock Brian Setzer Orchestra, Orpheum Theatre (8pm, $44+) -- here's Rock This Town gypsy swing Dan Newton's Cafe Accordion Orchestra, Riverview Cafe, 3753 42nd Av S, Mpls (8pm, $13) jazz New Orleans tribute, JazzMN, Hopkins HS Arts Center, 2400 Lindbergh Dr., Minnetonka (7:30pm)
	November 18	rock tribute Australian Pink Floyd Show, Orpheum Theatre (7pm, $49+) -- here's Wish You Were Here
	November 19	classical SCU String Chamber Orchestra Concert, Our Lady of Victory Chapel, St. Kates (7:30pm, free)
	Nov 20-Jan 1	xmas lights Lights in the Park, Phalen Park, St. Paul (5:30pm-10pm, $10 per car)
	November 22	holiday Thanksgiving
	November 23	sales Shopping Day - Black Friday (below) -- Twin Cities store hours, mall hours, price comparisons xmas rock Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, Orpheum Theatre (4pm & 8pm, $49+) -- here's Joy to the World
	November 23-24	comedy Daniel Tosh, State Theatre ($50) play Midsummer Night's Dream, Park Square Theatre ($38+)
	November 23-25	holiday Hmong New Year, River Centre
	Nov 23-Dec 2	xmas play Christmas Story, Tartan High School
	Nov 23-25, Nov 29-Dec2, 6-9, 14-16, 20-23	xmas parade Holidazzle, Nicollet Mall (12th St - 4th St), Minneapolis (6:30pm)
	Nov 23-Dec 31	xmas play Don't Hug Me Christmas Carol, New Century Theatre ($23+)
	November 24	comedy George Lopez, Treasure Island Casino (8pm, $49+) -- here's Spanglish xmas music SpongeBob Christmas, SpongeBob & the Hi-Seas with Tom Kenny, Patio, Mall of America (1pm)
	November 27	rock The Who (Roger Daltrey & Pete Townshend), Target Center (7:30pm, $40) -- My Generation
	November 29	video contest City & Neighborhood Film Festival, Riverview Theater, 42nd St, Mpls (free)
	Nov 29-Dec 1	xmas music Festival of Christmas, Benson Great Hall, Bethel College ($15, sold out) xmas crafts Holiday Bazaar, Landmark Center, St. Paul ($4)
	Nov 29-Dec 2	xmas music St. Olaf Christmas Festival, Skoglund Center Auditorium, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN
	November 30	comedy, folk Maria Bamford & Brandi Carlile, Wits, Fitzgerald Theater (8pm, $32+)
	Nov 30-Dec 1	xmas dance All Wrapped Up, Minnesota PerformDance, Cowles Center, 528 Hennepin Av, Mpls xmas music Lorie Line - Immanuel, Burnsville Performing Arts Center ($48) classical Sinfonia, First Covenant Church (11-30 7pm, free) & Basilica of St. Mary (12-1 2pm, free)

Black Friday November 23, 2012 - Each year the Twin Cities Calendar compares advertised Minneapolis - St. Paul Black Friday sales. We also report trends and list special hours at the malls.

2012 Black Friday Hours start on Thanksgiving (11-22): Target opens 11-22 at 9pm, Wal-Mart opens 11-22 at 8pm, and Sears is open from 8pm on 11-22 to 11pm on 11-23. Best Buy will open on Friday at midnight-10pm. K-Mart will be open on Thursday 6am-4pm, Thursday night from 8pm-3am, and on Friday 5am-11pm. Menards opens at 5am on Friday.

The Twin Cities Mall Hours

Eden Prairie Center 11/23 hours - 5am-9pm (43 at midnight)
Mall of America 11/23 hours 6am-10pm (>180 at midnight)
Maplewood Mall 11/23 hours - midnight-10pm

Ridgedale 11/23 hours - 6am-9pm (39 at midnight)
Rosedale 11/26 hours - midnight-9pm
Southdale 11/26 hours - midnight-10pm

The Mall of America will not allow anyone under 16 unaccompanied by an adult on Thanksgiving (11-22), Black Friday (11-23), or the week between Christmas and New Years (December 26-31). The Mall of America expects 200,000 shoppers this year.

Target price matching of Amazon.com, Walmart.com, BestBuy.com, ToysRUs.com, or BabiesRUs.com has specific rules. Best Buy Toys R Us and Wal-Mart also have limited price matching.

Wal-Mart employees are threatening to strike on Black Friday. Wal-Mart suppliers have also been sporatically striking. Wal-Mart will open at 8pm on Black Friday 2012.

2012 Black Friday Shopping (see ads for details & changes, db=doorbuster, eb=early bird, gb=gigabyte)

Electronics Comparisons	Target	Best Buy	Walmart	Sears	Kmart
16gb USB flash drive		$5.99	$6.97	$8.99
Blu-ray disk player	$69.99	$39.99	$68	$49.99 $69.99	$39.99
e-readers & tablets Consumer Reports magazine 12-2012 gives high marks to the Nook.	$49 Nook $499.99 iPad 16gb	$179.99 Samsung Galaxy $199.99 Kindle $279.99 Asus Tablet $399.99 iPad 16gb	$49 Ematic $99 Nook $399 iPad 16gb	$39.99 X-Treme $69.99 Trio Stealth $99.99 Maylong $177.99 Samsung	$39.99 X-Treme $49.99 Eclipse $89.99 Android $99.99 Maylong
HDTV Menards 32" $127 reb Consumer Reports magazine 12-2012 says the next innovations in HDTVs are 4K & OLED for richer definition and built-in internet connectivity for content delivery systems (Netflix, etc.). HDTV concepts Green Electronics	$147.00 32" $247.99 32" $349.00 50" db $699.00 50"	$159.99 24" $99.99 26" $189 32" $247.99 32" $397.99 39" $179.99 40" $497.99 40" 3D $647.99 46" 3D $399.99 50" $477.99 51" $799.99 55" $899.99 55" 3D $1049.98 55" 3D, woof $999.99 60" $1497.99 65"	$78 24" $148 32" $248 32" $198 40" $378 43" $598 46" WiFi $298 50" $698 50" $478 51" $998 60" $1798 70"	$97 32" Thu-8pm $199.99 32" Fri-4am $399.99 39" $699.99 47" 3D db $299.99 50"Thu8pm $299.99 50" Fri-4am $579.99 51" $799.99 52" WiFi $899.99 55" db $999.99 55" $1199.99 60"	$88 24" Thu-8pm $199.99 24" $97 32" db Thu-6am $229.99 32" Thu-6am $249.99 32" $279.99 32" $329.99 39" $199.99 42" Thu-6am $379.99 43" $599.99 47" Thu-6am $399.99 52"
notebook computer	$349 15.6" 500gb	$187.99 15.6" 320gb $249.99 14" 320gb $499.99 15.6" 750gb	$170 15.6" 320gb	$299.99 15.6" 320gb	$219.99 14" 320gb
portable DVD player	$55 9"		$38 7"

The Samsung Galaxy S III will be on sale at Sprint stores for $49.99 (save $150) with a new two-year agreement, according to Engadget.

The Barbie Photo Fashion Doll has a built-in camera, battery, and T-shirt display with buttons on her belt. She comes with a USB cable for charging and transferring photos of Ken (or anyone else) to a computer ($40).

The 2012 Neiman Marcus Christmas Book has been posted (pdf). For $100,000 they'll sell a hen house (on page 64). The more (or less) practical JetLev R200 flying jetpack is priced at $99,500 (on page 69).

Shoppers looking for a guide to living happily-ever-after should read the novel, Hopes and Dreams: Stuck on AutoDrive.

Nearly Ugg Boots are at JCPenney (Arizona $12), Old Navy (Adoraboots $12), Menards ($7.99), Kohl's ($14.99, $19.99), K-Mart ($12.49), Target (Xhilaration $25), & Payless (19.99 & 29.99).

Black Friday Coupons
Bed Bath & Beyond will hand out coupons for 20% off the entire purchase (with limits) to people arriving between 6am-noon.

Blick Art Materials (Edina & Roseville) has a coupon for 20% off entire purchase on November 23rd. The first 10 people will receive a bag of art materials.

Twin Cities Black Friday - Twin Cities Calendar

Twin Cities Black Friday - Twin Cities Calendar

Half Price Books is handing out Black Friday coupons (print it) for 15% off the entire purchase or $15 off a $50 purchase. At 7am, the first 100 people will get a bag with a $5 gift card.

Coupons in the Thursday newspapers (Star Tribune, Pioneer Press)**
CVS Pharmacy ads have a coupon for 25% off the entire purchase of regular priced items (Thursday-Saturday)
Guitar Center ads have coupons for 15% off an item (Friday, print it) & 10% off a single item (Saturday & Sunday)
Herberger's has a newspaper coupon for $10 off an item of $10 (or more)
& 10-15-25% off certain sale price items. Plus, print this coupon for 30% off jewelry
Holiday Stationstores 7¢ & 5¢ per gallon coupons (like this one)
JoAnn Fabrics ads have coupons for:
                            25% off total purchase (Friday 6am-noon)
                            50% off any one regular priced item (Friday all day)
                            60% off any one regular priced item (Sunday all day)
Macys ads have $10 off $25 purchase & 10-15% off sale apparel
Michaels (crafts) ads have coupons (with barcodes) for :

30% off entire purchase (Thursday 4pm-11pm)
25% off entire purchase (Friday 7am-noon)
50% off any one regular price item (Friday noon-10pm)
20% off entire purchase (Saturday 8am-noon)
50% off any one regular price item (Saturday noon-10pm)

and Duracell has a $4 off certain Duracell battery packs

Black Friday (Nov. 23th) is the national shopping day that follows Thanksgiving. It's called Black Friday because it takes place in the middle of the night. Most retail speculation leading into Black Friday 2012 is that the best prices will not occur on Black Friday. The hype of Black Friday already brings in consumer traffic. Black Friday deals do not have to increase traffic, just maintain traffic from previous years. Showrooming, looking at stores but buying online, is expected to increase. [sources: Time, WSJ] The National Retail Federation expects a 4.1% holiday sales increase, compared to 2011 which saw a 5.6% increase. A recent Accenture poll (pdf) shows 9% more people plan to buy on Black Friday (53%), reversing a three-year declining trend.

$$$ - most will be driven by discounts and promotions [82%]
$$$ - most will shop at discount retailers [75%]
$$$ - many will showroom -- look at a store before buying online [56%]
$$$ - many will buy online using a PC instead of a smartphone [60%]

GottaDeal has some best Black Friday practices for retailers.
Google has identified top product searches:

* Ugg Boots (see above)
* Xbox 360

Samsung Galaxy S3 - Apple says it's the same

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