The Trough Gastro Non Grata takes over First Avenue this Saturday

Are you still sore about Taste Of Minnesota being canceled? Do you miss the magical feeling of exchanging tickets for greasy, delectable foodstuffs? Well, stop crying, because the good people at City Pages, Heavy Table, PBR, Metro magazine, and Northern Brewer have conspired to bring yet another edition of the food, booze, and music spectacular they call Gastro Non Grata.

Not familiar? Let’s draw a mental picture: Imagine Taste Of Minnesota. Now imagine it taking place on the set of Purple Rain. Now imagine that, instead of funnel cakes sold out of a scary-looking truck by an even scarier-looking lady, your menu consists of a variety of unique gourmet dishes from Haute Dish, Grand Café, and the Modern Café, probably served by nice, local folks. And now imagine that instead of merely withstanding the banal prattlings of Kate Voegele, you’re enjoying the musical stylings of Sorry OK, STNNNG, Zebulon Pike, El Le Faunt, Voytek, Nightosaur, and Sand Ox, which is a prog-metal ensemble that includes Duff Goldman, the Ace Of Cakes guy(?!). That sounds like the best Taste Of Minnesota ever.

Gastro Non Grata is happening this Saturday, and it will take up the whole First Avenue venue—Record Room, Main Room, and the Entry—which is all the better to stuff your ear- and mouth-holes. Save some money by buying your ticket ahead of the show, as advance tickets include three food tickets, while day-of purchases do not.

But that’s not all. For those who can wait a little bit longer for their dinner, there will be a Bloody Gastro Aftershow in the Entry once GNG proper wraps up. For just five bucks (or three, if you go to the main event beforehand) you can help yourself to the ketchup- and Sriracha-slathered leftovers of the evening’s food selections while taking in an extra-rare helping of music from Bloodnstuff; Total Fucking Blood; and Blood, Sweat, and Beards.