Minneapolis
THEATER | Barbara Berlovitz's "Stories as Told in a Bed": An intimate and sublimely humorous journey
It is tricky business reviewing a work in progress, putting the writer in a barely tenable position. How can you be fair to the playwright, casting comment on a script that's still in development? Critique the weaknesses and you're a villain for kicking the play's legs out from under it before it's had a chance to actually stand on them. Praise the strengths and you're a cheerleader clapping the author on the back before the job's finished being done.MORE »
With a "Shovel Dance," the Shubert Theater breaks ground for an expansion and reopening
Nearly 100 years after its original opening, and over 25 years since it last closed its doors, the Shubert Theater finally broke ground on November 19 in a ceremony celebrating the building's long fight to save itself—a fight that included the building's block-and-a-half journey from its previous location on Block E to its current home next to the Hennepin Center for the Arts (HCA).MORE »
MOVIES | "Ida's Story," a documentary about a post-WWI Ukrainian immigrant, tells a sadly familiar tale of ethnic persecution
A documentary ten years in the making, Ida's Story had its big-screen debut at North Minneapolis's historic Capri Theater on November 16. The premiere drew nearly a full house; over 250 attended to see the new film by a local cast and crew led by executive producer Donna Sherlock and producer/director Barbara Wiener.MORE »
THEATER | Taylor Hicks leaves 'em swooning in "Grease"
"It's got groove, it's got meaning." The original "word"—Grease—returns to the Orpheum Theatre this week for a generation-bridging production of the beloved and popular musical. In the audience for opening night on Wednesday, I witnessed all the magical rock-'n'-roll-ridden excitement brought to the big screen in the 1978 motion picture version, with a few added surprises.MORE »
MUSIC | Triple threat Desdamona drops new disc: "Inkling"
Desdamona is a powerhouse in the local spoken word scene and hip-hop community. She co-hosts Poet's Groove at the Blue Nile every Tuesday night, and was also among the founders of B-Girl Be, the nation's premier event for women in hip-hop. She is also one half of Ill Chemistry, her collaboration with beat boxer Carnage the Executioner. In her spare time, she posts daily writing prompts on her Facebook page. Quickly following on the heels of BGB and her campaign for Too Big For My Skin, Desdamona is releasing her third album, titled Inkling, and will perform this Saturday at Sauce with Carnage, Big Mike, and Alicia Wiley.MORE »
DANCE | Zenon Dance Company's appealing fall season at the Ritz
If you have even an inkling that you might enjoy contemporary dance, you'll probably enjoy Zenon Dance Company's 27th Fall Season. Actually, unless you are absolutely convinced you detest contemporary dance, you'll probably enjoy Zenon Dance Company's 27th Fall Season. The choreography is complex and engaging, and the performers are so ridiculously appealing that they could sell mosquito eggs in Ely.MORE »
MUSIC | Brother Ali, as always a soldier of love, brings "Us" to First Ave
The first MC heard on Brother Ali's third full-length, Us, is not the Rhymesayers heavyweight but rather one of his icons, Chuck D. Chuck intones an introduction for Ali, listing off divisions that plague humanity and offering Ali as "a soldier/ in the war for love," one who carries "a message of true hope/ and true peace" that might overcome these divisions. MORE »
Bike boulevards coming to Minneapolis
The city of Minneapolis is planning to make five new bicycle boulevards in the city next year, including 22nd Ave, Fillmore and 5th Streets in Northeast Minneapolis, 18th Avenue South, and Bryant Avenue South.MORE »
THEATER | At the Orpheum, "Grease" is still the word
Choreographer-director Kathleen Marshall's revival of Grease brings back the magic of Rydell High; however, it fell short of my expectations. The music is contagious, the choreography is energetic, and the supporting performers have great comic timing. The lead characters, though, fall flat. Still, from start to finish there's a fun atmosphere at the Orpheum.MORE »
VISUAL ARTS | With "Event Horizon" and "Benches & Binoculars," the Walker rolls out new views of its collection
In exhibits opening to the public on Saturday—with a preview at Friday night's After Hours party—the Walker Art Center is not just re-envisioning the way it presents work from its own collection, it's offering provocative new ways of thinking about the display of contemporary art.MORE »
