Central

Clybourne Park is the kind of play that's often referred to as "sociological": it deals with issues of race, class, and neighborhood change. Really, though, Bruce Norris's 2010 play—now being presented at the Guthrie Theater—would more accurately be described as psychological. The characters are aware of broad social issues insofar as their own lives are affected, but they don't spend their time debating policy. Rather, we watch them trying to determine how to navigate those structures as individuals and as families, while trying—hard though it sometimes is—to treat others as they themselves would like to be treated.

Having recently written posts titled, “Minnesota Orchestra on the rocks: What—if anything—should be done?” and “Does it matter that no one gives a shit about classical music any more?”, I braced myself when I answered the phone last night and the caller identified himself as being with the Minnesota Orchestra.

There were a lot of people in attendance at the Loft Literary Center on May 22; and as formal as it appeared, it was clear that the majority of the attendees had all known each other for quite some time. Learning and teaching together is a great way to build a healthy and diverse community and I couldn’t help but feel like I was on the outside looking in as volunteers and students from the Minnesota Literacy Council (MLC) gathered to celebrate the release of a new edition of Journeys, the organization's annual compilation of writing by adult English learners.

On April 14, the Orpheum Theatre was struck by Widespread Panic, inciting a completely sold out house of revelers to create absolute pandemonium. Fans of this veteran rock powerhouse are nothing if not faithful, wildly devoted to what can only be called an extreme. It must be pretty thirsty work, because when Panic hit the State Theatre across the street on Hennepin Avenue in 2011, the bars ran out of beer before the show was half underway—so, quite sensibly, things were moved to the larger venue and the venue laid in a stronger supply of brew.