Camel rides. Middle Eastern music and dancing. Falafel, tabouli, gyros, chicken, lamb, pastries and much more — St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in West St. Paul will host its 6th Annual Middle Eastern Festival on July 19-21. If you're going, take a picture or post a comment, with the hashtag #StGeorgeFest — and we'll put together a story using YOUR words and pictures!  

The Orpheum Theatre, and downtown for that matter, were buzzing with anticipation for the opening night of War Horse on Wednesday, June 12. I had a hunch that Steven Spielberg’s 2011 movie adaptation played a part in the giddy turnout. While that may have been the case for some, myself included, it was clear from overheard conversations that the play is a big deal in and of itself. Whatever the case, War Horse is worthy of the hype.

The Los Angeles Film Festival (LAFF) starts this Thursday, June 13; while I won't be out in Los Angeles covering the festival, there is reason for the Twin Cities film community to be interested in the festival. Minnesota-born filmmaker/actor Karl Jacob will have his directional debut, Pollywogs, competing in the Narrative Competition at LAFF, with Friday's world premiere screening already sold out.

On June 11th, Rachael Yamagata wowed the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis. Sanders Bohlke opened.