Lifestyle

Last Sunday, September 20, the annual Czech Slovak festival was held at the historic CSPS building in St. Paul and hosted by the Sokol of Minnesota, an organization that seeks to provide education about Czech and Slovak culture. The community-led event, staffed by volunteers, was a wonderful mix of generations and families, all enjoying and embracing their common heritage.

What's Happening This Week

Thursday, September 17

On the radar: After Jon Ferguson's being named director of the Southern's theater lineup, followed by his tightly-choreographed take on Animal Farm, it seemed like he couldn't become any more the It Man of local theater...and then his Fringe show sold 108% of its available seats. Tonight his new production, Super Monkey, opens at the Guthrie. It's in the Dowling Studio, not the Wurtele Thrust, but I have a feeling he's going to get there eventually.

Under the radar: All year long you've been reading the fascinating essays from the St. Paul Almanac in the Daily Planet, and now it's time to welcome a new edition of the annual guide to all things Pig's Eye. The release party takes place tonight at the Black Dog.

Friday, September 18

On the radar: The Walker's Coen Brothers retrospective begins tonight with a screening of the Minnesota-bred filmmakers' 1984 debut Blood Simple. Then, at the 501 Club, Unknown Prophets, Mayda, Josie from Tendercakes, and DJ Fundamentalist throw down in celebration of the first anniversary of the very newsletter you're reading right now! And it's free! Heyo!

Under the radar: Two weekend-long community arts celebrations kick off today: the West Bank Revival music festival and the Twin Cities Black Film Festival.

I want to thank my good friend and municipal elected colleague Park Commissioner Mary Merrill Anderson for her response to the MSR article "Organizers find 'huge disparities' in Mpls parks funding"