Barb Teed

You have to give the Minnesota State Fair credit for keeping up with technology and social media. When the State Fair opened in 1854, the focus was on farming and agriculture. Now, you can hear recorded history naratives from your cell phone (or any land line), use your smart phone to locate QR codes, or brush up on State Fair trivia while you shuttle to the Fair’s gate.

Rainn Wilson appeared relaxed and happy to be back at the Guthrie Theater for an “In Conversation” discussion with artistic director Joe Dowling on July 17. The intimate setting of Guthrie’s Wurtele Thrust stage helped make Wilson and Dowling’s matinee chat seem like sitting in their living room.

Mark L. Wahlberg has seen many oldies in his seven years as host of PBS’ Antiques Roadshow. But standing in the Wabasha Street Caves to talk about antique flashlights was his first cavern feature.

A complicated, merit-based voting process for next year’s Academy Awards Best Picture nominations will call on math wizards. That, and a Visual Effects “bakeoff.”