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Gary “Juara” Clements has been making art since the second grade. His drawing board and supplies are always with him, he said. He has taught the subject in a Minneapolis school and “carried art into every job I’ve ever had,” said Clements, a longtime South Minneapolis resident who has lived in Seward for more than two years. He has exhibited in local galleries, and he has applied in the past for — but never had work accepted into — the Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute’s Annual International Art Show for Artists with Disabilities. MORE »

“Quilombolas” are descendants of slaves who escaped their slave plantations in Brazil. True to the spirit of their name, the Minneapolis band Quilombolas have a sense of defiance, and also a sense of freedom. The band’s style is passionate, satirical, and very entertaining. Blending Brazilian rhythms, hip-hop, Israeli melodies, and funk, Quilombolas create a unique sound with smart lyrics and a danceable beat. At Trocoderos on April 18, they had the place dancing and rocking out to their international groove. MORE »

It was unofficial Cute Night on Saturday at First Avenue, as the Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players opened for Kate Nash. A family act featuring a keyboard-pounding dad, a tambourine-slapping mom, and a 14-year-old daughter on drums? Cute. A 20-year-old British redhead in platform heels who coos lyrics about beautiful birds in front of a pink neon sign bearing her name? Cuter. An encore uniting the two acts for a rendition of the Supremes’ “Baby Love”? Cutest! MORE »

Jean: When I was given the opportunity to review Jesus Christ Superstar I wasn’t sure I was qualified. The fact is that I am a child of the 60s. However, there is much that happened in the 60s that I was not a part of because I grew up in New Ulm, a small town in southern Minnesota. I have never attended a protest, I have never lived in a commune, I haven’t been to San Francisco, and I had never seen Jesus Christ Superstar. My husband had the soundtrack on reel-to-reel tapes, and we listened to the music often—so I can sing the songs with the best of them. That is why I invited my friend Georgia to attend with me: she has seen Jesus Christ Superstar several times. We were both wondering who would be in the audience tonight. People like us, or a whole new generation? I told one of my students that I was giving up my Twins tickets tonight to go and see Jesus Christ Superstar, and he had no idea what that was! MORE »

The Women’s Environmental Institute (WEI) invites you to participate in the Phillips Community Environmental Justice Forum and Feast on Friday evening, May 9 at Plaza Verde, 1516 E. Lake St., # 301, Minneapolis 55407. This community gathering will bring together experts in environmental health concerns, neighborhood activists, and allies who support the community’s right-to-know about the serious environmental health challenges facing our families — especially our children and elders in Phillips. The community feast begins at 5pm and features Native, Latino, and Somali foods. The program begins at 6 pm with speakers and panels that will present: maps and information on the kinds of toxic exposure residents are already living with; concerns about the proposal to site a wood-burning incinerator in Phillips; other toxic air pollution sources; and an opportunity for the community to respond and to begin to strategize for future action. Spanish and Somali interpreting will be available. This event is free and open to the public. The MN Pollution Control Agency and numerous community-based organization are co-sponsors. We encourage you to come, bring your neighbors, questions, ideas, and passion for environmental justice in our neighborhood! MORE »