On the radar
1. By all accounts, Disney made a smart move when it enlisted director Julie Taymor to translate The Lion King to the stage. The stage musical has played to raves around the world; on Wednesday it opens at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis.
2. Now in its 23rd year, the Walker Art Center’s Out There series is a can’t-miss opportunity to see some of the world’s best and most innovative performing artists. The 2012 series opens on Thursday with a world premiere show by Young Jean Lee: Untitled Feminist Show, featuring an all-nude cast.
3. Speaking of pantsless people, the annual No Pants Subway Ride takes place on Sunday. But listen, people, “ALL UNDERWEAR MUST BE APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGES.” Also, “YOU MUST SHOW UP TO THE TRANSIT STATION WITH PANTS ON! WE WILL NOT DE-PANTS UNTIL WE ARE ON THE TRAIN!!!!!!!!”
4. With Haruki Murakami’s 1Q84 sizzling its way through the literary world, Sound Unseen has chosen a timely moment to present the Midwest premiere of Norwegian Wood, a new adaptation of Murakami’s 1987 novel. The film features music by Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood, and screens at the Trylon Microcinema on Wednesday.
5. This is just about the slowest time of the year for live music, which makes it all the more welcome that local favorites Buffalo Moon are returning to the Twin Cities with a homecoming show Friday night at the Entry—heading a packed bill that also includes Tickle Torture, Night Moves, and Elite Gymnastics.
Under the radar
1. The Drinkin’ Spelling Bee at the 331 Club is nothing new to NE Minneapolis, but in spirit of starting anew, the organizers promise Saturday’s spelling bee to be the best in 2012 so far.
2. A Tribute to “The Last Waltz” featuring Big Pink on Saturday at Cabooze recreates one of the greatest gigs in rock ‘n roll history for its seventh year with Minnesota’s top entertainers and musicians.
3. For the first time in the Twin Cities, Yemen Blues—a nine-person ensemble that’s creating international buzz with its “synergy of traditional Yemenite melodies and the world of blues, jazz and funk”—plays at the Cedar on Thursday.
4. “Yours Truly” at the Lowertown Reading Jam directed by Wendy Brown-Báez is the first event of 2012 in the eclectic series that celebrates “the rich literary history of Minnesota’s capital city.”
5. The City of St. Paul has been avidly wooing Bedlam Theatre for a move to Lowertown; whether or not Bedlam opens a space there, we can hope for some news of a new permanent location for the adventurous local company in 2012. In the meantime, the spirit of Bedlam’s Romps is being kept alive at Four Humors’ monthly Firsty Thursday shows. This month’s revue features performers from Happy Crazy New Year.
Coverage of issues and events that affect Central Corridor communities is funded in part by a grant from the Central Corridor Collaborative.
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