What’s happening this week
On the radar: We could really have used the heat a few months ago—but never mind, it’s here now as Bedlam’s annual fire show opens on the venue’s well-trod parking lot.
Under the radar: Some of the area’s top theatrical talents—including our writer Sheila Regan—take the stage as Red Eye Theater opens its New Works 4 Weeks Festival with a collection of works in progress.
On the radar: Steven Spielberg, the man responsible for the invention of the blockbuster movie as we know it, still stands as the all-time master of thrilling, escapist onscreen entertainment. What better season than summer to pay him tribute, and what better film to start with than his 1981 masterpiece Raiders of the Lost Ark?
Under the radar: The phrase “Shakespeare in the park” doesn’t really get the average theaterhound’s blood pumping, but this year’s production of Troilus & Cressida by Cromulent Shakespeare Company looks unusually promising, with a cast including Lacey Piotter (The Awakening), Alberta Mirais (Beaverdance), and Allison True (Dalí-DADA). The production premieres tonight with a performance at Lake Harriet’s Rose Gardens.
On the radar: Minneapolis residents are diverse? Yeah, you knew that—but did you know we can sing? And dance? And whack inflatable fitness balls with drumsticks? Welcome to our MOSAIC. Not to be outdone in global exuberance, St. Paul hosts the Shangalia Youth Choir of Kenya as part of the Flint Hills International Children’s Festival. To learn more about this extraordinary group—and their Minnesota connection—read Dwight Hobbes’s interview with J.D. Steele.
Under the radar: The former home of Arise! Bookstore is reborn—at least for the summer—as Storefront-in-a-Box, a rentable space that will play host to a motley series of enterprises. Enterprise #1 is a book swap coordinated by Arise! successor Boneshaker Books. The event will feature cupcakes from Cake Ea…[stomp stomp trample stampede]
On the radar: “St. Paul is a beautiful and quiet city,” opines the Thrifty Hipster with backhanded praise. Clearly, said Hipster has never ventured across the river on Grand Old Day, where the city’s a lot less quiet—and a little less beautiful too, unless you’re spending the day in the beer garden, in which case by 5 p.m. everyone looks absolutely stunning.
Under the radar: You never know when you and your twin brother and your faithful mutt Rusty are going to get caught up in a crime caper in which a priceless artifact will be stolen away by a scoundrel hiding in the depths of the Quaking Bog—so better get your bearings with this afternoon’s guided tour.
On the radar: Contrary to what I believed until about 90 seconds ago, Damien Jurado was not the frontman of the Mavericks. That was Raul Malo. Well, I’ve already promised I’ll review the Damien Jurado show at the Turf Club tonight, so I guess I’ll be there checking out the Seattle singer-songwriter’s folk balladry. Join me, won’t you?
Under the radar: Tish Jones brings the Minnesota Quest Youth Slam Team to the Black Dog for this month’s installment of the Lowertown Reading Jam. Expect the emphasis to be less on “reading” and more on “jam.”
On the radar: Falling like manna upon the ears of Minnesotans still suffering from the cancellation of last winter’s scheduled Dan Auerbach show are not one but two nights of hard-rocking goodness from the Black Keys, commencing tonight.
Under the radar: “Ace singer-songwriter Barbara Meyer doesn’t do a lot of playing out,” notes Dwight Hobbes, so best not miss your chance to catch this blueslady, “one of those dynamite-every-time-out performers who give a hundred ten percent,” tonight at Minnehaha Park—for free, no less!
On the radar: Sebastian Junger’s 1997 book The Perfect Storm was so successful, it helped propel its title into national catchphrase status. Unfortunately, the title of the new book by Junger (who’s reading at MPR’s UBS Forum tonight) is already heard all too often: War.
Under the radar: I first encountered Matt Pond PA via their haunting, wistful cover of Lindsey Buckingham’s “Holiday Road” (a.k.a. the National Lampoon’s Vacation song), turning the retrobilly original inside out. The band’s original material isn’t as strong, but with a 12-year discography to draw on, they’re sure to play a compelling set tonight at the Entry.
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Daily Planet arts roundup
• The bookmobile rolls on in St. Paul (blog entry by Teresa Boardman)
• In Street Boners, Gavin McInnes hails the hottest hipsters (review by Jay Gabler)
• Chuck Close: Life: Important new biography from former Walker Art Center curator Christopher finch illuminates Minnesota’s pivotal role in the artist’s life (review by Jay Gabler)
• With Minnesota’s oldest Dairy Queen at risk of demolition, preservationists launch a blizzard of publicity (feature by Sheila Regan)
• A first look at the new ROBOTlove (photos by Jay Gabler)
• Another milestone for Laotian Minnesota community as In III Dragon previews (feature by Nathan Insixiengmay)
• Ready, set, Soundset! (preview by Mark Brenden)
• Twin Cities Jazz Festival brings “one of the best lineups we’ve ever had” to Mears Park (preview by Dwight Hobbes)
• For financially strapped families, music instrument programs strike the right chord (feature by Cynthia Boyd)
• Musical encore: MusicLink Foundation helps family of prodigies grow and bloom (feature by Cynthia Boyd)
• Pieta Brown’s One and All one-ups her Red House debut (review by Dwight Hobbes)
• June festivals (blog entry by Amy Rea)
• Embracing the richness of Jewish music (feature by Erin Elliott Bryan)
• In beyond.words, dre.dance tackle the challenging task of conveying—and celebrating—the experience of autism (review by Bev Wolfe)
• Nurturing new visions: Red Eye’s Works in Progress (blog entry by Sheila Regan)
• In the Guthrie’s Dollhouse, Nora is no victim (review by Sheila Regan)
• Brave New Workshop’s Toyota! The Runaway Musical Hit! is funny and timely (review by Elizabeth Lofgren)
• Persephone: Fire will reign with multimedia fury on the Bedlam parking lot (preview by Cyn Collins)
• Chimera: Workhaus Collective to join the genes of performers and audience (preview by Sheila Regan)
• Artist Aaron Marx brings the faces of the fallen to Minneapolis streets (blog entry by Paul Schmelzer)
• RIP Louise Bourgeois (blog entry by Paul Schmelzer)
• Chris and Rob’s Chicago Taste Authority (blog entry by Bruce Schneier and Karen Cooper)
• Exploring the many farmers’ markets and their distinct personalities (feature by Phyllis Louise Harris)
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