What’s happening this week
On the radar: Tornado, the Twin Cities’ most danceable new rock band, are releasing their debut EP and launching a southern U.S. tour with a show tonight at Bedlam. The opener could not have been more perfectly selected: the Itinerant Locals, a “polka punk” band from Arkansas.
Under the radar: Piano-pounding, poetry-writing, moviemaking songstress Jenny Dalton plays the first of a pair of shows at which she’ll premiere new material from her upcoming album. Locals were pleased and surprised to receive news of the shows, but when they saw where the shows were happening they were perhaps even more pleased and surprised to learn there’s a town (well, technically an unincorporated community) in Minnesota called Castle Danger. Located on the north shore of Lake Superior, it’s a road trip—but how could it not be worth it?
On the radar: Before you’ve even had a chance to catch your breath from Taste of Minnesota, the summer outdoor concert season hits you with a left hook: the Basilica Block Party kicks off tonight with sets by Weezer, Spoon, Kristoff Krane, and more. Tomorrow: the Avett Brothers, Barenaked Ladies, and Guster, among several others.
Under the radar: As ARP! says goodbye, its creators and contributors can take solace in the fact that, like the Velveteen Rabbit, once an art paper is loved enough, it becomes real and takes on a life of its own. Opening today at the Shoebox Gallery is “a small resurrection” of Artpolice, a zine published by Minneapolis artists from 1974 to 1994. After the opening reception, Shoebox curator Sean Smuda opens his upstairs studio for a performance by Saltee, “an indie, urban, organic, neoclassical trio” featuring beat-boxer Carnage with guitarist Mike Michel and cellist Jacqueline Ultan.
On the radar: Accept no imitations! Insist on the original Zinefest, the boisterous festival of all publications independent and edgy. This year’s festival has the distinction of receiving the smallest of all festival grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board. How’s that for indie cred?
Under the radar: After making a move next door, the SooVAC reopens today with a party that also marks the opening of its seventh annual juried exhibition and its first-ever juried teen exhibition.
On the radar: For those who were disappointed by MGMT, the Walker takes a mulligan on Rock the Garden with Open Exposure, an outdoor event featuring performances by acts including Eyedea and Abilities, Tapes ‘N Tapes, and Total Babe.
Under the radar: The Dragon Festival, St. Paul’s annual celebration of Asian culture, climaxes with a dragon boat race on Lake Phalen.
On the radar: “Try before you buy,” suggests the Fringe, offering a series of showcases that let performers convey a sense of what audiences might (or might not) be in for. Fringe-For-All #1 takes place tonight at the History Theatre.
Under the radar: The walls of the St. Paul Hotel can’t talk, but those who’ve scrubbed them sure can! As part of its yearlong centennial celebration, the local landmark is inviting all past and present employees—and, in fact, everyone in the whole wide world—to an ice cream social in Rice Park today at lunchtime. Scoops are only a buck, with proceeds going to the homeless shelter Listening House.
On the radar: Joan Baez first gained attention by hanging out at folk clubs in Harvard Square, where she would sing along from the audience with such a clear, powerful voice that she would eclipse the performers on stage. 50 years later, it’s still a powerful instrument, and you can hear the legendary performer—the first public face of the 1960s folk revival that transformed popular music—tonight at the Zoo.
Under the radar: The underground bar Honey is one of the hottest new nightspots in town, which makes it the perfect place for the unstoppable Ian Anderson—Afternoon Records czar, One For the Team band member, MFR blogger, and Vitriol PR guy—to set up shop for a weekly DJ gig devoted to brand new music. Slated for tonight is a complete play-through of the new album from Paper Tiger.
On the radar: Modest Mouse are the kind of cult band who make albums you either can’t stop listening to or can’t make it to the end of. Personally, I’m in the latter camp, but there’s at least an Orpheumful of people who feel otherwise.
Under the radar: The Trylon turns one year old today, but don’t worry—the 50-seat “microcinema” has grown up without getting bigger. Its anniversary show is Buster Keaton’s classic The General, with live musical accompaniment by Dreamland Faces.
Have an event you’d like to put on our readers’ radar? Submit it directly to our calendar.
Daily Planet arts roundup
• The power of a radical thought: How for-profit businesses can learn from nonprofits (blog entry by Sheldon Mains)
• John C. Reilly on Cyrus, Mumblecore, and his magnificent career (video by Jim Brunzell III and Erik McClanahan)
• The Oh Eeks turn a wry corner with debut disc Greater Than Magnets (review by Dwight Hobbes)
• Tuyet Huong balances life as a mom and a talented singer (feature by Tom Laventure)
• The Hold Steady and the Whigs tear it up on the Cabooze plaza (review by Jay Gabler, photos by Meredith Westin)
• Fringe 2010: Cheekiest Star Wars reference (so far) (blog entry by Matthew A. Everett)
• The “other” surrealist: In Ady, Pangea looks at Adrienne Fidelin (preview by Sheila Regan)
• Fringe 2010: Woman, made from flowers, turns into owl (blog entry by Matthew A. Everett)
• Fringe 2010: I am trying to break your heart (blog entry by Matthew A. Everett)
• Fringe 2010: Seals who turn into women, and the men who love them (blog entry by Matthew A. Everett)
• Fringe 2010: Returning favorites—Damian Sheridan/Aspect I Studios (blog entry by Matthew A. Everett)
• TRP’s Come Blow Your Horn is enjoyable summer fluff, Simon-style (review by Dwight Hobbes)
• Fringe 2010: Creepiest. Panda. Ever. (blog entry by Matthew A. Everett)
• Publisher swipes Alec Soth concept for book cover (blog entry by Paul Schmelzer)
• Open Map takes shape on an Open Field (blog entry by Alan Wilfahrt)
• Garlic or muscle (blog entry, about Western Sculpture Park, by Teresa Boardman)
• Inside me (profile, of Lucy Rose Fischer, by Norma Smith Olson)
• Zucchini has arrived—over and over again! (blog entry by Amy Doeun)
• Pedaling whole foods to family tables: Velo Veggies joins bike delivery scene (feature by Karen Hollish)
• Audobon finds recipe for success in Minneapolis Mini Farmers’ Market (feature by Sarah Vig)
• Hmong freedom and soccer celebration (video by Boa Lee)
• Music by University Avenue, Lyric by Johnson Brothers (feature by Natalie Zett)
• Como neighborhood to host Staycation (feature by Dave Healy)
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