What’s happening this week
On the radar: As our blogger Matthew Everett pointed out to Downtown Journal, even if you see a different show in every single slot at the Minnesota Fringe Festival, you’ll still miss two-thirds of the shows on offer. So get started early: the Fringe starts today. (JG)
Under the radar: If Sophocles were a Southern Baptist preacher, he would have written shows like The Gospel at Colonus. Even though he didn’t, you’re still in luck, because Lee Breuer did and the show opens tonight at the Ordway, featuring the Blind Boys of Alabama, the Legendary Soul Stirrers, and the Steeles. (OSJ)
On the radar: Nervously optimistic about the effect of the Central Corridor, the neighborhood surrounding the University-280 intersection has decided to rebrand itself as “MidCity.” It’s a little bland, and they’re lucky that the name of the nearby Midway neighborhood isn’t trademarked, but the new name does emphasize the central location and great potential of this St. Paul crossroads. The new name is being rolled out with a splash at a neighborhood festival taking place today. You may or may not have the opportunity, or feel the need, to acquire a t-shirt bearing the intersection’s new slogan: “It’s more fun in the middle.” (JG)
Under the radar: “Naughtybilly” band Courtney McLean and the Dirty Curls have no time for sly euphemisms: their songs start right off with lines like, “I wanted to fuck my cousin; I did not know he was my cousin.” They’re in residence this week at Storefront-in-a-Box, and tonight sees the premiere of jugblower/playwright Bunny Sparber’s “self-assembling” play Sleaze Book Club, in which audience members play the part of book club members discussing vintage pornographic novels. To be followed by the erotic and open use of a mic. (JG)
On the radar: Art hounds come out of the galleries—whether they like it or not—for the annual Powderhorn Art Fair at Powderhorn Park. Take a walk in the park with 180 exhibitors, then catch a free shuttle to the nearby Uptown and Loring Park art fairs. (OSJ)
Under the radar: Red Wing: It’s not just for boots, pots, vintage illustration art, and fall foliage any more! Today, St. Paul’s Red House Records hosts its second annual down-by-the-river music festival, with performers including Storyhill, Spider John Koerner, and Pieta Brown. (JG)
On the radar: It’s Limerick Day in Minneapolis—the result, not the cause, of the limerick contest at Kieran’s masterminded by the busy and incorrigible Bunny Sparber. Judges will include Sparber, humorists Bill Corbett and James Lileks, and possibly Carol Connolly and Jason DeRusha. No word on an appearance by Robyne Robinson, but it sounds like her kind of party. (JG)
Under the radar: Anyone from local artist Ben Garthus to local 7-year-old Benji Zimmerman might take exception to Lego’s claim that its new products are “the world’s first constructible board games,” but Lego fiends of all ages will be tempted by the three-day Legofest being staged this weekend in Minneapolis to promote the new games. (JG)
On the radar: Like the movie Juno, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros’ inescapable song “Home” inspires mixed feelings. Some people simply love it, some people love it but hate that they love it, and some people love it but hate the other people who love it. Almost no one outright hates it, and the Zeros apparently put on a pretty good show. Tonight they’re outdoors at the Cabooze. (JG)
Under the radar: There are plenty of parodies of Broadway musicals to be seen on Hennepin, but this one is intentional: Where’s My Tony? (JG)
On the radar: While working their fingers to the bone trying to become known for something other than “MMMBop,” Hanson have managed to earn a fair bit of critical acclaim. See for yourself tonight at the Minnesota Zoo, where they are playing with Rooney. (OSJ)
Under the radar: When people speak of the golden age of Twin Cities independent booksellers, the first names off their lips are now-defunct community treasures the Hungry Mind and Odegard Books. Dan Odegard, formerly owner of his namesake shop, was recently diagnosed with multiple myeloma: plasma cancer. His many friends are gathering at Landmark Center tonight to raise funds for the fight. (JG)
On the radar: Wicked began life as a clever premise for a book by Gregory Maguire—why not tell the story of The Wizard of Oz from the perspective of the Wicked Witch?—then it became a bestseller, then it became a Broadway show that received mixed reviews but won audience members’ hearts, and ultimately it turned into a cultural behemoth on the order of Cats. It may not be the best show to play in Minneapolis this summer, but it’s certainly the biggest. The touring musical opens today at the Orpheum. (JG)
Under the radar: Rufus Wainwright is a singer who performs Judy Garland songs in lipstick and heels—and also writes operas. At Orchestra Hall tonight, see the man Elton John calls “one of the greatest songwriters on the planet.” (OSJ)
Have an event you’d like to put on our readers’ radar? Submit it directly to our calendar.
Daily Planet arts roundup
• DreamHaven Books for your science fiction, fantasy, and horror needs (feature by Nykol Johnson)
• New album under their belt, the Oh Eeks keep on rocking (interview by Dwight Hobbes)
• Fringe 2010: Fringe-For-All #2—”This whole thing has been an adult evening…” (blog entry by Matthew A. Everett)
• Minge of the Fringe: Goin’ up (blog entry by Phillip Andrew Bennett Low)
• Hinge of the Fringe: Go west, young (wo)m(a/e)n (blog entry by Phillip Andrew Bennett Low)
• A family-friendly vampire in Top Hat Theatre’s Dracula’s Castle (blog entry by Rachel Reiva)
• Fringe 2010: Fringe-For-All #2—”Just tell them you’re a bat!” (blog entry by Matthew A. Everett)
• Fringe 2010: Fringe-For-All #2—”Guess what? I got hit by a motorcycle last week!” (blog entry by Matthew A. Everett)
• Binge of the Fringe: Rarin’ to go (blog entry by Phillip Andrew Bennett Low)
• Twin Cities Black Pride soars with Fierce Love (review by Matthew A. Everett)
• Fringe 2010: Fringe-For-All #2—People dissin’ my union, but I like them anyway (blog entry by Matthew A. Everett)
• Fringe 2010: Fringe-For-Alll #2—A strange dance/storytelling hybrid you knew I’d like (blog entry by Matthew A. Everett)
• Fringe 2010: Fringe-For-All #2—Two familiar faces take center stage (blog entry by Matthew A. Everett)
• Fringe 2010: Stranded and in transit (blog entry by Matthew A. Everett)
• Fringe 2010: Fringe-For-All #2—A big bunch of liars you knew I’d like (blog entry by Matthew A. Everett)
• Other Than Tragedy: The issue of mental illness (blog entry by Rachel Reiva)
• Fringe 2010: Fringe-For-All #2—A group of unrepentant oddballs you knew I’d like (blog entry by Matthew A. Everett)
• Fringe 2010: Fringe-For-All #2—I was dreaming when I wrote this, so sue me if it goes too fast (blog entry by Matthew A. Everett)
• Fringe 2010: Fringe Top 10—Numbers 1 through 5 (blog entry by Matthew A. Everett)
• Fringe 2010: Fringe Top 10—Numbers 6 through 10 (blog entry by Matthew A. Everett)
• Fringe 2010: Fringe Top 20—Numbers 11 through 15 (blog entry by Matthew A. Everett)
• Fringe 2010: Fringe Top 20—Numbers 16 through 20 (blog entry by Matthew A. Everett)
• Farmers market power (blog entry by Ben Lilliston)
• Lange’s Cafe in Pipestone (blog entry by Amy Rea)
• What’s so special about local chicken? Kadejan tells all (feature by Angelique Chao)
• Irrigating Minnesota’s food deserts (feature by Senta Knuth)
• Environmentalists, individuals, and the food gap (blog entry by Andrew Ranallo)
• Going to the dogs this weekend—From NE Minneapolis to Paws on Grand in St. Paul (feature by Stephanie Fox)
• The real secret of Madeline Island (blog entry by Jay Gabler)
• Pups on parade in Northeast Minneapolis (feature by Karen Hollish)
• Purses—An unusual collection (feature by Gail Olson)
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