SUNDAY PICK | “Oromiya’s Return” for just a night at Mixed Blood Theatre

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“Oromiya’s Return” will make a quick stop to Mixed Blood Theatre this weekend on Sunday, April 29. The original short play by Jerrie Steele, presented by Bedlam Theatre and C.R.A.Z.Y., is based on the tale Once Upon a Time in Oromiya (Sheeko Sheeko): An East African Traditional Folktale. The “short” is no joke here either; for one night only and for a mere thirty minutes, a cast of local East African performers will take the stage. The celebration will not be lacking, however, with a meet and greet with the performers, food, and additional Oromo cultural presentations.

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TUESDAY PICK | Horse Feathers bring their new album to the 7th Street Entry

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It’s a little embarrassing to admit, but I’ve listened to Horse Feathers‘s Thistled Spring (Kill Rock Stars, 2010) well over 100 times, and that’s not even counting the times I’ve listened to it on my iPod (which is probably a significant number, as it’s the album that gets me through my many Megabus rides). So, yeah, I’m a fan. Now the folk group, headed by Justin Ringle, has a new album, Cynic’s New Year, which comes out on Tuesday, April 17, and the band will be at the 7th Street Entry the following Tuesday (the 24th) to promote it. Judging by NPR’s First Listen, it’s a worthy follow-up to Thistled Spring, which I’m relieved about since I’ve become quite protective of the band. A ticket is $15 at the door, and I have a feeling it’ll be more than worth the value.

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MONDAY PICK | Diane Wilson reads for Earth Week

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As part of North Hennepin Community College’s third annual Earth Week, Diane Wilson will be reading from her award-winning memoir Spirit Car: Journey to a Dakota Past and new book Beloved Child: A Dakota Way of Life. This is apt timing for Wilson, as Spirit Car was just chosen for Minneapolis’s second “One Minneapolis One Read.” So while the reading is just once on Monday, April 23, the discussion will continue in October with the community read program.

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THURSDAY PICK | Kathleen Turner passes through town with “High”

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Minneapolis has been pretty lucky with the national talent that’s passed through the city’s theaters, especially lately it seems. Kathleen Turner further perpetuates the trend as the lead role in Matthew Lombardo’s show High playing at the Pantages Theatre. The three-person show “explores the universal themes of truth, forgiveness, redemption and human fallibility.” This is a fleeting one though, only staying in Minneapolis for a week (opening April 18 and closing April 22).

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SATURDAY PICK | Theater Latté Da’s “Spring Awakening” rocks at the Rarig Center

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The last time Spring Awakening was in Minneapolis was in 2010 at the Orpheum. This time the production is more local (since the rights to the musical became available) as part of Theater Latté Da’s current season, in partnership with the University of Minnesota’s Department of Theatre Arts and Dance. The rock-musical with music by Duncan Sheik revolves around a group of angsty late-19th century German students who face many issues teens do today dealing with school, family, raging hormones. And if the disclaimer on the show is any indication (“Contains nudity, strong language and adult situations”), this Broadway, Tony-Award-winning musical is unlike its counterparts. Spring Awakening runs through May 6 at the Stoll Trust Theatre in the Rarig Center of the U of M’s campus.

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THURSDAY PICK | It’s show time for the Minneapolis-St.Paul International Film Festival

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The Twin Cities has made itself into quite the film hub, with Mizna’s Arab Film Festival, the Twin Cities Festival and this, the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival. And between the Minnesota-Made Showcase (curated by MCAD’s Tom DeBiaso) and the Spotlight on the Middle East (curated by Alissa Simon) with films from Turkey, North Africa, and Irsrael, the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival really does its job of living up to its name. There are over 250 flicks in this year’s program (documentary, narrative, and shorts from more than 60 countries), so it’s hard to pick out just a few highlights. Here’s one that caught my eye: Andrew Bird: Fever Year (a documentary of the musician’s years of touring). And, of course, The Intouchables, which is the festival opener. The opening night party is Thursday, April 12 at the Aster Cafe, and the party pretty much carries on for three weeks from gala events to receptions.

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TUESDAY PICK | Politics aside, this Tuesday is super

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Remember when Paper Darts didn’t dominate Minneapolis’s literary scene? Yeah, me either really. The grass-roots organization might have outdone itself here, though. Tuesdays are, arguably, the worst day of the week; Super Super Tuesday remedies the weekday’s curse for a night. On April 10 at the Nomad, Amelia Gray, John Jodzio, Lindsay Hunter, Dylan Hicks, and Dessa gather together for a night of, well, super awesomeness. Call me lazy, but I’m not even going to try to out-write Paper Darts here: “Unless someone digs up John Berryman’s grave and brings him back to life as F. Scott Fitzgerald’s opening act, this promises to be the best lineup of the year.”

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MONDAY PICK | Happy hour for days

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Growing up in Milwaukee, Wis. where Miller Lite and PBR are the city’s prized libations reared me to be the frugal drinker I am today. That’s not to say I don’t know and can’t enjoy a good beer (I definitely can); what I’m saying is I drink these beers without any irony whatsoever. So starts the 2012 Yelp Drinks on Monday, April 9 for the next seven days where the thrifty drinkers can indulge a bit without opening their wallets too wide. Fine drinking establishments like Barbette, Pat’s Tap, and Town Hall Brewery (among many others) are offering a selection of their proudest concoctions for 50 percent of the cost (just mention Yelp Drinks) at any hour of the day (so long as it’s open). Continue Reading

SUNDAY PICK | Free Wi-Fi for here

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My friend has the best grandpa + modern technology story; it must be retold. Her grandpa walks into a coffee shop, orders his cup of joe, takes a peek at the bakery, decides on a muffin, and adds, “… and I’ll take a couple of those free wiffies too.” Sometimes, you just don’t want to use the Internet connection you’re paying for in your home or apartment. Good thing Minneapolis has some great alternatives in which you can make yourself comfortable with a caffeinated drink, get some work done, people watch, and catch some free waves.• Not only does Open Book’s Coffee Gallery have some of the most reliable Wi-Fi I’ve experienced in Minneapolis coffee shops, it’s centrally located in one of the city’s literary hubs, with Milkweed Editions, The Loft Literary Center, and MCBA located upstairs. Also, it smells really good inside.• The first time I went to the Spyhouse on Nicollet, I asked the woman next to me if her Internet was working (mine wasn’t). Continue Reading