THEATER REVIEW | “Gidion’s Knot” remains firmly tied at Pillsbury House Theatre

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Whenever a violent tragedy punches its way into a school community, there are always justified calls for a reason, an explanation, and a way of making the senseless have an order. As these events unfortunately become more and more common, various artists have attempted to handle this hopelessly complex problem. Gidion’s Knot, written by Johnna Adams, is a recent entry in this exploration. Presented by Pillsbury House Theater, this local production revolves around a confrontation between Corryn Fell (Aditi Kapil), a mysteriously distraught parent, and Heather Clark (Laura Esping), an equally agitated teacher. Despite whatever unnamed tragedy has befallen both of these women, Corryn is intent on keeping a conference she had scheduled before the crisis. Continue Reading

MUSIC REVIEW | My Bloody Valentine offers a seismic show

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As to be expected, I let my mind wander a bit during the My Bloody Valentine show at Roy Wilkins Auditorium. Given all the sound and fury buffeting me from all sides, I should say the remarkable thing is that I managed to stay out of complete delirium for the entirety of the show. There were many spells, sometimes several within a single song. A MBV song doesn’t really end, it’s just something you wake up from, like a sudden deep sleep. Anyway, the image I imagined every time Kevin Shields would release a sustained feedback-bent howl was a whale in space. Continue Reading

ARTS REVIEW | The 2013 Internet Cat Video Festival: Return of the cat people

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The 2012 Internet Cat Video Festival was a zeitgeist moment if ever there was one. Over 10,000 people crowded the green hill outside of the Walker Art Center to pay tribute to the many felines that undoubtdley have gotten them through late nights and workplace tedium. Views of the screen were premium and it was clear that no one, including the Walker Art Center, anticipated just how many people would show up to watch something you could see online. The mood throughout that screening was electric, the sensation of knowing that you were part of something deeply unique and special. In it’s own LOL-way, the cat video festival was the most anyone could hope a film screening would be. Continue Reading

MUSIC REVIEW | Vietnamese pop star Hong Ngoc brings classic showmanship to Mystic Lake Casino

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On August 4, 2013, Vietnamese pop star Hồng Ngọc culminated her international My Life tour in a final performance at Mystic Lake Casino. The main showroom of the casino was near capacity with an audience that spanned kids to senior citizens. There was obvious excitement in the crowd before her five-piece back-up band Strikerz warmed up the room with a few instrumental rock sets. After that, her tour mates performed a few songs with the Strikerz supporting. Trinh Nhat Tuan, Nhat Tinh Anh, and Pham Khanh Hung are all younger gentleman who performed energetic romantic ballads with considerable showmanship. Each of them had their own approach, and though they shared a general visual stlye, I got the sense they were using the opportunity to reach a wider group of fans. Continue Reading

Cracked Walnut: A monthlong literary reading crawl in the Twin Cities

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Since March 18, Cracked Walnut has been presenting 20 literary readings across the metro area, and one reading in Duluth. These readings feature a mixture of over 50 poets and prose artists. The series will conclude on April 12 at Cafe Bene in St. Paul.Cracked Walnut founder Satish Jayaraj started the program as a means of bringing literary readings into unusual locations within different communities. In the past, they’ve presented readings in a funeral parlor, a grocery store, and a public park. Continue Reading