In theater, there’s what’s known as the fourth wall—the imaginary barrier that separates the actors from the audience. In Michael Frayn’s 1982 farce Noises Off!, the fourth wall is flipped inside out. In Noises Off! there’s another play taking place (Nothing On) in which the actors are actors and the plot is what’s happening behind the curtain instead of on stage. The synopsis here is as meta as the play gets—it contains all the antics and shenanigans a farce is meant to have. From Frayn’s point of view, what he saw backstage as an actor was often times more entertaining than what the audience was seeing. This non-play show runs through July 29 at Jungle Theater.
The current show at the Frameworks Gallery, “Polly Norman – Summer Blast,” offers an unexpected treat—while Norman’s photography alone is worth seeing, it is sharing space with some very fine paintings and sculpture by a diverse group of artists.
“We are wanting to break ground this September for our new arts building,” said Suzi Hudson, executive director of the White Bear Center for the Arts. “We need ninety per cent of our funds before we start this project.” The White Bear Center Center for the Arts has raised $1,600,000 of the $2.5 million needed for the renovation of their acquired building at 4971 Long Avenue in White Bear. They purchased the building in December 2010, after looking for four years. “The extra time has given us a clearer vision of what we wanted,” said Hudson.White Bear Center for the Arts, 2228 Fourth Street, White Bear Lake, MN 55110 (Telephone 651-407-0597)Minneapolis-based architect Peter Kramer has designed the renovation of Long Avenue site. When completed the 10,000 square foot building will have a gallery for exhibitions and performances, outdoor walking labyrinth, community atrium, library, sculpture and rain gardens, a brick wood-fired oven, a variety of studio spaces for children, multi-use, clay and metal arts. The campus of the building has an acre and half of pine trees and access to walking paths into a five acre protected wetlands. “We want this space to truly to be a center for the community, but based in the arts,” said HudsonNow in their fifth decade, WBCA was originally founded in 1968 by a small group of area residents who shared a passion for the arts. “We now offer 500 classes a year on and off site,” said Hudson, who noted that registrations for classes have tripled in the past eight years. “In 2011, WBCA served over 31,000 individuals (reaching over 5,000 children and youth) and offered over 500 art education classes, with an annual operating budget of $365,000.”The original WBCA building, called The Armory, at 2228 Fourth Street in White Bear is outdated. “We can’t offer the quality conditions, needed control of our space, storage for instructors,” said Hudson. “Nor the variety of classes or accessibility that we want to offer.”WBCA offers classes for both children and adults. Classes are in visual and literary arts, movement, culinary arts, professional development and public education lectures.Their present exhibition is the 39th Annual Northern Lights juried art exhibition that is showing from April 15 to May 11 at Century College. Continue Reading
It’s nice when sh*t work out. It looked like publicity for the book was gon’ be scattered. But, the pieces couldn’t have fallen into place any better if Anura Si-Asar and I had sat down and planned it this way. Something I Said (Papyrus Publishing, Inc. Continue Reading
Played last night at Corner Coffee. Finally came away with what I was after since the first time there. A recording tight enough to market as a live CD. The engineer got the sound letter perfect. I, so help me God, didn’t miss a single note. And actually did a few interesting things on guitar (with my Richie Havens influenced self).
The plot of Theater Latté Da’s newest production Beautiful Thing is nothing too scandalous these days: two teenage boys who unexpectedly fall in love. Still, the topic comes during an emotionally relevant time. It wouldn’t be Theater Latté Da without music though, specifically that of the Mamas and Papas which is weaved throughout the story, with localite Emily Schwab singing Mama Cass. Beautiful Thing opens on Friday at The Lab Theater and runs through March 18.
Well it’s the end of Fringe and I am wrapping up my shows. So I am posting three today and three tomorrow. This year’s Fringe was great, there was a lot of wonderful good shows. So, kudos to everyone that made this festival a success.
A very well informed play. This show really took the issue of social media and privacy and put it in the spot light. Cyber bullying is an issue that is rarely talked about, and I’m glad to see that this issue is finally being brought to discussion. Continue Reading
Another round of shows seen on August 5th. This time I saw four and today I hope to make a record of at least 7 or 8 shows today. So without further delay I shall bring you what you have been waiting for, my opinion.
