White Soul, White Blues, Beards, Women, and Race

MUSIC
A Couple of White Folk

The 400 Bar never ceases to amaze me. Somehow their relatively small, dingy and dirty space seems to draw some of the best folk acts in town — and a few more innovative ones at that. Tonight, James Morrison and Jessie Baylin take the stage (not together). British country boy, James Morrison serves up some soul in a way that only white guys do — when they actually have soul and a voice to boot. No, really. I’m not just making fun here. If you dig Dylan’s style (not that I would EVER compare anyone to Dylan), then you’ll probably appreciate Morrison’s peculiar voice (though sweet), clever lyrics, and soulful song (though he definitely leans more toward the love songs). He’s kind of like a Jack Johnson with soul, actually. How can that be bad?

Oh, and Jessie Baylin — she sounds quite lovely to me (and looks lovely, too). A fan of Steve Nicks and Joni Mitchell, and friend to Scarlett Johansson, Baylin’s sweet melodies have a folkified touch of Natasha Bedingfield.

9 p.m., 400 Bar, 400 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis, 612-332-2903 $12.00.

Listen to James Morrison.
Listen to Jessie Baylin.

MUSIC
White Man Sings the Blues

We’ve all heard of Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, even Robert Johnson; and yet the name John Hammond Jr. rings no bells for some. (Tell me you at least remember his father. The man is responsible for discovering Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Billie Holiday, Robert Johnson, Bessie Smith, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Pete Seeger, and Bruce Springsteen.) While Junior has not enjoyed his father’s commercial success, he has been entertaining us for the over 40 years, earning himself a Grammy Award and releasing over 25 albums. Emerging from the American folk scene of the 60s, Hammond has since been entertaining blues, folk, and rock audiences around the world with his intense solo-acoustic blues. And don’t miss tonight’s opening act — local, fingerstyle guitarist Phil Heywood. It promises to be a soul-grabbing event.

7:30 p.m., Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis, 612-338-2674, $16.

Listen to John Hammond Jr.
Listen to Phil Heywood.

Looking for something a little more hardcore? Check out Billy Talent at the 7th Street Entry tonight. The Toronto-based quartet has been lauded as one of the premiere punk acts of the new millennium.

5 p.m., all ages, The 7th Street Entry, First Avenue, 701 First Ave. N., Minneapolis, 612-332-1775, $10 advance, $12 door.

Listen to Billy Talent.

COMEDY
What’s So Funny about Facial Hair?

I mean, mustaches I could see laughing at — but beards? Apparently, it’s the people donning them. Tonight some of our finest local writers, improvisers, and comedians will perform their own material in The Bearded Gentlemen comedic showcase. The bearded gentlemen — Mike Fotis, Brian Beatty, Daniel Hetzel, Levi Weinhagen, John Haynes, and Nate Melcher — will each take the stage for 15 minutes of solo comedy. Collectively these writers and actors have performed with the Brave New Workshop, ComedySportz Twin Cities, Ministry of Cultural Warfare, Louie Anderson, and Ferrari McSpeedy.

8 p.m., Brave New Workshop Theatre, 612-332-6620, $10.

THEATER
A Musical Celebration of American Women

If beards just aren’t your thing, maybe a glorification of womanhood is more your style. Tonight is the premiere performance of Suzanna Winter’s Where the Girls Are, brought to you by Blue Umbrella Productions. Using popular music as a vehicle, this musical revue examines the evolution of women’s rights and roles in America. The vast musical repertoire includes such greats as “I Wanna Be Loved by You,” “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend,” “These Boots are Made for Walkin’,” “I Will Survive,” and “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.”

7:30 p.m., The Lowry Lab Theater., The Lowry Building across from the St. Paul Hotel, 360 St. Peter Street Saint Paul, 651-646-2943, $15.

Note: Tomorrow’s performance will be ASL interpreted, and the April 7th performance will be Audio described.

LECTURE
A Woman of Substance and Spine

While many of us nestle in our beds dreaming of exotic adventures, there are indeed women in our midst furrowing into the recesses of Conrad’s dark continent . As part of St. Catherine’s Women of Substance Series , Lisa Ling — the first woman host of the award-winning documentary series Explorer from the National Geographic Channel — will be speaking tonight at The O’Shaughnessy . Come hear about this gutsy woman’s travels and adventures from India to the Congo.

7:30 p.m., The O’Shaughnessy, College of St. Catherine, 2004 Randolph Avenue, Saint Paul, 651-690-6700, $32 adults.

Or if you’d rather cut to the chase with something a bit more academic, go hear Kevin Gaines lecture on Confronting History, Race, and Stereotypes. (Lord knows we could all use a little more learning in this arena.) Kevin Gaines is a professor of history and director of The Center for Afroamerican and African Studies at the University of Michigan. He will examine America’s relationship to anti-black racial stereotypes, and the historical connections present in Kara Walker’s work. Plus, if you get to The Walker by 6 p.m., you can take a tour of Paper Trail: A Decade of Acquisitions.

7:30 pm, Cinema, Walker Art Center, 1750 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, 612-375-7600, Free, but ticket required — available at 6:30 pm at the Bazinet Garden Lobby desk.

SHOPPING
Sprinkle on a Little Latin Sparkle

Sepia — art within accessories — is having their Spring Open House today. Venezuelan-owned Sepia opened in Northeast Minneapolis last Fall, featuring jewelry and accessories designed by Latin American artists. Go be the first to see their spring collections. Drink some wine. Sample the hors d’oeuvre. And make use of the 10-percent discount. Any birthdays or anniversaries coming soon? This might be a good place to find some unique gifts.

4-8 p.m., SEPIA, 201 6th St. SE, Suite 100, Minneapolis, 612-379-0309, 10% off.


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