No third party candidate for governor in this country has ever garnered as much media attention as Jonathon “The Impaler” Sharkey did in his race for Minnesota governor just a little over a year ago. It wasn’t his quest to help farmers or improve the public school system that earned him the fame — nor any specific facet of his 13-point platform. In fact, the attention he received had nothing to do with his political agenda — at least not directly. But when you announce to the media that you’re a Hecate witch, a Satanic priest, a sanguaryan vampyre — that tends to get their attention. And this is just what Sharkey did. Relive the experience, dig a little deeper into the Sharkey’s campaign, see the results of his macabre proclamations, and witness the heartbreaking events that ensued. Tonight is the premiere of W. Trey White’sImpaler, an 8-month long documentary on the subject, followed by a question and answer session with White and Sharkey. That’s right, folks. You still got questions? Ask the man for yourself. Sharkey has made plenty more announcements since the completion of the documentary, including his candidacy for president, his promise to impale George Bush if elected, and a threat to impale the White at this screening if the film mocks him in any way. Don’t you just have to see what happens? Head on over to the after party at Stub and Herbs following the screening.
7:30 p.m., Oak Street Cinema, 309 Oak Street SE, Minneapolis; 612-331-3134; $9 ($7 students, $5 MN Film Arts members).
Two More Premieres
I think we’ve pretty much proven that we do indeed have a healthy local film community here. But it gets even better than that. It’s not just the adults now. Today and tomorrow, two films by young filmmakers will make their Minnesota debut. This afternoon’s screening is Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation — a shot-for-shot remake of the original movie, made by 10-year-old Chris Strompolos and 11-year-old Eric Zala. These two boys saw the film as kids and became obsessed with Indiana Jones. Over the next seven years, from 1982 to 1989, Chris and Eric worked on the movie during school holidays, saving their pocket money for props and asking for bullwhips, spray-paint, and a VHS camcorder for Christmas and birthdays. Upon seeing the film Steven Spielberg invited Chris and Eric to meet with him and deemed their film one of the most moving things he’d ever seen. The film will play again tomorrow night, along with Songbird, a six-minute short film made by 27-year-old Minnesota native John Thompson. The film, shot in 8 frames-per-second (1/3 of the standard rate) for an unnatural, ethereal effect, is a “gothic tale about a trapped housewife who breaks free of her overbearing husband with a very dull meat cleaver.” The films will be followed by a question-and-answer session with the filmmakers.
Today at 4 p.m. for children & teens-only, tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. for all, Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis MN; 612-630-6000 or 612-481-7345; $10 ($8 if you dress like Indiana Jones).
MUSIC Music for all Tastes
As is often the case here in town, there is plenty of good music to choose from tonight. Alt-rock trio Dinosaur Jr. is playing at the Triple Rock Social Club. Fiddle-weilding Mexican-American songstress Carrie Rodriguez is playing at the Varsity Theater. Oh, she’s so fine. If you’re a fan of June Carter Cash, Lucinda Williams, or any folksy female vocalist with a bit of twang, you’ll enjoy this show. Looking for straight-up jazz? You can’t go wrong with local nu-jazz group Sambo Makti at the Nomad World Pub this evening with Atlantis Quartet. And, well, if you just want some standard Minnesota fare, you can always just head over to Bunker’s for the GB Leighton show.
THEATER & PERFORMANCE Mental Illness Got You Down?
World-renowned performance/recording artist, poet, social activist and a hip-hop artist Rha Goddess brings her one-woman show to Minneapolis. Low, written and performed by Rha Goddess and directed by Chay Yew, is a multidisciplinary theatre piece that explores the mythology, stigma, fear, and confusion surrounding mental illness. The title of the show refers both to its main character, Lowquesha, and to the way she feels. Low, a budding poet, grows from a bright, happy and creative young girl to a troubled teenager who quickly descends into homelessness, addiction, and a frightening psychosis. Her arduous journey gives voice to those who strive for dignity and self-possession even as the painful descent into madness takes over. The show opens this evening and continues through June 16.
7:30 p.m., Pillsbury House Theatre, 3501 Chicago Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-825-0459; $18 (tonight’s performance is pay-what-you-can).
BOOKS AND FOOD French Women Don’t Get Fat
Tonight’s Let’s Cook book club meeting has been rescheduled for June 4th, but that now gives you time to get the book and go prepared. Enjoy an evening of fun and food. Each month the book club reads a different book and enjoys a dessert inspired by the reading over a lively discussion. This month’s reading is French Women Don’t Get Fat: The Secret of Eating for Pleasure by Mireille Guiliano. Forget all your worries about what not to eat. Focus on the positive. What can you eat? Go out and get the book today.
June 4th at 7 p.m., Let’s Cook, 330 East Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; 612-623-9700; $15.00.
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