Jazz artists are not just middle-aged or elderly men, although that may be a common assumption. At this weekend’s Twin Cities Jazz Festival more than a few talented young ‘uns are getting into the groove. Alto-saxophonist Grace Kelly, who’s hardly turned fifteen, will be “gracing” the stage with both instrument and voice; Dan Kusz, also on the alto-sax, is in his early twenties; and saxophonist Alex Han is nineteen. Local school MITY, is lending its youth jazz band to the event. On its second (and last) weekend, the festival has hopped the river from St. Paul to Minneapolis’s Peavey Plaza. Unlike moments last weekend, you won’t be rubbing damp elbows with strangers; the weather forecast bodes well. Listening, watching, and dancing (if you choose to) are free for the vast majority of you. Those who wish to see performers a block away at the Dakota Jazz Club will pay a reasonable cover charge.
Friday from 4:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m. (see schedule), Peavey Plaza, 11th & Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis; 612-371-5693; free.
American Routes
The Twin Cities Jazz Festival finds some sister sensibilities in the American Routes radio show, also on the local radar this weekend. Each week host and producer Nick Spitzer floats interviews and music of the Gulf South down public radio frequencies. This Saturday you can see the host and performers in the flesh onstage at the Fitz as Spitzer brings his New Orleansian show to the northern, stiffer end of the Mississippi (that would be us). Tonight you will be treated to conversations and jammin’ from Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers and The Pine Leaf Boys. The latter are a band of young men who play some serious (by this I mean authentic-serious, not solemn-serious) Cajun/Creole music yet apparently are known for wild antics onstage — they call it “youthful exuberance.” This being a radio show, it should be interesting to see how these crawfish festival men enliven the tamer atmosphere of a radio broadcast.
Saturday at 8 p.m., Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E Exchange St., St. Paul; 651-290-1200; $22-$31.
ART All S.P.A.M. Is from Minnesota
We’re responsible for that nasty meat-like substitute from Hormel. We’re responsible for the loads of emails you get about penile enlargements and erectile dysfunction. And we’re responsible for S.P.A.M., the Sexy Poster Artists of Minnesota, who now bring you Plaster the Town 2007, the best in rock poster and flyer design. This year’s Plaster the Town features art for sale by Aesthetic Apparatus, AmyJo, Burlesque of North America, DWITT, Squad19, Tooth, Adam Turman, Unitus, and more. The opening party will feature music by the Birthday Suits, The Deaths, Seawhores, Mute Era, Death to our Enemies, DJ Mike, 2600 King, and DJ Plain Ole Bill.
FILM by Eeva-Liisa Waaraniemi Careful What You Bring Home from a Scavenger Hunt
It’s film night at the St. Paul Central Library. What do reasonable people schlep to an outdoor film? Lawn chairs, blankets, snacks, beverages — yeah, yeah, you know. But, oops. Forgot the bug spray. Again. Not to worry, though. Tonight, you’ll still be reasonable rather than irresponsible if you forget the pesticide. The mosquitos should be scarce (dare I say non-existent?) thanks to the dry weather and temps are promised moderate. The perfect night to view My Man Godfrey whilst lounging under the heavens. There will be more outdoor films at the library this summer, but tonight’s viewing conditions are ideal for seeing this depression-era comedy starring William Powell and Carole Lombard. The film, which starts at dusk, shows what transpires when a crazy rich family hires a new butler straight from the dump.
If you’re a film classics freak like me, then you should also know that the Uptown Theater will be featuring Arsenic and Old Lace this Saturday at midnight. Good old Cary Grant! (and a couple creepy old ladies)
If it’s not the classics but the outdoors you crave, then you’ll be pleased to know about Sunday’s movie in the parking lot outside Patrick’s Cabaret (3010 Minnehaha Ave.). This week’s movie is Chris Smith’s The Yes Men, a comedy following the exploits of a group of jokester liberals who make a name for themselves as they mimic members of the World Trade Organization at venues around the globe.
FILM OPENINGS by Peter Schilling Ratatouille
This collaboration between writer/director Brad Bird (The Incredibles) and the animation geeks at Pixar takes the medium to new heights. Ratatouille is the simple tale of Remy (voiced by Patton Oswalt), a rat hiding in the shadows of a famous Parisian restaurant who seeks to become a chef. Like The Incredibles, Ratatouille is a comedy of startling action, consistently hilarious jokes, and mechanically brilliant slapstick. But the film is also a deeply felt meditation on the pleasures of hard work, friendship, eating (of course), and, surprisingly, the often cantankerous relationship between artist and critic. Avoid pigeonholing this one as a child’s diversion; Ratatouille is a profound joy, and the best film of the year.
Also opening tonight is Michael Moore’s Sicko, an investigation of the American Health Care System; and Lajos Koltai’s star-packed Evening, a story about a dying woman reflecting on her life, written by Susan Minot and Michael Cunningham.
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