So Much Trouble in the World

ACTIVISM
Not One More Death — Not One More Dollar

Unhappy Anniversary! (Assume a Shakespearean tone, but don’t fail to take the rest of this seriously.) Today marks five years since the invasion of Iraq. With Iraq falling out of the headlines and becoming nothing more than a platform point in a most engaging presidential primary race, the battlefield is ripe for a solid public outcry against the war. This afternoon, and all through the evening, MoveOn members will be holding candlelight vigils throughout Minneapolis (and around the country) to call for an end to the war and "new priorities for our nation."

5 p.m. at Lake Street and the Marshall Ave Bridge in Minneapolis, 6:30 p.m. at the Pedestrian Bridge over Highway 62 in Minneapolis, 7 p.m. at the corner of 50th and France in Edina, 7 p.m. just southwest of Rice and Wheelock Pkwy. in St. Paul, and 7:30 p.m. just west of the Mall at 212 and Singleton Rd. in Eden Prairie.

LECTURE
Take It from a Union Man Who Knows Danger

We’ve has our fair share of anti-union violence in this country, but nothing like union organizers have experienced, and continue to experience, in Colombia, which may likely be the most dangerous country in the world for a union leader. According to the International Labor Organization, more than two thousand Colombian trade unionists have been murdered since 1991. Tonight, we have one in our midst, sharing his vast well of knowledge and experience. Edgar Paez, a leader with SINALTRAINAL, the National Food Industry Workers Union in Colombia, will speak tonight in Minneapolis and tomorrow in Rochester. For years, Paez has organized workers and social struggles in Colombia, as well as in other countries. But tonight, he’ll join Gerardo Cajamarca (a former Colombian union activist now on the staff of the United Steelworkers), and Dan Kovalik (associate general counsel of the United Steelworkers) for a panel discussion on the current conditions for union organizers in Colombia and how a free trade agreement with the United States would affect workers, families, and human rights in Colombia. Tomorrow night, in Rochester, Kovalik will be replaced by Tara Widner (staff representative for the United Steelworkers).

6 p.m., Minneapolis Labor Center, 312 Central Ave., Minneapolis; free. Tomorrow at 6 p.m. (5 p.m. for coffee and snacks), Christ United Methodist Church, 400 5th St. SW, Rochester; free.

FILM
Sneak a Peek at Paranoid Park

A murder mystery wrapped into the life and times of a wannabe skate punk who gets caught-up in the investigation, Paranoid Park
utilizes a myriad of production devices to take the viewer inside the
mind of a troubled teenager. While I was expecting a meditative journey
through the dark side of skateboarding, it was a surprise to get caught
up in a murder mystery plot intermingled with teen skateboarder Alex’s
struggle to cope with his insecurities, and what he is willing to do
not to have to feel. Catch tonight’s free premiere at the Walker, or see it this weekend at the Lagoon. —Christopher Kelleher, read his full review

7:30 p.m., Walker Art Center, 1750 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; 612-375-7600; free.

IFP’s Cinema Lounge

Third Wednesday of the month: that means another Cinema Lounge. And this month it’s all documentaries. Films include: Bronze by Paul Benhardt, The Northshore Project by Cliff Langley, Diego’s Visit to Guatemala by Dan Luke and Diego Mack Xicay Luke, Cross Country with the Snakes by Hansi Johnson, and The Women of Brukman and Oaxaca: The Power of the Commune by Carlos Broun.

7 p.m., Bryant Lake Bowl, 810 West Lake St., Minneapolis; 612-825-8949; free (but I’m guessing donations are more than welcome.)

MUSIC
Patty Larkin: All That and a Bag of Sky

She has "redefining the boundaries of folk-urban pop music for more than 20 years." She is known for her "inventive guitar wizardry, vocals, and uncompromising lyrics." Acoustic Guitar hails “her soundscape experiments.” Rolling Stone praises her “evocative vocals and subtle sonic shading.” She has been described as “riveting” (Chicago Tribune), “hypnotic” (Entertainment Weekly) and “drop-dead brilliant” (Performing Songwriter). But at the end of the day, you should go see Patty Larkin tonight just because she sounds darn beautiful! …and with so much trouble in the world, we all need something beautiful.

7:30 p.m., The Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-388-2674; $18.

Looking for some good reading material to lighten and brighten up your day? Be sure to check out this week’s feature on the Twin Cities burlesque scene: "Minnesota Naughty" — plus three accompanying videos on the birth of Le Cirque Rouge, the group’s controversial split, and the resulting burlesque scene today.