Certainly the theme of body image is nothing new. In fact, we’ve come to expect it from plays (or any art, for that matter) about women. Why don’t I look like the models in the magazines? Why can’t I be thinner? Why can’t my breasts be larger, rounder, firmer? Why can’t my waist be smaller, flatter, firmer? Why can’t my hair be blonder, straighter, longer? Clearly, we have issues being happy with who we are. Real Women Have Curves, written by Josefina Lopez, follows a young, first-generation Mexican-American woman as she struggles with her body image and tries to find balance between her mainstream ambitions and her more traditional cultural heritage and upbringing. The critically acclaimed play (which inspired the award-winning HBO film with America Ferrera) offers a microcosm of the Latina immigrant experience and celebrates real women’s bodies, the power of women, and the incredible bond that happens when women work together. This weekend, Teatro del Pueblo kicks off their all-female production, which includes a brand new interactive fashion show to promote greater engagement with the play’s themes of body image and how this affects women, both Latino and non-Latino, in our society today.
Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., The Paul and Sheila Wellstone Community Center, Old Neighborhood House, 179 Robie St. E., St. Paul; 651-224-8806; $18 (students/seniors/frnge $15)
ART Why You Belong
On the other side of the river, at the Chambers, Beijing and Minnesota artists come together to address a similar theme — belonging. Curator and Chambers Art Director Jennifer Phelps — with assistance from Cheryl Wilgren Clyne, University of Minnesota MFA student — has chosen 28 photographs (from over 400 image submissions) for Why You Belong, an exhibit of photographs from the Beijing Film Academy and the University of Minnesota. Artists include Coo Chang, Dude Guo, Luo Fei Hong, Zhang Jia Qing, Song Jing, Li Ning and Zhu Yu, WEN Min, Shi Pengfei, Chen Ping Ping, Wang Yanshu, Su Zhi Gang, Zhou Tao, Rea Xiao, Zhan Xiao Dan, Tang Xuan, Liu Xiaolong, Gao Xinwei, Sonja Peterson, Tang Meng, James Henkel, Juanita Berrio, Peter Haakon Thompson, Andrew Schroeder, Jan Estep, Gary Hallman, Justin Newhall, Cheryl Wilgren Clyne, Chris Baker, and Andrew Schroeder.
Opening Reception on Friday from 6 to 9 p.m., Burnet Art Gallery, Chambers, 901 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; 612-767-6900.
MUSIC Talib Kweli
If someone can tell you why he belongs, though, it’s probably Talib Kweli. Talib Kweli — seeker of truth (that’s what his name means). The man is probably one of the best-known rappers in alternative hip hip. Kweli first gained recognition through Black Star, a collaboration with fellow MC Mos Def. While his lyrics contain plenty of street and ghetto in them, like Tupac, Kweli comes from a highly-educated arts background. This, too, is evident in his lyrics, which — again, like Tupac’s — are far more intelligent, strong, and proud than much of the recent watered down dollars-and-ass rap. "Freedom’s a road that’s seldom traveled, watch hell unravel / Right before the eyes of the soldier who fell in battle / The single mother who raised her daughter to bear the sacred water / And not take the hand of every man who make a offer / To black kids wishin they white kids, when they close they eyelids / Like, ‘I bet they neighborhood ain’t like this’ / White kids wishin they black kids, and wanna talk like rappers / It’s all backwards it’s identity crisis." Kweli is in town this weekend to promote his latest album, Ear Drum, which features some hot collaborators (Kanye West, Roy Ayers, Jean Grae, Peter Rock, KRS-One, and even Justin Timberlake and Norah Jones), accessible beats, and Kweli’s staple of insightful, rhythmically drilling lyrics. Friday at 10 p.m. (doors at 7), EPIC Nightclub, 110 N. Fifth St., Minneapolis; 612-332-3742; $30.
An Epic Mother’s Day
Sunday is Mother’s Day, of course, and I’m guessing Talib Kweli isn’t quite mom’s thing. But Epic’s Sunday show might be. R&B sensation El DeBarge will be performing with his live band. Mom is sure to remember "Rhythm of the Night," "All This Love," and "Who’s Holding Donna Now." Heck, she might even have a warm place in her heart for "Who’s Johnny?" Surprise her by turning back the hands of time — there’s nothing moms love more — and treating her to a night out on the town, VIP style, like she deserves. Ladies in the VIP sections will each receive a complimentary rose and glass of champagne.
Sunday at 8:30 p.m. (doors at 7), EPIC Nightclub, 110 N. Fifth St., Minneapolis; 612-332-3742; $30, $45 VIP, $60 VIP Table (Bottle Service).
FILM & MUSIC The Plácido Domingo 40th Anniversary Gala Concert
Ok. Not all moms march to the beat of El Debarge. It’s true. Perhaps Mom would prefer one of the world’s greatest tenors — and a sexy ole bugger at that. This weekend, Plácido Domingo takes the L.A. Opera into movie theatres for the first time, as Landmark Theatres hosts screenings of The Plácido Domingo 40th Anniversary Gala Concert. The concert celebrates the fortieth anniversary of Domingo’s first professional appearance in Los Angeles and features arias and duets sung by Domingo and the internationally acclaimed soprano Patricia Racette. Music Director James Conlon conducts the L.A. Opera Orchestra for a perfect Mother’s Day concert.
Of course, there are other great film offerings earlier in the weekend. On friday night, Cinema Division Students at MCTC present their Annual Media Generat
ion Cinema Festival — like the Oscars, but kinkier. Enjoy a full range of visuals and sounds, popcorn and other yummy treats, two raffles (with a chance to win a $100 gift certificate from Best Buy and a brand new Blue-Ray/HD combo DVD player), awards, and great entertainment — even with adult material.
And this weekend is also the opening of Son of Rambow. Director Garth Jennings’s (Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy)
semi-autobiographical story is sweet and funny with a heartwarming
narrative about the forming of a true friendship. Jennings made his own
versions of First Blood as a child and coupled those
experiences with some stories from producer Nick Goldsmith’s childhood
to assemble the initial script. Schoolmates
Will Proudfoot (Bill Milner) and Lee Carter (Will Poulter) are the
unlikeliest of pairs. They meet by pure chance when Lee gets
expelled from his classroom for disobedience and encounters Will, who
is sitting in the hallway because his family’s beliefs, as members of
The Brethren evangelical christian movement, preclude him from watching
television or even films shown at school. Lee proceeds to get Will in
trouble, as well, and blackmails him into paying him a fee for taking
the blame. Thus, their dysfunctional friendship begins. Lee then guilts Will into coming over to his house, where he is exposed to his first movie … a pirated copy of First Blood that
Lee filmed at a local movie theater for his brother’s bootlegging
business. Hilarity ensues when Will gets swept up in the action and
agrees to star in Lee’s makeshift re-make of the film. —Christopher Kelleher (read his full review)
This isn’t quite a Mother’s Day outing — although it can certainly improve your mother’s well-being — but Minnesota’s first-ever Elder Care Expo is also being held this weekend. Are you responsible for some aspect of finances of healthcare for a family member over 65? Have you experiences stress and frustrations navigating through today’s elder care system? The Elder Care Expo brings together government agencies, nonprofits, private organizations to help provides the answers and support that you so desperately need.
Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., Education Building, Minnesota State Fairgrounds, 1265 Snelling Ave. N., St. Paul; 651.204.0266; $8.
SHOPPING Luna Vinca Mother’s Day Sale
And don’t let Mother’s Day hit you with nothing in hand. I mean, come on, folks: this woman birthed you (or at least someone, right?)! Not quite sure how to reward her for that? Perhaps the folks of Luna Vinca can help. Jennifer Guion, owner of Luna Vinca and an award-winning floral designer, will be cooking up her fabulous flower arrangements. And Alissa Karges, the creator of FS Jewelry, will work with you to find the perfect piece of jewelry for mom. What mom doesn’t like flowers and jewelry? (Hmm… come to think of it, mine prefers books and music, but… she weird.) Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Luna Vinca, 3344 Hennepin Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612.823.6178.
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