MUSIC
Kevin Mahogany Sings Big Joe Turner
Mahogany’s resemblance to Turner is more physical than vocal. While
matching Big Joe’s large, expansive frame, Mahogany is more dulcet
crooner than blues shouter, closer in spirit to another vocalist he
feted four years ago on his Mahogany Music label, Johnny Hartman. But
Mahogany did play a Turner-Jimmy Rushing composite in Robert Altman’s
film, Kansas City, and as recently as last year was playing Turner
tribute gig at Birdland in New York with the likes of saxophonist Red
Holloway and pianist Cyrus Chestnut. While not quite so star-studded,
the lineup at the Dakota includes a gloriously gutbucket rhythm section
of Blue Note and Groove Merchant recording artists Reuben Wilson on the
B-3 organ, Grant Green’s son, Grant Green Jr., on guitar, and renowned
session and ex-Living Colour drummer JT Lewis—and vocalist Kathy Kosins
to boot. But the main attraction remains Mahogany who in addition to
the Turner material has done albums devoted to romantic ballads, big
band standards and Motown hits, and unearthed the essential strengths
of every style while showcasing his own silky baritone. Listening to
this ace band launch into “Roll ‘Em Pete,” “Shake, Rattle & Roll,”
or other standards associated with Turner will likely open the spigot
on the more freewheeling side of his nature. - Britt Robson
July 21st & 22nd, 7pm & 9:30pm, Dakota Jazz Club, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Downtown Minneapolis, $20-$25
FILM
The Dark Knight
The Dark Knight
is an impossibly good crime drama, populated with memorable characters
and constructed with textured ideas about 
morality and justice and
society's ability to effectively mete it out against the world's evils.
It is an instant classic for comic book fans and is one of the most
intensely entertaining films in years. The quality of the cast is exceeded only by director Christopher Nolan's assured guidance of
all his film's moving parts. Weaker genre films are often drenched in
selfish art direction, but Nolan favors a subtler approach that builds
on the style established in the first film and he composes action and
violence firmly grounded in reality. Audiences overdosed on poorly
implemented computer graphics fakery will find The Dark Knight a jolting tonic. - Joe Kvam
Read the full review HERE.
Locations and times vary, click HERE for local listings.
BENEFIT EVENT
Summer Sounds
Do a little good tonight! The Minneapolis Aquatennial and The Harrington Foundation have teamed up for this year's Summer Sounds benefit event. With proceeds going to help create scholarships for
students in need, Summer Sounds is a good cause with a great party attached to it. Come enjoy the dynamic jazz stylings of local legend Debbie Duncan
along with Parisota Hot Club, The New Primitives, Bill Duna and the
Latin Jazz Combo, and many more. Put your bids down on a vast array of
items in the silent auction which will include vacation packages,
retail gift certificates and artwork, then enjoy the delicious buffet
by D'amico Catering. Not quite enough? You'll also get to rub elbows
with the Aquatennial's Queen of The Lakes, which I'm sure is something you've been dreaming about your entire life...right?
6-10pm, Calhoun Beach Club, 2925 Dean Parkway, Minneapolis, $40 Advance, $50 Door