BOOKS AND AUTHORS
Tell Me a Story, Tell Me a Lie
Join humorist Kevin Kling and host Heather McElhatton for an evening that showcases our finest writers and musicians to present existing work and collaborate on new pieces. Kling built his reputation in the Twin Cities during the 1990s with his groundbreaking plays “21A,” “Fear and Loving in Minneapolis,” and “Home and Away.” While his writing and performing continue unabated, he has probably become best known for his regular story-telling contributions to NPR’s All Things Considered. Joining Kling this evening is his friend Bill Lepp, five-time champion of the West Virginia Liars Contest. Kling met Lepp at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee, and was floored by his performances. Tonight’s show features Stage Session’s ever-adventurous mix of words of music. In addition to Kling and Lepp, guests will include the Robert Bell Trio as house band, singer and accordionist Simone Perrin, a duet featuring cellist Diane Tremain and African drummer Kenneth Komtanghi, Minnesota Public Radio’s Euan Kerr. and the Minneapolis band Redstart, featuring Wendy Lewis (Rhea Valentine, Mary Nail), Michael Lewis (Happy Apple, Fat Kid Wednesdays), Martin Dosh ( Dosh, Andrew Bird, Fog, Lateduster, Vicious Vicious) Jeremy Ylivsaker (Barb Cohen, The Melismatics, Mark Mallman, Detroit, Fog).
7:30 p.m., The Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E Exchange St., St. Paul; 651 290-1200; $22-31.
The Unexpected Life of Books
Explore the unexpected life of books with two award-winning authors and literary critics — Sven Birkerts and Lewis Buzbee. The authors, both of whom started their careers as booksellers before becoming authors themselves, will discuss the role books have played in their lives and in our society. Sven Birkerts is the editor of AGNI magazine and has taught writing at Harvard University, Emerson College, Amherst, and most recently Mount Holyoke College. He is the author of seven books, including An Artificial Wilderness: Essays on 20th Century Literature, The Gutenberg Elegies: The Fate of Reading in an Electronic Age, and most recently The Reading Life: Books for the Ages from Graywolf Press. His reviews regularly appear in The New York Times Book Review, The New Republic, Esquire, and The Atlantic. A bookseller and publisher for 20 years, Lewis Buzbee has taught writing for the last 7 years at the University of San Francisco. He is the author of Fliegelman’s Desire, After the Gold Rush, and The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop. And his work has appeared in such publications as Harper’s, GQ, and The New York Times Book Review. His next novel, his first for younger readers, Steinbeck’s Ghost, is due in the fall of 2008. It’s about a 13 year-old boy who tries to save the Salinas public library from closing.
7 p.m., Minneapolis Central Library, Carl and Eloise Pohlad Hall, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis; 612-630-6174; free.
A Book To Make Your Neighborhood Come Alive
For many years Jay Walljasper has written about urban planning and public place issues. He writes the Town Square column for the Project for Public Spaces e-newsletter, Making Places. An extended essay of his appears in the book Toward the Livable City. He examined positive urban initiatives in places like Portland, inner-city Boston, Copenhagen, and the Twin Cities for a series, What Works? in The Nation. And this evening he will be discussing ideas from his latest project, The Great Neighborhood Book. Joining him for a spirited discussion about improving neighborhoods will be David Brauer, president of the Kingfield Neighborhood Association; Matt Perry, of the East Harriet Neighborhood Association; and Steve Jevning, founder of Leonardo’s Basement (featured in the book).
7:30 p.m., Magers & Quinn Booksellers, 3038 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; 612-822-4611; free.
The Artist’s Bookshelf
Still don’t have enough authorly options? Help keep alive the spirit of one of our recently-departed, great American writers, Kurt Vonnegut. Join the Artists’s Bookshelf for a discussion of Slaughterhouse-Five this evening as part of their summer mythologies series. Vonnegut’s modern classic revolves around a unique odyssey through space and time, and reflects the mythic journey of our own fractured lives. Get to the Walker an hour early for a free guided tour of the related exhibition, then visit Wolfgang Puck’s Coffee and Wine Cart in the Bazinet Garden Lobby for a treat to bring to the discussion. Discussions are moderated by actor Roger Nieboe.
7 p.m., Walker Art Center, 1750 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; 612-375-7600; free (limited space).
MUSIC
Combining the Best of Blues, Folk and Americana
Join local indie-roots band The Pines in celebrating the release of their Red House Records debut Sparrows in the Bell. Hailing from Iowa, David Huckfelt and Benson Ramsey combine roots, blues and indie-rock to create a raw, haunting sound. Does the name Ramsey ring a bell? Benson is in fact the son of blues-rocker Bo Ramsey, who has partnered with greats like Greg Brown and Lucinda Williams. Entrenched in folk and blues music from birth, Benson lets those influences shine, even on louder electric songs. In fact, much like their literal and figurative fathers, these boys honor the old with a touch of the new. Both strong writers and musicians, David and Benson have distinct voices that complement each other, causing audiences and critics alike to tout them as a powerful young force in American roots music. Joining The Pines will be label-mate and critically acclaimed bluesman Ray Bonneville, who will be playing songs from his upcoming release Goin’ By Feel.
7:30 p.m., Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-338-2674; $15.
FILM
The Mathematical Formula for Existence
The 1,2,3 Movie Series continues this evening with PI, Darren Aronofsky’s film about a genius mathematician who’s built a supercomputer at home that provides a key for understanding all existence. This is an exceptional film. If you haven’t seen it, don’t miss it. If you’ve seen it, then you already know to go see it again. The film is a great example of what you can do with a very small budget and guerrilla filmmaking. It will be screened on the back wall of the Soap Factory. (If it is cold or raining, it will be screened in the gallery.)
9:15 p.m., The Soap Factory, 518 2nd Street SE, Loading Dock, Minneapolis; 612-623-9176; free.
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