Hopefully, you made it to the Robert F. Kennedy Junior event this morning and you’re all geared up and ready to save the world. Now, let me ask you: are you by any chance Middle Eastern?
PUBLIC INSIGHT FORUM
U.S-Iranian Tensions
It’s no secret that Iran and the United States haven’t quite been getting along. The strained relationship has become a focus of tension in the Middle East. But what about right here, at home? How are Iranians feeling about what’s going on in their country? Perhaps if you’re Iranian, or even from any other place in the Middle East, you can share your thoughts. Minnesota Public Radio is collaborating with the Twin Cities Daily Planet and The Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library to gather members of the Iranian community in Minnesota for a public insight forum. Share your views on the growing tension between the United States and Iran. Admission is free, but reservations are required. Register here.
6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Pohlad Hall, Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis; 612-630-6000; free, but registration required.
PERFORMANCE
Air Guitar Nation
Watch legions of aspiring young rock stars live out their dream to become the world champion in a strange world where musical ability plays second fiddle to virtual virtuosity. Tonight marks the Minneapolis premiere of Air Guitar Nation, a documentary chronicling the birth of the U.S. Air Guitar Championships. Strange enough for you? Ridiculous enough? People take this shit seriously, my friends; but you certainly don’t have to. Just go for a good laugh, and enjoy air guitar antics set to the music of Motorhead, Smashing Pumpkins, The Darkness, Kiss, Cheap Trick, The Hives, David Bowie, Boston, Extreme, The Donnas, Judas Priest, Queen, The Who, and David Lee Roth (Please, no. Not “Jump”!).
7 p.m., Bryant Lake Bowl, 810 W. Lake St., Minneapolis; 612-825-3737; $7.
Coffee, Soup, and Poetry
If you’d rather be the one performing this evening — or if you’re just in the mood for a fun mellow evening of poetry, stories, and song — head over to Open Book’s Coffee Gallery for their weekly open mic. The Prism Poetry Series, hosted by Fluffy Singler, is open to poets, storytellers, acoustic musicians, and performance artists. Enjoy the artistic camaraderie with the Coffee Gallery’s gourmet coffee drinks, bottled beer, handcrafted soups, sandwiches, pasta salads, and pastries.
7-10 p.m., Coffee Gallery, Open Book, 1011 Washington Ave., Minneapolis; 612-215-2626.
VISUAL ART
Gallery Grooves at CorAzoN
Join us for Gallery Grooves this evening, The Rake’s monthly art, jazz, and wine event. Peruse the art of Andy Richter and Jenny Jenkins at the opening of their new exhibit — Survival and Revival: Photography of New Orleans. Socialize and discuss the latest jazz with Kevin Barnes from KBEM. Enjoy free libations, compliments of The Wine Company. Featured jazz selections include: Harry Connick Jr., Chansons De Vieux Carre; Irma Thomas, After The Rain; and The Wild Magnolias, They Call Us Wild.
7 to 9 p.m., CorAzoN, 204 Washington Ave. N., Minneapolis; 612-333-1662; free.
Source and Metaphor
Also opening this evening is Christine Herman’s Source and Metaphor exhibit at the Nina Bliese Gallery — or at least the opening reception is tonight. Herman’s monotypes tend toward the abstract and seek to establish an emotional resonance with the viewer. “My intention is to translate the literal world and infuse my images with the feelings that are evoked by it,” writes Herman. “The particular qualities of monotype make it an intriguing hybrid of printmaking. I am mesmerized by the spontaneity and painterly qualities of the medium. Technically speaking it is neither a print nor a painting, but a distinct blend of both.” Actually, her paintings remind me a little of my nephew’s paintings back when he was only four or five, back when he would paint emotions and “the sadness of the rain” rather than the stupid little houses and flowers to which social conditioning has now reduced him.
5-9 p.m., Nina Bliese Gallery, 225 South 6th St., Minneapolis; 612-332-2978; free.
DANCE
All Must Flow
Wind and flow — two great concepts from which to derive a fabulous dance number, or two. Local dancers/choreographers Karis Sloss and Kaleena Miller have teamed up to bring you a uniquely musical approach to dance choreography, with a jazz and tap infused edge. Sirocco/Flow combines dance and original music by local composers: the haunting music of Bobb Fantauzzo, the computer-generated score of Warren Park and Richard Sloss, a duet with Ricci Milan of Buckets and Taps Shoes/ Ten Foot Five fame, and even a number by the not-so-local Duke Ellington. Sirocco: Winds of Passion tells the legend of the intense and mysterious wind storm Sirocco, which had the power to drive mortals to commit mad crimes of passion. While Flow, Kaleena Miller’s portion of the show, offers a number of new eclectic musical and choreographic collaborations.
8 p.m., The Ritz Theater, 345 13th Ave. N.E., Minneapolis; 612-623-7660; $17 (seniors/students $15).
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