It’s September 11th, folks. And while you might want to take a moment to reflect — and perhaps contemplate what that has meant within the larger context of our lives and those around us, near and far — this is certainly no time for inertia. Do something! Anything. Raise your voice. Better yourself somehow. Nurture the mind, the body, the soul, whatever you desire. Just do something.
There are a number of events centered around the infamous date — The Apocalypse Theatre show at Pi (9:30 p.m.); the (9-11) Don’t forget show at the Uptown Bar and Cafe, with Mommy S3z No, Wounded Minds, and The Rock n Roll Whores (9:30 p.m.). But if you’re determined to make a night out of a tragedy, I suggest one of the following two options:
FILM
Untold Stories of 9/11 Widows
If you’ve seen Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11, then you’ll likely not be learning anything new at tonight’s free screening of 9/11 Press for Truth. But the film is a wonderful introduction to the “issues” and discrepancies surrounding the events of 9/11. Paul Thompson’s “stitched together” documentary follows grieving family members on their quest for truth and their demand for accountability — how they compelled an investigation, and how they got no answers. What better way to honor a loss, than to learn from it.
5:20 p.m., Riverview Theater, 3800 42nd Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-729-7369;free.
MUSIC
Uplifting, Patriotic Music
One of the commonalities among most religious practices is the use of song and music to reach spiritual heights. This is really of little surprise, given the prolific use of music in ceremony and celebration. Music moves us. Music touches us. Music allows us to express ourselves, and to simply feel. Perhaps that’s what the day is for today: to simply feel. And there are 135 people ready to express themselves. That’s right; an all volunteer 65-piece orchestra and 70-voice chorus will perform this evening at Lake Harriet as part of the 6th Annual 9-11 Tribute: Our Community Remembers. Just go, sit back, receive, and feel… a most beautiful outpouring of uplifting, patriotic music. It may be one of the few remaining ways to arouse patriotism in some of us.
7 p.m., Lake Harriet Band Shell, 43rd St. W. and E. Lake Harriet Pkwy., Minneapolis; 612 230-6475; free.
Rather not take 9-11 on so directly? Don’t worry; in the middle of so much insanity, it’s quite fitting to nurture the intellect — and a great means of escape as well.
BOOKS
Tales of Journeys
Join us this evening for an escapist literary discussion with writers and aficionados alike. This month’s Raking through Books celebrates traveling the blue roads with authors from The Blueroad Reader: Stardust and Fate, featuring James Lenfestey, Freya Manfred, Bruce Benidt, Nick Healy, Ann Rosenquist-Fee, and Rachael Hanel. Tales of plane and automobile travel, walks, and journeys through time fill The Blueroad Reader with poetry, prose, and illustrations. It’s a celebration of memory and of journeys to come. Come to tonight’s event and get a 20 percent discount on the book from the University of Minnesota Bookstore.
5:30 to 7 p.m., Kieran’s Irish Pub, 330 2nd Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-339-4499; free.
Happy 10th Anniversary, Akashic Press
Join writers Joe Meno and Mickey Hess this evening for the anniversary celebration of Akashic Books. According to their website, Akashic is “a Brooklyn-based independent company dedicated to publishing urban literary fiction and political nonfiction by authors who are either ignored by the mainstream, or who have no interest in working within the ever-consolidating ranks of the major corporate publishers.” In other words, we love them. In fact, if Meno and Hess are any indication of the quality of work, we plain old adore Akashic. Best known for his hit novels Hairstyles of the Damned and The Boy Detective Fails, Meno has a knack for finding beauty in imperfections. (Yeah, I know; it sounds like a bad personal ad. But it’s still true.) Hess, meanwhile, is best known for his hip hop work, Is Hip Hop Dead?; his memoir, Big Wheel at the Cracker Factory; and his vast collection of stories.
7:30 p.m., Magers & Quinn Booksellers, 3038 Hennepin Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-822-4611.
Of course, you could always go to the Bryant Lake Bowl for tonight’s Books and Bars book discussion on Peter Carey’s Theft: A Love Story(7 p.m.). The guy really is a most adept writer.
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