MUSIC
An Evening with an Icon
The Dakota is serious about its music. Sure, they bring us new and upcoming acts, but mostly they serve up long-time masters. Tonight is no exception. With three decades of performances, over twenty solo albums, hundreds of singles and albums, and two Grammy Awards to his credit, Dr. John has secured his place in American music history. Catch a taste of funky boogie-woogie blues and R&B tonight (through Wednesday) as he lifts the voice of New Orleans across the Twin Cities, proving, as always, New Orleans is alive and well despite its troubles.
7 & 9:30 p.m., Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant, 1010 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis; 612-332-1010; $50 & $35.
MUSIC AND DANCE
Mazowsze
In the past 50 years Mazowsze has performed more than 6,000 shows across the globe. If this doesn’t sound impressive enough on its own, consider the 65 dancers and singers that perform in each show; consider the 1,000 or more costumes, some of them weighing more than 30 pounds; consider the 23-piece orchestra that accompanies each song, each dance. Mazowsze is on one hell of a mission to preserve Poland’s rich cultural heritage of music and dance. This is no simple effort, but a truly necessary and life-giving one for a country devasted by war. The result is an amazing and energetic performance, leaping, twirling, flinging, colors bursting in air. We’re not talking polka nights at Nye’s here — great as that may be.
7:30 p.m., The O’Shaughnessy, College of St. Catherine, 2004 Randolph Avenue, Saint Paul, 651-690-6700, $32.50-$43.50.
PERFORMANCE
Transgender Day of Remembrance
We all love a good drag show, but this one is special. Outward Spiral Theatre Company is hosting an evening of art and revelry in celebration of the transgender community. Enjoy performances by Andrea Jenkins, Harsh Reality, Empowered Expressions, Dickie Van Dyke, Emmett Ramstad, and Barbara Gordon. Best of all — it’s free!
7 p.m., Bedlam Theater, 1501 S. 6th St., Minneapolis; 612-341-1038; free.
CONVERSATION
Irish History and Drama
As many of you well know, The Home Place has been at the Guthrie for quite some time now, making its American premiere. As we enter the production’s last week, director Joe Dowling will shed a little light on Irish history and the Irish identity in order for audiences to better understand playwright Brian Friel’s new piece. Having worked with Friel in 1977, Dowling will share his particular insight into the play’s historical perspective and societal framework.
7:30 p.m., Dowling Studio, Guthrie Theater, 818 S. 2nd St., Minneapolis; 612-377-2224.
FILM
Behold the Bull
Who is Pedro Infante and why should we care? Why should we brave cold
November nights and wander through the city streets to an old theater
and watch these Mexican melodramas? For the same old reason we see
movies in theaters: to be touched, mesmerized, to laugh and perhaps
cry, and to share these complex experiences with other strangers in the
dark. And, in this case, to see something entirely new to American
audiences. In this case, a series of strange and wonderful musical
dramas starring Mexican crooner Pedro Infante. Infante was called the Mexican Sinatra, no doubt by clueless gringos
who barely paid attention to life south of the border. He was a master
singer, and a very good actor, who brought his dashing good looks to
these rough stories and yet never shone too brightly, never distracted
us from his supporting actors, or from the pain and pleasure witnessed
on screen. He sang, told jokes, made comedies and dramas, and could
entertain a billionaire or a bum. —Peter Schilling
See Peter Schilling’s full review.
Pepe el Topo at 4:15 p.m., Nosotros los Pobres at 7:15, Ustedes los Ricos at 9:35 p.m., Parkway Theater, 4814 Chicago Ave., Minneapolis; 612-822-3030; $6.
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