BOOKS & AUTHORS
An Advertising Exec Tells Liberals How to Talk
An advertising executive physiotherapist with good public speaking
skills might be just the answer to the democrats’ political problems,
and that’s the kind of man they get in Thom Hartmann.
His new book, Cracking the Code, offers insight into the art and
science of communication and the ways to successfully craft and convey
a progressive liberal message that could persuade others — whether it’s based on the speaker cracking a code, or the listener not being able to.. well, that’s up to you. —Kate McDonald
Friday at 7 p.m., University of Minnesota Bookstore, Coffman Memorial Union, 300 Washington Ave. S.E., Minneapolis; 612-625-5549; free.
THEATER & PERFORMANCE
Hell’s Freezing over on the Pole, and You’re Invited
The North Pole is going to hell in a hand basket. And it sure does make for one melty, messy situation in the Upright Egg Theater Company’s
new play The Eight: Reindeer Monologues. Santa is accused of sexually harassing a female reindeer, Rudolph is rumored to be committed, and debauchery runs rampant throughout this Present Project charity production. In addition to Reindeer Monologues, the event will feature live
music, a tap performance by Rick Ausland (of Buckets and Tap Shoes), and live paintings by local painter Chuck Hues, as well vegan food and drinks. All proceeds from the event will benefit the St. Paul Women’s Advocates Shelter. —Kate McDonald
Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., Sunday at 4 p.m., The Tilsner Artists Cooperative, 300 Broadway Ave., Studio #306, St. Paul; 651-292-0179; suggested donnation of $10 – $20.
DANCE
More Bang for Your Buck
Anything
with self-proclaimed savages performing air ticks with explosives while
playing instrumentally-modified power tools gets top billing in my
book. Described as “Einsturzende Neubaten meets Stokowski,” Savage Aural Hotbed’s
performances at the Southern Theater Saturday and Sunday are not to be
missed. However, if you want a more traditional bang for your buck you can also take in a performace of Crash,
a 20-year retrospective of more classic forms of
drumming — classic, that is, except for one piece featuring a marimba
powered by an exercise bicycle… —Kate McDonald
Crash: Friday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 7 p.m.; Savage Aural Hotbed: Saturday at 5 & 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.; Southern Theater, 1420 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis; 621-340-1725; $18.
Also on the dance docket for this evening: The Classic Nutcracker at the O’Shaughnessy and The Nutcracker According to Mother Goose by the Zenon Dance Company.
MUSIC
Steele-in’ the Show
If the fact that The Steeles have won every award that the Minnesota music community has offered over the past 20 years is not enough to make you want to go to their acoustic holiday concert, perhaps the fact that they have recorded with Prince will convince you. Or that they have performed at Carnegie Hall. And on Broadway. And around the world. The truth is that Minnesota does not have much legendary family gospel, and The Steeles are strictly that. —Kate McDonald
Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Fitzgerald Theater ,
10 E. Exchange St., St. Paul; 651-290-1221; $30.50 – $40.50.
Electronica!
This program of cutting-edge, contemporary classical music for amplified cello isn’t likely to give Yo-Yo Ma a run for his royalties, but might be the perfect antidote for the benumbing holiday hubbub. Cellist Lauren Radnofsky made her Carnegie Hall debut last year, premiering a Brad Lubman
composition. Now she will be conducted by Lubman in a fascinating and
varied program that includes John Zorn’s “Orphée for Chamber Ensemble
and Electronics,” Pierre Boulez’s “Derive 1,” and Lubman’s own “Fuzzy
Logic for Amplified Cello and Ensemble.” Both Radnofsky and Lubman have
worked directly with Boulez and recorded for Zorn’s Tzadik label. And
they’re not interested in giving you yet another rendition of “The
Nutcracker Suite.” —Britt Robson
Saturday at 8 p.m., SPCO Center, 408 St. Peter St., St. Paul; 651-291-1144; $10.
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