BOOKS & AUTHORS
What’s so Minnesotan about the Minnesota Book Awards?
This evening, enjoy a special Raking Through Books featuring the nominees of the 2008 Minnesota Book Awards (on Saturday). How often do you get to discuss literature with some of the top writers our Cities have to offer? How often do you even get them in the same room, for that matter? Tonight you can mix and mingle with the likes of Mary Logue, Annette Atkins, Catherine Watson, Joni Tevis, Wang Ping, and Leslie Adrienne Miller. And when you get out of Kieran’s you’re just a hop, trip, and a jump away from the next event.
Friday from 6 to 8 p.m., Kieran’s Irish Pub, 330 2nd Ave. S., Minneapolis.
WINE & DINE
An Affordable Feast with Big Red Wine Flights and Music
Last week, Ann Bauer wrote about the wine steals at Cue in Beyond the Cask. This week, the rest of us wine, food, and music lovers can enjoy them ourselves. It’s looking like we’re going to need a little something to warm us up, and I can’t think of anything better than some full-bodied big reds. Enjoy a three-course meal for only $30, and choose from three Big Red Wine Flights (tailored to the size of your wallet). Then sit back, relax, and drink in the big rich sounds of vocalist Arne Fogel and his trio. Try your luck in the silent wine auction, featuring Cue Cellar gems. But before you go, be sure to visit the gem upstairs; the view from the endless bridge is bound to be priceless this evening with the snow falling.
Friday from 6 to 9 p.m., Cue at the Guthrie, 818 S. 2nd St., Minneapolis.
THEATER & PERFORMANCE
Romeo and Rusalka
What separates the typical Disney flick from most operas is not just
the animation or the language, but the ending, the resolution. True,
not all operas end in tragedy (though most do), but even the
happily-ever-afters come laden with sacrifice and cost-of-learning, so
to speak. And let’s face it, someone usually dies. This Saturday (through next weekend), the Minnesota Opera brings us Anton Dvorak’s Rusalka, a beautiful Little Mermaid-like
fairytale without the happy ending. Named after the Vysoka country
estate (just south of Prague) where Dvorak took residence in 1884 —
with Rusalka Lake at its core — the Czech opera tells the story of a
water nymph who falls in love with a prince. But in the world of opera,
as in Shakespeare, two worlds colliding can only lead in tragedy — a
tragedy, of course, made all too beautiful by Dvorak’s composition. A
bit on the Wagnerian side perhaps, the music reinforces the "collision"
by creating two entirely unique sound-worlds. Conductor Robert Wood, stage director Eric Simonson, and choreographer Mathew Janczewski lead an illustrious cast in this Minnesota Opera performance, featuring the return of Minnesota native Kelly Kaduce in the title role, and Brandon Jovanovich as the Prince.
Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 345 Washington St, St Paul, 651-224-4222; $20-$150.
FILM
Cave Women on Mars
This Saturday is the world premiere of Cave Women on Mars, by local filmmakers Christopher Mihm and Josh Craig. You may know them already from previous releases — which also premiered at the Heights — The Monster of Phantom Lake (2006) and It Came From Another World! (2007). It seems like they’re determined to put out a kick-ass black & white ’50s-like flick every year. And that’s ok by me. Their latest quest follows two astronauts to the red planet, where they discover an earth-like atmosphere and sexy warrior cave women. Could it get much better? This stuff is a must for anyone with a little bit of twist. Stick around for cake after the movie, meet the cast and crew, and enjoy a special on-screen trivia/sing-along screening of The Monster of Phantom Lake.
Saturday at 6:30 p.m. (film at 7:30 p.m.), The Heights Theatre, 3951 Central Ave. NE, Columbia Heights; $5/$6.
SPECIAL EVENT
Journey to the Middle East
It’s Middle Eastern Night at the Suburban World,
so prepare to be transported. This is no little ride; it’s the whole
shebang — a full evening of Middle Eastern wonder, and a great
date-night to boot. Begin your evening, as all good evenings should
begin, with some lovely wines (Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, Macon-Villages,
and Cuvee White) provided by Gina Miranda of Bellboy Corp. and Georges Dubeouf French Wines. Then slide down the tongue to the belly, and enjoy a three-course meal prepared by Restaurant Aura:
Tabouleh salad, pita bread, Kefta meatballs served on a bed of saffron
rice with a tomato based Chermoula sauce, and baklava for dessert.
Lovely baklava! As soon as the sweetness hits the tongue you can settle
back a bit and prepare for the feature film, Promises.
This heartbreaking documentary shows the making and breaking of a
relationship between a Palestinian boy and a pair of Israeli twins
brought together by their shared love of sports. But it doesn’t end
here. When the movie is done, the belly dancing begins and the Touareg Live Band will make it their mission to get you shaking those hips.
Saturday at 6 p.m., Suburban World Theatre, 3022 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, 612-822-9000 or 952-451-1400; $30, $36 w/wine.
And on Sunday, head over to Nina’s Coffee Cafe to learn about Reason, Faith, and Story-telling from former Utne editor Jon Spayde, author of How to Believe.
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