BOOKS & AUTHORS
Keith Gessen and His Sad Young Literary Men
In honor of Max Ross’s Cracking Spines defense of McSweeney’s, n+1 founding editor Keith Gessen is in town tonight to discuss his first novel with us. (We’ll just have to be sure to let him know that’s why he’s here.) Actually, side-pokes and literary journals aside, Gessen has proven himself quite adept at slacker fiction. All the Sad Young Literary Men weaves together the stories of three college grads as they sort out their literary and romantic ambitions. Soviets, Zionists, online dating — Gessen touches upon a host of interesting topics — and a host of different forms of abuse and self-abuse. Meet him tonight, hear what he has to say, and have him sign a copy of the book for you. I mean, after all, it is Keith Gessen!
7:30 p.m., Barnes & Noble Booksellers Galleria, 3225 W 69th St., Galleria Shopping Center, Edina; 952-920-0633.
THEATER & PERFORMANCE
Come to the Cabaret, Old Chum
"Putatively, this Cabaret is the stage play of ’66, with an English
Sally and a regal German landlady (played by the absolutely magnificent
Suzy Hunt). But it also alludes to the male-on-male dalliances of its
hero, the American writer Cliff Bradshaw, which is confusing because
the complications here are completely ignored. In fact, other than the
single reference to his cruising days, Bradshaw, as played by Louis
Hobson, comes off as a well-scrubbed prude. … In between there are dance numbers introduced by the ’emcee’ (Nick Garrison), a shiny-headed bald man wearing lipstick with
an impossible loud and grating voice. He’s impossible to love at first,
as he descends from the ceiling in the Cabaret sign’s ‘C,’ but by
intermission he is impossible not to. A feat that Garrison effects by being alternately funny, self-deprecating, clownish, and sad. There
is also that strident back story about the Nazis: they are infiltrating
the club through the person of Ernst Ludwig, Bradshaw’s patron and
friend." —read Ann Bauer’s full review. Tonight is the official opening.
8 p.m., Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 345 Washington St, St Paul, 651-224-4222; $20-$55.
MUSIC
Eric Nassau and Mary Bue
In the mood for a light-hearted evening of folk-troubadour crooning? Ohio folkster Eric Nassau might be just the thing. His sweet, lilting vocals keep the dark longing of the lyrics at bay, lending a playful air to adversity. And, though his vocals are front and center, Nassau masters his guitar with equal finger-picking charm. Joining in the charm-delivery tonight is Mary Bue, another sweet sounding folkster (and recent Minneapolis transplant) with a touch of Tori Amos in her soul.
9 p.m., 331 Club, 13th Ave. N.E., Minneapolis; 612-331-1746.
Secret Songwriters Ball
It’s also time for another Secret Songwriters Ball at everyone’s (or at least someone’s) favorite watering hole. And since it’s a "Secret," I won’t reveal much. Expect a rockin’ set of his tunes from host Chris Thompson and a slew of talented songwriters of all varieties. Ok, one secret: Ben Glaros will be performing at around 10 p.m.
9 p.m., Lee’s Liquor Lounge, 101 Glenwood Ave., Minneapolis; free.
Motion City Soundtrack Releases First Acoustic EP
As of today, you should be able to download Motion City Soundtrack’s first-ever acoustic EP from iTunes. The EP features acoustic versions of five tracks off of their latest release Even If It Kills Me. The two can be purchased as a bundled package for $11.99, or you can download the songs individually: "Fell in Love Without You," "It Had To Be You," "Broken Heart," "Can’t Finish What You Started," and "Point of Extinction."
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