True ease in writing comes from art, not chance,
As those move easiest who have learn’d to dance.
‘Tis not enough no harshness gives offense,
The sound must seem an echo to the sense.
—Alexander Pope, An Essay on Criticism: Part 2, 362-365
English poet Alexander Pope was born 320 years ago today.
First things first: Tickets go on sale today at 8 a.m. for the highly anticipated Star Wars exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota. Tickets are available online, via phone at (651) 221-9444, or in person at the Science Museum’s Box Office. The Science Museum hopes to welcome more than 250,000 visitors during the exhibit’s eight week run (June 13 – August 24).
MUSIC
Percussion at Peavey
If you work in downtown Minneapolis — or at least close by — you’re in luck today. It’s going to be a beautiful, sunny day, so pack up a lunch, or pick one up, and spend your lunch hour at Peavey Plaza with the Minnesota Orchestra. The free concert, brought to you by Target, kicks off the Orchestra’s three-week Percussion Festival with a program of Rossini’s Overture to The Barber of Seville, selections from Bizet’s/Shchedrin’s Carmen Suite, Glinka’s Overture to Ruslan and Ludmila, and Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 3, III Allegro. Drums Unlimited and Mu Daiku will warm up the stage from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., and Cities 97 DJ Brian Oake will serve as host.
Noon-1 p.m., Peavey Plaza, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis; free.
Also tonight, White Rabbits, Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson, and Humanboy play at the 400 Bar (9 p.m., $12).
DANCE
Saint Paul City Ballet Spring Gala
What’s the Saint Paul City Ballet up to lately? As so many talented dance students thoughout the Twin Cities practive their art and hone their skills, we so often miss their moments of glory. Don’t miss this one. The Saint Paul City Ballet’s Spring Gala showcases students of all classes and levels. Start at 5 p.m., with the young children’s performance, and stay on for the more mature 7:30 performance — Jazz, Sacred Arts, and Coppelia with pre-professional and adult students.
5 & 7:30 p.m. (tomorrow at 7 p.m. only), E.M. Pearson Theatre, Concordia University, 275 Syndicate St. N., St. Paul; 651-690-1588; $10-$15.
FILM
Midnight Cowboy and Manchurian Candidate
The Landmark Edina Cinema serves up another double whammy double feature tonight. First, Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight play down-and-out hustlers/drifters in the 1969 classic, Midnight Cowboy, directed by John Schlesinger. And as if that weren’t enough, John Frankenheimer’s 1962 version of The Manchurian Candidate follows. You certainly can’t go wrong with Frank Sinatra and brain-washing conspiracies (even communist ones). Toss in an evil Angela Lansbury and the typically lovely Janet Leigh, and you’ve got yourself quite a treat.
7 & 9:30 p.m., Edina Cinema, 3911 W. 50th
St., Edina; 651-649-4416.
It’s also time for another IFP Cinema Lounge at the Bryant Lake Bowl Cabaret Theater (7 p.m., free).
SPECIAL EVENT
The Second Quadrennial Worst Political Advertising in America Awards
Have some fun at politics’ expense tonight; make fun of everything political. Former CNN reporter and Hopkins native Aaron Brown — who has brought us news on 9-11, the Iraq War, the Columbine High School shootings, the O.J. Simpson trial, Mandela’s election — will host the Second Quadrennial Worst Political Advertising in America Awards this evening — live in Minneapolis. A number of local celebrity presenter/politicians will participate as well, among them St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, Sarah Janecek, Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak
8 p.m., Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis; 612-339-7007; $32.
BOOKS & AUTHORS
Cult Author Chuck Palahniuk
Chuck Palahniuk, author of Fight Club, is in town tonight promoting his new book, Snuff, a story about an aging porn star who tries to revive her career by "doing" 600 men on screen. The book jumps from character to character as they mingle about, waiting for their moment of fame.
7 p.m., Triple Rock Social Club, 629 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-333-7399; $30.
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