Things heated up a bit in June, but it’s time to bring the summer into full gear now. Our pores have finally opened up a bit, and we have a the mid-week holiday just ahead. Don’t stop at that. Take advantage of the high energy and celebrate the week. Don’t be hindered by the inherent irony in celebrating our independence from an oppressive government. Celebrate your own independence. How, with all those obligations, are you going to do that? Toss in a little variety. Spoil yourself. Act on a whim. Do anything you like, but under no circumstances are you to do anything for more than two hours. That’s right. Mix it up. Fill your day. Two hours at a time.
MUSIC
Noontime Intermezzo
Start your day off right with an afternoon music break. If you can sneak away for an extended lunch, head over to Northrop Plaza to listen to Eileen May and Dave Alstead jazz up some cabaret classics. Take your lunch, or pick up something on the way. I recommend grabbing a Potbelly (326 14th Ave SE) sandwich (with lots of hot peppers) and having yourself a picnic. If you’re close by, you’ll be able to linger a while and bask in the joy. Otherwise, you should still be able to make it all within your two-hour slot.
Noon – 1 p.m., Northrop Plaza, 612-624-2345; free.
SOCIAL
The First-Ever Something-or-Other
Give yourself some time to get out of work slowly, stop at home if you need to, maybe take a little walk around town (it’s good for you), and head on over to Psycho Suzi’s for a MNSpeak get-together. You’re bound to meet someone that can make you laugh a bit, or at least get you riled. And remember, you’re not going to stay for more than two hours anyhow (less, depending on where you’re going from there). You’ll find a couple good excuses below to get you out of there quickly. (Not that you’ll want to…)
6 p.m., Psycho Suzi’s Motor Lounge, 2519 Marshall St. N.E., Minneapolis; 612-788-9069; your own tab.
COMEDY
Not That Kind of Laugh
Maybe you need a good reason to continue the laughter. Or maybe the MNSpeak get-together is just too much of a risk for you (remember, you can always just go and lurk in the corners). There are more certain ways to get a laugh tonight. The Beat Coffeehouse is hosting its Monday Night Comedy Show with sketch artists, monologists, musicians, improv groups, and stand-up comedians. There’s free parking in the lot directly behind The Beat. And if the show exceeds your two-hour limit you can always log into the free WIFI and read The Rake a while. Maybe I’ll post something new for you by then. How about a video?
7:30 p.m., The Beat Coffeehouse, 1414 West 28th St., Uptown Minneapolis; 612-877-2436; $2.
MUSIC
Jazz Fingers
If the MNSpeak get-together sucks right off the bat (it’s up to you to keep that energy level up and the conversation flowing), slip out the door (tug at my sleeve, and maybe I’ll go with you), and head over to the Dakota to see Tanner Taylor burn up the keyboards. This Iowa-born musician can really tear up those keys and make them sing. Don’t under-appreciate his greatness just because he’s made Minneapolis his home for the past six years. We have good reason to get a little spoiled on the jazz front here, but this jazz pianist’s greatness extends far beyond the bounds of our fair state. He has played with many contemporary jazz giants: Clark Terry, Slide Hampton, Steve Turre, Wycliffe Gordon, Dick Oatts, Eric Alexander, Delfeayo Marsalis.
7 p.m., Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant, 1010 Nicollet, Minneapolis; 612-332-1010; $5.
A New Breed of Ax Mastery
MNSpeakers who manage to endure each other beyond the two-hour mark are best off making a break for the Entry. New Yorker Marnie Stern is certain to add a little flare to the already whacked-out mix — or at least drown it out. “Yes. Yes. Yes. The answer’s yes.” This woman is one of a kind. Yes. She plays a mean guitar — a Fender Jaguar even. Yes. She shreds and yawps. Yes. Will she affirm your independence? The answer is yes. She’s playing tonight with Gay Beast and To Kill A Petty Bourgeoisie (you gotta love the name).
8 p.m., The Entry, First Avenue, 701 First Ave. N., Minneapolis, 612-332-1775; $7.
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