Jill Yablonski After popping into PetSmart for a new dog tag and Home Depot for some new levelers, I head right next door to the Doubletree Park Place in St. Louis Park. How convenient! My plan is to catch a ride to the Xcel Energy Center with whatever delegation happens to be staying there. It turns out … Read more
Not yet near the doors of the Minneapolis Convention Center Sunday night and I am already handed Republican swag, in the form of a DVD. This DVD "as seen on CNN and FOX News" depicts on its cover the iconic image of a radical Islam toddler wielding a rifle. I politely put it in my … Read more
Chris Koza is the kind of man who gives cigarettes to homeless people. In person and in his music he is wantonly candid and authentic. Koza and his four-piece band happily loll at mid tempo, blending roots music, twang and a heavy dose of pop to create a giddy sound so large it breaks the … Read more
Denis Jeong The Rake recently caught up with its friends, local band The Alarmists. Riding their increasing fame and recognition higher and higher, the guys are looking forward to their fast-approaching hometown show at the Varsity this Friday night. We spoke with Eric Lovold (guitar, lead vocals); Ryan McMillan (guitar); Tony Naim (bass guitar); Derek … Read more
In an effort to seek out and engage multiple voices and viewpoints from the local arts community, we occasionally will present on The Thousandth Word postings by "Vicious Guests" — that is, writings by various artists, curators, guest critics, journalists, art experts, art lovers, and other essential members of the arts community who have a … Read more
For many people the very idea of a sequel to Hamlet is preposterous. But if Shakespeare fans want to see a good tragedy, they should check out the last act of Hamlet 2. A truly funny slapstick film for the first hour, the tragedy of Hamlet 2 is that it turns away from its comedic … Read more
Local Gary Louris must likely get mobbed after shows in Spain, where he spends a good deal of time. I mean, the city of Bilbao gets a full Jayhawks show on September 6 – a Saturday headlining slot, closing out the Azkena Rock Festival. Here in the twin towns, Gary Louris walks among us largely … Read more
The Rake‘s own local Olympian. A true athlete dedicated to her calling. A hometown hero back at it again. Special oh-so-brave correspondent Kathryn Savage will be making her rounds at the Minnesota State Fair. Graciously offering to spend more man-hours in attendance than you’d ever want to, our gal-on-the-scene is primed to try just about … Read more
Landmark Theatres (Uptown Theatre, Edina Cinema and Lagoon Cinema) does a wonderful job presenting series of short films. One ticket buys you several stories in a single package, a sort-of kid-in-a-candy-store vibe for devoted cinephiles. Paris, Je T’aime (coming soon in February 2009, the sequel New York, I Love You) and the collection of 2007 … Read more
In 2005 Woody Allen made a triumphant comeback to critical glory with Match Point, which earned him his first Academy Award nomination in eight years. Well, it turns out that was only a warm-up. Allen saved his true comeback for the summer of 2008 with Vicky Cristina Barcelona, an honest tragicomedy that switches out Allen’s … Read more