The Rake Magazine

Author: Cristina Córdova

  • Red Handed in Nicaragua

    Living in the small rural town of Santo Tomás, in Nicaragua, is hard, but
    without my Rake it would be downright unbearable. Luckily, my brother
    and various friends know that I love keeping up to date with Twin
    Cities affairs, and have enough compassion to send me The Rake every once
    and a while. Semana Santa, the holy week before Easter, is especially
    rough. There is absolutley nothing to do but sweat and watch religious
    processions. Two days before the procession of the positions of the
    cross these young men ambushed me in the middle of reading. The day
    after, they were off to "bring the devil." Their role is to run
    through town screaming, scaring small children, and mocking the pious
    Catholics that walk in the processions. 

    Anna Abbey, Nicaragua
    Red Handed

  • All You Need Is a Mission

    FILM

    Box Elder

    Things are changing in the film industry. It’s true. We’ve gone from indie to super-indie, or something of the sort. Todd Sklar is of this new regional indie-auteur variety — the new school of film, or should I say video? With a new HD camera in hand, and a Cine Brevis 35-mm lens adapter, there’s no stopping a man with a mission. But dreams and possibilities aside, it’s what’s left on screen that really matters. Sklar’s latest film, Box Elder, makes its Twin Cities debut this evening (and continues through next weekend). Titled after a Pavement song (Sklar’s favorite band) as well as a noisy, annoying, passive-aggressive, yet harmless insect, Box Elder paints an unrestrained picture of a generation defined by these same characteristics. See what a touch of your typical privilege, potential, and self-induced paralysis can do to four friends in their last years of college.

    Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 7:30 p.m., The Oak Street Cinema, 309 Oak Street SE, Minneapolis, 612-331-3134, $7.

    MORE FILM

    Leatherheads

    Dressed in 1920s attire, George Clooney and Renee Zellwegger began their Leatherheads tour with an appearance at the old Depot, in downtown Duluth. Now, we finally get to see the film. Directed by Clooney himself, Leatherheads
    offers a comedic tribute to the early days of pro football. Determined
    to keep his team alive after they lose their sponsor, Dodge Connelly —
    played by Clooney — brings in a college football star, better known as
    a local war hero, to recapture the country’s attention. Zellwegger, who
    plays a budding journalist, suspicious of the war hero’s
    too-good-to-be-true tales, take it upon herself to defraud the team,
    but in doing so somehow manages to make both men fall hopelessly in
    love with her. How will Dodge keep his team alive and get the girl? Go
    and see.

    AMC Southdale 16, 400 Southdale Center, Edina; 651-777-FILM.

    Under the Same Moon

    The story is nothing new: a Mexican mother goes to America, Los
    Angeles to be precise, in search of a better life for her child, whom
    she leaves in Mexico under the care of her mother. It’s "real," if
    nothing else. And it’s touching, if you’re at all moved by a mother’s
    love and a child’s determination. Director Patricia Riggen brings us a
    heartwarming tale addressing the controversial issue of illegal
    immigration. But her focus on nine-year-old Carlitos, and his physical
    journey to reunite with his mother, makes Under the Same Moon a most precious tale.

    Uptown Theatre, 2906 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; 612-825-6006; $8.25 (seniors and children $5.75).


    Also opening this weekend, Meet Bill, starring Aaron Eckhart.

    DANCE
    James Sewell Spring Program

    Dancer/choreographer James Sewell
    made his way back home to Minneapolis in 1993, after a long stint in
    New York, bringing his company with him. Sewell began choreographing
    ballets in 1982, while at the School of American Ballet, in New York. He went on to dance with ABT II, an apprentice company of the American Ballet Theater, and then as principal dancer for the Feld Ballet. Once hailed by The New York Times as "one of
    American ballet’s best choreographers," James Sewell consistently
    delivers innovative and exciting pieces. This month, the company delivers its Spring Program at The O’Shaughnessy, with two Twin Cities premieres choreographed by Sewell himself: Social Movements and If This Then What. Also on the program are Table Waltz, choreography by Penelope Freeh, and By the Gypsy River Banks, choreography by Sally Rousse.

    Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 11 a.m., Sunday at 2 p.m., The O’Shaughnessy, College of St. Catherine, 2004 Randolph Avenue, Saint Paul, 651-690-6700, $31.

    MUSIC

    Bo Ramsey CD Release Performance

    While it’s all too possible you may not know Bo Ramsey’s
    name, you’re sure to have been touched by him somehow — whether as a
    musician or a producer of something wonderful you’ve heard. For
    whatever reason, Ramsey has drawn more attention from musicians than
    from the general public. Perhaps he’s simply not a limelight man, a
    fact confirmed by his many performances in the dingy, din-filled
    corners of The Deadwood,
    in Iowa City during the ’90s. But despite his understated fame, Ramsey
    has played a tremendous role in shaping the midwest blues-rock scene.
    He’s one of the original Iowa City blues-rock boys, along with Greg Brown, David Zollo, David Moore.
    In fact, Ramsey’s guitar work can be heard on their albums, many of
    which he has even produced. But Ramsey’s biggest call to the spotlight
    probably came from Lucinda Williams, who contacted him immediately after hearing Down To Bastrop in the early ’90s. So impressed was Williams with his inimitable guitar work that she invited him to play on her Grammy-winning Car Wheels On A Gravel Road, after which he joined her on tour — twice, as he went on to produce and play on her follow-up album, Essence. With his new CD, Fragile, due for release on April 8th, Ramsey is on a solo tour this time, and gracing us with his music.

    Saturday at 8 p.m., The Cedar, 416 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-388-2674; $18.

    Also on Saturday night, Black Blondie and Maria Isa will play at Trocaderos Nightclub.

    BOOKS
    Sharp Teeth, by Toby Barlow

    After the wretched transformation of Beowulf to film,
    the time is ripe for a modern-day monster tale we can all read and
    imagine (rather than ruin with trite images). And try as I might to
    disassociate Toby Barlow’s debut novel from this timeless classic, Beowulf keeps coming to mind. Clearly, the title, Sharp Teeth, could have something to do with this. As could the subject matter: werewolves in Los Angeles. But beyond that, Sharp Teeth
    is written entirely in blank verse — an odd choice perhaps, but Barlow
    masters it so effortlessly that we hardly notice, except to feel its
    commanding flow hastening us forward through the multiple plotlines.
    Granted, Sharp Teeth offers no mead, but if you’ve read John Gardner’s Grendel — a rather nihilist monster-POV rendition of Beowulf — you’ll recognize the strangely non-heroic approach to an epic tale. As in Grendel,
    Barlow’s tale has no true heroes. There is no clear sense of right and
    wrong; there is only the gray in between, and how you choose to
    navigate it.

    Saturday at 7 p.m., BirchBark Books and Native Arts, 2115 West 21st St., Minneapolis; 612-374-4023.

  • Meet Aaron

    Aaron Eckhart doesn’t like too much attention. It makes him uncomfortable, which oddly enough, isn’t such an odd thing for an actor. Sure, there are artists that live for the limelight, but then there are others that live for the art (not that you can’t live for both, mind you). Eckhart is not a spotlight fiend. That much is clear. He doesn’t look uncomfortable, mind you, but he tells me so; and it’s clear from his quiet, pensive approach that he’s not out for the big headline, that he’s not going to flex his muscles to impress me. If I’m not impressed by his soft-spoken, steadfast approach, by his honesty, by his glorious chin, well, too bad for me.

    Now on tour, promoting his latest film, Meet Bill, Eckhart is going through the arduous task of interview upon interview. Somehow, he remains unresentful. Sure, it’s his job (I guess), but I caught the man coming straight out of one interview, into the next, and then on his way to another. How much fun can that be? And when I questioned him, he simply replied, "I never say the same thing twice. Maybe that’s a bad thing."

    "A bad thing?" I asked.

    Sure. "They always use the same thing anyway, so it really doesn’t matter what I say."

    And, yes, we do. Don’t we?

    "It’s a vicious circle, but on the other hand if the circle works why make it a square. You know what I mean? See I’ve never said that before. Why make a circle a square?"

    Why make a circle a square? Good question. And yet, I know he’s worried that I’ll take it out of context somehow. Why make a circle a square? Somehow, I’ll pose a question about his new film. ‘Your character is clearly confused and dissatisfied. He goes through a number of changes, and yet at the end I didn’t quite get the sense that he has truly arrived somewhere new. Why didn’t he blah, blah, blah?’ (Eckhart likes his blah, blah, blahs.) Why make a circle a square?

    I try to reassure him that I won’t do this, that somehow, I’m different from all other journalists (I’m not), but why make a circle a square?

    "What I say as a dry joke just comes off flat," Eckhart continues. "In print things don’t translate."

    And he’s right. Few know that better than The Rake, I think, recalling our vain attempts at humor and sarcasm, recalling the negative feedback, all the people who just didn’t get the joke.

    While Meet Bill is a fun physical comedy — far better than I might have imagined, based on the seemingly cheap Jessica Alba trailers — it’s still a slapstick comedy, and I’m left wondering why Eckhart is listed as executive producer, why a man with such interesting acting experience and only one production credit (a co-production credit, at that) under his belt, would take this on above a more nobel endeavor.

    I’m naïve, of course, to ask the question.

    "I have to say, my producorial involvement is minimal," answers Eckhart. "I don’t want to pretend that I was instrumental in this movie at all. When I come on or do a movie, I guess, that’s one of the perks that I get. Maybe sometimes it helps in casting. It’s a gift."

    —So there was no financial backing?

    "None whatsoever. It frankly kind of embarrasses me that it’s on there. But it’s one of the things that people do because it looks good. I don’t want to offend the other producers by taking credit. On small movies like this, because they don’t have a lot of money to give you, this can be another incentive. That’s kind of what it is. I just acted in the movie."

    Now it all makes sense to me. Eckhart has no interest in producing.

    "I’d rather go clean toilets than produce movies," he jokes. "What producers have to do — probably a lot of your job, too — is call people, follow up on people, try to make people honor their commitments. It’s hell. You know?" (Yes, I know.)

    "Filmmaking is tiresome. It’s a long, arduous job, and you have to be a marathon runner to do it. For an actor, you just get in and get out. You don’t have to deal with pre-production. You don’t have to deal with post. You don’t have to deal with the money people, the pressure, the business, selling it. I’m far away from all that sort of stuff.

    "I’m an actor. I have a lot to accomplish in acting, things that I want to do as an actor. I admire people like Clooney and these guys who do the whole enchilada. They do everything, and they make a great product. It’s unbelievable. And a lot of actors do that. Maybe another time. Maybe I’ll direct a traffic commercial. Like a PSA or something. On the environment." (He’s joking again, of course, though it may not be a bad idea.)

  • Take It to the Water

    MUSIC
    Tristan Prettyman

    In Jack Johnson tradition, San Diego singer/songwriter Tristan Prettyman traded in her surf board a few years back for a guitar and a notepad, and has been serving up song ever since. But much like Jack, she can’t seem to get those waves out of her songs, lending a lulling quality to their music — a beautiful addition to the acoustic guitars and quiet melodies. Prettyman — most definitely pretty, though nothing like a man — brings her unadorned folk-pop to the Twin Cities tonight.

    7 p.m., Varsity Theater,1308 4th St. S.E., Minneapolis; 612-604-0222; $15.

    THEATER & PERFORMANCE
    Metamorphosis

    Theatre Pro Rata has been getting quite a bit of attention for their big-splash production of Metamorphoses. It’s no wonder. Playwright Mary Zimmerman’s adaptation of the Ovid classic calls for a big pool of water in the middle of the stage — a minor detail that created quite a challenge for director Carin Bratlie. With water as a pivotal element of change, you’lll enjoy glimpses into numerous classic tales: King Midas, Cupid, Pyramus and Thisbe, Eurydice. This is the play’s last weekend, so don’t miss out.

    7:30 p.m., The Loading Dock Theater, 509 N Sibley St., Saint Paul; 612-874-9321; $14-$28.

    ART
    Printmaking from Soviet Estonia

    When Estonia fell under Soviet rule in 1940, art became heavily
    censored. That was the case with “major” art forms like painting and
    writing, at least, but the apparatchiks largely ignored printmaking. In
    retrospect this seems ironic, given how the medium is suited to mass
    production and has a history as a tool of dissent. That’s exactly the
    point of this exhibition; culled from a collection at Rutgers
    University, its forty-one works from 1922–91 range from the surreal
    folk art of Jüri Arrak to the geometrical abstractions of Leonhard
    Lapin and Raul Meel—clear evidence of how artists in this medium
    persisted and even thrived under the radar of state-sanctioned
    Socialist Realism. The exhibit’s highlight and its clearest critique of
    force-fed Russian culture are Vello Vinn’s scathing, Ernst-like
    photomontages. The show runs simultaneously with (and is fittingly
    located a floor beneath ) an exhibit of Russian Impressionism. —Christopher Hontos

    Museum of Russian Art, 5500 Stevens Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-821-9045.

  • Indoor Outdoor

    BOOKS & AUTHORS
    Charles Baxter’s Soul Thief

    Those of us who have been to grad school know how difficult it can be, and how easy it can be to slip into breakdown mode. But best-selling author and U of M professor Charles Baxter takes this to a whole new level in his latest novel The Soul Thief. With a title like that, you can just imagine — or can you? Baxter’s protagonist, a graduate student in upstate New York, is drawn into a tangle of relationships, one of which ultimately provokes a total breakdown. Nothing so new here, but it gets more complicated when our befuddled protagonist is faced with the reality that his identity may, in fact, not be his own. "The Soul Thief is both lyrical and eerie as Baxter delivers a unique novel with emotional detail and metaphysical underpinnings." Meet Baxter this evening as he discusses his new novel and signs copies for the public.

    4 p.m., University of Minnesota Bookstore, Coffman Memorial Union, 300 Washington Ave. S.E., Minneapolis; 612-626-0559; free.


    MORE BOOKS & AUTHORS
    Dan Buettner Maps the Course for a Longer, Healthier Life

    For whatever reason — probably because, despite all our technological advances and botox, we can’t seem to find a way to control it — our society is most definitely obsessed with aging, and the quest to conquer it. Ha! Well, while we may not be able to stop the aging process, there are certainly a number of things we can do to secure a longer, healthier life. And few people are as equipped to address the matter as world explorer and Minneapolis local Dan Buettner. For the past seven years Buettner has spearheaded the Blue Zones project, which has identified and studied four pockets around the world (which he calls blue zones) where people live measurably longer, healthier lives. Now, in his new book, The Blue Zone, Buettner shares his "Power 9" habits — lifestyle traits that promote longevity.

    6 p.m. reception, 6:45 program, Minneapolis Central Library, Pohland Hall – Second Floor, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis; 612-863-4126; free.

    Also this evening, Nevada Barr will be discussing her latest novel, Winter Study at Barnes & Nobles Edina (7:30 p.m.), in Galleria Shopping Center.

    SPECIAL EVENT – SPORTS
    The 75th Annual Northwest Sportshow

    As the weather warms up a bit — finally! — it’s time to start thinking about the great outdoors. And what better way to bring it on than with the Midwest’s largest sports show? The 76th Annual Northwest Sportshow begins today (through Sunday) and features more than 600 exhibitor from the United States and Canada. Stop on by and see the latest hunting, fishing, boating, RV, and camping products. Attend seminars by expert anglers. And enjoy the lumberjack show, 3D pop-up archery practice, remote control boat racing, and kids fishing.

    1-9 p.m., Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Ave. S., Minneapolis; free.

  • New Books This Year

  • No Foolin' Around

    BOOKS, AUTHORS & PHOTOGRAPHY
    Suburban World: The Norling Photos

    "Where is Brad Zellar?" you might ask, as his hiatus from The Rake has created quite a void. Happily, he’s been busy promoting his new book, Suburban World: The Norling Photos, from Borealis Books. Zellar discovered Irwin Norling
    in 2002, when he unearthed Norling’s neglected negatives from the
    Bloomington Historical Society archives. Struck by the breadth and
    depth of the subject matter — everything from family portraits,
    Shriners, and donkey baseball games, to car crashes, drug busts, and
    murder scenes — and by the "astonishing and remarkably comprehensive
    record of life in one American community," Zellar unknowingly began his
    quest to compile his first book. The result is an extraordinary photo
    essay book featuring Bloomington, MN, circa 1950-1970. In conjunction with the book release, the Minnesota Historical Society will be featuring an exhibit of Norling’s photos with a recreation of his darkroom. Stop by tonight for a reception and book signing, featuring our very own Brad Zellar.

    5 to 8 p.m., Minnesota Historical Society, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul; 651-259-3000.

    THEATER
    Rabbit Hole

    Nothing moves people more than the death of a child. And while a
    play centered around such tragedy might make its audience feel
    manipulated and cheap, like a bad Lifetime move, David Lindsay-Abaire’s Rabbit Hole handles
    it with such honesty and insight as to take its audience through the
    most grievous journey without resentment or reproach. This month, the Jungle Theater takes on the difficult, yet rewarding task of presenting the Pulitzer-winning play to Twin Cities audiences. With directer Bain Boehlke
    at the helm, the Jungle Theater will perform Lindsay-Abaire’s story of
    Becca and Howard Corbett. Find out what happens when a family is torn
    apart by the accidental death of their four-year-old. And what happens
    when the driver of the car that killed him shows up at their doorstep.

    7:30 p.m., The Jungle Theater, 2951 Lyndale Ave S. Minneapolis, 612-822-7063; $26.

    FILM
    Milos Forman: Cinema of Resistance

    Most of us have heard of Milos Forman, or at least his films. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, adapted from Ken Kesey’s novel, won all five major Academy Awards in 1975. Hair, now a cult classic, was nominated for two Golden Globes. And Amadeus,
    about the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, won eight — yes, eight —
    Oscars. Certainly Forman has met with great success since leaving
    Prague for the United States in 1968. But what we may not know about
    him are his accomplishments prior to that move. Born Jan Tomás Forman,
    the Czech filmmaker lost his parents to a Nazi concentration camp, in
    Auschwitz no less. After studying film at the School of Cinema in
    Prague, Forman kicked off the Czech New Wave with a new style of comedy
    — dark and absurd comedy, presenting a satirical view of everyday life.
    Forman’s The Firemen’s Ball,
    a major film of the genre, remains a cult classic after more than three
    decades. This month, the Walker offers a retrospective of his work,
    from the 1960s to his latest film, Goya’s Ghost, which he both wrote and directed. This evening’s film is Black Peter. Plus, meet the director himself on April 12th.

    7:30 p.m., Walker Art Center, Cinema,1750 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; 612-375-7600; $8 per film.

    WELL-BEING
    InterPlay: Following Your Bliss

    Today is the first Tuesday in a series of InterPlay workshops for some life-changing fun. Use movement and stories, silence and song, ease and amusement to relieve stress and create ease.

    4:30-6 p.m, Well Within, 1880 Livingston Ave., Suite 103, West St. Paul; 651-451-3113; $15 donation suggested.

    Just for kicks, check out what may be the first April Fools gag recorded on film — in 1900!

  • It's Opening Day, You Know What To Do

    Theater lovers, don’t delay. Today is last day of the Theater All Year Sale, so take advantage of the six-ticket package, and catch some great shows over the next four months.

    Tickets also went on sale this weekend for the Kid Rock show at the Target Center on May 24th, the Melissa Etheridge show at the O’Shaughnessy on August 9th (talk about selling in advance), and the Ween show at Roy Wilkins Auditorium on July 19th, so if any of these interest you, act fast.

    SPORTS
    Minnesota Twins Home Season Opener

    There’s really no question at all about what you should do tonight. It’s just a matter of whether you can get in or not; and if not, there’s always the tube (and I’m not talking lightrail here). While no one is giving the Twins much of a break in the season forecasts, we still have to find a way to muster up enough excitement to give it a good run. Who knows? We’ve come through at some odd times in the past. We can do it again. And, believe me, the players know they have something to prove. Ten-year Major League veteran, Livian Hernandez will be pitching today’s game against the Los Angeles Angels — the first American League game in his career. And Rake writer Brad Zellar will be there to relaunch his annual baseball blog, Warning Track Power. So stay tuned.

    6:05 p.m., Metrodome, 34 Kirby Puckett Pl., Minneapolis; 612-375-1366.

    MUSIC
    Schubert Club Winners

    If the Twins just aren’t your thing — or if you just like to wait until you know who won to watch the game — perhaps a classical evening is in order. The Schubert Club is hosting a special presentation this evening, featuring Schubert Club Competition winners: Denis Evstuhin on piano, Jenny Berg on violin, Rolf Haas on violin, Joe Peters on oboe, Jacob Jonkers on guitar, Nicholas Donatelle on cello, and Ben Ullery on viola. Performing with them will be Hill House Chamber Players Julie Ayer, Tom Turner, and Tanya Remenikova.

    7:30 p.m., James J. Hill House, 240 Summit Ave., Saint Paul; 651-297-2555.

    WINE & DINE
    Sicilian Wine Dinner at Bellanotte

    Enjoy a delicious six-course meal paired with wines from Sicily, Italy. Dinner will begin with an amusé of caponata, paired with Lamura Rose’ Di Sicilia. This will be followed by an insalata of crisp mixed greens, raspberry vinaigrette, and poached pears, paired with Santa Tresa “Rina Ianca.” The third course, pollo, consists of slow-roasted chicken breast and fresh Roma tomatoes with bleu cheese cream sauce tossed with penne pasta; this paired with Santa Tresa “Nivuro Nero D’Avola” Cabernet Sauvignon. The fourth course, pesce, consists of seared chilean seabass topped with fennel, fresh Roma tomato, and Mediterranean mussels in a kalamata olive ragu, paired with Santa Tresa “Cerasuolo Di Vittoria.” And the entrée is a grilled marinated pork tenderloin with Peruvian purple mashed potatoes and fresh grilled vegetables topped with a basil demi-glaze; this paired with Santa Tresa “Avulisi.” And finally, for dessert, an espresso tiramisu. It doesn’t get much better — or more decadent — than this! Space is limited, so call to make your reservation now.

    6:30-9:30 p.m., Bellanotte, 600 Hennepin Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-339-7200; $65 or $120/couple.

  • Sharp Teeth, by Toby Barlow

    After the wretched transformation of Beowulf to film, the time is ripe for a modern-day monster tale we can all read and imagine (rather than ruin with trite images). And try as I might to disassociate Toby Barlow’s debut novel from this timeless classic, Beowulf keeps coming to mind. Clearly, the title, Sharp Teeth, could have something to do with this. As could the subject matter: werewolves in Los Angeles. But beyond that, Sharp Teeth is written entirely in blank verse — an odd choice perhaps, but Barlow masters it so effortlessly that we hardly notice, except to feel its commanding flow hastening us forward through the multiple plotlines. Granted, Sharp Teeth offers no mead, but if you’ve read John Gardner’s Grendel — a rather nihilist monster-POV rendition of Beowulf — you’ll recognize the strangely non-heroic approach to an epic tale. As in Grendel, Barlow’s tale has no true heroes. There is no clear sense of right and wrong; there is only the gray in between, and how you choose to navigate it.

    7 p.m., BirchBark Books and Native Arts, 2115 West 21st St., Minneapolis; 612-374-4023.

     

  • Bo Ramsey CD Release Performance

    While it’s all too possible you may not know Bo Ramsey’s name, you’re sure to have been touched by him somehow — whether as a musician or a producer of something wonderful you’ve heard. For whatever reason, Ramsey has drawn more attention from musicians than from the general public. Perhaps he’s simply not a limelight man, a fact confirmed by his many performances in the dingy, din-filled corners of The Deadwood, in Iowa City during the ’90s. But despite his understated fame, Ramsey has played a tremendous role in shaping the midwest blues-rock scene. He’s one of the original Iowa City blues-rock boys, along with Greg Brown, David Zollo, David Moore. In fact, Ramsey’s guitar work can be heard on their albums, many of which he has even produced. But Ramsey’s biggest call to the spotlight probably came from Lucinda Williams, who contacted him immediately after hearing Down To Bastrop in the early ’90s. So impressed was Williams with his inimitable guitar work that she invited him to play on her Grammy-winning Car Wheels On A Gravel Road, after which he joined her on tour — twice, as he went on to produce and play on her follow-up album, Essence. With his new CD, Fragile, due for release on April 8th, Ramsey is on a solo tour this time, and gracing us with his music.

    8 p.m., The Cedar, 416 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-388-2674; $18.