Author: Cristina Córdova

SPECIAL EVENT
Wood Grooves

Join us at the Gallery of Wood Art tonight for Gallery Grooves, The Rake’s monthly art, jazz, and
wine event. Socialize and discuss the latest jazz with Kevin Barnes
from KBEM, view artwork for sale, and enjoy wine info and sampling courtesy of The Wine Company. The gallery’s current exhibition, Turning Green: Art with an
Eco-twist, is sometimes serious, sometimes humorous, and always
thought-provoking. Plus, enjoy a special sneak preview of Woodturning in Basic Black. Dramatic forms take the front seat with works in black by fourteen contemporary top studio turners. —Jennifer Havrish

7 to 9 p.m., American Association of Woodturners Gallery of Wood Art, Landmark Center, 75 W. 5th St., St. Paul; 651-484-9094; free.

 

BOOKS & AUTHORS
Waking Mind and Body

Matthew Sanford has been a paraplegic since the age of 13. And while some of us may gasp, think "poor guy," or begin assessing our own apparent luck, Sanford inspires much more than these piddly, contrived reactions. For the past 28 years the man has dedicated himself to.. well… healing — healing himself, helping guide others toward healing, helping to clear the path and hone the tools, preparing the environment and showing, through example, what this all means. What does he do? A little bit of everything. He shares, I guess. He’s a public speaker. He’s a yoga instructor who believes, "we all live on a continuum of abilities and disabilities." He’s the founder of Mind Body Solutions, a non-profit dedicated to "the simple and practical notion that minds and bodies work better together." And he’s the author of Waking: A Memoir of Trauma and Transcendence, which narrates his "healing journey—from near death to
triumphant life and all the stops in between." As it happens, Sanford is also an Orono Middle School parent, so he’ll be gracing the school with his presence this evening to share his experiences with us and read from his memoir. Now in its fifth edition, Waking won the People’s Choice Award at the 2007 Minnesota
Book Awards.

7 to 8:30 p.m., Orono Middle School, 800 Crystal Bay Rd., Orono; 952-449-8450.

FILM
Plagues & Pleasures on the Salton Sea

What kind of natural wonder could possibly bring together a beer-loving Hungarian Revolutionary Hunky Daddy, a sign-weilding nudist, a man whose religious vision includes building a mountain out of mud and paint, a real-estate agent nicknamed "The Landman," and thousands of dead birds and fish? That would be Califoria’s Salton Sea, and the new documentary Plagues & Pleasures on the Salton Sea set out to explore the history and people behind this polluted lake that has been called one of Americans greatest ecological disasters. A question and answer session with the film’s director, Chris Metzler, will follow tonight’s screening. —Kate McDonald

7 p.m., Minnesota Museum of American Art, 50 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul; 651-291-2947; free.

Into the Darkness

Ever wonder if a storm drain looks the same in Glasgow as it does in
St. Paul? How about what the catacombs in Paris look like from the
inside, or what being in an abandoned NASA rocket in Florida is like?
These are just some of the places where Minnesota filmmaker Melody Gilbert
takes us in her new documentary Urban Explorers: Into the Darkness. The
film follows a subculture of young adventurers who explore the
abandoned and underground sites in some of the world’s biggest cities.
Sometimes chased by police or having to wade knee-deep through sewage,
these explorers seek not only the thrill of the unknown and dangerous but
also to try to understand the history and witness the beauty that these
rarely seen sites hold. Tonight, you can do a little exploring of your own. —Kate McDonald

7 p.m., Riverview Theater, 3800 42nd Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-729-7369; $8.

 

MUSIC
Mel Gibson and the Pants

One should not hold Mel Gibson’s recent unfavorable behavior against them. The fact of the matter is that the 5-piece hip-hop and electronic rock band Mel Gibson and the Pants existed years before Mel’s name became synonymous with anti-Semitic remarks and poorly and impaired driving decisions. Indeed, back in 2004 Mel only conjured visions of a rougedly handsome blue-face-painted Scottish military hero — just the kind of vision for which a good band should be named. And despite the recent negative publicity now associated with their namesake, Mel Gibson and the Pant’s unique sound has made them a favorite, not only on the local scene but on the national front as well due to their recent collaborations with P.O.S. and Eyedea. —Kate McDonald

9 p.m., The Nomad, 501 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-338-6424.

MUSIC
Love and Madness in the 17th Century

I don’t know about everyone else, but as far as I’m concerned, the
holidays officially begin as soon as December rolls around; and if you haven’t noticed, December already rolled in. Haven’t you notice the snow? Isn’t it obvious? Now, the trick is getting into the holiday spirit while still getting your work done, right? Simple — a lot of long lunches. It’s OK; you can show up a little earlier than usual to make up the time. (After all, it may be the only way to see some daylight.) So, kick in the holidays today with a little afternoon Coffee Concert: Music of Love and Madness in the 17th Century. Mmmmm… Sounds like a delicious lunch to me — Julie Elhard on viola da gamba, Phil Rukavina on lute and theorbo,
Kim Sueoka singing soprano, and Jane Peck performing period dance.

12 p.m., St. Paul Conservatory of Music, 29 E Exchange St., St. Paul; 651-224-2205.

COMEDY
Give the Pooch a Deep-Belly Roar

What do a grinning Pomeranian and an episode of VH1’s I Love the ’80s have in common? Well, apparently, they both have a little Bill Dywer in them — tonight’s stand-up act at Acme Comedy Club. For a man who has compared himself to a Westminster Kennel Club show dog in the way in which he thrives on the public judgment of his performance, Dywer also casts a fair amount of sarcastic judgment on himself, with a polished routine that pokes fun at married life with kids, family, and responsibility. Appearing as a regular commentator on many VH1 series (including I Love the ’80s), as well as guest-starring on Ally McBeal and appearing as a contestant on Last Comic Standing 4, Dwyer has an impressive resume and is an Acme favorite. —Kate McDonald

8 p.m., Acme Comedy Company, Historic Itasca Building, 708 1st St. N., Minneapolis; 612-338-6393; $15, $27 dinner and show package.

THEATER & PERFORMANCE
Why Settle for One?

A play involving a DUI-sentenced Santa Claus seems perfectly suited for dinner theater at a place called Spill the Wine. And indeed Ensemble Productions delivers with one generous helping of dysfunctionally festive cheer and merriment in their new play 7 Santas. Enjoy a top-notch three-course meal and kick back a few glasses of wine while you watch Mr. Claus hit rock bottom and be sent off to rehab. Talk about some authentic holiday cheer! —Kate McDonald

7 p.m., Spill The Wine Restaurant, 1101 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-245-8466; $20, $40 with dinner, $75 for two.

MUSIC
The Queen of Soul

After forty years in the business, soul singer Bettye Lavette is finally getting the attention she deserves. Her 2003 release, A Woman Like Me, helped Lavette win the W.C. Handy Award in
2004 for Comeback Blues Album of the Year, as well as the Living Blues
critic pick as Best Female Blues Artist of 2004. And her latest CD, Scene of the Crime debuted at the number one spot on Billboard’s Top Blues Album chart in the first week of its release.

7 & 9 p.m., Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant, 1010 Nicollet, Downtown Minneapolis, 612-332-1010, $30 & $22.

Tuesday Night Music Series for Free Improvisation

George Cartwright has a reputation as one of the great unsung composers in modern jazz and a treasure in the Minnesota music scene. Rather proficient as of late, his Gloryland Ponycat ensemble (featuring Fog’s Andrew Broder) recently graced the Cedar’s stage with a meticulous set of fiery free jazz, subtle micro-tonal compositions, and rock-inspired dirges. He’s also released a new CD that is getting rave reviews. For the unfamiliar, Cartwright’s brand of avant-garde jazz is in a lineage beginning with Ornette Coleman — which is to say that his noise is passionate, intense, and heady. Here at the Acadia — as part of the Tuesday night series for free and improvised music — he is scaling back and performing as a duo with Davu Seru on percussion. Expect this performance to be Cartwright at his most experimental and unhinged. Also performing is Gerald Prokop on circuit-bent keyboard and 100% Certified. You won’t find a more far-out evening of music on a Tuesday. —Christopher Hontos

8 p.m., Acadia Cafe, 1931 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-874-8702; $3.

BOOKS & AUTHORS
The Spectacular Rise of a Black Power Icon

Well, it’s certainly not the ’60s anymore, and perhaps we’ve lost a fair amount of our rebellion, but I have to believe the ideals still exist… somewhere. Right here in our backyard, or rather at Macalester College, one woman struggles to keep the ideals alive. "In Framing the Black Panthers, cultural historian Jane Rhodes examines the extraordinary staying power of the Panthers in the American imagination by probing their relationship to the media. Rhodes argues that once the media and pop culture latched onto the small, militant group, the Panthers became adept at exploiting and manipulating this coverage–through pamphlets, buttons, posters, ubiquitous press appearances, and photo ops–pioneering a sophisticated version of mass media activism. Paradoxically, the news media participated in the government campaign to eradicate the Panthers while simultaneously elevating them to a celebrity status that remains long after their demise."

7:30 p.m., Magers & Quinn Booksellers, 3038 Hennepin Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-822-4611.

THEATER & PERFORMANCE
Plumfield, Iraq

Barbara Lebow’s new play, Plumfield, Iraq, follows two high school buddies into the army, where they go to escape their small town life in Plumfield, Washington. This evening’s performance, directed by Nancy Kawalek, takes us on a journey "to unexpected destinations of the mind" as we hear from the two young men, their friends, girlfriends, and families.

7 p.m., The Playwrights’ Center, 2301 Franklin Ave. E., Minneapolis; 612-332-7481; free.

FILM
Kurt Cobain: About a Son

Since his suicide thirteen years ago, many of us have been struggling to understand Kurt Cobain’s tragic life. Tonight, director A.J. Schnack offers an inside glimpse into the late musician’s life, told in Cobain’s own words. Kurt Cobain: About a Son contains never-before-heard audiotape interviews conducted by Michael Azerrand for his book Come As You Are: The Story of Nirvana. Hear Cobain discuss his successes and failures, get a glimpse into his childhood and his explosive fame, and maybe get one step closer to understanding the loss we all experienced on April 8th, 1994.

7 & 9 p.m., Bell Auditorium, 10 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis; $8 (students $6, members/seniors $5).

 

LECTURE
Emerging Digerati

Stay up to date with some of the most interesting new media work in town. The Institute for New Media Studies and the Digital Technology Center will host an "open mike" tonight as the final event of the 2007 Emerging Digerati series. Featured work can be anything having to do with new media: games, web designs, music, art, video, anything.

5:30-7:30 p.m., Walter Library, Room 401 (Digital Technology Center), 117 Pleasant St. S.E., Minneapolis; 612-624-0224; free.

SHOPPING
Give the Gift of Art

The Placement Gallery Shop is open for the holidays. Stop by for some one-of-a-kind Christmas shopping: original artwork by some of our most
talented artists. You’ll find paintings, ceramics, miniature wood carvings, Gocco prints, cards, and other wonderful gifts by Amy Rice, Allen Brewer, Tom & Nancy Coleman, Jennifer Davis, Greg Gossel, JAO, Nick Howard, Yuri Arajs, Allen Christian, Keegan Wenkman, Ernest Miller, and others.

10-7 p.m. (through December 24), The Placement Gallery Shop, 651 Nicollet Mall, Gaviidae Common, (street level, next to Saks), Minneapolis; 612-338-3799.

 

MUSIC & PERFORMANCE
Advent Show with Ruth MacKenzie & Mila Vocal Ensemble

If you’re looking for a way to celebrate the upcoming holidays as we just step into December, you might want to check out this evening’s Advent concert. Created and performed by Ruth MacKenzie — accompanied by the Mila Vocal Ensemble and Unity Singers Choir — Theotokos celebrates the Virgin Mary, mother of God. Using Christmas music from around the world, Theotokos retells the ancient story of the Nativity as a renewal of creation: connecting theology, ecology, and our everyday lives.

7:30 p.m., United Theological Seminary, 3000 5th St. N.W., New Brighton; 651-633-4311; $20 (students $10).

DANCE
Zenon Dance

It’s a big month for Zenon Dance Company. For one, they hop aboard the holiday treadmill with their premiere of The Nutcracker According to Mother Goose
on December 15. But the company’s signature aesthetic—athleticism and
precision, not to mention sophisticated musical tastes—will be better
displayed this weekend, at its twenty-fifth anniversary
program. Five works by Zenon’s favorite choreographers, including Danny
Buraczeski, Doug Varone, and Wynn Fricke, are set to music by Marianne
Faithfull, Steve Reich, and Jelly Roll Morton, to name but a few. The
highlight is likely to be a reprise from Zenon’s Spring 2007 program:
“Catching Her Tears (44°N, 93°W)” is a stark, abstracted meditation on
loss from New York choreographer Colleen Thomas, who was inspired in
part by the plight of a local friend (the title includes the
coordinates of Minneapolis). —Christy DeSmith

Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 1 & 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 7 p.m., Guthrie Theater, 818 South 2nd St., Minneapolis; 612-377-2224; $22-34.

AWARD SHOW
The Best in British TV Advertising

Everything’s better with a British accent, including television commercials, right? The Walker Art Center sure seems to think so; in fact, accented advertising art has even earned its own set of award shows. Today marks the first of 15 screenings of the 2007 British Television Advertising Awards, which last year attracted almost 17,000 people and has become one of the most popular annual showcases over the last 19 years. Many of the shows are already sold out, but if you act fast you can still get tickets for Sunday. —Kate McDonald

Sunday at 1 & 3 p.m., Walker Art Center, 1750 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; 612-375-7600; $10 (members $8).

 

STYLE
Wrap Up Something Special

If fashion defines the person, what kind of person are you? From whips and leather, to pearls and embroidered couture fabrics, this weekend showcases fashion finds from distinct corners of the designing world.

First, local designers from Joynoelle, Penny Larsen Jewelry, and Apiary Design come together for a holiday gift party that features handbags hats, coats, dresses, jewelry, personal stationary and notecards — all of which can be custom made by Christmas. Joynoelle, headed by fashion designer Joy Teiken, creates couture designs which have appeared in numerous local magazines and stores across the nation. Her Fall 2007 line was featured at New York Fashion Week. Penny Larsen’s local bridal and eveningwear jewelry is influenced by Larsen’s travels in Asia and her love of Renaissance and Celtic creations. Apiary Design creates stationary, holiday and announcement cards, and custom wedding invitations inspired by decadent wallpaper and textiles.

Friday from 4 to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Joynoelle Boutique and Atelier, 312 W. 42nd St. (42nd & Grand), Minneapolis; 612-209-7822.

However, if less bridal and more burial is what you are after you might want to turn instead tonight to Ground Zero nightclub for Zirkus: A Dark Carnival of Fashion, with local designs by Zum-spietal, Velluto Nero, Blasphemina’s Closet, and Faux Face Fashions. The designers each feature urban gothic and fetish designs, with a futuristic feel of mesh, plastic, and leather sure to bring out the dark side of you. And if that’s not enough to turn you on, stay for the fire-eaters and belly dancers. —Kate McDonald

Friday at 9 p.m., Ground Zero, 15 N.E. 4th St., Minneapolis; 612-378-5115; $8.

 

MUSIC
Tegan and Sara

Tegan and Sara
have a quirky combo of high-concept modifiers to grab your
attention—they’re lesbian twin sisters from Calgary—but their strengths
are much more mundane and potent than that. Their latest, The Con,
retains a handcrafted, DIY spirit, but the vocals are less girlish and
the arrangements less cheesy than their 2004 breakthrough, So Jealous.
In terms of songwriting, Sara’s tunes are more brainy and assertive,
Tegan’s more emo and introspective. Their confessions are vague—“I’m
not unfaithful/but I’ll stray,” and “Nobody likes to/But I really like
to cry,” for examples—but the sincerity is straightforward enough to
carry such lyrics past preciousness, where they become verbal hooks
that are as catchy as Tegan and Sara’s spare but memorable melodies.
Some people call it folk-punk, but it’s really a couple of impish
Canucks flying by the seat of their considerable intuitions. —Britt Robson

Friday at 8 p.m., Pantages Theater, 710 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; 612-339-7007; $25-$27.50.

 

Ben Glaros

Ben Glaros’s music is that of the familiar: songs about falling in and out of love; shoutouts to familiar
local uptown hotspots like Spyhouse Coffee and the Mayday Cafe; a folk rock blend that includes harmonicas, cellos, and
mandolins; and a stint in the local indie pop rock
scene since the mid 1980s. In his debut full-length album, Lovesong Roulette, Glaros proves the preeminence of the familiar as he teams up with other local
greats, including Michael Ferrier and Greg Schutte. Expect more great collaborations this evening as Glaros shares the stage with none
other than the familiar local legend Slim Dunlap, formally of the
Replacements. —Kate McDonald

Saturday at 8 p.m., The Cedar, 416 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-338-2674; $15.

And don’t forget to swing by the Uptown Theatre tonight for a little Blade Runner action — the Final Cut. Woohoo!

FILM

The Orphanage

After falling more and more in love with Pan’s Labyrinth every
day for the past year, I’m fairly certain I’d go see anything with
Guillermo del Toro’s name behind it. Yet I do have to admit that I was
somewhat disappointed when I finally realized that he didn’t actually
direct the soon-to-be-released film, The Orphanage. While Del
Toro is, in fact, executive producer, the film holds true to his style,
his beautiful dream-like quality. Juan Antonio Bayona’s "chilling first
feature" reflects many of the same preoccupations: "the dream-life of
children, strong but broken female characters and, most importantly,
the modernization of gothic horror." Taking Del Toro’s seemingly
classic tales into more unstable terrain, Bayona manages to surprise
and scare us. The story takes place, of course, in an abandoned
orphanage — the site of fascist "horrors" during Franco’s reign — where
a former resident returns to live with her family. Well, you can only
imagine, and then you can share in the imagination of a upcoming
master. This is one sneak preview you don’t want to miss — and free at
that.

7:30 p.m., The Oak Street Cinema, 309 Oak Street SE, Minneapolis, 612-331-3134, free.

FILM
All City Youth Film Showcase

As a supplement to their March Girls in the Director’s Chair film festival, which only features work done by female filmmakers, The Walker Art Center has opened up its director’s chair to the boys for an All City Youth Film Showcase, featuring over 20 short films by Minnesota youth (under 18) of any gender. In partnership with Twin Cities Youth Media Network (TCYMN), the event is free to the public and includes a question and answer session with the young filmmakers following the screenings. —Kate McDonald

7 p.m., Walker Art Center, 1750 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; 612-375-7600; free.

 

BOOKS & AUTHORS
The Tallest Radical Humorist in the Midwest

At this point Bill Holm
probably qualifies as a literary lion. He looks the part, certainly
(Garrison Keillor has described him as “the tallest radical humorist in
the Midwest”), and has a pretty unconventional lifestyle by Minnesota
lit standards. Holm is an outsized personality, yet he’s also something
of an outstate recluse and a rambler. When he’s not hunkered down in
his little hometown of Minneota, Holm’s generally … well, somewhere
exotic else. He’s capable of writing about anyplace—and anything,
really—in an amiable yet erudite style in which, time and again, his
sui generis personality comes through loud and clear. His latest book, Windows of Brimnes: An American in Iceland,
is a dispatch from his favorite summer retreat, an Icelandic fishing
village, and is a sharp and often very funny study in cultural
contrast. —Brad Zellar

7 p.m., Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis; 612-630-6170.

 

MUSIC
Pierre-Laurent Aimard Conducts Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony

Artistic Partner and world-acclaimed pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard will conduct The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra this evening in a performance of Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony, Webern’s Concerto for 9 Instruments, and Schoenberg’s Three Pieces for Chamber Orchestra. After intermission Aimard will perform and conduct from the piano on Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor. If you like what you see, you can return in January for Aimard’s performance with soprano Dawn Upshaw.

8 p.m. (Friday at 10:30 a.m. & 8 p.m., Saturday at 8 p.m.), Ordway Center, 345 Washington St., St. Paul; 651-224-4222; $11-$59.

 

BOOKS & AUTHORS, AND MUSIC TOO
Muldoon Rocks the House

Paul Muldoon is a curious character, even by artistic standards,
and he’s been on a serious roll of late. To his growing list
of accomplishments — including ten collections of smart, allusive, and
often very funny poetry, as well as a Pulitzer Prize — he recently landed
the prestigious (and influential) gig as poetry editor at The New Yorker. That’s
all impressive scuttlebutt in the poetry world, but the Irish-born
Muldoon also fronts the rock band Rackett, and collaborated on a song
(subsequently recorded by Bruce Springsteen) with the late Warren Zevon.
Muldoon has also penned librettos for three operas, authored four
children’s books, and published numerous poetry translations. One way or
another, it seems highly likely that poetry’s 21st century Renaissance
man will rock the house. —Brad Zellar

7:30 p.m., University of Minnesota, Coffman Union Theater, 300 Washington Ave. S.E., Minneapolis; 612-625-3363; free.

FILM
The Truth about Nanking

On the cusp of World War II it seems preposterous that a Nazi businessman would be one of 22 Europeans and American expatriates who fought to save the lives of 250,000 Chinese refugees during the Japanese 1937 invasion of Nanking, China. However, Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman’s new documentary Nanking (showing tonight as part of The Walker Art Center’s Premieres: First Look series) sets out to expose this and other startling and unknown facts surrounding the Japanese raid and occupation of China’s capital. Based on Iris Chang’s book The Rape of Nanking, Nanking uses first-hand accounts of Chinese survivors, archival footage, letters, and diary entries to weave together a detailed portrait of the events and atrocities that occurred during the six-week Japanese invasion. The Sundance-winning film’s national premiere this December coincides with the 70th anniversary of the invasion itself. —Kate McDonald

7:30 p.m., Walker Art Center, 1750 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; 612-375-7600; $12 (members $10).

THEATER & PERFORMANCE
Bringing Our Town to Yours

It is plain to see that Normandale Community College’s hometown of Bloomington, Minnesota has little in common with the small 1930’s New Hampshire town that is the focus of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town. However, the play’s major themes, which celebrate the human interactions and experiences of everyday life, make Our Town accessible enough to be brought to the Lowry Lab stage almost 70 years after its original 1938 Broadway debut. Tonight’s performance is directed by Anne Byrd. —Kate McDonald

7:30 p.m., Lowry Lab Theater,
355 Wabasha St. N., St Paul; park in the Lowry Ramp, enter on Wabasha,
between 4th and 5th; 651-290-2290; $8.

MUSIC
Big D and the Kids Table

It never ceases to amaze why the punkification of multiple brass instruments is dominated by coastal metropolitan centers rather than the vaguely geek-friendly Midwest. To help fill the void left by cruel reality, Boston’s Big D and the Kids Table’s smallish but fiercely loyal fan base beckons thee to the Varsity Theater tonight for some serious East Coast ska punk bliss. A perennial opener in the Midwest for bands such as Catch 22 and side stages at Warped Tour (where they must compete with local names like Atmosphere and Motion City Soundtrack), Big D’s live show is guaranteed to deliver loud and intense fun. This septet gem should be nothing short of wicked. —Danielle Cabot

5 p.m., Varsity Theater, 1308 4th St. S.E., Minneapolis; 612-604-0222; $12.

THEATER & PERFORMANCE
I and I: The Sense of Self

Worried
about getting old? Worried about being old? Why don’t we respect age
like we used to? Haven’t we earned these years? Shouldn’t we wear them
proudly? Tackling the problem of aging, actor Charles Keating presents a one-man show tonight at the Guthrie. I and I: The Sense of Self
draws from W.B. Yeats, Shakespeare, T.S. Eliot, Alfred Einstein, and
other great masters, forming a collage of poems, opinions, essays, and
insights on the subject of age and ageing. “Mark Twain best described
age as an issue of mind over matter,” says Keating. “If you don’t mind,
it doesn’t matter.”

7:30 p.m., Guthrie, Dowling Studio, 818 South 2nd St., Minneapolis; 612-377-2224; $10.

LECTURE
The Way Things Are

Those of us with only a basic understanding of Buddhism might be just a bit confused as to how a Lama manages to justify physical pleasures. After all, doesn’t Buddhism guide us away from self-indulgence? Yes, but it also directs us toward the "true nature of reality." (Hmmm… the true nature of reality, eh? Well, that doesn’t sound so good if you take a look around you.) What better way to escape the pain and danger of existence than to confront it head on — look it dead in the eye? Perhaps this is what compels Lama Ole Nydahl to jump out of airplanes and take fast curves on his motorcycle. Perhaps it’s just his joy of life, his ability to appreciate the "true nature of reality" in ever nook and cranny of the world, underbelly and all. Lama Ole Nydahl, a Buddhist master from Denmark, offers guidance that is both modern and practical, relevant to our lifestyles. Sure, he appreciates extreme sports, but for three decades he has dedicated himself to traveling the world (with his wife), sharing his wisdom and "guiding people towards deep, enduring stability and freedom." We could all use a little bit of stability these days.

8 p.m., Minneapolis Central Library, Pohlad Hall, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis; 612-825-5055; $15, students $10.

PANEL
Isn’t It Time to Learn about the Hmong Community?

What do you know about your neighbors? The Twin Cities is home to the largest Hmong population in the United States. Did you know that, at least? How many of them do you know? What do you know about them? About their culture? Do you ever even read Hmong Today? (Did you even know it exists?) Isn’t it time? Tonight, you can learn about the Hmong culture from a panel of community leaders and journalists. Learn a little about what it means to be Hmong in Minnesota. Gain a little insight into the challenges of covering the community in both the mainstream and ethnic media.

7 p.m., The Hmong Cultural Center, 995 University Ave. W., Suite 214, St. Paul.

BOOKS & AUTHORS
Jim Walsh

To celebrate the publication of his labor of love/oral history, The Replacements: All Over But the Shouting, longtime Twin Cities music critic and columnist Jim Walsh
will be undertaking his own blitzkrieg, book-tour version of the Mats’
legendary ’85 five-night stand at the Entry. In the course of the week
you’ll have a couple of chances to share the love and relive the glory
and ignominy of one of the greatest bands ever to tear up local stages. —Brad Zellar

7:30 p.m., Barnes & Noble, Galleria, 70th & France Ave., Edina; free. Tomorrow at Electric Fetus/7th St. Entry (two separate events); get more information.

 

 

FILM
Terror’s Advocate

Jacques Vergès is probably one of the most controversial attorneys in history. When asked if he would have defended Hitler, he responded, "I would even defend George Bush, if he would plead guilty." Throughout his very public career, Vergès has defended Klaus Barbie (the "Butcher of Lyon"), Ilich Ramírez Sánchez (a.k.a. Carlos the Jackal; 1994), the Kelkal faction, Holocaust denier Roger Garaudy, and President Slobodan Milošević. How has he done this? With what convictions? Director Barbet Schroeder asks these questions and more in L’Avocat de la Terreur (Terror’s Advocate), a documentary about the enigmatic figure. "Schroeder explores and questions the history of ‘blind terrorism’ through his penetrating investigation of this compelling man and leads us towards shocking revelations that expose long-hidden links in history." French & English with English subtitles.

7:30 p.m., The Oak Street Cinema, 309 Oak Street SE, Minneapolis, 612-331-3134, $8.

MUSIC
Roy Hargrove

Just about a couple of decades ago, Wynton Marsalis was traveling through Texas, when he discovered an impressive Jazz trumpet talent at a local high school. Since then, Roy Hargrove has established himself as one of America’s greatest Jazz trumpeters. "Everstretching into more challenging and colorful ways to flex his musical chops, Hargrove has left indelible imprints in a vast array of artful settings." He is also the leader of The RH Factor, a progresive group combining elements of jazz, funk, hip-hop, soul, and gospel music. See him tonight flying solo.

7 & 9:30 p.m., Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant, 1010 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis; 612-332-1010; $40 & $25.

THEATER & PERFORMANCE
Mr. Marmalade by Noah Haidle

If last month’s feature on the death of the american imagination sparked a desire to bring it back to life, you might want to head out for the Red Eye Theater tonight for Noah Haidle’s dark comedy on the power of the imagination. "Four-year-old Lucy wants to have tea with her imaginary friend, Mr. Marmalade. But Mr. Marmalade is too busy at the office… and with his darker pastimes. Enter five-year-old Larry, the youngest suicide attempt in the history of New Jersey, plus the babysitter, a talking cactus, and Mr. Marmalade’s personal assistant, a much put-upon man who can sing like an angel." Now that’s imagination!

7:30 p.m., Red Eye Theater, 15 W. 14th St., Minneapolis; 612-870-7531; $16.