Author: Cristina Córdova

STYLE & THEATER
Fashion 47

Though she loves classics, Diane Paulus has a penchant for finding inspiration in the more theatrical aspects of pop culture. The New York City-based director recently staged Turandot in a professional wrestling ring, but she’s better known for her production of The Donkey Show, a disco adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. So it’s not surprising that fashion shows, what with all the elaborate costumes, makeup, and entrances and exits, became a recent and ripe subject for Paulus’s picking. By transplanting an ancient Japanese samurai narrative called Ronin 47 to the dog-eat-dog world of high fashion, Paulus has created a surprisingly family-friendly work in the style of Project Runway. Here’s an amusing tidbit from a production in which characters set out to out-design and out-strut one another: Instead of switching off their cell phones, theatergoers will use them, á la American Idol, to vote. –Christy DeSmith

7:30 p.m., Cargill Stage, Children’s Theatre, 2400 Third Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-874-0400; $12.

THEATER & PERFORMANCE
Just Before Sleep

While the Children’s Theatre is strutting their stuff on the runway in a pop tribute to American consumerism, the Youth Performance Company will be offering a somewhat more “socially conscious” performance. The subject? American homelessness — you know, the children who won’t be making it to the runway show, the children who won’t be wearing those clothes, the children who have never even seen Project Runway because they have no television, no home, and certainly no cell phone with which to vote. According to the Youth Performance Company’s website, 3500 Minnesotan children are either homeless or living in temporary arrangements on any given night. That’s a lot of children — a lot of children who are lacking what they need, and what they deserve. Just Before Sleep, a Theater All Year production opening this afternoon, “gives voice and dignity to a mother and her to children who struggle to survive on the streets while seeking shelter through the maze of social agencies.” Yes, it’s a tale of woe, but uplifting nonetheless. It’s a story of “unexpected friendship, fierce love, and survival.”

10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.), Howard Conn Fine Arts Center, 1900 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-623-9080; $12 (children $10).

FILM
On The Lot with Andrew Hunt

It’s Membership Week at IFP, which means film, video, and photography folks can expect ample opportunity for networking and professional development; and the rest of you guys can mooch off the events. OK, not mooch, really, as you’ll have to pay a slightly higher price; but at least you’ll be able to benefit from it. (Or simply avoid the higher price by becoming a member. IFP is offering $10 off the price of membership through the end of October.) Start cashing in tonight as Andrew Hunt shares his On the Lot experiences. When Andrew Hunt heard that the FOX reality-show was looking for the nation’s next big director, he jumped at the chance. “Selected from over 12,000 hopefuls, Andrew wrote and directed numerous short films on national television under incredible pressure and overnight deadlines, eventually emerging as one of five finalists before being voted off the show.” Tonight he shares his experiences, lessons, and work samples from the show and discusses how he and his company, Sleepy Eye, have parlayed that exposure into new connections and opportunities. Finally, a real look at how these ridiculous shows actually help people’s careers.

7 p.m., IFP Minnesota, 2446 University Ave. W., Suite 100, St. Paul; 651-644-1912; $8 (IFP & MFA members $5).

MUSIC & TRIVIA
Big Brain Bash

No, this has nothing to do with Big Brain Comics — nor Big Brain Academy nor Big Brain Tattoos. Clearly, we just like the idea of having a big brain. Or is it a big bash, in this case? Somehow, I doubt there’ll be too big a showing, but there’s a pretty good chance you’ll get to flex that brain a bit. Always looking to host intellectually stimulating events, the Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library bring you an evening of music, laughter, and trivia at Minneapolis Central Library. The evening’s entertainment will include a trivia challenge hosted by the infamous and very funny quiz master John Cosgrove, and fiddle and guitar music from Irish duo Nathan Gourley and Brian Miller. Put together a team of four, or come on your own. The price of admission includes appetizers and a free cocktail. And no, you can’t google the trivia questions. And no, Google is not a verb.

7 p.m., Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis; 612-630-6000; $25.

MUSIC
Vintage Soul in a Shiny Pink Wrapper

There’s far too much pink on her website (and in her hair). She has a cheesy fake hearts-and-peace-and-love tattoo bursting out all over her back. And if that’s not bad enough, she’s performing at Myth, which great as it may be, I consider to be on the far side of the boondocks. There’s certainly a whole lot of fodder with which to fuel an increased resistance to new experiences, the great unknown. And yet… I’ll leave you with just one thing: She’ll make you feel sexy if you let her. Stone serves up vintage soul like few others. James Brown recognized it. Stevie Wonder recognized it. The Rolling Stones even recognized it. (She’s played with all of them, as well as with Elton John, Patti Labelle, Mavis Staples, Donna Summer, and Smokey Robinson.) So, recognize, my friends. Recognize. Opening for Stone is Georgia native Ryan Shaw, another worthy vintage soul man. Mmm… if only he could see how sexy you feel.

6:30 p.m., Myth, 3090 Southlawn Dr., Maplewood; 651-989-5151; $38.

THEATER & PERFORMANCE
Double Your Pleasure

Theatre Limina invites you to “double your pleasure, double your fun,” tonight at its 2nd Annual Burlesque Show and Fundraiser. Two years, two purposes, two nights, two babes at a time (and so much more). “Order up your favorite cocktail, and watch our bawdy babes shake their bitchin’ booties. We’ve got hungry harlots, prurient poets, tarty tramps, and licentious ladies of the evening.” Tonight is preview night, but don’t miss out on Sunday’s benefit performance and silent auction.

7p.m., Bryant Lake Bowl, 810 W. Lake St., Minneapolis; 612-82-8949; $15.

Home Place

Brian Friel is one of Northern Ireland’s most celebrated playwrights today. Dancing at Lughnasa, probably his most successful play, won three Tony Awards in 1992, including Best Play; and Translations, an earlier work, has gone on to become a telling allegory of the troubles in Northern Ireland. Now, his most recent work, The Home Place makes its American premiere after a sold-out season in Dublin and another successful season in London. And it’s all happening right here, at the Guthrie. Set in a big house in Ireland at the end of the nineteenth century, The Home Place tells the story of a landlord and his son, whose lives come undone with the arrival of an English cousin.

7:30 p.m., McGuire Proscenium Stage, Guthrie Theater, 818 S. 2nd St., Minneapolis; 612-377-2224; $29-$49.

MUSIC
Lavay Smith & The Red Hot Skillet Lickers

First there was Bessie Smith, then Dinah Washington and Billie Holiday. Now, there’s Lavay Smith, today’s jazz and blues diva. And just as Bessie had Clarence Williams, just as Billie had Lester Young and Count Basie, just as Dinah had Max Roach, Lavay Smith has the Red Hot Skillet Lickers at her back — and you can’t ask for a more swingin’ jazz and blues band these days. Enjoy their vast array of original compositions and jazz and blues classics tonight and tomorrow night.

7 and 9 p.m., Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant, 1010 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-332-1010; $30 and $20.

Sons and Daughters of Folk

It’s hard to resist mentioning her father when writing about Pieta Brown. Sure, it’s a great claim to fame in its own right — to be Greg Brown’s daughter; to grow up in his midst, in his embrace, his love; to be the subject of so many beautiful songs. But the truth is, Pieta is much more than this. While some might say that she reflects her father’s greatness like the very moon — actually, the light is all her own. She’s been in town quite a bit lately, but tonight’s performance is a double whammy, as the Iowa girl will perform alongside another great “seedling.” Benson Ramsey — son of Greg Brown’s longtime producer and sideman Bo Ramsey — now makes up half of The Pines, an up-and-coming roots, blues, and indie rock duo (with David Huckfelt). While it’s certainly more common to see Pieta sharing a stage with Bo than with Benson, I suspect this is not the first time the two have played together; at least now they’re not wearing diapers.

7:30 p.m., Varsity Theater, 1308 4th St. S.E., Minneapolis; 612-604-0222; $12.

Qui? Quien? Who? Huh?

While they’ve been around for seven years, there’s a pretty good chance you hadn’t heard of Qui until last year, when drummer/vocalist Paul Christensen and guitarist/vocalist Matt Cronk were joined by vocalist David Yow of The Jesus Lizard and Scratch Acid fame. Heck, let’s be honest: There’s a pretty good chance this is the first you’ve heard of them. But that would mean you’re no longer on the cutting edge of the whacked-out indie punk-rock world. Can you live with that? Either way, it might be worth your while to go see 7th Street Entry, 701 1st Ave. N., Minneapolis; 612-332-1775; $12.