Author: Cristina Córdova

BOOKS & AUTHORS
Raking Through Books

Join us this evening for our Happy Hour Book Club. Come celebrate the Great Minnesota Get-Together in literary style. Four authors gather to share their insights on all things State Fair–from crop art to 4-H cakes, from Pronto Pups to Midway prizes. This evening’s authors include Linda Koutsky & Kathryn Strand Koutsky, authors of Minnesota State Fair: An Illustrated History; Karal Ann Marling, author of Blue Ribbon; and Colleen Sheehy, author of Seed Queen, the Story of Crop Art. (All books are available for sale at a 20% discount at the University of Minnesota Bookstore.) Flaunt your knowledge in a State Fair trivia contest and win State Fair tickets! Plus… the best thing of all… haiku on a stick! All are welcome, even if you have not read the books.

5:30 p.m., Kieran’s Irish Pub, 330 2nd Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-339-4499; free. Park at Downtown Auto Park, 4th and Marquette; $2 with Kieran’s parking voucher.

MUSIC
In Lieu of Wilco, Head for the Dark Side

Sorry, folks. The Wilco show at the Bayfront Festival Park has been rescheduled for Tuesday, September 4. Unfortunately, our lovely Wilco and his guitarist have come down with a mean case of Chicken Pox. I’d hate to see him up there scratching.

There are, however, still tickets to the Marilyn Manson show this evening at the Xcel Energy Center. And who is the goth lord playing with? None other than Slayer. Ouch. For those of you with a 90s dark side (sorry, mine is definitely an 80s dark side), head out for the show this evening. According to the band’s reps, they’re going all out for this tour with a beefed-up performance, full sets, and great music, of course. Don’t miss Manson’s first gig at the Xcel Center.

7 p.m., Xcel Energy Center, 175 West Kellogg Blvd., Kellogg Boulevard and W. Seventh St., St. Paul; 651-726-8240; $59.

A Glimpse at the Past, or a Peek at the Future?

Damian D, currently of Heaven Zone and Bankrupt in Panama (that I know of), will be getting back together with Joel Blum (lead singer), Jill Bartyzal (bassist), and B.T. Hanson (drummer) for a Blume reunion show this evening at Lee’s Liquor Lounge. Come on out and enjoy Blume’s hybrid folk, with touches of hip hip and jazz, and a dash of Tom Waits. Hopefully, this reunion signals a more permanent union; but, no promises, folks; catch it while you can. Tonight’s show promises to be a good one with a lineup that also includes Dreamland Faces and The Acoustic Death Machine. These guys (and gals) are all worthy of note, and quite a lot of fun. I guess there’s a dash of Tom Waits in all of us.

9:15, Lee’s Liquor Lounge, 101 Glenwood Ave., Minneapolis; 612-338-9491; free.

RAKING THE NET
Fodder

Truly Awful Stuff
Random Good Stuff

BOOKS AND AUTHORS
Dan Mathews IS Committed

If you like to challenge the status quo, you’re in for a real treat tonight. Dan Mathews, the force behind PETA, is in town tonight to share his memoir, Committed: A Rabble-Rouser’s Memoir. Mathews writes about growing up as a poor, gay, punk-rocker in conservative Orange County, California — the abuse he endured, his passion for animal rights, and how he started PETA. He goes on to share the planning, chaos, and consequences of his most daring protests. This is bound to be be fascinating considering the chaos and riots that resulted from his many protest. I mean, you must remember his “I’d Rather Go Naked than Wear Fur” campaign.

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

MUSIC AND A MOVIE
Another Sultry Night

The Walker’s Summer Music & Movies in Loring Park are coming to an end soon, so be sure to head over before it’s too late. Tonight’s performance features the music of Robert Skoro with the Douglas Sirk film, Imitation of Life. You might remember Skoro in his first role as Mason Jennings’ bass player. (Did you go see Mason Jennings last night at the 400 Bar?) Since then Skoro has gone on to become one of our most noted singer/songwriters. His band features Andy Thompson (Dan Wilson, Mike Doughty), Bill Mike (TBD), Adrian Suarez (Vicious Vicious), and James Buckley (Mystery Palace). The film, Imitation of Life, one of Sirk’s biggest hits, tells the story of an aspiring actress (Lana Turner) who spends more time on her career than on her own daughter. You know the story. It’s the typical tale of empty appearances and hallow lifestyles. But that’s not all. Sirk also explores internalized racism through the African-American housekeeper’s relationship with her own daughter.

7 p.m. (movie at dusk, around 8:45 p.m.), Loring Park; free.

MUSIC
The Devil’s Bastard Son

I confess, when I was about 16 years old — and a very angry teenager with an orange mohawk — I used to get into my bright yellow Toyota Corolla, which I called my batmobile, and drive around blasting Peter Murphy and Wall of Voodoo to unleash my anger. It helped. Really, it did. And they hold a dear place in my heart for helping me bear my teenage angst; so of course I’m pleased to hear that Stan Ridgway is in town tonight. While I no longer carry that sort of anger like a monkey on my back, I can still appreciate an occasional unleashing. And I’m hoping for a rock-hard show.

7 p.m., Varsity Theater, 1308 4th St. N.E., Minneapolis; 612-604-0222; $20.

It all started a couple years ago with Bob. Bob started video taping his 60-second rant and posting them online. These were your typical daily rants, rants about the news, rants about the world, rants about Tyra Bank’s dolphin phobia — Drinking with Bob — rants that you could hear at any bar on a Friday night, after a long week of work — only they were taken out of context, just a 60-second rants into the void (ok, in this case, cyberspace). The guy was funny, is funny — hilarious in fact. Some time last year, my boss at the interactive advertising agency where I was working went on and on in a meeting about the beauty of Drinking with Ian. “You’re sure it’s not Bob,” I asked. It wasn’t. It isn’t. And while he might not be the most original act in town, he’s certainly funny. But here’s the real comedy: you could a part of his act tonight. I don’t have the full details, but there’s a Drinking with Ian live televised event at First Avenue tonight. Go out and flaunt your stuff.

Friday at 8 p.m., First Avenue, 701 First Ave. N., Minneapolis; 612-332-1775; $5.

PERFORMANCE
Burlesque in Minneapolis

If you’ve previously experienced Le Cirque Rouge de Gus Cabaret and Burlesque! then I don’t have to say a word. This is great stuff, folks. How often do you get anything even remotely resembling burlesque in Minnesota? I don’t know; maybe I’m missing something here. Apart from a few theatrical performances each year that include short skirts and perhaps even a funny hat, we’re not much of a burlesque town. (Strip clubs don’t count, people. I don’t consider a cooch grinding in my face burlesque at all. It’s just not funny. Slightly parodic perhaps, but not funny.) Just go. Check it out. Give a little more kudos to the 331 Club for all the cool stuff that they’re doing.

Saturday at 10 p.m., 331 Club, 331 N.E. 13th Ave., Minneapolis; 612-331-1746.

MUSIC
Damn, We’re Lucky!

Friday:
Son Volt is playing with former Leatherwoods and Jayhawks drummer Tim O’Reagan at the Minnesota Zoo ($27).
Mason Jennings is playing with the fabulous Pieta Brown at the 400 Bar.
Bruce Henry is serving up his jazz and blues blend “with echoes of Luther Vandross,” at the Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant.
Johnny Winter is sharing his old school whiteman blues at the Cabooze. You really shouldn’t miss this master guitarman.
And Keyshia Cole is offering up a little R&B at Trocaderos ($45.25, table-seated VIP $83, couch-seated VIP $110.50).
How are you going to choose?!

Saturday: The Rentals

When bassist Matt Sharp left Weezer, the group he cofounded, in 1998, he traded in stardom for something a bit more obscure. Listening to The Rentals (Sharp’s main project since the mid-’90s), there’s a sense that their songs are targeted at the mainstream, yet the band itself tends toward shyness. Since their 1995 single “Friends of P,” The Rentals’ tunes have been delightfully poppy, but still somehow enigmatic — uplifting melodies pinned down by mournful lyrics. Their new album, The Last Life EP, builds on their past work, offering densely layered (think synthesizers, synthesizers, and more synthesizers) yet delightfully harmonic songs. Expect an all-out rock performance, even though several of the band members are prone to wear thick, face-obscuring glasses. — by Max Ross

Saturday at 6 p.m., First Avenue, 701 First Ave. N., Minneapolis; 612-332-1775; $16.

Also here this weekend, before continuing the tour, is our very own Sick of Sarah. Saturday at 8:30 p.m., at the Cabooze, Minneapolis; Sunday at 9 p.m., Dinkytowner, Minneapolis.

NOTE: I’ll be updating this post shortly with a few great videos for the Fringe Fest show you should look out for this weekend.

BOOKS
Writing the Unwritten

With Burning Down the House (1997), a collection of essays on writing, Charles Baxter became a fixture, by proxy, in fiction workshops everywhere. In his new book, The Art of Subtext: Beyond Plot (Graywolf Press), Baxter goes on to explore the unwritten aspects of writing. He sets out to prove that, in fiction, “What is displayed evokes what is not displayed, like a party where the guests discuss, at length, those who are not in attendance.” Remarkably (but just as expected) Baxter does so with eloquence and conviction, using literary reference and personal anecdote to mine the meanings hidden in prose, and to cement his reputation as a guru of contemporary fiction. — by Max Ross

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

The Artist’s Bookshelf: The Inheritance of Loss

Some of us are not blessed with a group of superbly intelligent friends who want to sit around for hours each week discussing literature. No, not any more. (And at times I’m even almost glad for that; but mostly it makes me want to weep.) In the end, you have a few choices. You could become a neurotic internet freak who learns to count caresses in bytes. You could spend thousands upon thousands of poorly earned dollars on endless years of therapy. Or you could get out more, perhaps even admitting that you need “events” to bring you together with others like you. Woohoo. Onward. Start out this evening with a discussion of Kiran Desai’s The Inheritance of Loss at the Walker. Set in mid-80s India, on the eve the Nepalese independence movement, Desai’s latest novel examines just about every contemporary international issue you can imagine: globalization, fundamentalism, poverty, terrorism, and exile — all with a very personal touch. Check out the discussion questions before you go, so that you’ll sound truly brilliant. And if you have an hour to spare beforehand, start out the evening with the 6 p.m. gallery tour.

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

LECTURES
It’s News to Me

Well, how do you like that. As I’m raking the net and my files for things to do, I come across this little doozy: Our very own Rake food critic is speaking tonight at the Minneapolis Central Library — and it has absolutely nothing to do with food. While most of us know Jeremy Iggers from his many years as the Star Tribune food critic, his talents extend far beyond any dining room table. In fact, in addition to his work with The Rake, Iggers also “daylights” as executive director of the Twin Cities Media Alliance. You’ll find numerous articles of his at Twin Cities Daily Planet. If you like what you see, then you should definitely put your name on the waiting list for “New about the News: The Scoop on Today’s Media” tonight. That’s right; there’s a waiting list. But don’t worry. If you don’t get in tonight, you’ll have another shot next week to hear what Iggers has to say about media in the digital age.

6:30 p.m., Minneapolis Central Library, Doty Board Room, 300 Nicollet Mall, Mpls; 612-630-6000; free, but R.S.V.P.

THEATER & PERFORMANCE
Ahhh… Kevin Kling Appears After All

OK. Maybe all the Kevin Kling fans will stop complaining now. When he didn’t make it into this year’s Fringe Festival, everyone starting crying injustice. It’s random, isn’t it? Too bad. But the great thing about previous years of Fringe Fest success, is that you don’t really need the Fringe Fest in the end.The truth is, theaters are lucky to get his shows. And the lucky theater this evening (or should I say theatre?) is the Open Eye Figure Theatre. Tonight’s show, Come and Get It is a collaboration with Open Eye’s Michael Sommers, cellist Michelle Kinney, and songstress/squeezebox artist Simone Perrin. Their description? “Think of it as an exploration of the seen and unseen world via story, image and song.” Not exactly very informative, but certainly at least somewhat intriguing.

7:30 p.m., Open Eye Figure Theatre, 506 E. 24th St., Minneapolis; 612-874-6338; $15 (discount students/seniors and Fringe button-wearers).

MUSIC AND STYLE
Commingle: Urban Fashion and Music Show

In its third year, Commingle: Urban Fashion and Music brings together music and fashion. OK. Tell me when the two are NOT together, for crying out loud. What we have here is another fine example of the new trend of featuring musicians and designers together for a full fashionista extravaganza. This evening’s designers include D. DeAoni Clothing, Kacey Kubiszewski, Kristin Johnson, Mary Pass, Susan Vue, and Wone Vang. The music cuts across numerous genres — jazz, hip-hop, house, rock, reggae — and includes performances by Lolly Pop, Niknyc, and Soulacious.

9:30 p.m., Trocaderos, 107 Third Ave. N., Minneapolis; $18, $45.25 VIP Section (Premiere Seating, Bottle of Wine, Backstage Access).

VIDEO
Owen Goes . . . to the phrenologist

Check out the new Owen video.