The Rake Magazine

Author: Cristina Córdova

  • Table Maestro

    Table Maestro, a personalized answering service and remote booking service for the restaurant industry, is going national this week — offering their services across the United States. I’m not quite sure what the differences are between Table Maestro and Open Table, but they claim to be the only ones doing what they’re doing. (Isn’t that just the way it goes?)

    Here’s the press release:

    Charleston,
    S.C.
    – Table Maestro, the country’s only business to provide
    personalized answering and reservation services to the fine dining industry
    will begin this week to offer its services nationally.

    Beginning
    this week, Table Maestro will begin accepting new client requests from
    restaurants throughout the continental U.S., adding to its portfolio of some 20
    restaurants on the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic. The company marks the first to
    offer restaurants a reliable way to increase revenues by outsourcing the
    burdensome process of taking and confirming reservations, while offering
    valuable customer interaction at the same time.

    Table
    Maestro – which launched in 2006 to revive the bygone days of the
    restaurant maître d – serves as an alternative
    to the traditional hostess by answering incoming calls, making and confirming
    reservations, managing customer databases, and maximizing table turnover.
    The company offers restaurants all the advantages of an in house staff
    at less than the cost of minimum wage, providing a way to increase the bottom
    line while taking customer service to new heights.

    "The call for reservations is the first point of contact for
    restaurants, but so many of them are either missing the opportunity for
    bookings or are relying on web-based services that don’t provide
    personalized customer assistance," said founder and CEO Alicia Aloe.
    "Table Maestro offers a cost-effective way for restaurants to make sure
    each call is greeted within two rings by a friendly voice and with superior
    service."

    With 12 years of experience in the restaurant industry, Aloe
    created Table Maestro after noticing how many fine dining establishments lose
    revenue when no one’s available to answer phones.

    When
    a call goes unanswered, studies show that 65
    percent of diners won’t leave a message for a reservation. At the same
    time, the average reservation includes three people. Together, these
    statistics mean that answering just five additional calls a day during off-peak
    times could capture as many as 24 potential clients who would otherwise have
    hung up.

    Since
    launching operations at the age of 26, Aloe has remained committed to the
    belief that restaurants can return to an era of personalized hospitality while
    still meeting today’s mass needs. Her mission has helped grow Table
    Maestro’s business by 1000 percent in just two years.

  • More Rain! Really?

    BOOKS & AUTHORS
    End of Baseball

    Is your favorite Major League Baseball team already out
    of contention for the Pennant? Relax. Peter Schilling’s novel The End of Baseball may be entertainment for those fanatics with a long summer ahead. The End of Baseball
    covers the complete season of the 1944 Philadelphia Athletics in the
    race for the pennant. But Schilling’s novel is much more important than
    following a baseball race; it’s about equality for the human race. The
    story’s exposition follows the eccentric Bill Veeck as he purchases the
    worst franchise in the Majors and tries to make contenders out of them.
    Veeck’s plan to accomplish this lies in replacing his Caucasian players
    with some of the greatest Negro League players — this, of course, in
    the segregated professional baseball era. If you’re interested in following a maverick owner and a team for the ages, The End of Baseball may score a base hit, but it’s the way Schilling treats humility in this story that scores a grand slam. —Joshua Fischer

    Available in bookstores on Friday

    BENEFIT
    6th Annual Fundraiser for Breast Cancer

    You have to love the promotional material for this breast cancer fundraiser: "Can’t run a 5K? Do you suck at baking? Hate working garage sales? Then this is the fundraiser for you. All you have to do is raise your beer bottle and listen to the music, and you’ll be making a difference." Enjoy a candlelit acoustic evening with Trick27 on Friday. Then gear up for a full night of music and dancing on Saturday night with the Street Team from the St. Paul School of Rock, a Lucky Town reunion of Bruce Springsteen classics, and the Tim Sigler Band. All proceeds go to fight breast cancer — ALL of them. Monster Energy Drink donates the printing. The musicians donate their time. And O’Gara’s donates the space.

    Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., O’Gara’s Shamrock Room, 164 Snelling Ave. N., St. Paul.

    FILM
    Planet of the Apes

    "Somewhere in the universe there must be something better than man. In a matter of time, an astronaut will wing through the centuries and find the answer. He may find the most terrifying one of all on the planet where apes are the rulers and man the beast." What more do you want. If you haven’t seen this 1968 Franklin J. Schaffner classic on the big screen, now is the time!

    Friday at 7:10 p.m., Saturday at 4:35, 7:10, and 9:30 p.m., and Sunday at 4:35 and 7:10 p.m., Heights Theatre, 391 Central Ave. N.E., Columbia Heights; 763-788-9079; $8.

    Then She Found Me

    Families
    comes in all shapes and sizes, but the two main ingredients are
    certainly love and trust. Helen Hunt’s directing debut, Then She Found Me, brings the life and passion of Elinor Lipman’s characters to the big screen. After
    being left by her husband (Matthew Broderick), mere months after their
    wedding, April (Helen Hunt) is tracked down by her birth mother (Bette
    Midler) in hopes of starting a relationship. At the same time, April
    begins to form a bond with the father (Colin Firth) of one of her
    kindergarten students. As she struggles to determine the meaning of
    family, she discovers something missing, driven by the burning desire to have
    a baby of her own. —Hannah Simpson

    Opens Friday at Edina Cinema, 3911 W. 50th
    St., Edina; 651-649-4416.


    Big Ideas for a Small Planet

    Back in June, Rake staff and friends had our own little parking squat in honor of green space in the city. Yes, we took a couple of video cameras — and we even got some pretty amusing footage — but oevrall, it was far too uneventful to merit a video for your pleasure. Apparently, somebody else must have had en entirely different experience, because they even made a film about it. This Sunday, you can enjoy a screening of the Sundance Channel award-winning eco-series Big Ideas for a Small Planet, featuring Twin Cities’ National Park(ing) Day. I have to be honest, when The Rake did its parking squat, most of us lacked a clear idea as to why we were there. We simply set up our plants and our chairs in the street by a parking meter, and spouted out something about preserving our green spaces. (And then we played a peanut game.) The screening is sure to far better than that — far more educational and far more amusing. One episode, “Big Ideas for a Small Planet: Food” explores environmentally friendly food and wine.

    Sunday at 2 p.m., F.K. Weyerhauser Auditorium, Landmark Center, 75 W. 5th St., Downtown St. Paul; RSVP.

    ART
    The Figure and the Landscape

    Figure and landscape. Sculpture and photography — black and white landscape photography. What’s the connection? Go see a beautiful exploration by recognized Minnesota sculptors and photographers at the Vine Art Center. Experience "the powerful and sensual nature of landscape and figurative work." The exhibition, which runs from May 2nd to June 24th, features work by Will Agar, Doug Beasley, Chris Faust, Roger Junk, Brant Kingman, Jeff Korte, and Nick Legeros. There will be an opening reception this Friday, and an artist discussion panel on Thursday, May 22nd.

    Friday from 6-10 p.m., Vine Arts Center, 2637 27th Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-728-5745.

    Ben Garthus & Greg Priglmeier

    Life is no movie. We have no soundtrack. (Ok. Sometimes we do.) But we sure have plenty of background noise — background noise and visual noise, which somehow play off each other in a most fascinating way. Local artists Ben Garthus and Greg Priglmeier have joined forces to bring us Background Noise, an attempt to capture the cultural, political, and environmental conditions of city life — "traffic patterns, animal behavior, artificial environments and cultural changes." While Garthus focuses more on consumption and by-products, Priglmeier explores unseen connections to our environment.

    Saturday from 7-10 p.m. (show runs through May 31st), Rosalux Gallery, 1011 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-803-6400; free.


    Portraits of Mental Illness

    Ok. I don’t usually promote art exhibits at hospitals and coffee shops, but sometimes you just gotta do what you don’t do. May is Mental Health Month, and HCMC — actually, Spectrum Community Mental Health and Inspire Arts — is doing their part by hosting Living Beyond Poster Project: The Portrait Show, featuring portraits of 20 famous and historic figures — ranging from Ernest Hemingway to Jean-Claude Van Damme — who live or lived with a mental illness. Did you even know that Jean-Claude Van Damme has mental illness? (How inappropriate would it be for me to say that explains a lot?) Three of the portraits will be made into posters to raise funds and awareness: Virginia Woolf, Kurt Cobain, and Leo Tolstoy.

    Friday from 4-6 p.m., Inspire Galleries, HCMC Red Building, second level skyway, 730 S. Eighth St., Minneapolis.

    MUSIC
    Greg Brown and the World of Dosh

    Blues, folk, and acustic guitar lovers, check out Greg Brown at the Fitzgerald Theater on Friday. The man has about the sexiest voice imaginable. And on Saturday night, check out avant-rock luminary Martin Dosh at the Walker. They’ve even added an extra performance at 11 p.m. Special guests include Andrew Bird, Jel, Jeremy Ylvisaker, Andrew Broder, and Mike Lewis.

    THEATER & PERFORMANCE
    Long Day’s Journey into Night

    After having to postpone the opening for a week, due to illness in the company, the Theatre in the Round Players are finally commencing their production of Eugene O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey into Night. Considered by many to be O’Neill’s masterpiece (it won a Pultizer in 1957), Long Day’s Journey narrates a fateful, heart-rendering day in O’Neill’s own life, in August of 1912. Directed by Lynn Musgrave,
    this Theatre in the Round production features Maggie Bearmon Pistner,
    Rachel Finch, Rob Frankel, Tom Sonnek, and Wade Vaughn. Expect a lot of
    alcohol and a little bit of morphine.

    Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m., Theatre in the Round, 45 Cedar Ave., Minneapolis; 612-333-3010; $20.


    Triangle Fire Project

    The Minnesota Jewish Theater Company ends a strong 2007-2008 season with another regional premiere. The Triangle Factory Fire Project
    — directed by Carolyn Levy— tells the story of a fatal fire in the
    Triangle Waist Factory, in 1911, that took 146 lives. Author
    Christopher Piehler (in collaboration with Scott Alan Evans) offers a
    play-by-play of the events, followed by an unappeasing murder trial,
    and a round up of the numerous social and political changes that took
    place as a result.

    Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 & 7 p.m.,
    Hillcrest Center Theater    , 1978 Ford Pkwy.; Saint Paul; $20-$24.

    SPECIAL EVENT
    Wilder Center – Grand Opening Celebration

    Celebrate the grand opening of the new Wilder Center with family fun, entertainment, food, and a community services fair. What is family fun? Well, the fun includes a family photo booth, picture frame decorating, a children’s climbing wall, video games (Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero III), and entertainment provided by Larry Yazzie, American Indian Dance, the East Side Dance Group, and the Walker West Music Academy Jazz Ensemble. Construction was completed earlier this year on the new 99,953 square-foot, four-story Wilder Center. The grand opening celebration will mark the official building dedication and allow community members to learn more about Wilder and its services.

    Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wilder Center, 451 Lexington Parkway N., Saint Paul; free.

  • Ben Garthus & Greg Priglmeier

    Life is no
    movie. We have no soundtrack. (Ok. Sometimes we do.) But we sure have plenty of background
    noise — background noise and visual noise, which somehow play off each
    other in a most fascinating way. Local artists Ben Garthus and Greg
    Priglmeier have joined forces to bring us Background Noise,
    an attempt to capture the cultural, political, and environmental
    conditions of city life — "traffic patterns, animal behavior,
    artificial environments and cultural changes." While Garthus focuses
    more on consumption and by-products, Priglmeier explores unseen
    connections to our environment.

    Opening reception on Saturday, May 3rd, from 7-10 p.m. (show runs through May 31st), Rosalux Gallery, 1011 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-803-6400; free.

  • The Figure and the Landscape

    Figure and
    landscape. Sculpture and photography — black and white landscape
    photography, to be precise. What’s the connection? Go see a beautiful exploration by
    recognized Minnesota sculptors and photographers at the Vine Art Center.
    Experience "the powerful and sensual nature of landscape and figurative
    work." The exhibition, which runs from May 2nd to June 24th, features work
    by Will Agar, Doug Beasley, Chris Faust, Roger Junk, Brant Kingman,
    Jeff Korte, and Nick Legeros. There will be an opening reception on
    Friday, May 2nd (6-10 p.m.) and an artist discussion panel on Thursday, May 22nd (7
    p.m.)

    Vine Arts Center, 2637 27th Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-728-5745.

  • The Triangle Factory Fire Project

    The Minnesota Jewish Theater Company ends a strong 2007-2008 season with another regional premiere. The Triangle Factory Fire Project — directed by Carolyn Levy— tells the story of a fatal fire in the Triangle Waist Factory, in 1911, that took 146 lives.  Author Christopher Piehler (in collaboration with Scott Alan Evans) offers a play-by-play of the events, followed by an unappeasing murder trial, and a round up of the numerous social and political changes that took place as a result.

  • Camden Workhouse Theater: 'Night Mother

    What do you do if your daughter tells you that she’ll be dead by morning? This is essentially the premise for the 1983 play, ‘night, Mother, by Marsha Norman. Two years ago, when the Camden Workhouse Theater did a staged reading of the play, it was met with a standing ovation. (Yes, it’s that good.) Now, they’re bringing the Pulitzer Prize-winning play back for a full theatrical production, starring Muriel Bonertz and Miriam Monasch. Don’t miss this haunting production about life and death and family. (And if you haven’t seen the 1986 film, starring Sissy Spacek and Ann Bancroft, you might want to follow it up with that.)

    May 2-5, 8-10, and 16-17, all shows at 7:30 p.m., except for Sunday, May 4, which is at 2 p.m., Workhouse Stage, The Warren, 4400 Osseo Rd.; $10 if paid in advance and $12 at the door ($8/$10 for students and seniors).

  • Long Day's Journey into Night

    After having to postpone the opening for a week, due to illness in the company, the Theatre in the Round Players are finally commencing their production of Eugene O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey into Night. Considered by many to be O’Neill’s masterpiece (it won a Pultizer in 1957), Long Day’s Journey narrates a fateful, heart-rendering day in O’Neill’s own life, in August of 1912. Directed by Lynn Musgrave, this Theatre in the Round production features Maggie Bearmon Pistner, Rachel Finch, Rob Frankel, Tom Sonnek, and Wade Vaughn. Expect a lot of alcohol and a little bit of morphine.

  • May Book Releases

  • May Day (This Ain't No S.O.S.)

    SPECIAL EVENT
    150 Years of Labor in Minnesota

    Happy May Day — and if you don’t know what that is, it’s International Worker’s Day. Celebrate the social and economic achievements of the labor movement at the Saint Paul Labor Center. Labor scholars and historians Hy Berman, Mary Wingerd, and Annette Atkins look at 150 years of labor in Minnesota. After the panel discussion, the Saint Paul Labor Chorus leads a sing-along of popular — and not-so-popular — labor tunes. "We’ll fight for shorter hours, for a Health and Safety Bill, / An end to conditions that injure and kill / A future for our kids and fair taxes as well, / And them that don’t like it, well they can go to hell!"

    7 p.m., Saint Paul Labor Centre, 411 Main St., St. Paul; 651-222-3242.

    SHOPPING
    Luna Vinca Anniversary Sale

    Of course, you could take a really twisted, consumer approach to International Worker’s Day and celebrate the things for which you work — the comfort, the decadence, the luxuries you can afford yourself. And you can even save money in the process. Luna Vinca is hosting a 10-year Anniversary Sale with a celebration soiree this evening. Enjoy treats and beverages as you shop for fresh flowers, home decor, jewelry, cards, and gifts — all at 25 percent off.

    5-7 p.m. (through Sunday), Luna Vinca, 3344 Hennepin Ave. S, Minneapolis; 612-823-6178.

    MUSIC
    Michael Christie Conducts Dvořák, Rameau, Ligeti

    The romance of Dvořák. The intellectual complexity of Rameau. The sound mass of Ligeti. The Trill of Tartini. Enjoy them all tonight, as celebrated Brooklyn Philharmonic Music Director Michael Christie leads the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra in what I can only describe as an extremely well-rounded and delightful program. SPCO principal second violin Dale Barltrop solos on Tartini’s Devil’s Trill Sonata (probably Tartini’s most famous work, and certainly one of the most demanding violin solos). Also on the program are Rameau’s Suite from Zoroastre, Dvořák’s Serenade in D Minor for Winds (Opus 44), and Ligeti’s Concert Românesc.

    8 p.m., Temple Israel, 2324 Emerson Ave. S., Minneapolis (Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 8 p.m.,, Wooddale Church, Eden Prairie; Saturday at 8 p.m., Saint Paul’s United Church of Christ, Saint Paul); 651-291-1144; $10-$25.

  • Back up in the 60s

    Get outdoors today and enjoy the weather. It’s going to be "mostly" sunny and back up to the 60s. Considering the weather lately, that’s pretty darn good. And when the evening starts to fall, get out and use some of that sun-fueled brain & body energy.

    MUSIC
    Uh Huh Her

    For a real spring sound, go check out Los Angeles-based music duo Uh Huh Her at the Varsity tonight. Leisha Hailey and Camila Grey serve up some seriously mellifluous indie electro-pop. You might recognize Hailey, formerly of The Murmurs, from the Showtime hit series The L Word. And Camila Grey, bassist and keyboardist with lo-fi rock band Mellowdrone, has worked with Dr. Dre, Busta Rhymes, Melissa Auf Der Maur, and Kelly Osbourne. How about that?

    8 p.m., Varsity Theater, 1308 4th St. SE, Minneapolis; 612-604-0222; $15.

    BOOKS & AUTHORS
    The Man, the Writer, the Revolutionary, the Legend

    We have a legend in our midst today: Amiri Baraka is in town to share his wisdom with us. This man was one of the leading voices of the Black Arts Movement in Harlem in the ’60s — the one that essentially laid out the path for a new American theater aesthetics. Author of over 40 books of poetry, essays, drama, music history, and criticism, Baraka has covered virtually all aspects of art, politics, and activism in the United States, the Caribbean, Africa, and Europe. Yes, that’s a lot of ground to cover, the man is quite the master. It’s not often he comes to Minneapolis from his hometown of Newark, NJ, so be sure to catch him now.

    7:30 p.m., Northrop Auditorium, 84 Church St. SE, Minneapolis; $10.

    Wrack and Ruin

    Don Lee’s latest novel has gotten a lot of attention lately (so I’m guessing it’s quite good), and he’s here in town today to speak for himself (you know, a reading, a discussion, a book signing, and all that jazz). Lee, currently a resident of St. Paul, served as editor of Ploughshares for nine years, prior to accepting an associate professor position at Macalester College, teaching creative writing, of course. And it seems we got him at just the right time, as Wrack and Ruin takes the world by storm. In this latest novel, Lee writes about about two brothers, one a sculptor-turned-Brussels sprouts farmer, the other a charlatan movie producer. If you happen to have read Yellow, his previous collection of stories, you’ll recognize the made-up town of Rosarita Bay, California, the setting for his latest novel. Apparently, having grown up as a diplomatic brat, it’s easier for Lee to make up a fictional home than to draw from his own experience (though, to be fair, it is based on a real town).

    7:30 p.m., Barnes & Noble Booksellers Galleria, 3225 W 69th St., Galleria Shopping Center, Edina; 952-920-0633.