rakemag One of the most beguiling shows of the past year, A Cupboard Full of Hate, is a thoroughly Frenchified thing, performed in a style that’s light on dialogue and heavy on visual tricks. Off-Leash Area’s artistic director, the Paris-schooled Paul Herwig, plays a fitful old geezer who so vigorously hates the world that he locks … Read more
Maybe the idea of a live puppet rock opera doesn’t catch you–but a live puppet rock opera as conceived and produced by Dan Graham, Tony Oursler, Rodney Graham, and Paul McCarthy? We can’t think of a more alluringly odd quartet of art stars to get together and do a disillusioned send-up of the hippie era … Read more
Hair color, style, degree of curl–according to Kimberly Joy Morgan, these define black women more than any white girl contemplating a box of blonde hair dye will ever know. Morgan, who styles her own locks in sassy faux dreads, was a winner at the Twin Cities’ first-ever Ivey Awards for her performance in Hot Comb: … Read more
I would like to assert my science-geekiness onto “A Tisket, A Tasket,” [Down the Hatch, December], the article about personalized gift baskets. I have been creating handmade Christmas gifts for some time and enjoyed Ms. March’s sentiments on the subject. Additionally, I very much look forward to trying out the Fiscalini San Joaquin Gold cheese, … Read more
I was pleased to read Jennifer Vogel’s exegesis on the religiosity of Eric Enstrom’s “Grace” [“That Old-Time Religion,” December]. It is good for us to have such an abject image of humility in a season–nay, a yearlong culture–of conspicuous consumption. I was disappointed, however, by the omission of the fact that Enstrom’s work, or some … Read more
Some people attempt to spite the French by pouring out red wine and voting against John Kerry. Other people believe that a little smirk while enjoying an American version of coq au vin is just as effective. Salut Bar Americaine in Edina celebrates the French and sticks it to them at the same time. Warm, … Read more
Woody Allen has made a few changes to the patented Allen formula, which may be why his latest film, Match Point, is better than anything he’s done in ages. For one thing, he’s replaced New York with London, albeit for financial, rather than creative, reasons. For another, there is no neurotic Jew shambling through scenes … Read more
This bright and airy space in St. Louis Park has a fresh take on takeout. Its menu changes weekly and focuses on homemade, seasonal fare that can be eaten at one of the few tables or taken home. There are four daily soup options (the gumbo is especially delicious) and star entrees like a perfectly … Read more
It’s as if all the weary waitresses of the Twin Cities banded together, threw down their aprons, and said, “Fine, just do it yourself if you think you’ll be any better!” Bad Waitress is a self-service joint that puts you in your place. Sit down, fill out your order on a pad, and submit it … Read more
In the Books & Readings section of the November Rake, the columnist discussing Salman Rushdie’s November 10 reading mentions “… more than fifty people around the world have been murdered because of connections to Rushdie.” I’m curious as to the columnist’s sources with regard to that statement. I find that horrifying on any number of … Read more