I’ve been meaning to mention this: If ever you’re lookin’ for a pleasant Monday night outing, consider a trip to the 331 to catch the weekly concert put on by The Roe Family Singers. Quillan Roe is the frontman of this new-ish, husband and wife band. Some of you might remember him from his days leading the excellent country group Accident Clearinghouse–their heyday was in mid to late 90s, and perhaps encapsulated by the catchy tune “I Wasn’t Ready.” Accident Clearinghouse is still considered a band, probably. But the Roe Family sound strikes me as being a lil’ bit softer, a lil’ bit more palatable to this thrity-something listener. Quillan’s voice, as always, is just delicious. Check ’em out, hey!
Author: rakemag
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Lay in down
My real-life weekend agenda, as I fight the urge to hole-up with my slippers and a few dozen Irish Coffees: Tonight, I’m filling in for my friend Dominic Papatola and going over to the Jungle Theater to see The Swan. It features one of my favorite local actors, the sprightly Nathan Keepers. And then tomorrow, my new coworker Jon Lurie is taking me over to the Circus Juventas big top to see the kids’ reprised, Winter Carnival production of Pazzanni. On Sunday, believe it or not, I’m attending a Super Bowl party at my friend Tim’s house, since he has a hot tub to keep me distracted from all the bits in-between Prince’s halftime show.
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Casting the first stone
Get a jump on a weekend of great theater, as the winter season picks back up. (There’s TONS of great theater going on this month and on through April, far as I know.) Best bet for tonight? Opening night of Theatre Latte Da‘s production of Susannah, the famous American, Appalachian-inspired opera that’s based on the biblical story of Susannah and the mean, nasty Elders.
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Oh, Y from Honolulu
More on the Sam Osterhout ‘n Geoff Herbach show: If you haven’t yet seen the Lit 6 Project in action, there’s a chance tonight when the troupe’s lead funnymen riff a two-man show on the rotten weeks they’re having. It’s free. It’s at the Mill City Cafe–not to be confused with the Mill City Museum. And if last weekend’s Electric Arc show was any indication, these fellows aren’t in the slump their characters claim to be. That was one helluva funny show, even boyfriend liked it! My only regret is not having my new digital camera along, so that I could capture the increasingly diverse demographics of the Electric Arc fan set. Looks like they’ll have to cool it on the geriatric jokes.
O.K., so that’s not the dirt I had promised to dish, but Sam ‘n Geoff aren’t the only ones on a downswing.
On a brighter note, my newest coworker, Jon Lurie, just sent this fabulous e-greeting, comprised entirely of satellite shots of letter-shaped buildings. Oh, Y from Honolulu / How I lingered upon thee.
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Filling in the Blanks
There’s nuthin’ much going on this evening, and I wouldn’t want to lead you astray. But check back tomorrow for more information about the free Herbach n’ Osterhout show.
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Shiver
Two things of note this cold, Monday evening: One, another discussion about the making of The Grapes of Wrath, this one moderated by Star Tribune book editor, Sally Williams; two, Matt Wilson’s Arts and Crafts (not to be confused with Minnesota’s very own M.W.–this is a different fella), which plays the Dakota.
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Eye-Popping Scenery
Melanie Kim and Layne Bittner went to South Africa last year on a very specific mission: To study the promise of reconciliation in the wake of apartheid. They were traveling as part of a team from Columbia Heights’ Church of All Nations that included four Koreans, two white Americans, a South African Indian, a Kenyan, and one African American. “Our church is focused on racial reconciliation and celebrating the multi-cultural makeup of the Twin Cities,” Bittner said. “What better people to learn from than South Africans?” The pair had their picture snapped just outside of Cape Town while taking in the scenery along the wondrous promontory at Cape Point.
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Fond Memories
I grew up in Saudi Arabia, where my parents worked for Aramco (Arabian American Oil Company). I found the article “Postcards from Saudi Arabia” [December] to be a very memorable and well-written description of life in the country based on my experiences growing up. Both my parents and I have many insights on the country from having lived there and been a part of the community up to and right after the first Gulf War. My parents started as farm kids from Minnesota, yet ended up as educators living in Saudi Arabia for twenty years, and lived through the first Gulf War. They gave me the opportunity to see the world as many have not, and I am very appreciative of the experiences I have had. I spent my formative years in Saudi Arabia (second through ninth grades), then had to return to the U.S. for boarding school due to Aramco policies, but was allowed to return during breaks. I was fortunate enough to be able to visit soldiers in the desert during the war and spend time with them over Thanksgiving and Christmas at my parents’ house in Dhahran. I’ve got great memories of the country as a child and am always amazed at the change that took place within the country and region after Saddam invaded and the U.S. landed as a military force. I love the article and it brings back many memories of a culture not many can experience.
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Postcard Diplomacy
Unfortunately we live in a time of intolerance and incivility fueled by a bullying, divisive, and fear-mongering administration that increases our collective xenophobia daily. Thank you to Peter Schilling [“Postcards from Saudi Arabia”] for bringing some of us just a bit closer together by sharing his personal experiences and reflections. I am sure he made a better ambassador than many of our “leaders.”
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Will work for lending privileges
Tom Bartel [“Paying for Crime,” January], please lead us out of this mess. It’s time for the community to take back its government. If our tax dollar can’t support our libraries, we need a Plan B. I suggest we contract with the American Association of Retired Persons. There is plenty of talent to staff these smaller libraries. Being retired, I’m receiving a generous pension, and I have health coverage and more vacation time than I can use. Let’s just say we are prepaid. All we would need is some corporate support for light and heat.