I just got this email from the Center for Media Research, outlining demographics on bloggers. Who is out there? There don’t seem to be any real surprises. What’s A Blogger? Bloggers are younger and higher percentages are Hispanic & African American than the general population. A higher percentage of Democrats than of Republicans are blogging. … Read more
First of all, I apologize for the inactivity vis a vis On The Ball, and once again offer my kudos to my dedicated commenters who are proving perfectly capable of continuing intelligent discussion without me. That said, I owe readers a little heads up about how I’ll be handling postseason posts. I went to the … Read more
Oil is hovering around $115 a barrel, the lowest price of gas in the Twin Cities is $3.18, foreclosures are still a-rising, and yet, in her latest column, the Star Tribune’s Katherine Kersten believes all we need to weather the storm of inflation, diminished access to credit, and skyrocketing healthcare costs is a shit-eating grin … Read more
CRAFTThe American Craft Show More than 250 craft artists from across the country will come together in St. Paul this weekend to exhibit and sell their handmade jewelry, clothing, furniture, and home décor. Peruse the exhibits, learn about their craft, and take home a little something to remember them by. The American Craft Show will … Read more
Ryan Montbleau’s shoes may need a shine, but that’s a tough thing to do when you’re a travellin’ man. Montbleau and his band play an average of 200 shows a year, bringing their eclectically influenced soul across the country and back again on a nocturnal circuit only the hardest working bands feel compelled to journey. … Read more
Having already tackled the legacies of Duke Ellington and Count Basie at medium-sized band concerts at Orchestra Hall last June and August, trombonist/curator Delfeayo Marsalis returns tonight with a tribute to Louis Armstrong, and wisely decides to deploy two musicians—Nicholas Payton and Kermit Ruffins—as stand-ins for Satchmo. As with his paeans to Ellington and Basie, … Read more
Over the years, the Kentucky Derby has drawn comparisons to such high profile annual events as the Super Bowl and Academy Awards. But in comparing these events, the celebrity status of the participants in the Kentucky Derby seems to fall short compared to the other two. In the 133 year history of the Derby, the … Read more
FILM International Film Festival The 26th Annual Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival begins today (through May 3rd) and features over 100 films from over 40 countries. Tonight’s kick-off film is The Visitor, by director Tom McCarthy — who, by the way, got his start at the Guthrie. McCarthy’s new film follows an economic professor to … Read more
I have been struck by lightning. BMW now apparently wants the Popemobile biz (proposal depicted above). As a Mercedes (exclusive builders of Vatican limos for an eternity) owner, I pray for an intercession. As no self-respecting Swabian would be seen in a high-end Manure Wagen, neither should His Most Holy Benedict. Irrefutable evidence of this … Read more
Starting this Earth Day — April 20 — you will no longer have the choice of paper or plastic at Whole Foods. It’ll be paper, unless you’re one of those too-good-to-be-true types who can remember to bring your own reusable string bag. Yes, the world’s largest natural foods retailer, which operates nearly 300 stores in … Read more