DANCE AND PERFORMANCE
Back from Budapest
Tonight begins the Zenon Dance Company’s 24th Spring Season. You have until May 6th to catch the exciting new program, featuring four disparate new works by four different choreographers, including local favorite Danny Buraczeski. Set to the music of jazz legends Bill Evans and Don Pullen, Buraczeski’s piece, Evidence of Things Unseen makes its U.S. premiere this evening. In fact, the night is full of premieres. Hungarian choreographers Gyula Berger and Márta Ladjánszki bring their energetic new works to the stage for the first time ever in the United States. And Catching Her Tears, choreographed by New York’s Colleen Thomas, makes a world premiere. This powerful piece will be accompanied live by New York cellist, Chris Lancaster.
8 p.m., Ritz Theater, 345 13th Avenue NE, Minneapolis; 612-436-1129; $26.
Not Just Ballroom, But Beyond
The idea of ballroom dancing makes me gag just a little. Mind you, I love a good tango, a mambo, a cha cha, or a waltz; but really? Ballroom dancing? Maybe it’s the goofy little figure-skating outfits. Or the impact of so many Dirty Dancing clichés. It’s really quite unjustified. So if you’re looking for a way to bring a little respect and honor back into the mix — to elevate ballroom dancing to its time-honored status — give the the Beyond Ballroom Dance Company a shot. Their new show, Spinning Wheel brings partnership ballroom dancing into the 21st century with a series of eclectic vignettes.
8 p.m., Southern Theater, 1420 Washington Ave S, Minneapolis; 612-340-1725; $25 or pay-as-able (tonight only).
MUSIC
Alienation and Grace
As a native of Alabama, Pierce Pettis couldn’t help but be influenced by the most rooted elements of the American South, but in the end, he’s about as classic a folk singer as you get. I’m talking old school here, from the soulful, spiritual yearning to the chatter between songs — and even in the middle of a song. It’s all about stories. No song is left hanging, without context. This is the folk way, always trying to paint a bigger picture. According to Pettis, all of his songs can be reduced to two things: alienation and grace. His lyrics are simple and insightful, resting largely on his innate ability to capture universals in human experience from humorous and mundane aspects of our daily existence. The harmonies are sweet, the percussion is tenuous, and the guitar and vocals are strong and impassioned. But best of all, he puts on a great show.
7:30 p.m., Gingko Coffeehouse, 721 N. Snelling Ave., St. Paul; 651-645-2647; $12.
DISCUSSION AND MUSIC
Making Music with Dessa
Dessa Darling — local Renaissance woman, spoken word poet, and Doomtree emcee — shares her art and artistic process with you as part of the fifth season of Making Music. She’s bright. She’s beautiful. And she can serve up a rhyme as well as the best of them, shocking you with her silky-smooth undertones when the moment calls for it. Go check her out, and learn a thing or two. Tonight’s show, hosted by local musician JG Everest (Lateduster, Vicious Vicious), features an interview, a live demonstration, prizes, and an opportunity to ask Dessa any questions you have about her music.
8-10 p.m., Coffman Memorial Union, The Whole, 300 Washington Ave. SE, Minneapolis, 612-624-INFO; free.
DINING AND HELPING
Eat for AIDS
Tonight is the 13th annual Dining Out for Life, so now that Restaurant Week is over, it’s time to eat out again. This year, over 130 restaurants will be donating a portion of the evening’s proceeds to The Aliveness Project, a non-profit organization that provides support services to people with HIV, and their families. Print a list of the restaurants here. Otherwise, just head on over to participating restaurant Sapor. It’s not so so beautiful out today, but their outdoor patio is finally open, and you Minnesotans are weird about the weather. And considering the number of sun dresses I’ve being seeing, while I’m still freezing, you’ll probably appreciate a happy hour beer, or four, on the patio — all in the name of philanthropy. But remember, just because you had a few beers, or even dinner, on Dining Out for Life day, doesn’t mean you can’t just mail The Aliveness Project a big fat check tomorrow.
11:30 a.m. – 2 a.m. (Happy Hour 5-7 p.m.), Sapor Cafe, 428 Washington Ave. N., Minneapolis; 612-375-1971.
FASHION by Christy DeSmith
Retrorama: New Twists on Old Styles
The Minnesota History Center’s RetroRama event is tonight. Five local designers, including Voltage producer Anna Lee, went digging through the History Center’s enormous textile archives, trolling for inspiration. Tonight’s runway show features their vintage-styled dresses, menswear, and accessories. Also on display will be various pieces from the History Center archives (too fragile for the teetering models to touch). The New Standards (vintage entities unto themselves) will provide the musical backdrop while stand-up retro retailers such as Succotash and Up Six sell their wares. Martinis and mid-century appetizers (pigs in blankets?) will be handily available, too.
7 p.m., Minnesota Historical Society, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul; 651-259-3015.
And a couple other things:
Ensemble, a classy women’s boutique in Linden Halls, is hosting a leather sale today through Sunday. Shoes are 75% off; Liz Mole handbags are rumored to be half off. Ensemble, 2812 W. 43rd St., Minneapolis; 612-922-9450.
On Sunday, in conjunction with the Intermedia Arts annual B-Girl Be Summit, Moxie Hair Salon hosts its B-Girl Be fundraising event with proceeds benefiting B-Girl Be, an organization hell-bent on advancing the role of women in hip-hop. There, you can get a sassy Moxie cut for a mere $30 while enjoying live breakdancers, DJs, and lady-like rhyme-sayers. But first, you need to call for an appointment. 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., Moxie Hair Salon, 2649 Lyndale Ave. S, Minneapolis; 612-813-0330; $30.
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