MUSIC
Along the Banks of the Mississippi
A great voice is a wondrous thing. A great voice singing the music is was clearly meant to sing, is downright spiritual. Such is the story of William Elliot Whitmore. This man can sing! But his is not just another pretty voice; it’s a vocal representation of the land, of the people, of the industrial smog. The grit and soul in his voice tell the infinite tales of the American working man, the whiskey, the coal mines, the longing, and struggles. Like Tom Waits and Johnny Cash — to whom he’s often compared — Whitmore lends a contemporary edge to an age-old sound soaked in spirituality and emotional depth. Hear him strum on that acoustic guitar, perhaps the banjo, and enjoy your standard bar fare at the Triple Rock. If you get there before 7 p.m., you can cash in on $2.50 pints and half-price appetizers.
9 p.m., Triple Rock Social Club, 629 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-333-7399; $10.
A Voice to Carry the Melody
Another astounding vocalist jazzes it up at the Dakota this evening. Accompanied by only bass and percussion, French-Beninese chanteuse Mina Agossi offers a most unique and compelling sound. This is contemporary jazz at its finest. With only her voice to carry the melody, Agossi shapes the bass and drums of stellar duo Alexandre Hiele (bass) and Bertrand Perrin (drums), fusing musical styles from hip hop to world to jazz, blues, and rock. Currently on tour to promote her latest album, Who Wants Love? Live at Jazz Standard, New York City, released just a couple of weeks ago, Agossi is determined to push the limits (which she doesn’t seem to have) of her voice and creativity. Enjoy her refreshing, jazz improv sound, preceded by some even more refreshing happy hour prices. Get there before 6 p.m. for $3.50 appetizers, $6 martinis, and $3 taps, wine, and rails.
7 & 9:30 p.m., Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant, 1010 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis; 612-332-1010; $17 & $12.
FILM
All Is Not Lost
Few filmmakers can be said to have had as tremendous an impact on film as Ingmar Bergman. With 62 films under his belt before his death this past July, Bergman influenced some of the greatest filmmakers today — Woody Allen, Robert Altman, David Lynch — and ultimately set a standard for film students across the world. Traveling dark and forbidden terrains, with new and imposing cinematic techniques as his tools, Bergman created an entirely new cinematic aesthetic. Join the Oak Street Cinema throughout the next couple of weeks, as they pay homage to the Swedish film giant. Tonight’s film is the 1954 love-tangle A Lesson In Love. It’s just like Bergman to center a film around a philandering gynecologist.
7:30 p.m., Oak Street Cinema, 309 Oak St. S.E., Minneapolis; $8 (seniors $6, members/students $5).
FOOD
After Movie Snack
Sure, there are plenty of good places to eat near the Oak Street Cinema. And many of them are even open until late. But sometimes the oldie-but-goodie makes the best choice. Though I was never a U of MN student, I certainly had many a late-night/early-morning meal at the Village Wok. And unlike so many other late-night meals I had, these were not meals of desperation (you know — the I’m-so-hungry-I-can-eat-anything, beggars-can’t-be-choosers variety). No. A meal at the Village Wok, no matter the time, is a satisfactory one, a well-priced one, a well-served one, and a quickly-served one. Throughout its 35 years, this restaurant has consistently been serving up some of the best Chinese cuisine in town. I recommend the mussels in black bean sauce.
11 a.m. to 1:45 a.m., Village Wok, 610 Washington Ave. S.E., Minneapolis; 612-331-9041.
FILM
A Modern-Day Musical
Writer/director John Carney made the film Once in just 17 days. Clearly not your typical Hollywood production, Once is about as indie as you can get. The film is about a Dublin busker and a Czech girl brought together by music. In the spirit of Hustle and Flow, with an even rawer, hand-held feel to it, Once has an improv quality that keeps even a musical real.
5 and 7:10 p.m., Heights Theatre, 3951 Central Ave. N.E., Minneapolis; 763-788-9079; $8.
FOOD
Dining before the Heights
Get a bite to eat before or after the movie. Central Avenue has a host of new and old restaurants — some of them questionable, but many of them unexpectedly good. Not ready to take any big risks? You’ve got the Chutney Indian Grill just two blocks away. Don’t let the appearance fool you. What it lacks in visual charm it makes up for in culinary details. Just go for the food, rather than the service. You won’t be disappointed.
Chutney Indian Grill, 3700 Central Ave. N.E., Minneapolis; 763-782-9900.
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