FESTIVAL
AfriFest
It’s a first-ever kind of weekend, folks. I always enjoy first-evers, even when they’re a bit on the lame side. First-evers are always interesting when you focus on the response, or lack thereof. And, hell, some of them are just great. Enough! This weekend is the first-ever AfriFest, and I think it’s about time. When are we going to start a Puerto Rican Parade? See, that’s a funny first-ever — cuatro pela gatos…not too too many of us here — though always a lot more than we imagine. And, for reasons of solidarity, of shared experience, and for the more practical demand for numbers, the AfriFest aims to bring together Africans, Africans, Hispanics, Asians, and other diverse audience. This isn’t just one of those informal, unorganized events where you get together in a park to eat some faintly ethnic food on the grass with the boom box blaring from the pavilion (although, with the right people, this can be quite fabulous). No, we’re talking fashion shows, performances, artists and artisans, vendors of all kinds, including food, of course. Head for the Grand Opening this evening. Catch a whole slew of performances — from Ethiopian hip-hop to Liberian R&B, with a little Afro-Puerto Rican soul, of course — tomorrow night at the Cedar, and be sure to head to Currie Park on Sunday for the more Festival-y part of the Fest — historical displays, a fashion show, a community mural, and more performances.
Friday from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., Club Afrika, 9510 West River Rd., Brooklyn Park; 763-639-5001/763-228-9685; $15, $25 VIP (treats, special VIP area, and parking).
Saturday at 7 p.m., The Cedar, 416 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-338-2674; $10.
Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Currie Park, Cedar/Riverside Community, 1419 5th St. S., Minneapolis; 612-230-6400.
FILM
The Invasion
What is it about Invasion of the Body Snatchers? Granted, this was one of the iconic B-movie masterpieces, a spine-tingling and all-too-real allegory of both ’50s conformity and the rise of Communism. But unlike other sci-fi films of the period, the remakes have boasted talent up the wazoo. The ’70s version brought acclaimed director Philip Kaufman onboard with Donald Sutherland (who was considered an A-list actor at the time). This latest version, simply titled The Invasion, is set in the present day and helmed by German director Oliver Hirschbiegel (Best Foreign Language Film nominee for The Downfall) and stars Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman and the new Bond, Daniel Craig, to boot. It could make for a dynamite drive-in feature and a thought-provoking night out. –by Peter Schilling
MUSIC
The Steve Miller Band band is playing at the Grand Casino Hinckley Amphitheater tonight, so that’s always on option. But there are a couple good options right here in town as well.
Kelly Willis
Translated From Love, Willis’s first CD in five years (Christmas collections don’t count), shrewdly acknowledges that after four kids and five previous discs, she’s too shiny for cultdom and too prickly for stardom, and aims to please nobody but herself. “I Must Be Lucky” would go platinum if you told C&W jocks it was by Shania Twain. There are also at least a couple of guilty pleasures for classic rockers and a tearjerker or two worthy of Bonnie Raitt or Lucinda Williams. Whether she’s straddling or hop-scotching genres, Willis retains that angelic catch in her voice, hires ace musicians for accompaniment, and eliminates self-consciousness from your listening experience. But she gives herself away by butchering the David Bowie/Iggy Pop number, “Success.” –by Britt Robson
Friday at 8 p.m., Fine Line Music Cafe, 318 First Ave. N., Minneapolis; 612-338-8100; $18.
Sopranorama
Tonight three highly-respected vocalists let their hair down at Sopranorama VI. Janis Hardy, Maria Jette, and Molly Sue McDonald might be known to Twin Cities audiences for their work in classical music, opera, and musical theatre, but Sopranarama is emphatically not highbrow. In the course of the performance they could cover everything from pop songs to arias to show tunes to torch songs… all while accompanied by nothing more than piano and accordion. See them this weekend or next. –by Danielle Kurtzleben
Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p,m., Southern Theater, 1420 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-340-1725; $24.
SHOPPING
Yard Sale for Peace
What better way to support peace than to shop? Hmmm. Interesting theory. But you should definitely head out this Saturday to the MN Anti-War Committee Yard Sale for Peace. Buy cool used stuff for a good cause. And if you want to drop off items for the sale, as a donation, stop by the church with your items between six and eight on Friday night.
Saturday from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Bethany Lutheran Church, 2511 E. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis.
FESTIVAL
Bon Odori
Looking for something interesting to do on Sunday? Head to the Como Zoo for the Japanese Lantern Lighting Festival. The family-friendly festival, reminiscent of Japan’s annual Obon holiday, will encompass Japanese tradition — through music, dance, crafts, martial arts, and lanterns. Entertainment will include taiko drumming, kotos (Japanese sitars), shakuhachis (bamboo flutes), and martial arts demonstrations.
Sunday at 4 p.m., Como Zoo, 1225 Estabrook Dr., St. Paul; 651-487-8200 $5, families $10.
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