LECTURE
The Cat Is Out of the Bag, and Here to Tell You about It
What does an undercover CIA agent do after she’s outed in one heck of a national security scandal? Apparently, she writes a book about it and tours the country. And while that might sound a little snide on my part, it’s actually quite a lucky thing for us, as we now get to hear the story from the horse’s mouth. For 18 years Valerie Plame Wilson kept her covert CIA status a secret from both family and friends. But, somehow, in 2003, when her husband came out against the war in Iraq, Wilson’s name was leaked to the media. Whether the two items are related is for you to decide, though certainly Wilson will have something to say about it. While no one has been charged for the leak — a leak that jeopardized the safety of Wilson, her family, and all other covert agents, for that matter — the White House has been repeatedly blamed. Curious? Get the details from Wilson this evening when she shares her chilling tale.
7:30 p.m., Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis; 612-371-5656; $42-$66.
MUSIC
Jason Isbell, Will Hoge, and Dawn Landes
Four years with the Drive-By Truckers may have earned Jason Isbell a a great deal of know-how and skill, a good deal of fame, and at least a small amount of money. But since he has gone solo, the man has shown himself to be a true star. His first solo album, Sirens Of The Ditch is a slick and polished mix of hard rock and country balladry (with plenty of soul) that seems a long way off from the Drive-By Truckers grunge he so recently left behind. Perhaps his song "Grown" says it best: "All them years ago you took a nervous little kid / and showed me how to slow it down just a little bit." Hear Isbell slow it down just a bit this evening in a performance with Will Hoge and Dawn Landes.
7 p.m., Varsity Theater, 1308 4th St. S.E., Minneapolis; 612-604-0222; $15.
THEATER & PERFORMANCE
Three and Twenty Dead Folks Baked in a Pie
It’s hard to go wrong with Sweeney Todd. A serial killing barber with a straight razor is surely captivating; but when you combine that with a woman who butchers the dead and bakes them into meat pies, that’s a recipe for success. Isn’t it obvious? I mean, who won the Golden Globe for best picture this year? Who won best actor? What film is nominated for three Academy Awards? — These are all attributed to Tim Burton’s film version of Sweeney Todd, starring Johnny Depp. And while Depp is certainly a hard act to follow, and the film was clearly a smash, let’s face it: this Stephen Sondheim musical is made for the stage.
7.30 p.m., Historic State Theater, 805 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, 612-673-0404; $27-$67.
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