Blog

EXPLORATION
A Refugee Camp in the Heart of the City

Imagine your country is at war. No, not the way you know war. Not overseas. In your own country. Right here. On your own land. Perhaps you take up arms. Perhaps you don’t. It doesn’t matter. You’re losing. It’s stay and fight (and die), or flee. Imagine you have a family. Imagine you are now “among the 33 million people around the world who have been forced to flee their homes and seek refuge.” Do you have any idea what that’s like? Any idea at all? Hopefully not from personal experience. But look next door. It might do to understand the plight of others. Today, Doctors Without Borders opens its Refugee Camp in the Heart of the City exhibit in Loring Park. Get a guided tour of the camp exhibit and learn about the challenges of building shelter, finding food and clean water, handling waste disposal, controlling epidemics, and … surviving what may come. Educate yourself, and at the end of the day thank whatever god(s) you have for your well-being. Then have yourself a drink, and toast to the the well-being of those around you. But don’t stop at that…

9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Loring Park, 1382 Willow St., Minneapolis; 612-370-4929.

BOOKS
Per Petterson

It’s been a huge year for Norwegian writer Per Petterson. The acclaim for his latest novel ranged from Thomas McGuane’s front-page rave in the Times Book Review (“A gripping account of such originality as to expand the reader’s own experience of life”) to the $135,000 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. Award-winning author Richard Ford even chimed in with a ringing endorsement, and if you threw in a hosanna from Cormac McCarthy you’d have a pretty good idea of the sort of literary territory Petterson is exploring in Out Stealing Horses. It’s a quiet, spare, ruminative novel, in which the stoic protagonist wrestles with memory’s powerful undertow while enduring a sort of solitary confinement in a remote cabin. Petterson will spend a busy couple of days on the Minnesota leg of his tour, appearing as part of the Minneapolis Public Library’s Talk of the Stacks series tonight, and at the St. Olaf College Bookstore (4 p.m.) tomorrow. –Brad Zellar

7:30 p.m., Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis; 612-630-6000; free.

STYLE
Collage Fashion Show

Two of my favorite local boutiques are participating in this three-way of a runway event: the refined, and yet funky, Ivy and super-girly Stephanie’s. The third boutique, Bluebird, isn’t a fave, but I have found fabulous vintage jewelry there in the past. However, I’m quite excited about Bluebird’s contribution to this year’s (the third annual) Collage Fashion Show. They’re planning to show clothes by Loeffler Randall, the shoe designer – a favorite of the shop’s owners – who only recently introduced a line of apparel. –Christy DeSmith

7 p.m., Nicollet Island Pavilion, 40 Power St., Minneapolis; 612-253-3099; $25.

DANCE
Explorations in Flamenco

Time for a little Spanish flair tonight, with the opening of Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre’s Explorations in Flamenco: An Evening of New Choreography by Sachiko and Deborah Elias. And in keeping with the current trends, we’re not just talking dance here; we’re talking dance, live music, and multimedia work. Explorations in Flamenco features two works. Inspired by the stories of Japan’s Hibakusyas (atomic bomb victims), novels by Masuji Ibuse, and poems by Toge Sankichi, Hiroshima tells intimate stories of WWII destruction through flamenco, Japanese traditional dance, martial arts, and Butoh-inspired movements. Tía, on the other hand, celebrates the power and beauty of imagination — to transform, to empathize, and to envision a different future.

8 p.m., Intermedia Arts, 2822 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis,; 612-871-4444; $15 (students and seniors $13, members $10).

THEATER & PERFORMANCE
City Ceased

In this case, the play itself isn’t the thing, although they are certainly some clever, and even touching, vignettes about the afterlife–the best of which concerns pet foster care for dogs gone to heaven. The best reason to see City Ceased is to catch a glimpse of the beautiful Lakewood Cemetery at night, to stroll its winding roads and circle its tiny lake. By the end of the show, sadly, the material of this site-specific play will have devolved into sap, but not before the audience is treated to some lovely, flashlight-lit images of, for instance, a dramatic weeping willow, a tiny s&eacure;ance, and actors dancing in the moonlight. –Christy DeSmith

8 p.m., Lakewood Cemetery , 3600 Hennepin Ave. S., Minneapolis; $12.

Pillowman Review

Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman focuses on Katurian (Lichtseidl), a writer of grisly tales in which children are tortured and killed. When a number of child murders resembling his stories take place, Katurian is detained for questioning by the totalitarian state in which he lives. He is interrogated by detectives Ariel (Chris Carlson) and Tupolski (Seifert), who have also detained Katurian’s mentally disabled brother, Michal (Grant Richey), as a way of baiting Katurian into confessing. Lichtseidl gives Katurian what depth he can, and his big-brother relationship with Michal is sweet and sincere. But the plot itself gives Lichtseidl little to work with, and as a result he is underused. Seifert and Carlson are wonderful as the good-cop/bad-cop team of Ariel and Tupolski. Carlson’s Ariel is high-strung and constantly enraged; Seifert’s Tupolski is docile but menacing — together they are mean and unfair and completely engrossing. Seifert is so deliciously nasty that you can’t help but laugh. Grant Richey also succeeds in the role of Michal, uttering even the most disturbing of lines with innocence and vulnerability. Pillowman is heavy — it discusses child torture and highlight’s the importance of Art with a capital A. Sometimes it sounds more like a debate in a college literature course than a play. –excerpts from review by Danielle Kurtzleben

7:30 p.m., Dowling Studio, Guthrie Theater, 818 S. 2nd St., Minneapolis; 612-377-2224; $18-$34.

Well, first of all, I missed the first couple days. My boyfriend was sick, and contagious as all get out; so, I found myself nursing a sore throat and a serious case of fatigue, not to mention a general malaise. Then, I got stuck in a hail storm on my way back home last Thursday night–which doesn’t go over well when you’re suffering one of those onset headaches. When I finally made it home, I took a shot of Brandy and called it a night.

But I jumped right in on Friday at the Loves Labourers: Art as Fashion, Fashion as Art event. Three artists – Jennifer Davis, Adam Garcia, Eric Inkala – and three clothing designers – Annie Larson, Ra’Mon-Lawrence Coleman, Crystal Quinn – joined forces to make wearable art from ordinary American Apparel tees. It all unfolded right before mine very eyes, and in a party atmosphere (with gratis tuna-stuffed cherry tomatoes, no less). Slacker that I am, I failed to purchase my very own Art-as-Fashion tee before the actual date; I arrived only to find each of the tees had been spoken for, but of course. Pre-purchasers, however, we not allowed to pre-select a shirt that was, say, ANYTHING BUT CANARY YELLOW. And so, from what I hear, I might yet have the chance to procure one of these spiffs. Here are the outtakes, in any case. It was quite a happening scene, as I’m sure you can image:

Washability is a problem, dahlings … You must only spot clean.

On Saturday evening, I stopped by clecticoiffeur‘s invite-only fashion show, where the latest from Katherine Gerdes, George Moskal, Red Shoe Clothing Co., Laura Fulk, and Kjurek Couture was shown. I dug Gerdes’s new jersey dresses with satin details:

She was up until 3 a.m. that morning, slaving away on last-minute details. Therefore, she isn’t sure when – or how – these dresses will ever become available for purchase. I say you email her with inquiries.

But I ESPECIALLY admired this dress from George Moskal, who is probs my favorite designer in all the Minnie Apple. I adore his use of upholstery and vintage fabrics in creating striking, glamorous effects. Swoon!

STYLE & THEATER
Fashion 47

Though she loves classics, Diane Paulus has a penchant for finding inspiration in the more theatrical aspects of pop culture. The New York City-based director recently staged Turandot in a professional wrestling ring, but she’s better known for her production of The Donkey Show, a disco adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. So it’s not surprising that fashion shows, what with all the elaborate costumes, makeup, and entrances and exits, became a recent and ripe subject for Paulus’s picking. By transplanting an ancient Japanese samurai narrative called Ronin 47 to the dog-eat-dog world of high fashion, Paulus has created a surprisingly family-friendly work in the style of Project Runway. Here’s an amusing tidbit from a production in which characters set out to out-design and out-strut one another: Instead of switching off their cell phones, theatergoers will use them, á la American Idol, to vote. –Christy DeSmith

7:30 p.m., Cargill Stage, Children’s Theatre, 2400 Third Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-874-0400; $12.

THEATER & PERFORMANCE
Just Before Sleep

While the Children’s Theatre is strutting their stuff on the runway in a pop tribute to American consumerism, the Youth Performance Company will be offering a somewhat more “socially conscious” performance. The subject? American homelessness — you know, the children who won’t be making it to the runway show, the children who won’t be wearing those clothes, the children who have never even seen Project Runway because they have no television, no home, and certainly no cell phone with which to vote. According to the Youth Performance Company’s website, 3500 Minnesotan children are either homeless or living in temporary arrangements on any given night. That’s a lot of children — a lot of children who are lacking what they need, and what they deserve. Just Before Sleep, a Theater All Year production opening this afternoon, “gives voice and dignity to a mother and her to children who struggle to survive on the streets while seeking shelter through the maze of social agencies.” Yes, it’s a tale of woe, but uplifting nonetheless. It’s a story of “unexpected friendship, fierce love, and survival.”

10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.), Howard Conn Fine Arts Center, 1900 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-623-9080; $12 (children $10).

FILM
On The Lot with Andrew Hunt

It’s Membership Week at IFP, which means film, video, and photography folks can expect ample opportunity for networking and professional development; and the rest of you guys can mooch off the events. OK, not mooch, really, as you’ll have to pay a slightly higher price; but at least you’ll be able to benefit from it. (Or simply avoid the higher price by becoming a member. IFP is offering $10 off the price of membership through the end of October.) Start cashing in tonight as Andrew Hunt shares his On the Lot experiences. When Andrew Hunt heard that the FOX reality-show was looking for the nation’s next big director, he jumped at the chance. “Selected from over 12,000 hopefuls, Andrew wrote and directed numerous short films on national television under incredible pressure and overnight deadlines, eventually emerging as one of five finalists before being voted off the show.” Tonight he shares his experiences, lessons, and work samples from the show and discusses how he and his company, Sleepy Eye, have parlayed that exposure into new connections and opportunities. Finally, a real look at how these ridiculous shows actually help people’s careers.

7 p.m., IFP Minnesota, 2446 University Ave. W., Suite 100, St. Paul; 651-644-1912; $8 (IFP & MFA members $5).

MUSIC & TRIVIA
Big Brain Bash

No, this has nothing to do with Big Brain Comics — nor Big Brain Academy nor Big Brain Tattoos. Clearly, we just like the idea of having a big brain. Or is it a big bash, in this case? Somehow, I doubt there’ll be too big a showing, but there’s a pretty good chance you’ll get to flex that brain a bit. Always looking to host intellectually stimulating events, the Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library bring you an evening of music, laughter, and trivia at Minneapolis Central Library. The evening’s entertainment will include a trivia challenge hosted by the infamous and very funny quiz master John Cosgrove, and fiddle and guitar music from Irish duo Nathan Gourley and Brian Miller. Put together a team of four, or come on your own. The price of admission includes appetizers and a free cocktail. And no, you can’t google the trivia questions. And no, Google is not a verb.

7 p.m., Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis; 612-630-6000; $25.

MUSIC
Vintage Soul in a Shiny Pink Wrapper

There’s far too much pink on her website (and in her hair). She has a cheesy fake hearts-and-peace-and-love tattoo bursting out all over her back. And if that’s not bad enough, she’s performing at Myth, which great as it may be, I consider to be on the far side of the boondocks. There’s certainly a whole lot of fodder with which to fuel an increased resistance to new experiences, the great unknown. And yet… I’ll leave you with just one thing: She’ll make you feel sexy if you let her. Stone serves up vintage soul like few others. James Brown recognized it. Stevie Wonder recognized it. The Rolling Stones even recognized it. (She’s played with all of them, as well as with Elton John, Patti Labelle, Mavis Staples, Donna Summer, and Smokey Robinson.) So, recognize, my friends. Recognize. Opening for Stone is Georgia native Ryan Shaw, another worthy vintage soul man. Mmm… if only he could see how sexy you feel.

6:30 p.m., Myth, 3090 Southlawn Dr., Maplewood; 651-989-5151; $38.