what are you REALLY thinking about? Have you ever eaten with foodie friends who make a ridiculous spectacle of themselves when they taste something amazing? You know, a la Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally? I don’t think I do that. I’m hoping and praying I don’t do that, but my friend Terri sent … Read more
On the first cool nights in late summer the old tribe of mountain giants would dig themselves out of the dirt and come down into town to watch the strippers. This was an annual occurrence that had been going on since the go-go bars first opened sometime in the 1950s. By the late years of … Read more
Am I the last one to discover these? Apparently, they’re at Target so I’m hoping that you’ve all snagged a bag on your way to the dryer-sheet aisle. If not, do so. Because now that I’ve found them, these Sahale Snacks, these little bags of flavorful nut blends, I am not letting go. In fact, … Read more
Here’s the dish on the two fashion shows I mentioned, for the girlie-girls: In The Moment… A fashion show by Kimberly Jurek of Kjurek Couture at Azia Restaurant and Bar tonight (presented by Gallery 360 and Cliche–that one boutique on Lyndale, near Muddy Waters). Reception is at 8. Show’s at 10. Weird, but I think … Read more
Look around and tell me what you see? I see the usual things, the too-muchness. I see the fuzzed scrim of darkness falling, the green world receding beyond the window screens. I see, everywhere I look, patterns and textures, sprawling across the upholstery of the furniture. The geometric chaos of the rug beneath me. I … Read more
So much cool stuff is about to let loose. The Minnesota Fringe Festival starts tomorrow, for example–as I’ve already beat into the dead horses here on this site, I happen to be a big fan of this event. And, (click), there’s, like, at least two fashion shows tomorrow night. But lucky for the socialite sap … Read more
The man who ran the Giant Wash was an obsessively neat character, inordinately conscientious, officious even. German, he seemed, like someone stepped right out of one of August Sander’s portraits. I’d heard it intimated that he lived with his elderly mother somewhere in the neighborhood, but this may have been mere speculation. Customers were always … Read more
Enough about the heat. But first. It’s hard to write about food when you have no appetite. Heat, humidity and the lot drive away my desires to eat. A perfect hell. I had a salad for dinner last night, and even the dressing seemed too thick and heavy. Maybe it’s all the water I’m guzzling, … Read more
Cinema Revolution and the beautiful Varsity Theater have teamed up tonight to bring you John Cassavetes’ Shadows–a film that’s outside my miniscule experience, but one that I would love to see (National Night Out calls instead). The Varsity is a lovely place to watch a movie, in case you didn’t know. Couches, good food, beer … Read more
Of course, the biggest A-and-E news of the day, at least in the circles I shake in, is the Ween concert at the Historic State Theater. (Will they leave burrito smears on the curtains?) But that’s not exactly a secret now, is it? However, those Venetian mask makers I referred to last week are starring … Read more