–Illustration by James Dankert People have been wondering what happened to Uncle Jumbo. That is, of course, the million dollar question, and a question whose answer apparently lies somewhere far in the man’s distant past. All I can tell you is that something did indeed happen. There’s no doubt about that. And something always seems … Read more
Nothing quite says “Thanks Mom” like a giant fruit peacock. Screw brunch. Seriously, don’t you think you’re pulling a fast one on your Mom by taking her out for brunch? First of all, there’s little or no effort put by YOU personally into the meal. Secondly, by making it the morning meal, it’s like you’re … Read more
“Water”, 2005. Written and directed by Deepa Mehta; music by Mychael Danna and the famous (and unbelievably prolific) A.R. Rahman. Starring Sarala, Lisa Ray, Seema Biswas, John Abraham, Manorama, Raghuveer Yadav, Vidula Javalgekar, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, and Bollywood stalwart Waheeda Rehman (in a small role). Now showing at the Uptown Theater. Once upon a time, in … Read more
Tonight: Doors Opening: A Symphony of the Dolls. This is the big opening night for The Ritz Theater in northeast Minneapolis after many, many dark years. I toured the space a while back–probably about two years ago. It then struck me as a long, cavernous room. So I’m looking forward to seeing what the Dolls … Read more
I find it so frustrating that I, on occasion, regress into these high-school speech patterns. Perhaps you can’t empathize with this little dilemma, you being so sophisticated. But that’s probably not the case, lest you be social outcast or graduate of SPA. In any case, I find I’m reverting to adolescent patois quite often these … Read more
This persistent image you mention, the masked man in the mirror that you have been routinely encountering in your dreams –I don’t mean to make light of your problems, but certainly you don’t need to pay me to explain something that is so painfully obvious that it is almost an insult to my profession. Please … Read more
I need a helmet to keep the bullshit from flying out of my head I always cringe just a little when I find myself agreeing with Joe Soucheray, but I guess I’m just getting older. Today he has a great column on the DeLaSalle-Nicollet Island NIMBY crowd and their attempted use of historic designation for … Read more
This coming weekend might be a good time to join the lurkers in the woods. The mycologists are a-foot, stooping to look under fallen trees, brushing aside damp rotting leaves, all in search of their prize: mushrooms. Foraging for mushrooms, and other wild edibles such as ramps, can be a consuming hobby. Disregarding wet weather, … Read more
Coolest thing happening tonight: Rainer Maria plays the T-Rock. I’m automatically impressed by bands that take name and inspiration from poetry, especially the poetry I regard as being good. I’m similarly enamored of the poet(s) who go(es) rawk. (My waking mind recalls only Jim Carroll.) On the other hand, I’ve yet to encounter a rocker … Read more
Lord have mercy! What team was that? Nineteen hits? Six walks? Fifteen runs? Kevin Millwood gives up nine earned runs in one-and-a-third innings and his ERA only rises to 5.13? How could that be possible? And what the hell has gotten into Michael Cuddyer? That game was ridiculous. This team is ridiculous. They’re going to … Read more