The historical musical 1776 starts at the Guthrie this evening, and Tool is playing at the Xcel Energy Center, but that’s no secret. What can I tell you that you don’t already know?
POETRY
The Dead Poetry Slam
Grab your best poetry and take it on down to Keiran’s for their twice-a-month poetry slam — 12 poets, 3 minutes, 3 rounds, 1 winner; you be the judge. Don’t sit around idly. Those who participate don’t have to pay the cover, and the top three poets win prizes ($75, $50, $25). Sign up by 7:30. It’s first come, first serve. And be as creative as you like. Remember, some of us will just be sitting back and watching, so keep us amused, eh? While I can’t seem to find anything about it on their website, I understand that tonight will actually be a dead poetry slam. What does this mean? It means you don’t even have to bring your own poetry. Bring a three-minute poem by a dead poet, and prepare to win.
7:30 p.m., Kieran’s Irish Pub, 330 2nd Ave S. (Towle Building), Minneapolis; 612.339.4499; $5 (to watch), free to perform.
MUSIC AND A MOVIE
If Only They Had Some Bug Spray
If poetry doesn’t exactly get you going, you might be in the mood for something a bit less heady. How does a screening of Starship Troopers sound? Watch as the beautiful, white-teethed Americans fight against villainous stick insects, cockroaches, and giant maggots. It’s time for another Holland neighborhood music and a movie night. Head on over with your blanket in hand, and chill to the music of B.C. Lucy before the 1997 sci-fi movie.
8 p.m., Edison High School Amphitheater, 22nd Ave N.E. and Quincy St., Minneapolis; 612-781-2299; free.
FILM by Peter Schilling
La Jetée and Sans Soleil
At least one critic has dubbed Chris Marker a “cosmonaut” — this in apparent admiration of the French documentary filmmaker’s ability to make other cultures look like products of distant planets. Marker’s documentaries jettison conventional narrative, instead telling stories by way of letter-writing and striking imagery. Sadly, his fascinating oeuvre has rarely, if ever, been seen in this country. But the good folks at Criterion are now trying to remedy this problem by releasing Marker’s two most popular films on DVD. Sans Soleil (1983) involves odd footage of Africa and Japan — images of people and their ceremonies paired with poetic observation. La Jetée (1962), Marker’s sole fictional work, is a thirty-minute photo-roman — that is, a variety of stills culled together — with narration. The movie is a short and stunning science fiction work and noted in this country as the inspiration for the inferior 12 Monkeys. With its striking imagery and haunting story of time travel, love, and the trap of memory, you can watch La Jetée in the time it takes you to sit through an episode of My Name Is Earl, and be moved in ways you never imagined. DVD available today.
MUSIC (with no movie)
Traditional Jazz Music
Born and raised in Minnesota, Doc Evans was among the most celebrated dixieland and traditional jazz cornet players in the ’40s and ’50s. For years, he played sold-out shows at the Walker and added to our rich musical heritage. Today, the Bill Evans New Orleans Jazz Band carries on the jazz tradition born in New Orleans and brought to Minnesota by local legends such as Doc Evans and the Hall Brothers. The Bill Evans New Orleans Jazz Band honors the traditional sound and repertoire, anchored in the nearly 50-year musical partnership of trombonist Bill Evans, cornetist Charlie DeVore and drummer Don “Doggie” Berg.
7 p.m., Bennett’s Chop Railhouse, 1305 W. Seventh St., St. Paul; 651 228-1408.
American Gypsy
You have to love a motorcycle babe with a guitar. And this one can really sing. American Gypsy sings the blues, and this woman — actually Jodi Jarchow — has something to sing about. Her lyrics are real, and powerful, often exposing her personal hardships, including the loss of her husband, partner, and lifeline. The name, American Gypsy, given to her by her late husband, was in fact the name of his tribe, those that follow the way of the White Buffalo.
9:30 p.m., Half Time Rec, 1013 Front Ave, St. Paul; 651-488-8245; free.
More Freebees
As will be the case throughout the next month or two, there’s loads of free outdoor music to enjoy. Put your wallet away and pull out the picnic basket.
Enjoy lunch with the Kurt Jorgensen Band. 12-1 p.m., Northrop Plaza, 84 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis; 612-624-2345; free.
Head over to Peavey Plaza right after work for a music happy hour. The Alive After Five Concert Series presents rhythm and blues by Armadillo Jump. 5 p.m., Peavey Plaza, 11th St. and Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis; 651-338-3807; free.
Or grab a blanket and enjoy a full picnic in the park. What do you prefer — an evening of classic jazz favorites, or a little something new?
Why don’t you do right and go see the Bend in the River Big Band at the Lake Harriet Bandshell? 7:30 p.m., Lake Harriet Bandshell, 4135 W. Lake Harriet Pkwy., Minneapolis; 612-661-4785; free.
Or broaden your horizons at the Minnehaha Falls Outdoor Concert Series with Chile Sin Fronteras. You can even bypass the picnic and enjoy some fresh oysters and wine at the Sea Salt Eatery. 7 p.m., Minnehaha Park, 50th St. and Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis; 612-673-2489; free.
ART by Ann Klefstad
Angela Strassheim Photographs
Local artist Strassheim is a former forensic photographer who now shoots her own family in disturbing tableaux. Her reputation has been growing ever since her work was featured in the last Whitney Biennial. Small wonder, then, that she has a beautiful show at the Burnet Gallery in the Chambers Hotel — which, of course, has built its own reputation on both overweening hipness and an abundance of adventurous art. Since good art is rarely served in close proximity to good cocktails, don’t miss this chance to take in both.
Through August 4, Chambers Hotel Burnet Gallery, 901 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; 612-767-6900.
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