Wednesday news and reviews
Art
'Sweat Stains, Beer, and Cigarettes' closes soon
On the right night, the dive bar band scene can be an exciting one. The current exhibition at Steven's Square Center for the Arts is a tribute to just that: "bar culture, tobacco-stained walls, and sweaty, dirty, rock 'n' roll."
- Coco Mault, City Pages
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Toymaker, artist, and clothing designer Erin Currie is perhaps best known for her Curster series, a line of vinyl gnomes, beasties, and bunnies with wide eyes and mischievous facial expressions.
- Jessica Armbruster
Books
A conversation with Peg Meier, author of Through No Fault of My Own
Once again, Peg Meier (author of Bring Warm Clothes and other treats) has taken the simplest every-day item - a young girl's diary - and presented it to her readers in a way that makes everyone appreciate it.
- Linda White, Examiner.com
Dance
An uneasy meeting of West and East
James Sewell Ballet and the Schubert Club attempt a "Fusion" of classical traditions.
- CAROLINE PALMER , Star Tribune
General
'Hanna' and the rise of the new auteur
- Max Sparber, MinnPost.com
Movies
Film-fest website crash causes some headaches
Two days before festival begins, MSPIFF schedule pages are back up, but online ticketing is problematic.
- COLIN COVERT, Star Tribune
Minneapolis/St. Paul FILM FESTIVAL Here are some of the highlights in the first week.
The Minneapolis/St. Paul Film Festival is getting started with a bang. Over the course of three weeks, the fest features about 170 films, one of the best of which is being shown on the very first night.
- Chris Hewitt, Pioneer Press
MSPIFF 2011: Bigger and better than ever
Now in its fourth year at the St. Anthony Main Theaters, MSPIFF has really exploded this year and holds much promise.
- Jim Brunzell III, TC Daily Planet
With around 230 films there are definitely some to avoid like the stench of sour milk, and people are bound to be confused with certain titles.
- Jim Brunzell III, TC Daily Planet
Music
Plant delivers rootsy Americana
REVIEW: The rock icon showed himself an adventurous performer, whether recasting hits or delving into the soul.
- JON BREAM , Star Tribune
Tweens are driven to be pop stars, but challenges, dangers exist.
- JON BREAM , Star Tribune
Cut Copy at First Avenue: 2011's show to beat
The Australian synthpop outfit have played in a bigger venue each time they've visited the Twin Cities, and they were recently named as one of the top acts at this summer's Pitchfork Music Festival.
- Bobby Kahn, TC Daily Planet
Trying to fit her 'Red High Heels'
Kellie Pickler is more than a corny country cutup. She just hasn't been able to capture it on record yet.
- JON BREAM , Star Tribune
Dessa and Lazerbeak talk about the non-music side of Doomtree
Not only are they one of the metro's indie-rap heavyweights, they are also a record label, book publisher, and producers of various multi-media. The collective has grown from Hopkins high school alumni trading beats to an ambitious, critically lauded crew with seven distinct voices and one unifying cause.
- Loren Green, City Pages
Record Store Day 2011: Vinyl lovers' paradise
Twin Cities prepares for busiest RSD yet
- Andrea Swensson, City Pages
Stage
Frank revisits 'Cabaret' for a benefit concert, with updated location
Sometimes, as much as everyone involved would like it to be different, the show can't go on.
- Ed Huyck, City Pages
An exploration of a gay couple's thorny differences
- Ed Huyck, City Pages