Wednesday News and Reviews
Can you tell it's the beginning of a long weekend? The arts start early...
Dance
Susana di Palma curates this year's Choreographers' Evening at the Walker - Camille Lefevre, MinnPost
This year, flamenco powerhouse Susana di Palma, artistic director of Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theater, is in charge. According to press materials, after auditioning 56 "acts," she was determined to find the right combination of emerging and established artists to usher in the holiday season.
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Movies
Disney's golden hair surprise - Colin Covert, Star Tribune
'Tangled,' opening Wednesday, finds the just-right balance between sentiment and satire, action and romance. Plus it's pretty.
She's no damsel in distress, but she does need to let her hair down - Chris Hewitt, Pioneer Press
The wicked stepmother, that popular villain of animated musicals, gets an update in "Tangled": Now, she's the passive-aggressive stepmother.
Likable actors can't cope with the clutter in their messy melodrama - Chris Hewitt, Pioneer Press
Two people who don't want to fall in love do it anyway in "Love and Other Drugs."
Magic pill - Colin Covert, Star Tribune
Non-stupid direction and great acting by Gyllenhaal and Hathaway save what could have been a standard dying-lover romance.
Pop diva Cher teaches Christina Aguilera the shticks of the trade - Chris Hewitt, Pioneer Press
Like Kraft macaroni and cheese or a Barry Manilow song, "Burlesque" is kinda terrible and kinda great.
Cue the sequins & dream - Colin Covert, Star Tribune
Christina meets Cher in a showbiz fantasyland.
The Rock, muscled up, is out for revenge - Tom Horgan, Star Tribune
Dwayne Johnson leaves comedy behind in a laughs-free, average action film.
"Today's Special" - Colin Covert, Star Tribune
Aasif Mandvi movie lacks passion.
There's a reason this dish is on so many menus - Chris Hewitt, Pioneer Press
Although it's called "Today's Special," a more appropriate title for the restaurant-themed comedy would be "Comfort Food."
Music
Who needs touring acts when the homegrown stuff is so fine? - Ross Raihala, Pioneer Press
Thanksgiving signals a slowdown for touring club acts because the arrival of the holidays and Minnesota's sometimes sketchy early winter weather keep many bands at home. But that doesn't mean empty venues.
What you missed: Grinderman Cake In 15
From the enraptured mass of beards, mustaches and balding pates swamping up the Mainroom on Tuesday, it's not just the hot girls that Nick Cave and Grinderman have sway over, but any noise-loving dude with a righteous desire to get louche and loud and god bless us all if we weren't ground down under Cave's patent leather squaretoe last night night, in the best possible way.
A trifecta of country superstars is headed to the Twin Cities - Chris Riemenshneider/Jon Bream, Star Tribune
Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban all announce 2011 concert dates.
Keillor and VocalEssence serve up a wistfully funny feast - Rob Hubbard, Pioneer Press
Garrison Keillor is aging quite gracefully. The host of the popular radio revue, "A Prairie Home Companion," seems to be sliding comfortably into the role of sage elder. He still waxes humorous on his seemingly stream-of-consciousness stories, but now offers wistful recurring encouragement to enjoy your life and those around you.
Minnesota Orchestra to play at Convention Center during construction - Graydon Royce, Star Tribune
The orchestra will move to the nearby 2,100-seat auditorium for its 2012-13 season.
Minnesota Orchestra will play at convention center during remodel - Pioneer Press
Cloud Cult Showcases New Album at First Ave - Michelle Los, Minneapolis Examiner
Last Wednesday and Thursday nights, local favorite Cloud Cult celebrated the release of their new CD, Light Chasers, at First Ave.
Theater
Scarecrow on Fire: The Lost Notebooks of Oz - Amy Carlson, Pioneer Press
Ever wonder what happened to Dorothy and her crew of misfits after their "Wizard of Oz" adventure? Noted actor, writer and storyteller Kevin Kling will provide some insight when his "Scarecrow on Fire: The Lost Notebooks of Oz" opens a three-show run Friday at the Fitzgerald Theater
Arts Orbit Radar 11/25/10 - Jay Gabler, TC Daily Planet
What's on this week