Wednesday news and reviews

Here's a look at the art stories making headlines...

Art

Walker names new senior curator of visual arts

Clara Kim will join the Walker Art Center staff as senior curator of visual arts on Aug. 1.

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- Mary Abbe, Star Tribune

Books

'India Calling' explains that country's enormous changes

Despite a subject matter that is almost impossibly broad in scope, "India Calling" is a beautifully written, intelligent look at the cultural history and changes of India.

- Steve Weinberg, Star Tribune

Minnesotans and comics: A new book looks at contemporary artists

There's never been a really comprehensive review of Minnesota's contributions to the comic arts.

- Max Sparber, MinnPost.com

Brave Words

Connie Wanek urges you to read Lucille Broderson's debut book of poems, BUT YOU'RE WEARING A BLUE SHIRT THE COLOR OF SKY (Nodin Press, 2010), calling the 94-year-old poet's work a thrilling achievement, bold, direct and moving from beginning to end.

- Connie Wanek, mnartists.org

Movies

A Carr is born

Former Twin Cities Reader editor turned New York Times media reporter David Carr steals the show in the new documentary "Page One: A Year Inside the New York Times."

- Colin Covert, Star Tribune

Coens, 'King' in an Oscar shootout

"True Grit" scored 10 nominations, the best ever for the Minnesota-born filmmakers, while "King's Speech" got 12.

- Colin Covert, Star Tribune

Music

New pop faces as swell as tween spirit

One young rocker finds a lot to like in Greyson Chance and Miranda Cosgrove.

- Jon Bream, Star Tribune

Snoop Dogg still has the touch

The Los Angeles rap legend smooth-talked the roughly packed crowd at the Cabooze on Tuesday.

- Chris Riemenschneider, Star Tribune

Snoop Dogg at the Cabooze, 01/25/11

Snoop is such a charismatic, electrifying performer that the moment he steps on stage, the place simply lights up, both figuratively and literally.

- Erik Thompson,

Kyle Matteson: From More Cowbell to Ten Atoms

Blogger Kyle Matteson started More Cowbell with humble intentions: sharing the music he loved with his friends, notifying them of new bands and upcoming concerts.

- Loren Green, City Pages

Television

Melissa Peterman: Class clown

Minnesota native Melissa Peterman gets off the bench to take center stage in her own sitcom.

- Neal Justin, Star Tribune

Stage

'Babe' delights with small-scale mayhem

Based on Dick King-Smith's novel, the play offers delights for anyone who loved the book or the film.

- Ed Huyck, City Pages

'That's What She Said' according to Unit Collective

Since October of 2010 the Unit Collective, a group of emerging playwrights and theater artists of color, has been hosting a monthly Mpls Madness Series at the Playwrights' Center. The event features 10-minute plays based on a single theme.

- Sheila Regan, CityPages

Dead Composers Society present a campy romp

From the company that co-produced Tonya & Nancy: The Opera and Two Short Operas, a hit at the Fringe last summer, comes One More Friday.

- Sheila Regan, CIty Pages

Brouhaha Comedy Festival at the Southern Theater: Warm whimsy in the middle of winter

Whimsy was the dominant tone among the three pieces I saw, all of which were polished and enjoyable excursions into the lighter side of physical theater.

- Jay Gabler, TC Daily Planet