Wednesday news and reviews

Yay - there's a story about dance!!! It's been too long...

Art

David Zink Yi contemplates darkness and life

Political Coverage Powered by You

Your gift today creates a more connected Minnesota. MPR News is your trusted resource for election coverage, reporting and breaking news. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.

The Berlin-based artist has been working for the past few years in ceramics to create sculptures inspired by the Architeuthis, a deep-sea-dwelling squid that up until a few years ago had never been encountered alive.

- Sheila Regan. City Pages

G.A.S.P! (Gender Anarchy Sex Positivity) opens at Intermedia Arts Thursday

In an effort to examine gender roles and sex-positive education, the collaborative happening blends visual and performance art, giving artists who are often ignored and underrepresented a space to express themselves.

- Shelby Meyers, City Pages

Artists' images inspired by the Winter Carnival

Although he currently lives in Seattle, artist Robert Blehert gave back to his hometown with artwork for the 125th St. Paul Winter Carnival.

- Erica Tasto, Pioneer Press

Books

A peek at the life of a recluse

Biography of J.D. Salinger uncovers new details of his life and offers insight to his reclusiveness.

- Steve Weinberg, Star Tribune

Dance

The Enduring Mystique of "Swan Lake

Camille LeFevre muses on what fuels the lasting allure of the romantic ballet staple, "Swan Lake"-- from the recent popular film, "Black Swan," to this week's full-length performance of the work at Northrop, by the Voronezh State Ballet Theatre of Russia.

Funding

The arts under a Republican Congress

With a budget crisis ahead, Republicans are calling for cuts to federal and local budgets. What might this mean for the arts?

- Max Sparber, Minnesotaplaylist.com

Music

Grant Hart in limbo after house fire"It's just lost stuff, not people." So said a surprisingly upbeat Grant Hart a few days after a fire destroyed two rooms and a lot of personal belongings at his house in South St. Paul last week.

- Chris Riemenschneider, Star Tribune

Quartet without borders

At Walker Art Center this weekend, the eclectic Kronos Quartet will play pieces by Iranian, Iraqi and Palestinian musicians - and some rock heroes, too.

- Britt Robson, Star Tribune

Brynn Andre sings her heart out for Kids Against Hunger

Andre knows who she's singing to and nails the target head-on, and while her confessional pop sound is far from feel-good and sugary, her lyrics line up nicely with a well-executed percussive piano melody.

- Natalie Gallagher, City Pages

Stage

There is no 'Doubt'

Ten Thousand Things' sharp, taut production of John Patrick Shanley's parable on modernity and tradition is a must-see.

- Graydon Royce, Star Tribune

"Shrek the Musical" at the Orpheum Theatre: Best not to ogre-analyze it

Shrek the Musical feels overstuffed with tepid numbers.

- Jay Gabler, TC Daily Planet

The Marvelous Wonderettes

It's almost all about the music of the 1950s and '60s, performed by a quartet of women. The new production at the Plymouth Playhouse sticks to the formula and is a real winner for those just looking for an evening's distraction.

- Ed Huyck, City Pages

Pop-up theater

Instead of producing a play in an established theater venue, you instead produce it somewhere unexpected.

- Max Sparber, MinnesotaPlaylist.com