Friday news and reviews
Art
More than 200 artists - and several galleries, too - have put down roots in the former seed warehouse.
- MARY ABBE , Star Tribune
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MN Made celebrates D.I.Y. culture and local art at the Walker Saturday
This Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Walker Art Center, MN Made promises to help you imagine how you too can become a seed glueing, master crocheting, jaw twanging, music-scene-making (and belt-creating, bluegrass-playing, arts-grant-attaining) sustainable artist.
- Nikki Miller, City Pages
Pink Hobo has 'The Itch That Burns'
"The Itch That Burns" could be the name of a teenage cautionary tale or personal hygiene film from the '50s. Instead, Pink Hobo has claimed the title for their latest art exhibition and, thank goodness, they've made something fun out of it--which is something the folks at this self-proclaimed "geek" art gallery do best.
- Coco Mault, CIty Pages
'LINE: An exploration of T-shirt graphics' opens at CO Exhibitions
CO Exhibitions has invited dozens of artists and designers to participate in designing work to put on T-shirts.
- Coco Mault, City Pages
Books
Robert Bly to launch new collection of poetry
Poet Robert Bly's new collection, "Talking into the Ear of a Donkey," will be published in May by W.W.Norton.
- Laurie Hertzel, Star Tribune
The Pleasures and Perils of the Novelist's Craft
Writer Alison Morse talks shop with two seasoned novelists and educators, Mary Rockcastle and Sheila O'Connor (both of whom have new books coming out), about the travails and rewards of working "to get the story on the page."
- mnartists.org
Dance
Shapiro & Smith play with fire
This weekend, Shapiro & Smith returns to the Southern Theater to present three world premieres and a reprise of a favorite from last year for their show, "Burning Air."
- Sheila Regan, City Pages
General
Reaction to our album showcases the Internet's cultures of creativity and contempt
- Max Sparber, MinnPost.com
Movies
Raised with an extreme version of "tough love," a backwoods girl finds a violent, high-tech world.
- COLIN COVERT , Star Tribune
Review: It's not so much the story as it is the execution -- and we mean execution
"She won't stop until you're dead or she is." That line could come from a million action movies, but there's a difference in "Hanna": Both people in question are female, and one is a teenager.
- Chris Hewitt, Pioneer Press
Movie review: 'Wretches and Jabberers'
The documentary "Wretches and Jabberers" is a moving and eye-opening testament to the desire of autistic people to be a part of the world, not apart from it -- or at least to be understood.
- KRISTIN TILLOTSON, Star Tribune
Review: Nature film plays the wild card and brings home the jackpot
It's orphaned baby animals for the win in the splendid "Born to Be Wild 3D."
- Chris Hewitt, Pioneer Press
'Your Highness' is medieval cheese
The "Pineapple Express" guys are back at it, this time in a stoner movie with wizards, knights, maidens and pratfalls.
- COLIN COVERT , Star Tribune
Review: Superb cast its crowning glory, but there's nothing very majestic here
The medieval comedy "Your Highness" is plagued by a shortage of laughs.
- Chris Hewitt, Pioneer Press
If you must see "Arthur," choose a theater that serves alcohol. You'll be needing it. Like a 3-D adventure, this fiasco is best viewed through beer goggles.
- COLIN COVERT, Star Tribune
Review: Iffy remake turns out to be staggeringly goodCount me among those who didn't think "Arthur" needed to be remade and didn't want to see Russell Brand in any role that lasted longer than five minutes. Cut to me eating crow.
- Chris Hewitt, Pioneer Press
Review: If you must go, just close your eyes and listen to the nice music
The warning-us-that-something-bad-is-about-to-happen music in "Winter in Wartime" is '40s-ish and cheesy, and so is the movie.
- Chris Hewitt, Pioneer Press
Review: Ill-fated surfer's story on the right wavelength
If I correctly understand the message of the past few months' movies, it's this: If you play extreme sports, you should plan to lose an arm.
- Chris Hewitt
Reviews: 'Soul Surfer,' 'Winter in Wartime' and 'Born to be Wild'
- COLIN COVERT, Star Tribune
Review: It's like the film just woke up this morning and got itself a gun
Hey, "Kill the Irishman." "The Sopranos" called. It wants its actors back. Along with everything else you borrowed.
- Chris Hewitt, Pioneer Press
Music
Philip Glass at the Dakota, 4/6/11
Are you even reading this to hear a laundry list of technical specs needing improvement, or do you want to know about the butterflies I got sitting a mere 10 feet away from a living legend tackling some of the most monumental music made in the past century, or how electric a sold out room felt as the crowd hung on every note in quiet awe? Pedestrians outside halted and peered through the window. Even they knew something truly special was occurring inside. Simply put, it was breathtaking.
- Pat Dougherty, City Pages
In 80 minutes with no intermission Glass played music from the last four decades, pausing to briefly introduce the pieces. With so many big orchestral works and operas in his catalog, it was a keen pleasure to hear Glass, 74, play alone in the intimate Dakota.
- Claude Peck, Star Tribune
The Raveonettes at the Fine Line, 04/07/11
A truly fantastic opening set by the San Franciscan quartet Tamaryn set the stage perfectly for the Raveonettes, as their ethereal, simmering style of shoegaze suitably complimented the sound of the headliners and got the mood and atmosphere of the room right as the crowd started to swell.
- Erik Thompson, CIty Pages
Jeremy Messersmith is as good as his word(s)
The art of songwriting is on the agenda Saturday at the Fitzgerald Theater with "Works for Words." Local singer/songwriter Jeremy Messersmith headlines the evening and will play his own material and songs that inspired him. Dessa, Chris Koza and Lucy Michelle also will perform.
- Ross Raihala, Pioneer Press
After thrilling Twin Cities musical-theater audiences for a decade, Greta Oglesby will finally headline her first concerts here.
- JON BREAM , Star Tribune
Local music: Rocking the good fight
Glitter Ball is another example of how Rock the Cause helps musicians and fans help others.
- CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER , Star Tribune
The Baseball Project: They don't care if they ever get back
If "living the dream" means playing in a great rock band with your baseball-loving spouse, think again. Sure, with The Baseball Project, singer/guitarist Steve Wynn and singer/drummer Linda Pitmon seem to have it all, and in all kinds of harmony -- except, that is, when Pitmon's Twins play Wynn's Yankees.
- Jim Walsh, MinnPost.com
Stage
Gay and Christian, in a quiet argument in 'Next Fall'
"Next Fall" won praise in New York for dialogue that danced like the best sitcoms. At heart, though, it touched on serious matters.
- Graydon Royce, Star Tribune
'Naked Darrow' uncovers man beneath the legend
In Gary Anderson's mind, the time is perfect for a play about Clarence Darrow. After all, the issues that the famed attorney spent his life working on--from evolution to labor unions--are still in the news and under attack.
- Ed Huyck, City Pages