Saturday news and reviews

Books/Writing/Spoken Word

Crime pays for Minneapolis bookstore

Once Upon a Crime, beloved by mystery writers and readers, will be honored this month at the Edgar Awards in New York.

- LAURIE HERTZEL , Star Tribune

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National Poetry Month: Five views, part two

This is the second part in a previously-conceived one-off article on National Poetry Month in Minnesota, featuring an email thread with five poetry gurus of the Twin Cities scene.

- Linda White, Examiner.com

Equilibrium series presents Sham-e-Ali Nayeem and Tomás Riley

According to Bao Phi both of the artists are "legendary in their own idioms," and are known for their skill and talent as poets, as well as for their activism.

- Sheila Regan, City Pages

'60 Minutes' report critical of 'Three Cups of Tea' and its author

A "60 Minutes" investigation alleges that the inspirational million seller "Three Cups of Tea" is filled with inaccuracies and that co-author Greg Mortenson's charitable organization has taken credit for building schools that don't exist.

- Associated Press

Movies

Lino Lakes boy copes with hemophila, gives up hockey in film-festival documentary

'Thicker than Water' screened Sunday

- John Brewer, Pioneer Press

"Soul Surfer" summons unexpected waves of emotion

Soul Surfer is a ridiculously good movie--and by that, I mean that it's both ridiculous and good.

- Jay Gabler, TC Daily Planet

Music

An opening-night listen at two String Theory shows

Doomtree's Dessa performed two newer works, which mark a noticeable shift from her emcee duties with the Minneapolis hip-hop collective.

- Andrew Penkalski, Star Tribune

Missy Mazzoli and Nadia Sirota introduce the String Theory Festival at the Walker

Last night at the Walker Art Center, composer Missy Mazzoli and violist Nadia Sirota -- we'd like to say 'kicked off' right here but that is a completely inappropriate idiom for what happened -- welcomed the String Theory Festival with a performance in the hodge-podge of Gallery 2.

- Andrew Flanagan, City Pages

Behold, Low!

Duluth trio is an institution, but Alan Sparhawk says he's always wary of the next six months

- Ross Raihala, Pioneer Press

MacMillan piece rooted in rosary

Concert review: The new piano concerto, commissioned by Osmo Vänskä makes its world premiere this weekend.

- LARRY FUCHSBERG , Star Tribune

Terry Mullan & Chuck Love to headline benefit for house legend Paul Johnson

For legendary house DJ Paul Johnson, December started bad and got worse. The Chicago native, who has been DJing in a wheelchair for the better part of his career, was involved in a major accident that broke several of his bones and led to the amputation of his right leg.

- Ian Traas, City Pages

Movits! and Koo Koo Kangaroo swing by the Varsity Theater

On Sunday night, they--and I say this without irony--totally rocked my world.

- Courtney Algeo

Stage

Twin Cities theater artists set benefit show for Japan

- Pioneer Press

Behind that smart mouth is a wise educator

A lot has changed in Josh Blue's life since he won the "Last Comic Standing" title nearly five years ago. Of course, some things remain the same: his killer sense of humor and his cerebral palsy.

- Amy Carlson Gustafson

Blank Slate's "Bloodymerryjammyparty": Spirit of '72

The play, newly written by Heidi Arneson and deftly directed by Adam Arnold, is set in the America of Arneson's girlhood circa 1972, and it mixes emotional authenticity with a sense of mystery and wonder. It's deeply weird, in the best, truest sense.

- Jay Gabler, TC Daily Planet