Mexican Gastronomy & Culture
Various locations

The idea of promoting the indulgence of Mexican food and culture is muy excelente and long overdue. Finally, through Nov. 6 we can all enjoy the official Tri-National Week of Mexican Gastronomy and Culture. Throughout the week, selected venues, including Manny’s Tortas and restaurants in Minneapolis’ Mercado Central and in St. Paul, are offering a special “Taste of Mexico” menu that highlights traditional dishes. Events are also being held in conjunction with Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festivities, so expect mariachi music, folk dancers and special exhibitions. The purpose of the event is to raise awareness among Mexicans, people of Mexican descent living in Minnesota and the community at large about Mexican food and culture. Mercado Central, 1515 E. Lake St., Mpls. For details about participating restaurants contact Claudia Delgado Palacio at 612-296-5233 or Vicky Gonzales at 612-770-7260. Nancy Sartor

Howard French
Walker Art Center

Even non-eggheads can appreciate journalist Howard W. French, here in town to hawk his book “A Continent for the Taking: The Tragedy and Hope of Africa.” He is senior scribe at the New York Times (which, granted, has taken its share of hits with regard to credible reporters, but why suspect him?) and he’s written about Africa for the Washington Post, Africa News, The Economist and a bunch of others. French has also covered Central America, the Caribbean, Japan, Korea and China. In 1997, his coverage of the fall of Mobuto Sese Seko won the Overseas Press Club of America’s award for best newspaper interpretation of foreign affairs. With “A Continent for the Taking: The Tragedy and Hope of Africa” he pulls the covers off a sorry situation: the betrayal and greed of the West often aided and abetted by Africa’s own leaders that has given rise to the increasing exploitation of Africa’s natural resources and its human beings. It’s long since time America’s black crusaders stopped blaming everything that’s wrong in Africa on mean white folk. There are so-called brothers in the Motherland who need to have their hand exposed and put in check. You have to give it to French for the integrity of his scope, if nothing else. 7 p.m. Free, but ticket required. 1750 Hennepin Ave., Mpls. 612-375-7600. Dwight Hobbes

The God of Hell
Loring Playhouse

Wendy Knox takes chances. Her Frank Theatre produces “The God of Hell” by Sam Shepard at the Loring Playhouse through November 20. The play is a curious mélange of theater of the absurd and agit-prop (a parable about the government protecting our freedom to be robots), but the production is well-acted and flawlessly directed. Thu. – Sat. 8 p.m.; Sun. 2 p.m. $14 - $20. 1633 Hennepin Ave., Mpls. 612-724-3760. Ed Felien

Colette Illarde
Varsity Theater

Flamenco dancer Colette Illarde and her partner, multiethnic guitar and oud player Scott Mateo Davies, can’t resist the magnetic pull of the Mediterranean—as their upcoming live show, “Caravan from Cairo to Cordoba,” will demonstrate beyond a doubt. The ancient enchantment of the pounding multiple meters, micro-tone appoggiaturas, mordant glances, piercing light and pearly haze of the olive groves will be captured in this entertaining (and educational) extravaganza at the Varsity Theater. The show offers a glimpse into the crossovers among Gypsy, Muslim, Jewish and Christian arts over the centuries as you travel from one present-day setting to another: a bazaar in Egypt; a ‘70s-ish disco in Algeria; an oasis in the Moroccan desert; a patio in Spain. Dancers in brilliant costumes, singers and many instrumentalists (also in costume), lush lighting and stage sets will make this a sensually gripping trip. The focus on song and dance and the absence of spoken words (no dialogue, no narrator) call to mind the 1993 French musical documentary “Lacho Drom.” Davies is excited that they could find so many incredible performers—half of them born and raised in Mediterranean countries—all living in the metro area. The fiery Illarde and popular Middle Eastern dancer Margo Abdo O’dell share the choreography. One of the pieces in the show will be “Kashmir,” a song created by Led Zeppelin after their sojourn in northern Africa, now newly interpreted by musicians from northern Africa. Don’t miss this exotic, commanding display of multicultural pyrotechnics. Through Nov. 6. Fri. & Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m., $16 - $20. 1308 4th St. SE, Mpls. 612-604-0222, VarsityTheater.org. Mary Ann
Vincenta

Art Attack & Sculptural Show
Northrup King Building

Lots to see artistically speaking this weekend in Northeast. Friday kicks off the eighth annual Art Attack, which means a chance to lose yourself in the labyrinthine halls of the Northrup King Building as more than 125 artists open up their studios. Photography, painting, fiber art, pottery, sculpture—it’s all here and under one, gigantic roof. Among the exhibits is the second annual Sculptural Show featuring a wide range of work by local artists. I mean a wide range. Anastasia Ward creates interactive toy sculptures from used stuffed animals, motion detectors, small motors and electric parts. Amy Toscani’s large-scale work suggests recognizable objects while challenging the viewer. The makeshift toys designed by Kyle Fokken explore interpersonal relationships and cultural values. And there’s also abstract work by Roger Junk and Kari Reardon, as well as figurative pieces by Foster Willey Jr. Get your art on. First Thursdays, Nov. 3, 5:30 – 9:30 p.m.; Fri. Nov. 4, 5:30 – 9:30 p.m.; Sun. Nov. 5, noon – 5 p.m. 1500 Jackson St. NE, Mpls., NorthrupKingBuilding.com. Sartor

Camilo Mejia
Macalester College

From 2004 to 2005, Camilo Mejia served a year in prison for refusing to return to the war in Iraq. The first Iraq war veteran to file for discharge from the army as a conscientious objector, Mejia will speak at a number of Twin Cities venues about his experiences, the war in Iraq and why he refused to participate in it. The events are sponsored by Iraq Peace Action Coalition, Veterans for Peace, Anti-War Committee, Anti-War Organizing League, Twin Cities Peace Campaign-Focus on Iraq, Women Against Military Madness and United Steelworkers Fight Back ‘05 Campaign. 5 p.m. $5 suggested donation. Weyerhauser Board Room, 1600 Grand Avenue, St. Paul. Also at 7:30 p.m. U of M, Blegen Hall Room 5, 269 19th Ave. S., Mpls.; Sat. Nov. 5. 6 p.m. $20 suggested donation (light dinner provided). Holy Trinity Church, 2730 E. 31st St., Mpls. Lydia Howell

The Oranges Band
The Triple Rock Social Club

From the instant the chunky sparkle guitars and rehearsal-space drums kick in on leadoff track “Believe,” you won’t have a hard time believing that The Oranges Band leader Roman Kuebler spent time playing bass on the road with minimalist juggernauts Spoon. “Believe” is something of a red herring, though, as their latest album comes off as decidedly sunny over the long-haul and works as a kind of companion to Broken Social Scene’s self-titled slice of summer breeze. If BSS is the van full of cool kids heading to a beach party, Oranges are the brooding wallflowers reluctantly following in their VW Golf. They’re blasting their Nuggets box set and arguing about whether Morissey could take Robert Smith in a fight. Along for the ride are a couple local vets, including Tad Kubler, who took their promo photos and raved about the band in a recent interview, and Craig Finn, who wrote their press release. With winter fast descending here in lake country, you should take the opportunity to snatch up as much sunshine as possible. With Die Electric and headliners Askeleton (See Rob van Alstyne’s feature in this issue). 10 p.m. 21+. $7. 629 Cedar Ave., Mpls. 612-333-7499. Steve McPherson

Green, Green Water
Lagoon Theater

Where does your electricity come from? Who decides to flood thousands of square miles of forest for that electricity? What do Indigenous peoples and activists have in common? Twin Cities filmmaker Dawn Mikkelson’s “Green, Green Water” answers all these questions with one word: Power. Canada’s Manitoba Hydro sells Xcel Energy about 25 percent of its power, produced by dams built in the 1970s. Environmental devastation resulted, with five tribal peoples losing their land, livelihoods and an ancient way of life. More planned dams divide the Cree into those who capitulate to “progress” and those who resist further destruction. Mikkelson gathers Cree voices—in their cracker box California houses built by Manitoba Hydro, on the stagnant, man-made lakes and at public meetings. Black and white footage from 1966 captures the pristine forest and rivers that have been lost to this so-called progress. “Green, Green Water” is part of this year’s Get Real! Documentary Film Fest. After screening, Mikkelson and Cree members will be on hand to speak. 7:30 p.m. $8. 1320 Lagoon Ave., Mpls. 612-825-6006 or CityPages.com/GetReal. Howell

Terry Eason CD Release
Creative Electric Studios

Terry Eason’s been around for a minute as a sideman for artists like Dylan Hicks and Rhea Valentine, but he’s also turning out some great raucous songwriting and guitar-playing on his own and is preparing to release two records simultaneously. One is the final third of his Elephant-Bee-Fly trilogy entitled The Aching of the Household Fly and the other is the all-instrumental vinyl-only Pronounced Eggtree. His press release stakes his claim to the title of Indie-prog guitar hero (I do think Bill Mike might give him a run for the money in that department) and The Aching… certainly backs it up. Its garage-rock meets high-concept guitar aesthetic recalls a broad range of artists, from the Smashing Pumpkins-dreamy “Wishful Thinking” to the rollicking Guided by Voices-esque stomp of opener “Like Me More.” His gentle/manic vocals can be reminiscent of Askeleton’s Knol Tate, but if anything, I’m getting even more enjoyment out of the more abstract, Elliott Sharp-knifefight-with-Mono-styled Pronounced Eggtree, which really shows off his not only technical but creative and textural guitar chops. Creative Electric is a great space for music: cozy and inviting. Add in sets on the first night from Redstart and Paul Metzger and on the second from Autumn Leaves and Unguided Missile and you’ve got the makings of some memorable musical evenings. 8 p.m. All Ages. $5 suggested donation. Also Fri., Nov. 4. 2201 2nd St. N.E., Mpls. 612-706-7879. McPherson

Jeff Tweedy
First Avenue

It’s hard to know what to say about Jeff Tweedy that hasn’t already been said. Wilco has become one of the most critically-fêted rock bands in the world, and Tweedy has gone from playing Scrappy-Doo to Jay Farrar’s Scooby in Uncle Tupelo to being one of the premier songwriters of his generation. His creakily-endearing voice and skewed way with lyrics come to the fore in a solo setting, and while you’ll miss the sonic experimentation of the full-band, you’ll be treated to stripped-down and re-worked versions of classics from Wilco’s back catalog. I can tell you this: when I saw the band last in Connecticut, Tweedy took time out to lay the smackdown on an audience member who had had the temerity to bring a harmonica to the show and play it during one of the set’s quieter tunes. “I don’t come to where you work and fuck up your job,” said Tweedy from the stage. “Seriously. Stop it.” So leave your harmonicas at home. With Glenn Kotche. 8 p.m. 21+. $23.
701 First Ave. N, Mpls. 612-338-8388. McPherson

Patriot Acts
Varsity Theater

Eric Bailey, as he was known when he wrote and performed with J. Otis Powell in the innovative ensemble Serious B, somewhere along the line became e.g. bailey, co-founder of the Minnesota Spoken Word Association (MSWA). By any name, the guy has not only forged a strong career, he’s helped cats like Powell and Ancestor Energy empower a genre here in the Twin Cities. With Shá Cage (the other half at MSWA) and Kim Thompson, Bailey keeps things going via “Patriot Acts,”a multi-media performance. The concept draws on varied disciplines (including movement, video and, of course, spoken word) to ask questions like: What does a terrorist look like? What is a patriot? What role will art play in this “war against terrorism”? What roles do race, culture and class play? What is an American? How do we engage in an international dialogue? What international bridges can be built? The performance will feature artists from Jamaica, England and the United States. Sounds like a good idea that’s being executed by capable hands. The third part of Pangea World Theater’s Bridges program, “Patriot Acts” will conclude the series this month after two years of collaboration. Through Nov. 9. 7:30 p.m. $12. 1308 4th St. SE., Mpls. 612-203-1088 or PangeaWorldTheater.org. Hobbes