HOT tickets
Wednesday 16 May @ 17:03:47 |
 Friday.18
VALENTINO ACHEK DENG
 Lyndale United Church of Christ
This Friday, Magers & Quinn Booksellers presents Valentino Achak Deng, one of Sudan’s “lost boys,” and the subject of Dave Eggers’ extraordinary book “What is the What” (McSweeney’s). Deng will discuss his life and Eggers’ fictionalized autobiography, which chronicles Deng’s experiences from his pre-war life in Marial Bai, to his resettlement in the United States. Separated from his family, Valentino became a refugee in war-ravaged southern Sudan. His travels brought him in contact with enemy soldiers, liberation rebels, hyenas and lions, disease and starvation and deadly murahaleen (militias on horseback)—the same sort who currently terrorize Darfur. All of the proceeds from “What is the What” go to Valentino’s Foundation, which aids the Sudanese in America and Sudan. For more information on Valentino, the Foundation and Eggers’ book, visit valentinoachakdeng.com. 7:30 p.m. $5 ($3 donated to Valentino’s Foundation). 801 W. 31st St., Mpls. 612-822-4611. AUDRA OTTO
MAD LOVE
Trocadero’s
There’s nothing like catching Mad Love live—just ask anyone who saw their slammin’ set at last year’s Harvest Fest. A close second is slapping a disc on your stereo. You get the chance to do both as this dyed-in-the-wool, old-school soul ensemble breaks out with an EP release that’ll send you straight from the dance floor to the merchandise table. On the strength of their credentials alone you ought to be there. Venerable warhorse Nate Stevens (The Stevens Brothers, The Beads, Wookiefoot) on guitar, harp and vocals, put the band together with Matthew Stevens (moonlighting away from New Primitives) on bass, Scoot Boots (guitar), Matt Cartee (drums), Marcus Schmid (keys) and songbirds Alyssa Kluver and Nicole. Trust me, they will put some nitty in your gritty. With Gold Standard, Illumination Fire Troupe. 9 p.m. $10. 107 N. 3rd Ave., Mpls. DWIGHT HOBBES
Sunday.20
SUSTAINABLE ORGANIZING WORKSHOP
May Day Books
Progressive activists are often so busy reacting to the latest war, budget cuts of human needs or assault on civil liberties, there’s little time to consider the nuts and bolts of organizing. IMPACT (Ideas to Mobilize People Against Corporate Tyranny) begins a series, held one Sunday a month, considering strategy, obstacles and vision. Activist Karen Redleaf and Laila Davis, a recent Humphrey Institute graduate, facilitate this first session, which looks at how to organize successfully and avoid burnout. 3 p.m. Free. 301 Cedar Ave., Mpls. 612-333-4719. LYDIA HOWELL
Tuesday.22
THE ART OF THE BICYCLE
Hang It, Inc.
Wisconsin artist Gregg Rochester has established himself nationally and internationally as a painter of landscapes and fields. His contemplative work, of distinctive and captivating moods, seeks to stir the natural spirituality and grace of the land and the animals closest to it. He expresses the comfort many feel as they gaze upon the countryside. As one observer pointed out, “Rochester’s work eases the eye, calms the chaos, and leads one to return to what they know is right with themselves and the land.” Although best known for his landscape paintings, Rochester has another side to his work, connected to his passion for bicycling: hand painting high quality racing bicycles. Rochester’s bicycles are currently on display at Gallery 122, the fine art gallery at Hang It, Inc. in Minneapolis. Each of the five pieces in The Art of the Bicycle depicts a particular theme, such as African Fabrics, trade beads, reptile skin or antique marbles. To learn more about Rochester, visit greggrochesterart.homestead.com. Through May 31. Hours: Mon. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Tue.-Thu. 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 122 8th St. S.E., Mpls. 612-874-7222. AUDRA OTTO
Wednesday.23
Z MAG’S MICHAEL ALBERT
Macalester College
Z Magazine and South End Press co-founder Michael Albert became politically engaged opposing the Vietnam War as a MIT student in the late 1960s and never stopped. Author of 15 books, he’s just published a memoir, “Remembering Tomorrow: From SDS to Life After Capitalism,” that’s been praised by historian Howard Zinn and political analyst (and Albert’s mentor and friend) Noam Chomsky. Albert mostly avoids nostalgia, in favor of asking questions about how we got from there to here—and how we can create vibrant, inclusive and strong progressive movements in the 21st century. Surrounded by corporate culture in a politically cynical age, considering a life committed to social justice is a refreshing counterweight to the right-wing wall of noise or one’s own despair. Albert asserts an activism of joyful purpose. 7 p.m. Free. Davis Auditorium in the campus Center, Grand and Snelling Ave., St. Paul. 612-333-4719. HOWELL
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