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Twin Town High (vol. 8) |
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Hot Tickets for February 14 - 20, 2007
Thursday 15 February @ 16:40:07 |
  Storyhill :: Valentine's Evening Disco Party :: Aimard Plays Mozart :: Political Theatre Festival :: Corey Stevens: Blues for Food Benefit :: Iraq in Fragments :: Prince Myshkins and Tuesdays Robot :: Sparklehorse AND THIS WEEK'S HOT PICK: North Star Roller Girls Heartbreak-Hers Ball Pre-Bout Bash at The Uptown BarCHECK YOUR PULSE ...
Storyhill
Varsity Theater
 It's hard to recall harmonies as tight as Storyhill's. You have to look back to the '50s at acts like The Everly Brothers, or to the '60s to soft-rockers The Byrds (but that band had three lead singers). Minneapolis-based Red House Records is releasing their self-titled reunion album, Storyhill, which features singer-songsmiths Chris Cunningham and John Hermanson against a delicate backdrop of acoustic guitars. Backed by strong accompaniment--principally Eric Fawcett (drums, percussion) and Brian Roessler (acoustic bass)--Cunningham and Hermanson truly work well together. Listen to the sardonic lyrics of "Give Up the Ghost" for bitter-sweetness at its tastiest: "Can you hear me, now / You're cuttin' in and out/ It's just the hummin' of the highway / Don't know where you're runnin' to / Don't know how to help you / Storm is comin' / Find your way back to the shore / I've loved before / Love you the most / Give up the ghost." With Brian Joseph. 8 p.m. $15/$18. All ages. 1308 4th St. SE, Mpls. 612-604-0222. DWIGHT HOBBES
Valentine's Evening Disco Skate Party
Roller Garden
 Does the thought of another candlelit Valentine's dinner make you surly? Would you rather be out shakin' your booty disco-style to a hot new sound system? Then look no further than Roller Garden! Your hostess and Valentine birthday girl DJ What's-Her-Name will be supplying a mix culled from her fabulous 12" collection, ranging from wheel-tested super hits to the deliciously obscure. One of the proprietors of Hymie's Vintage Records, DJ W-H-N has been rollin' every Feb. 14 since the 3rd grade. Rumor has it that a certain Pulse freelance writer shares the same birthday--and a passion for the absurdly sweet activity of rockin' out on quads. C'mon, you know you'd rather have a hot dog and a soda under the magic mirror ball. 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. $4. 5622 W. Lake St., St. Louis Park. 952-929-5518. JULIA LAMBERT
Aimard Plays Mozart
Temple Israel
 This week, internationally-celebrated French pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard begins his tenure as Artistic Partner to the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra with three Twin Cities concerts, acting as both director and performer. Aimard, who made his Carnegie Hall debut in 2001, is widely acclaimed as a key figure in the music of our time and as a leading interpreter of the standard piano repertoire. The recipient of dozens of instrumentalist awards, Aimard performs with major orchestras around the world each season and boasts an extensive discography. This week's programs open with Franz Joseph Haydn's Symphony No. 83 in G Minor: "The Hen," and features Tamara Stefanovich on piano for Olivier Messiaen's "Oiseaux exotiques [Exotic Birds]" for piano, winds and percussion, and Elliott Carter's "Dialogues" for piano and large ensemble. The finale to each concert is Aimard's extraordinary performance of Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 13 in C. 8 p.m. $10. 2324 Emerson Ave. S., Mpls. 612-377-8680. For more information on SPCO call 651-291-1144 or visit thespco.org. AUDRA OTTO
Political Theatre Festival
Intermedia Arts
 Teatro del Pueblo's sixth annual Political Theatre Festival takes on immigration with a series of seven plays, offering insights as an alternative to shouting matches. In "Road Scholar," a car breakdown results in a stereotype breakthrough. In "Contents Under Pressure," a furniture delivery to an American couple includes an unexpected addition--a Mexican refugee. In "Embassy of the Americas," those demanding "legal" immigration see the complexity of the issue, and find out how humiliating it can be to get a visa. Satirizing "American Idol," "American Immigrant" is an interactive play that uses humor and audience participation. Teatro's touring play "Help Wanted," which is based on a case regarding real albino sisters, challenges abuses immigrant workers face when they attempt to unionize. Through Mar. 4. Various times. $10 - $15. 2822 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls. 612-871-4444. LYDIA HOWELL
HOT PICK
North Star Roller Girls Heartbreaker-Hers Ball Pre-Bout Bash
Uptown Bar and Cafe
The North Star Roller Girls have been rolling their way into Minnesotans’ hearts since their inaugural season kicked off in October of last year. The new skater-owned league continues to build its fanbase through grassroots marketing and exciting publicity events; they hosted Mark Mallman’s New Year’s Eve show at the Varsity last month and will be guests on an upcoming episode of “Drinking With Ian.” Attendance at their bouts has been rising each month as they continue to distinguish themselves from the more established 3-year-old Minnesota RollerGirls league. As the North Stars gear up for their fifth bout on Saturday, Feb. 24 at Cheap Skate Roller Rink in Coon Rapids, the four teams (The Banger Sisters, Delta Delta Di, The Kilmore Girls and Violent Femmes (and yes, Gordan Gano is a fan and approves of their name)) will prove they know how to rock as well as roll when they stage a pre-bout bash at the Uptown Bar Friday, Feb. 16. The show features Ouija Radio, Madison’s Screamin’ Cyn Cyn and the Pons, The Slats, and Action vs. Action. Rollergirls plus that much rock can only add up to a rollicking good time. Bout ticket giveaways and more. Details at northstarrollergirls.com. 9:30 p.m. $5. 21+. 3018 Hennepin Ave., Mpls. 612-823-4719. DAVID DE YOUNG
Corey Stevens: Blues for Food Benefit
Myth Nightclub
 Veteran country-rocker Corey Stevens follows 2005's soulful acoustic collection Alone At Last with this month's release of Albertville (Ruf Records), a compelling tribute to the late blues icon Albert King. Stevens picked these parts to kick off his new album because, among other things, he was rolling through Albertville, Minn., a few years back and the town's name reminded him of his hero, King. It's hard to say what stands out on Albertville, 'cause everything sounds pretty damned good, but you can't go wrong with cuts like the laid-back burner "A Real Good Sign," the funky strut "Another Pretty Face" and the nasty groove of "Nice to Be Nice (Ain't That Nice)." For good measure, the gig benefits Minnesota Food Share, which supplies over 260 food shelves across the state. 7:30 p.m. Donations of 2 nonperishable food items. 3090 Southlawn Dr., Maplewood. 651-779-6984. DWIGHT HOBBES
Iraq in Fragments
Bell Auditorium
 Seattle-based documentary filmmaker James Longley spent two years filming in Iraq, which resulted in this Oscar-nominated documentary, "Iraq in Fragments." Previously recognized for "Gaza Strip" (2002), Longley doesn't use the traditional narrative voice-over, instead allowing the images and Iraqis to speak for themselves. In three acts, "Iraq in Fragments" shows a country splitting apart because of ethnicity, religion and the inevitable power plays that have developed during the war and occupation. Sundance honored the film with three awards, including Best Documentary, and the Wall Street Journal said, "This is the best film you haven't seen." This may well be the truest view of Iraq you'll ever experience without going there yourself. Through Feb. 21. Nightly at 7 & 9 p.m.; Sat. – Sun. matinee at 5:15 p.m. $5 - $8. 17th & University Ave. SE, Mpls. 612-331-3134. LYDIA HOWELL
Prince Myshkins and Tuesdays Robot
331 Club
 Combining brilliant musicianship and hilarious lyrics, the Prince Myshkins are a must-see for anyone who enjoys political satire. The duo consists of Rick Burkhardt on accordian and Andy Gricevich on acoustic guitar. Both provide vocals for remarkably clever songs about current political and social issues. Their insights challenge listeners to critique society, while their unrelenting wordplay and humor provide laugh-out-loud entertainment. Taking the name "Prince Myshkin" from the main character in Fyodor Dostoevsky's novel "The Idiot," Burkhardt and Gricevich are one of the most intelligent acts around, lyrically and musically. They tour the country, singing at antiwar demonstrations, union rallies, coffee shops and college campuses. This Friday, the Prince Myshkins appear as part of a fundraiser for the Rita Steinhagen War Resister's League, a new Twin Cities chapter. The War Resister's League is a national group with deep roots in the peace movement. Opening will be local favorites, Tuesdays Robot, whose acoustic folk is sincere, melodic and socially aware. Don't miss this opportunity to support antiwar work and see a great show. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Donations will be requested. 21+. 331 13th Ave NE, Mpls. 612-874-7715 or warresisters.org. KATRINA PLOTZ
Sparklehorse
First Ave
 Mark Linkous is a survivor, and I don't mean in the lame, CBS-reality-show-series sense of the word. The man's managed to survive life-threatening accidents (in 1996 he was wheelchair-bound for months after passing out with his legs pinned beneath him after ingesting a combination of antidepressants and alcohol) and mental health issues (he readily admits the recent five-year drought between Sparklehorse records was mostly spent in severe depression). What makes Linkous worth knowing about, however, isn't his clichéd "tortured artist" back story, it's the stirring and imaginative pop he makes whenever he escapes those personal problems. The latest Sparklehorse album, Dreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain, doesn't sound markedly different than any of its predecessors despite the highly touted presence of Danger Mouse in the production chair on a few tracks. It's another shambling collection mixing pristine pop moments with scuffed-up rock and woozy punch-drunk production guaranteed to keep you riveted to your headphones. With Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter. 8 p.m. $13 adv/ $15 door. 18+ 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-332-1775. NATHAN DEAN
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