February 22, 2014, Saturday - Spotlight Series at MacPhail

Time: 8:00pm

Location: MacPhail Center for Music, 501 2nd Street South

The MacPhail Spotlight Series showcases the exceptional talents of MacPhail teaching artists and special guests, providing an intimate listening experience in MacPhail's Antonello Hall. Under the artistic direction of Mischa Santora, this series will be brought to life with collaborations from some of the Twin Cities' finest artists.

Tonights Spotlight: Puppets, Pranksters and Ballerinas

This enchanted performance unfolds through the creative magic of ballet and puppetry. Watch as foolery and tragedy come alive, quite literally, in the vivacious compositions of Stravinsky and Milhaud. Featuring performances by faculty members Daniel McIntosh, cello; Liz Wolff, piano; Greg Keel, saxophone; Timothy De Prey, piano; Julia and Irina Elkina, piano duo. Shadow Puppetry will be performed by In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 612-767-5250 or by visiting our Minneapolis, White Bear Lake, Chanhassen or Apple Valley locations. Detailed program information can be found in our series brochure that will be available for download on our website.

February 22, 2014, Saturday - Whisker Whirl at The Depot

Schedule:
5:30 p.m. – Gala Doors Open for All Attendees
Exclusive cocktail and hors d’oeuvre reception begins for VIP ticket holders
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Silent Auction, Cash Bar, “Frolicking” Fun Activities
7:00 p.m. – Dinner, Program, Fund-A-Need, Auction

Location: The Depot, 225 Third Avenue South

Welcome to the 2014 Whisker Whirl!
 
The funds raised through Whisker Whirl go directly back into helping the animals that come through our doors each year. This includes providing a safe haven for homeless pets with housing, medical treatments and spay/neuter surgeries, as well as humane investigations and educational and outreach programs.
 
Enjoy a party for people and their pups, benefiting the Animal Humane Society.

Information and tickets

February 22, 2014, Saturday - Live Music at Aster Cafe

Time:  9:00pm - 11:00pm, $10

Location: Aster Cafe, 125 Main Stree SE

Tonight:  Tom Lieberman

Those of you with good memories may recall Tom Lieberman as the tallest member of the seminal jazz trio Rio Nido. Those of you who are fans of A Prairie Home Companion may remember him as the voice of El Muchacho Allegre (Happy Boy) Ajua-brand Hot Sauce… Those of you who have (or are) children, may have heard his songs being sung by Sesame Streets Elmo. And, those of you who watch movies may have heard him performing his own composition, Eskimo Kisses, on the soundtrack to the breakout indie-sensation Sweet Land.

February 22, 2014, Saturday - American Lung Assoc Fight for Air Stair Climb at US Bank Plaza

7 AM - Ultimate Climb
8:30 AM  - Climb
9:00 AM - Firefighter Challenge

Location: US BANK PLAZA, 200 South 6th Street

Climb Once- Be an Ultimate Climber- Join the Firefighter/ 1st Responder Challenge- Be a Virtual Climber
Same Climb – New Location! Climb to the 31st floor of the U.S. Bank Plaza in Minneapolis.

Fight for Air Climbs are the American Lung Association’s most unique fundraisers. Climbs take place in prominent skyscrapers, stadiums or arenas and involve walking, running or racing up hundreds of steps. Sometimes called a “vertical road race”, teams and individual participants can use the event as a fitness target, as a race, or as a great way to be active and meet new friends.
 
Ultimate Climb- Climb 31 floors to the top of the US Bank Plaza as many times as you are able to within one hour. Climbs are intended to be consecutive. Elevator time will not be recorded in your time. Your fastest individual climb time, along with the total times you climbed US Bank Plaza will be eligible for awards. We will also be presentation awards to the top fundraising team and top individual fundraisers.

Annie.Henriksen@LungMN.org

February 22, 2014, Saturday - National Theatre Live: Coriolanus at St. Anthony Main Theatre

Time: 1:00pm

Location: St. Anthony Main Theatre, 115 Main Street SE

NT Live is a groundbreaking initiative of London's National Theatre that broadcasts the world's finest stage performances to cinema screens in 22 countries around the globe. Through a partnership with the Film Society of Minneapolis/St. Paul, National Theatre Live has moved from the Guthrie across the river to the Film Society's St. Anthony Main Theatre. Tickets are available through the Film Society and are $20 Regular; $15 Film Society members.

National Theatre Live will broadcast the Donmar Warehouse’s production of Coriolanus, Shakespeare’s searing tragedy of political manipulation and revenge, with Tom Hiddleston (The Avengers, War Horse (film), BBC's The Hollow Crown) in the title role and Mark Gatiss (Season's Greetings at the National Theatre, BBC's Sherlock) as Menenius, directed by the Donmar's Artistic Director Josie Rourke.

When an old adversary threatens Rome, the city calls once more on her hero and defender: Coriolanus. But he has enemies at home too. Famine threatens the city, the citizens’ hunger swells to an appetite for change, and on returning from the field Coriolanus must confront the march of realpolitik and the voice of an angry people.

More information.

February 21, 2014, Friday - "Best Laid Plans" Murder Mystery at Old Spaghetti Factory

Time: 7:00pm

Location: Old Spaghetti Factory, 233 Park Avenue (and Washington Avenue South)

"Best Laid Plans"

Join The Murder Mystery Company as we journey back in time to the glamorous 1930's with, "Best Laid Plans".

Get all dolled up for an evening of "Old Hollywood Style" fun as you mingle with the who's whos of society. Be careful though, as someone in the room is guilty of a terrible crime. Bring your friends, family and don't forget your detective skills to help solve the case!

Information and tickets.

February 21, 2014, Friday - Live Music at Crooked Pint

Time: 9:00pm

Location: Crooked Pint Ale House, 501 Washington Avenue South

Tonight:  Three Bands - Seven Half Trio, Bre Lewis and Totuga

February 21, 2014, Friday - Live Music at Aster Cafe

Time: 9:00pm $6

Location: Aster Cafe, 125 Main Stree SE

Tonight:  Katy Vernon + Kara Loudon

Katy grew up in London, England. She has been writing and singing as long as she can remember. This past year she released her debut solo CD Before I Forget. Songs of love, loss and happiness. Before I Forget is Vernon’s first solo album, her compositions are fairly sparse, leaving plenty of room for her songbird-like voice and her ever-present ukulele. “There is a beauty and hope in Vernon’s voice that ultimately makes the songs feel uplifting.”

Twin cities-based singer/songwriter, Kara’s heartfelt melodies and lyrics make her skills as a songwriter so apparent, and the songs which she writes so easily relatable.

February 21, 2014, Friday - Mississippi River Forum: "Envision Infrastructure Evaluation" at McKnight Foundation

Time: 8:00am - 9:30am

Location: McKnight Foundation, 710 Second Street South, Suite 400

Mississippi River Forum: "Envision Infrastructure Evaluation"

Odds are, you’ve heard of the LEED certification program that rates “green” buildings. But we’re willing to bet (sort of—depends on the stakes…) that you haven’t heard of Envision, a certification program along the same lines as LEED, which holistically evaluates the community, environmental and economic benefits of infrastructure projects—including water systems. Envision evaluates infrastructure projects that use transformational, collaborative approaches and assesses the impacts of their entire life cycles. Projects undergoing Envision certification are asked not only, “Is this the right way of doing this project?” but also, “Is this the right project to do?” HDR Engineering has been closely involved in the development of the Envision program and was the first to submit a project for verification. Kathryn Jones and Dave Johnson with HDR are both Envision-credentialed and will discuss the program, its applications and example projects. Come learn how our future infrastructure may be designed and evaluated! Light breakfast provided. Free. RSVP to lark_weller@nps.gov.

February 21, 2014, Friday - Rain Taxi Reading Series: Okey Ndibe at The Soap Factory

Time:  Reading at 7:00pm

Location: Soap Factory, 514 Second Street SE

Author Okey Ndibe reads from his new book, Foreign Gods, Inc.

Rain Taxi is proud to present acclaimed Nigerian writer Okey Ndibe reading from his riveting new book, Foreign Gods, Inc. (Soho Press). Exploring questions of race, identity, and the commodification of the sacred, the novel tells the story of Nigerian-born New York City cab driver Ike, as complicated a character as any in contemporary literature. Frustrated with his job, divorced from his wife, and at odds with American culture, Ike plots an art heist in his home country, but learns that there is still farther to fall before he hits bottom. A taut, literary thriller, Foreign Gods, Inc. is a novel that wrestles with bad faith and the post-colonial condition in equal measure, and a more than worthy follow-up to Arrows of Rain, Ndibe’s first novel, which Ernest Emenyonu called “A blueprint for the second generation of African novelists.”

Free and open to the public—reception to follow!

February 20, 2014, Thursday - Beer and Brewing in the Land of Sky Blue Waters at Central Library

Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Location: Central Library (Room Location: RKMC Meeting Room) 300 Nicollet Mall

Beer and Brewing in the Land of Sky Blue Waters

Registration required, begins Jan 23. Register online or call 612-543-8000.

Our state has a rich history with beer starting with the first brewery opening in St. Paul in 1849. Explore the history of the local beer scene, the innovators and home brewers that spurred a new generation of brews and breweries, and the basics of brewing.

This project is funded with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
Presented in collaboration with Minnesota Historical Society.

February 20, 2014, Thursday - Ten Thousand Things' The Music Man at Open Book (4 nights)

Location: Open Book, 1011 Washington Avenue South

Ten Thousand Things’ 20th anniversary season continues with The Music Man by Meredith Willson. Directed by Lear deBessonet with music direction by Peter Vitale. Featuring Luverne Seifert as Harold Hill with Sarah Agnew, Aimee Bryant, Bradley Greenwald, Jim Lichtscheidl, Dennis Spears, Kimberly Richardson and Ricardo Vazquez.

In its hallmark barebones musical style, TTT re-examines this story of a town and its people who, hardened by life, find themselves taken on a journey that allows them to trust again.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows at 8pm; Sunday shows at 4pm.

Thursday, February 20
Friday, February 21 (Audio Described)
Saturday, February 22
Sunday, February 23

Thursday, February 27
Friday, February 28
Saturday, March 1
Sunday, March 2

Thursday March 6
Friday, March 7
Saturday, March 8
Sunday, March 9

For information and tickets: http://www.tenthousandthings.org/musicman.

February 19, 2014, Wednesday - Genealogy Research: Get Started at Central Library

Time: 10:30am - 1:00pm

Location: Central Library, (Room Location: Best Buy Learning Lab) 300 Nicollet Mall

Genealogy Research: Get Started

Register Online or call 612-543-8000.

Learn how to access family history resources, including census and immigration records and the best of what's available at the library and the Web. Register online or by calling 612-543-8000.

February 19, 2014, Wednesday - Minneapolis Park and Rec Board Meeting

Time: 5:00pm

Location: Minneapolis Park and Rec Board, 2117 West River Road

Agenda

Meeting are broadcasted live on the City of Minneapolis Government Meeting Channel 79, or online at http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/tv/79. Those interested in viewing the MPRB meeting are encouraged to attend at MPRB headquarters, located at 2117 West River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55411, or view during the 10:30 p.m. Monday (12/3) rebroadcast on Channel 79.

February 19, 2014, Wednesday - Nicollet Mall Re-Design Meeting at Central Library

February 18, 2014, Tuesday - New Webster School Feedback Meeting at RiverWest

Time: 7:00pm – 8:30pm GMT-06:00

Location:  RiverWest (Condominium Social Room), 401 South 1st Street

Minneapolis Public Schools are planning to re-open the Webster School in the fall of 2015. The Downtown Minneapolis School Initiative is hosting a meeting to collect your thoughts and ideas for the new Webster School.

The meeting will be hosted by the Downtown Minneapolis School Initiative, a joint committee of the North Loop Neighborhood Association, Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association and Elliot Park Neighborhood Inc. however all neighbors and families impacted by this new school are invited to attend and provide feedback.

Contact Adam Schiff, adamdschiff@gmail.com, or Eric Laska, elaska@gmail.com, with quesitons.

February 18, 2014, Tuesday - Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission Public Meeting

Time: 4:30pm

Location: Room 317, City Hall, 350 South Fifth Street

More Info

February 18, 2014, Tuesday - Sale at Central Library Book Store (all week)

Book Store Hours:
11 AM – 2 PM, Mondays; 10 AM – 5 PM, Tuesdays; 10 AM – 5 PM,Wednesdays; 10 AM – 5 PM, Thursdays; 10 AM – 5 PM, Fridays; 10 AM – 4:30 PM, Saturdays (Closed Feb 17 for Presidents Day)

Location: Central Library Book Store, 300 Nicollet Mall, 612.543.8102

Clearance Book Sale at Friends of HCL Store

Support the work of the Friends and build your own personal library at the Friends of HCL clearance sale. Inventory will be constantly restocked throughout the sale, so shop often.

Feb. 18 - 22: All the items you can fit into a grocery bag for just $5, or $.25 per item.

Held at Friends of the Hennepin County Library Book Store at the Minneapolis Central Library.

More Info

February 17, 2014, Monday - Mill District Neighborhood Assoc Meeting at the Mill City Museum

Time: 6:30pm – 8:00pm

Location - Mill City Museum, 6th Floor ADM Conference Room (Enter at 710 2nd Street South - Arrive early to assure a seat.)

Agenda:
- Dr. Tara Schug of Magna will provide information on being a 2013 CSA drop site LTD Farm
- Council Member Jacob Frey
- Water Works Park Update
- Crown Hydro Update
- Downtown East Development
- Jeff Hahn of Day Block Brewing Company

February 15, 2014, Saturday - International Cartoonist Conspiracy Meet-up at MCBA

Time: Noon – 4:00pm

Location: Minnesota Center for Book Arts, 1011 Washington Avenue South

International Cartoonist Conspiracy Meet-up

All skill levels welcome.

Hosted by the Minneapolis cell of the International Cartoonist Conspiracy. Draw and chat with your fellow cartoonists at this monthly open studio meet-up. Location within MCBA's studios may vary (you can always check in at The Shop). For more info, visit the Cartoonist Conspiracy blog.

FREE and open to the public. No need to pre-register, just drop in!