February 12, 2013, Tuesday - DMNA Board Meeting at Central Library

Time: 6:00pm

Location: Central Library, Room N-202, 300 Nicollet Mall

Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association and Agenda.

February 12, 2013, Tuesday - Community Conversation about Loft Readings and Events at The Loft

Tme: 5:30pm

Location: The Loft, Performance Hall, 1011 Washington Avenue South

Community Conversation about Loft Readings and Events
  
The Loft is hosting a community conversation about our readings and events. Each year, the Loft hosts around 70 events. We are committed to ensuring that each event provides authors and audiences a high-quality, curated experience. Through our events, we seek to deepen the understanding of the craft of writing and connect writers to new audiences.

Essential to achieving this commitment are our core programs, including student readings, Equilibrium, Inroads, the Loft Mentor Series in Poetry and Creative Prose, McKnight Artist Fellowships for Writers, Minnesota Emerging Writers’ Grant readings, Second Story (for authors of children’s literature), as well as collaborations with Minnesota’s many fine literary presses.

All of this great activity means that in most months we have no more than one open slot for additional events. We are immensely excited and proud that our literary community has so many success stories, so many writers putting words to paper and screen. But this growing vitality also means that we’re not able to accommodate all of the requests for readings in the Target Performance Hall.

This leads us to this community conversation. We’d like to hear from you in a structured conversation. What would you like to see more of at Loft events? Do you have any ideas for future events? How should we handle the decisions about what events to program? How can we be a better resource for writers who can’t find a slot to have a reading at the Loft?

February 12, 2013, Tuesday - Dining Out for the Southern at Spill the Wine

Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm

Location: Spill the Wine, 1101 Washington Avenue South

On February 12 from 6p - 9p the amazing folks at Spill the Wine will be donating 20% of all purchases to the Southern Theater.
 
In honor of St. Valentine later that week this is a match made in heaven. You, the Southern Theater and Spill the Wine. Food for you, support for the Southern, and well wishes for our friends as they make their transition.
 
Reservations are NOT required but are RECOMMENDED to ensure that you can be there.

So come out on Feb 12. Say hi to Damon and the Board at the Southern Theater, enjoy good wine and food, and in turn support the West Bank's oldest theater.

February 11, 2013, Monday - Geeks Who Drink at Aster Cafe

Time: 7:30pm (no cover)

Location: Aster Cafe, 125 Main Street SE

Geeks Who Drink is a Denver-based company that hosts bar trivia at over 200 pubs and restaurants in 21 states. Their quiz is a collective effort of dozens of quizmasters, writers, fact-checkers, graphic designers and artists.

February 9, 2013, Saturday - Paint It Green: Spirits of the Arctic Circle at Central Library

Time: 1:00pm–2:00pm

Location: Children's Library at Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall

Paint It Green: Spirits of the Arctic Circle

Registration required, begins Jan 12. Register online or call 612-543-8000.

K-grade 6. The Yup’ik people of Western Alaska make masks that represent the spirits of mammals, fish, birds, insects, plants, ice and everyday objects. Create a modern version of this traditional mask representing your favorite animal of the Arctic. Materials provided.

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

February 9, 2013, Saturday - Second Story: William Alexander & Kelly Barnhill at The Loft

Time: 2:00pm

Location: The Loft, Target Performance Hall

Second Story: William Alexander & Kelly Barnhill

Second Story, the Loft's reading series for writers of children's and young adult literature curated by authors Swati Avasthi and Heather Bouwman, presents novelists Will Alexander and Kelly Barnhill.

Will Alexander studied theater and folklore at Oberlin College and English at the University of Vermont. He currently lives, writes, and teaches in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His short stories have been published in many magazines and anthologies, including Weird Tales, Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet, Interfictions 2, and Fantasy: The Best of the Year 2008. His novel, Goblin Secrets, received the 2012 National Book Award for Young People's Literature.

Kelly Barnhill is an author, teacher and mom. Her newest book, Iron Hearted Violet, is the story of a plain and reckless princess, a quick-thinking stable boy, a forbidden book, a wicked god, and the very last dragon in existence. Ms. Barnhill’s first novel, The Mostly True Story of Jack—a story about lost children and possibly-sinister corn fields and a dangerous, hidden magic bubbling under the wide, wide land—received four starred reviews. Prior to her life as a writer, she has worked as a waitress, a teacher, a secretary, a park ranger, an activist, a janitor, a coffee barista, and a phone book delivery girl. The sum of these experiences have prepared her for exactly nothing—aside from building stories, which she has been doing happily for the last few years. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her three brilliant children, her amazing husband (architect and house-designing extraordinaire, Ted Barnhill), and their emotionally-unstable dog.

February 9, 2013, Saturday - Live Music at Crooked Pint

Time: 9:00pm

Location: Crooked Pint Ale House, 501 Washington Avenue South

Tonight:  Salsa del Soul

February 9, 2013, Saturday - Genealogy Research: Birth, Love and Death at Central Library

Time: 10:30am – Noon

Location: RKMC Meeting Room at Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall

Genealogy Research: Birth, Love and Death

Register Online or call 612-543-8000.

Church and cemetery records can fill in key pieces of information on your family tree. How can you access these records? Learn from Cathi Weber, president of the Anoka County Genealogical Society.

February 9, 2013, Saturday - Live Music at Aster Cafe

Time: 9:00pm Cover: $8

Location: Aster Cafe, 125 Main Stree SE

Tonight:  Dave Olson + Barbara Jean

February 9, 2013, Saturday - Tunnel of Fudge Cake: The Bake-Off and the Bundt Pan at Mill City Museum

Location: Mill City Museum, 704 South Second Street

Times: 2:00pm

See how history is revealed in food as Mill City Museum staff lead a demonstration in the Baking Lab. Explore the history of the 1966 Pillsbury Bake-Off Second-place winning recipe, The Tunnel of Fudge Cake, its connection to local company Nordic Ware, makers of the Bundt Pan, and the fascination bakers today hold for replicating the recipe. Visitors can learn about baking history, sample the cake, get baking tips and take home a copy of the recipe.

Fee: Programs included with museum admission of $11 adults, $9 seniors and college students, $6 children ages 6-17; free for MHS members.

February 9, 2013, Saturday - Mill City Farmers Market

Time: 10:00am - 1:00pm

Location: Winter Markets are held inside the Mill City Museum, 704 South 2nd Street

Today at Mill City Farmers Market:

Over 30 vendors offering everything from squash and tomatoes, spinach, arugula, kale and heirloom potatoes to local honey, maple syrup, pastured meats, eggs, specialty cheeses, baked goods, kimchi, preserves, hand-made artisan gifts, heart-shaped chocolates and other indulgences for Valentine’s Day!

Also at the February 9 Market - Brenda Langton will be signing copies of her newest cookbook, The Spoonriver Cookbook.

February 8, 2013, Friday - What's in Dragonfly's Box? at Central Library

Time: 11:00am

Location: Children's Library at Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall

What's in Dragonfly's Box?

For families. Join us in the Children's Library to see what crafts or activities the dragonfly has in its box! Valentine's Day crafts. Materials provided.

February 8, 2013, Friday - Live Music at Crooked Pint

Time: 9:00pm

Location: Crooked Pint Ale House, 501 Washington Avenue South

Tonight: Elliot and the Sensitive Fellas
 

February 8, 2013, Friday - Live Music at Aster Cafe

Time: 9:00pm Cover: $8

Location: Aster Cafe, 125 Main Stree SE

Tonight:  Billy Johnson

February 7, 2013, Thursday - The Secret Garden at The Southern Theater (4 days)

Location: The Southern Theater, 1420 Washington Avenue South

Blue Water Theatre Company is proud to present "The Secret Garden." Based on the classic children't book by Frances Hodgson Burnett, "The Secret Garden" features music by Lucy Simon and book and lyrics by Marsha Norman. The original Broadway production premiered in 1991, and ran for over 700 performances. It won three Tony Awards, including Best Book of a Musical, and was nominated for four others, including Best Musical. Blue Water is excited to be presenting this show in The Southern Theater in Minneapolis, one of the Twin Cities' most historic performing arts houses.
 
Dates & Times
Feb 7 - 10
Thur, Fri & Sat 7p
Sun 2p
 
Tickets
$14 General Admission
$11 Students / Seniors
Tickets Available Online at Blue Water Theatre Company

February 7, 2013, Thursday - First Thursdays in the Arts District at Northrup King Building

Time: 5:00pm - 9:00pm

Location: Northrup King Building, 1500 Jackson Street NE

A multitude of painters, sculptors, printmakers, photographers, ceramists, textile and fiber artists, jewelers, furniture showrooms and more open their studios at the Northrup King Building located in the heart of the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District.

Gastrotruck will be on hand to serve up its handcrafted modern Midwestern food at the Northrup King Building. We've set up a special room for your dining convenience. Read more about the Gastrotruck at http://www.gastrotruck.mobi/.  Find Gastrotruck at the Main Entrance at 15th and Jackson.

February 6, 2013, 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 5, 2013, Tuesday - Creative Writing Circles at Central Library

Time: 6:00pm–8:00pm

Location: RKMC Meeting Room at Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall

Creative Writing Circles

Register Online or call 612-543-8000.

Explore the elements that shape a story in this four-part workshop. Learn ways to break through writing resistance and a writing technique to access your authentic voice. Seasoned writing workshop presenter Wendy Brown-Baez has authored two books of poetry and is a recipient of an Artist Initiative Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board.

This project is funded with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Additional dates:

Tuesday, Feb. 12, 6–8 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 19, 6–8 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 26, 6–8 p.m.

February 5, 2013, Tuesday - Minnesota Emerging Writers Grant Reading at The Loft

Tme: 7:00pm

Location: The Loft, Performance Hall, 1011 Washington Avenue South

Minnesota Emerging Writers Grant Reading

William Breen, Katie Hae Leo, Juliet Patterson, Yuko Taniguchi, and Donna Trump, winners of the 2012 Minnesota Emerging Writers Grant, read from their work.
 
William Breen teaches writing and literature at Anoka-Ramsey Community College. His poetry has appeared in AQR: Alaska Quarterly Review and Measure. His poem “Cookie Monster Blue” was a Pushcart Prize XXXIII nominee. William is working on a middle-grade novel and lives with his wife and three youngest children in Saint Paul.
 
Katie Hae Leo is a poet, playwright, and essayist whose work has appeared in journals such as Asian American Literary Review, Water~Stone Review, Kartika Review, Asian American Poetry & Writing, and Asian American Plays for a New Generation. She holds an MFA in Creative from the University of Minnesota. She has received two Pushcart Prize nominations in nonfiction, as well as funding from the Minnesota State Arts Board, the Jerome Foundation, and The Playwright’s Center. She lives in Rochester.
 
Juliet Patterson is the author of The Truant Lover (Nightboat Books) and Threnody, forthcoming from Jackleg Press. Her writing has appeared in numerous journals, including Crazyhorse, Indiana Review, Water~Stone Review and elsewhere. Recent awards include a 2011 Arts & Letters Susan Atefat Prize in Nonfiction, the 2010 Lynda Hull Memorial Poetry Prize, and fellowships from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Institute for Community and Cultural Development. She teaches at Hamline University and Saint Catherine University.
 
Yuko Taniguchi is the author of the poetry collection Foreign Wife Elegy and the novel The Ocean in the Closet, both published by Coffee House Press. She has received The Dayton Literary Peace Prize, the Kiriyama Prize Notable Book, and the Gustavus Myers Center Outstanding Book Award Advancing Human Rights. She is an instructor of writing in the Center for Learning Innovation at the University of Minnesota Rochester and conducts creative writing workshops for the Mayo Medical School and the Mayo Foundation’s Cancer Center.
 
Donna Trump has published work in Ars Medica, Gray Sparrow Journal, Mslexia, Chautauqua, and Speakeasy. She received a 2010 Pushcart Prize nomination and was a winner of the 2007-2008 Loft Mentor Series in Poetry and Creative Prose. She holds degrees in Biology and Physical Therapy from Northwestern University, and has studied writing at the Loft and through the 2011 Tin House Writers Workshop with Benjamin Percy. Donna lives with her husband in downtown Minneapolis.

February 4, 2013, Monday - Blues at the Crossroads 2: Muddy & The Wolf at The Guthrie

Time: 7:30pm

Location: Wurtele Thrust Stage, Guthrie Theater, 818 Second Street South

Blues at the Crossroads 2: Muddy & The Wolf

After a successful tour with the Robert Johnson Centennial Concerts, BLUES AT THE CROSSROADS returns to celebrate the two legends, Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. Both musicians vie for the honor of the “father of modern Chicago Blues” and both are considered the key bluesmen inspiring Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, John Mayall, Eric Clapton and others who brought about the 1960’s British blues explosion.Though friends, Muddy & The Wolf were rivals for the top slot, and this spurred on both to top the other and create classics of the genre, including Spoonful, Mannish Boy, Rolling Stone, and Smokestack Lightning. The Fabulous Thunderbirds join Blues At The Crossroads 2 as the core band backing greats James Cotton, Bob Margolin, JJ Grey and Jody Williams.