December 12, 2012, Wednesday - Tim Sparks at the Guthrie

Time: 7:30pm

Location: Dowling Studio, Guthrie, 818 2nd Street South

Tim Sparks

Internationally celebrated finger style guitarist, Tim Sparks, is commemorating the 20th anniversary of his solo interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite by re-releasing the recording on Tone Wood Records. This groundbreaking collection was previously only available as an import.

Sparks will perform pieces from The Nutcracker Suite, along with his world and jazz repertoire in the Dowling Studio. At the concert, he will also debut selections from his current body of work of 20th Century Russian Composers. The CD is comprised of two works-a complete transcription of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite and Sparks’ arrangements of Eastern European dance tunes titled Balkan Dreams. This innovative body of work also includes one of Tim’s most haunting compositions, The Blues on Bartok Street.

When Tim Sparks won the national Finger style Guitar Championship with his solo guitar rendition of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite in 1993, the critics heralded it as a significant contribution to the existing body of guitar literature. Equally at home with Country, Blues, Jazz or World Music, Sparks’ extraordinary ability has earned him an international reputation as one of the most innovative guitarists working today.
 
www.timsparks.com

December 11, 2012, Tuesday - Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission Public Meeting

Time: 4:30pm

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

More Info

December 11, 2012, Tuesday - Sip & Sale at Spill the Wine

Seating Time: 5:00pm - 7:30pm

Location: Spill the Wine, 1101 Washington Avenue South

Sip & Sale -  $25 Mingling Event

Holiday Wine Tasting, Music, Appetizers.  Wholesale Pricing on ALL wine.

Call for reservations

December 10, 2012, Monday - Lend Your Voice to the Above the Falls Plan Revisions

Time: 6:30pm - 9:00pm (Open house and registration 6:30pm - 7:00pm; program 7:00pm – 8:30pm; table discussions 8:30pm – 9:00pm)

Location: Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, 2117 West River Road
 
Both the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and the City of Minneapolis will soon be making choices that will shape the future of our river and our city for generations to come.

The Above the Falls plan calls for continuous park and trails along the Mississippi River from Plymouth Avenue north to the city limits.
 
Ten years after this visionary plan for the Mississippi River above St. Anthony Falls was adopted, the City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) are proposing updates to the plan. The Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership and the Above the Falls Citizen Advisory Committee (AFCAC) are hosting the third public forum of 2012 on the Above the Falls Master Plan update, including land use and park boundary changes.

Staff from the City of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) and MPRB will present recommended changes and preview strategies to achieve the plan’s goals, roles of public and private partners, and priority projects. They will compare the proposed changes and RiverFirst, and review the potential health impacts of the proposed land uses and parks.

At the meeting, staff will answer questions and gather your comments, which staff will consider and incorporate during plan review. Staff will present the proposed final plan early in 2013, for formal City and MPRB approval anticipated during early 2013.

December 10, 2012, Monday - Surly Smoke 2012 Release Party at Zen Box

Time: 5:00pm to Close

Location: Zen Box Izakaya, 602 Washington Avenue South

Join Surly Brewing Company as they kick off the 2012 release of Smoke, their Oak Aged Smoked Baltic Porter, at Zen Box Izakaya on December 10, from 5pm - close.

There will be Cynic and Bender on tap starting at 5pm and 12 oz. pours of Smoke starting at 6pm.

Zen Box will also have a limited menu with signature items to pair with Surly beer, as well as a special dish made with Smoke.

About Smoke:
Ebony-hued, Smoke wafts out of the bottle and into your senses, borne on the wings of European traditions, wrapped in American innovation. Lager-brewed, like anytrue Baltic Porter, with smoked malts from Bamberg, Germany, the home of Rauchbiers, then mellowed by oak-aging. Black malt flavors mesh with notes of raisins, plums, figs and licorice with the subtle smoke on the side, for a complex and luxurious, yet silky smooth drinking experience. It's a sipper at Alc. 8.2% by VOL., but everyone knows you can't have Smoke without fire!

December 9, 2012, Sunday - Vikings vs. Chicago Bears

Time:   12:00 PM CDT at the Dome

TV: FOX KMSP - 9
Radio: KFAN (FM 100.3)
DirecTV: 707
Sirius: 125

Additional information is available at vikings.com.

December 9, 2012, Sunday - Brunch with Santa at Wilde Roast Cafe

Time: 11:00am - 1:00pm

Location: Wilde Roast Cafe, 65 Main Street SE

Bring your kids to see Santa (the REAL ONE) and get your holiday photos - bring your own camera.

December 8, 2012, Saturday - An 'Eventually' Christmas: Holidays at the Mill at Mill City Museum

Times:  5:00pm, 6:00pm and 7:00pm

Location: Mill City Museum, 704 2nd Street South

An 'Eventually' Christmas: Holidays at the Mill

Fee: $14 adults, $12 seniors and college students, $10 for children ages 6-17 and MHS members

Reservations: required, call 612-341-7555
 
This unique theatrical event performed in the museum's Flour Tower elevator ride, features "The Ghost of Mill City Past" guiding an intimate look at the 1920 Washburn Crosby holiday party. The script is based on real stories taken from the pages of the company's employee newspaper. Scenes unfold on different floors of the mill and visitors will meet different characters along the way. Witness the rocky romance of Celia and Otto; meet marketing mastermind Benjamin S. Bull; experience the awesome sweeping power of Bill Smith; and learn the secret origin of the Washburn Crosby marketing slogan, "Eventually-Why Not Now?" This piece is written by playwright Joseph Scrimshaw, directed by Laura Salveson, and stars a cast of professional Twin Cities' actors. Not recommended for children under the age of 8.

December 8, 2012, Saturday - How'd They do That Workshop at The Guthrie: A Christmas Carol

Time: 9:00am - 11:00am

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

Panelists include:

• Trevor Long, assistant prodution director
• Sarah Gullickson, associate props manager
• dj gramann, draper/tailor
• Jo Holcomb, dramaturg
• Joe Chvala, director
• J.C. Cutler, actor playing Ebenezer Scrooge

What was the inspiration for the set? Was the play rewritten in rehearsals? Aren't those wigs itchy? Through these eye-opening workshops, you can learn how the Guthrie's artists and staff create a production - from early development and designs to rehearsal, costume fittings and staging of the play.

$15 per person per workshop.

Upcoming 2012-2013 workshops:

The Servant of Two Masters
Saturday, December 15, 2012
McGuire Proscenium Stage

Long Day's Journey into Night
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Wurtele Thrust Stage

Other Desert Cities
Saturday, February 23, 2013
McGuire Proscenium Stage

Twelfth Night/The Taming of the Shrew
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Wurtele Thrust Stage

Nice Fish
Saturday, April 20, 2013
McGuire Proscenium Stage

The Primrose Path
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Wurtele Thrust Stage

Clybourne Park
Saturday, June 15, 2013
McGuire Proscenium Stage

Born Yesterday
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Wurtele Thrust Stage

December 8, 2012, Saturday - Live Music at Aster Cafe

Time: 9:00pm Cover: $10

Location: Aster Cafe, 125 Main Stree SE

Tonight: jeff arundel 11th annual holiday variety show

December 8, 2012, Saturday - Youth Class (Ages 13–17): Elements of Fiction at Open Book

Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm

Location: Open Book-Loft Classroom, 1011 Washington Avenue South

Youth Class (ages 13–17): Elements of Fiction

Reg $46.50 | Mem $41.85 | Low inc. $32.55

In this class, fiction writing activities and prompts will help students learn more about the craft of fiction, generate new works, and try-out writing techniques to create even more compelling prose! This class will demystify how published writers use literary techniques to give readers an emotional experience, and together we’ll identify a range of craft tools that can make fiction shine. Students will have the opportunity to write, share work with peers, and get feedback from one another on their own work. Through writing, reading, and discussing published and emerging writers (that’s you), students will strengthen their understanding of the craft of fiction.

This class invites new and returning students. The broader storytelling themes will continue for students who took this class in summer 2012, but the stories we’ll look at as examples, writing exercises and prompts, (and many of the students themselves), will be brand new. $5.00 copy fee payable to the teaching artist. 

About the Teaching Artist

Kathryn Savage’s writing has appeared in The Star Tribune, Ploughshares, The Village Voice, City Pages, and Twin Cities METRO magazine, both in print and online. She graduated with honors from New School University in New York City with a BA in creative writing, and is currently pursuing an MFA in fiction writing and literature at Bennington College. While living in New York, she worked in independent film production, and in the Twin Cities, she has worked with Intermedia Arts teaching adolescent creative writing courses as a SASE Wings Writing Mentor and founding member of Young Writers, a bimonthly writing program for teens.

December 8, 2012, 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:

Come visit over 40 of your favorite Mill City Farmers Market food and craft vendors!  There will be a wide selection of unique, handcrafted artwork, jewelry, and other great gift items for your holiday shopping needs!

December 8, 2012, Saturday - The Emily Dickinson Black & White Birthday Ball at The Loft

Tme: 7:00pm

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

The Emily Dickinson Black & White Birthday Ball

Celebrate your friends and fellow authors at this winter party aimed to remind you of the community that shares your literary life. There will be an open recitation of Emily Dickinson’s poems (come with your favorite memorized), party favors, music, a poetry swap (come with printed/typed poems to trade or trade one you will receive when you arrive), and a black and white themed reception with refreshing recipes penned by Emily herself. Come dressed in all black or all white for our wintery festivities.
 
THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

December 8, 2012, Saturday - French Christmas Market at Our Lady of Lourdes

Time: 11:00am - 7:00pm

Location: Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 1 Lourdes Place

The French Christmas Market will include French meat pies to eat and to go, a French Boutique, Catholic Store, Christmas Village, General Store, Bakery, Raffle and Silent Auction. For more information: http://www.ourladyoflourdesmn.com/ or 612-379-2259.

December 8, 2012, Saturday - Ugly Holiday Sweater Bus Pub Crawl

From Taste Twin Cities Food and Drink Tours:

New Seasonal Tour!

Ugly Holiday Sweater Bus Pub Crawl

Don your ugliest holiday sweater, hop on the heated coach bus and take a festive tour of some of Northeast Minneapolis' most storied bars. The tour includes a drink at each bar, Ugliest Holiday Sweater contest and prizes.

Tour dates: Saturday December 8th, 15th and 22nd

This tour is also available for a private tour. Please contact us at info@TasteTwinCities.com for more details.

December 7, 2012, Friday - An 'Eventually' Christmas: Holidays at the Mill at Mill City Museum

Times:  Fridays -5:30pm, 6:30pm and 7:30pm; Saturdays - 5:00pm, 6:00pm and 7:00pm

Location: Mill City Museum, 704 2nd Street South

An 'Eventually' Christmas: Holidays at the Mill

Dates: December 7, 8, 14, 15

Fee: $14 adults, $12 seniors and college students, $10 for children ages 6-17 and MHS members

Reservations: required, call 612-341-7555
 
This unique theatrical event performed in the museum's Flour Tower elevator ride, features "The Ghost of Mill City Past" guiding an intimate look at the 1920 Washburn Crosby holiday party. The script is based on real stories taken from the pages of the company's employee newspaper. Scenes unfold on different floors of the mill and visitors will meet different characters along the way. Witness the rocky romance of Celia and Otto; meet marketing mastermind Benjamin S. Bull; experience the awesome sweeping power of Bill Smith; and learn the secret origin of the Washburn Crosby marketing slogan, "Eventually-Why Not Now?" This piece is written by playwright Joseph Scrimshaw, directed by Laura Salveson, and stars a cast of professional Twin Cities' actors. Not recommended for children under the age of 8.

December 7, 2012, Friday - Live Music at Aster Cafe

Time: 9:00pm Cover: $10

Location: Aster Cafe, 125 Main Stree SE

Tonight:  mike mangione & the union

December 6, 2012, Thursday - The Santaland Diaries Opens at Southern Theater

Location: The Southern Theater, 1420 Washington Avenue South

The Santaland Diaries

"There is no room for equivocation: the funniest show on offer this hodiay season is the Frank Theater's The Santaland Diaries" -- Minnesota Monthly

Frank continues is annual holiday tradition with David Sedaris' The Santaland Diaries, presented this year in association with the Southern Theater 1420 S Washington Ave in Minneapolis. If you haven't added this to your holiday to-do list, make a note now to organize some of your peeps for a delightful antidote to the sugar and sweet that will begin to suffocate you all too soon! Twin Cities actor Joe Leary reprises his role of "Crumpet" the elf, in a show that Metro Magazine readers votes as Best Show of 2011.

Dates and Times
Dec 6 - 23
8p Thur - Sat
2p Sun
One Monday Night Dec 17 at 8p

Tickets
$15 Preview on Dec 6
$25 General Admission
$20 Students and Seniors
Tickets available at Brown Paper Tickets

December 6, 2012, Thursday - Talk of the Stacks With Calvin Trillin at Central Library

Time: 7:00pm (Doors open at 6:15pm)

Location: Pohlad Hall, Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall

Talk of the Stacks With Calvin Trillin

On December 6, journalist, humorist, food writer, poet, and novelist Calvin Trillin will present his new book Dogfight: An Occasionally Interrupted Narrative Poem About the Presidential Campaign and the paperback edition of Quite Enough of Calvin Trillin: Forty Years of His Funny Stuff.

Held at the Hennepin County Library - Minneapolis Central in Pohlad Hall, the programs are free and open to the public. Seating is first come, first served. Doors open at 6:15 PM and programs begin at 7 PM. 

A program of the Friends of the Hennepin County Library. Presenting sponsor: The Private Client Reserve of U.S. Bank. Additional support: Dorsey and Whitney LLP, MinnPost, Magers and Quinn Booksellers and the Marquette Hotel.

December 6, 2012, Thursday - East Downtown Council Holiday Business Forum Event at the Guthrie Theater

Time: Registration and lunch will begin at 11:30am, followed by a presentation on the Guthrie Theater’s 50th Anniversary Celebration coming up in 2013.

Location: Guthrie Theater, 818 South 2nd Street

You are cordially invited to join the East Downtown Council on Thursday, December 6, for the Holiday Business Forum at the Guthrie Theater.
 
The Guthrie Theater was founded in 1963. It is an American center for theater performance, production, education and professional training. By presenting both classical literature and new work from diverse cultures, the Guthrie illuminates the common humanity connecting Minnesota to the peoples of the world. The Guthrie will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2013.
 
The EDC is excited to welcome the Guthrie Theater’s External Relations Director Trish Santini as the guest presenter for this month’s business forum. She will be talking about plans for the 50th Anniversary Celebration coming up in 2013.
 
Cost: $15/per person for EDC members and their guests; cash, check or pre-paid lunch ticket.
 
Please RSVP by Friday, November 30, to EDC Executive Coordinator Christie Rock (info@edcmpls.org). (612) 359-0601
 
Note: To allow us to accept payment by cash or check when attendees arrive, we will invoice any cancellations after November 30.