Featured Stories

A Guide to the 2008 Fringe Festival

Got a question about the theater extravaganza?
Various Authors

We have all your Fringe Festival answers. Find summaries of the shows you can see, interviews, photos and more.

Has the foreclosure crisis pacified Minneapolis' most dangerous neighborhoods?

Murder rates are down and sketchy spots are seeing an overall dip in crime
Bradley Campbell

On the corner of 26th and Lowry avenues, a camera hangs from a light post. Mayor R.T. Rybak sees it as a way to deter crime. But since the start of 2008, there hasn't been much to film. Crime is down and homicides are less than half of what they were at the same time in 2007. Some credit the initiatives undertaken in the neighborhoods, but another force is also at work. More than a thousand homes are vacant. There's simply fewer people to commit crime or be victimized by it.

The 15 People Who Will Decide the Presidential Election

Ever wonder just what a "swing voter" looks like?
Nate Patrin

Residents of just more than a dozen swing states -- along with other political figures, some surprising, some not -- will determine the country's leader for the next four years. We've identified these people, in cartoon form.

She & Him charm the pants off of First Avenue

The soulful, gentle sounds of M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel delight the senses
Andrea Myers

Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward sure are easy to like. Everything about the She & Him duo is charming: their mismatched pronouns; their shy, disarming demeanor; their classic, old fashioned love songs. Within minutes of taking the stage at First Avenue, they had captured the attention (and hearts) of every person in the near-capacity crowd, and the audience hung on their every note and phrase. It was possibly the most soothing, engaging show I have ever seen at a rock club.

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Daily Stories

The Blotter

Arts Community Fires Warning Shot for Southern Theater by Ben Palosaari

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The new board of the Southern Theater is officially on notice. A letter signed by about 200 artists, donors, staff, and supporters was sent out today demanding that the board open itself up to an independent examination. This is why you don't fire the artistic director with more than 30 years of experience. People get mad.

[Aug 08, 01:15 PM | Comments (0)]

Things That Make Men Cry by Jeff Shaw

It's a British list, so the valor of Brett Favre isn't on it. But there's at least one thing that will make it dusty in your house.

[Aug 08, 11:05 AM | Comments (2)]

Breakfast of Champions 8/8: Burmese Democracy by Jeff Shaw

JOEROGAN.jpgJoe Rogan wants a group of Minnesotans killed. Who are they? Also, a grim anniversary.

[Aug 08, 07:46 AM | Comments (0)]

Balls! Sports Blog

Ladies' Night: Twins Hot or Not by Judd Spicer

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Bubble-gum fare today to assuage the distress of a poor series in Seattle. Which Twin, like, does the web, like, find most, like, hot? Totally read here to find out.

[Aug 06, 04:04 PM | Comments (12)]

Twins Management: Rocket Scientists, by ESPN's Jonah Keri by Jeff Shaw

Liriano%202.jpgFrancisco Liriano is called up. Immediately, he pitches a shutout to launch the Twins into first place. This so inspires friend-of-CP Jonah Keri from ESPN that he must pen us a missive about Liriano's brilliance -- and ask what took Twin management so long.

[Aug 04, 07:11 AM | Comments (0)]

Joystick Division

Geometry Wars Retro Evolved 2: I Hate Squares by Anton Gordon

gwars2.jpgGeometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 boasts some of the most addictive, hold-your-breath-as-you-maneuver-through-killer-decagons gameplay you'll ever see. Get ready to bust up some squares!

[Aug 07, 11:45 AM | Comments (1)]

Culture To Go

Fringe By Numbers, Day 9: The Beginning by Christopher O. Kidder

A handy archive of all the Fringe shows reviewed so far, plus podcasts.

[Aug 08, 01:10 PM | Comments (0)]

Vegan chocolate cake for all: Common Roots celebrates its first birthday by Jessica Armbruster

Common%20Roots%20cafe.jpgCommon Roots Café celebrates their 1–year anniversary with a tasty birthday party this Saturday.

[Aug 08, 01:00 PM | Comments (0)]

Fringe By Numbers, Day 4: "The Department of Angels" by Christopher O. Kidder

Do you remember how in Back to the Future Marty sees a Honeymooners episode in the 50's, but he's from the 80's so he already knows how it's going to turn out.  Well, such is the situation with this show. 

[Aug 08, 12:45 PM | Comments (0)]

Twin Cities Eater

Drink of the Week: Sorbet Spritzer by Jessica Armbruster

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Minnesota is a great town for local brews, but did you know that we also make some pretty good ice cream and sorbet?

[Aug 08, 01:48 PM | Comments (0)]

Dunkin' Donuts Comeback by Rachel Hutton

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Rachel and Jim discuss the famous East Coast chain's return to Minnesota and its impact on the local doughnut scene.

[Aug 07, 05:06 PM | Comments (1)]

Elephants in the Room

The real John McCain (Postmodern Version) by Jeff Shaw

mccain.jpgA fresh take on McCain from a reporter with 15 years experience.

[Aug 06, 08:40 PM | Comments (1)]

News

Blotter

Republican boobs

Republican boobs

Local nudie bar is staying open late for the RNC

News

Has the foreclosure crisis pacified Minneapolis' most dangerous neighborhoods?

Murder rates are down and sketchy spots are seeing crime overall dip

By Bradley Campbell

Letters to the Editor

Readers respond to "Governor No"

Feature

A Guide to the 2008 Fringe Festival

Underpants, Shakespeare, and Giant Squirrels

Q&A with Fringe Artists

Special Reports

Music

Gimme Noise

Matt Jennings: The other brother

Matt Jennings: The other brother

Folk artist Matt Jennings is singing a different tune from his big-time sibling Mason

By Andrea Myers

5ingles

The Songs We Can't Escape

By Ray Cummings

Critics' Picks

She & Him and more

CD Reviews