While it might be trendy in some circles to bellyache over its recent propensity for spinning artists like Mumford & Sons and Adele that aren't exactly starved for airplay elsewhere, any criticisms of the Minnesota Public Radio's 89.3 The Current must first acknowledge its status as one of the... More >>

Whether viewing a mountain in Mongolia via iPad video or examining the fine ink lines proscribing a murder of crows, a newcomer to Zhang Meng's quiet work quickly becomes lost in contemplation. Meng, who is dean of the School of Digital Media Arts at the Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts, explores... More >>

You might've heard of his son -- a man named Jimmy who teamed up with another man named Terry, the rest being R&B history -- but Cornbread Harris is a Twin Cities legend in his own right. Harris is a WWII vet who joined Augie Garcia to record the area's first rock'n'roll record (1955's "Hi Yo... More >>

Fusing fashion-driven, style-conscious tastemaking and deep, crowd-rocking musical knowledge isn't something to be taken lightly on either end of the equation. Do it wrong, and it comes across like surface-gloss pandering wrapped around some flavor-of-the-moment bassbin ephemera. But do it... More >>

Joan Vorderbruggen has been busy bringing her projects to life, animating vacant spaces in the Whittier neighborhood with engaging art installations. The success of her first two ventures has led to a third, which will include 32 artists, 20 storefront exhibits, and pop-up performance art along... More >>

Nicolai Fechin, a Russian-born impressionist painter who spent half his career in the United States, will be featured at the Museum of Russian Art as part of its "Discovering 20th Century Russian Masters" series. Of the 35 works by Fechin, many will be showcased for the first time in Minnesota,... More >>

Folks looking to start Labor Day weekend a little early may want to check in with Grumpy's Firkin Fridays. Each week, the bar sets up snack food and a cask-conditioned beer to be enjoyed by all until it's gone. What kind of beer? That varies, as the brew is usually announced the day of the... More >>

In 2009, a quirk of the Minneapolis liquor code that required special licensing to perform standup comedy temporarily put a halt to the Comedy Corner Underground's Friday night open mic and threatened other comedy shows around town. After local comedians worked with the city government to amend... More >>

The product of a new partnership between Theatre Latte Da and the Hennepin Theatre Trust, Tim Rice and Elton John's Aida promises to be a strong opening to the 2013 theater season. The musical may have been developed under the auspices of Disney, but the piece, based on Verdi's opera, is a dark... More >>

The death of a child is perhaps the most devastating event in any parent's life. The raw emotions make it a difficult subject to capture onstage without descending into a bad Lifetime movie. David Lindsay-Abaire's Rabbit Hole avoids those pitfalls, producing a piece of rare beauty that faces... More >>

Looming as largely as it does over local theater, the Guthrie Theater is guaranteed to face scrutiny over its every creative decision. One initiative that's been difficult to criticize, however, is the theater's continuing partnership with the Acting Company, one of the country's most lauded... More >>

In abstract art, the use of color can form a narrative, suggest an emotion, or speak to its audience in a language all its own. Artists Shawn McNulty and Silvana LaCreta Ravena use multiple layers of color in their paintings to tell a story and explore various concepts. McNulty stacks color... More >>

By deploying his triple-threat artistry — as a printmaker, paper maker, and book artist — Jeff Rathermel investigates the almost-microscopic detail of the infinite universe in his new show. Of his varied investigations, in which simple type or images are reiterated to invoke the... More >>

Things are happening in the Kingfield neighborhood. A few years ago the area was considered more residential; if you wanted to barhop your best bet was to stay in the Lyn-Lake area just north of the region. However, thanks to places like King's Wine Bar, Patisserie 46, and Jack's (formerly Java... More >>

Downtown St. Paul's ice rink returns this holiday season with months of free, open skating. Folks looking to burn off some extra calories or wear out the kids will want to dust off their skates and head over to the rink, which features urban cityscape views and plenty of other things to do... More >>

With its posh fireplace, leather seats for two, and dim lighting, it is easy to see the sexy appeal of this Foshay tower bar. And while it certainly looks expensive, during happy hour it isn't. From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. each day guests can order from a special $5 menu. Bar bites to share include... More >>

You may have heard rumblings about a sake restaurant opening in Uptown recently. Though it might be a little hard to find, despite its obvious location on Lyndale right by Lake Street, it's definitely worth a visit. And while the sake fridge at Surdyk's is certainly impressive, moto-i takes... More >>

For reasons I will never understand, the number of places around the city that offer wi-fi and beer are sparse. However, the ones that do are spectacular. Acadia Café is certainly an example of a great place where you can check your email, write a school paper, and talk politics with... More >>

Visiting a bar that makes its own beer can be a dodgy affair. Though it is a noble art to brew one's own, it doesn't always work out for the best. Beers may turn out watery or strangely flavored, or you could end up with a handful of varieties that all somehow manage to taste the same. The fine... More >>

Some people look forward to turning 16, others eagerly await the day they can retire. The First Emperor of China, Qin Shihuang (259-210 BCE), looked forward to death. But before he could kick back and enjoy immortality in the afterlife, the ruler had to make sure that he went out in style. He... More >>

Reviewers have called her "photography's angel provocateur," "the strongest and finest American artist of her time," and "a poster child for a coterie of postmodernism's theory-driven critics." They're talking about Cindy Sherman, most recently in reference to her blockbuster retrospective at... More >>

Yes, Bad Waitress is an ironic title. No, you will not have a waitress this evening. Yes, you should tip the person who takes your order at the register. Here's how you do it: Pick a seat, peruse the menu, then pick up an order pad and write down what you want. Take it over to the register and... More >>

The Sample Room is known for its impressive list of flights and tapas-sized plates ideal for sharing. And while it's highly recommended to indulge every once in a while, this is not the only way to enjoy the Northeast hotspot's menu. If you're a little strapped for cash, their daily happy hour... More >>

This time last year, the area surrounding the corner of Lake Street and Lyndale Avenue was alarming in its increasing vacancy. Victims of the economy included Heavenly Soles, Vera's Café, and jP American Bistro. Thankfully, things seem to be picking up. One recent addition is Sauce... More >>

Okay, so there are a lot of Indian restaurants right now in downtown Minneapolis. Some offer fusion cuisine while some are more traditional, some are posh while others are casual. Most are pretty tasty. Which ones will survive the next year or so? While the economy and business management... More >>