Always on the softer adult-alternative leaning side of the indie-rock spectrum to begin with, veteran singer/songwriter Josh Rouse "rocks" gentler than ever on his tenth album proper, The Happiness Waltz. Now firmly ensconced in his 40s and a married father of two, the reedy tenor's latest... More >>

1987 was a notable year for Minnesota: the Twins won the World Series, Prince released one of his best albums in Sign 'O' the Times, and St. Louis Park's own Coen Brothers released their first great comedy Raising Arizona. 1987 was also the year that Dr. Mambo's Combo was formed, and it just so... More >>

At first thought there wouldn't seem to be much of a correlation between modern art and mini golf. Whereas the former seeks to invigorate with innovative designs and abstract concepts, the latter is often considered a leisurely activity with an artistic aesthetic most charitably described as... More >>

"Retro" is a tricky niche to slot a dance night into. Usually you've got to find yourself an era and a genre, hew towards the hits, and maybe garnish it with an outsized wink, a double-pistol-point and a smirking acknowledgement that you think the past is, well, kinda goofy. But Transmission... More >>

1971's "Hot Pants (She Got to Use What She Got to Get What She Wants)" was one of several immortal singles from James Brown's early '70s run of heavy, J.B.'s-era classics. The same funk factory cranked out Vicki Anderson's saucy "I'm Too Tough for Mr. Big Stuff (Hot Pants)" the same year, and... More >>

Paint, as a medium and mode of expression, is so 20th century. Right? Not for the 15 emerging artists presented in the Walker Art Center's new survey, "Painter Painter." Hailing from throughout the U.S. and Europe, this new under-40 crop of painters (including Sarah Crowner, Dianna Molzan, Zak... More >>

British playwright Crispin Whittell brings his second premiere adaptation to the Guthrie Theater with The Primrose Path, based on Ivan Turgenev's 1859 novel Home of the Gentry. Whittell's first adaptation, the latest version of A Christmas Carol used by the theater, has played to strong... More >>

If you've ever considered writing some jokes and giving standup comedy a try, know this: That first time is gonna be brutal. That being the case, you might as well test your mettle in the most brutal setting possible, which in Minneapolis means hitting up the Death Comedy Jam at the downtown... More >>

Friday night gets all the love, Wednesday night has its nudge-wink "hump day" cachet and everyone hates Mondays so much that there's no choice but to go out and wash that start-of-the-week ennui away. But what about Thursday, the day of the week where people are most likely to put... More >>

Balls open mic cabaret has been a late-night staple of the Minneapolis scene for over 20 years now. The midnight event, hosted by creator Leslie Ball, welcomes a wide range of participants. What audiences might see on any given evening varies wildly per week, but may include an acoustic song... More >>

Imagine you're stuck inside Islamabad's National Gallery. Outside, mass protests are met with government violence. What's your response? For London-based artists Karen Mirza and Brad Butler, it's a traveling multimedia art project that investigates how artists and museums confront, reconcile,... More >>

Citizens of Minnesota visit its state parks for any number of reasons. Artist Cameron Zebrun journeys through the forests, along the streambeds, and across the escarpments of the state for inspiration. Nature's geography offers trailheads into his interior landscapes. Sculpture, light boxes,... More >>

Joseph Byrne's new works — casein on paper — are abstractions with straight edges pieced together like building blocks. Carolyn Brunelle's recent acrylic paintings are vibrantly colored abstractions brimming with the emotional intensity of a Van Gogh (without his signature... More >>

Joseph Byrne's new works — casein on paper — are abstractions with straight edges pieced together like building blocks. Carolyn Brunelle's recent acrylic paintings are vibrantly colored abstractions brimming with the emotional intensity of a Van Gogh (without his signature... More >>

The 1950 film Sunset Boulevard remains a masterful example of using noir conventions to heighten a sense of creeping anxiety and existential dread. Such praise, however, has not been as universally extended to the musical adaptation first staged in 1993. As developed by Broadway maestro Andrew... More >>

If there's one thing we've learned over the past few years, it's that making sports stars into heroes is a no-win game. At best, they'll outstay their welcome in the spotlight, tarnishing the hard work of their career. At worst, we learn embarrassing facts about their personal lives (hello,... More >>

On first look, Abraham Cruzvillegas's sculptures and installations have a Duchampian appeal with their incorporation of everyday objects. But on closer investigation, the work collected in "The Autoconstruccion Suites," the first mid-career exhibition for the Mexico City artist, has a dynamism... 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 Guthrie continues its anniversary season with an explosive, award-winning satire on America's uneasy relationship with race. Bruce Norris's award-winning Clybourne Park is positioned as a response to Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun. The play connects two acts separated by 50 years... More >>

Make all the jokes you want about the climate differences between Kingston and Minneapolis, but the cultural ones aren't as hard to reconcile. The aptly dubbed Lynval "Golden Voice" Jackson and his band have been a welcome and frequent presence in Twin Cities clubs for years now, and they're... 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 >>

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 >>

With a name like Spill the Wine you'd better have a killer wine list to back it up. Our verdict? Not too shabby. If you feel intimidated by the menu, let the prices and categories lead the way, or ask your server for a popular variety based on what you like. Those who enjoy wine know that... 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 >>

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 >>