Minneapolis Observer Quarterly - Columns

How to Be Perfect: Poetry by Ron Padgett

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:07:25 -0600

About three quarters of the way through his poetry collection How to Be Perfect, Ron Padgett describes his “method”: “. . . my method I guess I’d call it / is to start and go / wherever the poem seems to lead”. That is, in fact, how many of these poems read, with a rhythm and play of words that tumble along with surprising fluidity.

Twin Cities by Trolley Authors in Fireside Chat at Hennepin History Museum

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:09:59 -0600

John Diers and Aaron Isaacs will discuss their book, Twin Cities by Trolley, this Saturday, Oct. 27, 2 p.m., during a Fireside Chat at the Hennepin History Museum in Minneapolis. Craig Cox reviewed the book for MOQ this summer, so we thought we would share that with you here.

Pass the Poetry: Laurel Poetry members support and inspire one another

Sat, 02 Sep 2006 15:30:07 -0500

The St. Paul-based Laurel Poetry Collective was formed in late 2002 with a four-year charter to publish a book for each of its 20 poet members and an annual anthology with contributions from all members. As they near the end of their fourth season, we thought this would be a good time to find out how they are coming along with their publications and where they will be going from here, so we contacted co-founder Deborah Keenan and member Eileen O’Toole, each of whom have a Laurel book coming out this fall. Keenan and O’Toole will be reading from their books at Micawber’s bookstore in October, check with the store for date and time (2238 Carter Ave., St. Paul. www.micawbers.com, 651/646-5506). The entire collective will hold a reading on Nov. 4, 2 p.m., at the Central Library in Downtown St. Paul. www.laurelpoetry.com

Roses au Naturel

Sat, 29 Jul 2006 00:10:18 -0500

There’s no need for chemicals when growing these ancient flowers
By Sharon Parker
There is something about roses. Their lure and cultivation goes back to the ancient Sumerians some 5000 years ago, Greek and Roman poets associated them with the goddess of love; they are traditonally so wonderfully fragrant that you can probably smell them in your mind even as you read this, and may be the source of the earliest perfumes.

Lennart Nilsson Visits the Swedish Institute

Tue, 06 Jun 2006 16:41:46 -0500

Just because the weekend’s past doesn’t mean there aren’t still interesting things to do around town. Herewith, a revised Happenings with only the events occuring today through Thursday. How about meeting internationally reknowned photographer Lennart Nilsson at the Swedish Institute on Wednesday, or attending a reading, movie, or performance this week yet?

Happenings for May 12-18

Thu, 11 May 2006 21:46:09 -0500

As long as the weather is making that spring yardwork you haven't yet gotten to look less and less urgent, why not head off to a nice warm indoor art gallery this weekend? In an effort to make Happenings a little easier to navigate, I've put the essential facts at the top of each listing, with descriptions to follow. I do hope you find something here to pique your interest. As for me, I know this much: I'll be at the Midtown Public Market again this Saturday, with our arty new quarterly to sell and swell stuff to give away. Don't you want a bumper sticker declaring yourself a member of the local intelligentsia? And don't worry about the chill, the market's offerings include delicious hot fair-trade coffee from Fireroast Mountain and tasty scones from Real Bread company. But the scones sell out early, so you might want to come before noon. Read on for arty events around town, have fun, and put on a sweater.--sp

Spring Beauties in the Lawn

Mon, 08 May 2006 23:41:48 -0500

By Sharon Parker
A couple of years ago, about this time of year, I had the opportunity to take my daughter, Nora, to Western Wisconsin to look in on a couple of horses for her riding teacher who was out of town. After Nora had reacquainted herself with the horses and seen that they were adequately provisioned, we were about to head back, but then I noticed little white and pink flowers scattered in the unmowed lawn nearby. I had to go investigate. There were two different flowers, both about 5-6 inches tall, and with similar five-petaled blossoms about a half-inch across. One had white flowers and three-part leaves; the other’s blossoms were pale pink with darker pink pinstripes, and that one had grass-like leaves. The overall effect was utterly charming.

Singers and the Song: The Jazz Vocal Coalition keeps the jazz singer tradition alive

Thu, 27 Apr 2006 00:00:08 -0500

By Lydia Howell
Jazz. The music defined elegance for decades. The lyrics still resonate with romance. Our age of often overdubbed pop stars singing more of lasciviousness than love makes the local jazz vocalist scene a delightful alternative.

Stitch at Rosalux Offers Artistry Combined with Craftsmanship

Sun, 16 Apr 2006 23:31:01 -0500

By Sharon Parker
Rosalux Gallery is always good at pairing compatible artists in its two-person shows, and in the case of Stitch, featuring the works of Ingrid Restemayer and Marilyn Stevens, which opened on April 7, it may be even more true than usual.

All The World’s a Stage: Skewed Visions adapts three plays to the rooms of a historic building

Fri, 07 Apr 2006 20:08:25 -0500

On a chilly Monday night in early April, the empty historic Grain Belt Office Building in Northeast Minneapolis is dark except for dim lights emanating from the second floor windows. The doors are locked, the bell doesn’t seem to work. Then a robust young man who introduces himself simply as Tyson appears in a pickup truck, and with the confidence of someone who knows he is expected, bangs on the door. Soon, we are inside.

Happenings for March 31 to April 6

Fri, 31 Mar 2006 00:24:06 -0600

I hope you’re not suffering from one of the nasty bugs going around the city of late, but instead are experiencing that more pleasant malady known as spring fever. That’s the sort of fever you feed with a walk in a wild garden, followed by treats next to the fire in the visitor’s shelter at Eloise Butler, and strolling from art gallery to open studio on the first Thursday of the month. So what if it’s raining, bring an umbrella, it’ll be picturesque.

Happenings This Week: March 16-23

Thu, 16 Mar 2006 22:56:10 -0600

The taking of tea seems to be fashionable once again, as two art venues offer teas this weekend -- the Textile Center in Southeast on Saturday and Gallery 13 in Northeast on Sunday (featuring photographs by Greta Pratt, including the sample at right). OK, two may not make for a trend, but I think it’s something more than a coincidence. Read on for more art openings, theater ranging from the quirky to the thought-provoking to the playful, a family day at the Mill City Museum, a little murder at the U of M bookstore, guitars and more guitars (another trend?), Gilbert & Sullivan, and rain garden workshops for those who like to think beyond the icy detritus the plow just deposited on your boulevard. Most of it’s free or at modest cost. You’re sure to find something here to treat yourself -- after all that shoveling this week, aren’t you ready for an outing?

Minneapolis Artist Michael Sweere on a New Artists Collective and on Making Art By Recycling (or Recycling by Making Art)

Wed, 15 Mar 2006 21:03:14 -0600

Michael Sweere is a member of a new Minneapolis artists collective, called simply Pilot (www.pilotarts.com/), which formed just last November. They'll have an exhibition space, Pilot Store, starting today and for a few months at 3045 Hennepin Avenue in Uptown. Michael is known for his mosaics made from discarded packaging materials, a medium that has won him the descriptive “environmentally friendly artist.” We managed to catch him between out-of-town trips and asked him to tell us more about Pilot and about his own art-making.

Happenings This Week: March 10 to 16

Fri, 10 Mar 2006 01:50:27 -0600

A new artists collective called Pilot has started up in town and they’ve not only got a clever Web site (I love the airplane that crashes and becomes a scribble), but they’ll be opening a gallery Uptown next Thursday, March 16, with a grand opening reception planned for April 8. The 12 artists include a few Rosalux members as well as others who have exhibited around these parts before, so although they call themselves “emerging” artists, their work is really quite polished and it all appears to complement one another well. Among the collective members is Jennifer Davis, whose work “Red Blooms” will be featured on the cover of the premier issue of MOQ (Minneapolis Observer Quarterly), watch this page for more on that little venture soon. The art space will be open Thursdays, 12-7, Friday-Sunday, 12-5, and by appointment. Pilot Arts, 3045 Hennepin Ave. S., Minneapolis. www.pilotarts.com

An Unmachine

Thu, 09 Mar 2006 09:13:12 -0600

Dear Jack.
I took the mister to the double art opening at the Open Book building down on Washington Avenue near the Metrodome on Saturday. The center’s own parking lot was full, so we had to park the car in a lot across the street, which a nice policeman leaning on a cane told us would be OK even though the sign said otherwise. But we didn’t get towed, so I guess he was right.