British Television Advertising Awards (Dec 28th-30th, and Sunday Jan 2nd). Walker Art Center.





A Walker tradition for the past 24 years, the British Television Advertising Awards features the best of the UK’s advertising ingenuity, selected by top ad executives and producers from across the globe. Highlights include a karaoke party for thousands in Trafalgar Square and an unforgettable flash-mob dance medley in the Liverpool Street station. In addition to inventive forms of audience participation, several mind-blowing stunts are also pulled. And then there’s the herd of sheep outfitted with LED lights. . . . Not to be missed!


Louie Anderson, Friday, Dec. 31st, at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center. Two shows: 7:30pm and 10pm.

Brother Ali's NYE Party, Friday, Dec. 31st, at the Mariott City Center. With DJ Snuggles and the Hood Internet, and More Than Lights.










Upcoming:

The Hold Steady, (with The Meat Puppets, & Retribution Gospel Choir);
First Ave, tomorrow - WEDNESDAY.
The Gear Daddies, Thursday, Fine Line Music Cafe
The New Standards, Thursday, Dakota Jazz Club
Los Straitjackets, Thursday, Turf Club, St. Paul

New Years Eve:

Average White Band, Dakota Jazz Club, Friday
38 Special, Treasure Island Casino, Friday
GB Leighton, McKrackens in Savage, MN, Friday
Brother Ali, with The Hood Internet, and DJ Snuggles, at Marriott City Center
Tim Mahoney, Mears Park, St. Paul

Ozzy Osborne, Wed Jan 12th, Target Ctr, with Halford.
David Allen Coe, at Toby Keith's I Love This Bar, St. Louis Park
Tesla, Friday January 14th, Treasure Island Casino
Trampled By Turtles, Friday January 14th, First Avenue (and Sat. 15th)
John Gorka, Saturday Jan 15th, Village Hall, Marine on St. Croix
Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Sun January 16th, Varsity Theater
Lauryn Hill, Tuesday, January 18th, First Avenue
Liz Phair, Thursday, January 20th, Fine Line Music Cafe
Dale Watson, Friday January 21st, Lee's Liquor Lounge
Roma Di Luna and Cloud Cult, Friday, Jan. 21st, First Avenue
Snoop Dogg, Tuesday, January 25th, The Cabooze
Linkin Park, Friday January 28th, Xcel Center
The Jayhawks, Saturday January 29th, First Avenue
Buckcherry, Sat Feb. 5th, First Avenue
Charlie Parr, Sunday Feb. 6th, Turf Club
The Decemberist, Sunday Feb 6th, State Theater
Lyle Lovett, Monday, Feb. 7th, Guthrie Theater
John Hiatt, Monday, Feb. 7th, Guthrie Theater
Motorhead, Tues Feb 15th, First Avenue, Orchestra Hall
Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Thursday, Feb. 17th,
Bill Frisell, Tuesday, Feb. 22, Cedar Cultural Center
Pete Yorn, Tuesday, Feb. 22nd, First Avenue

The Santaland Diaries
Hennepin StagesNovember 26 - December 31




The Santaland Diaries is the stage adaptation of David Sedaris' acerbic and hilarious account of a stint working as a Christmas elf, played by actor Joe Leary, in Macy's "SantaLand."

Sedaris' sharp observations about his odd encounters during the season of forced joy have become a delightful cult classic for those looking for a comic antidote to Christmas treacle. The Santaland Diaries was adapted in 1996 by Joe Mantello, of "Love! Valour! Compassion!" fame, as a one-man, one-act play





JUST EXTENDED DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND! Now running thru Dec. 26th.

Combining a spy thriller with farcical comedy and ingenious theatrical invention, The 39 Steps is an engaging, fast-paced whodunit that celebrates the magic of theater. Closely following the storyline of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 film, the play features more than 150 characters brought to life by a cast of just four actors, including Robert O. Berdahl (Macbeth) as the intrepid hero Richard Hannay; Sarah Agnew (Dollhouse) as all female roles (including a beautiful spy with a deadly secret); and Jim Lichtscheidl (The Two Gentlemen of Verona) and Luverne Seifert (The Government Inspector), two of Minnesota’s greatest comedic actors – all putting their many sidesplitting skills to the test in this wildly entertaining experience.


Also, Charles Dicken's "A Christmas Carol" is at the Guthrie Theater, running through Dec. 30th.




First Avenue's 40th Anniversary Party. Wednesday, Dec. 15th.

Featuring Gary Louris, Har Mar Superstar, Grant Hart, Matt Wilson & John Munson, John Koerner & Tony Glover, The Mighty Mofos, The Hypstrz, plus DJ SovietPanda, Roy Freedom.

7th St. Entry features: Chooglin', Birthday Suits, and Con Queso.








Mike's Favorite First Avenue Memories:

Patti Smith (the Gone Again tour)
Lucinda Williams, with Graham Parker (Sweet Old World)
Lucinda Williams, with Blue Rodeo
Motorhead
Sinead O'Connor
Superchunk
The Suburbs
The Cramps (3x)
Drive-By Truckers
Sonic Youth
The Dead Weather
Nick Cave/Grinderman
Urge Overkill
Mike Doughty
Chris Bailey
Garbage
Acid Mothers Temple (3x, 7th St. Entry)
The Black Keys
The Buzzcocks
The Dandy Warhols
They Might Be Giants
El Vez (The Mexican Elvis)
Reverend Horton Heat
The Cult


Upcoming: The Jayhawks, Saturday, Jan. 29th, and Buckcherry, Sat. Feb 5th.

My Top Ten Favorites of 2010

The Dead Weather – Sea of Cowards
Purling Hiss – Public Service Announcement LP
Endless Boogie – Full House Head
Bonnie Prince Billy – Funtown Comedown LP
Blue Rodeo – The Things We Left Behind
The Black Keys – Brothers
White Hills – White Hills S/T LP & Stolen Stars Left For No One LP
Widespread Panic – Dirty Side Down
Superchunk – Majestry Shredding
Black Mountain – Wilderness Heart

And more favorites from 2010!

Karen Elson – The Ghost Who Walks
Tom Petty& The Heartbreakers – Mojo
Tegan & Sara – Sainthood
Robin Hitchcock – Propellor Time
Lightning Dust – Infinite Light
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Beat the Devil’s Tattoo
Alejandro Escovedo – Street Songs of Love
Airborne – No Guts, No Glory

Paul Taylor Dance Company. Tonight at 7:30pm. Northrup Auditorium.

Two pieces from the 1970's, plus newer work by the legendary modern choreographer.

The greatest living force in modern dance, Paul Taylor brings his world-renowned company back for a specially-selected program. Cloven Kingdom (1976) reveals the primal beast lurking just below mankind's sophisticated veneer, while Brief Encounters (2010) tracks men and women converging at a secret trysting place in the dead of night to satisfy pure animal instincts. Esplanade's (1975) pedestrian, "found" movement displays the exuberance of youth, the sadness of a dysfunctional family, and the romantic interplay of lovers.








KDWB welcomes Jingle Ball 2010 Monday, December 6th at Target Center! Featuring: B.o.B, Selena Gomez, The Ready Set, Taio Cruz, Enrique Iglesias, Sara Bareilles, Mike Posner, 3OH!3

Jingle Ball is an annual concert produced on by KDWB-FM [1] radio station in the Twin Cities. The concert series has been staged at various venues around the country. The concert series is noted for featuring several marquee performers in a day long series of sets.





Jamey Johnson. Friday. Fine Line Music Cafe. One of my favorties of the new old school singer/songwriters. Some have described Johnson as the new Wayon Jennings. The Alabama outlaw had the Song of the Year in 2009 (In Color) named by the CMA and Academy of Country Music. He's got a new album out called The Country Song, which landed at No. 1 on the country charts.


And DON'T FORGET....

Holidazzle Parade: Thursdays thru Sundays, 6:30pm. Nicollet Mall. Runs thru
Dec. 19th. 12th St. to 4th St. See your favorite storybook characters come to life!

Grinderman @ First Avenue

Nick Cave and his group Grinderman, played to a sellout crowed at First Avenue last Tuesday. Trust me, the picture may be fuzzy, but the show was total RAWK.

Holidays Right Around the Corner!

A Christmas Carol at The Guthrie Theater November 19 - December 30, 2010




A miserly and miserable man, Ebenezer Scrooge greets each Christmas with a "bah humbug," until he is visited one Christmas Eve by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Future.

New adaptation of the Dicken's classic by British playwright Crispin Whittell and directed by Joe Dowling.





A Christmas Story....by the Children's Theatre Company. Nov. 16th - Dec. 31st.

Stage adaptation of the Jean Shepard book and film, set in the early 1940's Indiana, about the wishes and travails of young Ralphie Parker as Christmas approaches. CTC 2400 3rd Ave. S. Mpls.





Orpheum Theatre December 16 to January 9


Billy Elliot The Musical is a joyous, exciting and feel-good celebration of one young boy’s triumph against the odds. Called “THE MOST INSPIRING SHOW I’VE SEEN IN YEARS” by Ben Brantley of The New York Times, the story follows Billy’s journey as he stumbles out of the boxing ring, into a ballet class and discovers his dream to dance. Full of life, laughter, award-winning choreography and an unforgettable score by Elton John, this uplifting show will stay with you forever.

Based on the international smash-hit film, Billy Elliot is brought to life by the Tony-winning creative team — director Stephen Daldry, choreographer Peter Darling and writer Lee Hall — along with music legend Elton John, who has written what the New York Post calls “HIS BEST SCORE YET!”





State Theatre December 3 to December 4


Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker is the must-see production of the season! Critically acclaimed for exquisite artistry, and dazzling sets and costumes, the Great Russian Nutcracker is the defining holiday experience. Bring your family and friends together for a heartwarming performance featuring larger-than life puppets and pristine choreography in a not-to-be missed holiday celebration!


"Twin Cities Ballet of Minnesota presents its 8th annual traditional, full-length professional production of Denise Vogt's Nutcracker Ballet in November 2010. The cast of approximately 120 consists of local and national professional dancers, metro area ballet students, and community members. This popular original production has become a cherished holiday tradition for many. We are excited to announce that beginning in 2010 Twin Cities Ballet will be presenting its full-length original production of the beloved Holiday Classic at the new, state-of-the-art theater at Burnsville Performing Arts Center.




Performance Dates: Friday November 19, 7pm; Saturday November 20, 3pm & 7pm; Sunday, November 21, 2pm. At Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave., Burnsville , MN 55337 Tickets via Ticketmaster at 800-982-2787, or www.ticketmaster.com or the Burnsville Performing Arts Center box office. Twin Cities Ballet on the web at: www.TwinCitiesBallet.org or by phone 952-452-3163.




St. Paul City Ballet
THE ENCHANTED TOY SHOP, A Holiday BalletDecember 17-19, 2010
E. M. Pearson Theater at Concordia University
312 N Hamline Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104

Friday, December 17, 2010 7:30 P.M.
Saturday, December 18, 2010 2:00 P.M. and 7:30 P.M.
Sunday, December 19, 2010 2:00 P.M.
TICKETS: Call 651-690-1588

New for 2010: New sets and additional costumes, more principal artists!

Created in 2009, The Enchanted Toy Shop is a result of the close collaboration of Saint Paul City Ballet’s Artistic Partners, Ted Sothern, Jennifer Murry, Ross Edwards, Jennifer Rockwell Edwards and Georgia Finnegan Amdahl. Saint Paul City Ballet Company dances the principal roles leading a cast of over 80 including the SPCB School Studio Company and students of SPCB School selected by audition.

This charming full-length ballet is based on La Boutique Fantasque first produced by Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes. The Rossini score has been complimented by Tchaikovsky’s Waltz Of The Snow Flakes and Waldteufel’s Skater’s Waltz. The ballet is a family-friendly eighty-two minutes long with one intermission.



Upcoming:


The New Standards Dec 3-5th Fitzgerald Theater. Rockers turned pop-jazzists reinventing modern classics by Britney Spears and Arcade Fire. Breaking out old standards for the holiday season!



Aaron Neville Nov. 30th & Dec 1st at the Dakota Jazz Club. Grammy winning R&B great will be interpreting holiday tunes, like Soulful Christmas and Christmas Prayer, with his soft, fluttering voice. Tell It Like It Is!





Retribution Gospel Choir, Friday, Nov. 12th, Hennepin United Methodist Church
Tosh Tour Twenty Ten: A Comedy Central Live Event, State Theatre, Sat., November 13
Little River Band, Saturday, Nov. 13th, Medina Entertainment Center
Cloud Cult, Thursday, Nov. 18th, First Avenue
Wreckless Eric & Amy Rigby, Friday, Nov. 19th, The 400 Bar
Vince Vaughn & Kevin James Comedy Roadshow, Sat. Nov 20th, State Theater
Brandon Flowers (The Killers), Sunday, Nov. 21st, First Avenue
John Mellencamp: No Better Than This, Orpheum Theatre, November 22 - November 23
Loudon Wainwright III, Tuesday, Nov 23rd, Hopkins Center for the Arts.
**Grinderman (NICK CAVE), Tuesday, Nov 23rd, First Avenue
**Superchunk, Wednesday, December 1st, First Avenue
Mannheim Steamroller, Friday, December 3rd, (and Saturday 12/4) Orpheum Theater
GWAR, Monday, December 6th, The Cabooze
Ravi Coltrane, Tuesday, Dec. 7th, Dakota Jazz Club
Ozzy Osborne, Sunday, Dec. 12th, Target Center
Dee Dee Bridgewater, Friday Dec. 17th, Orchestra Hall
Soul Asylym, Friday Dec. 17th, First Avenue
The Bad Plus, Monday Dec 27th, Dakota Jazz Club
38 Special, New Years Eve, Treasure Island Casino

Roger Waters, Brad Mehldau, The Replacements

Yours truly went to the Roger Waters concert last Wednesday at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Waters performed the classic Pink Floyd 1979 album "The Wall" in its entirety. This was the most visual show I've ever seen, with images and messages shown on the gigantic wall that is built throughout the performance. Throw in a giant model plane flying throughout the arena, a giant inflatable school teacher, the flying pig, and an incredible band (including GE Smith, and Snowy White), and all was feeling good.

Here's a wonderful review and images, from Kyle Matteson, at the Twin Cities Daily Planet





Brad Mehldau gives his new album Highway Rider, its live premiere this week with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and his own quintet, featuring tenor saxophone star Joshua Redman. The performances at Walker Art Center are in advance of a New York debut Nov. 9.

"Highway Rider" (Nonesuch) This double-disc of original work by Mehldau reunites the pianist/composer with producer Jon Brion for the first time since Largo. Featured are performances by Mehldau’s trio, plus drummer Matt Chamberlain, saxophonist Joshua Redman, and a chamber orchestra, with orchestrations by Mehldau.


Mehldau plays original compositions, jazz standards and jazz arrangements of popular music, especially rock music. With his trio, he has recorded arrangements of the music of Nick Drake, The Beatles, Radiohead and Paul Simon among others, and recorded Soundgarden's "Black Hole Sun" on his 2008 album, Live. Mehldau has also expressed an interest in and knowledge of philosophy, in particular of music and art. He has played and recorded solo and with co-leaders Peter Bernstein, Mark Turner, Charlie Haden, Charles Lloyd, Pat Metheny and others. In 2004, Mehldau toured with Kurt Rosenwinkel and Joshua Redman.

Details:
Chamber orchestra joins the jazz pianist for the premiere of his "Highway Rider" CD.
When: 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat.
Where: Walker Art Center, 1750 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls.


A TRIBUTE TO THE REPLACEMENTS:
Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Tim
featuring

A PERFORMANCE OF TIM FROM FRONT TO BACK WITH SPECIAL GUEST VOCALISTS
Friday, November 26th. First Avenue.

Performing in the Mainroom: PINK MINK, THE WHITE AND LAZY ALL-STARS featuring members of Chooglin, STORY OF THE SEA featuring David Campbell and Jim McGuinn, THE GOONDAS, SEX RAYS, SONS OF GLORIA and more

Performing in the 7th St. Entry: PATCHES AND GRETCHEN, STOOK! AND THE JUKES, ADAM LEVY, BETHANY LARSON AND THE BEE’S KNEES, ELIZA BLUE, GINI DODDS, JOHN SWARDSON, ASHLEIGH STILL, DAN ISRAEL, RYAN PAUL, MAYDA, BRIANNA LANE, MARTIN DEVANEY and more

A benefit for the Twin Cities Music Community Trust


Upcoming:

Reverend Horton Heat, First Avenue, Thursday, Nov. 4th
Bob Saget: The Strange Days Tour, State Theatre, Friday, November 5 at 8:00pm
Doug Stanhope, Varsity Theater, Friday, Nov. 5th
Magic Slim & The Teardrops, Friday, Nov. 5th, Famous Daves
Uriah Heep, Friday, Nov. 5th, Medina Entertainment Center
John Gorka, Saturday, Nov. 6th, Hopkins Center for the Arts
Richard Thompson, Saturday, Nov. 6th, First Avenue
Crystal Gayle, Saturday, Nov. 6th, The O'Shaughnessy
Pinetop Perkins, Monday, Nov. 8th, (and Tuesday the 9th) Dakota Jazz Club
DANZIG, Tuesday, Nov 9th, The Cabooze
BB King, Friday Nov 12, State Theater
Retribution Gospel Choir, Friday, Nov. 12th, Hennepin United Methodist Church
Tosh Tour Twenty Ten: A Comedy Central Live Event, State Theatre, Sat., November 13
Little River Band, Saturday, Nov. 13th, Medina Entertainment Center
Cloud Cult, Thursday, Nov. 18th, First Avenue
Wreckless Eric & Amy Rigby, Friday, Nov. 19th, The 400 Bar
Vince Vaughn & Kevin James Comedy Roadshow, Sat. Nov 20th, State Theater
Brandon Flowers (The Killers), Sunday, Nov. 21st, First Avenue
John Mellencamp: No Better Than This, Orpheum Theatre, November 22 - November 23
Loudon Wainwright III, Tuesday, Nov 23rd, Hopkins Center for the Arts.
**Grinderman (NICK CAVE), Tuesday, Nov 23rd, First Avenue
**Superchunk, Wednesday, December 1st, First Avenue
Mannheim Steamroller, Friday, December 3rd, (and Saturday 12/4) Orpheum Theater
GWAR, Monday, December 6th, The Cabooze
Ravi Coltrane, Tuesday, Dec. 7th, Dakota Jazz Club
Ozzy Osborne, Sunday, Dec. 12th, Target Center
Dee Dee Bridgewater, Friday Dec. 17th, Orchestra Hall
Soul Asylym, Friday Dec. 17th, First Avenue
The Bad Plus, Monday Dec 27th, Dakota Jazz Club
38 Special, New Years Eve, Treasure Island Casino

Roger Waters: The Wall! Tonight!

Roger Waters will perform The Wall tonight at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Rumors are flying around that David Gilmour has been in town since Monday, and may make an appearance, likely during Comfortably Numb. 9 hours and counting.....

Mr. Ghost Goes To Town

From 1936, Five Jones Boys with Mr. Ghost Goes To Town. Happy Halloween!

This Week's Buzz

David Sedaris
State Theatre
Thursday, October 21 at 7:30pm

David Sedaris, the New York Times best-selling author and National Public Radio humorist, returns to Minneapolis. With sardonic wit and incisive social critiques, he has become one of America’s pre-eminent humor writers and has more than seven million copies of his books in print. Immediately after the event, he will sign books in the lobby.

David Sedaris is the author of “Barrel Fever” and “Holidays on Ice,” as well as collections of personal essays, “Naked,” “Me Talk Pretty One Day,” “Dress Your Family in corduroy and Denim,” and “When You Are Engulfed in Flames,” each of which became a bestseller. He was also the editor of “Children Playing Before a Statue of Hercules: An Anthology of Outstanding Stories.” Sedaris’s pieces appear regularly in The New Yorker and have twice been included in “The Best American Essays.” His newest book, a collection of fables entitled “Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary” (with illustrations by Ian Falconer), will be published October 2010. He and his sister, Amy Sedaris, have collaborated under the name “The Talent Family” and have written plays produced at La Mama, Lincoln Center and The Drama Department in New York City. These plays include Stump the Host, Stitches, One Woman Shoe, which received an Obie Award, Incident at Cobbler’s Knob and The Book of Liz, which was published in book form by Dramatists Play Service. David Sedaris’s original radio pieces can often be heard on “This American Life,” distributed nationally by Public Radio International and produced by WBEZ. He has been nominated for three Grammy Awards for Best Spoken Word and Best Comedy Album and his most recent live album is “David Sedaris: Live for your Listening Pleasure” (Nov. 2009).





Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience
State Theatre
Tuesday, October 19 at 7:30pm

Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience, a new multi-media production celebrating the music of the famed British rock and roll band, will kick off the U.S. leg of its North American tour at Hennepin Theatre Trust's State Theatre. Headlined by the son of the original group's drummer, John Bonham, the concert will feature Jason Bonham and five other musicians playing the pioneering quartet's famous songs, archival video material, historical photos and Bonham's reflections on the group's music and history.




Rock of Ages
Starring original Broadway cast member Constantine Maroulis
Orpheum Theatre
October 19 - October 24

In 1987 on the Sunset Strip, a small town girl met a big city rocker and in LA's most famous rock club, they fell in love to the greatest songs of the 80s. It's Rock of Ages, an arena-rock love story told through the mind-blowing, face-melting hits of Journey, Night Ranger, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Asia, Whitesnake and many more. Don't miss this awesomely good time about dreaming big, playing loud and partying on!





Oct 21-31

This Fall the Music Box Theater Minneapolis brings a spectacular new event to the Twin Cities. Half haunted house, half theatrical experience, The Haunted Theater will take audiences deep into the depths of what was once The Loring Theater.

First opening its doors 90 years ago as a silent movie house in the cold winter of 1920, this cavernous old theater now has stories to tell. Thick with atmosphere of times past and chilled with hauntings of long forgotten characters, The Haunted Theater takes visitors on an eerie journey. Guests are led through a spine-chilling labyrinth of rooms, basements and corridors where the legends of the theater’s past still wait for audiences to entertain.



Laura Ingraham: The Obama Diaries Live
Pantages Theatre
Saturday, October 30 at 6:00pm

Laura Ingraham brings her bestselling book The Obama Diaries to life, in a satirical romp unlike anything the theater has even seen. With her fiery political commentary and trademark humor, Ingraham delivers an evening full of surprises...including an appearance by the President, who has reportedly reserved the theater on the same night!

Upcoming:

Bob Mould, tonight, at the Dakota Jazz Club (solo acoustic)
Social Distortion, tonight, at First Avenue
George Strait, REBA, and LeAnn Womack, Thursday, at Target Center
FOGHAT, Saturday, Wilebski's Saloon
Isobel Campbell and Mark Lanegan, Saturday, Cedar Cultural Center
Celtic Thunder, State Theatre, Sunday, October 24
Marshall Crenshaw, Tuesday Oct 26th, Hopkins Center for the Arts
Roger Waters, Wed, Oct 27th, Xcel Energy Ctr
The Dandy Warhols, Thursday, Oct 28th, Fine Line Music Cafe
Bob Saget: The Strange Days Tour, State Theatre, Friday, November 5 at 8:00pm
Magic Slim & The Teardrops, Friday, Nov. 5th, Famous Daves
Uriah Heep, Friday, Nov. 5th, Medina Entertainment Center
John Gorka, Saturday, Nov. 6th, Hopkins Center for the Arts
Richard Thompson, Saturday, Nov. 6th, First Avenue
Crystal Gayle, Saturday, Nov. 6th, The O'Shaughnessy
Pinetop Perkins, Monday, Nov. 8th, (and Tuesday the 9th) Dakota Jazz Club
BB King, Friday Nov 12, State Theater
Retribution Gospel Choir, Friday, Nov. 12th, Hennepin United Methodist Church
Tosh Tour Twenty Ten: A Comedy Central Live Event, State Theatre, Sat., November 13
Cloud Cult, Thursday, Nov. 18th, First Avenue
John Mellencamp: No Better Than This, Orpheum Theatre, November 22 - November 23
Loudon Wainwright III, Tuesday, Nov 23rd, Hopkins Center for the Arts.

Guided By Voices put on a GREAT SHOW last night at First Avenue. Robert Pollard has reunited the "classic" Guided By Voices line-up for just one brief US tour. Tobin Sprout (guitar) Charles "Mitch" Mitchell (guitar), Greg Demos (bass) and Kevin Fennel (drums) will be joining Pollard on classic GBV songs from 1992-1996 from the albums Propellor, Bee Thousand, Alien Lanes and Under The Bushes, Under The Stars.

It was one awesome pop rock gem after another, including many favorites from their 1994 classic Bee Thousand (Hot Freaks, Smothered in Hugs, I Am A Scientist, Tractor Rape Chain, and personal fave Buzzards and Dreadful Crows). 3 encores with likes of Motor Away, Watch Me Jumpstart, Exit Flagger, and lastly...Weed King!

I was in the back, but I was there to take some crappy pictures. AWESOME SHOW!

Robert Plant on Q!

Robert Plant interviewed on Q, by Jian Ghomeshi. Talking about his excellent new release Band of Joy!

Buzz this week!

The 11th annual Sound Unseen festival is happening, starting tomorrow October 6th, and running through Saturday, Oct. 9th in Minneapolis, MN! Sound Unseen is an annual festival of music-related movies, featuring a handful of titles, including documentaries, biographies, and rarratives. Sound Unseen also features DJ's and artists accompanying the movies, including Gary Louris (Jayhawks), Lori Barbero (Babes in Toyland), electro popsters Estate, and Denver Dalley.

Cool movies to check out: This Movies is Broken (featuring Broken Social Scene), and Who Is Harry Nilsson (and Why is Everybody Talkin' About Him), and The Agony and The Ecstacy of Phil Spector. A full schedule is found here.

Viewings are happening at 3 locations: The Southern Theater, Trylon Microcinema and the Red Stag Supperclub.



Soprano Renee Fleming performs this Thursday at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, in St. Paul. Fleming is expected to perform Mahler songs, Puccini, as well as music of Korngold. No alt-pop songs this time around, even though her latest album Dark Hope, released in June 2010, featured covers of songs by Leonard Cohen, Band of Horses, Jefferson Airplane and others.












Dudley: Rigged For Laughter



A laugh-out-loud look at the life of the legendary comedy impresario Dudley Riggs, a fourth-generation circus kid who grew up to found the Brave New Workshop in Minneapolis. Performed in the brilliant comic style of the Brave New Workshop and told by a zany cast of characters who know and love him, Dudley: Rigged for Laughter! is a madcap sketch comedy show packed with laughs and music.

Written by Caleb McEwen, Dane Stauffer, and John Sweeney. Directed by Caleb McEwen and Ron Peluso. Running now through Oct. 24th, at the History Theatre in St. Paul. 30 E. 10thy. St. St. Paul.




Halloween is just around the corner, and the Trail of Terror is back! Starting October 14th. Check out the new Hollywood Horror Corn Maze, and Werewolf Chamber. Just 3 miles south of Shakopee, off Highway 169. For more info: www.trailofterrorfest.com

Also, you might want to check out Alfred Hitchcock's PSYCHO with the Minnesota Orchestra, Saturday, Oct. 30th. A Halloween Showstopper! Bernard Hermann's spine tingling score is performed live with Hitchcock's masterpiece on screen above the stage.


U2 has rescheduled it's concert at TCF Bank Stadium, next July 23rd. Got that!

Upcoming:

Nick Lowe, tonight and tomorrow night, at the Dakota Jazz Club.
Michael Franti & Spearhead, Thursday, State Theater
Goo Goo Dolls, Saturday, Fine Line Music Cafe
Comedian Brian Regan, Saturday, Orpheum Theater
Comedian Tom Green, Thurs - Sat, at Rick Bronson's House of Comedy, Bloomington
Brave New Workshop: Spilling Me Softly, or Once the Gulf Goes Black, It Never Goes Back. Sketch comedy. Running now thru Oct. 30th.
Teenage Fanclub, Thursday Oct 7th, First Avenue
Blackfoot, Friday Oct 8th, Medina Ballroom
Willie Nelson, Saturday Oct 9th, Mystic Lake Casino (also Friday the 29th, and Sat Oct 20th....)
Guided by Voices, Tuesday Oct 12th, First Avenue
Chuck Prophet, Friday Oct 15th, Turf Club
Margaret Cho - The Cho Dependent Tour, State Theatre, Friday, October 15 at 8:00pm
Buddy Guy Saturday Oct 16th, State Theater
Engelbert Humperdinck Sunday Oct 17th, Orchestra Hall
Richie Havens, Monday Oct 18th, Dakota Jazz Club
Trailer Park Boys: Ricky, Julian and Bubbles Present The Drunk, High and Unemployed Tour, Pantages Theatre, Sunday, October 17 at 7:00pm
Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience, State Theatre, Tuesday, October 19th, 7:30pm
David Sedaris, State Theatre, Thursday, October 21st at 7:30pm
Celtic Thunder, State Theatre, Sunday, October 24
Marshall Crenshaw, Tuesday Oct 26th, Hopkins Center for the Arts
Roger Waters, Wed, Oct 27th, Xcel Energy Ctr
Bob Saget: The Strange Days Tour, State Theatre, Friday, November 5 at 8:00pm
BB King Friday Nov 12, State Theater
Tosh Tour Twenty Ten: A Comedy Central Live Event, State Theatre, Sat., November 13
John Mellencamp: No Better Than This, Orpheum Theatre, November 22 - November 23

Coffee with the rock stars! Or six degrees of seperation.

I got to have coffee recently with Jian Ghomeshi, the super talented host of the CBC's cultural affairs radio program "Q". He had just come from interviewing Neil Young and Daniel Lanois. No small feat. Young's new CD is called Le Noise.



Ghomeshi is a Canadian broadcaster, writer, musician and producer, based in Toronto. He is currently the host and co-creator of the national daily talk program, Q, on CBC Radio One and Bold TV. Since its inception in 2007, Q has garnered the largest audience of any cultural affairs program in Canada and has become the highest-rated show in its morning timeslot in CBC history.

Ghomeshi was a member of the multi-platinum selling Canadian folk-rock group, Moxy Früvous.

Click here to check out video from the Jian's interview with Neil Young and Daniel Lanois.

Twins Clinch!

Hey! We're in the front row!

Caught the Twins the day after they clinched the division. Not a bad seat in the house.

The Master Butchers Singing Club - just opened Sunday with it's world premiere at the The Guthrie Theater.
(photo by Michael Daniel).
Adapted for the stage by Pulitzer Prize-winning dramatist Marsha Norman from the best-selling novel by Louise Erdrich, The Master Butchers Singing Club chronicles the intersecting lives of German immigrant and butcher Fidelis and sideshow performer Delphine as they settle into the small town of Argus, North Dakota. Bookended by the two World Wars and set against a tapestry of song, this moving story traces the bond between a mother and her child, the boundless friendship between two women, and one’s life-changing discovery of true love.



Music Box Theatre - The Music Box Theatre, long the home space for the successfull Triple Expresso, presents The Love Knot, this Friday through Sunday. Presented by The Directors and led by producer/director Steve Barberio, The Love Knot, is Allison Moore's comedy about an older man whose young wife wants children. Hope (played by Mary Fox) is the young wife who wants you husband, Alan (played by Dan Hopman) to reverse his vasectomy and become once again a fountain of fertility. Sounds like fun!





Rock of Ages, the five-time Tony nominated musical starring original Broadway cast member Constantine Maroulis, debuts in Minnesota at Hennepin Theatre Trust’s Orpheum Theatre, Oct. 19-24, 2010. Direct from Broadway, Rock of Ages is a hilarious, feel-good love story told through the hit songs of iconic rockers Journey, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Foreigner, Pat Benatar, Whitesnake and many more. Rock of Ages is presented by Hennepin Theatre Trust as part of its 2010/11 Broadway Across America-Minneapolis season. Tickets for Rock of Ages are on sale now. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.HennepinTheatreTrust.org or call 1.800.982.2787

Slash - Comes to town this Thursday at the Medina Entertainment Center, in support of his highly acclaimed, self-titled CD released earlier this year. He's widely considered one of the great rock guitar players of all-time, including his work with Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver, Slash's Snakepit, and countless guest guitar solos and collaborations. His new record is getting rave reviews, and features an all-star roster of guest musicians including Ian Astbury of The Cult, Chris Cornell, Rocco DeLuca, Fergie, Dave Grohl, Myles Kennedy of Alterbridge, Kid Rock, Lemmy Kilmeister of Motorhead, Ada m Levine of Maroon 5, Duff McKagan, M. Shadows of Avenged Sevenfold, Ozzy Osbourne, Iggy Pop, and Andrew Stockdale of Wolfmother.

I had the chance to meet Slash once. He was quite cool, kinda short, big hair, and definitely hard to miss.



Upcoming:

Teenage Fanclub, Thursday Oct 7th, First Avenue
Blackfoot, Friday Oct 8th, Medina Ballroom
Willie Nelson, Saturday Oct 9th, Mystic Lake Casino (also Friday the 29th, and Sat Oct 20th....)
Guided by Voices, Tuesday Oct 12th, First Avenue
Chuck Prophet, Friday Oct 15th, Turf Club
Margaret Cho - The Cho Dependent Tour, State Theatre, Friday, October 15 at 8:00pm
Buddy Guy Saturday Oct 16th, State Theater
Engelbert Humperdinck Sunday Oct 17th, Orchestra Hall
Richie Havens, Monday Oct 18th, Dakota Jazz Club
Trailer Park Boys: Ricky, Julian and Bubbles Present The Drunk, High and Unemployed Tour, Pantages Theatre, Sunday, October 17 at 7:00pm
Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience, State Theatre, Tuesday, October 19th, 7:30pm
David Sedaris, State Theatre, Thursday, October 21st at 7:30pm
Celtic Thunder, State Theatre, Sunday, October 24
Marshall Crenshaw, Tuesday Oct 26th, Hopkins Center for the Arts
Roger Waters, Wed, Oct 27th, Xcel Energy Ctr
Bob Saget: The Strange Days Tour, State Theatre, Friday, November 5 at 8:00pm
BB King Friday Nov 12, State Theater
Tosh Tour Twenty Ten: A Comedy Central Live Event, State Theatre, Sat., November 13
John Mellencamp: No Better Than This, Orpheum Theatre, November 22 - November 23

Aimee Mann

Aimee Mann had the enthralled crowd on their feet many times last night, at the intimate Dakota Jazz Club, in downtown Minneapolis. The noted songwriter and performer, gave a delightful 90 minute performance, on the third night of a 3 night stand, kicking off her current tour. Most known for the music she created for the soundtrack of Paul Thomas Anderson's 1999 movie Magnolia, including the Academy Award and Grammy-nominated song, "Save Me". Mann performed Save Me, Wise Up and One, from Magnolia, as well as fan favorites like The Moth, Driving Sideways, and Freeway (from her 2008 CD *%&$#*@ Smilers). She treated the crowd to new songs from the upcoming musical debut she has been writing; based upon her 2005 album The Forgotten Arm.

It was a wonderful night, accompanied by my good friend Bec Smith. More pics here.





Aimee and guest Adam Levy of The Honeydogs

Skateboards, Hot Rods, and Stoner Rock

Caught one of my favorite heavy bands, Fu Manchu, Sunday night at the Triple Rock Social Club, along with my good friend Clint (the mastermind of local upstarts Savage Hogg). Fu Manchu is a Southern Californian stoner rock band, who have release many great records over the years since they formed in 1985, including probably their most successful California Crossing. Their latest CD "Signs of Infinite Power" came out last year (2009) on Century Media Records.

Funny moment: Fu Manchu's been known to do some cool covers, including Devo's Freedom of Choice, and The Cars' Moving in Stereo. Someone screamed Freebird, to which Scott Hill said you meant Superbird (their song). Then someone screamed Deep Purple, to which they launched into the intro of the Purple's Space Truckin'. Cool.

Official website for Fu Manchu www.fu-manchu.com

Target Field Tour

Hi everybody! I recently took the Target Field tour of the new Minnesota Twins ballpark, in downtown Minneapolis. It was really enjoyable and I'd recommend it to anyone, whether you've been to games already or not. For info on tours, visit Twinsbaseball.com. I got to see lots of nooks and crannies you wouldn't otherwise get to see. For example, the press box, the radio and TV announcing booths, the Metropolitan Club, the Legends Club, where the stars dressing room is (where the person singing the National Anthem likely gets ready), etc. Also, we got to me Clyle Doepner, the Twins Curator, who told us great stories of gathering Twins memorabilia, getting autographs, tracking down homerun balls, and the like. The funnest time was when we got to go onto the edge of the field, and in the Twins dugout. We were informed that we couldn't go on the grass, (or even spit on the grass)... it was really pristine as you'd expect. They mow it 2 and a half hours every day.

Below are a couple photos from my field trip. If you'd like to see all my photos, check out my photo page! www.flickr.com/michaelraypfeifer