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