State of the Arts

State of the Arts: August 11, 2011 Archive

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Art Hounds: Mystery Palace, Square Lake, and a novel about a teacher's first year

Posted at 7:00 AM on August 11, 2011 by Chris Roberts
Filed under: Art Hounds


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The hounds celebrate a rural film and music fest that rewards cyclists, an Ortonville writer's novel about a novice teacher struggling through his first school year, and a Minneapolis electro-pop band with an avant undercurrent.


(Want to be an Art Hound? Sign up.)

Becky-thumb-125x239.jpgOrtonville photographer Becky Stattelman has a recommendation for your late summer reading list. "First Year" by fellow Ortonvillian and Big Stone Arts Council member John Salls. "First Year" chronicles a first year English teacher's arduous journey in the classroom. Becky says teachers will relate, parents will benefit, and anyone who's ever been a student will have their memories sparked.




20101216_shahzore_shah_43.jpg Shahzore Shah is getting out of the city this Saturday, Aug. 13, but he's not going that far. Shahzore, a member of the male vocal ensemble "Cantus," is headed for the "Square Lake Film and Music Festival," just north of Stillwater. The festival features primarily Minnesota-made short films, documentaries, and animation, alongside local music stalwarts. This year the music roster includes, among others, "Kill the Vultures," "Ben Weaver," "Happy Apple," and "The Orange Mighty Trio." Located on a 28-acre parcel in Square Lake, the festival offers room for camping and 75% ticket discounts for people who bike there.



nathan jpg.JPG Minneapolis musician and "Ghost in the Water" co-founder Nathan Tensen Woolery counts himself as a longtime fan of the Minneapolis electro-pop outfit "Mystery Palace." Nathan appreciates what he views as the arty, at times bizarre interior of the band's seemingly accessible songs. Mystery Palace is celebrating the release of its new, free, digital download EP "Nervio," with a show at the 7th St. Entry, Friday, Aug. 12.


Target puts on a cool show... in New York

Posted at 10:02 AM on August 11, 2011 by Marianne Combs
Filed under: Dance, Design, Events, Fashion, Funding, Public Art

Call me a little late to the party, but I just saw this video of an installation of dance, lighting and music in New York's Standard Hotel. As you can see (via the not-so-subliminal imagery throughout) funding came in large part from Target.

So what I want to know is - when's Target going to bring the bright lights and hot moves to the Mini-Apple? Don't forget your homies!

The Walker's "reading room" vs. your local library

Posted at 12:00 PM on August 11, 2011 by Marianne Combs (3 Comments)
Filed under: Books, Museums

So I was chatting with Steve Seel and Jill Riley over on 89.3 The Current this morning, as I do each Thursday morning, talking about events coming up this weekend.

I mentioned, among other things, the Walker Art Center's "Reading Room" project, which I wrote about here yesterday. They're basically offering people a place to unplug and read, undisturbed.

Steve Seel looked at me wryly and said, "yes we used to have those - they were called libraries."

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St. Paul Central Library in downtown St. Paul (MPR Photo/Tim Nelson)

So what is the difference between the Walker's reading room and a library?

Project creator Chris Fischbach explains it this way:

Libraries aren't quiet, and are not primarily used for reading books by most people. Also you are not asked to turn off your phone at the library, or to unplug. Reading Room is inspired by libraries. Or maybe it's what libraries used to be.

And sure enough, Current listener Alyssa Prater wrote in to back up Fischbach's premise:

I work for a Regional Library system, and often comment that the irony of my job is I have no time to read. At any rate, I visit each of our 14 Branch Locations on a monthly basis; and have to say some libraries are no longer quiet places to read. The concept of a quiet place to unplug and just read, might be just what we all need!

So what are libraries there for these days? A while back I reported on their changing role in communities, which has led them to be less about books, and more about people.

(3 Comments)

Local theater director joins board of national Theatre Communications Group

Posted at 2:43 PM on August 11, 2011 by Marianne Combs
Filed under: Arts management, Theater

Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for the American theatre, now has a Minnesota on its board.

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Michelle Hensley
Photo: Ordway Center for the Performing Arts

Michelle Hensley, artistic director of the nationally recognized Ten Thousand Things theater company, is one of seven new board members joining TCG.

TCG represents nearly 700 theatres and affiliate organizations nationally and more than 13,000 individuals worldwide. It serves as the US Center of the International Theatre Institute. TCG also is North America's largest independent publisher of dramatic literature.

The TCG's board is comprised of 37 members from around the country, including it's Executive Director, Teresa Eyring. Eyring moved to New York to take the TCG job from Minnesota, where she was the Managing Director of the Children's Theatre Company.

Michelle Hensley has a long list of accomplishments in theater, most recently being awarded the 2010 Sally Award for Vision.

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