Saul Williams with Dragons of Zynth at The Varsity Theater on 4/19/08

By: Mary Rea
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When an edgy, innovative, boundary blurring and visionary artist like Saul Williams makes a tour stop in the Twin Cities, I secretly give thanks to the live music gods and goddesses (who surely conspire with the Varsity Theater and their producing partners) for booking acts that influence and inspire local music-lovers and musicians alike. For despite our virtual access to great live footage, there’s nothing like the first appearance of...

The Current Fakebook featuring Chuck D with Brother Ali and Slug at Fitzgerald Theater on 4/19/08

By: Jen Paulson
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Chuck D started his Minneapolis weekend presenting the new Public Enemy documentary at the Oak Street Cinema on Friday night as an event for the Minneapolis/St. Paul Film Festival, rounding it out with the anticipated music and interview event that is Fakebook. An evening with the rap music innovator, activist and artist had been announced months back and induced quite the flurry of excitement.   Chuck D and B...

You're No Fun, A Bedlam Theatre Production at Bedlam Theatre on 4/19/08

By: Carl Atiya Swanson
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You're No Fun - Photo courtesy of Samantha Johns I hate musicals. So does Samantha Johns, director of You're No Fun, a new musical at the Bedlam Theatre. This makes for the best musical I have ever seen (excluding Spamalot, a favorite for personal, sentimental reasons.) Johns sharpened the end of the cane to poke musical conventions in the eye and give us a hilarious romp with some biting satire and real punch...

Man Man & Yeasayer at The Varsity Theater on 4/18/08

By: Jon Behm
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Photo by Jon Behm What’s become of our nation’s hippies? Just a few years back it seemed that there was nothing they liked better than to enjoy some good music, fun times and lethargy inducing drugs. Now, at the Man Man concert on Friday night I find that I am fighting these same long-haired former pacifists for my life. Did someone lace their mushrooms with rage-inducing steroids? I...

Sam Keenan CD Release Show with North, The Glad Version at Triple Rock Social Club on 4/18/08

By: Bob Longmore
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Sam Keenan - Photo by David de Young Sam Keenan celebrated the release of his new album, All the Dark Colored Markers Went Dry, with an energetic show at the Triple Rock. There was a rumor that Keenan and his band had only practiced a handful of times before the show—if that is true, it certainly didn’t show. Keenan alternated between guitar and keyboards throughout the nig...

Zenon Dance Company's 25th Anniversary at Southern Theater on 4/17/08

By: Jon Behm
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   Photo by Jeffrey Austin In its 25 years, the Zenon Dance Company has become the premier contemporary dance company in Minnesota, if not one of the top in the U.S.  Now celebrating a quarter-century’s worth of artistic achievement, the nine current dancers have brought a “best of” performance to the Southern Theater. It showcases some of the company’s finest work to date...

Voltage Fashion Amplified 2008 Preview in pictures and sound at First Avenue on 4/14/08

By: David de Young
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(Front page photo courtesy of mordac.org.) Preview the entire Voltage: Fashion Amplified 2008 CD here. The fourth installment of Voltage: Fashion Amplified takes place Wednesday, April 16th at First Avenue in Minneapolis.  Bands this year are Zibra Zibra, The Haves Have It, Bella Koshka, White Light Riot, MC/VL and Birthday Suits.  Doors are at 7pm for this 21+ show, and tickets are $17 in advance and $19 at the door.  It's recommended that tickets be purchased in advance.&n...

Brynn Andre, One Great Day, Waxing Phil and Jenna Charland at Trocaderos on 4/13/08

By: Jon Behm
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Sunday night’s quadruple bill of Jenna Charland, Waxing Phil, One Great Day and Brynn Andre at Trocaderos was supposed to be an “outside the mainstream” show. At least that is how it was described to me. Painting any one of these bands as outside the mainstream would be a stretch. Every one of them has a sound that aspires to the top 40's radio mill. That’s not to say they aren’t talented – there is plenty of talent involved in this genre of music. I just...

An Interview with Rick Widen of Tuesdays Robot on 4/11/08

By: David Rachac
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Tuesdays Robot - Photo by Tom Stanoch Rick Widen is the principal songwriter and singer for the folk band Tuesdays Robot. In this interview, he talks about his musical journey, his orientation to the peace movement and his new CD, Peace Sing-A-Long, which will be celebrated at a CD release party at the 331 Club on Friday, April 18.   HowWasTheShow: Tell me about your musical background &nd...

Podcast: Voltage Fashion Amplified Interview and music selections on 4/11/08

By: David de Young
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Voltage Photo courtesy of Dan Schulz, mordac.org David de Young speaks to Anna Lee and Charles Gehr of Voltage Fashion Amplified about the upcoming show at First Avenue on April 16th. Features songs from Voltage 2008 Bands: 1. White Light Riot – “Dive” (http://www.myspace.com/whitelightriotmusic) 2. Bella Koshka – “Fiction” (http://www.myspace.com/bellakoshka) 3. Birthda...