“Delightful” and “fun” aren’t the first two words that come to mind when one seeks to describe the literary legacy left by Franz Kafka.  But Frank Theatre’s narratively-faithful rendering of  the Bohemian writer’s 1915 novella The Metamorphosis — which opened Friday at Open Eye Figure Theater – is a snappy, impeccably-acted, funny, yet human...
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Mixed Blood may just have the most eclectic tastes of any theater I’ve reviewed in the Twin Cities, finding little gems that beautifully reflect their larger mission, while providing us with fine entertainment. With The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity they’ve launched a play about wrestlers that even I totally enjoyed. To explain. I...
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Though a sizable chunk of Twin Cities indie rock fans were packed into the sold-out Spoon show up the block at First Avenue Friday night, Communist Daughter didn’t have any trouble assembling an exceedingly healthy team of fans at The Fine Line to help them celebrate the release of their debut album, Soundtrack to...
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David de Young talks to Voltage Fashion Amplified Producer Anna Lee and band coordinator Charles Gehr about what’s in store for Voltage 2010.  This discussion includes an overview of both the fashion and music segments of this year’s Voltage event, which takes place Friday, April 16th at First Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. (Tickets are available...
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The house appears innocuous. It’s pleasant and airy, with a few books, an anemic plant, cheapo Venetian blinds, a couch, a table containing realtor’s photos and info sheets. But the offstage areas, the bone strewn basement, the viciously haunted breakfast nook (“It sucks the life right out of you”), the all-sharp-edges kitchen, the bloody mattresses in...
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Twin Cities bands and music fans came together at the Turf Club in St. Paul Friday night for the aptly titled “Jennefit” to help one of the Twin Cities best-loved photographers, Jenn Barnett, raise money to replace a broken camera. Barnett, in case you did not know, is responsible for the photos in all of...
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In all likelihood, Eliza Blue is a far more complex, perhaps even troubled, individual than most of us will ever know. Perhaps she wrestles with some inner anxieties or unhappiness, perhaps she simply feels in a very deep manner. What is clear about Ms. Blue is that she is a gifted musician who makes beautiful music,...
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Table Salt Productions premiered the third new work in its first season, offering a personal look at a moment in the revolution which transformed Iran’s political picture in the early 1980’s. This was writer Ali Ravi’s first foray into dramatizing what was a partly fictionalized account of his own family’s experience. The family of...
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Vampire Weekend descended on First Avenue for a sold -out show on Monday, March 22nd, 2010.  Meredith Westin was there and shot this lovely set of photos for HowWasTheShow. Here’s the setlist, via the Star Tribune: SETLIST White Sky Holiday Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa I Stand Corrected M79 Bryn California English Cousins Taxi Cab Run (Dedicated...
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Here’s the March, 2010 CD Review podcast from HowWasTheShow. David de Young reports in from Kings Wine Bar in South Minneapolis with 10 brand new tracks for you, some of which have not yet seen the light of day in album format. This podcast’s voice drops were recorded entirely using the iPhone Voice Memo feature. The...
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