It won’t be long before we’re all crowded on the Northrop Mall, trying to squeeze in a quick nap before our first lecture of the school year.
Thankfully, we still have a few weeks of summer left. This time should be treated like a precious gift — the FroYo will taste sweeter, the sunsets will look prettier and the waves will be warmer.
The Minnesota Daily staff is about to take a break, but we’ll leave you with this rundown of what’s going on for the tail end of the summer. There’s a lot going on for all you culture vultures out there — live comedy, CD releases and more. We’ve picked out some things we’re especially jazzed for. Click on the calendar to see more.
We’ve got a lot planned for the first paper of the school year, so don’t forget to pick that up on Sept. 4.
Coldplay with Marina and the Diamonds and Charli XCX, Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul
August 10-11
The softest VH1 stars in the game will play St. Paul’s biggest entertainment cavern. There’s not a lot to say about it — you either like humming along to “Yellow” or you don’t.
So why are we recommending it? We’re confident that Marina and the Diamonds will open it all up with dramatic vim and operatic vigor. The Greek and Welsh singer Marina Diamandis gets so into her high-pitched, girl power synthpop that the proverbial glass shatters on the dance floor.
Minneapolis Underground Film Festival at St. Anthony Main Theater
August 17-19
The MUFF usually hits us in the winter, but in its fifth year, the underground film festival lands in mid-August.
The fest has a global scope. The documentary “This Ain’t California,” focuses on skateboarders in the German Democratic Republic. “Go Ganges!” follows two filmmakers traveling the length of India’s Ganges River.
But the fest also celebrates Minnesota filmmakers, with series of homegrown shorts played on Saturday and Sunday. Awards will be given out too, and some filmmakers will be around for post-screening Q&As.
Tim Harmston at Acme Comedy Co., 18+
August 21-25
The August comedy calendar is stacked. Brent Weinbach, Costaki Economopoulos and the delightful Pete Lee (a University of Minnesota graduate) are all slated to grace the Acme stage.
We’re singling out Tim Harmston because the mere mention of his name makes our hearts swell with Midwestern pride — he’s from Menomonie, Wis., he worked in Chicago for a while and now he’s making Minneapolis his home base. Thanks for making us look good (and funny), Harmston.
“Sleepwalk with Me”
Directed by: Mike Birbiglia and Seth Barrish
Starring: Mike Birbiglia, Lauren Ambrose, Kevin Barnett
August 24
The ever-humble Mike Birbiglia has made a name for himself in the stand-up world by letting his timidity flag fly — he talks candidly about his soft antics and boasts only about things like his ability to make a killer English-muffin pizza.
But Birbiglia has a lot to brag about. He’s been breaking into the storytelling world lately, collaborating with the likes of Ira Glass (“This American Life”). We’re excited to see how this movie, “Sleepwalk with Me,” will show the condition that Birbiglia tells us about on stage — the severe sleepwalking fits that plague his sweet dreams.
Minnesota State Fair
August 23-September 3
Even if you’re an out-of-towner whose upbringing wasn’t tainted by the Miracle of Birth horror fest, you’ve probably gathered that this festival is the most quintessentially Minnesotan event of the whole year.
This year there are some new events, including a big sandbox, a parade of pianos and a laser show. In following tradition, have fun stuffing your face with fried food and ogling the overgrown vegetables. A&E is especially psyched for the live music … See you soon, Demi Lovato and Wiz Khalifa.
