Thursday
STOMP
Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
345 Washington St., St. Paul
7:30 p.m.
$36
STOMPâÄôs reputation precedes it. You and your mom have probably seen or heard all those everyday objects: garbage cans, hubcaps, basketballs, brooms, etc. used to create intricate beats and entertaining performances. For more than 20 years now, STOMP has been transforming these seemingly insignificant objects into a dazzling display of music, performance and surprise. Better catch this spectacle while itâÄôs at the Ordway Center, because in one week theyâÄôre packing up their âÄúinstruments,âÄù and then youâÄôll have to find the DVD.
Friday
Part of a Whole
Minneapolis Center for Book Arts
1011 S. Washington Ave., Minneapolis
10 a.m. âÄì 9 p.m.
Free
If youâÄôre like me, then youâÄôre accumulating as many print classics as you can before the Kindle ushers in the print apocalypse. DonâÄôt worry though; there are people who feel the same way as us. Minneapolis Center for Book Arts is doing its part to make sure the art of book binding, letter pressing and paper making will outlive the electronic book fetish sweeping the nation. âÄúPart of a WholeâÄù is the centerâÄôs current exhibit featuring work by more than 30 notable book artists. Scurry on over and glance at these gems because who knows, in the near future it might be too late.
Saturday
The Belfast Cowboys
LeeâÄôs Liquor Lounge
101 N. Glenwood Ave., Minneapolis
9 p.m.
$6
This local nine-piece cover group comes fully equipped with a horn section and all those Van the Man classics that Cities 97 has played to death over the years. Cover bands always seem to provoke an eye roll or a sigh or an expression of the like, but MorrisonâÄôs songs still translate well, and six bucks ainâÄôt too bad for a night of songs that you can drunkenly sing along to.
CULTURE TO CONSUME
Listen to this:âÄúPursuit of HappinessâÄù live Kid Cudi cover by Lissie
All you new-age hip-trendhoppers are probably miles ahead of the Kid Cudi bandwagon by now and onto Tyler, the Creator or perhaps something newer. But hereâÄôs a refreshing take on one of the songs that all those latecomers were anxiously awaiting when Cudi the Kid himself came to the University of Minnesota earlier this year. Lissie salvages what she can with this cover and, even if for just a moment, makes you forget that the words sheâÄôs singing polluted the airwaves just a couple months ago. She rides that organic appeal near the extent of its welcome (no makeup, no bra, etc.) yet it doesnâÄôt stigmatize her talent. Just click on your YouTube bookmark and youâÄôre practically there.
Notice: Yes the drummer is playing with his feet while playing the bass with his hands.
Eat this: Cleveland Wok
Located in St. Paul near the St. Thomas campus, Cleveland Wok isnâÄôt too far from the University. This is one of those Chinese restaurants whose appeal resides in their âÄúbang for your buck.âÄù ItâÄôs nothing to make your mouth salivate while en route, but itâÄôs better than any Asian restaurant IâÄôve had in Minneapolis, and their lunch buffet is only $5.99. If you have a car or feel confident enough to cross cities on the bus, head over and stuff your face with as much Americanized Asian food as your little tummy can hold.
Watch this: âÄúInterview with creepy hand modelâÄù on YouTube
Models. You either indulge in an irrational infatuation with them or you hate that those sticks set the standard for how a human should look. I guess you could also just walk by those magazine covers and not pay âÄôem any mind. Regardless of your stance, hereâÄôs a CBS interview with Ellen Sirot, a wildly successful model whose face and body youâÄôve probably never seen.
