THINGS TO DO
THURSDAY
“Happy People: A Year in the Taiga”
Uptown Theatre
2906 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis
7 p.m.
$12.50
To escape the commercial trap of V-Day, spend an evening with Werner Herzog. The German documentary filmmaker never compromises his own passions — he’s got true grit unlike those pithy Hallmark cards. The man has led a colorful life to say the least, which lends wholeheartedly to the many thoughtful meditations among his filmography (see: “Cave of Forgotten Dreams” and “Grizzly Man”).
For “Happy People,” Herzog culls 94 minutes from a four-hour documentary from fellow director Dmitry Vasyukov. While the movie is no traditional Herzog documentary, he adds his narration and insight to Vasyukov’s footage of day-to-day life in a remote Siberian village.
FRIDAY
Kishi Bashi with Plume Giant
Triple Rock Social Club
629 Cedar Ave., Minneapolis
8 p.m.
$12
Loops and repetition drive the music of Kishi Bashi, a Seattle-born multi-instrumentalist. Often compared with Owen Pallett and Andrew Bird, he deserves more recognition given his highly inventive (and infectious) 2012 release, “151a.” Usually Kishi Bashi tours with of Montreal so his upcoming solo show marks an opportunity to hear his classically trained talent without the obnoxious wailing of Kevin Barnes. Listen to “Bright Whites” and prepare for his strange-yet-stunning sensibilities. His techno wizardry using loops even garnered the attention of Microsoft, surely the epitome of cool.
SATURDAY
Ten Thousand Things Theatre, “The Seven”Open Book
1011 S. Washington Ave., Minneapolis
8 p.m.
Melding hip-hop and theatre, Will Power is one of several pioneers of a new genre of performance. Throughout his career as an actor, rapper and playwright, he’s garnered international acclaim for his variety of theatre. Fusing music, rhymed dialogue and choreography, Power adapts the Greek tragedy “Seven Against Thebes” in “The Seven.” Power tells the story of two brothers attempting to peacefully live in spite of their father’s curse. Guest directed by Sarah Rasmussen, the performance runs through March 10.
CULTURE TO CONSUME
Listen to this: A$AP Rocky, “1Train”
One of the highlights of A$AP Rocky’s debut album “LONG.LIVE.A$AP,” “1Train” accomplishes more than most hip-hop tracks. More than six minutes, it packs in some of the best acts currently rhyming. Kendrick Lamar, Joey Bada$$, YelaWolf, Danny Brown, Action Bronson and Big K.R.I.T. join A$AP to create an unhinged, fiery portrait. “1Train” offers multiple channels with so many talented voices — the Brown’s cartoonish yelp and Lamar’s pointed verses occupy both ends of the gritty, fully realized spectrum.
Watch this: “Community,” NBC, 7 p.m., Thursdays
Quit mourning the patron saint of “Community” creator Dan Harmon leaving the beloved cult show, and try to reconcile with the semi-cloying new season. Let’s remember when the show provided some of the most irreverent 22 minutes of television with “Advanced Dungeon & Dragons” and “Remedial Chaos Theory.” At least tune in to see how the downward spiral of Chevy Chase plays out — apparently he walked off the set of this season and won’t appear in the last two episodes. Some things never Chang.
Read this: “Frank Ocean Can Fly,” The New York Times Magazine, Feb. 2013
The man behind one of 2012’s best albums, “Channel Orange,” does not trust journalists. As Frank Ocean explained to The New York Times’ Jeff Himmelman, “The most important thing is to just press play.” Even though the hip- hop and R&B crooner doesn’t like to open up to the press, he grants access in an extended profile here. Himmelman paints a satisfying portrait of the 25-year-old up-and-comer and Odd Future member, apparently at work writing a book.
