Friday: Sound Unseen Presents Jay Reatard: A Birthday Celebration
I love Jay Reatard. The singer-songwriter fought his way through the underground rock scene to international superstardom. This event is a tribute to him right before his birthday and is centered on a new documentary examining his life, music and untimely death. Local groups supporting the event include Fury Things, Birthday Suits and Blood Sculpture.
Where: Uptown VFW, 2916 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis
When: 7 p.m.
How much: $10, 21+
Saturday: American Football with S. Carey and Aero Flynn
The late ’90s and early 2000s were some of the peak emo years. Bands were comprised of mopey suburban white boys, but they played with technical prowess and wrote actual songs. American Football would be on the Mount Rushmore of those acts. They have only been back together for a few years now, so catch some new and old music.
Where: First Avenue and 7th St. Entry, 701 N. 1st Ave., Minneapolis
When: 7 p.m.
Cost: $25-27
Sunday: “Days of Heaven” on 35mm
Terrence Malick is a master filmmaker and “Days of Heaven” is one of his best works. Considered one of the most beautiful films ever made, this screening is part of a series celebrating famed cinematographer Haskell Wexler. It’s at the best independent movie theater in town and being shown on 35 mm print, so you won’t want to miss it.
Where: Trylon microcinema, 3258 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis
When: 3 p.m.
Cost: $8
CULTURE TO CONSUME
Watch this: “The Fate of the Furious”
Arguably one of the final films in the “Fast and Furious” series, go see this if you’re like me and enjoy fast cars. No, seriously — this franchise has only gotten better with time. What started out as the cheesiest of all series has embraced its campiness and delivered some of the best, albeit most emotionally vacant, action movies of the last few years.
Listen to this: “The World’s Best American Band” by White Reaper
White Reaper is unequivocally one of the best bands to rise from the garage-punk post-2000 era. I first heard them on commercials before watching them rip it up live last year. This record is no different, receiving critical acclaim from most national publications. The tongue-in-cheek title says it all: they really are the best American band (they’re at least in the running).
Watch this: “Survivor”
I know, I know. Survivor has been on for more than 30 seasons. So? This season has seen the most controversial and morally bankrupt moments yet. I’m a relative newbie to the franchise, but let me just tell you this: if you want to see the perfect blend of reality television and gross-out action challenges, then this is the show for you. The early 2000s pop culture phenomenon has the staying power needed to reach — dare I say it — 40 seasons.
