Serving the UMN community since 1900

The Minnesota Daily

Serving the UMN community since 1900

The Minnesota Daily

Serving the UMN community since 1900

The Minnesota Daily

All content by John Sand
PHOTO COURTESY JESSE DRAXLER

The best of Art-A-Whirl 2010

by John Sand
Published May 4, 2010
Wade the waters of the giant northeast art extravaganza with the help of this guide.
MFA graduate Virginia Maki brought her drawing station, her car, right into the gallery.
PHOTO COURTESY VIRGINIA MAKI

MCAD’s finest @ The Soap Factory

by John Sand
Published April 28, 2010
The St. Anthony Main artist haunt exhibits graduating MFA students this weekend.
A group of Filipino women offer the cameraman traditional food.
PHOTO COURTESY ALEKSANDRA TILL

Culture Revival 101: The Festival of Nations

by John Sand
Published April 28, 2010
The Festival of Nations celebrates its 78th year with a centralized theme of folklore and heroes.

A&E’s rootin’ tootin’ coffee round-up

by John Sand
Published April 21, 2010
Put the hee-haw in your morning giddy-up.
Artist Caprice Glaser’s public art resides in a children’s park near Jax Building.
PHOTO COURTESY CAPRICE GLASER (on it’s way…)

Inside the artist studio at the St. Paul Art Crawl

by John Sand
Published April 21, 2010
See where art is made and where artists live, and grab some prime food along the way.
PHOTO COURTESY HENNEPIN THEATER TRUST

“Avenue Q” is a fixer-upper

by John Sand
Published April 14, 2010
The famous street production returns to Minneapolis, and is not without its share of potholes.

‘Face Forward’ philanthropic art

by John Sand
Published April 14, 2010
St. Thomas students and local artists pull together talent for to aid literacy in India.
Kramps knitwear walks the runways at Voltage. PHOTO COURTESY KEVIN KRAMP

Designer profile: Kevin Kramp

by John Sand
Published April 14, 2010
Local fashion superstar Kevin Kramp combines custom-knit fabric with edgy patterns to create a look for the bravest troubadours.
Dan Deacon plays the Whole Music Club on Friday. PHOTO COURTESY ULI LOSKOT

Weekend Culture Compass – Dan Deacon, Mountain Goats and “Spice World”

by John Sand
Published April 7, 2010
A&E plans your weekend. You're welcome.
PHOTO COURTESY CAT POND

Art seniors strut their stuff

by John Sand
Published April 7, 2010
The first exhibit for many graduating B.A. and B.F.A. students, the spring show demonstrates how the students have grown.

Alt. Theater 101

by John Sand
Published March 31, 2010
Theater beyond The Guthrie: Where to start
“LOOK!” by Joe Tilson is part of the Walker’s collection of art from 1964. PHOTO COURTESY WALKER ART CENTER/JOE TILSON

Walker Collection (The Remix)

by John Sand
Published March 24, 2010
The Walker Art Center digs into its reserve to showcase Lorna Simpson and the best of 1964.
Davis upside down exhibits her contrasting themes of curiosity and caution.
PHOTO COURTESY JENNIFER DAVIS

Jennifer Davis’ “Spree” at First Amendment Arts

by John Sand
Published March 24, 2010
Artist Jennifer Davis lets audiences into her whimsical world of anthropomorphized animals and pastel plants.
The Chicago Afrobeat Project arrives at the Cedar Cultural Center this Friday.  PHOTO COURTESY CHICAGO AFROBEAT PROJECT

Weekend Culture Compass – Chicago Afrobeat Project, Eggs for Africa, and um, Spring Break

by John Sand
Published March 10, 2010
A&E plans your weekend. You're welcome.

Report: Boots being knocked younger and younger

by John Sand
Published March 10, 2010
A&E explores the real secret life of the American (promiscuous) teenager.
Bliss is one of J. M. Culvers explorations of memory. PHOTO COURTESY J.M. CULVER

Drawing on memory

by John Sand
Published March 8, 2010
Local fine artist J.M. Culver's wall-size paintings at The Stevens Square Center for the Arts explore memories of childhood through art.
Kirlins underground Pancakes and Booze Art Show premiered in Los Angeles last May to an enormous opening crowd.
PHOTO COURTESY TOM KIRLIN

Pancakes & Booze: the new Wine & Cheese

by John Sand
Published March 3, 2010
L.A.'s underground art show graces fair Minneapolis, classy premise in tow.

Restaurant Review: Bin Wine Bar

by John Sand
Published February 24, 2010
St. Paul's newest tavern knows its wine, but forgets the finishing touches.

The Southern takes on experimental theater with “New Breed”

by John Sand
Published February 24, 2010
"Minneapolis New Breed" offers a foothold for beginning Twin Cities theater companies.

Art overflows at Foot in the Door 4

by John Sand
Published February 17, 2010
Taking art from newbies across the area, avant-garde representations of Barbie sit alongside minimalistic linguistic tickers.
The storys main characters engage in an extramarital emotional affair and learn about themselves.
PHOTO COURTESY KNEEHIGH THEATRE

“Brief Encounter” is satisfying quickie theater

by John Sand
Published February 17, 2010
The Guthrie’s latest production is a short 95-minutes, but its examination of love and marriage is vast.

Sap-Fest Love Songs – My Top 25

by John Sand
Published February 10, 2010

A while ago, Kara (aka Fashionista) actually charged me with making a list of my favorite love songs. So, here they are, slightly updated, in no particular order:  "A Case of You" -- Joni...

PHOTO COURTESY CINNAMON JANZER

Student artist profile: Cinnamon Janzer

by John Sand
Published February 10, 2010
The art major has her own style and gives back to the community.
Catch a screening of Pee-Wees Big Adventure this weekend. PHOTO COURTESY WARNER BROS.

Weekend Culture Compass – Red Pens, Pee-Wee Herman and Sinbad, oh my!

by John Sand
Published February 10, 2010
A&E plans your weekend. You're welcome.
PHOTO COURTESY MU PERFORMING ARTS

Mu drew a line for you, and it was all yellow

by John Sand
Published February 3, 2010
Mu Performing Arts’ new production “Yellow Face” deals with issues of cultural identity and representation.
Sophomores Brenden Gerber and Elsabet Roth watch a video at the faculty exhibition in the Katherine E. Nash Gallery on Tuesday.  Faculty work will be shown at the Regis Center for art through February 18th.

How far away is ‘almos(t)here?’

by John Sand
Published January 28, 2010
The Nash’s exhibit features European artists expounding on the difficulties of physical boundaries in an era of globalization.
The event’s Get Lucky Drawing offers the chance to win “Mind Over Matters” by Jennifer Davis
PHOTO COURTESY JENNIFER DAVIS, THE SOO VISUAL ARTS CENTER

The Soo Visual Arts Center helps students “Get Lucky”

by John Sand
Published January 20, 2010
Uptown's quirkiest art gallery gives Twin Cities citizens a chance to begin an art collection while supporting the machinery that makes local art possible.
Still from “Heavy Sleepers,” 2006. See more work by Zhao Liang at The Walker.
PHOTO COURTESY ZHAO LIANG

Winter Arts Calendar

by John Sand
Published December 9, 2009
A&E provides culture for your winter break.
The Decemberists Hazards of Love screens at the Cedar. PHOTO COURTESY KILL ROCK STARS

Weekend Culture Compass – The Decemberists and British Ads galore

by John Sand
Published December 4, 2009
A&E plans your weekend. You're welcome.
PHOTO COURTESY GREG GOSSEL

Top ten local artists of the decade

by John Sand
Published December 2, 2009
Know the names of the most celebrated contributors to the local art scene.
PHOTO COURTESY INTERSCOPE RECORDS

Lady Gaga’s “The Fame Monster” will eat your heart and your brain.

by John Sand
Published November 25, 2009
Everyone's googoo for Gaga, and for good reason.
Robisons recent projects are sculpted animals made from a combination of his completed work and found objects.
PHOTO COURTESY JOE BERLIN

Artist profile: Dan Robison

by John Sand
Published November 24, 2009
Hamline art student Dan Robison finds consistency in layers of purist art.
Minneapolis artist Carey Nethertons work seems so meticulously designed that it must hide some mysterious functional use. 
PHOTO COURTESY CAREY NETHERTON

“Environmental Aesthetics” is ethereal

by John Sand
Published November 24, 2009
Two local artists search for humanity's reflection in nature.
Panel 10 and Panel 11 from Heavy Petting. Materials are acrylic paint and mixed media on canvas. PHOTO COURTESY THE GALLERY AT FOX TAX

“Heavy Petting” is not too naughty

by John Sand
Published November 18, 2009
Local artist Rob McBroom infuses glam-crystals, childhood nostalgia and a hyper-sexed anthropomorphized pussycat at Fox Tax.

The Prufrock Theatre takes on social stratification

by John Sand
Published November 11, 2009
Beheadings, pimps and even low-ticket prices all come up in our investigation (not really) into the new Prufrock Theatre.
PHOTO COURTESY THE WALKER ART CENTER

The many angles of Dan Graham

by John Sand
Published November 4, 2009
"Dan Graham: Beyond" puts childhood fun and hardcore punk rock back into art.
Red Stags grilled pork sirloin served with stewed lentils and spaetzle in a homemade whole-grain mustard sauce.
Vegetarian option: tempura fried broccoli instead of pork.

The Cities’ best date nights

by John Sand
Published October 28, 2009
Looking for a cheap way to make your lover swoon? We've got you covered.
PHOTO COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA PRESS

Mangia! Italian eating

by John Sand
Published October 28, 2009
Local author Eric Dregni lives out every college student's post-grad dream and survives to write about it.
The trio of spoken word poets exercises their acting chops in skits about chickens, poverty and magical pens.
PHOTO COURTESY MINNEAPOLIS CHILDRENS THEATRE

Fast rhymes with Mayhem Poets

by John Sand
Published October 21, 2009
Jersey slam poets grace The Children's Theatre Company with a month of social education and salmonella jokes.
Areca Roes Sheets
PHOTO COURTESY THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF ART

The Nash keeps it in the family

by John Sand
Published October 14, 2009
"Here and Now" presents a snapshot of today's photography faculty.
PHOTO COURTESY SOO VISUAL ART CENTER.

Do You Remember?

by John Sand
Published October 14, 2009
SOO Visual Art Center's two new exhibits are physical depictions of personal and cultural memory.
Asobi Seksu is a colloquial Japanese term for casual sex and also a bilingual indie shoegaze group who are visiting this weekend. PHOTO COURTESY POLYVINYL RECORDS

Weekend Culture Compass – Halloween festivites, Asobi Seksu and The Decemberists.

by John Sand
Published October 7, 2009
A&E plans your weekend. You're welcome.
Barbara Evan’s “Silly Girl” is one of the many featured works of art at this fall’s St. Paul Art Crawl.
PHOTO COURTESY  ST. PAUL ART COLLECTIVE

St. Paul Crawl ain’t small

by John Sand
Published October 7, 2009
Our state’s capital showcases their artistic talent through a series of gallery tours, artist studios and live performances.

Red Eye Thug Life

by John Sand
Published October 7, 2009
“The Thugs,” an office-set murder mystery, plays off of character stereotypes to cultivate a quick-paced, witty show.
Spectators inside Haegue Yang’s “Yearning Melancholy Red” immediately become both a critic of the elaborate maze of blinds and a hidden limb of the work.
PHOTO COURTESY WALKER ART CENTER

Haegue Yang is a new kind of insider

by John Sand
Published September 30, 2009
Yang’s installation at the Walker explores the life inside of lifeless objects.
South American Bajofondo streams together funky new age hip-hop with sensuous Spanish rap. PHOTO COURTESY THE CEDAR

Uprooting the Scene

by John Sand
Published September 24, 2009
The Cedar explores the new roots of our increasingly diverse city with an international music fest.
PHOTO COURTESY JAN CHAPMAN PICTURES

“Bright Star” shines

by John Sand
Published September 23, 2009
Oscar buzz for Jane Campion’s Keats- centric historical romance.
PHOTO COURTESY ANTI- RECORDS

Morphing Mutantes disappoint

by John Sand
Published September 16, 2009
Brazilian legends Os Mutantes’ release over-ambitious reunion album.
TID-01833
(L-r) SCOTT BAKULA as FBI Special Agent Brian Shepard, JOEL McHALE as FBI Special Agent Bob Herndon and MATT DAMON as Mark Whitacre in Warner Bros. Pictures

“Informant!” divulges nothing

by John Sand
Published September 16, 2009
Even Matt Damon’s mustache can’t save this true story’s lackluster delivery.
PHOTO COURTESY ATLANTIC RECORDS

Jay-Z offers blueprint for mediocrity

by John Sand
Published September 16, 2009
“The Blueprint 3” proves to be a less-than-catchy whine-fest about the hazards of fame.
A detailed photograph of Oranskys Distant Thoughts reveals sweeping brushstrokes that expose the movement of the work.
PHOTO COURTESY FORM+CONTENT GALLERY

How close is too close?

by John Sand
Published September 9, 2009
Artists and educators Howard Oransky and Clarence Morgan work on breaking down the distance between the mind and art.
PHOTO COURTESY ANANYA DANCE THEATRE

Dance dance … social revolution!

by John Sand
Published September 9, 2009
Members of the Ananya Dance Theatre translate enormous, messy issues into beautiful, clean-lined contemporary dance.

D N Eduardo

by John Sand
Published April 12, 2009

As technology continues toward its ever-expanding realm of understanding, scientists are questioning the biological definition of species. Eduardo Kac’s new exhibit at the Weisman Art Museum asks...

John and Kara on the Minneapoline

by John Sand
Published February 2, 2009

Ever since Tyler stopped contributing to The Minneapoline, it's gone way down hill. Way back when, it was at least an interesting site, with well-thought outfits. Lately, there is far too much focus...

“Isn’t it good, ‘Norwegian Wood’?”

by John Sand
Published January 12, 2009

I can't say this review is exactly timely. Japanese author Haruki Murakami's "Norwegian Wood" was published in 1987 and finally translated into English in 2000, so I'm about nine years behind...

Dating tips that might possibly be effective

by John Sand
Published December 22, 2008

Due to continuous demand (and what appears to be serious necessity), I’ve decided to put together a quick guide to dating for a little romantic success in 2009. I’m not claiming that this will...

No naked huddling required

by John Sand
Published December 12, 2008

Most stores are rocking their holiday lines for the time being, but once January hit they'll be playing "Here Comes the Sun" and touting new flat front shorts and summer loafers. This is exactly...

Finals Week Procrastination

by John Sand
Published December 10, 2008

Now, if you're like A&E, you know that working hard can always wait until three hours before your exam rolls around or the deadline for the 31-pager on the history of pre-modern Inuit pop culture....

Calcium, Vitamin D and Gay Rights

by John Sand
Published December 4, 2008

Harvey Milk was the first openly Gay man elected to public office in California in 1977. There have been many documentations of Milk's life, including the documentary called "The Times of Harvey Milk,"...

Big Surprise: Tyra Banks “relates with other people of color.”

by John Sand
Published November 12, 2008

On the racist-o-meter, Tyra Banks falls somewhere between white-supremacist groups and my grandmother who has verbally denounced just about every demographic of people including her own (from people that...

Is There No Hope For American Cinema?

by John Sand
Published November 4, 2008

America is not a land known for high culture. The land of "Blue Collar Comedy Tour," Wal-Mart and Popeye's chicken, we've been known to take joy in the most simplistic of endeavors. (I would...

Kitty Wigs

by John Sand
Published November 2, 2008

I think the world needs to be introduced to the intricate social implications of Kitty Wigs (www.kittywigs.com). For a nominal fee (about 50 bucks a wig), your cat can be an icon of modern style....

“Glass Passenger” Makin’ like Laura’s Menagerie: Broken

by John Sand
Published October 22, 2008

I have to confess this. For the longest time, I was nearly head-over-heels in a man-crush with Andrew McMahon, the front man of Something Corporate and Jack's Mannequin. It's embarrassing, I know, but...

Red Let-down Year

by John Sand
Published September 17, 2008

Ani DiFranco has been making angry chick music since... well, since there have been angry, indie chicks to nod their heads, sing along and avoid showering in the spirit of misanthropy. Her someteenth (anywhere...

Delicious disappointment

by John Sand
Published May 1, 2008
"My Blueberry Nights" is a vision of warm-lit ecstasy, but lacks the depth expected from such a masterpiece.

Baby Mama: pregnant with complications

by John Sand
Published April 24, 2008
Though Fey and Poehler possess undeniable chemistry, their efforts fail to rescue "Baby Mama" from its stumbling plotline.

Climate change isn’t cool

by John Sand
Published April 24, 2008
"Seeing Climate Change" aims to encourage dialogue addressing rapid environmental transformations.

Frying up some soul food

by John Sand
Published April 3, 2008
Memphis band Skillet may be far from its starting place, but it's never too far from its faith.

Spring break jams

by John Sand
Published March 13, 2008
We've skimmed a few hyped albums, and now you'll know what should make its way onto your spring playlist.

La vie en noir

by John Sand
Published March 13, 2008
David Shields' new book is heavy on the quotations and even heavier on the life.

Feels like home

by John Sand
Published February 21, 2008
"Worlds Away" both critiques and celebrates America's trend of suburbanization.

Rolling melodies and political undertones

by John Sand
Published February 7, 2008
Jack Johnson's voice, though eco-smooth, may stumble a bit.

‘The Eye’ delivers a few successful jolts

by John Sand
Published February 7, 2008
In this cheap remake starring Jessica Alba, see past the superficial.

Rethinking the runway

by John Sand
Published January 31, 2008
The College of Design's 40th Annual Senior Fashion Show

What to know and what to throw

by John Sand
Published January 24, 2008
A&E sorts through the garbage to bring you the knowledge.

United we tensely stand

by John Sand
Published January 24, 2008

Since its creation, photography has innately implied a passive absorption of a distant set of visual details. As a viewer, one feels compelled to judge based upon beauty, composition characteristics, and...

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