For most, this weekend winter oasis of all things art, culture, and collaboration is the opportunity to escape the onset of cabin fever and embrace Minnesota weather and artists at their finest. As I created my own postcard to send from The Art Post, the only post office I know of located in the middle of a lake, an impromptu four-piece band started playing outside. It was obvious the shanty visitors were not falling victim to the winter blues. Whether you fancy a dance party, a cup of tea, a live performance, or a tipi sauna this event will likely render an experience worth your time.

Needless to say, if you didn’t get a chance to revel in the glory known as the Art Shanty Projects this winter, put it on the top of your to-do list for next year. And, if you happen to be feeling really ambitious, keep an eye on the website, www.artshantyprojects.org, for 2011 submission calls.

Photo and article courtesy of Erin Kirby

The Soap Factory is hosting Haunted Basement 2009, the third annual artist-designed performance project held in the bowels of its 100-year-old+ historic warehouse building. And you thought the galleries were raw.

“Shifting from last year’s theme of disorientation, The Haunted Basement 2009 takes a turn towards the disturbing. In additional to the total absence of natural light, the bone chilling dank, and the subterranean maze of lurid apparatuses, the Haunted Basement crew has added a few new things to the mix.

“Visitors can look forward to an entirely new underworld, with environments by guest artists, and revolting and assaulting odors manufactured specially for the Haunted Basement by a local scent company. Thanks to EVP recordings taken during the Twin Cities Paranormal Society’s investigation, the HB 2009 also features a chilling soundtrack supplied by The Soap Factory’s very own spirits.”

Open 6pm-12am nightly // October 16-November 1, 2009
Tickets:
Mon-Thur, $15
Fri – Sun, $20
Must be 18+, and sign waiver.

This month, the Walker Art Center is hosting a film retrospective of St. Louis Park natives Joel and Ethan Coen.  

Joel and Ethan Coen: Raising Cain kicks off this Friday, September 18, with Blood Simple, their first feature film which debuted 25 years ago. The live (sure to sell out) Regis Dialogue on September 25 is sure to be a major highlight. [Tip: For those of you unable to get tix in advance, go to the show anyway. Someone always turns in a ticket or two. You could be the lucky one to score a ticket or two.]  

The retrospective runs through October 17.

Directed by David Mann and featuring: Patrick Coyle, Julie Madden, Katharine Moeller, Seth Patterson, Mo Perry, Stacia Rice, Matt Sciple, Edwin Strout & Lauren Vlach

A few special guests will hit the stage including Linda Kelsey (final weekend only), WCCO’s Mark Rosen and FM107′s Julia Cobbs of the Lori & Julia Show.

The show runs September 11-26. Reserve tickets here.

Click here for directions to  Minneapolis Theater Garage.

mnartists.org is hosting its first ever Field Day at the Walker Art Center today, Thursday, August 27. Events will take place from 11 a.m.- 10 p.m. You can mix and mingle with local artists and arts organizations and participate in lawn sports, including a kickball tournament, create your own screenprinted T-shirt with Calpurnia Peach, and enjoy a kid-friendly  scavenger hunt courtesy of Arty Pants, and a puppet show hosted by Open Eye Figure Theater. And, don’t miss a performance by uber-cool local group Solid Gold and their tricked-out video projections. Check out their video Bible Thumper below. Oh, it’s free.

Bible Thumper

Food and Drink are available at Wolfgang Puck Garden grill from 11a.m. – 8p.m. and The Gorilla Garden Bar from 6p.m.–10p.m.

In keeping with collector/hotel owner Ralph Burnet’s tradition of collecting edgy work by young, emerging artists (controversial work the Young British Artist movement is on display throughout the hotel), Chambers Gallery has a new initiative designed to support new and emerging contemporary artists. The current show Get StARTed showcases works by 11 different MFA students currently enrolled at MCAD. All work is available for sale with all proceeds to benefit the artists. Now through September 12, 2009.

Location: The hotel gallery is 4 blocks away at 9th and Hennepin—the perfect distance for a midday break.

The Cedar Cultural Center is well known in the Twin Cities for being the place to hear some of the best in music from around the world.  That can often be a problem because it conjures up the idea that the Cedar is a “world music” venue.  “World Music” meaning a bland sort of non-committed vagueness of Pan-African, Pan-Latin, Pan-Carribien, Pan-Arabian, Pan-Everywhere that is generally panned by everyone except the music programmers at Pier 1 Imports.  Even a programmed drum “goove” can’t help this stuff.

Have no fear of hearing the music equivalent of beige during Cedar Cultural Center’s Global Roots Festival.

It’s only four all too brief nights of incredible, cutting edge, spectacular bands from all around the world.

The opening night, co-presented by Walker Art Center, features from South Africa the band BLK JKS.

They were one of my highlights at this past SXSW festival in Austin and I’ve told everyone to watch this band because they’ve been working it for a few years now and their time has arrived.

BLK JKS – Summertime Video

The next night, Sept 25th, it’s s double bill with Brazilians by way of NYC Forró in the Dark and the Argentinian/Uruguaian Bajofondo.  Both bands being the hot epicenter at the NYC Afro-Cuban centric club Nubulu.  A rare opportunity to catch both bands live outside of East Coast or South America.  Also, it’ll be a night for the last summer dance before October and the coming winter blows into town.

Forró in the Dark – Live

Bajofondo – Live

Saturday the 26th is bound to sell out because the legendary Os Mutantes are blasting their tripped out Brazilian psychadelic rock – it will rock your brains out.  The Mutantes (Mutants) have inspired countless bands and artists – from Kurt Cobain and Beck to Of Montreal and David Byrne.  Cobain wanted them to reunite for an opening slot on Nirvana’s 1993 tour, to which the UK newspaper The Independent wrote, “Kurt Cobain was lucky that Os Mutantes turned down that support slot – Nirvana getting out-rocked by a bunch of mad, middle-aged Brazilian hippies would have been a sight to behold.”

Os Mutantes in 1968

Os Mutantes @ 2006 Pitchfork Festival

Os Mutantes – Virginia (Live in London)

Don’t arrive too late or you’ll miss the wonderful Minyeshu Kifle from Ethiopia.  Bringing together the many tribal sounds from Ethiopia, Minyeshu ties them all together and brings ancient songs to the modern world.

http://www.minyeshu.nl/

On the final night of the 27th a Cedar favourite, Huun Huur Tu from Tuvia will be joined by Carmen Rizzo to perform their collaobrative project “Eternal”.  Hunn Huur Tu have brought the art of Tuvian throat singing to the west and global attention to the folk music and culture of the Tuvian people who live on the Russian/Mongolian border.

Two-time Grammy Award nominee Carmen Rizzo (producer for Alanis Morissette, Paul Oakenfold, Jem, Esthero, and more) brings electronic textures and soundscapes to Huun Huur Tu’s already haunting sound.

Blended together the sound is cinematic, lush, and hair raising.  The experience of seeing and hearing this live is truly exciting.

to hear more http://www.hhtmusic.com/

More information and a complete line-up (yeah, there are more bands than these mentioned) can be found at the Cedar Cultural Center’s website

Global Roots Festival 2009 4-Day Festival Pass is $79.00

The 4-Day Pass get you admission to all six Global Roots Festival shows, plus opening night beer and sushi reception.

Individual tickets for each show ranges from $12.00 to $20.00

Opening night is $15 advance ($12 Walker members) or  $18 day of show ($15 Walker members)

The end of summer marks the start of the unofficial local arts non-profit fundraising event season. While art auctions had been the norm, organizers have gotten more creative in recent years, and we’re all luckier for it. Here are a couple you won’t want to miss:

On sale now
SOO Visual Arts Center (SOOVAC) is hosting its annual August Fire Sale Fundraiser, and according to Executive Director, Suzy Greenberg, she’s practically giving away 20 years of art treasures. Stop in before month’s end or you’ll miss out.

SOAP FACTORY $99 SALE – September 11 and 12, 2009
The Soap Factory invites you to use your aesthetic chops to pick out pieces by the latest artworld darlings and the soon to be celebrated. With all the art signed only on the back, you’ll have to rely on your keen eye to discern the local luminaries. At the low price of $99 for original art, you’ll definitely find gems you can’t live without.

Artists from around the country have donated their works, and all proceeds support The Soap Factory, the region’s premier laboratory for emerging contemporary art. From Alec Soth to Howard Cruse to Tom Rose, there will be much to choose from and the elbowing at the door will be intense. (Last year people waited to get in and yes, rushed in when the doors opened!) Check out the website for further details and to see some sample works: www.soap99.com

Pre-purchase your tickets for $35 at the website and be among the first through the door on September 11 for the pre-sale and fabulous party. All remaining works will be sold on September 12, 9:00-noon, and admission that day is free.

Head to Brit’s Pub Rooftop Garden tonight for a pint and a  free screening of Quantum of Solace. Show starts at 8:30p.m. Bring a blanket. No chairs, please. Beer specials: $4 bottles of Heineken and on-tap Amstel Light. Food is available as well.

In case of foul weather,  the screening will take place indoors in the Clubhouse.

If you can’t make it tonight,  you can see Ghost Town on Monday 8/31 or Slumdog Millionaire on Monday 9/7.