‘Arts’ Archives
Spears and Commodore, at the Dakota and in the Community
By Raymond Jackson Dennis Spears and Ginger Commodore performed at The Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant May 18th. They sang many popular melodies, including a stirring rendition of, “Unchanged Melody”. . After receiving a personal backstage greeting representing The Alley Newspaper, I asked about their hometowns. Spears said, “I was born in Toledo, Ohio, but I grew up in Mangham, Louisiana. It”'s near the more familiar Monroe, Louisiana, so I say I”'m from Monroe.” They performed Louisiana style rhythms and scatting dedicated to Sue McClain who had died the day before. McClain had many remarkable and exciting accomplishments over the many years as a musical promoter for entertainers and audiences here in the Twin Cities. Spears said, “I was raised by my grandparents in Louisiana, but I have been here for 33 years, making me a Minnesnowtan, or whatever you call those foolish enough to stay here and survive the winters.” [...]
Mud
Mud (2013) ***** Lionsgate/Roadside Attractions. Cast: Matthew McConaughey (Mud), Tye Sheridan (Ellis), Jacob Lofland (Neckbone), Michael Shannon (Galen), Sam Shepard (Tom Blankenship) Reese Witherspoon (Jupiter), Joe Don Baker (King), Bonnie Sturdivant (May Pearl). Running time: 130 minutes. (PG-13) Director: Jeff Nichols. Jeff Nichols (“Take Shelter”) carefully and skillfully forms the story of two boys Ellis (Tye Sheridan) and Neckbone (Jacob Lofland) and their discovery of a fugitive Mud (Matthew McConaughey) who may have murdered a man. The movie takes place in the southern backcountry of Arkansas where the boys live similar to David Gordon Green”'s movie “Undertow”(2004). Mud has an undying love for a woman, Jupiter (Reese Witherspoon),who is a cheater as well as being victimized by a bad boyfriend. He has to see her risking his capture by authorities. To avoid being seen, he sends a handwritten letter by way of Ellis and Neckbone to [...]
Cellist Hans Christian Plays Benefit for Malaria Initiative
May 11 7 PM Our Saviour”'s Church 2315 Chicago Avenue By Amy Blumenshine This extraordinary virtuoso cellist Hans Christian tours the world, playing music of his own composition featuring many stringed instruments including the nyckelharpa, sarangi, and sitara. He integrates music from a variety of cultures and traditions, with a strong East Indian flavor. By using an electronic looping device, he layers on different melodies and sounds for a very meditative effect ”“ ethereal and transcendant. The concert is free but donations will be asked for an anti-malaria initiative. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) seeks to make malaria history! Their initial focus is Uganda. In Uganda, thousands of children die each year from malaria ”“ a preventable and curable disease. The entire population is at risk of malaria, but less than 50 percent are protected by preventable measures like insect-treated bed nets and mosquito spraying. Hospitalization [...]
