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Welcome to Artcetera. Arts-and-entertainment writers and critics post movie news, concert updates, people items, video, photos and more. Share your views. Check it daily. Remain in the know. Contributors: Mary Abbe, Jon Bream, Tim Campbell, Colin Covert, Laurie Hertzel, Tom Horgen, Neal Justin, Claude Peck, Rohan Preston, Chris Riemenschneider, Graydon Royce, Randy Salas and Kristin Tillotson.
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Hubbard family considers 'the Chicago way'
Posted by: Neal Justin under Behind the scenes, Local TV and radio, Television Updated: May 22, 2012 - 3:12 PM
Stanley S. Hubbard/photo by Glen Stubbe
Stanley S. Hubbard, CEO of Minnesota-based Hubbard Broadcasting, said Tuesday that he might be interested in buying WGN, the Chicago-based TV station that's broadcast across the country, from the financially troubled Tribune company, if the price and location are right.
Tribune Co. may be selling publishing and broadcasting units after it gets out of bankruptcy. Tribune owns stations across the country, including WGN in Chicago. Its newspaper division includes The Los Angeles Times, Baltimore Sun and Chicago Tribune.
"I don't think they would offer it to us, but we just don't know," he said. "We've had no conversations with them about it."
Hubbard said he's not interested in any of Tribune's radio stations or newspapers.
Hubbard Broadcasting made a major investment in radio last year, spending $500 million to buy stations from Bonneville Radio.
"Obviously that would limit how much we could invest in it, but we could still handle it," he said.
Introducing: Summer Set, another music fest for Somerset
Posted by: Chris Riemenschneider under Music, Concert news Updated: May 22, 2012 - 1:28 PM
Pretty Lights (a k a Colorado native Derek Smith) has his eyes on Somerset, Wis.
Another S-named music fest for the 89.3 Current DJs to not confuse with Soundtown or Somerset when they're givign away tickets, organizers of the Summer Set Music & Camping Festival at Somerset Amphitheater announced the details of their Aug. 24-26 inaugural event today. The three-day fest will feature an eclectic -- and really pretty odd -- mix of about 50 dance, rap and jam-band acts, including headliners Pretty Lights, Umphrey’s McGee, Big Gigantic, Nas, Black Star, Yelawolf, Cloud Cult and MSTRKRFT.
Here’s the full list of acts confirmed so far (their respective performance days are still TBA):
Pretty Lights | Umphrey’s McGee | Big Gigantic I Nas | Excision | Lotus | Zeds Dead | Black Star | Matt & Kim | Cloud Cult I Yelawolf | Rebelution | Infected Mushroom | MSTRKRFT | AraabMuzik I DJ Abilities | Bassjackers | Bingo Players | Bonobo (DJ Set) I Break Science | Claude VonStroke | David Jones | Emancipator I Gabriel & Dresden | GRiZ | Hirshee | Mat Zo | Mimosa | Nit Grit I PANTyRAiD | Paper Diamond | Prof | RJD2 I Solid Gold | Stratus | Super Mash Bros | Tea Leaf Green I Timeflies | Two Fresh | White Panda
The event is not affiliated with Somerset's other fest, Soundtown (nor Soundset, for that matter). It is a co-production between Twin Cities dance promoter SIM Shows and React, the Chicago company behind that city’s popular North Coast festival, which Summer Set resembles. SIM Shows’ Jack Trash, a veteran of the Twin Cities electronic scene, said, “I think musically we’re pretty far away from what Soundtown is doing.” They also have a different kind of scheduling game plan, too, including DJ-driven after-hour parties planned at the neighboring hockey arena. Surely, that’ll be a first for lil’ ol’ Somerset.
If you’re looking for a connection between the acts, most of them are either rhythmically driven and highly danceable, or they’re psychedelic and, well, just high. The rap component is an interesting one, with Nas being one of the all-time greats, and Black Star being TWO all-time greats (Mos Def and Talib Kweli; not to be confused with the Baltimore rapper named Blaqstarr who’s playing the River’s Edge Festival). Yelawolf and Prof should help bring some of the Soundset kids, too. The electronic side of the fest is the biggest and broadest, though, with acts ranging from trippy Israeli trance crew Infected Mushroom – reportedly debuting some kind of new hi-fi production at the fest – to hot, collegiate festival star Pretty Lights, plus Canadian dance-punk duo MSTRKRFT, more traditional San Francisco house producer Claude VonStroke and hip-hop-bred turntablists RJD2 and DJ Abilities.
As for the jam-band aspect – represented by Umphrey’s, Tea Leaf Green, Big Gigantic and Rebulution -- it seems sort of like the odd duck of the fest intended to bring in the kinds of music fans who like to camp out at a festival, and will pretty much be happy watching any stage show that offers pretty lights.
Click here for all the Summer Set ticket info. Three-day general admission passes are now on sale for $75 (plus a $10.99 fee). A three-day campsite (good for up to five people) will cost another $100. VIP three-day passes are also available for $300, and a VIP campsite will be another $350.
Boom Island releases new beer; fire extinguisher sold separately
Posted by: Tom Horgen under Nightlife Updated: May 22, 2012 - 11:44 AM
The family affair behind Boom Island Brewing has been getting more ambitious with each new beer. The Belgian-inspired crew started with Silvius, a very drinkable Pale Ale. Then came Thoprock, a smooth but hoppy IPA. Most recently was Hoodoo, a dark Belgian dubbel. Now comes Brimstone, a Belgian tripel clocking in at a fiery 9.5%. The north Minneapolis microbrewery will celebrate Brimstone’s release Tuesday with the first tapping at Eli’s East. A 10-oz pour of the Belgian Strong will be $4.50 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. The price will go up to $6 after that. In fact, all Boom Island beers will be on tap at Eli’s East.
Then on Wednesday, Boom Island will welcome beer fans to the brewery for the bottle release of Brimstone (5-8 p.m.). This will be the first public event at the tiny brewery, located just down the street from Donny Dirk’s Zombie Den. Bottles of Brimstone will go for $10 (tax included, limit two).
I got a chance to hang out with owners/brewers Kevin and Qiuxia Welch earlier this year at their brewery. They’ve got a great little operation going there and a fun story, too. The couple are professional French horn players who also love Belgian beer. With the help of Qiuxia’s 65-year-old father, Hu Yong Shou, the crew built their 700-square-foot brewery floor late last year. The family hand craft everything themselves. Qiuxia’s mother even helps with the bottle labels and folding the shipping boxes. Check out my March profile of the family and its brewery here.
Brimstone draft release: 4:30 p.m Tue., Eli’s East, 815 E. Hennepin Av., Mpls. 612-331-0031. www.elisfoodandcocktails.com
Brimstone bottles release: 5-8 p.m. Wed. Boom Island brewery, 2207 N. 2nd St., Mpls. 612-227-9635. www.boomislandbrewing.com
(Photo by Kyndell Harkness)
Guthrie adds 50th anniversary season details
Posted by: Rohan Preston under Theater Updated: May 21, 2012 - 6:11 PM
Director Lisa Peterson. Photo by Mike Habermann.
When he was criticized recently for the lack of ethnic and gender diversity in the playwrights and directors that the Guthrie Theater had chosen for its upcoming 50th anniversary season, director Joe Dowling said that the accusation was unfair.
On late Monday, the Guthrie released these new details on its 2012-2013 roster.
Director Lisa Peterson has been tapped to stage Bruce Norris’ “Clybourne Park,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning and Tony-nominated play that offers one theatrical update of Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun.” Peterson, a busy, New York-based freelancer, staged “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” in January at the Guthrie (June 1—Aug. 4, 2013).
In its Dowling Studio, the theater’s experimental space, the Guthrie will host Tracey Scott Wilson’s “Buzzer,” directed by Tony-nominated director Marion McClinton. That drama, about race, sex and gentrification, premiered earlier this year at Pillsbury House Theatre (Feb. 8 - March 3, 2013).
The theater also will present Mu Performing Arts’ production of “Yellow Fever,” written and directed by Rick Shiomi, in its studio. The play is described as a race- and politics-infused “comedic mystery” set in the Japanese community in Vancouver (March 8-24, 2013).
Ben McGovern, who formerly programmed the Dowling Studio, returns there next spring to direct Guthrie stalwart Stephen Yoakam in “An Iliad.” Yoakam stars in the on-person interpretation of Homer’s epic adapted by Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare (May 4—26, 2013).
The Dowling Studio season also includes director Dan Rothenberg’s production of “As You Like It,” which is done in association with The Acting Company and will go on tour (Jan. 12—Feb. 3, 2013).
Behold: SpringCon through the eyes of Instagram
Posted by: Tom Horgen under Books, Culture Updated: May 21, 2012 - 4:23 PM
Couldn't make it to this past weekend's SpringCon comic book extravaganza? Don't worry, I braved the geek masses and brought back these Instagram shots for you. A few thousand fans turned out to the annual two-day convention at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Here's what you missed (starting at the top, from left to right):
1. Replica Boba Fett helmet, complete with battle scars. 2. Some guy dressed as Loki greeted the massive line of fans on Saturday morning. "I made it myself," he said of his costume. Compare with the "The Avengers" Loki here. 3. The scene inside the Grandstand, where middle-aged men fought for position to get the best back issues. 4. Here it is: A perfect replica of Luke Skywalker's lightsaber from "Star Wars: Episode IV -- A New Hope."
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recent posts
- Report: Hubbard might consider buying Tribune Co. TV stations
- Introducing: Summer Set, another music fest for Somerset
- Boom Island releases new beer; fire extinguisher sold separately
- Guthrie adds 50th anniversary season details
- Behold: SpringCon through the eyes of Instagram
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