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What price Prince? Two less pricey ticket levels added for Saturday gigs

Posted by: Jon Bream Updated: May 23, 2013 - 6:06 PM

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Photo by Kevin Mazur

Is $259 too dear to see Prince in his hometown?

 It wasn’t an issue in January when he debuted his 3rdEyeGirl backup trio at the 300-capacity Dakota Jazz Club. But the 3,200-capacity Myth nightclub, where Prince and his trio have scheduled two shows for Saturday, just introduced to less expensive price levels.

For $149, you can get a “second-tier floor” spot. For $99, you can head to the “third tier balcony.” And, for $259, you can still land standing room on the “first-tier main floor.” Tickets are available at www.mythlive.com.

When asked about the $259 ticket price last week in an interview in Denver, Prince said, "I’m paying my band more than I’ve ever paid.”  And he added that he’s making more money than usual on the road. That’s partly because he travels with a much smaller entourage and less elaborate production, and partly because the tour is not being handled by mega-promoters Live Nation or AEG Live.

Dr. Funkenberry (www.drfunkenberry.com), a blogger who seems to be a Prince insider, is spreading rumors that the two 90-minute Myth shows might be combined into one longer gig. Stay tuned.
 

Nic Lincoln goes solo, with a lot of help from his friends

Posted by: Claude Peck Updated: May 16, 2013 - 10:17 AM

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Nic Lincoln in "Dressage," by choreographer Judith Howard. Photo provided by Nic Lincoln.

 

 

POST BY CAROLINE PALMER | SPECIAL TO THE STAR TRIBUNE 

Nic Lincoln is known to many in the dance community as a longtime member of James Sewell Ballet but lately he's taken on another role -- muse. And he's not just providing inspiration for one choreographer but several. This weekend he will perform "YES," an evening of five solos created for him by local dance makers.

"I don't think of them as solos but as duets," said Lincoln, during a recent interview at Gigi's Cafe near Uptown Minneapolis. "I don't feel like I'm alone. It's like we're 'Thelma & Louise' -- I couldn't do it without them." Penelope Freeh, Wynn Fricke, Judith Howard, Megan Meyer and Kristin Van Loon have teamed up with Lincoln, and while some find it noteworthy that they are all women, he is quick to explain that this was not a specific choice. Instead, these are all artists he has admired and wanted to work with over the years.

And the feeling is mutual. "He has a combination of vulnerability and star power," said Howard, while Fricke "was curious about the many flavors in his body." Meyer admitted to a bit of intimidation. "At first I felt all this pressure to use all his skills as a ballet dancer and eventually I calmed down." Freeh, who performed often with Lincoln during her career at Sewell, observed that he "has really evolved as a dancer. He has a great sense of humor. There's an inner smile and knowing." And Van Loon said, "He's so smart as a dancer, he absorbs so much detail."

"YES" celebrates healing on a physical and emotional level. Lincoln has endured six ankle and foot surgeries in recent years and recovery has taken an "Olympic effort." Many months in bed provoked the Michigan native to consider his future as a dancer. "You only have so much time. With each surgery you wonder, 'Is this the last party?' Human bodies are not like clocks." But now that his strength has returned, Lincoln has other goals in mind. The evening celebrates who he is as a gay man, dancer, performance artist, visual artist, social/political activist, drag diva and so much more.

Venus DeMars, lead singer for All the Pretty Horses, will open the evening, a dramatic twist for a dance concert. Videos will fill in the spaces while Lincoln changes costumes between pieces. A portion of the proceeds will go to support OutFront MN, a cause near to Lincoln's heart for its efforts to fight homophobia, support the transgender community and, in particular, give voice to LGBT youth. "I had a tumultuous childhood," said Lincoln. He was bullied for being gay. "My universal hurt and pain come from that, it's what I want to confront the most." He is particularly thankful for being "sistered and mothered in the process of healing."

The works on the program lead Lincoln in many different directions. Freeh's "Paper Nautilus" takes inspiration from ballets like Jerome Robbins' "Fancy Free" and the 1940's film "On the Town." Lincoln, dressed in a sailor's suit, "nails the sweet sincerity of the work," she said, but there is a darker aspect to the piece, something a bit more ominous that suggests a distant war. Meyer's "You Might Be Expecting Me" draws upon Lincoln's work experience in retail to supplement his dance career.

Fricke's "Into the White" explores the process of death. Music by Ben Frost evokes the clinical atmosphere of a hospital, said Fricke, and evokes the "gritty, strange psychic space of somebody dying, the struggling of body and mind. I'm imagining a tempestuous journey." Van Loon's "More Love Hours Than Can Ever Be Repaid -- 1987" meshes several influences including 1980s pop music and the work of legendary New York Times style photographer Bill Cunningham. "Nic and I have a shared interest in fashion," she said. "I've clipped every single Cunningham column for the past two years" in service of the work, spreading them across the floor in search of ideas to fuel a piece with a unique perspective on glamor.

Finally Howard's "Dressage" plunges Lincoln into a world of sensual fantasy that combines aspects of drag with equine imagery, a fabulous headdress and extra high heels. It "was the kind of piece where he came out to the dance world," said Howard. "This concert extends that, he's making a declaration."

Performing a full evening of solo works is a challenge but Lincoln is up for the task. "It's given me permission to differentiate between pieces, to honor the intention of the work and the trust involved with the choreographers." He added that he is also "conquering fear, my fear of the characters bleeding together and self-doubt" not to mention all the long hours that go into self-producing a show

"It's a lot to take on physically, you're holding everything up," said Fricke. "I appreciate his courage."

"It's the right thing to do," said Howard. "He's versatile, he's a beautiful performer, he took on different choreographers, and when I saw it all together, I thought this is correct, this is him."

8 p.m. Thu.-Sat. 2 p.m. Sun. JSB TEK BOX, 528 Hennepin Av., Mpls. $20. (612) 206-3600. www.thecowlescenter.org. For more information go to www.niclincoln.com/yes.

Here's a review of a recent performance by Sewell Ballet that featured Lincoln in a solo piece by choreographer Larry Keigwin.

 

Minneapolis hosts summer art galas

Posted by: Mary Abbe Updated: May 14, 2013 - 3:18 PM

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Hundreds partied at the American Swedish Institute on April 30. Star Tribune photo by Jeff Wheeler

Hundreds partied at the American Swedish Institute on April 30. Star Tribune photo by Jeff Wheeler

 

Hundreds partied at the American Swedish Institute this spring. Star Tribune photo by Jeff Wheeler.

Everyone loves a party, especially arty types eager to celebrate in style. Three of Minneapolis' leading arts organizations are staging galas this summer either as fund-raisers or to celebrate their heritage.

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts leads off June 1 with a simple "summer party" theme to raise money. It promises "sunset cocktails" followed by a "celebration of the Minneapolis music scene" with Doomtree and Morris Day and the Time. Pick your price range: General tickets: $85 per person for nibbles, 1 drink, 2 tickets to the special exhibition "More Real? Art in the Age of Truthiness." VIP tickets: $175 per person including all of the above plus valet parking and more drinks. Gala tickets: $750 and up for 6 p.m. dinner, etc. (8:30 p.m. to midnight, June 1. Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 2400 3rd Av. S., Mpls. 612-870-6323 or www.artsmia.org)

Next up on June 15 is the American Swedish Institute with a traditional, day-long Swedish Midsommar Festival. The family-friendly event includes singing, dancing, fiddling, "flower head-wreath making," glass-blowing, a flea market and a mini-golf course. Yep, just when Walker Art Center seemed to have a lock on mini-golf with its artist-designed course, the Swedes try to muscle in. The glass blowers will be giving demos in conjunction with the opening of ASI's new "Kingdom of Crystal," exhibition of Swedish glass art. Be advised that the festival food will include pickled herring as well as the usual hot dogs, ice cream and lemonade. (10 a.m. to 5 p.m., June 15, $7 adults. American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Av. S., Mpls. www.ASImn.org)

Walker Art Center will round out the season September 21 with its annual fund raising gala in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Dubbed "Avant Garden," the event promises music, art, gourmet food, specialty cocktails, an auction and dancing. How long you can stay depends on what you pay: Silver Key, 8:30 to 11 p.m., $100. Gold Key, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., $500. (6 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Walker Art Center, 175 Hennepin Av., Mpls. 612-375-7600 or www.walkerart.org)

Chanhassen will bring back "Fiddler"

Posted by: Graydon Royce Updated: May 10, 2013 - 4:37 PM

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Loni Anderson, center, was in an early production of "Fiddler on the Roof" at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. Just to be clear, she will not be in the show that opens in September.

 

Chanhassen Dinner Theatre will follow up the popular “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” with another box-office favorite. “Fiddler on the Roof” will run from Sept. 27-Jan. 25, directed by Michael Brindisi, who appeared in an earlier iteration many years ago.

A winner of nine Tonys, the show features a pile of well-known songs – “If I Were A Rich Man,” “Tradition,” “Sunrise, Sunset” and “Matchmaker, Matchmaker.”

“Fiddler” has a book by Joe Stein and music and lyrics by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick. “Fiddler” was last on the main stage in 1993 for Chanhassen’s 25th anniversary. That means this production will mark, check the math, the theater’s 45th year. Spokeswoman Kris Howland says it’s Chanhassen’s most-widely requested show.

 

 

 

 

Sheryl Crow, Cirque du Soleil to star at Macy's Glamorama on Aug. 2

Posted by: Jon Bream Updated: May 9, 2013 - 4:42 PM

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Sheryl Crow/ Associated Press

Sheryl Crow, a singer for all functions, will headline Macy’s Glamorama on Aug. 2 at the State Theatre. Other entertainment will be provided by performers from Cirque du Soleil’s Las Vegas production.

Fashions will come from various designers to be announced later.

Crow, a regular visitor to the Twin Cities, has performed at various charity functions, including the Pacer Center benefit in Minneapolis. A breast cancer survivor, she has been active for many causes -- social, political and health-related. Glamorama is a fundraiser for the Children’s Cancer Research Fund.

The Missouri-bred, Nashville based, nine-time Grammy winner, who is headlining her own concert June 28 at Mystic Lake Casino, will be releasing her first country album in September.

Tickets for Glamorama’s “Fashion in a New Light” event will go on sale June 6 at the State Theatre box office and Ticketmaster outlets. There is a pre-sale for American Express cardholders from May 30 to June 5. For information, call 952-893-9355.
 

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