Mississippi in a minute
Got a story to tell that celebrates our big river in 60 seconds or less? The second annual Mississippi Minute Film Festival is calling for entries. The best part is that technical quality isn't as important as enthusiasm and originality. "iPhone, iPad, camcorder, GoPro, whatever, as long as it's a minute or under and is shot on the river in the city," said Kathleen Boe, director of the Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership, which hosts the festival. "We're open on topics, as long as it's appropriate to be shown in your grandmother's living room." Last year's best of show was done by a group of exchange students from Thailand who riffed on the spelling of the river's name. Other entries included one man's childhood recollections of fishing under the Camden Bridge. Mini-films are due by Sept. 15 (mississippiminute.org). Winners will be announced and premiered at the Minneapolis Riverfront Summit on Oct. 26 at Mill City Museum.
Kristin Tillotson
Here comes a regular
After showing up at the Basilica Block Party and Rock the Garden, Woody Harrelson topped off his stint in the metro at one of Minneapolis' legendary watering holes, the CC Club, for a movie wrap party on Saturday night. The actor — who has been in town since mid-June starring in "Wilson" — reportedly showed up late and didn't stay long at the party. "It took me a minute to even recognize him, he just sort of blended in," said CC Club drink slinger Adena Montez, who brought some wine glasses to Harrelson on the patio. This apparently wasn't Harrelson's first time at the CC. Longtime CC Club employee Kim Laurent Lusk recalled on Facebook that the actor showed up years ago (date or reasons unknown), but he got refused at the door because he wasn't wearing shoes, she said. "And this time he booked the event! And must've worn shoes!"
Chris Riemenschneider
Tangled up in Billy
For years, the annual summer gathering at Wolfe Park in St. Louis Park has been to celebrate the music of Bob Dylan. But on Saturday, two dozen Twin Cities musicians were not just celebrating Dylan's tunes but also the music and work of Billy Hallquist. An organizer of this long-standing event, the St. Paul singer-songwriter is battling colon cancer. His pals not only interpreted his songs for a few thousand concertgoers but was saluted for raising $35,000 the past five years for Guitars for Vets, a national nonprofit that gives guitars and lessons to veterans. That Milwaukee-based organization gave Hallquist a "gold record" on Saturday to commemorate his service. "I have a feeling it will go on," he said when accepting the award. "The good Lord willing, I plan to be here next year. But you never know when you're gonna get hit by a bus."
Jon Bream
Wet paint
The painting wasn't even finished, let alone dry, when an eager buyer dashed into Groveland Gallery waving a $1,200 check Saturday during the Minneapolis gallery's Plein Air Smackdown. The annual event is a five-hour paint-a-thon during which invited Twin Cities artists — 17 this year — paint scenes within a mile of the gallery, which overlooks the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and Walker Art Center. "I want that painting; don't sell it to anyone else," the buyer told gallery director Sally Johnson even while artist Carl Bretzke was still working at Parade Stadium. Called "Baseball and Basilica," the picture captures adult-league players on the diamond with the Basilica of St. Mary in the background. When done, Bretzke popped the picture into a pre-sized frame, let it dry over the weekend, and then varnished it.
Mary Abbe
Meanwhile, in Scotland
While Twin Cities theater fans saturate themselves in our local fringe festival, a Minneapolis South High graduate has taken a show to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe — the godfather of all fringes. Kate Bussert is directing "Twin Primes," written by a colleague at Oxford University, where Bussert is studying. The play explores "the nature of pairs" and the "composition of human relationships," according to the festival's website. Bussert plans to graduate next year from Wellesley College, after she returns from Oxford. The Edinburgh Fringe runs through the end of the month. It exists on the "fringe" of the larger Edinburgh festival of performing arts.
Graydon Royce
Adieu from the Crüe
In their second Twin Cities appearance on their farewell tour, Mötley Crüe didn't seem like the sentimental, say "bye-bye" types. Except for the T-shirts and tickets emblazoned with "The Final Tour" and "So Long, Farewell" from "The Sound of Music" as intro music, there was little acknowledgment from the Crüe on Wednesday at Xcel Energy Center. "Goodnight, goodbye, we're gonna miss you," drummer Tommy Lee said before exiting and then returning for the encore of "Home Sweet Home." There were no tears, speeches or fuss after that — unless you consider broadcasting Frank Sinatra's "My Way" as exit music a statement by Mötley Crüe.
Jon Bream