After beating down the doors of mainstream pop music a few years ago, reggaeton, Latin America's urban music sensation, appeared to be cooling off.
Don't tell that to Wisin y Yandel. The flashy, chart-topping Puerto Rican stars will play Target Center Friday.
The powerhouse duo are expected to draw 4,000 to 5,000 fans to Target Center, which will be set up at the U.S. Bank Theater (half the arena). With a sound that can be both smooth and rough, Wisin y Yandel have enjoyed a long career atop the reggaeton heap.
Their 2009 album, "La Revolucion," tied the record for the highest debut by a reggaeton artist on Billboard's pop charts (No. 7). The crossover success has led to various collaborations -- they're probably the only tough guys in reggaeton who can say they've worked with 50 Cent, Gloria Estefan and (gulp) Paris Hilton.
Surdyk's Flights If flying the friendly skies also means getting liquored up beforehand, I have good news for you. Surdyk's long-rumored satellite location has finally opened at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. It's called Surdyk's Flights Wine Market and Bar. The full-service bar is located inside the security zone in the airport mall and features "patio" seating in the middle of the concourse. The menu includes gourmet cheese plates, sandwiches and specialty cocktails. It also features the airport's first off-sale wine shop (with an extensive selection, I'm told), inviting fliers to purchase bottles before boarding.
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. 612-727-2323. www.surdyks.com.
'Huge' news for improv The Twin Cities improv scene will get a shot in the arm this fall when Huge Improv Theater opens. A group of improv artists (who regularly work under the Huge company banner at the Brave New Workshop and Bryant-Lake Bowl) have signed a lease at the former Lava Lounge clothing store (3037 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls.). Huge will start its build-out in September, hoping for a November opening.
The Twin Cities is already home to a healthy community of improv artists at places such as the Brave New Workshop, ComedySportz and Stevie Ray's. But Huge Theater will be the first space dedicated to long-form improvisation, said executive director Butch Roy. In long-form improv, actors take a mere suggestion and then improvise an entire theatrical experience.
