Feet on the ground
While Pink garnered so much attention for her aerial acrobatics Tuesday at Target Center, she also proved to be remarkably down-to-earth. She apologized for having to postpone this show in November (because of overworked vocal cords) but she didn't dwell on it. She seemed genuinely enthusiastic accepting gifts (see the quilt at right), shaking hands and signing autographs – including a body part for a tattoo and an old photo ("How old am I in that photo? I was still smiling — so about 4.") Funny stuff. That was right after she told fans that they'd have to carry her F-bombs on the song "Bleepin' Perfect" because she's sophisticated and classy. I.W. caught up with the fan with a stunning pink mohawk who got the first autograph of the evening — on her ticket, in mid-song. She's planning to convert the signature into a tattoo. "I have two things left on my bucket list," the 52-year-old fan told I.W. "A Pink tattoo and to go sky diving." Talk about the sincerest forms of flattery.
Jon Bream
Can't hardly wait
Coachella really did want the Replacements – and it got them in the end. Minneapolis' reunited/revamped rock legends were one of several surprises on the Coachella Music Fest lineup announced late Wednesday night. After three reunion festival appearances in 2013 and overtures from Coachella in the past, the 'Mats will actually perform twice at the giant desert music bash in Indio, Calif., starting April 11 and again on April 18. The group is set to perform the same days as Coachella's biggest reunion coup this year, OutKast, and Paul Westerberg and company will help kick off the two different three-day marathons that will also include Arcade Fire, Lorde, Muse, Skrillex, Motorhead and Neutral Milk Hotel. Jet-setting Replacements bassist Tommy Stinson will have a challenging schedule, thanks to Guns N' Roses gigs — his primary job — in South America up until two days before the fest. GNR's schedule stymies the chance of a 'Mats hometown warm-up gig in the days or even several weeks before Coachella.
Chris Riemenschneider
Mayoral chic
Chastity Brown, who performed at outgoing Mayor R.T. Rybak's "Un-auguration" at First Avenue, also will play at Mayor Betsy Hodges' inaugural party on Saturday at the Thorp Building. The event will also feature Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus, rapper Desdamona and the Theater of Public Policy, among others. "One Minneapolis: A City in Verse" will be performed by a small army of poets that includes John Colburn & Sarah Fox, Ed Bok Lee, Kirk Washington Jr., Heid Erdrich and Bao Phi. The bash, which suggests a dress code of "Minneapolis chic," also inaugurates new and returning members of the Minneapolis City Council. Several beloved local eateries will be working the food court. The free party (registration required) takes place from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Thorp Building, 1620 Central Av. NE.
Claude Peck
Fair weather
Hurrah! The Minnesota State Fair has news to distract from subzero temperatures. After reviewing more than 150 entries, a panel of judges has picked St. Paul artist Emily L. Taylor to design the Official 2014 Minnesota State Fair Commemorative Art. Mostly that translates into a poster, but it's safe to expect mugs, T-shirts and other spinoff merchandise. The Minneapolis College of Art and Design grad, who lives just blocks from the fairgrounds, declined to reveal what she's planning but said that she's already about "midway through the process" of design. "It will be about the participants as well as the public," she said, meaning we can expect to find corndog sellers, 4H kids, groundskeepers and carney barkers, too.
Mary Abbe
Bridge work
After they sold out First Avenue together last summer, Astronautalis and Sims seem to be making quite a step down the venue ladder by playing the Garage in Burnsville on Saturday (6 p.m., $12-$15, 75 Civic Center Parkway). The local indie-rap stars are actually taking a leap for a great cause. The all-ages, alcohol-free, city-run venue suits the show's beneficiary, To the Bridge Foundation, which Richard and Brenda Dolski of Chaska started after the fatal 2012 overdose of their son Tony, 19. Their foundation's addiction services cater to young people and musicians, demographics near and dear to the performers. As Astronautalis noted in a statement for the event: "I've had no shortage of friends that have – and continue to have – issues with it." More info at TotheBridgeFoundation.com.
C.R.
Good neighbors on the West Bank
With the New Year's Day fire/explosion on the West Bank in Minneapolis happening right outside their door steps, KFAI Radio, Augsburg College and the Cedar Cultural Center quickly went into action to organize a benefit concert for victims and families. The event is scheduled for Jan. 24 at the Cedar and will feature one of the local music legends who helped make the West Bank a live music haven, Spider John Koerner, plus the Brass Messengers, Martin Devaney, Southside Desire, Augsburg JIVE (student ensemble from nearby Augsburg College), DJ Go Getta and SYAV (Somali Youth Against Violence), among others. Tickets will be $20 via TheCedar.org.
C.R.
