Pick of the week: Here's a chance to take a stroll down memory lane — or, at least, that part of it that runs along Hennepin Avenue between 8th and 9th streets. The Hennepin Theatre Trust offers tours of three downtown playhouses. Not only do you get a behind-the-scenes look — literally — at a theater, but you're treated to stories about its history and discussions of the classic architecture. On the docket this week is the State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Av. S. The one-hour tour leaves from the theater's box office at 1 p.m. Monday. Cost is $5. (hennepintheatretrust.org)
Cheat sheet: The NCAA basketball tournament is headed for its biggest event — the Final Four — this coming weekend. Here's all you need to know:
• The "Final Four" is just catchy marketing jargon for the semifinals and championship games.
• Men and women will be holding their tournaments, leaving it up to linguists to decide if we should call them the Final Fours — but isn't that eight?— or Finals Four. Of course, we could just call them the semifinals and championship.
• The men's Final Four is coming to the new Vikings stadium in 2019 — although the new-stadium smell probably will be gone by then.
Day by day: Some supposed know-it-alls who obviously have never been to the Minnesota State Fair designated Monday as National Something on a Stick Day. The only reason we're letting them get away with that is because at the fair, it's Everything on a Stick Every Day.
Life hack: Have a pile of leftover Peeps? Turn them into a sweet dip. In an ovenproof skillet, throw in a mix of milk and dark chocolate chips (if you're feeling adventurous, peanut butter or Nutella are nice additions) and top with Peeps. Put under the broiler for just a couple of minutes until the chocolate melts and Peeps are browned. If the chocolate doesn't melt fast enough, finish off in a 350-degree oven. Use graham crackers for dipping. Feel free to save this idea for a rainy day — it's not as if Peeps go bad.
recommended reading: Get a sneak peek at this year's prom fashions in Thursday's Variety.
