Overrated

Goth proms, punk-rock proms, Gayngs' recent "Last Prom on Earth" at First Avenue -- 'tis the season for ironic proms in nightclubs. Come to think of it, the local music scene is overrun with themed costume nights that eclipse the actual music. Are we really more interested in what we're wearing now? The scene was better when we dressed like slobs.

Underrated

Minneapolis may be the City of Lakes, but the city's most underappreciated waterfront is the Mississippi River north of downtown -- whether it's the view at Gabby's or the Sample Room, weird art events such as last week's "The Slow Mirror and the Metronome" or the secretive boating culture of the area. Too bad the city seems far away from making the channel as user-friendly as our celebrated lakes.

SIMON PETER GROEBNER