Stage & Arts
May 8
Katherine Fried as ex-con Percy stands amid the townspeople in Ten Thousand Things' "The Spitfire Grill."

Review: Ten Thousand Things' 'Spitfire Grill' crackles in minimalist staging

An ex-con helps folks in a small town imprisoned by their own stories and histories find renewed hope.
Variety
May 8
MJ Weiss and her fiancé Dale Blair listen as Erich Mische of Suicide Awareness Voices of Education speaks at a State Capitol news conference last mon

A grieving family fights for suicide prevention barriers at a Minneapolis hotspot

They're advocating for safety barriers on a popular bridge.
Music
May 8
Kamasi Washington

The Big Gigs: 10 best concerts to see in the Twin Cities this week

Highlights for May 9-15 include Kamasi Washington, Megan Thee Stallion, Trey Anastasio, Teezo Touchdown and Minnesota Tango Music Festival.
Books
May 8
photograph of author Mona Susan Power with backdrop of autumn leaves

Minnesota Book Awards go to Mona Susan Power, Shannon Gibney and Emma Torzs

The awards were handed out Tuesday in nine categories.
Variety
May 8

Tickets go on sale this week for Jim Brickman, Gabrielle Zevin, Gza & the Phunky Nomads and Becky G

Other shows include Vaultboy, C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Bluey's Big Play the Stage Show and David Cross.
Books
May 7
black and white photo of author Percival Everett

Pulitzer Prize winner Hernan Diaz, Oscar-anointed Percival Everett and bestseller Rebecca Makkai coming to Hopkins for Pen Pals

Five top authors are featured in the annual lecture series, which is both in-person and virtual.
Local
May 7
Taylor Swift performed Friday, June 23, 2023, at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. ] AARON LAVINSKY • aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com

Ticket-selling enters regulation era as Walz signs fee transparency into law

One state representative's ordeal purchasing Taylor Swift tickets served as the "genesis" of the legislation.
Local
May 7
The sun set in front of the bow of a Wenonah Minnesota II canoe in The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on Eddy Lake in the Fall Lake Township. ]

Essential Minnesota: Your guide to what everyone is talking about

The news you need, right in your inbox every morning.
Home & Garden
May 7
The exterior of Joe and Jack's technicolor house in St. Cloud as featured on HGTV'S "Ugliest House in America" Season 5.

St. Cloud's Barbie house vies for HGTV's 'Ugliest House in America' crown

The winner of Season 5 in the HGTV series will be declared in mid-May.
Music
May 7
Becky G performed at the KDWB Jingle Ball at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul on Monday night.

Latina music star Becky G will kick off 2024′s Minnesota State Fair grandstand series

The "Mamiii" singer will be only the second Latin music star to headline the grandstand in over a decade.
Eat & Drink
May 7
Chef Sameh Wadi is scouting locations for the revival of Saffron, the groundbreaking Minneapolis restaurant he ran with his brother.

Groundbreaking Minneapolis restaurant Saffron is coming back

Chef/co-owner Sameh Wadi says he's ready to revive the critically acclaimed Middle Eastern eatery that closed in 2016.
Variety
May 7
photo of novelist Miranda July

Filmmaker/novelist Miranda July writes about a mom who goes on an adventure in 'All Fours'

FICTION: Midway through her life, the narrator takes a detour from the expected into an unbounded exploration of desire.
Variety
May 7
Mikell Sapp (Dez), Stephanie Everett (Shanita) and Jennifer Fouché (Faye) in "Skeleton Crew" at the Guthrie Theater. Dominique Morisseau's play got t

Guthrie's 'Skeleton Crew' reveals the pain and resilience of auto plant workers during the foreclosure crisis

We posed four questions to the cast and the director of the final play in Dominique Morisseau's Detroit trilogy.
Variety
May 7
Noa (left, played by Owen Teague) and Raka (played by Peter Macon) in "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes."

Peter Macon goes from North High School to Emmy Award to 'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes'

Using motion-capture technology, the actor appears as a wise orangutan in "Kingdom."
Eat & Drink
May 7
El Sazon is adding a second stand-alone restaurant in Stillwater.

El Sazon bringing its Mexican magic to Stillwater, and more restaurant news

Plus: Minnesota's most beautiful restaurant, rapid expansion for Dave's Hot Chicken, the closing of favorite Richfield restaurant, and new coffee alert.
Variety
May 7
Abby Jimenez was once known for her creative cupcakes. Now she's known for her bestselling romance novels, too.

Nadia Cakes baker writes 'Minnesota spicy' romance novels with 'cinnamon roll' heroes

Nadia Cakes' Abby Jimenez has become a rom-com powerhouse and a booster for the state, setting modern tales in Lake Minnetonka, Ely and along the Root River.
Variety
May 7

Critics' picks: The 15 best things to do and see in the Twin Cities this week

Critics' picks for entertainment in the week ahead.
Variety
May 7
Steve Ozone's "Betty," a 2016 archival pigment print is one of the works on view for the "Festschrift" exhibit.

9 free things to do in the Twin Cities this week

Art, fashion and creativity highlight this weeks' events.
Variety
May 6
Kyu-Young Kim courtesy of the SPCO

SPCO musicians vote no confidence in leadership: 'It feels like we're dying'

The nonprofit's board said in a statement that it "unequivocally supports" Jon Limbacher, the managing director musicians are criticizing.
Stage & Arts
May 6
Kelsey Angel Baehrens, Morgan Kempton, Audrey Mojica, Suzie Juul play the trailblazing Kim Loo Sisters in the musical "Blended 和 (Harmony)" at St. P

Review: 'Blended Harmony' at History Theatre shines light on Minnesota's Kim Loo Sisters with style

With clever writing, catchy songs and strong performances, the ambitious Theater Mu co-production lives up to expectations.

Variety

Entertainment, arts and lifestyle news, commentary and features, including things to do and reviews from Minneapolis, St. Paul and Twin Cities venues.