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Southwest Florida, here is Sarah Peacock. You are welcome.

It is always fun to receive positive criticism from other writers but it is an especially unique experience to have another writer stop you mid-sentence and say, “Hey, you should check out this other artist instead.”  Enter Sarah Peacock and now, I introduce her to you, my delicious, southwest Florida.

Born and raised in Atlanta, Sarah Peacock is a singer and songwriter who now calls the continental US her home. The …more…

Twin Cities Outdoor Theater, ‘Tis the Season

The weather is nice, the spring storms are easing off and we are entering our other season in Minnesota, ‘road construction’. That means it must be time for outdoor theater.

Perhaps because the winters here tend toward the cold and snowy, this past year being a bit of an exception, we do tend to enjoy our outdoor friendly seasons in a big way. Minneapolis has been ranked one of the top …more…

A Moment to Remember, Minneapolis

This month I intended to write in depth about a number of exciting events that are happening in the Twin Cities, and after a fashion I suppose I will. The thing is, this month I have been reminded why all of these wonderful events are out there to be seen. It is because of the people who dedicate themselves, often for little recognition and less remuneration, to the art of …more…

Good Dose of Grit from San Francisco’s Guerrilla Rep

We like classic, elegant theater just as much as the next avid theatergoer, but sometimes we’re in the mood for something a little more…well, gritty. When we checked out the Guerrilla Rep theater company we found just what we were looking for. In their own words Guerrilla Rep’s mission is to “explore class in American society through provocative and entertaining new plays created by artists focused on the evolutionary process …more…

Bill Irwin Amazes San Francisco Audiences in Endgame

Bill Irwin stars in Endgame, photo by Mary Ellen Mark

There are Samuel Beckett fans out there who worship every word the brilliant playwright/author wrote, and there are Bill Irwin fans who have followed his career through the years as he’s intertwined clowning and serious acting with nothing short of pure genius. If you happen to be a fan of both of these fascinating men, you cannot miss the San …more…

All-Female Julius Caesar in the Twin Cities, News or a Natural?

A quick Google search reveals that all-female productions of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar have been staged across the country for years. Clever bon mots on the topic range from “Gives good guy” to… Well, actually people can’t seem to get past the “all-female” and it dominates the headlines (see above). Still, in an election year, especially one where the phrase “war on women” already holds a dominant position in our political …more…

“What a Stranger May Know” – Twin Cities Edition

Where were you the morning of April 16, 2007? Do you remember? Can you forget?

When I was a kid, I always thought it strange to hear adults talking about where they were when some tragic national event occurred: the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. While I understood how significant these events were, …more…

San Francisco Magician’s Show an Enigma Wrapped in Mystery

Christian Cagigal, photo by Julie Michelle

Christian Cagigal was named ‘Best Magician’ by Best of the Bay for a reason—because he is one of the best magicians working today. He brings magic and the art of performance to new heights with every new show. Now and at the Hour, which premiered in 2009 at New York’s FRIGIDfest, lured the audience in by taking a peek into their innermost thoughts. Cagigal …more…

Hospitality in the Twin Cities? That’s Radical!

In an old firehouse in the diverse, vibrant and artistic community that is the West Bank neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Mixed Blood Theatre recently introduced a novel way to see a play. They call it Radical Hospitality. It means that any person can attend any mainstage production of theirs at no cost. A generous number of seats are held for free admission and are filled on a first come, first …more…

The Life and Work of Mark Rothko

For a limited time, Portlanders have the opportunity to not only view a retrospective of work by Mark Rothko (1903-1970) at the Portland Art Museum, but also to see a theatrical presentation at Portland Center Stage that allows a glimpse into his life.

Considered to be one of the foremost American painters of the 20th Century, Rothko spent his early years in Portland, Oregon. Immigrating from Russia in 1913 at the …more…

Saving Humanity One Dance At A Time

Pablo Malco, choreographer and director of The Hip Hop Symphony, the dance performance extravaganza hosted by the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on January 29, 2012, tells us about how he got into dance, the making of The Hip Hop Symphony and the dance company turned foundation (www.pablomalcofoundation.org) that brings the art of dance into the community. ...more...

The Dragons Are Singing Tonight in Minneapolis!

It is the Year of the Dragon, and there just happens to be a nasty, nasty dragon at The Southern Theater in downtown Minneapolis. But don’t worry – an ordinary boy, a magical girl, a boys choir and an aerialist troupe are there as well, in a project that exemplifies collaboration and thinking outside the musical theater box: The Dragons Are Singing Tonight!

TigerLion Arts, perhaps best known for their touring …more…

Will Work For Art

Fundraising for arts organizations can be a challenge even in a strong economy. In Portland, Oregon the Work for Art program helps to support the arts by facilitating employee-giving campaigns at public and private workplaces throughout Oregon and SW Washington. Some of the participating employers even provide matching funds.

These Work for Art donations are then re-directed back to the community, with 100% of the funds that are raised benefiting arts …more…

Resident dance company to premier OCTAVIA at Strayhorn

The work OCTAVIA promises to be particularly engaging for the Pittsburgh dance aficionado as it is performed by KST’s new resident company under the direction of choreographer Staycee Pearl. In conversation with another local dancer who has seen rehearsals of the show, Pearl has taken her breed of contemporary dance in a new direction with OCTAVIA, integrating her multimedia explorations on a higher level and creating a unique movement vocabulary. ...more...

Guide to Dance Classes for Adults in Pittsburgh

While Pittsburgh has many available resources when it comes to dance, they are not always easy to find! Maybe you are new to the area, or maybe, like me, you are returning to Pittsburgh and find the dance scene much different than it was before. Either way, it can be difficult to know where to look.

It has recently come to my attention that it can be difficult …more…

Merger Between Dance Alloy and the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater

Michael Walsh of Dance Alloy Theater; Photo from website

On October 19th Dance Alloy Theater and the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater officially announced their merger. This comes after months of rumors in the artistic community about the future of Dance Alloy. The Strayhorn will manage all of the dance classes at the Alloy’s school and will use the Alloy’s venue for rehearsals, performances and residencies. The Alloy’s dance company, the longest-established …more…