The daily digest of Twin Cities culture | Secrets of the City

FRINGE FESTIVAL
Dying in Public Places

Lust. Terror. Violence. Outbursts of Song. All of these can happen when stuck in an invisible box... cannibalism too. Dying in Public Places: a darkly comic new musical, written by Keith Hovis and directed by Jenna Papke, premieres August 1st at 10:00 pm as part of the Minnesota Fringe Festival. 60 minutes of new musical hilarity ensue as five strangers find themselves trapped in an invisible box. They soon learn that they must discover what they have in common if they want to survive. And as the minutes tick by, each person becomes more desperate and tries to find another way of escaping, no matter how devastating or bloody the results may be. -Andrew Newman

FRINGE FEST ROCKS: This is just ONE of 156 plays showing over the next 11 days as part of the Minnesota Fringe Festival. Make sure to get out and see some independent theater this week!

Dying in Public Places performs on Friday, August 1st at 10pm; Saturday, August 2nd at 1pm; Sunday, August 3rd at 7pm; Monday, August 4th at 10pm and an audio-described performance on Sunday, August 10th at 7pm.

Minneapolis Theater Garage, 711 Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis, Tickets available at www.fringefestival.org

To read brief reviews of 19 other Fringe shows, click here.

ART
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised

The biggest global and political issues of today will be responded to through artwork when The Revolution Will Not Be Televised opens tonight at Altered Esthetics. Continuing its mission of proclaiming artists as the historical voice of society, the nonprofit community gallery accepted submissions from the artists whose work will be on display in the gallery through August 30th. -Andrew Newman

SAVE THE DATE: On Thursday, August 7th join your pals at The Rake for a special edition of Gallery Grooves at Altered Esthetics as part of the Twin Cities Pan African Fest featuring The Revolution Will Not Be Televised exhibit, as well as art by African Sculptor Rabi Sanfo, live jazz and more.

Friday, Reception 7-10pm, Altered Esthetics Gallery, 1224 Quincy Street NE, Northeast Minneapolis, Free

FILM
Political Scenes Series: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Take a siesta from ranting about the election to simply enjoy this politically charged outdoor film series at the St. Paul Central Library. Political Scenes screens each Friday throughout August and includes a classic lineup of award winning flicks that will entertain lefties and righties alike. Tonight will feature Frank Capra's classic comedy-drama Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, a story of a naive man, who on a lark, is appointed to fill a vacancy in the U.S. Senate. Want to make it a date? Grab a pre-flick bite and pint at nearby Great Waters Brewing Company where their numerous handcrafted beers and eclectic menu will delight most anyone with taste buds.

Friday, Dusk, Central Library Courtyard, 90 4th Street West, Downtown St. Paul, Free


FESTIVALS
Loring Art Festival

While the Powderhorn Art Fair is in full swing over in South, and the Uptown Art Fair takes over Lake & Hennepin, my personal recommendation would be a jaunt over to Loring Park for less pomp and more local sass. You'll not only be near such cool post-art nosheries as Bar Lurcat and Nick & Eddie, but the vibe at the Loring Art Festival has the right balance of quality, originality, and gypsy-esque pizazz to entertain serious art buyers and starry-eyed youngsters alike. Be sure to stop by the Somi Tileworks booth to visit with fun mother-daughter team Norma Hanlon and Kirsten Walstead whose thoughtfully handmade ceramic tile art is as pretty as it is functional. Want to hit all three art fests? Jump on the Target Art-Hop bus for free, air conditioned transport to and fro.

Saturday, 10am-6pm and Sunday 10am-5pm, Loring Park, Hennepin & Oak Grove Street, Minneapolis, Free


ART
Off Register

Forgive me for being such an art-pusher this weekend, but I just can't help it - the city is bustling with an over-abundance of art-activity that I think you simply must know about! Tonight stop in the hip art spot that is Umber Studios for yet another super-fly show that will give you a glimpse into how graphic design and fine art intersect in the most aesthetically pleasing ways. Featuring print-work by a bevy of brilliant local, national and international artists who are connected through the professional practice of print design, but do not consider themselves printmakers. This traveling exhibition, put on by L.A.'s Foundation Project, explores the artists' relationship with design and how fine art and the commercial trade play off each other. While you're there, make sure to check out the amazing work of locally-based design group WeWorkForThem!

Saturday, Reception 8pm, Umber Studios, 3109 E. 42nd Street, Minneapolis, Free


SPECIAL EVENT
Caffetto Craft Fair

The highest concentration of uber-cool handmade wares this Sunday isn't at one of the many big art fairs, it's on the busy corner of Lyndale & 24th in Uptown. Some of the city's most talented hip kids lay out their cute and kitschy items for public perusal and purchase. Expect crafty delights such as bicycle accessories by Amber Jensen; urban bags by nommetric 8; comic books and prints by Roger Loontine; plus jewelry, artwork, book art, and tons more by local designers, crafters and artisians. However, the most tempting to me is Annie Larson, whose super-pastel hand-dyed shoes, socks and backpacks are perfectly confectionary. And if it's art you're after, make sure to check out the cool cats of Hardland/Heartland, whose charmingly bizarre work is definitely on my Minneapolis Top 10 list.

Sunday, 10-5pm, Caffetto, 24th & Lyndale, Uptown Minneapolis, Free