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

PERFORMANCE
The Ballad of the Nicollet Mall

Described as an "operatic work in progress," Nautilus Music Theater's latest feat in the Rough Cuts series is the perfect cure for the Monday blahs. The Ballad of The Nicollet Mall is a homegrown love story which happens to unfold on, you guessed it, Nicollet Mall. Flipping between past and present downtown Minneapolis, this fun theatrical performance explores holding on and letting go -- through song, of course! Feel free to wear your MTM beret, but try to refrain from tossing it in the air until the final curtain. Bonus: Cookies and milk will be served, and who can argue with that?

7:30 p.m., Nautilus Music Theater, 308 Prince Street, 2nd Floor, Lowertown St. Paul, $5, Seating is limited, please reserve your seats by calling 651-298-9913 or e-mailing nautilusmt@aol.com

EXTRA: A second performance will occur on Tuesday at Augsburg College's the Foss Center at 22nd & Riverside on the West Bank at 7:30 p.m.

READINGS
Steve Rinella: American Buffalo

To this columnist, buffalo seem almost mythical, and look like they'd smell absolutely terrible. However, these unusual creatures have definintely endeared themselves to writer Steven Rinella, whose new tome, American Buffalo: In Search of a Lost Icon will fill you in on the history of the buffalo, from their days of healthy population, to their falling to the brink of extinction, to the present. Rinella's narrative tale was inspired by a 2005 winter hunting trip in which he managed to kill a buffalo and raft the meat back to civilization -- all the while being tracked by grizzly bears and suffering from hypothermia. The story follows the writer's journey, offering reflections on the American Buffalo, their hunters, and their history, complete with plenty of oddball facts. Not exactly PETA approved literature, but intriguing stuff to be sure. Tonight, Rinella will read from American Buffalo at the U of M Bookstore, for your literary pleasure.

7 p.m., U of M Bookstore, Coffman Union, 300 Washington Avenue SE, Minneapolis, Free

HAPPY HOUR
Sumo Wrestling Late Night Happy Hour

We've fallen in love (along with the rest of the city) with this hot, new-ish Uptown sake bar. The only sake brew pub outside of Japan, Moto-i has solidified itself as not only a one-of-a-kind, but also a delightful place to nosh and sip with your friends for hours on end. Their menu (which features nothing over $12) models itself after the fare of Asian street vendors, with small plate snackings such as soft, sweet buns crammed with spicy chicken; pretty white tendrils of dried squid served with a wasabi mayo, or succulent kobe beef skewers that are subtly flavored to absolute perfection. Everyday through January 26th, Moto-i's late night happy hour will screen live Sumo wrestling from Japan while serving up cheap sake and brewskis to those who love to stay up late!

11 p.m. to 2 a.m.(through Jan 26th), Moto-i, 2940 Lyndale Avenue S. Minneapolis, Free admission

Extra: Read our own Jeremy Iggers' review of Moto-i from this past October by clicking HERE.