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

SPECIAL EVENT
Opening Eyes to the Northside

The second installment of the Northside Arts Collective's Opening Eyes to the Northside series pops off tonight at the Capri Theater in North Minneapolis. Focusing on performing arts, this vibrant, eclectic, and amazingly extensive showcase will feature the traditional African drum and dance team, Voice of Culture; musical performances by 13-piece Latin orchestra Caribe; jazz group Urban Cadence; and a special Klezmer tribute by Machinery Hill. Enjoy theater and dance performances by SPARK Theater/Dance and Hollywood Studio of Dance,  rounded out by poetry, spoken word, and literary readings from Rebecca Stack and the NorthSide Writers Group. And to put the official stamp of artsy coolness on the evening, Fox 9 News personality and Twin Cities arts instigator Robyne Robinson emcees the whole extravaganza.

7 p.m., The Capri Theater, 2027 West Broadway Avenue, Minneapolis, $5 donation to benefit the Northside Arts Collective

MUSIC
Urban Jazz Suite

Described as a "relaxing evening of contemporary jazz with soul," tonight's intimate gathering at the Favor Cafe sounds like just the thing to warm up this blustery winter's eve. Kick back to the smooth stylings of Wenso Ashby and Zsamé while filling your belly with real-deal southern comfort food. Try out Favor Cafe staples such as Po Boy sandwiches, fried catfish, jerk chicken, or seafood gumbo, then top it off the so-wrong-it's-right way with a buttery slab of cream cheese pound cake.

7 p.m. to 10 p.m., The Favor Cafe, 913 West Lake Street, Minneapolis, $5 cover, reservations recommended at 612-821-0553

SPECIAL EVENT
Polish Happy Hour & Movies

The quirky-cool Bedlam Theater always surprises us with their offbeat theater, performance, and special event lineup. Each Thursday through January 29th you can channel your inner Polak at this kitschy Polish Happy Hour and movie party. The Bedlam's Social Manager, Jim Bueche, made a pilgrimage to Poland this past fall, bringing back with him plenty of Polakian party tricks. Enjoy a dinner buffet from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.,  with treats such as Pierogi (a limited number per week, so come early), Kasha (barley groats), Zuppa (Soup), canapki (open faced horseradish sandwiches), Chleb, maswo and miod, fresh bread, and other meats and vegetables. Stick around for Polish flims, screening from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. This week's flick is Sami Swoi (Our Folks); next week's is Love Stories with a special presentation of photos and stories from Jim's trip to Poland. 

Extra: Polish jokes are always good icebreaker, doncha think? Click HERE to add a few to your bad, comedic repertoire.

5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Buffet, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. film, Bedlam Theater, 1501 S. 6th St., West Bank Minneapolis, $7 for Buffet