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

FILM
Minneapolis Film Racing Screening

In the spirit of the 48 Hour Film Project, this national challenge brings even more intensity, and perhaps even more hilarity. Local filmmakers were challenged to write, shoot, and edit a short, four minute film within 24 hours under the theme "a second chance" with a surprise action element of "blowing a bubble." We can think of a few inappropriate concepts that we won't list here, but it's likely some of them are already covered in the 25+ local submissions this contest received. Newbies and seasoned vets alike took the challenge, and if you ask us, nothing says "entertainment" better than high-pressure-driven content. (Take it from those who know!) Transport yourself to the Oak Street Cinema tonight to see the films, mingle with their makers, and experience local ingenuity at its best, and possibly its worst -- which is what makes it so much fun!

7:30 p.m., Oak Street Cinema, 309 Oak Street SE, Minneapolis, $9

Extra: View films from last year HERE

SPECIAL EVENT
Art Happy Hour 5

Head to the West Bank this evening for fantastically pretentious camaraderie and artistic banter at Art Happy Hour 5. Previously a floating happy hour landing at different bars in the Twin Cities, AHH has found a permanent home at the Bedlam Theater -- and what better place? Join the regulars for discussion and drinking every second Wednesday of the month at this quirky West Bank theater/bar/restaurant. You may be inspired, you may be offended, and you may have too much to drink; but art is about making an impact, so you might as well go all out! Tonight's Art Happy Hour will coincide with "Dyngus Day" at the Bedlam, a traditional Polish celebration of Easter. A buffet, drinks, and possibly even some Polish art trivia will abound.

4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Bedlam Theater, 1501 S. 6th Street, West Bank Minneapolis, Free

READING
Loft Member Series Publication Reading

Make your way to the Loft Literary Center this evening for an intense and compelling reading by poet Jude Nutter. In response to the Walt Whitman passage, "the dead to me mar not.../ they fit very well in the landscape under the trees and grass...," Nutter brings argument through poetry, delving into her personal stance on war and conflict. Her collection of poems entitled, I Wish I Had a Heart Like Yours, Walt Whitman, draws on personal, cultural, and political history, as well as historical events such as both world wars, Rwanda, Sarajevo, and Nagasaki.

7 p.m., Open Book/The Loft, 1011 Washington Avenue S., Minneapolis, Free