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

FILM
Now See Hear: City Harvest Black

We know we can count on the Oak Street Cinema to keep us on our toes with an always surprising and uber-cool lineup of independent and obscure films. Tonight kicks off the new monthly series, Now See Hear, a curated showcase of "real" underground and experimental films and other cinematic oddities. Tonight's inaugural event will feature live music from local indie-folksters The Ex-Lovers followed by a sampling of work by Rochester, NY filmmaker and sound artist, City Harvest Black. Expect the unexpected within this body of work featuring eye-searing video collage and hand-altered 16mm film prints paired with experimental sound inspired by "growth and decay, where the low moan of weary dirt pushes calloused fingers against reluctant keys." A properly weird kick off for a fantastically innovative series, if you ask us.

7 p.m. (every first Wednesday of the month), Oak Street Cinema, 309 Oak Street SE, Minneapolis, $7 General, $5 Students, $4 MFA Members

PERFORMANCE
Sample Night Live

Sample a dozen performing arts events the first Wednesday of every month at Sample Night Live. This month's edition features a visual art installation in the lobby by Keenya Woods and Susan Optiz; music from the likes of Spencer McGillicutty, The Fantastic Merlins, Julie Johnson (flautist), Camel of the Sea and a taste of the upcoming Concrete & Grass music fest; theatrical treats from the History Theater, Theatre of Fools, and Brave New Workshop; as well as poetry, comedy, and more. Enter to win tickets to the Guthrie and other cool prizes donated by the performers. Find out how to score free tickets to upcoming Sample Night Live performances here AND here.

Act One G-Rated 7 p.m.; Act Two Unrated, 8:15 p.m., History Theatre, 30 E. 10th St, Downtown St. Paul, $20

SPECIAL EVENT
The Works: A Writer's Salon

Head to the Bryant Lake Bowl's cozy theater this evenin' for a bit of enlightenment on what makes writers tick. Three local scribes will give 15-20 minute presentations on the "aesthetics, ethics, poetics, hermenuetics, and erotics" of the literary world. After each presentation, host Lightsey Darst (we love her name) will be on-hand to moderate a conversation pertaining to each subject while you sip beer, ask questions, and become inspired. This month's presenters include Stephanie Ash (songwriting/writing), Rebecca Frost (two hands writing -- our journey from pen to keyboard), and Sharon Chmielarz (the physics of poetry).  

7 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. presentation, Bryant Lake Bowl Theater, 810 West Lake Street, Uptown Minneapolis, $6-10 (pay what you can)