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

SPECIAL EVENT
The Ivey Awards

'Tis the season for bulging arts preview editions, high energy marketing, and higher hopes for subscription and single ticket sales for the upcoming arts calendar. For our area performers, stage hands, and all the folks in supporting roles (that includes us audience-types, naturally!) it is also a chance to take a quick peek back at recent outstanding performances and productions of the Twin Cities theater scene. So join the party and the red carpet while all 69 professional theaters are honored, and get a snippet of performances by Pillsbury House Theatre, Ordway Center and Park Square Theatre, Mu Performing Arts, and Chanhassen Dinner Theatre.  Opt in for the VIP pre-party for some great nosh, and nobody misses the post-party, this year at LaSalle Plaza. The awards show is hosted by Claudia Wilkens and Richard Ooms. We're sure they'd agree: be there!  By the way, if you are a theater regular, you'll want to learn more about becoming an Ivey Awards theater rater.  And you just might find it handy to stock up on Theater All Year vouchers for your theater-going habit or award-winning gifts!

State Theater, 805 Hennepin Av., Mpls;  Tickets here or via Ticketmaster; $35 - $125 ($7 Youth).

THEATER
The Buddha Prince

Part theatrical production and part nature hike, The Buddha Prince is a visually stunning play crafted around the amazing life and teachings of the 14th Dalai Lama. This "walking play" will take the audience on a whimsical meander through the natural environment of the venue (in this case, Powderhorn Park) and will re-tell the life and times of the Tibetan master through storytelling, song, dance, puppetry and more. Fun and educational for the whole fam, the Buddha Prince is designed to "invoke peace in the world and to celebrate the inherent goodness of human beings," and with the DL's personal stamp of approval on the whole production, who can argue with that? Tonight is the last showing, so get thee to Powderhorn and feel the Dalai Lama love.

5:30 p.m., Powderhorn Park, Southside of Community Center 15th Ave S & E. 35th Street, Minneapolis, Free (suggested donation)

WINE & DINE
TC Uncorked

Citrus...maybe some strawberry...passion fruit...and, oh, there's just a flutter of a, like a, nutty Edam cheese..."  Wow. Really? Or are you just fakin' it? Here's an occasion to learn to differentiate the many components in your favorite glass of wine. Want to identify that certain taste that draws you to a particular bottle or region? Is it cherries or chocolate or, indeed, cheese? Join us and find out. We'll take the first steps in understanding where all these parts come from and how they play with one another. Helping us on our way will be some lovely South American wines. Hosted by The Armatage Room, directly across the street from Cafe Maude.  For early birds, Cafe Maude offer leisure hour specials from 5 - 6 p.m. TC Uncorked is a membership organization devoted to taking the mystery out of wine, and leaving the fun in. Membership is free. Event reservations are required in advance.

6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at The Armatage Room, across from Cafe Maude @ 5416 Penn Av S., Mpls; Tickets $38.

EXTRA: MNFashion Week kicks off today! Peep our detailed rundown of every event on the fashion week schedule HERE!