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

Do cities count as art? I am not talking about public monuments and architecture, street art and gallery scenes, landscaped parks and sparkly fountains--but the city itself, any city--that often chaotic, messy mosaic of neighborhoods and highways and strip malls that make up an urban space.

Robert Tannen, artist and urban planner, would say yes, unequivocally.

I've spent the last year or so lauding the Dakota at every chance I get, but I have to admit that, until this week, I had never just gone there on faith, without first checking to see who was playing. The beauty of the Dakota, though, is its consistency. Go there any night, for any show, and while you might not be as fortunate as I was this past Wednesday, you won't be disappointed.