* For more Feb. events, check our Valentine’s Daylist!
FEBRUARY 18
BATSHEVA DANCE THEATRE
Based in Tel Aviv, this 45-year-old troupe is trained in a form they’ve dubbed gaga, in which the dancers are taught to remain acutely tuned-in to one another’s timing and movements as they shape-shift into seemingly nonhuman forms. Northrop Auditorium, 84 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, 612-624-2345, northrop.umn.edu
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FEBRUARY 5
JOHN EDGAR WIDEMAN
The author of more than 18 fiction and nonfiction books, acclaimed writer John Edgar Wideman visits Minnesota as part of the NOMMO African American Authors Series, which will bring the likes of Sonia Sanchez and Ntozake Shange to town as well. Wideman will read from his work and discuss writing and the state of African-American literature with award-winning local author and University of Minnesota professor Alexs Pate. Cowles Auditorium, Hubert H. Humphrey Center, 301 19th Ave. S., Minneapolis, 612-624-2345
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FEBRUARY 12
JON HASSELL
How many musicians can include “created new genre” on their resumé? Composer and trumpeter Jon Hassell can. His self-described “fourth-world” style is an eclectic array of digital and classical, Eastern and Western, ethnic and urban music. Hassell comes to Minneapolis as part of his first U.S. tour in 20 years. Walker Art Center, 1750 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, 612-375-7600, walkerart.org
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Opens February 13
I AM A CAMERA
The theatrical basis for the hit musical Cabaret, I Am Camera is a dark-but-droll drama about the young English writer Christopher Isherwood who, while living in Berlin in the 1930s, chronicled the rise of the Nazi party and his friendship with the extravagant nightclub singer Sally Bowles. Theatre in the Round, 245 Cedar Ave., Minneapolis, 612-333-3010
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FEBRUARY 15
THE CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY OF MINNESOTA AND LOU BELLAMY
In an unusual pairing, Penumbra Theatre’s Lou Bellamy joins this performance by the Chamber Music Society of Minnesota for Tale of Bluebonnet, a piece by local composer Steve Heitzig that is based on a Native American legend. First Lutheran Church, 1555 40th Ave. NE, Columbia Heights, 651-450-0527
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FEBRUARY 18 TO 19
JOSHUA BELL AND THE MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA
For a recent Pulitzer Prize–winning story, violin virtuoso Joshua Bell was asked to perform incognito at a Washington D.C. Metro station during rush hour. The result: Only seven people stopped to listen! Luckily, the classical-music heartthrob will play himself in this Twin Cities appearance—which is much more likely to draw a crowd. Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, 612-371-5656, minnesotaorchestra.org
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FEBRUARY 19 TO MARCH 15
THE WHIPPING MAN
Directed by Lou Bellamy, The Whipping Man tells the story of Jewish Civil War soldier who returns home to find his plantation destroyed and the slave who raised him free. 270 N. Kent St., St. Paul, 651-224-3180, penumbratheatre.org
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OPENS FEBRUARY 21
TOM ARNDT’S MINNESOTA
One of the state’s most prominent documentarians, Tom Arndt, has photographed everything from the Minnesota State Fair to Walter Mondale’s 1984 presidential campaign. See 75 pieces from both the Minneapolis Institute of Arts’ permanent collection as well as Arndt’s personal favorites in this retrospective exhibit. Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 2400 Third Ave. S., Minneapolis, 612-870-3131, artsmia.org
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FEBRUARY 26 TO MARCH 1
MINNESOTA MONTHLY FOOD & WINE EXPERIENCE
Yes, it’s our show, but that’s not the only reason you should go. This year is the 15th anniversary of the event, which features local chef demonstrations, food from Midwestern farms and restaurants, and wine (yes, wine from Minnesota). Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 Second Ave. S., Minneapolis; for tickets, visit foodwineshow.com
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FEBRUARY 27 TO MARCH 15
ENDGAME
This Samuel Beckett play produced by Ten Thousand Things Theater Company promises big names: Terry Bellamy, a founding member of Penumbra Theatre Company; Steve Hendrickson, a local actor who most recently played Tyrone Guthrie in the History Theatre’s Tyrone & Ralph; and James Williams, who starred in Penumbra’s Fences last fall. Directed by Marion McClinton, Endgame tells the story of Hamm, a blind man who is unable to stand, and his servant, Clov, who cannot sit. Open Book, 1011 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis; for tickets, call 612-203-9502
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FEBRUARY 15
WITNESS: CELEBRATION OF A DREAM
VocalEssence honors Martin Luther King Jr. on the 80th anniversary of his birthday with an original three-part composition by jazz legend and pianist Billy Taylor. Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 345 Washington St., St. Paul, 651-224-4222, ordway.org
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DATEBOOK
More can’t-miss events in the Twin Cities this month
DANCE
James Sewell Ballet
January 29 to February 1, Southern TheaterGet More Info / Get Tickets
Chinese New Year Spectacular
February 3 and 4, Northrop AuditoriumGet More Info / Get Tickets
THEATER
Spring Awakening
January 27 to February 1, Orpheum TheatreGet More Info / Get Tickets
Man of La Mancha
January 30 to March 1, Bloomington Civic TheaterGet More Info / Get Tickets
Little Rock 1957
February 13 to March 1, Youth Performance Company
Howard Conn Fine Arts CenterGet More Info / Get Tickets
Happy Days
February 14 to March 8, Guthrie TheaterGet More Info / Get Tickets
MUSIC
Jazz is Now! with Ron Miles
February 12, MacPhail Center for MusicGet More Info
Nicholas McGegan directs the SPCO – CANCELLEDFebruary 22 and 23, Ordway Center and Wayzata Community ChurchC
VISUAL ARTS
Changing Identity: Recent Works by Women Artists from Vietnam
Opens January 31, Weisman Art MuseumGet More Info / Get Tickets
Goose Bumps! The Science of Fear
Opens February 13, Science Museum of MinnesotaGet More Info / Get Tickets
* For more Feb. events, check our Valentine’s Daylist!
Ali Brady and Andrea Wagenknecht contributed to this story. Send event information to agenda@mnmo.com.
