Friday, February 10
A mother’s guilt
WHAT: We Need to Talk About Kevin
WHERE: Walker Art Center Cinema, Minneapolis
WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
The Walker offers an advance screening of this highly anticipated film about a young child who suddenly commits atrocities and his horrified mother, played by Tilda Swinton, who wonders what she could have done something differently. Learn more at walkerart.org
Friday, February 10
The big tease
WHAT: Best of Midwest Burlesk Festival, Minneapolis
WHERE: Ritz Theater
WHEN: 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Minneapolis has become a burlesque hot spot of late, full of retro-dressed (and partially undressed) ladies like Coco Dupree and the Beaujolais Sisters. Now, at the Ritz Theater from February 9 to 11, they’re hosting their far-flung counterparts from all over the nation in the Best of the Midwest Bulesk Festival. The headliner is Perle Noire, ostensibly from New Orleans, but truly of another era. Learn more at ritzdolls.com
Saturday, February 11
Pop goes the Cedar
WHAT: My Brightest Diamond
WHERE: Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis
WHEN: 8 p.m.
My Brightest Diamond (a.k.a. Shara Worden) is a classically trained singer, which makes her experimental pop music all the more sparkling and alluring—the rare chanteuse with chops as well as style. The Bello Duo, comprised of two members of the much-missed Spaghetti Western String Co, will open the show on banjo and cello. Learn more at thecedar.org
Saturday, February 11
Kling for Valentine’s
WHAT: Cold Feet, Warm Hearts: A Night of Song, Story, and Love
WHERE: The O’Shaughnessy, St. Paul
WHEN: 7 p.m.
One night only, Kevin Kling will gather Dan Chouinard, Bradley Greenwald, Prudence Johnson, Simone Perrin, and Claudia Schmidt to share songs, poems, and stories about Valentine’s Day. A lovefest, pure and simple. Learn more at oshaughnessy.stkate.edu
Sunday, February 12
For the love
WHAT: Speak Low When You Speak Love
WHERE: Capri Theater, Minneapolis
WHEN: 3 p.m.
If this concert (also staged at 7 p.m. on Saturday) doesn’t put you in a Valentine’s mood, you need some thawing out. Four of the finest male singers in Minnesota—Sanford Moore, Dennis Spears (fresh off his Nat King Cole turn at Penumbra Theatre), Julius Collins, and the Rev. Dennis Oglesby (husband of Greta Oglesby)—come together to sing of love at the Capri Theater, recently named the “Best Venue for Jazz” by Minnesota Monthly. Learn more at pcyc-mpls.org
Sunday, February 12
Soul of Portugal
WHAT: Ana Moura
WHERE: Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant, Minneapolis
WHEN: 7 p.m.
The ancient fado music of Portugal—blues in spirit, flamenco in style—has been recently revived, most spectacularly by the young and sensuous Ana Moura. She’s stretched the form, working with tunes by the Rolling Stones and Prince, without breaking its haunting beauty. Learn more at dakotacooks.com
