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Issue #29.1 |
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In this Issue: Going Home Again
For this issue of a+E, writers Sam Osterhout and Geoff Herbach offer the first installment of a candid, funny diary of their month-long road trip as they embark on a national book tour for Herbach's debut novel, The Miracle Letters of T. Rimberg.
- "The Miracle Tour Confessions, Part I" by Geoff Herbach and Sam Osterhout—with Murphy beds, PBR paraphernalia, and the chance to see grown men cry (a lot)
- MnArts magazine highlights include no-nonsense book promotion advice for new authors from Hungry Mind founder David Unowsky, a profile of Duluth's new Poet Laureate, and a review of Off-Leash Area's latest production Border Crossing
- New artist opportunities handpicked from our daily updated list of news on mnartists.org
- A selection of theater, film, music, dance, gallery openings and many more events going on around the state, drawn from mnartists.org's DIY, member-driven arts calendar
PLUS: Look for a new issue of 10,000 Arts: Minnesota's Creative Quarterly (co-published by mnartists.org and The Rake) in area libraries, Dunn Bros coffeeshops and Bibelot stores, and in galleries and museums throughout the state.
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| The Miracle Tour Confessions, Part I: by Geoff Herbach and Sam Osterhout |
 Geoff Herbach, author of the new novel The Miracle Letters of T. Rimberg, sets off with his buddy and fellow Electric Arc Radio/Lit 6 writer, Sam Osterhout, on a month-long book tour around the country. Over the course of the next few weeks, Geoff and Sam will be sending in a road diary documenting their travels. Below is the first of these dispatches, chronicling the first chunk of their nationwide Miracles book tour beginning in Herbach's home state of Wisconsin.
SAM
I stood in the doorway of my apartment in Minneapolis and looked in at all my stuff—the coat hooks, my bookshelves, my kitchen and my beloved kitchen appliances, the little rug in front of the kitchen sink that makes me fall over every afternoon during lunch—and then I backed out the door and let it shut, trying keep the image of all that stuff in my brain. Why is it so sad to leave home?
Herbach pulled up and I heaved my giant princess bag into his hatchback and we got a sandwich and hit the road for Madison, Wisconsin, the first stop on the extended "Miracle Tour."
GEOFF
When books come out, the author goes on a book tour. There are authors from all over the place constantly stopping everywhere – bookstores, amphitheaters, etc. – all the time. Right? Apparently, most of them aren’t first-time authors. And, apparently, those authors who stop at a bookstore and find crowds there to greet them already have a readership. The crowd knows the author’s other works. The crowd is jacked to read more. The crowd wants to meet this fabled writer. I am a first-time author. Don’t expect jack for audience. I’ve been told that over and over. Don’t expect jack. Outside of the Twin Cities crowds won’t magically appear. That’s okay. I think. Actually I’m filled with anxiety. Why am I going on a book tour?...continue reading this exchange on mnartists.org.
 Click here for the full agony and ecstasy of the "Miracle Tour" so far—with Murphy beds, Pabst Blue Ribbon, and grown men crying. A lot.
About Geoff: Geoff Herbach is a writer from Minneapolis, MN. He is co-founder of the Lit 6 Project, a group that runs beer-fueled literary events around the Midwest. He is also a founding member of The Electric Arc Radio Show, a literary-musical tragicomedy, which has aired on Minnesota Public Radio, starring four sad writers who live in a decrepit house and spend time fighting over the television remote and stealing appliances from local stores rather than writing.
His debut novel, The Miracle Letters of T. Rimberg, was just released this April from Three Rivers Press. Tish Cohen, author of Town House, called the book, "…a darkly comic, extraordinary peek into the delicate mind of a suicidal no-hoper." Herbach has hope and an MFA in creative writing from Hamline University.
About Sam: Sam Osterhout is co-founder of both the Lit 6 Project and The Electric Arc Radio Show (see above). His short stories can be heard on Minnesota Public Radio and in bars and bookstores across the country. |
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Artist Opportunities
»CLICK HERE for a daily-updated list of many, many more opportunities for Minnesota artists in every discipline on mnartists.org |
CALL FOR DESIGNERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, AND STYLISTS: MNfashion FLASH, a quarterly fashion series presented by mnartists.org and MNFashion, is taking submissions from fashion design teams for the summer 2008 series
(Submission deadline is May 19)
CALL FOR ARTISTS AND CRAFTERS: SummerFest (Shoreview, MN) seeks exhibitors and vendors for this annual family festival
(Application deadline is June 30)
PERFORMANCE SPACE FOR RENT: A large square space near MCAD (in the Fallout Artist Coop Building) is available for inexpensive hourly rental
ATTN YOUNG MEDIA-TYPES: SPNN Youth Programs is looking for youth ages 14-21 with media, leadership, and mentoring experience to assist with our summer media programs as peer mentors
CALL FOR POETS: the online literary magazine Pig Iron is seeking poetry submissions for its summer 2008 issue
CALL FOR WRITERS: The Brainerd Writers' Alliance Writing Contest invites submissions in nonfiction, poetry, and short fiction
(Submission deadline is August 22)
GRANTS FOR DANCE, THEATER, AND VISUAL ARTS: Apply now for 2009 MN State Arts Board "Artist Initiative" grants ($2000-$6000)
(Application deadline is June 2) |
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So, You Wrote a Book—Now What?
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Hungry Mind founder and veteran bookseller David Unowsky offers no-nonsense advice on how to place your book on store shelves (and ensure that it doesn't just sit there).
I am the Events Manager at Magers and Quinn, a large independent bookstore in Minneapolis. I’m also the person who makes the decisions about consignment books. On average, I get about two calls or e-mails a week (100 per year) that start out like this: “Hi, I’m Joe/Mary Smith and I’ve just had my book published…continue reading on mnartists.org
Click here to read David Unowsky's invaluable advice on successfully marketing your new title to bookstores and on how to improve your chances of landing an author reading
Credit: Photo from a recent reading for Li-Young Lee at Magers and Quinn in Minneapolis |
Duluth's Got a New Poet Laureate: Jim Johnson
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Writer Cheryl Reitan offers a profile of Duluth's new official bard, Jim Johnson, with an eye to his flair for weaving Minnesota's immigrant experience into words.
Jim Johnson, the recently chosen 2008-2010 Duluth Poet Laureate, writes poetry that is cut from the cloth of his Finnish roots. While much of his work recalls the lives of Finnish settlers in northern Minnesota, the message is universal. It is the quintessentially American story of the immigrant experience and of families, hunger, nature, and hard work.…continue reading on mnartists.org
Click here to read Cheryl Reitan's engaging article giving the back-story for Duluth's new Poet Laureate Jim Johnson.
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A Line in the Sand: Off-Leash Area's Border Crossing
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Christy DeSmith weighs in on Off-Leash Area's most ambitious "movement theater" production yet, examining the brutal conditions faced by those making the treacherous desert border crossing from Mexico to Arizona.
A cute little girl (Citlalitl de Leon) is abandoned in the desert, somewhere along the Arizona/Mexico border, by greedy coyotes (human traffickers who smuggle people into the U.S.). Clad in hiking shoes, jeans, and an adorable peasant shirt, the girl has a backpack filled with bottled water and canned goods—but that only lasts so long.…continue reading on mnartists.org
Click here to read DeSmith's critical reflections on this recent production by the always-out-front company, Off-Leash Area
Credit: Still from Border Crossing (Photo: Ashley Timm) |
FEATURED COLLECTION: What Light Winning Poets, March-April 2008
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What Light: This Week's Poem (March 2008 - April 2008)
In this collection you'll find all the winning poems featured during the early spring cycle of What Light: This Week's Poem, which brings to you, for the third year running, one poem a week by Minnesota writers.
The early spring 2008 round's winning poets were:
Diana Lundell
Amy McCann
Jennifer L. Johnson
Tim Brennan
Adrian S. Potter
Florence Chard Dacey
Jana Bouma
Molly Spencer
Steve Downing
The judges for this cycle were all What Light veteran winners themselves: Greg Watson, Margaret Hasse, Jen March, and Todd Pederson.
Click here to read all the last round's winning poems
Credit: What Light logo design by Kelly Munson |
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| Classes and Workshops |
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| Dance |
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Ritz Theater Presents Renovate, the First Annual Choreographers' Showcase
(Ritz Theater, Minneapolis, May 9-10)
Noche Hispana Cuatro - Music, dance and poetry come together
(Patrick's Cabaret, Minneapolis, May 9-10)
ARENA Dances - waterBRIDGE
(Southern Theater, Minneapolis, May 8-10)
Jawaahir Dance Company's Third Gala and Fundraiser, Caravan Under the Stars: The Grand Bazaar
(The Women's Club of Minneapolis, Minneapolis, May 10)
Russian Seasons - Mother's Day Show
(Stepping Stone Theatre, Saint Paul, May 11)
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| Festivals and Group Shows |
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Saint Croix Valley Pottery Tour - Seven pottery studios + guest potters
(Various Locations, East Central MN, May 10-11)
Art On a Line 2008 - Northstar Watercolor Society
(Minnesota State Fairgrounds-Fine Arts Building, Saint Paul, May 15-17)
Wayzata Art Experience - 70 High Quality Artist Booths with Culinary Arts and Performances
(Lake Street in Wayzata, May 17-18)
Art-A-Whirl - the largest open studio art crawl in the Upper Midwest
(Various NE Minneapolis studios, Minneapolis, May 16-18)
The Atelier Studio Program of Fine Arts 2008 Student Show
(The Atelier, Minneapolis, May 16-18)
Fashioned: a group photography exhibition on the intersection of fashion and identity curated by George Slade
(Minnesota Center for Photography, Minneapolis, exhibition runs through July 13)
Credit: Amy 18, photograph by Linda Brooks, one of the featured artists in Fashioned |
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| Lectures and Readings |
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Book launch party for Harry Wild Jones - author Elizabeth Vandam will be on hand to talk about her latest book
(The Hennepin History Museum, Minneapolis, May 17)
Mystery Night at Common Good Books: readings by William Kent Krueger, Bart Schneider, and Mary Logue
(Common Good Books, Saint Paul, May 14)
Robert Alexander reads from The Romanov Bride
(Common Good Books, Saint Paul, May 15)
The Imaginary Press Reading Series – local poets Cynthia Arrieu King, Kristi Maxwell, Michael Rerick, and Jon Skuldt read their work
(Jon Oulman Salon, Minneapolis, May 16)
Leif Enger reads from his new novel, So Young, Brave and Handsome
(Virginia Swedenborgian Church, Saint Paul, May 18) |
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| Music & Film and Video |
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Music for Spring concert - The Minnetonka Symphony Chorus and Choral Reflections of Minnetonka
(Saint Stephen Lutheran Church, Bloomington, May 9)
Music with a French Accent - Bakken Chamber Music
(The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Center, Saint Paul, May 11)
Mila Vocal Ensemble - With Bread and Salt: Songs and Stories for Mother's Day
(Southern Theater, Minneapolis, May 11)
Warren Nelson and Big Top Chautaqua Orchestra
(Elk River Area Arts Alliance, Elk River, May 13)
Cantus Vocal Ensemble - Covers
(Southern Theater, Minneapolis, May 16-18)
Neal Swanger & Jennifer Levenhagen - original acoustic folk music along with some favorites
(Betsy's Back Porch Coffee, Minneapolis, May 10)
Heliotrope V – Flaneur Productions' three-day festival of contemporary underground music
(Ritz Theater, Minneapolis, May 15-17)
Global Lens Cinema Series - experience other cultures through film
(Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, May 7-18)
My Art School Summer, an adults-only animated film screening
(Ritz Theater, Minneapolis, May 17)
ComArts High School Presents the .EDU Film Fest, showcasing films made by young student filmmakers from around the state
(Parkway Theater, Minneapolis, May 23)
Credit:(Bottom) still from My Art School Summer |
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| Openings and Parties |
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Why You Belong – a group photography exhibition and part of the Collaborative Exchange Project between the University of Minnesota Department of Art and the Beijing Film Academy
(Burnet Art Gallery/Chambers Luxury Art Hotel, Minneapolis, opening reception May 9, exhibit runs through July 6)
Contemporary Turns in Clay: Sequoia Miller, S.C. Rolf and Jason Trebs
(The Grand Hand Gallery, Saint Paul, opening reception May 9, exhibit May 9-June 15)
2008 Minnesota State Visual Arts Exhibit
(College of Visual Arts Gallery, Saint Paul, Reception May 17, Exhibit May 14-17)
Women's Art Registry of MN Mentor Program group exhibition, The Power of Women: What Does It Look Like, at Art-A-Whirl
(Grain Belt Bottling House, Minneapolis, Reception May 16, Exhibition May 16-18)
This is how I've been moving through it - Gregory Euclide's mixed media landscapes
(Gage Family Art Gallery, Minneapolis, Opening Reception May 16, Exhibit May 16-July 11)
ReNEWal - new works by Jeff Baker and Kari Reardon
(Gallery 122 at Hang It, Minneapolis, Artist reception May 16, Exhibit May 16-June 27)
A Night of Artistic Compassion, a silent auction fundraiser for Downey Side Adoptions
(Umber Studios, Minneapolis, May 17)
Credit: Images from Why You Belong |
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| Theater |
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Godless – humor, pop art performance, and blasphemous fun in this show about atheism by Jaime Carrera
(Bryant Lake Bowl Theater, Minneapolis, May 15-29)
Semblesque Performance Company fundraiser for production of The Night that Robin Died
(The Venue, Duluth, May 17)
Thirty Days in Frogtown - a smash hit by Colleen Kruse and Karen Paurus
(Jitters Cabaret and Martini Bar, Minneapolis, through May 31)
Permanence Collection: a short play directed by Hayley Finn, written by Ed Bok Lee and Kira Oblensky inspired by artwork in the Walker Art Center's permanent collection
(Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, May 8)
Four Humors Theatre presents a retelling of Romeo and Juliet featuring talented up-and-comers from Three Sticks, Live Action Set, Jeune Lune and the Children's Theater Company
(Bedlam Theatre, Minneapolis, May 8-18)
Credit: Photo from Godless by Jaime Carrera |
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| Visual Arts |
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Architecture and Ceramics: Material, Structure, Vision
(Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, May 9 - June 29)
Jodi Reeb-Myers at Frank Stone Gallery
(Frank Stone Gallery, Minneapolis, May 15-18)
Relationships in Clay - Tom Jasczak
(Touche Gallery, Bemidji, through May 15)
New Masters of Wood Turning
(Nina Bliese Gallery, Minneapolis, May 15-Sept 26)
Adam Turman: One Man Show @ Artistic Indulgence
(Artistic Indulgence, Minneapolis, May 16-June 13)
The Works of Oni Sakti
(SMB Gallery, Minneapolis, May 16)
Credit: Impressions V, painted on a clayboard wooden box by Jodi Reeb-Myers |
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You Are Here event listings are drawn entirely from the mnartists.org calendar, so if you want to improve the odds that you'll see your happening linked here, you'd better start posting your events!
We've made it super easy to begin: here's a step-by-step guide that'll show you how to promote your own events on the new arts calendar. Browse through more up-to-the-minute events listings or post a show of your own on mnartists.org's new DIY arts events calendar. |
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One for the Road |
Cover artwork for the May issue of 10,000 Arts
is by photographer Robert Roscoe.
A new issue of 10,000 Arts: Minnesota's Creative Quarterly (co-published by The Rake and mnartists.org) is hot off the presses and in coffee shops and arts venues around Minnesota now!
All through May, we'll be highlighting the longer, fully be-linked versions of the articles you'll find there on mnartists.org. You can pick up a copy of the May 2008 issue of 10,000 Arts at all area Dunn Bros coffee shops, at Bibelot shops, and at many area libraries; you can also find the new issue in galleries and museums in the Twin Cities and around the state, courtesy of our generous sponsor Explore Minnesota.
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The mission of mnartists.org is to improve the lives of Minnesota artists and provide access to and engagement with Minnesota’s arts culture. |
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