If you didn’t get enough American Revolution nostalgia on July 4, kick it with Alliance Française MSP as they celebrate the independence day of the USA’s oldest ally. Read on for more details on the festivities, as well as my take on Classical Actors Ensemble’s “Twelfth Night” and Marcie Rendon’s new collection of poetry, “Anishinaabe Songs for a New Millennium,” which will celebrate its release next Tuesday. To help you plan your weekend, I’ve got the details on a new musical play called “Ashti’s Journey to Jazz,” with music by Thomasina Petrus, an exhibition featuring Syed Hosain, and ritual storytelling and music with Carlisle Evans Peck and friends at the Southern Theater.
Twelfth Night
You’ve got one more week to experience the delight of enjoying Classical Actors Ensemble’s latest outdoor Shakespeare production. You can read my take on it here ➡️
Thursday, July 11 at St. Clement’s Church, St. Paul, Friday, July 12 at Wolfe Park Amphitheater, St. Louis Park, Saturday, July 13 at Lake of the Isles, Minneapolis, Sunday, July 14 at MN Humanities Center, St. Paul, all performances at 7 p.m. (free). More information here.
Ashti’s Journey To Jazz
Minnesota jazz vocalist Thomasina Petrus has composed an original score bringing a children’s book story about the power of music education to life. In “Ashti Meets Birdman Al,” author Carmen Rubin writes about a young girl and her entry into the wonders of Jazz music, and the way she and her mother help an elder jazz musician save a school music program. In “Ashti’s Journey to Jazz,” Rubin brings her picture book to the stage with Petrus working with Thom West to create the music. Siddeeqah Shabazz directs the production, with Sandford Moore and Angelo Williamson leading the music direction. Petrus also stars in the production along with Solomon Parham and youth actor CC Kramer, plus a youth ensemble.
Thursday, July 11, at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., Friday, July 12 at 7 p.m., through July 20. ($29 adults, pay what you can and discounts available, $75 VIP on Friday, July 19). More information here.
Syed Hosain: Dust in the Sky
Past, present and fictional imaginings swirl together in Syed Hosain’s ghostly abstractions, layering thick paint with hidden images and vestiges of history. Drawing on architectural formations, whispers of figures, and current events while also mining science, identity, politics, and ideas, Hosain’s acrylic and mixed media works draw you into a web of arresting thought. I remember first encountering Hosain’s work back in 2018 at SooVAC, and feeling drawn to the profound feeling he evokes through his expressive technique.
This week, Hosain’s work will be featured in the solo show, “Dust in the Sky” at NE Sculpture Gallery Factory. For the opening event, Philippe Gallandat has curated an evening of music, and there’s going to be a fire performance troupe performing.
Friday, July 12 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at NE Sculpture Gallery Factory (free). More information here.
Carlisle Evans Peck’s Iconoclasm
Back in 2022, Minneapolis songwriter and composer Carlisle Evans Peck created a cabaret-style performance of music and theater about six forgotten queer ancestors as part of their Cedar Commissions project. This summer, Peck presents an expanded iteration of that piece, delving into ritual, archetype and lore for an evening of theatrical storytelling backed by a live band. Performing in the show are Twin Cities musicians Willow Waters (bass), Peter Morrow (electric guitar), Crystal Myslajek (keyboards), Adrian Cox-Thurmond (keyboards), Toby Ramaswamy (drums), Sarah Larsson (vocals), Alijah Goetting (vocals), and Kasi Misseldine (vocals).
They perform Friday, July 12 and Saturday, July 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Southern ($20). More information here. Later this summer, the troupe will tour Greater Minnesota, with stops on August 10 at Squash Blossom Farm in Orono, August 15 at YES! House in Granite Falls, August 16 at Little Theater Auditorium in New London, and August 17 at Madison Mercantile in Madison, MN. More information on the tour here.
Bastille Day
Word on the street is that Marie Antoinette herself will be at Alliance Française’s Bastille Day celebration (or at least, a performer playing her). There’s also going to be a vintage Citroën cars parade, crepe demonstrations, and a variety of vendors. Come hungry, because there are many delightful offerings, like the light and airy crepes from Breizh Crêperie, croissant, baguette sandwiches and such from La Boulangerie Marguerite, delicate macarons from Nikkolette’s Macarons, and pizza courtesy thee Brick Oven Bus. There’s also going to be live music throughout the day from groups like the Maude Caillat Quartet, led by saxophonist Maude Caillat, traditional music by the Francine Roche Trio, and the high energy Whales in the Thames. Afrocontigbo Dance will also perform, led by Nigerian American choreographer and dancer Korma Aguh-Stuckmayer.
Sunday, July 14 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Alliance Française Mpls/St Paul (free). More information here.
Marcie Rendon: Anishinaabe Songs for a New Millennium
Get your copy of Marcie Rendon’s new collection at Birchbark Books and read about Native Arts’s launch event here ➡️
Birchbark Books and Native Arts will be hosting the launch event for the book where Rendon will be in conversation with Lyz Hakoola, featuring a song by Anishinaabe traditional singer Mark Erickson. It’s on Tuesday, July 16 at 7 p.m. at 1629 Hennepin Avenue #275 in Minneapolis (free). More information and reservations here.
Sheila Regan
Sheila Regan is a Twin Cities-based arts journalist. She writes MinnPost’s twice-weekly Artscape column. She can be reached at [email protected].