July 1, 2007 - July 7, 2007

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I never meant 2 cause you a vacation day

Filed under: Local Music

Prince fans take to 7th Street for a coveted First Avenue ticket

Text by Rhena Tantisunthorn | Photos by Nick Vlcek

Kathryn Carucci (above) sacrificed a vacation day to be the first person in line for tickets to Prince's Saturday night aftershow at First Avenue, his first appearance at the club in twenty years. Carucci and her companions, Mark Marthaler and Kelly Magnuson, began camping out at 12:30 Friday afternoon, bringing the total number of hours that they'll be waiting in line for tickets to see his purple majesty to twenty-six and a half.

Carucci has a unique motivation for wanting to see the artist at this venue: she was an extra in various club scenes in Prince's 1984 film Purple Rain. "It's going back to what he started as," Carucci commented. But the long night ahead is also worth it to the twenty or so other people who were already lined up by 4:00 pm Friday. This show, according to several of the unflappable fans calling the cold concrete of 7th Street home for the next day, is history in the making. "This is the biggest show of his career," added Chris Willis, number four in line. "Everyone's out here for the same reason. The Macy's crowd are the people who laid out the money, the commercial people are at Target, and the die-hard fans are here." In order to thwart scalpers, First Avenue is only selling one ticket per person. Wristbands will make the tickets non-transferable.

The early comers arrived well-equipped with chairs, cards, water, games, and books. Carucci brought a cooler of snacks, a heavy iron patio table that lends a café air to the front of the UN-Bank, cribbage, a patio umbrella stashed for the early morning sun, and a Harry Potter book. When asked if she'd be waiting in line for the latest Potter installment she replied that she wouldn't, but her daughter would. Apparently it's genetic.

Also in line...

...fans from New York...

...Peoria, Illinois...

...Chicago...

...even Japan!

Text by Rhena Tantisunthorn | Photos by Nick Vlcek

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 7, 2007 8:30 AM | Comments (0)

 

Uptown Karaoke King Tom Wheaton

Filed under: Local Nightlife

It might be difficult to imagine that a VFW could be an Uptown hotspot. But then again, if Uptown can make the outside of Rainbow Foods look mildly artsy, why not? Every Thursday through Saturday night, husband and wife team Tom and Judy Wheaton host TNT Karaoke until the wee hour of 1:30 am. Recent hit performances included a pitch-perfect rendition of Frank Sinatra's "My Way," as well as the standard drunken rendition of the Animals' "House of the Rising Sun." Drinks are usually pretty cheap—you'd be hard pressed to find something over $4 (specials go as low as $1.50), so if you need a glass of liquid courage before belting out Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" it won't break your budget. City Pages took a moment to speak to co-host Tom Wheaton.

City Pages: Is there a song that you recommend for beginners?

Tom Wheaton: Well for the ladies I would suggest a Patsy Cline song like "Crazy" since most people know that song and the lyrics. For the men, I would say Roger Miller's "King of the Road"—that was the first song I ever sang for karaoke.

CP: Are there any songs that you feel are the most abused?

TW: Yes—Meat Loaf's "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" is definitely one. The kids screw up the B52s' "Love Shack" a lot.

CP: Are there any good songs you just can't listen to anymore?

TW: Basically no, I appreciate everyone that sings and I give all the credit in the world to people for trying. Although, Motörhead's "Ace of Spades" sometimes makes me cringe.

CP: Are there any undiscovered gems that are karaoke-friendly?

TW: I do a lot of those because I try to sing songs that others don't pick—my favorite would be "The Last Farewell," it's my favorite Roger Whittaker song.

CP: Any tips for beginners?

TW: If you're scared, the thing to do is get up with a group. Two to four people—you need to get used to performing.

Tom and his wife Judy also do karaoke at Mancini's and the VFW in Richfield, but the Lyndale VFW is highly recommended. Be sure to get there early—the line to perform forms quickly. 21+. Free. 9:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. James Ballentine VFW Post 246, 2916 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612.823.6233.

Posted by Jessica Armbruster at July 6, 2007 3:58 PM | Comments (3)

 

The faithful flock to Sage Francis

Filed under: Concert Review

Sage Francis / First Avenue / July 5, 2007
Text by Steve McPherson | Photos by Daniel Corrigan

As he takes the stage clad in black and sporting circular sunglasses, Sage Francis looks not unlike Dr. Robotnik from Sonic the Hedgehog. His "live band" consists of a guitarist (bearded, gangly, and entirely unlikely), opener Alias running some beatmaking machines in the back, and a woman named Dilly Dilly playing keys, bass, and—incredibly—a saw.

Read the rest of Steve McPherson's review, and check out Daniel Corrigan's photos, in our gallery section!

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 6, 2007 3:39 PM | Comments (1)

 

Prince afterparty at First Avenue Saturday

Filed under: Local Music

This just announced on Prince's website, www.3121.com: "Return 2 First Avenue: PRINCE LIVE: The official aftershow 4 Prince's Target Center event this Saturday will take place at First Avenue. Doors open immediately following the Target Center concert. Tix are $31.21 each, 18 & Over, and will be available on Saturday. We will post more details here soon." UPDATE at 7:30 p.m.: "Email from First Avenue: "Yes, the rumors are true! Return 2 First Avenue: PRINCE LIVE at First Avenue on Saturday, July 7, 2007. Tickets will go onsale on Saturday at 3:00pm at First Avenue. One ticket per person. The tickets are non-transferable. Doors for the event will open following Prince's performance at the Target Center. The permanent list will not be honored that night."

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at July 5, 2007 3:14 PM | Comments (2)

 

Oak Street Cinema closing "for the summer"

Filed under: Film

Email from MN Film Arts: "Oak Street to Close for the Summer. Due to major construction on Oak Street and University Avenue, the Oak Street Cinema will close for the remainder of the summer as of Thurs., July 5. We will reopen after Labor Day. Special events already scheduled to run during the summer will occur as planned. These events include a screening of Sex Ed and the State, Tues., July 10, at 7 p.m. and the monthly Fearless Filmmakers screening on Wed., July 25, at 7:30 p.m. Check our website www.mnfilmarts.org in mid-August for a full fall schedule of the best art cinema in the Twin Cities." More background here and here.

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at July 5, 2007 3:06 PM | Comments (2)

 

The future shock of Dan Deacon

Filed under: Concert Review

Dan Deacon / Triple Rock Social Club / July 2, 2007
Text by Nate Patrin | Photos by Daniel Corrigan

There is a scene, based largely in Baltimore, that calls itself "future shock." It has little to do with Herbie Hancock and even less to do with Curtis Mayfield and everything to do with giving punk rock an Atari lobotomy. Monday night's bill at the Triple Rock featured two of the main pillars of the scene—the Saturday morning Lucky Charms-and-Mountain Dew multimedia duo Video Hippos, and human tornado electronics-manipulator/showman de-luxe Dan Deacon. (What afrobeatists NOMO were doin' sandwiched between them, Lord only knows, but they were a bit of a much-needed palate cleanser and they covered Sun Ra, so there's no complaints here.)

Read the rest of Nate Patrin's review, and view Daniel Corrigan's photographs, in our gallery section!

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 3, 2007 9:13 AM | Comments (1)

 

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