May Day Festival

It's fitting that the first sunny, spring-like, maybe-summer-really-will-come type of day was home to In the Heart of the Beast's May Day celebration at Powderhorn Park. The trees are still brown, the grass just fighting to turn green, but you could tell from the sheer numbers of festival-goers that nobody cared, as long as summer is officially on its way. 

Kicking off with a parade and ending at Powderhorn for the May Day ceremony, complete with welcoming the sun's journey across the lake, revelers oohed and aahed at the Heart of the Beast's puppetry creations. And I, more than once, regretted wearing just a boring outfit.  If ever there was a time to braid ribbons into my hair, paint rainbows on my cheeks, and wear a lime green tutu in public, this would have been my moment.  At least half of the crowd took their outfitting seriously, bursts of color and flowers bedecking every bit of space. Even if you're not the type to go all out and dress as your favorite animal, any festival-goer would appreciate the excess of people-watching opportunities. 

Several food trucks were in attendance, as well, adding to the state fair-esque choices of corn dogs and cotton candy.  Booths line the lake set up for various non-profits and left-leaning political movements (some of which I were unaware existed), highlighting, perhaps, the population most likely to attend the festivities.  But regardless of your spot on the political spectrum, there's joy to be found in sitting on a patch of grass and watching some puppetry in celebration of winter's end and summer's promised arrival. The theater's beautiful creations alone were reason enough to brave traffic for a view of the parade and/or a spot on the Powderhorn lawn. 

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Shakespeare in St. Louis Park

Outdoor theater can be dicey.  It can be hot (as it was on Saturday). The mosquitoes can be brutal (as they were on Saturday).  And sometimes an open air venue is simply not the best environment for soft stage whispers and Shakespearean dialogue (not the case at all this Saturday).

I don't remember how I found out about this performance.  An invite on Facebook? A conversation overheard at the Guthrie? I don't know who to thank but I'm happy to have somewhat-stumbled on the opportunity to experience an excellent production of Romeo and Juliet at Wolfe Park in St. Louis Park, performed by The Public Company of Minnesota.

Minnesota has no shortage of fine actors/actresses.  With the U's fantastic fine arts program, the Guthrie's prowess, and the family of smaller, independently fantastic theaters smattered across the Twin Cities, I've been awestruck by how much talent is pooled in this not-huge city. But that being said, I still had low expectations for the production on Saturday.  It was free, it was in a small outdoor ampitheater in the suburbs, and I'd never heard of the Public Company.  But low expectations sometimes yield happy surprises, and the Public Company is a perfect example of that serendipity.

The young cast was articulate and thorough in their understanding of the dialogue.  There were no awkward stumblings over clumsy iambs, leaving the audience to assume that the actor had no clue what he was talking about.  The actors made the dialogue lively and understandable, and Mercutio and Romeo in particular were exceptional in their roles. Mercutio's Queen Mab speech has to be one of the most difficult monologues to perform, but even with a somewhat sparky microphone, Mercutio was able to deliver the speech as I believe it was intended: sarcastic, patronizing, and at its heart, foreshadowing.

The chemistry between Romeo and Juliet was believable, if not palpable. Romeo's love was easier to believe than the young Juliet's, but that's partly Shakespeare's fault. While I wish Juliet had been a smidge more engaging, I do think her portrayal was pitch perfect in terms of Juliet's wide-eyed innocence and final desperation.

A fantastic way to spend an evening, especially with a grassy lawn perfect for a couple of lawn chairs, bottles of wine, and a hearty picnic.  The show continues until July 22nd, so make sure to head over to St. Louis Park this weekend!

Bastille Day Festivities

Bastille Day at Barbette seems to be cursed by a string of 95+ days. Last year I attended with the hopes of seeing Solid Gold but due to some rain/humidity issues their equipment quasi-imploded. It wasn't a totaly loss as we had the great fortune to experience Har Mar Superstar, quite possibly the most surprisingly awesome performer to ever wear a wifebeater.

This year was equally hot but I wasn't able to stay long enough for any surprises.  One of the things I love most about summer in the Twine Cities is the plethora of free, wander-around-and-drink-stuff opportunities nestled into various neighborhoods.  Bastille Day fete next to Barbette is nestled in the heart of Uptown and was the perfect mid-afternoon location for a Big Ginger (Jameson is well and good but I'm pretty fond of 2Gingers whiskey, courtesy of this drink) and some people-watching.

The people being watched were excellent swing dancers, cuttin' a rug to Patty and the Buttons (Patty was sick but the fella who filled in was lovely) as we sat on a hot curb and sipped our drink. I love a good multi-generational band, and I don't think you can ever have too many accordions.  There's something lovely about watching a bunch of people dance around to the pulse and swing of a steady bass.  And the whiskey makes it that much sweeter.

Summertime Free Stuff: Minnehaha Falls

A dear friend, Sandy, came to visit me this weekend.  Sandy and I met here in Minneapolis shortly after I moved to the Cities from New Orleans.  Sandy was a fellow Southerner and we bonded instantly.  She moved back home to Virginia a few years ago but we stay in touch via email and with excellent long weekend trips like this one.

Sandy requested a trip to Minnehaha Falls as it was a destination she failed to experience while living here.  I was 100% game in large part because I'd only been once before, which seemed rather embarassing for someone who'd lived here for five years.  We met up with another friend, Sharon, and ate some fish tacos (soon to be reviewed, promise), sweated a good deal, drank some beer, and wandered down the steps to the bridge below the waterfall for some pictures.

I had NO idea there was such a lovely walking path down there! I didn't even realize (before sitting down for lunch) that there were stairs.  Sandy and I wandered down the path (mostly dirt) with the creek running to our left and marveled at how fantastic a place this would be if you had kids (or, in the alternative, if you were just a person-who-likes-sitting-in-small-rivers-when-it's-hot-outside).  Scores of munchkins were splashing around at various points in the creek and making the most of a 95+ degree days in Minnesota.

Next time, I'll wear clothes I can wade around in, it seemed sad to just putz around on dry land.