friends pimping, part 7: creative fusion
One thing that gets me really excited is the idea of artistic mediums merging with each other. Currently on stage in Minneapolis is a show that both acts as art installation and theatre experience. It's totally awesome, heavy on the AWE.Sandbox Theatre generally creates their shows from an idea, not a script. This means those participating in the production all bring something to it, eventually creating a performance-worthy piece that is a little more three dimensional than most scripted theatre. The official term is process-driven. An ensemble-created production lends itself well to experimentation and risk-ta

so long, and thanks for all the tator tots.
On Sunday, the Uptown Bar in Minneapolis closes for good. The neighborhood has changed so much since I first moved down here twenty years ago, but the Uptown has always (and long before that) been a mainstay. It's not closing due to poor business, but instead because the owner has decided to sell the property to redevelopers. Because the guy is doing it to provide financial security for his family, no one is really vilifying him, justly so. It's a noble reason, even if the nobility will result

shameless plug: 99, 99, 99...
One of the most interesting places for art happenings around town is the Soap Factory. Located near Downtown Minneapolis just on the other side of the riverbank, it's an industrial space with the ability to convert into whatever its current exhibit needs. The floors are wood-slats and concrete. The walls are brick and gallery-friendly white. I've seen paintings, sculpture, interactive installations and performance in this space, all well done shows that might not be done in another venue. Last month, I had the fortunate pleasure to be part of a craft show held there as part of the local Handmad