The Music
Mary Mary
Thurs., Aug. 15, 7:30 pm • Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 1-800-982-2787 or www.HennepinTheatreTrust.org • American contemporary gospel duo, consisting of sisters Erica Atkins-Campbell and Trecina “Tina” Atkins-Campbell, featuring elements of soul music, hip hop, funk and jazz.
The Dear Hunter Tour, featuring Homeboy Sandman, Open Mike Eagle, Random aka Mega Ran
Fri., Aug. 16, 8 pm • First Avenue & 7th St. Entry, 701 N. 1st Ave., Mpls., 612-338-8388 or http://first-avenue.com • On the heels of his latest release, the critically acclaimed LP First of a Living Breed (Stones Throw), Homeboy Sandman teams up with rapper Open Mike Eagle, whom the LA Times calls “One of LA’s smartest young voices,” and Random aka Mega Ran, who has been described as a mix of video games, the 80’s, hip-hop, soul music, jazz and standup comedy.
Upcoming….
Freedom Jazz Festival
Sat., Aug. 24, 1-7 pm • Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 4055 Nicollet Avenue S., Mpls.
Robert Cray
Sun. Aug. 25, 7:30 pm • Minnesota Zoo Amphitheater, 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley, 952-431-9200, www.suemclean.com or www.mnzoo.org
Big Sam’s Funky Nation
Mon., Aug. 26, 7 pm • Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612-332-1010 or www.dakotacooks.com
Jeff Lorber, Everette Harp, Shaun LaBelle and Stokley Williams
Aug. 27-28 • Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612-332-1010 or www.dakotacooks.com
Diana Ross
Wed., Aug. 28, 8 pm • Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 1-800-982-2787 or www.HennepinTheatreTrust.org
The Screen
The Butler
Opens Aug. 16, Various theaters
The Butler tells the story of a White House butler who served eight American presidents over three decades. The film traces the dramatic changes that swept American society during this time, from the civil rights movement to Vietnam and beyond, and how those changes affected this man’s life and family. Featuring Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, Mariah Carey, John Cusack, Jane Fonda, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Terrence Howard, Minka Kelly, Lenny Kravitz, Melissa Leo
Fruitvale Station
Various theaters
Tues., Aug. 6, 7:30 pm • Based on the true story of Oscar Grant, a young man who was killed by Fruitvale Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Station police officer Johannes Mehserle in Oakland, California • Starring Michael B. Jordan, Melonie Diaz, and Octavia Spencer.
2 Guns
Various theaters
Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg star in this action thriller about undercover agents attempting to infiltrate a Mexican drug cartel. The plan goes haywire, they are disavowed by their superiors, and must go on the run.
The Stage
A Woman’s Works
Through Aug. 11, various times • Southern Theater, 1420 Washington Ave. S., Mpls., 612-340-1725 or www.southerntheater.org • Choreographer Karen Charles explores the life of women. Featuring works of strength, fragility, and fun, with music by James Brown to Ólafuf Arnalds, the female cast invites the audience to question, illuminate and revel in what is female • Tickets at https://www.fringefestival.org/2013/show/?id=2408 or call 866-811-4111
We Got the Jokes
Sat., Aug. 10, 7:30 pm • Capri Theater, 2027 W. Broadway Ave., Mpls., 612-643-2000 or www.thecapritheater.org • Hosted by Debonaire, this comedy showcase features Baldhead Phillips, Pierre Douglas, Karen Larson, Adrian Washington, and Swhin
Penumbra Theater presents, Youth Art in Action, Summer Institute 2013
Sat., Aug. 10, 7 pm, Second Year Class Performance • Witness powerful original monologues and scenes devised by our second-year students to raise awareness about issues they deem urgent. Stay for a post-performance discussion • Aug. 15-17, 7 pm, ALOUD: A Festival of new student work • Three-day festival of new work created by third-year students • Penumbra Theatre, 270 North Kent St., St. Paul, 651-224-3180 or www.penumbratheatre.org
The Arts
Wear Your Culture: Dressing Swedish, Dressing Oromo
Through Aug. 25 • American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Avenue, Mpls., 612-871-4907 or a www.asimn.org/ • This two-part exhibition explores and honors the traditional clothing and rich cultural heritage of Minnesota’s immigrant communities past and present • High school and college Oromo-American students living in Minnesota share their cultural knowledge and pride in this unique companion exhibit and accompanying programs • Oromo is one of the largest national groups in Africa, with over 20,000 Oromo currently living in MN • Dressing Swedish is a traveling exhibition from the Embassy of Sweden and supported by Multicultural Society, Tumba in Sweden.
Send all Entertainment Spot briefs to abuchanan@spokesman-recorder.com, or call 612-827-4021.
