The Music
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.
2nd Annual Black and White Red Carpet Affair
Sat., Aug. 17, 9:30 pm • Bunker’s Music Bar & Grill, 761 Washington Ave. N., Mpls., 612-338-8188 or www.bunkersmusic.com
Ginger Commodore & Dennis Spears
Sat., Aug. 17, 8 pm • Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612-332-1010 or www.dakotacooks.com • Spears and Commodore, both known for their contribution to Moore by Four, as well as being gems of the Midwest music and theater scenes in their own right, join forces for a night of sizzling soul and powerful vocals.
The Steeles
Sun., Aug. 18, 7 pm • Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612-332-1010 or www.dakotacooks.com • The Steeles are a soul & gospel powerhouse. These five siblings have been heard on Broadway and have graced stages from Carnegie Hall, the Guthrie and First Avenue.
Upcoming….
Freedom Jazz Festival
Sat., Aug. 24, 1-7 pm • Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 4055 Nicollet Avenue S., Mpls., www.freedomjazzfestival.org/
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
The Stage
ALOUD: A Festival of new student work
• Aug. 15-17, 7 pm • 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
The Fifth Annual LOLA Art Crawl
Sat. and Sun., Aug. 24-25, 10 am — 5 pm • LoLa (the League of Longfellow artists) will be opening their doors for the fifth annual LoLa art crawl • Smaller and more intimate than many art festivals, the LoLa art crawl will give you a glimpse into the creative workspaces of artisans working on jewelry, glasswork, painting, photography, textiles, pottery, gardens, sculpture and more • For more info and a map of the event, visit http://lolaartcrawl.com/
Send all Entertainment Spot briefs to abuchanan@spokesman-recorder.com, or call 612-827-4021.
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