I have been to the Political Theatre Festival, which they have every year. Although the…read moreorganization is based out of St. Paul the show I saw was at Intermedia Arts in Uptown (Minneapolis). It was a very convenient venue with parking and there was an art gallery to visit when I was waiting for the show to start. The show contained a variety of small plays that related to justice, Latino, or immigration issues. The last play was interactive and actually had a section for audience discussion that worked surprisingly well. Also, I am learning Spanish and several of the plays incorporated Spanish into the performance. I recommend this organization because it was a performance that made me think about the show way after I left the theater. It was creative and there was lots of variety (kind of like the Fringe Festival). I went alone though, I recommend bringing a friend. You will want to talk about it.

Fun, engaging, accommodating and talented. My tween and I are taking Mom and daughter voice…read morelessons. We've learned so much from our instructor. No questions asked - the staff accommodated our every wish. We wanted joint lessons- done. We wanted evening lessons - done. We didn't want to learn to read music - done. We wanted to master a few killer karaoke songs - working on it. We wanted an instructor that could relate to a Mom and daughter duo - done. Loving the journey. I so look forward to our lessons every week. It truly brings me tons of joy.

Our DJ cancelled four days before our prom and I was completely panicked. I was referred to Rising…read moreStar Productions and not only were they able to work us in, they went ABOVE and beyond making sure that they had music that would interest our diverse student population. They were completely professional and the students loved them and the music that they played. There is NO question that they will be hired for all of our dances from now on.

My daughter has been dancing for 6 years and 4 of the 6 years has been with CREO. Before CREO it…read morewas just Dance lessons. Since she has been going to CREO Dance has become a passion for her. She only has that passion because she sees that same level of passion from everyone that works there. I am a Dance Dad and I would recommend no other school other than CREO Arts & Dance Conservatory.

We were referred to Creo by a friend who's daughter was in their program and we ended up testing…read morethem out this summer with their dance blitz summer camp. We instantly fell in love with them! My daughter was "late to the game" to the dance world - joining as an 8 year old. Yet, they made her feel super welcome and she didn't feel "behind"... they put her in a group that was similar to her skillset and she had a blast that whole week of camp. We decided to put her in the program this fall and I am amazed by how quickly my daughter is catching on and learning! It's been so fun to watch her :) thanks for all that you do Creo! We can't thank you enough for making sure my daughter feels a part of the group!

This is historic Grain Belt Brewery complex in Northeast Minneapolis, designed by Boehme and…read moreCordella who are renowned for designing the American Swedish Institute's mansion. It's beautiful! I visited here today for the first time to attend Craft'za...Craft'za is a free one‑day art market for handmade goods! Whoo! It is is a heated and the the art was wonderful and a free public parking lot attached. Had a wonderful and enjoyable time. What a wonderful use of space!

Grain Belt Bottling House is a diverse venue, used for everything from the Autumn Brew Review to…read morevarious other gatherings and shows throughout the year. Depending on the size of the crowd, parking and entry can be a breeze or really tough. It is a venue that has a lot of potential, with both the inside of the building and the outdoor field where ABR is held available as potential space. I guess I would say that I feel the ABR is too big for this venue and there are parking issues (not to mention the wrap-around-the-block hour-long wait to get through the gate). Other things I've been to at this facility seemed better suited. For the record, I do think that reusing an old building period is awesome. It's way better than just letting it sit there. :-)

If you have never seen the harpsichord performed live, dear friend, put this on your bucket list…read more Around for over 26 years, the LBO is about-12 piece collective of mostly strings that performs at Hamline University's Sundin's Music Hall several times yearly. My music education does not extend much beyond piano lessons as youngester, but I know good music when I hear it and delight in an evening when I can watch talented locals perform Vivaldi and Hayden in an in a pretty casual venue. My favorite part of this group, besides the harpsichord and the delightful incredibly well executed baroque tunes is the crowd. The patrons are serious music buffs and come from all walks of life. You also cannot underdress for a performance: come as you are and sit back and relax. I guarantee you will leave feeling lighter and brighter... Best part is if you are a student, tickets are ONLY $6. Otherwise, prices go up to $23, which I still believe is a pretty great deal compared to the still fun but more stuffy crowd at the Minnesota Orchestra for example (and bonus: no booming Tympani drum!). General seating. You can always get tickets at the door.

Our Class at Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company: A Class Act…read moreThat Leads to Massacre. Review by Marie G. Cooney When Poland is invaded by the Russians and then the Germans, pre-existing fears are heightened, extreme paranoia grows, and allegiances are misaligned over and over. In one small town, friends turn on friends, neighbors are pitted against neighbors, and school- yard bullying escalates into a horrific and unbelievable massacre. One of the purposes of theater is to open our eyes to things we may or may not want to see. Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company does a brilliant job of this with Our Class. There are no easy answers to the questions regarding the horrors of war. Otherwise, the threats of war and genocide would not continue throughout the world today. Ask the questions anyway. The truth may come out eventually, and some horrors might be averted. OUR CLASS was written by Polish born and raised playwright, Taduesz Slobodzianek, who won the Nike literary award for the Best Book of the Year in Poland. The English adapter, Ryan Craig, writes for television, radio, and theater. Our Class is based on the massacre of Jews that took place in Jedwabne and Radzilow by their Polish neighbors, not the invading troops of the Russians or the Germans during WWII. In 2001, Jan Gross also wrote the book Neighbors based on reports by a few survivors as to what really happened decades earlier. Miriam Monasch, director, has a brilliant cast: Gabriele Angieri, Candace Barrett Birk, Caleb Carlson, Michael Jurenek, Robert Larsen, David McMenomy, George Mueliner, Maggie Bearmon Pister, and Walter Weaver. The play opens in a school, where half the students are Jewish and the other half are Catholic. They seem somewhat oblivious, yet also aware, of these differences. Fears escalate and innocence disappears. Friendships of youth are replaced my mob mentality and the instinct to survive. Although the play takes place from 1925-2003, Lisa Conley, Costume Designer, chose to have the cast wear costumes reflective of the age when each person died. The time of death is represented by a small, yet powerfully symbolic change of a different costume piece for each character. Dan Wood, Scenic Designer, adapts the school house set with the aid of the actors to farm houses, the town square, the barn used for the massacre, NYC, a church, hidden conversations, and the truth revealed. Jennifer DeGolier, Lighting Designer, does the same by transcending time and space, and evoking emotions with simple yet effective lighting. Todd Edwards, Sound Designer provides light- hearted, yet eerie, reinforcement of the actions on stage as well as sound effects that commingle with the reactions of audience members. Our Class is the first production of MJTC's 17th Season. The show runs through November 20, 2011. Post-show audience discussions include the following: A personal account of growing up, hiding and surviving WWII by Lucy Smith, local artist and resident, following the October 30th 1pm performance. Actors will talk about working on the production after the November 5th performance. Leah Albersheim, Ph.D. and Ruth Hornstein, PSYD, will discuss human behavior and how people can turn on neighbor and friends after the November 13th performance. In closing, I would like to state that I first fell in love with the work done by MJTC when I saw Old Wicked Song. I have tried to attend their productions whenever possible. Theirs is not typically lighthearted comedy. However, there are times you might be drawn to tears and laughter because of the absurdities of life. One of the most heart wrenching and humbling experiences is being a non-Jew witnessing the raw emotions of presumably Jewish audience members. Such is the power of brilliantly produced and emotionally moving live theater. One thing I would like to make perfectly clear is that MJTC produces shows that everyone should see whenever possible. The universal is in the particular, and the particular transcends any nationality, faith, ethnicity, or differences in the universal experiences of humanity. As MJTC's Mission Statement states, "Minnesota Jewish Theatre Company ignites the hearts and minds of people of all cultural backgrounds by producing theater of the highest artistic standards. Rooted in Jewish content, our work explores differences, illuminates commonalities, and fosters greater understanding among all people." For more information about Our Class, or for information about future productions including The Magic Dreidels by local playwright Jenna Zark, My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding by David Hein and Irene Carl Sankoff, and The Last Word by Oren Safdie, please contact www.mnjewishtheatre.org, or call 651-647-4315. Season Passbooks are still available. Support your local theaters! They support you!

Go see a Strange and Separate People! Moving and sharply observed. Great acting by the three…read moreactors. Highly recommended!

The Frederic Chopin Society brings in famous or up-and-coming pianists from all over the world to…read moreperform recitals at Mairs Concert Hall, located in the Janet Wallace Fine Art Center at Macalester College. It is a small venue, and concerts are usually sold out. Tickets are reasonable ($25 for single adult ticket). No matter who you decide to see, you will most likely witness an excellent performance.