Movie Magic in the Midlands

by Cheril Lee

Bruce Crawford, Film Historian, said his first film event occurred almost by happenstance.

“In 1992, exactly 20 years ago at this time, Ray Harryhausen, the special effects legend, got a Lifetime Achievement Oscar and I was with him for all of that. I’d been a big fan, friend and supporter of his for a long, long time. And I thought, ‘Wow, he’s getting more recognition now than ever. Maybe now is the time to see...

Noah’s Ark Was A Spaceship

by Kyle Eustice

            Noah’s Ark Was A Spaceship has been quiet for a while, but that’s all about to end. The local indie band has finally returned with a new record after a brief hiatus in 2012. Titled You Need You, it’s a welcome return from a band that has collected a slew of fans in its short existence. After a lineup change in 2012, the band recommences once again as a trio comprised of Rick Black, John Svatos...

Pick: Jukebox the Ghost

by Chris Aponick

April 19
Jukebox The Ghost w/ Pretty & Nice
The Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St.
9 p.m., $10 in advance/$12 day-of-show, onepercentproductions.com

Jukebox the Ghost is a shapeshifting band of modern indie-poppers, willing to graft rubbery 80s R&B uplift or polyrhythmic world-music styling to their propulsive pop songs. The Brooklyn-based trio's shifting sound has allowed them to share the stage with Ben...

Pick: April 23 Poliça

by Chris Aponick

April 23
Poliça w/ Night Moves
The Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St.
9 p.m., $14, onepercentproductions.com

The collaboration of vocalist Channy Leaneagh and restless Minneapolis musician Ryan Olson (Gayngs, Marijuana Deathsquads) has quickly built a head of steam on the dichotomy of the smoldering, subdued electro-pop of their 2012 debut album, Give Up the Ghost, and a live show that reportedly burns...

Julie Thorsen - Connect Gallery

by Mary Day

April 19-20, 2013
Julie Thorsen
Earth Day Oil Painting
Connect Gallery and Studios
3901 Leavenworth Street
402-991-8234, http://www.facebook.com/#!/tom.sitzman.5?fref=ts

Celebrate Earth Day at Connect Gallery. April 19 and 20 will feature oil painting instruction with Julie Thorsen. All materials will be provided for $50. Come for one or two days. Connect Gallery is located on the Filed Club Trail. Bring...

Doin’ it for Sugar and Bette Swanson

by Warren Francke

The musical Sugar sports one song with a fighting chance to send you home singing its title, “Doin’ It For Sugar.” Change that slightly to “doin’ it for Bette” and it comes closer to the spirit of a preview performance at the Bellevue Little Theatre.

A pre-show tribute honored Bette Swanson, its producer who is stepping down from that role after producing 27 years at the BLT, including two earlier goes at this...

Pick: Now, Now

by Chris Aponick

April 12
Now, Now w/ The Lonely Forest, Millions of Boys
The Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St.
9 p.m., $12, onepercentproductions.com

Minneapolis indie pop act Now, Now first call to mind similarly put-together alternative pop acts like Tegan & Sara, but there's a coarser, rockier spirit on the band's 2012 album Threads that morphs the band's sound towards the sort of smoldering music written by the likes...