Jam-packed is the only way to describe our events calendar as we approach the holidays. Literary readings, concerts, kid-friendly events, and more! Don’t let the frosty temperatures keep you holed up – bundle up and enjoy the Twin Cities this week!
Monday
Kaveh Akbar visits the Hopkins Center for the Arts Monday evening and Tuesday morning. Akbar is an Iranian American poet and author of “Martyr!,” one of the most critically-acclaimed and bestselling novels of 2024. In addition to his own writing, Akbar is the editor of The Penguin Book of Spiritual Verse: 100 Poets on the Divine. Akbar will appear in conversation with award-winning broadcast journalist Marianne Combs.
Tuesday
Mary Lucia’s heartbreaking and hilarious memoir “What Doesn’t Kill Me Makes Me Weirder and Harder to Relate To” has been one of the most talked-about books of the year, if not the decade. The book pulls no punches in outlining Lucia’s harrowing tale of a listener-turned-stalker during her tenure at MPR’s The Current. At the same time that Lucia tackles that chapter in her life with honesty and vulnerability, she also displays why so many of us loved spending our afternoons listening to her circuitous DJ to-do list of celebrating distorted rock and roll, reporting on her recalcitrant pugs, and sticking her tongue out at the news of the day with Bob Collins from MPR News. At the Granada, Mary Lucia will be joined by media legend and fellow non-punch-puller Lizz Winstead.
(Courtesy Mark O’Connor / Deanna Rose)
Christmas sounds pretty good on a fiddle, especially when that fiddle is held by the esteemed Mark O’Connor. O’Connor is a musical chameleon who fits comfortably in with a string quartet, a bluegrass ensemble, or a jazz jam. But for nine years running O’Connor and his wife, Maggie O’Connor, have celebrated their love of Appalachian song with a touring Christmas show. There is a reason O’Connor and company have kept the show running for nearly a decade. It’s a fan and critic favorite and certainly worth circling on your calendar if you love Appalachian music.
Thursday
Do something with the little person in your life on Thursday mornings. During the winter, Little Explorers is held in the visitor center at the Como Zoo with story time, play time and tons of other activities. And count on an appearance from the beloved Blaze Sparky and company crew at 11:30. ASL interpretation is available most Thursdays.
Friday
Chastity Brown was described on our podcast as “the truth” by our contributor PaviElle, and we couldn’t agree more. She is a celebrated singer-songwriter known all over the world, but based right here in the Twin Cities. Her latest release, “Sing to the Walls” (2022), was a stunning effort and saw her packing First Ave to the gills and touring all over the world. Friday’s performance closes out the 14th season of Landmark Live, which featured stellar appearances from Megan Kreidler of Kiss The Tiger and Davina Sowers from Davina and the Vagabonds.
Sunday
The Capri Big Band features seasoned players from many generations and they are a fixture at the Capri, one of the most beloved and storied stages in Minnesota. This Sunday, the group will be holding court from 3 to 5 p.m. with plenty of holiday music in the program. The group will also honor the recently deceased former leader of the ensemble, flutist and Minnesota icon Faye Washington. When speaking about the importance of celebrating players from older generations, our own PaviElle added that many of these artists “play better than some young people.” We agree, and we look forward to hearing the big band flex some of those old-school skills this Sunday at the Capri!
