We are officially in the thick of the holiday season. Hanukkah is already in full swing, and Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Eve aren’t far behind. Maybe you’re looking for some improv comedy, holiday cheer, or Christmas cookies made with weed butter. We’ve got you covered.
Monday
What happens when actors who have dutifully memorized an entire play's worth of lines share a stage with seasoned improvisers? There’s only one way to find out, and it’s by taking in the beloved Twin Cities mainstay “Off Book”. Our own contributor Tane Danger and Executive Producer Anna Weggel have both participated in the show and stated that when “it goes off the rails, it is hilarious,” and added that on “the times when it actually works, your mind explodes.” So if you want a good laugh and can hazard the risk of having your mind explode, park your butt in a seat at the Jungle on Monday.
If you are at a loss on where to find your next plate of Swedish moose balls with a pheasant egg roll appetizer, we’re here to help. The Eden Prairie Lion’s Club is throwing its annual Wild Game dinner, and they’ve nabbed some great guests as keynote speakers. Mike Grant and Chad Hartman are great in their own right, and they both hail from an iconic Minnesota sports lineage! Mike Grant’s dad is Bud Grant, the celebrated Vikings coach, and Chad’s dad is Sid Hartman, the revered journalist and broadcaster famous for his tenure at the Star Tribune and WCCO.
Tuesday
A literary heavyweight turns 250 this week, and Big Hill Books is sending her up in high fashion. Big Hill is a relatively new shop nestled in Bryn Mawr, and they’re screening the 2005 film version of “Pride and Prejudice,” running some trivia and offering refreshments. RSVPs are required! Email hello@bighillbook.com to reserve your spot.
Wednesday
(Courtesy Penumbra Theatre / Caroline Yang)
🎭 Black Nativity at the Penumbra
It can be hard to find invention inside of tradition, but for 33 years, the Penumbra Theatre has been doing just that with their Black Nativity production. The show always features a powerhouse cast of the biggest talents in the world of Black theatre and music in the Twin Cities. Lou Bellamy is again at the helm as director, Sanford Moore provides the musical direction, and Marciano Silva Dos Santos is on choreography. Black Nativity runs through December 24.
Thursday
🎸 Cornbread Harris and Friends Present a Holiday Blues Show at The Hook and Ladder
A little blues goes a long way around the holiday season. Cornbread Harris turns 99 next year, but he shows no sign of slowing down. Harris was the subject of local writer Andrea Swensson’s latest book, “Deeper Blues: The Life, Songs, and Salvation of Cornbread Harris,” and we are happy to report that Harris has found a new home for his weekly jam sessions after Palmer’s closed. Harris now holds court at Schooner Tavern in South Minneapolis on Sundays from 5-7 p.m. But he’s heading down Lake Street a couple of blocks for this big holiday show at the Hook and Ladder. You never know quite who it’ll be when the flyer says “Cornbread and Friends,” but Cornbread’s rolodex is filled to the brim with folks who know the blues, and we expect a spectacular performance sure to get rid of the holiday blues 12 bars at a time.
Friday
(City Cast / James Napoli)
Obi Original is a Renaissance man comfortable behind the turntables, tearing it up with the Black Market Brass Band and handling the leadership for his blossoming Fanaka Nation crew. But Obi is at home with the Black Atlantics. His sprawling group features a small army of percussionists, vocalists, guitarists, and keyboard players coalescing to create a sound that builds off the legacy of great Nigerian music from Fela to the modern artists that make Lagos one of the most fertile music cities in the world today. Like many long-running ensembles, The Black Atlantics have hit a level of comfort and synchronization where they sound loose and tight at the same time. If you want to dance your ass off before the year is over, I see no better choice than getting out to the Cabooze.
Saturday
Why not share some light with your neighbors on the darkest day of the year? The Semilla Center for the Arts, ArtStart, In the Heart of the Beast Theatre, and Barebones Puppets have come together for singing, soup, and a lantern parade with puppets. The smart move in the winter is to keep on seeking out community and connection during these frosty months, and few things build community like soup, lanterns, and puppets.
There is no replacing Jellybean Johnson. He is a one of one in the story of the Twin Cities music scene. From his early days at The Way in North Minneapolis alongside Morris Day, Prince, Jimmy Jam, and others, ‘Bean was the heartbeat of the scene. He worked behind the drumkit for Morris Day and the Time, but here in the Twin Cities, he might be most missed for his unflagging dedication to supporting the next generation of musicians and blessing unsuspecting stages and open jams with his guitar pyrotechnics. To hear my remembrance of Jellybean and a snippet of an interview we did together on Jazz88, check out this episode of the podcast.
This isn’t your grandma’s cookie class, unless you’re talking about Grandma Mary Jane. This 21+ event will teach you how to infuse your butter with cannabis and how to decorate your cookies with Christmas spirit. The infusion will be led by the Green Witch, and Natty Kakes is handling all things cookie decoration. RSVP required.
Sunday
Dinner for One is a slapstick holiday tradition with a 60-year history in the U.K., but it is growing in popularity stateside, and it’s found a home over at Jungle Theater. A matinee performance featuring slapstick, improv, and live music might be just what the doctor ordered to usher in the days getting longer post winter solstice.
