Secrets of the City » Deals

TC Uncorked pops some bubbly for the holidays

Kristin Henning — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:38:13 +0000

We’re all for sparking wines this time of year, so are pleased to announce the next TC Uncorked event – focusing on sparkling wines and Champagne. Uncorked’s patented plan is to offer discovery and info on wines, and to have fun in the process. So, this time we expect to enjoy the experience, and also to plan for some bubbly gift shopping, once we’ve educated ourselves. This annual event is co-hosted at Nami Sushi. Nami provides the atmosphere and some light appetizers (it ain’t dinner, kids) of both sushi and hot bites. Secrets of the City is offering a pair of tickets to one lucky winner! Enter now by emailing Contests@SecretsoftheCity.com, with the subject line SPARKLING, including your full name in the email. For the rest of us, it is easy to make plans: tickets are $39, and space is limited.

Sparkling Wines and Sushi Holiday Event; 7 – 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3; Nami Sushi, 251 First Av. N., Mpls; Tickets $39

Advance screening of Everybody’s Fine

Kristin Henning — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:06:38 +0000

“EVERYBODY’S FINE,” a remake of Giuseppe Tornatore’s “Stanno Tutti Bene,” follows a widower (De Niro) who embarks on an impromptu road trip to reconnect with each of his grown children only to discover that their lives are far from picture perfect. Written and directed by Kirk Jones (“Waking Ned Devine”); Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale and Sam Rockwell also star. We betting this film strikes some familiar chords – especially tuned to the holiday season of family gatherings. For your chance to win a pair of admissions to the advance screening of Everybody’s Fine, email minneapolisrsvp@gmail.com with the subject line EVERYBODY’S SECRET, and include your full name. Details of the screening time and location will be conveyed to the winners by email.

Advance Screening, Everybody’s Secret, Wednesday, Dec. 2; Details will be emailed to winners.

Fantastic Mr. Fox Advance Screening!

Kristin Henning — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:54:06 +0000

FANTASTIC MR. FOX is visionary director Wes Anderson’s first animated film, utilizing classic handmade stop motion techniques to tell the story of the best selling children’s book by Roald Dahl (author of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “James and the Giant Peach”). The film features the voices of George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Michael Gambon, Willem Dafoe and Eric Anderson. For our chance to win passes to the advance screening, please email minneapolisrsvp@gmail.com, with the subject line MR. FOX SECRETS. Winners will receive details of the screening time and location by reply email.

Advance Screening, Tuesday, November 24, Details to be communicated to winners via email.

Theater All Year Now Available at Sorella Wines and Max’s

Kristin Henning — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:24:44 +0000

Presented by Secrets of the City, Theater All Year ticket vouchers offer you an easy and affordable way to enjoy a huge variety of Twin Cities theater offerings throughout the season. Find us at the Affair this weekend to purchase your vouchers in person.

Use the vouchers to reserve seats for any of the hundreds of designated performances by some three dozen theater groups. There’s no standing in rush lines, no hassles, just the opportunity to step out and sample new stages and theatrical experiences, at a savings.

Visit TheaterAllYear.com to purchase a package of 6 ticket vouchers for $99.

What’s the Deal?

6 ticket vouchers for $99, plus tax, postage and handling
Honored by more than 35 theater companies for over 100 productions
Use the vouchers in any combination
Make reservations by phone, advising the theater you are using your vouchers

Where to Buy

How to Use

Choose a performance from the Program Guide. There are hundreds of productions by almost 40 theater companies. Vouchers are only valid for productions and dates listed in the Program Guide.
Reserve your seats by calling the theater’s box office directly. Telephone numbers and addresses are provided in the program guide. Tell the box office that you would like to exchange your Theater All Year voucher(s) for a ticket (or tickets) on your chosen date.
Exchange your voucher for a ticket at the theater box office on or before the day of the performance. You must present one voucher for each reserved ticket. No tickets will be issued without an exchange of an equal number of vouchers.
Enjoy the show!

OTHER NOTES:

Check the expiration date on your vouchers before making reservations. Vouchers purchased for the 2009-2010 season expire 7/31/2010. Theater box offices will not honor expired vouchers.
Theater All Year vouchers are non-refundable, not replaceable if lost or destroyed, and may not be combined with any other offer. All reservations are subject to seating availability.
When you make your reservations, the theater may ask for a credit card number to hold your tickets until you pick them up. You will not be charged if you pick up your tickets on or before the date of the performance.
For customer service, please email theaterallyear@secretsofthecity.com. While Secrets of the City assumes no responsibility for seat availability or published theater restrictions, please notify us if you encounter any other problems redeeming your Theater All Year vouchers.

Production Schedule

Download the PDF 2009-2010 Program Guide.

‘Secret’ price for Faith Healer at the Guthrie

Kristin Henning — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:45:07 +0000

This production of Faith Healer makes us sit up and take notice for a handful of reasons, but primarily because Joe Dowling does double duty here, directing this Brian Friel drama, and playing the lead role (in his American acting debut). On top of that, Dowling is a bit of a Friel scholar; actually a full blown Friel-0-phile. In his first year here with the Guthrie, Dowling directed Friel’s Philadelphia, Here I Come, and we were entirely encouraged by the return of the Guthrie to pure story and an honest theatrical experience — without all the bells and whistles of bygone productions. That’s Friel, and that’s Dowling. Since 1995, Dowling has also directed Friel’s Molly Sweeney and The Home Place, and Brian Friel has visited our fair state in the process. Now’s the time: Win a 4-pack of tickets to the Friday, November 20 performance of Faith Healer, and get a pass for a free backstage tour, to boot! Send your full name in an email to CONTESTS@SecretsoftheCity.com with the Subject Line: FAITH HEALER. Just to be sure, see all the scoop on the play in the Guthrie’s Play Guide, and buy your tickets here and now to see Dowling, along with Sally Wingert and Raye Birk, in this landmark production.

Faith Healer, through December 6, Guthrie Theater, 818 S. 2nd Street, Mpls; Special Secrets Pricing of $20 on Tues, Wed, Thursdays for Secrets of the City

Casanova’s seductive deal on Opera!

Kristin Henning — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:33:10 +0000

This 50% offer will make you love Casanova all the more…. That’s right: 50% off tickets* (regularly priced $50-$120) to our production of Pulitzer Prize-winner Dominick Argento’s Casanova’s Homecoming. Based on the real-life memoirs of the most notorious lover – yes, he was real – this witty comedy will transport you to Casanova’s Venice. Click here to purchase your 50% off tickets or call our Ticket Office at 612-333-6669, Mon – Fri, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Use Coupon Code 5050

*50% off tickets for up to 4 seats valued $50-$120 while supplies last. Offer ends at noon on Nov. 22, 2009. On the Complete My Order screen, mark the checkbox, enter 5050 and click the “Add Coupon” button. You will see the value of your discount applied. Do not complete order if coupon does not load. Tickets are non-refundable, non-exchangeable. Service charges and restrictions may apply. For additional information call the Ticket Office Mon – Fri, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., at 612-333-6669.

Your Turn: Picture a Cool Secret Here by Nov 29

Kristin Henning — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:16:53 +0000

Crispin Natural Hard Apple Cider is king of cool, and always on the lookout for new discoveries, and artful renditions of life on the edge. So Crispin, founded in the Twin Cities, is challenging you to capture a Secret of the City. Whether represented by a photo or an illustration, we want to see your image of what is so damn cool in these towns. Think of an Ah Haa! discovery, a small wonder, a fresh perspective…something we will be delighted to know about. In short, we want to see your artistic impression of a Secret of the City, Crispin style.

Email your artwork or image (up to three per person) in a jpg or gif file format, under 1MB, to CONTESTS@secretsofthecity.com, with subject line: Crispin Cool. Please include your full name. The contest is open through November 29. All entries will be judged on their coolness factor, artistic merit, Crispin creativity, and originality. Watch for entries and comments posted here.

A select group of finalists will be invited to show their work at a special event (details TBD), and receive very cool Crispin on Ice products. Other prizes include a night on the town, courtesy of Secrets of the City, and a copy of the spectacular book of Ian Shive photographs, “The National Parks: Our American Landscape.”

{fine print: Judging by Icebox Gallery, Crispin Cider, and Secrets of the City. Note: all images remain the property of the artist/photographer. However, by entering, it is agreed your image may appear on Secrets of the City and may be used for promotional purposes by Crispin.} Contest sponsored by Crispin Natural Hard Apple Cider. Judges Debra Fisher Goldstein, Kate Iverson, and Howard Christopherson are ineligible to win, but we’ve accepted their images here for display.

THE TREES IN MINNEAPOLIS ARE LOOKING AT YOU by Rosmarie Dauth

PRETTY OLD TRAFFIC LIGHT POST AT FRANKLIN & NICOLLET by Rosmarie Dauth

SEED ART AT THE STATE FAIR by Rosmarie Dauth

GIFT OF WINTER by Debra Fisher Goldstein

JAGER by Kate Iverson

LOVE by Stephanie Glaros

GHOST-HORSE by Stephanie Glaros

MINNEAPOLIS SKYLINE by James Durham

FEARLESS by Steaphanie Glaros

MEARS PARK RNC by Kate Iverson

KIDS ON THE BLOCKS by Jason DeRusha

GOD IS IN THE DETAILING by Debra Fisher Goldstein

PIRATE SAILBOAT, LAKE CALHOUN by James Durham

EGGS by Jen Scotty

HONEYBEARS by Jen Scotty

RHUBARB by Jen Scotty

A wine tasting and sale in time for Thanksgiving

Kristin Henning — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:56:11 +0000

This is what we are thankful for: nice people who offer us wine; nice people who offer us wine on a regular basis; nice people who offer us wine in fine stemware. And sales on items we are thankful for. Sorella Wine and Spirits offers tastings of some of their current favorites every Friday and Saturday, from 2 – 7 p.m. (The picky people alert: the widest selection is from 4 – 7 p.m. on Fridays, just so you know.) That’s a Secrets of the City deal on its own. But right now, through Nov. 28, Sorella is celebrating its 2nd anniversary – two years, that is, in the current incarnation and new location in the Bridgewater Lofts. So while you sip and sample, you can take advantage of nice sale prices on wines, spirits, and beer. We figure we can not only stock up for Thanksgiving dinner, but handle some holiday gifts, as well. Race you there.

Wine Tastings Every Friday and Saturday; 2nd Anniversary Sale through November 28; Sorella Wine and Spirits, 1010 Washington Av. S., Mpls

Kottke comes to town; Win tickets

Kristin Henning — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:08:17 +0000

We’re not sure if Leo Kottke makes a home here in Minnesota these days, or if we just feel at home with him. Considering his first release, “12-String Blues,” was recorded here at the old Scholar on the West Bank, we can’t be blamed for waxing nostalgic. To see Kottke now, on the occasion of hi annual Thanksgiving appearance in Minneapolis, is two parts familiarity, and one part total surprise. The sound, though wildly unique, is familiar; the forays into jazz, classical and folk, all wrapped together, continue to sound fresh. Your pals at Secrets of the City want you to experience a night with Leo Kottke. Three winners will be drawn to receive a pair of tickets. Send your email to Contests@SecretsoftheCity.com with the subject line GEESE FARTS, including your complete name. Meanwhile, get thee to the box office. Opening are Nick Urata and Tom Hagerman of DeVotchka, of “Little Miss Sunshine” soundtrack fame.

Leo Kottke 8 p.m. Saturday, November 28, State Theatre, 910 Hennepin Av., Mpls; Tickets available at the State Theatre Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, charge by phone at 800.745.3000 and online at Ticketmaster.com ; 30 – $45.

Holiday Bubbly

Kristin Henning — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:22:27 +0000

We Americans don’t indulge in Champagne nearly enough. Barbette Restaurant is initiating Champagne Thursdays now through January, with a wide selection of sparkling wines, to bring the holiday tradition of effervescent celebrations home. The prices by the bottle are bargains – and even more rare, a significant selection is offered by the glass, too. The list in its entirely is educational to say the least, and begs a little side challenge: Can we sample them all between now and Ground Hog’s Day?

Champagne Thursdays, Barbette Restaurant & Amusements, 1600 W. Lake St., Mpls