Secrets of the City

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.

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.

Apparently, newly re-elected Minneapolis Mayor, R.T. Rybak thinks we’ll all be just a little bit happier with a chance to “rock out.” In an effort to honor the band’s contribution to the indie music industry, Rybak will proclaim November 7th “Suicide Commandos Day” this Saturday as they reunite for two special 10-and-under shows at the Walker Arts Center at 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., and a late acoustic set at The Dakota at 11:00 p.m. Granted, the Commandos may have helped to put the Minneapolis music scene on the map, paving the way for our great 80s boom, but how do we feel about this Rybak’s first big re-election move?

Note: Meanwhile, Rybak has also filed paperwork for his gubernatorial run.

… was famously uttered this day (11/5) in 1971 at the Met Sports Center in Bloomington (where IKEA is now located) following Elvis Presley’s kick-off concert to a 15-city North American tour. Al Dvorin made the announcement (”Elvis has left the building. Thank you and good night.”) in an effort to quiet the fans who continued to call for an encore.

The phrase actually goes all the way back to 1955 with Elvis’ final appearance on The Louisiana Hayride radio show. The Met concert wasn’t his only Minnesota appearance, either. Elvis also performed a matinee show at the St. Paul Auditorium in May, 1956, before that evening’s performance in Minneapolis.

Ross Raihala’s piece on Miley Cyrus’s recent show is either a terrific takedown of bland pop that overly relies an an almost robotic vision of teen sexuality or evidence that Ross is an angry old man. I can’t decide which: In front of a sold-out crowd of 16,500, the 16-year-old spent 85 minutes stuck in overdrive, whipping her hair, belting out her hits and revealing enough of her inner thighs to make even Lady Gaga blush. Seriously, this girl is a millionaire and she can’t afford any pants?

Jason DeRusha tracks down Minnesota’s contribution to short-lived internet fads: I have been fortunate enough to stay satisfactorily employed and make the occasional headline (working with Weezer, Youtube, Intuit, and other brands) while the above events have played out. I still find myself appearing in pop culture from time to time. Last week I was a $25,000 question on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire that the contestant got right. (I guess if you’re really famous you get to be a $500 question).”

Local singer/songwriter Dan Rodriguez  has put out a new video, which you can find on Perfect Porridge. Wht’s in it? Spricket, WCCO’s Don Shelby and Jason DeRusha’s living room wallpaper.

City Pages publishes their annual list of up-and-coming bands to watch out for in the next year, the source of a supposed curse. Will Rock of Love survive the year?

If you’ve ever wanted to see University Ave worked into a rap song, or, well, pretty much every single street in St. Paul, Labratz offer an ode to their city.

“Let’s Go Twin Cities” by Mr. Tank Dog. According to Mr. Dog, we bump up here. Also, we crunk up here.