I learned a lesson today: always call before you show up at a small, out-of-the-way art gallery, even when they advertise an exhibit. The place might be locked and dark. This is the downside of being adventuresome—like Geraldo Rivera finding nothing but cobwebs in the alleged secret vault of Al Capone, you sometimes wind up at a dead end, forced to apologize for hyping up the mission and then wasting everybody’s time….

On the air yesterday, I declared today (Sunday, February 26) to be Happy Bubble Sunday, a name I invented for a fun-filled afternoon. My group of friends coming from the rock opera My Green Eyes at Judson Church (which was, in fact, sold out as I reported), along with any listeners who dared, were to meet at Stevens Square Center for the Arts for the last hour of an advertised exhibit called The Happy Show, featuring the cheerful work of seven visual artists, including Keiko Yagishita, whose sweet “Above the Clouds” print of a boxer pup was featured in promotional materials. I thought it fitting that after such levity, we should all enjoy some bubble tea. (I learned to love the stuff in China. Slurping pea-sized tapioca pearls through big, fat straws from frothy drinks is fun!) Thus, Happy Bubble.  read more »

Last night was my fourth or fifth evening at La Belle Vie’s new Minneapolis location, but I cannot yet claim to be a “regular” because the coat check girls didn’t recognize me (or, for that matter, my coat).

This was the first of what I hope are many meetings of the women’s dinner club initiated by my friend Faith McGown. Ten of us gathered at the 510 Groveland address, filling two round tables situated, appropriately, beneath the metal forms of two lithe women’s torsos created by local sculptor and legendary party host Brant Kingman. We ordered wine by the glass. My choice: a toasty Cotes du Rhone, Domaine St. Anne 2001. (It’s not every day that I see my name—“Anne with an e”—on a wine label, let alone a French one.)  read more »

What a magical night, for a Tuesday!

If you heard the show on Saturday, you know that I was planning to indulge in some live music tonight (Valentine’s Day), date or no date. When listener Terry came through with an offer to escort me, I decided to take him up on it. The show started at 7:00. Thanks to Google and to studio producer Ann Cole for the screening techniques to ensure that I wouldn’t be ditching a wacko at 7:15.

Terry was, in fact, delightful company and the perfect gentleman. Of course, one couldn’t help behaving respectfully in the soulful presence of Thomasina Petrus, T. Mychael Rambo and Ray Covington, not to mention Thomasina’s mother-in-law’s dangerously delicious chocolate cake, served as we were seated.  read more »

Everywhere I go around the world, I seek out art and never fail to find some that I love. But like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, I always seem to find that “there’s no place like home.” In other words, the Twin Cities is an awesome place for art.

Last night I visited three galleries and it has left my mind awhirl in a kaleidoscope of colors, shapes, materials and meaningful messages. First stop: Rogue Buddha Gallery on 13th Street just off of University, where I picked up the Craig Bell painting I purchased when the show opened a month ago. Now a new show is up (artist Jon Langford) and I like it—in particular, the digital image of Hank Williams, gussied up through techiques that make his smile fairly jump off the plywood to which it is applied and I can almost hear the “Howdy, Ma’am” that would tumble from the country singer’s lips. Better put a sticker on that one. He’s mine.

Next, a short walk down the block to Gallery 13, and I’m sorry, did we just enter Wonderland? My friend Jill and I agreed that “Tin Man” sculptor Lester Hoikka has created a fabulous pop-up book for grown-ups that you can actually walk around in. Inspired by tin toys of the ’40s and ’50s, and influenced by themes you’d see during Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Mexico and Carnival (Mardi Gras) in New Orleans and points south of the equator, Lester’s sheet metal imagery makes you feel as if you’ve been dropped onto a stage on which a colorful play about life and death is in progress. The motion, the drama, the humor, the fun—it’s all there! I hope you see it, but hurry. Lester’s work is in demand, and so the show runs one week only.  read more »

Thursday often turns out to be my favorite night of the week because ever since college, it has felt like the beginning of the weekend. Usually I hang out at Marysburg Books Coffee Emporium & Wine Bar, where Jon de Vaal plays piano and the microphone is open to anyone who wants to sing jazz standards and showtunes.

But this particular Thursday night took on a French twist, starting with a private, curator-guided tour of The Grand Salon, the newly installed period room at The Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Thanks to associate curator Jason and birthday girl Amy Rolando for the honor of joining you! Gotta love 18th-century Paris….

Before leaving the MIA, I took a swing through the exhibit in honor of Gus Gustafson, who may have departed P3, but who is very much alive in the hearts of all who knew him.  read more »

Wednesday night, and I am happy to report that a good day was had by all. Well, by me, in any case, because I got THE CALL!

“P. Dougie” has spoken and if he doesn’t fire me for calling him that (which I do out of love and respect, don’cha know), I will be starting my new radio show at 5pm Saturday, January 7.

To celebrate—and because I promised—I took my son Jonathan and his girlfriend Nicole out for sushi at Tom Pham’s new Anemoni.  read more »