Above: Kevyn Burger, Jim Minor, Nate Lane

For those of us who step out of heated cars, hustle into cozy homes, and sit down to hot meals every evening, it’s hard to imagine the life of a mom with three kids under age five who shows up exhausted and homeless at People Serving People, hoping for a night of rest and sustenance for her family. That costs money—which many of us would give, if it were top of mind, but PSP is one of those places in the drive-by zone. That’s why the downtown Minneapolis nonprofit is hosting Chefs for Change, a series of dinners and cooking demonstrations that bring potential donors to PSP’s residential high-rise at 614 South Third Street.  read more »

Because I’m going to DIVA NOIR after the show, I am putting a few of today’s topics online now in case you want to find them right away. (More later in FIND IT.) Today I’ll be talking with artists Scott Seekins and Aldo Moroni about the life and legacy of photographer and “Warehouse District Mayor” Gus Gustafson, who died in 2003. In the second hour of the program, I’ll talk with Maggie Bearman Pistner, director of the play A Piece of My Heart about women’s experience in Vietnam. See the play now through March 18 at the Playwrights’ Center (presented by Theatre Unbound).

DIVA NOIR is the high energy, fashion and entertainment event of the Twin Cities social season, and yours truly will be there with bells on! (Well, with sequins on, at least.) Inspired by Film Noir, a genre of dark and sultry film, DIVA NOIR will celebrate the iconic Femme Fatale by honoring 12 powerful, socially aware women (ages 20-60) from our community who show up strong, sexy, exciting, independent, unrepentant and with no intention of reaching the tragic ending!

I’ll be announcing these spectacular women and their costume designers as they arrive at the VIP Reception at 6 p.m.

The annual DIVA event has raised more than $2.5 million for HIV/AIDS services in our community. For tickets, call UptownTix at 651-209-6799 or click here. Ticket prices range from $35 (advance non-dining Big Show and Late Night Party ticket) to $150 per seat at a Patron Table with Diva-licious Cocktails, Dinner, Live Auction, Big Show and Late Night Party. See you at DIVA NOIR!