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State of the Arts Blog
Marianne Combs

Art Hounds: All That Jazz

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It's a great weekend for music, especially if you like jazz.

Local tenor saxophonist Irv Williams celebrates his 90th birthday this weekend with performances Friday night at the Artists' Quarter in St. Paul and Monday night at the Dakota in Minneapolis. Williams first performed in Minneapolis when he was in the Navy in World War II, and still performs regularly around the Twin Cities. He's released four albums in the past six years alone, and shows no signs of slowing down.

The Ramsey Lewis Trio performs tonight at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis. Local vocalist Bruce Henry will make a guest appearance.

On Saturday you'll have to choose between Douglas Little and his group "Seven Steps to Havana" at the Artists' Quarter, and the Ginger Commodore Quartet at the Dakota.

If jazz is not your style, never fear, there's lots more to choose from. Tonight The Cedar hosts a screening of Bela Fleck's new documentary "Throw down your heart," in which he travels through Africa with his banjo, exploring the instruments historic roots. (You can also hear Bela Fleck discuss his documentary on Friday at 10am on Midmorning.)

Tracy Chapman is touring to promote her latest album "Our Bright Future." She lands at the O'Shaughnessy Auditorium in St. Paul on Saturday.

If all this music seems a little too soft and friendly, have I got just the ticket for you! Bedlam Theater is hosting a hardcore punk fest called "Distortion Days." The line-up includes the local acts "Cognitive Dissonance," "War/Plague," "Animals and Beasts," "Misery" and "Detonate." Sounds like it will be an angry, explosive, angst-ridden affair.

Finally, choreographer Cassandra Shore and her troupe Jawaahir perform a concert of arabic music and dance this weekend and next at the Southern Theater in Minneapolis.

Not seeing what you want here? Then check out what other art hounds are doing this weekend.

Also, let us know what you're doing this weekend...