Books
Author John-Ivan Palmer will discuss Master of Deception, his new memoir about growing up in a traveling variety show with his magician father and magician’s assistant mother, at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 26. To register for the free online program, visit subtextbooks.com or call 651-493-2791.
Next Chapter Booksellers, 38 S. Snelling Ave., will play host to a free online discussion with author Brian F. Harrison and his book, A Change Is Gonna Come: How to Have Effective Political Conversations in a Divided America, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 1. To register, visit nextchapterbooksellers.com.
Exhibits
“Shine a Light,” a free, multimedia exhibit showcasing the window displays of four theater designers, is on view through August 30 at the Jungle Theater, 2951 Lyndale Ave. S. in Minneapolis. Featured is the art of Sarah Bahr, Chelsea Warren, Mina Kinukawa and Catalyst Arts’ Bayou and the artistic responses of E.G. Bailey, H. Adam Harris, Isabella Star LaBlanc and Eric Sharp. Additional content is available online. Visit jungletheater.org.
“Votes for Women,” an online exhibit commemorating the adoption of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that granted women the right to vote 100 years ago, will be launched on August 26 on the Minnesota Historical Society’s website at mnhs.org. Developed in partnership with the League of Women Voters, the exhibit tells the stories of more than 40 Minnesota women who took their civic duty especially to heart. Special programs on voting rights will be offered throughout the fall, including a Facebook live event at 7 p.m. August 26 with Lori Sturdevant and former Minnesota Secretary of State Joan Growe, authors of the new book Turnout: Making Minnesota the State that Votes.
Family
Virtual Family Day, a collection of free concerts and arts experience in the mold of the Flint Hills Family Festival, will be presented by the Ordway online from August 29 through September 7. Mini-concerts, sing-a-longs, magic tricks, art activities and artist interviews are all on tap. Among the performers are Sons of Mystro, two brothers who use their violins to interpret reggae classics, American pop and their own creations; children’s performers and jazz artists Dan and Claudia Zanes; the Native American dances, regalia and music of Native Pride Arts; and the Mexican folk dance group Los Alegres Bailadores. Visit FlintHillsFestival.Ordway.org.
Music
Jazz Fest Live, a summer series of free online performances, continues on Thursdays from the patio of Crooner’s Lounge and Supper Club in Fridley with trombonist Dave Graf at 7:30 p.m. August 20 and singer Robin Robertson at 7 p.m. August 27. Visit twincitiesjazzfestival.com.
Music From the Porch will continue with the world music of Dan “Daddy Squeeze” Newton and his accordion on August 19 and former Heiruspecs songwriter Martin Devaney on August 26. The free concerts begin at noon on Wednesdays on the front porch of Landmark Center. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and a bag lunch and enjoy the rhythms in Rice Park across the street. Face masks are encouraged. Social distancing will be the rule.
Theater
Fast Fest, the Minnesota Association of Community Theatres’ biennial short-play festival, will be held online on Saturday, August 22. The virtual festival will open with morning workshops on the creative process followed by the plays from 1:30-9 p.m. Among the shows are A Minnesotan Soap Opera, or the Cold and the Uff-da-ful by County Seat Theater; Will (ful)(ly) by Ole Olson Onstage; Bonnie and Clod by Marshall Area Stage Company; The Wild by Merlin Players; The Aunt and the Sluggard by Little Theatre of Owatonna; Match Dot Bomb by Taken for Granite Players; In a Time of Masks by Pargeter Players; Slimm, Jim and the VI by Mindless Mirth Productions; Twelfth Night by Classics Lost ’n’ Found Theatre; and Bad Mystery Suspense/Science Fiction Theater by NKB Productions. Tickets are $12 for the workshops, $15 for the afternoon session, $15 for the evening session and $25 for the festival package. Visit mact.net.
“JFS-on-a-Schtick,” a free variety show, will be presented online at 7 p.m. Wednesday, August 26, by the Jewish Family Service of Saint Paul. Emceed by Caleb McEwen of Minneapolis’ Brave New Workshop, the show will feature comedienne and actress Jackie Kashian; entertainer Sandy Atlas and his song “Never Thought,” lamenting the changes brought on by COVID-19; and Gilad Paz of Voce Nova performing the aria “Nessun Dorma” from the opera Turandot and “We Are the Champions.” To request the Zoom link, visit jfssp.org/contact-us.
“Raw Stages,” a monthly reading of new scripts by Minnesota artists, is being streamed by the History Theatre. The series continues with Diesel Heart from September 4-10. Each program includes the reading, a short interview with the creative team and a live discussion with the audience. Tickets are $15-$50. Visit historytheatre.com.
Et cetera
Ramsey County Master Gardeners is offering advice for gardening problems, information about best garden practices and help identifying plants and insects from 11 a.m.-noon on Saturdays in August and September. The online program is held via Zoom. Join by visiting umn.zoom.us/s/97696903081 or by calling 651-372-8299 and entering meeting ID 976 9690 3081. For more information, visit bit.ly/2UNB6GY.
Creating a welcoming society for migrants and refugees will be addressed on Monday, August 31, by Archbishop Bernard Hebda of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and Bishop Ann Svennungsen of the Minneapolis Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. The free online program will run from 7-8:30 p.m. To register, visit cabrinimn.org/tegeder-talks.
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