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The weather might be chilly, but things are just heating up at the Ordway, where a number of inspiring musical feats await you this January and February.

Broadway Songbook: The Words and Music of Stephen Sondheim

Who doesn’t love a musical? Get your fix of some of the most unforgettable broadway tunes a la renowned theatrical composer and lyricist, Stephen Sondheim. Taking a cue from his mentor, the late, great Oscar Hammerstein II, Sondheim took the theatrical world by storm in an era when musicals were a huge part of American culture. The talented composer’s hits include such classics as West Side Story, Gypsy, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Sweeney Todd, Into The Woods, A Little Night Music, Sunday in the Park With George and many others. Noteably, his iconic song “Send in the Clowns” has been recorded by everyone from Frank Sinatra to Judy Collins.

This tribute to Sondheim’s work runs January 18th-27th.

For more info click HERE.

The MN Opera presents: Doubt

Part of the MN Opera’s New Works Initiative, Douglas J. Cuomo’s Doubt joins the ranks as a new classic with its world premiere happening on the Ordway’s main stage. A modern opera set in 1964 at the height of the civil rights movement, Doubt follows the tale of Sister Aloysius who rallies against her priest, Father Flynn, whom she’s accused of abusing their school’s only black student. The opera is based on the Tony award-winning play and film by John Patrick Shanley. Doubt is sung in English with captions projected above the stage. Estimated run time, including one intermission, is 2 hours 30 minutes.

Doubt runs Jan 26, 29, 31, Feb 2 and 3.

For more info and tickets click HERE.

Buckwheat Zydeco

As part of Target’s World Music Series, the Ordway welcomes the iconic and legendary Stanley “Buckwheat” Dural Jr and his band, Buckwheat Zydeco. One of the most recognizable leaders in the zydeco music movement, catching this performer live is a one-of-a-kind experience you won’t want to miss. Blazing beats layered with accordion, organ, rub board, and funky guitar create a danceworthy creole jamboree. To hear such amazing music live, especially in a room like the Ordway Music Theater, is an experience you won’t regret.

Buckwheat Zydeco visits the Ordway Music Theater on Friday, Feb 8th at 7:30pm.

For tickets and more info click HERE.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by broken or unachieved New Year’s health resolutions, don’t fret! Here’s a regimen that’s not only ultra simple, but will have you looking and feeling so great you may even want to continue on after the ten days are over.

Detoxing does not mean that you need to starve yourself and only drink juices all day so that you want to rip everyone’s (kids, husband & co-workers included) head off who get within a 10 block radius of you. A detox diet gives your body a break. While you may experience occasional cravings or headaches (especially if you have been leading a very toxic life,) by day 3 you should be looking and feeling incredible. So, stick with it!

Try the “Be in Balance ’10 for 10′ Detox Diet” by nutritionist Katherine Pennington;

For 10 days, take these 10 out of your diet:

Sugar (agave nectar and stevia allowed)
Animal products (this includes fish!)
Dairy (milk, cheese, dressings with dairy)
Gluten (pasta, rice and yes, your morning bagel!)
Alcohol
Caffeine (Green tea or Yurba Matte ok)
Nicotine
Salt (sea salt & gomasio allowed)
Soda (yes, diet causes weight gain too!)
Processed foods (chips, processed bars, junk food)

10 days is the right timeframe to make real lasting change. But, if you can only do 5 or 7 days, then just do that. Perhaps you will choose to do 5 days during the week and take the weekend off. Any change you make is a step in the right direction!

For 10 days, commit to doing these 6 things:

#1 Take a good probiotic daily

When clients come to me, the first thing I do is to make sure they are taking a good probiotic daily. Because many of us our assaulted on a daily basis by toxins in the environment and foods we eat as well as robbed of our healthy bacteria by the antibiotics and other drugs that we take, it is essential that we repopulate the good bacteria into our gut so that we can have healthy digestion and a robust immune system. Bonus: good digestion=good metabolism= weight loss. To learn more about probiotics and why it is essential that you take them, please read Probiotics: the Single Most Important Supplement to Add to Your Diet.

#2 Make one of your meals a green smoothie

Substitute one of your meals for a liquid meal. I usually do breakfast or lunch but a very close family member substituted dinner to amazing results. Green smoothies do not have to be boring! The basic ingredients are: almond or soy milk (or hemp), a handful of greens such as kale or spinach, a protein powder (I adore Sun Warrior Protein Powder, some frozen fruit (I usually use banana and maybe a few berries but you can use any frozen fruit) and a few ice cubes. That’s it. For a great recipe for green smoothies, review my post on the Green Glowing Smoothie here.

#3 Make one of your other meals a large green salad

This could mean you could have a salad for lunch or for dinner. And, the types of vegetables you can add to it or limitless! My favorites right now are avocados and radishes! For those interested, the seeds I have put on top are hemp seeds and my beloved sprouts, which are bursting with nutrition! Flax seeds are another great addition.

#4 Drink 64-75 oz of water daily

I cannot emphasize how important it is to drink enough water in order to detox and hydrate your body. Start your day off with a big glass of water with lemon (further detoxing) and drink throughout your day. Be careful, though, to stop or slow down your drinking around 6pm so that your sleep is not affected. Additionally, do not drink within 30 minutes of eating so that your digestive juices are not diluted.

#5 Exercise 3-4 times a week

Do this for 30 minutes minimum (preferably 45 mins+) and work up a sweat to raise your heart rate, detox and get your energy flowing! This could mean a run or intense Bikram yoga class for some, or a walk for others. Just get out there and do something.

#6 Sweat everyday

Take a steam, sauna or hot bath at least 2 times during the week. Does this mean you have to go to some expensive gym? No! Just take a hot bath at home with Epson Salts. There are few brands that are scented with essences of lavender or eucalyptus. Epson salts will help you cleanse and detox your body. Afterwards take a luke warm/cool shower to wash off. Again, this is to detox your body and I promise that you will feel great!

The first step is making a commitment to changing your body and your life and recognizing that you are going to have to make sacrifices and sometimes these sacrifices are hard to make. Scream at me through the computer, go run it out on the treadmill, write in your journal about how much you hate this cleanse (or me) but do not stray away from what you have committed to do. You will only be cheating yourself!

Via diet and lifestyle coach, writer, raw food chef, GirlieGirl Army Blogger and teacher Katherine Pennington at Be in Balance. Catch her blog Raw Mom and Hot Dog Kids for tips on how to raise healthy kids in a very unhealthy world here.

This weekend boasts two stellar lineups at St. Paul’s favorite rock club, the Turf Club.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4TH

Filthy Huns, Heavy Deeds, Wave Pool & Robust Worlds

@ Turf Club
1601 University Ave
St. Paul

9 pm / 21+ / $6

Tonight at the Turf comesa night for fans of late, great local bands Vampire Hands and Daughters of the Sun. Headlining is Nick Koenigs, former frontman for psych-rockers Daughters of the Sun, with his new one-man band Filthy Huns, which, judging by new track “Watch of the Bear” off its just-released tape cassette S/T on LA label Not Not Fun, is taking a darker, more sparse and droning direction, full of lo-fi guitar and loops that DOTS fans nonetheless should be into. (Take a listen over at soundcloud.com.) Also playing is Bennett Johnson of Vampire Hands’ new band Wave Pool along with the charmingly quirky Mr. Hide, psych rock-meets-classic rockers Heavy Deeds — which features former members of Vampire Hands — and Chris Rose of Heavy Deeds’ one-man foray into “futuristic folk-rock,” Robust World.

Click HERE for the Turf Club site

Nick Koenigs, photo by Stephen Maturen

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5TH

7th Annual January Show: Birthday Suits, the Blind Shake, STNNNG & Seawhores

@ Turf Club
1601 University Ave W
St. Paul

9 pm / 21+ / $8

Are you ready to rock! It will not be an evening of polite milquetoast music when powerful local punk duo Birthday Suits host their 7th annual blowout. Birthday Suits’ crazy live presence and onstage antics are legendary; they never fail to put on a seriously loud and kinetic show. Like-minded local garage punk trio the Blind Shake, post-punk five-piece STNNNG and the extreme noise of Seawhores round out a blistering lineup of punk progeny. Your ears are sure to be ringing and you may have a few bruises at the end of the night, but you know…in a good way!

Click HERE for the Turf Club site

Birthday Suits

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Sculpture by Jessie McNally

Head to the AZ Gallery this Saturday for the opening reception of A Crude Menagerie, a carnivalesque art show featuring the work of Minnesota-based tattoo artists and their creative friends. The art of the tattoo is something that never goes out of style; it evolves, but at the same time keeps true to its roots. The classic artform has in fact spawned a whole movement that goes beyond simply ink on skin; it translates into other mediums of fine art and lifestyle. A Crude Menagerie is a perfect example of that translation. From paintings to taxidermy to sculpture and more, this exhibit celebrates the nostalgia of classic tattoo art from an expanded, modern viewpoint. This week, we chat with artist and exhibit organizer Jessie McNally about the show and some of her weirdest tattoo experiences…

Can you tell us about how the show came together?

I did a MN Tattooers show back in June at AZ and it got really good responses from the people Lowertown. When the opportunity came up again for January I jumped on it but, this time with a theme and not just tattooers. A friend of mine and I came up with this title for a show that ended up falling through but I just loved the name “A Crude Menagerie”, so we used it for this one instead.

What can people expect to see?

It’s a mixture of art based on the weird, the odd, circus and sideshow themes. There’s really a range of styles and mediums. From evil owls to cute quilted taxidermy-ish animals, classic tattoo style painting to bedazzled voodoo witch ships. It’s very visually pleasing to the eye, at least I think so.

What is the craziest tattoo you’ve ever given or seen?

There are sub categories to that question. But besides the numerous “significant others” names I’ve tattooed?
 Probably, horns on a head and a sobriety date that hadn’t happened yet.

what advice would you give to young artists who are thinking about a career in the tattoo world?

Respect your elders and the history of tattoos. Go to art school. And if you think it’s gonna be anything like what you see on TV, don’t do it. Be respectful of those that came before you. Be humble.

What are your favorite things about St. Paul?

When I moved here from Mpls I felt like I moved further than just across the river. Totally different vibe. I love the Lowertown art community. I love the old buildings and land along the river here. I love the restaurants. It’s classy and grainy and best of all, really quiet at night.

A Crude Menagerie opens on Saturday, January 5th with a reception from 6pm-11pm. 

AZ Gallery, 308 Prince Street, #103, St. Paul, MN

To learn more about Jessie McNally’s art check out her website HERE.

As I look back on a year of eating in the 651 it has been a memorable year! Enclosed are some of the highlights.

El Burrito Mercado:

I had the distinct pleasure of participating in my first Tamalada. A Tamalada is a tamale making party. This party was led by the founder of El Burrito Mercado, Maria Silva and her daughter Milissa Diaz. Making tamales is a really fun activity. First we learned how to make the masa. Masa is corn flower that is mixed with lard and water making the dough that you use to line the corn husk. Then we talked about fillings, pork, chicken, beans or vegetables can all be used to make a great filling. We had Maria demonstrate how to make tight bite size tamale while we all fumbled with our corn husk packages that came out looking like under inflated footballs. Clearly there is an art to making tamales! While we rolled our tamales Maria walked through our tables giving us tips and pointers and talking to us about the food of her heritage. It was a special day that I would suggest to anyone looking to participate in something fun and we each left with a dozen tamales.

175 Cesar Chavez Street #2, Saint Paul, MN 55107

www.ElBurritoMercado.com

Black Sheep Pizza:

Time and time again I find myself drawn to the amazing pizza crust at Black Sheep Pizza. It is crispy and thin and has the perfect amount of heft to hold up to the amazing homemade fennel sausage that they make there. Another pizza favorite is the meatball pizza with sliced flavorful meatballs on a light fresh garlic tomato sauce with puffs of ricotta clouds. This is my go to St Paul pizza.

512 N Robert Street, St Paul, MN 55102

www.blacksheeppizza.com

Golden Fig:

The Golden Fig in St Paul is one of my favorite specialty food shops. Owner Laurie McCann Crowell does an amazing job of curating food products for her shop. My recent favorite is an Indian Dal mix made and packaged by one of her employees, Tammy Shintre. Tammy was schooled in Indian cooking by her husband’s father who wanted his son to have some of his heritage cooking while he lived in the US – so he taught his daughter in law how to cook his favorite Indian dishes. Tammy’s dal mix is easy to make at home with each spice packet clearly labeled and very easy to follow instructions. The dal was so flavorful and a great meatless Monday meal. This was one of my favorite packaged food finds of the year.  Tammy teaches Indian cooking class at Chefs Abode in St Paul. Taking a class from her is on my list of things to do in 2013.

790 Grand Avenue, St Paul, MN, 55105

www.GoldenFig.com

The Colossal Café:

Sometimes the best food experiences are the simplest. I had what has become one of my favorite salads at Colossal Café on Como Ave in St Paul. The salad is simply spinach dressed with a light vinaigrette, sliced red onions and topped with crisp meaty bacon and a poached egg. When your fork breaks open the yolk it runs over the spinach and mixes with the dressing creating a rich, delicious way to dress up a simple spinach salad – add the saltiness of the pork and you are in heaven. Check out their very cool water station too. They have plain water or you can get your plain water carbonated by their soda stream which was a very simple idea I wish more restaurants would adopt.

2315 Como Avenue, St Paul, MN 55105.

www.colossalcafe.com

Meritage:

Presentation is everything. Meritage presents their delicious pumpkin soup in such a way that you can’t decide what is better, the soup or the presentation. I will tell you as cute as the pumpkin serving dish is the soup is equally amazing. The soup is warm and fragrant with the smell of pumpkin and nutmeg with just enough cream to make it luscious. I have had many delicious meals at Meritage this season. Their pomme frittes dipped in béarnaise sauce are second to none and I have had the best oysters of the year here time and time again. Russell Klein handpicks his oysters from purveyors he has personally met and watched how they farm them and you can taste it in their briny goodness. Oysters at Meritage are a treat.

410 St Peter Street, St Paul, MN 55102

www.meritage.com

Joan’s in The Park:

Joan’s has become my go to spot for dining out in St Paul on a Friday night. They have the best service of anywhere in the 651. They make you feel super welcome, remember your drink order from week to week, suggest delicious wines and make you feel like a part of their family. It is no surprise that the diners of Open Table recognized them as one of the 100 best service establishments around the country – they got it right. I love the scallops at Joan’s and I also love their hand cut meat including my favorite the rib eye cooked to perfection in a pizza oven and served alongside a lemony arugula salad. My favorite dish at Joan’s is the life changing brussel sprouts. If it has been a while since you found yourself ordering brussel sprouts, trust me and order them at Joan’s. These sprouts are roasted until a dark caramelized sweetness takes them over. They are then tossed with a honey drizzle, dried apricots and toasted walnuts. The bitter of the sprouts with the sweet of the apricot and honey mixed with the toasty crunch of the walnut is truly mind blowing – try them – you will see!

631 S Snelling Avenue, St Paul, MN 55116

www.joansinthepark.com

Whether you’re into experimental comedy, the Roaring ’20s, black and white balls, girl group cover bands or loud, fast and dirty punk rock, St. Paul has got you covered. Here are the651′s top picks for ringing in the New Year.

“Happy Crazier New Year!”

@ Gremlin Theatre
811 University Av W
St. Paul

8 pm / $16, $12 (with Fringe button, under 18, senior or bananas), $10 (under 18 with bananas or Fringe button)

Dubbed as “half show, half party, half Olympic, all good time” (how does that math work out?), comedy theater Happy Minnesota’s “Happy Crazier New Year!” show promises a somewhat-improvised show featuring the sort-of fictional Happy family. This year, the Happys head into space for a happier, crazier new year, complete with dance parties, vodka, music and frogs and bananas – in fact, if you bring bananas with you to the show, you’ll receive a discount on your ticket… Yeah, we’re not sure what that’s all about either, but it promises to be a zany good time either way.

Click HERE for the Happy Minnesota site

Dillinger Four w/ Frozen Teens, L’Assassins, Girl Group Cover Band & Lady Heat

@ Turf Club
1601 University Ave
St. Paul

8 pm / 21+ / $10

The Turf Club’s tradition of local bands covering choice musical acts heads to the Hex this year, but don’t be sad – they’ve got a line-up of local talent (and even a band that specifically does covers). Provincial punks are rejoicing as the infrequent and beloved Dillinger Four will play. L’Assassins, who describe themselves as “post-apocalyptic vixen rock…snarl[ing] their way through the roots of garage-rock and female angst.” (We might add: and into this angst-y heart.) The Frozen Teens have a timeless punky sound. Girl Group Cover Band has a perfectly suited name for what they do. The DJs of Lady Heat (which includes Pink Mink’s Christy Hunt along Sara Jean Hanson and l’étoile staff writer Danielle Morris), spin old school soul and funk all on vinyl. Get tickets in advance to ensure your New Year’s Eve rockability.

Click HERE for tickets

Flappers and Gangsters New Year’s Roaring ’20s Party

@ Dr. Chocolate’s Chocolate Chateau
579 Selby Ave
Saint Paul

7 pm-1 am / 21+ / $50

Who doesn’t love a good prohibition-themed party? Vintage cocktails, flapper dresses, zoot suits. It’s all so glamorous. And since glitter, sparkles, sequins and the like are near mandatory on New Year’s Eve, a roaring ’20s party is just what the Doctor (Chocolate) ordered. Located on the third floor of the Victorian mansion that’s home to Dr. Chocolates Chocolates Chocolate Chateau, the evening will include jazz, dancing, period drinks and appetizers and gambling (for charity). Dress the part, gamble like a mobster, and drink like you mean it.

Click HERE for the Dr. Chocolate’s Chocolate Chateau site

New Year’s Eve Black & White Ball

@ CAMP Bar
490 N Robert St
St. Paul

10 pm / 21+ / FREE

Get suited up in your dapperest duds for CAMP Bar’s sixth annual New Year’s Eve Black & White Ball. The gay bar and cabaret will class things up with a free champagne toast at midnight, door prizes and drawings throughout the night. But things are bound to get a little trashy – the gay bar and cabaret will heat things things up with go-go boys, pole dancers, shot boys and danceable top 40 tunes from DJ Logan Spencer. Bonus: wear black and white, and you’ll get to take advantage of drink specials all night.

Click HERE for the CAMP Bar site

Content shared with l’étoile magazine

These immune boosting herbs in finger gelatin recipes are made with fruit juice – so they’re kid-friendly – and are the perfect way to stay healthy during the holiday season without spending a paycheck on prescriptions or hospital visits. Call them “homemade flu shots” or “immunity jello shots,” they pack a ton of anti-oxidants and cold and flu fighting herbs.

Jello Immunity Shots

Which Herbs Boost the Immune System?

There are many herbs that boost the immune system, although not all of them are “jello-friendly”. Body and Soul~Mind and Spirit lists arandanon, astraglaus, calendula, cat’s claw, echinacea, garlic, ginger, hyssop, sage, St. john’s Wort and turmeric. Everyday Health lists cinnamon and carrots and grapefruit. Natural News lists echinacea, ginseng, garlic, bell peppers, ginger, turmeric, gingko biloba, ganaderma, astragalus and cat’s claw. Mint family plants such as peppermint and lemon balm are also anti-viral.

For an easy recipe use some cinnamon sticks and dried ginger root, mint leaves and echinacea tea. I encourage you to experiment with different combinations. Do always check for any drug interactions if you are on medication. Most common culinary herbs are safe, but there are a lot of meds out there so it’s best to double check, especially if you’re consuming in quantity (meds or herbs or both).

Knox Blox with Herbs – Immune Boosting Herbs in Finger Gelatin
Ingredients:

4 envelopes unflavored gelatin

1 cup cold fruit juice*

3 cups fruit juice, heated with herbs or 2 cups hot fruit juice plus one cup tea*

2 tablespoons honey, optional

*Possible fruit/herb combinations include:

Apple/Cinnamon/Ginger – 1 cup cold apple cider, 3 cups hot apple cider simmered with 2 cinnamon sticks and 1/2 teaspoon dried ginger root or 1 teaspoon fresh ginger

Apple-Carrot/Echinacea – 1 cup cold apple cider, 2 cups carrot juice, 1 cup echinacea tea

Apple-Carrot/Ginger – 1 cup cold apple cider, 2 cups carrot juice plus 1 cup apple cider, simmered with 1/2 teaspoon dried ginger root or 1 teaspoon fresh ginger

Apple/Mint – 1 cup cold apple cider, 2 cups hot apple cider, 1 cup peppermint tea

Pomegranate/Lemon Balm – 1 cup cold pomegranate juice, 2 cups hot pomegranate juice, 1 cup lemon balm tea

Orange/Ginger – 1 cup cold orange (or carrot) juice, 3 cups hot orange juice simmered with 1/2 teaspoon dried ginger root or 1 teaspoon fresh ginger

Directions:

Prepare hot ingredients – If using juice with herbs, place juice and herbs in medium saucepot and simmer for 10 minutes. If using tea, brew tea and let steep for 10 minutes, covered, then mix with juice in saucepot and heat to boiling.

Sprinkle gelatin over cold juice in large bowl; let stand 1 minute. Add hot juice and stir until gelatin dissolves completely, about 5 minutes. Stir in honey if desired. Pour into 13x9x2 inch pan. (Half batches can be molded in a bread pan or 9×9 pan.)

Refrigerate until firm, about 3 hours. To serve, cut into 1 inch cubes. Makes about 9 dozen.

It’s a great weekend for art in St. Paul, thanks to some creative ingenuity and the inception of first annual Lowertown Holiday Bazaar! If you missed the fall art crawl, this scaled down studio frolic may be up your alley–and just in time to get some prime holiday shopping in. We don’t think we need to tell you how important “buying local” is, but we will: snapping up artist-made, one-of-a-kind pieces for the ones you love is a pretty cool thing…not to mention you’ll be putting food on an artist’s plate. Need we say more? In addition to perusing Lowertown’s famous art co-ops for holiday-related goodies, you’ll also be able to experience a handful of exhibits at favorites like AZ Gallery, the Black Dog Cafe, and, of course, Air Sweet Air.

This week, we chatted with ASA ringleader, Cheryl Wilgren Clyne and lowertown staple, Alex Kuno, about their dual show at the gallery entitled “We Have All the Time in the World“. Though the two artists may have differing thematic directions, both have a knack for weaving vivid visual stories and genuinely piquing curiosity with their whimsical characters. Along with seeing new work by both artists, you’ll also see a fleet of collaborative pieces that blend Kuno’s charmingly dour folktales with Clyne’s cheerful and nostalgic imagination.

We hear that the two of you will be collaborating on some pieces for this one…what can your fans expect?

Alex: Yeah, we are. They were fun to do; we just did several 1/2-finished drawings, exchanged them, then worked on them separately. It’ll be fun to see what she comes up with. We have really different drawing techniques, but the more we’ve collaborated on different projects the more we realized that the themes in our work intersect and compliment each other in a lot of weird, funny little ways. All of my solo shows in 2012 have dealt with fears and paranoia about apocalypses of different kinds; financial, personal, environmental, Biblical, etc. (and as you may have heard, that big Mayan one is supposed to happen in a few weeks or something), so I approached this one with an attitude of sad finality. Cheryl’s optimism, on the other hand, baffles me about as much as my pessimism annoys her, so I’m really interested to see how it all shakes out when our work is shown together.

Cheryl: I think the collaborative drawings will be just as big of a surprise to us as to anyone else. We will be revealing them to each other at the end of the week. I really love the drawings that Alex created! It felt weird to draw on his work, but I have always wondered what he would do to change one of my pieces.

Detail on "the more you ignore me" by Cheryl Wilgren Clyne

As 2012 comes to a close, what reflections do you both have on your work and the inception of ASA?

Alex: My first show at Air Sweet Air was a solo show last December. Working with Cheryl as a gallery owner was a great experience; I’m really pleased to have been given the opportunity to be a part of ASA’s run, especially considering how many great shows she’s put on. Being given the chance to show again with her a year later is a great way to round what’s been a crazy period of pretty much non-stop work for me.

Cheryl: The official opening of air sweet air as a gallery was 11.11.11. Alex Kuno was our first big show, and a wonderful way to start this experiment! Since then, asa has worked with 58 artists, had two international shows, two resident artists, four screening nights, three performance based events, received over 400 unsolicited submissions, had over 2,500 visitors and so much more! We have had the honor of working with some of our favorite artists. air sweet air has created a place to show work, a name that most people think is strange and we have sustained. How do you top a year like that? In 2013 air sweet air is working on two projects that take the idea of exhibit outside of the traditional gallery space. The sky really is the limit.

My own work has had to come second after teaching, the gallery, and a million other projects in 2012. Working with so many creative people at the gallery has made me realize how much I miss the time I don’t have for my own art practice. Happily, it has driven me back into the studio! There is a lot of change happening in my drawings. I am looking to science and nature more for inspiration. Alex had the idea that we should show together for WE HAVE ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD. My drawings for this show seem more optimistic, which should go well with Alex’s apocalyptic themed paintings. I really love Alex’s work and I am sure he will push things even further into that sad and desperate place for this show.

Detail on work by Alex Kuno

The Lowertown Holiday Bazaar is happening this weekend as well! What would you recommend people go check out?

Alex: I’ve been so swamped working on my own stuff that I’ve been living under a rock. Jessie McNally is one of my favorites, though, and I know she’ll have great work at the AZ gallery in the Northern Warehouse, Kara Hendershot will have new stuff too, I think. Rage to Order’s new space The Room (in the Northwestern Building) is planning to host some artists’ work, and it’ll be cool to see the reopening of the Union Depot.

Cheryl: On Friday night Alyssa Baguss will be bringing her Real Engineer’s Club Membership Drive to a fantôme galerie at 262 Studios! Recently she founded this remarkable performance, public art project, club that questions the real. On Saturday I am going to head over to Northern Warehouse, Rhea Pappas, (she is one of my favorites – her water work – photography) , Kara Hendershot, Jessie McNally, AZ Gallery, and Echo Arts. I am excited about the Union Depot grand opening, I went on one of their tours about a month ago, the space is vast and the renovation is beautiful.

What are your creative aspirations for the year ahead?

Alex: Now that my exhibition schedule has cleared up a little, I’m eager to finally start work on a new and growing stack of private commission requests. There’s an idea for a book project I’ve been fiddling with in the back of my mind I’d like to get off the ground. I’d also like to–oh, who am I kidding? We’re all gonna be dead before the end of the month.

Cheryl: I feel like 2013 is filled with possibilities. I have opened up my schedule to do more playing. There will be a focus on two solo shows, three residencies and some other travel. I am working on videos / films with several other artists for a new event. There is a big project that I have been working on for a couple of years that I hope to launch in 2013. I have had to keep it under wraps for a while and I really can’t wait to reveal it. One of the perks of a big project like this is that I can bring several of my favorite artists along for the ride.

The opening reception for “We have All the Time in the World” happens at Air Sweet Air Gallery on Friday, December 7th from 6-9pm. Located at: 262 E 4th Street #203, Saint Paul, MN 55101.

The Lowertown Neighborhood Holiday Bazaar happens Friday, Dec 7th from 5-9pm and Saturday, Dec 8th from 10am to 6pm. For more info click HERE.