State of the Arts Blog

Chris Bates Red 5 say yes to jazz
When jazz bassist Chris Bates brings his group to the Icehouse restaurant in Minneapolis tonight, the ensemble will make a strong statement for improvised music.
Poncho Sanchez played with greats
Latin bandleader Poncho Sanchez, who performs tonight at the Ordway in St. Paul, learned to play the congas by emulating great musicians. He also played with them.
Art Hounds: Ghost Light, Dracula, and a festival of horrors
This installment is not for the timid or faint hearted. The hounds have their sights on a play about a haunted vaudeville theater, the most powerful vampire who ever lay in a coffin, and a series of performances that will terrify as much as humor you.
Electric jazz: Guitarist Todd Clouser to present three imaginative shows
Guitarist Todd Clouser, whose work fuses modern jazz, rock and funk, performs tonight at the Red Stag in Minneapolis, followed by a show Tuesday at the Amsterdam in St. Paul and another Wednesday at Café Maude in south Minneapolis.