Art Hounds: A master painter and 'Silence! The Musical'

Graphic designer Adam Demers was floored by the genius and mastery of painter Andrew Wykes on a recent visit to Groveland Gallery in Minneapolis. Demers says Wykes' acrylic landscape paintings are a study in color and form, drawing from both representational and abstract approaches to create lively, dynamic images. Demers particularly loved seeing the visible layers of process — even bits of leftover tape that had been used to create straight lines. Demers said the work made him wish he were an ant, so he could crawl all over the canvas and explore its details. The show, called "Hinterlands," is up through March 5.

Duluth writer Sarah K. Sawyer recommends a performance by the Twin Ports Choral Project on Feb. 26. It's called "Spirit, Moving Over Chaos" (named after the choral work by David Ashley White), and features music composed in remembrance of people and places torn apart by poverty, disaster and war. Sawyer says the lineup of composers promises an evening of lush, engaging music that's sure to please.

Actor and director Paul Reyburn attended opening night of "Silence! The Musical" and says his sides hurt from laughing by the end. The unauthorized parody of the film "The Silence of the Lambs" is, according to Reyburn, "naughty, raunchy, hysterical" with lots of references to other musicals, and a jaunty hoe-down number performed by Buffalo Bill called "Are You About a Size 14?" Performances run through March 6 at The Lab Theater in Minneapolis.