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Marianne Combs

Art Hounds: Politics, pottery and etiquette

The cast of "Charm"
The cast of "Charm," a play about an etiquette school for GLBTQI youth in Chicago, based on a true story.
Courtesy of Rich Ryan

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This week on Art Hounds: "Hell is Empty and All the Devils Are Here," the St. Croix Pottery Tour and "Charm."

Actor Carolyn Pool is going to see the political satire "Hell is Empty and All the Devils Are Here" by Interact Theater, which takes on the 2016 presidential election. Interact's company is primarily made up of artists with a range of disabilities. Pool says the shows are funny and offer a fresh perspective on issues — she can't wait to see how the company will handle Donald Trump. Performances run through May 21 at Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts.

Poet and writer Andrea Jenkins recommends the play "Charm" at Mixed Blood Theatre in Minneapolis. The story focuses on an etiquette class for homeless LGBT youth; Jenkins likens it to the Sidney Poitier film "To Sir, With Love." She says the show humanizes trans people's experiences, and especially appreciates that Mixed Blood used trans actors to fill certain roles. Performances run through Sunday.

Heather Rutledge is spending Mother's Day weekend with her mom and sister, touring the studios of the Minnesota Potters of the Upper St. Croix River. The annual tour features seven studios, and each "host" invites other potters from around the nation to display their work. The result is a sort of progressive art show broken up by scenic drives, featuring the work of 57 artists. The tour takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.