MN Shortlist July 31-Aug. 6: Warroad fairytales, ‘In the Heights’ 🎶, and a Korean musical journey
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A film by Jonathan Thunder screens at Duluth Art Institute, music and comedy at The Terminal Bar, an exhibition by spouses at the Plains Art Museum and more in this week’s MN Shortlist.
‘A Musical Journey to Korea’ by the Oratorio Society of Minnesota at the Ordway Theater in St. Paul — July 31
The Oratorio Society of Minnesota is presenting a ‘Musical Journey to Korea’ at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts in St. Paul, Friday at 7:30 p.m. The oratorio is an auditioned choral ensemble, and this performance by its summer chorus features works by Korean composers. The text is in Korean, and two of the songs will feature Korean instruments: the janggu, which is an hourglass-shaped drum; and the buk, a drum traditionally used for court and folk music, played by a drummer from the Korean Performing Arts in Chicago.
Jennifer Brodeen, chair of the Korean Cultural Association in Minnesota, also sings with the choir.
"One thing that's really unique to Minnesota is we have the largest Korean adoptee population in the United States, and so we have some members of the choir that are singing that identify as Korean adoptees,” said Brodeen. “We have some that are culturally Korean as well. For us to have this really unique opportunity to be singing both with non-native Korean speakers is really special."
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Following the concert, the choir will travel to Seoul, South Korea, where they will perform concerts with the Seoul Choral Society and the Paejae Chorale. (Emily Bright)
‘In the Heights’ at Artistry Theater and Visual Arts in Bloomington —Through Aug. 23
Long before Lin-Manuel Miranda became a household name with a little musical called “Hamilton,” the composer-rapper-impresario was perhaps best known as the creator and star of “In the Heights.” The musical was adapted for the screen in 2021, and its plot revolves around a bodega owner in a predominantly Latino neighborhood in New York City, and the challenges both he and his customers face. It was once described as “West Side Story meets The Electric Company” by culture journalist Michael Musto.
This production at Artistry is directed by Maija Garcia, a brilliant director and choreographer, known for work that fused dance styles from around the world. Garcia has had a massive run recently — she was named CEO of the Capri Theater in North Minneapolis in 2025, and debuted a piece called “Jazz Island” with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, in addition to choreographing “Somewhere” at the Guthrie Theater. (Jacob Aloi)
‘Folklore and Fairy Tales’ exhibition at Warroad RiverPlace — Through Aug. 29
In 2024, Warroad, a small town about 10 miles from the Canadian border, opened the $20 million, 20,000-square-foot Warroad RiverPlace. Minneapolis firm HGA Architects designed the arts and cultural center with a 300-seat performance hall, an art studio and a gallery. That gallery is currently hosting an exhibition of delightful, fantastical paintings, illustrations and felted creatures by Warroad artist Holly Marie, including unicorns, dragons, the green man and a forest royalty.
One oil painting on view, “Forest’s Queen,” won first place out of 70 artworks at the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council exhibition this spring. It incorporates leaves, feathers, flowers and pinecones. In her artist statement, Holly Marie says she’s inspired by history, fairy tales and the “inherent magic of nature.”
On Aug. 13, Marie will read from her illustrated children’s book “Little Troll Girl” and lead a blueberry hand pie baking session for kids. There will be an artist reception for “Folklore and Fairy Tales” on Aug. 14. (Alex V. Cipolle)
‘Clear as Mud’ exhibition at Plains Art Museum in Fargo — Aug. 1-Nov. 29
The Fargo museum opens an exhibition featuring two artists — spouses Annie Lee-Zimerle and Brian Zimerle. Annie specializes in printmaking, book arts and painting while Brian works in ceramics and sculpture. Through these mediums, the exhibition explores “memory, materiality and the quiet complexities of everyday life to reconsider the promises and contradictions of the American Dream.” (Alex V. Cipolle)
‘Ish Meets a Mermaid’ at the Duluth Art Institute — Aug. 3-Oct. 2
What does it take to bring an Indigenous fantasy film to life? “Ish Meets a Mermaid” pulls back the curtain on the creative process behind the short film by director Jonathan Thunder, producer Vera Bianchini and co-writer Tashia Hart. The exhibition at the Duluth Art Institute traces the project from concept to screen with original props, costumes, storyboards and behind-the-scenes stories before culminating in a gallery screening of the final product. An artist talk and reception is set for Aug. 27.
Also opening the same day at the DAI is “Send Flowers,” an interactive postcard exhibit by Duluth design lab Graphic Science. (Annie Russell)
‘ANYTHING’ by DJs Jam E.Z. and St. Xose at The Terminal Bar in Minneapolis — Aug. 4
For a night of music and comedy, check out ‘ANYTHING’ at The Terminal Bar in Minneapolis on Tues., Aug. 4 starting at 7 p.m. The evening will feature sets by DJs Jam E.Z. and St. Xose, spinning house, dance, disco, funk, along with standup comedy from the local comic known as “Dominican Gay Cousin.” DJ Jam E.Z., who is also known as Jamez Smith, will show visual art, too.
The event is the brainchild of Smith, who runs the radio show “Groovement Nights” on Sundays at KRSM. He and St. Xose, aka José Mejia, bonded over their taste in music and vinyl collections. While this is the first event, Mejia said their hope is to turn ‘ANYTHING’ events into "a space centered around DJs, live performances, and the arts. While music is at its core, ‘ANYTHING’ is intentionally open to a wide range of creative expression, welcoming live bands, comedians, visual artists, performers and anyone contributing to the local arts community. The goal is simple: Create a platform where creativity comes first and anything can happen.” (Emily Bright)
