Oompah, Oompah

On my chilly cycle ride, started hearing “oompah, oompah, …” then a contingent from the University of Minnesota Marching Band appeared. They were warming up their instruments on their way to the 57th Annual Marching Band Indoor Concert at the Northrop.

Categorized as Arts

School of Architecture

Explored the University of Minnesota’s East and West Bank (of the Mississippi) campuses with a friend. Walked into buildings that promised to be interesting. In the School of Architecture earnest students were having their work reviewed by their peers.

Lost For Words

Walked to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and beyond. Without Words.

Categorized as Arts

Wooden Bicycle

Spotted this horned bicycle while crawling artists’ studios in Nordeast Minneapolis. The frame, handlebars, seat, mudguards, and chain guard are all wood. It was not for sale.

Categorized as Arts

Noises Off

Laughed at “Noises Off, “ a play within a play, at the Guthrie. This British farce has many traditional elements: misunderstandings, lots of doors opening and closing, trousers around legs, the tryst in her underwear, and an increasingly frantic plot.

Categorized as Arts

Self-Made Man

On my cycle ride: Self-Made Man. Perched atop a parking garage in the Minneapolis Marcy-Holmes neighborhood, it’s easy to miss this sculpture.

Categorized as Arts

Playing with Fire

Thoughts were provoked at the Guthrie’s “Frankenstein—Playing with Fire.” The Frankenstein novel was published 200 years ago; applying technologies while ignoring morality damages our society today.

Crystal Court

Walked through the downtown Minneapolis IDS Center’s gorgeous Crystal Court. Opened in 1972, Philip Johnson’s masterpiece still feels fresh.

Awaiting Rebirth

Walked past the dilapidated 1884 Commutator Brass Foundry Co. Building in the Minneapolis Warehouse District. Delighted to learn it will be preserved and incorporated into new construction.