Art Hounds: Shakespeare in a Sculpture Park

From MPR News, Art Hounds are members of the Minnesota art community who look beyond their own work to highlight what’s exciting in local art. Their recommendations have been lightly edited from the audio heard in the player above.

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Shakespeare in the sculpture park

Rachel Coyne of Lindstrom is looking forward to going to nearby Franconia Sculpture Park on July 27 to see Shakespeare in the Park.

Classical Acting Ensemble will perform Shakespeare’s comedy of mistaken identity “Twelfth Night, or What You Will,” The show is free. Picnics are encouraged, as are visitors of all ages.

This week’s performances include Friday at Newell Park in St. Paul, Saturday at Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis and Sunday at Vermillion Falls Park in Hastings. All shows start at 7:00 PM and last two hours. “Twelfth Night” runs through July 14 at various Twin Cities parks.

The Franconian Sculpture Park is a particularly special location, says Rachel, because the actors move through the sculpture park and incorporate some of the art into their performance.

She remembers the group’s performance of “The Tempest” last year, where the show’s happy ending was performed with Franconia’s giant ring sculpture in the background, literally bringing the story full circle.

She looks forward to seeing what sculptures the artists will play with this year – and beyond.

Rachel’s pro tip: pack a picnic and don’t forget your bug spray.

– Rachel Coyne

Romeo and Juliet with Latin flair

Claudia V. Garcia, who describes herself as “paralegal by day, actor/singer/artist soul,” loved Teatro del Pueblo’s adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet,” titled “Love in a time of hate.”

The show, developed in collaboration with the Bach Society of Minnesota, continues tonight through June 30 at the Luminary Arts Center in Minneapolis.

Claudia say: I laughed, cheered, had butterflies, cried and was very proud, lots of orgullo, to see our raza represented in such a beautiful production.

The cast is excellent and includes a host of talented local Latin artists and people of color from the Twin Cities.

You hear hip-hop, spoken word, a little bit of bilingual Spanglish. Many connections with modernity. And that really resonated with the younger audience, bringing “Romeo and Juliet” into the present.

– Claudia V. Garcia

A North Shore soundscape

Minneapolis musician Crystal Brinkman wants people to know about this “The Seeker,” a self-directed audio story with original music designed for Sugarloaf Cove in Schroeder on the North Shore.

Created and narrated by Diver Van Avery, “The Seeker” is a 45-minute story that unfolds along an easy, one-mile hiking trail. The story is available through October.

Avery was deeply connected to that specific location in their own lives and had the opportunity to spend months researching and being in that location, creating an immersive storytelling experience to connect with the land.

There are two events this summer. A free, family-friendly community concert will take place on July 27 featuring musicians Crystal Myslajek and Peter Morrow, who contributed to the soundtrack of “The Seeker.” The concert is from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

On August 18, Diver will be teaching a free creative writing workshop at the Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center. Registration required.

“The Seeker” is available through October.

Crystal says: This story really lets you hear Diver’s beautiful and poetic words through the headphones you wear – which can be yours or the Sugarloaf Cove Visitor Center has headphones to borrow. Their voice guides you through spaces and places that have a lot to do with where you are, but are also rooted in themes of love and connection. And it’s all supported by this beautiful original music.

– Kristal Brinkman