Art In Bloom at the Minneapolis Institute of Art - Blooming Spectacular!

Art In Bloom has been happening annually at the Minneapolis Institute of Art since 1984, but this was the first year I've been able to attend (these are the silver linings of my missing my Venice life dearly as I'm here taking care of my family). I took my Mom for opening day, and it was nothing short of breathtaking. Spectacular! *(I've been so busy lately between caregiving and other writing that I haven't been able to share many stories here, apologies. THIS demanded its own spotlight for sure though).

Floral artists make arrangements to accompany many of the works of art in the permanent collection at MIA, and there were MANY to see.  We were determined to see them all - and did - over a full afternoon of discovering the flowers scattered throughout the entire museum. 

Each was more gorgeous than the next, and it was very hard to choose a favorite ... so I'm going to share many of them with you. 

As flowers perish, the exhibit is on only this weekend, through Sunday, so I encourage all in Minnesota this weekend to get there, and all the rest of you get to see them virtually, because I know you'd love it too. 

The only thing I can't share is the marvelous aroma enveloping the museum ... ahhhh. 

It sounded like the process for choosing artworks to honor was a little haphazard, as each artist I spoke to had a different experience of how they wound up with the one they got. One guy just decided to make a floral replica of the Notre Dame football stadium, and find an artwork to match later! He also got extra credit because his glass vases were hand-blown! Wow.

 

I was amazed to learn that many of the pieces were done by amateur flower arrangers! One lady was a lawyer that likes to arrange flowers, several were retired and fill their days with flowers, and some were from real deal florists from all around the Twin Cities. ALL were glorious. 

MIA has such a vast and diverse collection that each room is different than the last, and the flowers followed suit. Materials from nature, and the creativity that resulted in these fantastic creations was truly moving. There is so so so much talent in this world! 

There were tours going on, but we opted to go it alone ourselves and revel in the magic of discovery. Several of the artists were on hand, often seen watering or adding flowers and making sure their work was perfect. 

 

That was nice because you could ask questions and hear all about their process ... to the point where now we kind of want to try our hand at it ourselves next year - anyone can! 

It was fun to see some of my favorite permanent pieces so honored, like the Native American costume with its top hat and photographic lining beautifully replicated in flowers. 

Some artists played it very literal with their recreations ... 

 

 

 While others did more of an abstract representation ... 

 

 

 No matter what they chose to do, we loved every one of them and hoped that they all go to good homes when the show wraps on Sunday. They should auction them off to a good cause, I know I'd be bidding on several just to cheer up the home for a few days. I'm really not sure what happens to them when it's over. 

 

I learned a lot yesterday listening to the artists, about technique, brush strokes, post-Impressionism, realism, structure, all kinds of stuff that came just from asking about flowers. You truly could spend the whole weekend there and still have more to listen and learn from. 

 

It was so packed yesterday that we didn't really linger with any one piece, and that would be fun to do, but there's just so much ground to cover, and people to dodge.

 

We'd wait our turn to get in close for a second, then scoot away to let someone else in. This would be the one to get locked in for a night at the museum!

 

 

I LOVED this one, florally ...

... and then seeing what it represented just felt so joyous. 

In these rather bleak times - both weather and world-wise - flowers bursting out everywhere and the good feeling it gave everyone was very heartwarming. 

It would be very hard to maintain a bad mood with all this beauty around. Beauty, Art, and Nature truly SAVE. It gives us HOPE. 

 Look at these whimsical pink shoes! 

Look at the Frank Lloyd Wright hallway piece! 

 

Look how they did her black stockings! 

Look how good this coat is!

Oh wow, look how they represented this nude woman!

Mom, check out this chair one! 

Look how this one is exactly the painting! 

 

I love how the flowers match his jacket!

Oh, I want to crawl inside this one and live here forever! 

The above was pretty much a verbatim recording of me enthusing about everything yesterday. We truly enjoyed it so much, and hope that as many people as possible will be able to get to MIA this weekend. It's supposed to rain all weekend, so I can't think of a more perfect way to go cheer yourself up and give the gift of this beauty to your soul. 

 

Thank you to MIA and all of the artists involved, both with their work in the museum collection and the artists who worked with flowers. You truly lifted our spirits ... and what is better than that? I'm going to bring in Yeats (snippets from Ode on a Grecian Urn) to explain the feeling of this beautiful show ...

 "Ah, happy, happy boughs! that cannot shed

         Your leaves, nor ever bid the Spring adieu;

And, happy melodist, unwearied,

         For ever piping songs for ever new;

More happy love! more happy, happy love!

         For ever warm and still to be enjoy'd

For every (painting), and for ever young; 

"Beauty is truth, truth beauty,—that is all
                Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know."

 

 

 Art in Bloom is on now through this Sunday at MIA.

Owamni - An Indigenous Restaurant In The Land Where The Waters Reflect The Clouds

I had been so excited about Owamni opening ever since I first heard about what would be the first restaurant of its kind in this country - serving indigenous food without using any "colonial" ingredients like beef, dairy, wheat, or cane sugar - conceived of by The Sioux Chef, Sean Sherman, and his partner, Dana Thompson (Founder of NATIFS - North American Traditional American Food Systems). I stalked their website for months, and have no idea how I missed the actual opening, but I did. By the time I realized they WERE open, reservations were backed up for weeks, and the only one I could get was for a month out, and for lunch. Still very excited. 

The day finally came and my gluten-free friend (Owamni is automatically gluten-free as they simply don't use wheat at all!) Tonja and I headed out for our lunch on one of the most gorgeous days outside that ever was. The restaurant's location is perfect, situated right on the Mississippi River near the Mill Ruins and Stone Arch Bridge, with a gorgeous view out every window. The Dakota and Anishinaabe people call this space "OwamniYomni" - the sacred site of peace and well-being - and you feel that vibe from the moment you walk up the rustic wood staircase to the light, airy space above. 

The patio was full so we sat inside, which didn't feel as Covid-sketchy as it was lunch time and we were pretty well spaced out from other diners. Native American music was playing softly over the sound system, lending a real sense of place, purpose, and again, excitement for what was to come. 

I had done my research on the menu (Sherman won the 2018 James Beard Award for Best Cookbook for his The Sioux Chef's Indigenous Kitchen, and I knew we were in for something special and educational even). The friendly and informative server quickly let us know, however, that the menu is not the same at lunch, and every single thing I was going to order was not available at that time. BUMMER. Right then and there I made a dinner reservation, so see you in October, Fish entrée and corn bread! 

Owamni has a completely BIPOC wine and beer list, which gets the highest praise, and an alcohol-free cocktail list that was far more interesting to me. 

I ordered one that I could not pronounce - the Z one - and it was extra delicious. I would personally have definitely added vodka, but I'm pretty sure that was brought here by the colonizers, so not here. It came with a little tiny clothespin holding a sprig of pine tree on the rim of the glass, in a touch that was both charming and an olfactory bonus.  

I adjusted my brain and absorbed my slight disappointment that nothing I had wanted was on the lunch menu (Alert! No interesting desserts at lunch either!) to order up what was essentially Thanksgiving, Native American style. I went with the roasted sweet potato as an appetizer, and it was hands down the best one I've ever had. Instantly fine with the lunch menu, as I would not have ordered this with the other dinner stuff I was intending to order. Live and learn! 

Tonja had the lake trout salad, and it was a beautiful dish, scattered with edible flowers. It was like eating a sunny day at the lake. 

I had one of the corn sandwiches, and went with the turkey and cranberry one to keep my gratitude feelings going. It was so good, and the corn empanada type deals that stand in for bread were flecked with wild rice in each crispy, fluffy bite. I'm getting re-hungry thinking about it now. 

There was a feeling of excitement from everyone there, as I think the overall vibe - from the music to the art to the purpose - lets you know that this is truly someplace special and one of a kind. So far. I was going to be attending the Mendota Dakota Pow Wow the next day, so this meal was an excellent way to kick off a weekend of honoring the people that were here long before all of the rest of us. Native people have been treated so very poorly in this country, and it's the very least we can do to educate ourselves about them, and honor their great sacrifices and traditions. We would all be so much better off if we had always lived by (or up to!) their ways, both in out bodies and in our climate and nature. I almost can't believe that these people would even want to cook for and serve we descendants of those who stole their land, but their grace and dignity always seems to prevail. I remain humbled and grateful - always.

The beautiful day outside was beckoning, so as there was no dessert menu to ogle at lunch, we wrapped up our lovely experience at Owamni, with a vow to be back soon to join them for that dinner. And dessert. 

I'm thrilled that this wonderful place is right here in my hometown, and excited for everyone in the entire country to make their way here so that they too can take some time to appreciate all that came before we did. 

Pidamaye (thank you!) to all that made this come together for all of us to learn from and enjoy. 

Owamni

420 1st Street South 

Minneapolis, MN 55401

*Make your reservations now! 

 

 

 

 

Shooter Jennings Live At The Fine Line!

I went to my first live indoor show since the Covid pandemic began last night, and it was only because it was to see my good friend, Shooter Jennings play - at The Fine Line in Minneapolis, which is a proof of vaccination venue, so I took the risk. And it was well worth it (so far!).

Shooter and I have been friends since the days of his first band, Stargunn - and what days those were! I've rooted for him ever since, and am so happy to see him enjoying so much success of late. Grammys for producing Brandi Carlile and Tanya Tucker's albums have made Jennings a hot commodity in the studio, and he's been so busy producing for others that he's not had as much time for his own music, so last night was even more special to get to hear him strut his own - and awesome - stuff. 

The night opened with a set from Lillie Mae, a talented singer/songwriter who came up as Jack White's fiddle player. I was in the dressing room catching up with Shooter for much of her set, but did get to see her perform the title track for her most recent album, Other Girls - and it made me want to hear and know more. Dave Cobb had his mitts on her album, so that's the Jennings connection for this show. Excellent.

The crowd was packed in, and though they were presumably vaccinated, they were definitely not masked. I chose to head up top to the side stage balcony to try to keep away from the aspiration of others - in both senses of the word. Shooter and his longtime band took to the stage to huge cheers from fans that had been pressed up against the stage waiting in anticipation. Clad in a Brandi Carlile shirt and Jordans, Jennings yelled, "How you doin', Minneapolis?" - and it sounded like they were doing very well. Jennings sat down at the keys, and the band kicked of the show with "Bound Ta Git Down" from his Shooter album. The honkeytonk autobiographical banger got things off to a great start, and had me reminiscing about "Moving to California where the sun shines all day long"! Sigh ...

"Denim & Diamonds" showed off the great lyrical storytelling talent that Jennings has in abundance, and it had the crowd banging their heads in time and in appreciation for the outlaw stylings that they also loved from his legendary dad, Waylon. I has asked Shooter pre-show if he was going to play any from his outstanding concept album, Black Ribbons - in particular my very favorite song of his, "All Of This Could Have Been Yours", and that's the one that he played next - and said, 'This is for Carol." That was so special, because I love it, but also because it felt so absolutely great to be listening to a song I adore played live right in front of me by a friend that I deeply revere. Thank you, Amigo! 

Switching to guitar for the rocker "Steady At The Wheel" from his awesomely titled album Put The O Back In Country, Jennings first introduced his great and super-tight band. John Sheffler on lead guitar. Ted Russell Kamp on bass. Jamie Douglass on drums. Aubrey Richmond on fiddle and background vocals. Each of them are so good individually, but together they are something else, as the showed on "The Outsider" that featured just enough twang to keep the o in the country sound. Jennings again thanked the crowd, and said that Minneapolis has been good to him since Day One, playing places like The Turf Club and The Cabooze (Thank you, Mpls!). 

"Rhinestone Eyes" was a beautiful ballad written for Jennings' wife, Misty, from the Shooter album. She wasn't there, but it was very sweet because you could feel the love he has for her, even when she's not around. I love that. "Living In A Minor Key" was intended for a George Jones tribute album that never happened, but Jennings had taken it very seriously and still wanted to record it. It also found a home on the Shooter album, and when he introduced it by saying, "Just imagine a way better singer singing it, and it's like a George Jones song." Well, HE sang it perfectly, and it WAS like a Shooter Jennings song - as I believe he belongs in that same pantheon. And deserves to be playing way bigger venues like Target Center up the street. My two cents.

Everyone loves the 4th of July and everyone loved Jennings song of the same name. He threw out a "Those good old boys in Minneapolis", always a crowd pleaser, but he didn't need to do anything more to please this crowd. They were true fans, wearing the t-shirts, and knowing the words to sing along with. That made me so happy for him, because he's had a long career, been through a lot, and it's a joy to see him getting the reverence he should. "Loving County" was a Charlie Robison cover that Jennings has been playing for years, "Since my first band, Stargunn - Carol knows about that, she was there." I do, and I was. Very happily. Sheffler ripped off a guitar solo on that one that might have left blisters on faces. Wow.

"Don't Feed The Animals" (also from Black Ribbons) was a heavy rocker that showed shades of the Shooter that almost replaced Axl Rose in Guns N' Roses - and produced Marilyn Manson's most recent album. The crowd was loving it, as I think his fans are finally ready to let Shooter be Shooter, and play whatever the hell kind of music he feels like playing. Like "I'm Left You're Right She's Gone" from his Giorgio Moroder tribute album, Countach (For Giorgio). A kid growing up in the 80's has a TON of musical influences, and Jennings is open to it all. There aren't many people that can talk music like Shooter Jennings. For real. 

"Shades and Hues" was Jennings' personal tribute to Hank Williams Jr. and it had Jennings back on the keys playing this song that sounds as timeless as all the best country ones do. Aubrey Richmond really shone on this one, harmonizing with Jennings and completely wailing on her fiddle. "Leave Those Memories Alone" was dedicated to his late, great friend, Colonel Jon Hensley, who he wrote it for and with. A bluesy number ... you could tangibly feel Jennings missing his friend. 

Another one that sounds like you've always known it as a real classic was "Fast Horses and Good Hideouts". Extra gorgeous, with really pretty fiddle playing, if they didn't have the room in the palm of their hands before - they did now. "White Trash" got Jennings back on guitar, and got the people dancing! Here came the "I love you, Shooters!" and "Shooter, You're the shit!s" - and they were right. 

"I wrote this one about Nashville a long time ago," said Jennings by way of introducing "Outlaw You" - a perfect kiss-off to the baseball hat wearing wannabe country douchebags littering Nashville these days. They lyrics tell the story about how Waylon came to Nashville as an outlaw, changed everything, and now the suits are trying to package that kind of Outlaw - which, of course, you can't. So they should OUTLAW YOU! Yeah. There was a blistering jam between Russell Kamp on bass and Richmond on fiddle that foreshadowed the all-out band jam that came next, "Gunslinger". Big, epic, passionate ... clearly establishing the entire band as "motherfucking Gunslingers!" SO good. 

"Silver Springs" was the gorgeous ballad that would have people slow dancing in a different setting. I love watching Jennings on the keys, because he just BEATS on them and makes the most beautiful music. I feel like I'm kind of gushing about it all, but it just felt SO good to be listening to really great music LIVE again, that I can't say enough good about it ... especially as it's a friend who I think is vastly underrated for his own music, and I want to help blow it up even bigger for him. Because he truly deserves it. So there. 

That loveliness was the last tune of the regular set, and the band left the stage to chants of "Shooter! Shooter!" They didn't make the people wait like some lame bands, and came right back out to play "The Door', a George Jones cover that most likely never rocked as hard as it did last night with this band. It was awesome, and it was very clear that the whole venue agreed with me. We might all have been just happy to see live music again, but I think it was more just that good. "Thank you, Minneapolis!"

The band was sweaty, tired, and happy afterwards, all the hallmarks of a job well done. Shooter is off to Iowa to play tonight, and then off to Seattle to finish the next Brandi Carlile album. Lives are busy and scattered and very uncertain these days, but I think the power of friendship and music just might be enough to carry us all a little bit easier through these crazy times. At least it gives me hope. 

Thank you for that, Shooter. YOU are a class act.