Wrestling legend Baron "The Claw" von Raschke needs extras for documentary tonight

If you're anything like us, you have fond memories of pro-wrestling legend Baron "The Claw" von Raschke in the mid-'80s. And what do you know? Sir Raschke is from none other than Minnesota. He's now in the midst of filming a documentary on his life and career with his son, Karl Raschke. Tonight beginning at 6 p.m., they'll be discussing their collaborative process for producing the film, and they'll also have a film crew in tow to shoot a scene on the Walker Art Center's Open Field. Head down for the chance to get in on the action, and be sure to be dressed in your best '70s wrestling fan outfit. It's free and open to the public. Click here for the Facebook invite.

Via @middlewest
Submitted by @jahnapeloquin

Dark Dark Dark seeks extras for Music & Movies performance

Local blog Cake In 15 has drawn our attention to this "help wanted" poster by local band Dark Dark Dark - apparently, the band is looking for extras to participate in their August 22 performance at the Walker Art Center for Music & Movies in the Park. Read the poster (snapped by Cake In 15's Carl Atiya Swanson) for more info:


Submitted by @jahnapeloquin

Location: MN Film Event Announced at The Walker

Minnesota is no Hollywood, but a few really great movies like Trauma, Dario Argento's first US feature and Coen Brothers' Fargo were both shot right here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. You will get to see both movies and much more this summer at the Walker Art Center, during Location: MN. The event, happening July 14-17, will showcase movies such as Purple Rain (duh!), Factotum, Mallrats, A Simple Plan, with introduction by directors, producers, and writers who brought the state to the big screen.

For full schedule and ticket information, visit Walkerart.org

Lilly Taylor in Factotum. Photo via Walker Art Center.

Submitted by @marrina.

Video: Rock the Garden time lapse

The Walker Art Center just released their annual time lapse video from this year's Rock the Garden concert (featuring a soundtrack by Tapes N Tapes), in which they show the 48-hour-long setup, show and tear down in four minutes:



Submitted by @jahnapeloquin

John Waters To Take Over Walker Galleries

This is NOT a joke. We have received a note from the Walker Press Office this morning saying that John Waters, cult director and the original "creep "will bring his exuberant impudence to the Walker Art Center's galleries this summer as curator of the exhibition Absentee Landlord, running June 11, 2011 through March 4, 2012. Waters will also perform his monologue This Filthy World on Friday, June 10 at 7:30 pm in the William and Nadine McGuire Theater."

Fantastic!

See@walkerartmedia Twitter post for more info on the exhibit/reading.

In the meantime, admire the mustache:
Submitted by @marrina.

Summer Music and Movies Returns!

This just in, via Walker Art Center's Twitter:

And…we’re back! We’re pleased to announce that Summer Music & Movies in Loring Park will return this summer, co-presented by the Walker and 89.3 The Current.

The event will follow the classic format (a performance by a local band followed by a film screening) and take place the first four Mondays in August. In a nod to the first Summer Music & Movies in 1973, the August 22 event will move from Loring Park to the Walker’s green space for a special one-night event featuring a silent film with a live band providing the soundtrack.

This is fantastic news, since last year's event was canceled and it was unclear if it would ever happen again. Stay tuned, bands and films will be announced in May.
Submitted by @marrina.

M-80 Walker no-wave show poster unearthed

DEVO, Suicide, The Feelies, Joan Jett AND the Suburbs - all on the same bill? Yep, it happened - back in 1979 at the U of M FieldHouse. (Though apparently Jett didn't show.) "Marathon '80: A New-No-Now Wave Festival" certainly wasn't joking when it boasted itself as "a preview to rock in the '80s." Apparently, this show was also known as the "M-80 Festival." Click on the image (uploaded to Facebook today by local musician Adam Levy) to take a closer look and read the extensive thread featuring tidbits by locals who were there. We sooo wish we were there.


Some peeps on the thread also dug up some handy links to YouTube footage from the show.

Here's DEVO performing at "DOVE 1980":



And the Suburbs performing "Stereo":


(Click here for their "Urban Guerilla" and here for "Chemistry Set" sets.)

Submitted by @jahnapeloquin

Walker puts Music and Movies in the Park on "hiatus"

We can all agree that Summer Music and Movies in Loring Park is one of the most popular, if not THE most popular summer outdoor event in the city. Well, you can say goodbye to that: Walker decided NOT to have it this year. (Insert sad trumpet sound here). Walker Art Center sent out a press release stating: "Due to the density of programming being organized by the Walker, Music & Movies in Loring Park will take a hiatus this summer."

Upon further inspection we concluded that the actual loss might not be that great: technically, they didn't cancel the event for good (or so they say), and with the new Walker Open Field events coming up, displaced fans will still have plenty to do. Not to mention -- Mears Park in St. Paul has an equally awesome, although smaller, weekly movies and music event that we totally endorse.

The local tweeps are, nevertheless, devastated and here's what they've been saying:

Simon Peter Groebner: Summer apocalypse. Blast you, Walker!

Bobby Kahn: Sadness falls. Worst part is missing out on the Frisbee-dancer. I hope I can find him jamming out somewhere else this summer.

Ben Clark: I find there are people who still avoid Loring Park due to its old reputation, and Music and Movies was a great way to get people out there.

formica_dinette: Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

mkfiasco: Let's move it to my backyard.

AlludedInSquint: Riot in the park, anyone?


Submitted by @marrina.

Rock the Garden lineup!

89.3 The Current and the WAC announced the lineup for this year's Rock the Garden: MGMT, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, OK Go, and Retribution Gospel Choir!

The event will be June 19th! More info HERE.

Submitted by @letoilemagazine