Big Brother is watching....and scanning your license plates!

Attention peeps with more than five unpaid parking tickets! The Minneapolis police have invested in two expensive new gadgets that can scan your license plate and detect whether or not you've got a slew of unpaid parking tickets. If you've got more than five, along comes the tow truck to spirit away your ride to the impound lot.

LOL/OMG's own editor, Kate Iverson, is one of said offenders and paid the price, but not by getting towed (yet). Her LOL-worthy facebook status early this morning said this:

"The Minneapolis po-po and their new big brother-esque scanning device that detects unpaid parking tickets have caused me to throw out my back whilst trying to wrench my frozen garage door open so I could hide my car. The god damn GALL! Also, I think I need to go to the hospital."

So, either pay those tix or hide your ride, because the fuzz is onto you!

Sorry ladies!

You all know Robyne Robinson. She is probably the most recognizable face on local TV, not to mention, an accomplished jewelry designer, patron of the arts and all around cool chick! According to Robinson's Facebook status today, Wikipedia has her listed under "LGBT Televsion Personalities," though RR is definitely down with the menz, despite rumors that have swirled in previous years.

Research uncovers that her personal Wikipedia page does not contain any LGBT related information, but Robyne is listed in the aforementioned "LGBT Television Personalities" category on the site. A good sport, of course, Robyne clears the air, saying "Wikipedia has me listed as one of America's LGBT broadcast personalities... Sorry, girls: I'm not!! But if you have a cute brother...."

Guess all those years emceeing the Pride Parade have paid off, eh?


Submitted by @marrina.

METRO's 2010 Keeper Awards announced

Though METRO hasn't made a big announcement yet, photographer Eliesa Johnson of Photogen-inc. has posted the 2010 Keepers spread from the January issue on her blog - and apparently on newstands now. On further investigation, METRO fashion editor Mary O'Regan posted about the Keepers with full text on her blog. The second-annual Keepers Awards highlights a variety of local creatives, voted by the public, who've made an impact locally.


This year's awardees include fashion designer Max Lohrbach, ad man Brock Davis, dancer Taja Will, photographer/writer Monica Haller, MC Toki Wright, writer Ethan Rutherford, actor Randy Reyes, and actor Mo Perry.

You'll have the chance to party with the awardees at this year's Keeper Awards, held January 21 at Spill the Wine from 8-11 p.m. Tickets are $20. Click here for the facebook invite.

Congrats to all the awardees!

Submitted by @jahnapeloquin

New Ink

Local Project Runway alum Christopher Straub joined Twitter just yesterday and he's already decided to share some interesting news with us. Apparently, Straub got a cool new tattoo today as a birthday gift to himself. Check out the Twit Pic below:

Happy Birthday Christopher!

submitted by @marrina.

New video for Bella Koshka?

Ethereal local electro-rockers, Bella Koshka were on location at the Suburban World Theatre this past Sunday shooting a video for their new tune, "Matinee." We snagged some production stills off Bella Koshka member Tim Ritter's Facebook page and we have to say, the vid looks like it will be quite amazing! The "mini-movie" was directed by Nimbus Theater artistic director, Josh Cragun with costumes by designers Andrea Gross and Laura Fulk. Look for the premiere at Bella Koshka's CD Release party this Spring!

Violinist Hilary Davis (who incidentally was named "Most Eligible Bachelorette" on l'etoile's 'Best of 2009' list last week) had this to say when we asked about the shoot:

"The concept was a modern world / theatrical world dichotomy. As [director] Josh said, "We want to create a feeling of a person entering an alternate world, and that world, and the reveal, should feel a little strange to the viewer and the protagonist." Of course, BK lives in that alternate world :) there are flashbacks, carnivale masks, fire breathers, and even a unicyclist involved...but i don't want to give too much away!"





Submitted by @letoilemagazine

Artist Paul Oxborough honored for painting of P.O.S.

City Pages brings to our attention this news piece about artist Paul Oxborough, whose work was recently accepted into the British Portrait Awards for his striking portrait of local hip hopper and rising star, P.O.S. CP was tipped off by the artist's daughter, Allegra Oxborough, whose name you may recognize from the P.O.S. tune "Optimist": "I made this beat for Allegra Oxborough/She taught me how to do the thing with the cups."

A solo exhibition of Oxborough's paintings are currently on display at the Eleanor Ettinger Gallery in Soho, with a definite nod to the Twin Cities that includes paintings of First Ave coat check workers, Mickey's Diner and more. You can view the entire exhibit online here. Read the City Pages article here.

portrait of P.O.S. by Paul Oxborough

Submitted by @letoilemagazine

This Week in (Uploaded) Pictures

Another round of our favorite pics that were uploaded over the past week on various social media platforms. Enjoy!

Stephen Stephens explores some underground drain tunnels

Local DJ and graphic designer Travis Stearns celebrates NYE. Photo by Alex Uncapher

Mensch Maschine artfully snaps the insanity at Solera NYE

Pop Inc. wishes you a happy holiday season! Photo by Dwayne Williams

Mark Gerhing captures the action at the Solid Gold NYE show!

Jeremy Messersmith enjoys a holiday vaca in Mexico. Photo by Vanessa Messersmith

Sevnthsin honcho Jamey Erickson kicks back.

Don Venticinque drinks somethin' fancy at La Belle Vie.

Denis Jeong Plaster snaps Project Runway's Ra'mon & Christopher for City Pages at the Crystal Ball Party

Christian Erickson captures some after hours fun at the Red Stag NYE party.

Christian Erickson snaps the hard freeze in action.


The stroke of midnight at Clubhouse Jager's NYE party. Photo by DJ Jake Rudh

Local filmmaker Bo Hakala captures Hell, er, a holiday bonfire.

Molly Kroeten gets shot by Kevin O'Meara

Jenn Barnett gets a slew of epic photos of the Susstones Anniversary show

Submitted by @letoilemagazine

Weekend Twitterings

Welcome to the NYE edition of Weekend Twitterings! It looks like you all had a great time over the weekend and some of you even made some resolutions for the new year. Enjoy and feel free to contribute in the comments if we missed your awesome/hilarious tweet!

And that is, dear friends, how you put on a show. MSPdude later reported that Mallman also said "Someday I'm gonna take over the world...and when I do, everyone gets a free slice of pie!" Yay!


Aaaaw..


I guess there are people who prefer staying home for NYE..We just didn't think it would be Jonny Hunt!


She wishes she stayed home too.


Ah, the morning after..


Ah, that's a great resolution for 2010. It's 'bout time too.


That sounds like my kind of exercise.


Life is full of ups and downs, you know. Remember how two weeks ago you ran into Prince, @bobbykahn?



DJ Soviet Panda poses a tough question. Yes, long underwear is not particularly fashionable or sexy, but in -20 degrees, it's all good.


A few people shared some good news with us over the weekend. Congratulations Chuck on your new gig!


Dessa shared the deets on her release show at the Fine Line. 2010 already looks like it's going to be a good year for her. Hopefully, for the rest of us too. Keep those Tweets comin'!

Submitted by @marrina.

U2 in MPLS?

David Newberger's night turned into an impromptu stakeout when he saw an unusual plane land at MSP with the U2 logo on its tail. He proceeded to tweet the deetz, saying 6-10 people exited the small plane and were quickly whisked away.

The social media circuit has been buzzing with speculation this weekend but no one is sure why U2 would be here and nothing has been officially confirmed. But from Newberger's tweets it seemed like a very covert operation.

Our thoughts? Possibly in town for something Target related? Smells kind of Targety to us!

Here's the only photographic evidence:

Submitted by @letoilemagazine

Di Medlock styles for Malan Breton in NYC

As much as we hate to lose them, we love it when local talent makes waves nationally. Makeup artist Di Medlock sent l'etoile's own Jahna Peloquin some photos from a backstage at a New Year's Eve fashion show featuring Malan Breton of Project Runway fame, via her personal blog. We count Miss Di as a personal friend and frequent collaborator, so suffice to say we're super proud!


[CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMAGES]

Submitted by @letoilemagazine