Weekend Theatre

Two shows are opening in Fargo-Moorhead theatres this week, each offering a different look at the surprisingly robust theatre scene in town.

"The Pillowman" is presented by Theatre B. Written by Martin McDonagh (and nominated for a Tony Award in 2005) and brought to the stage by Brad Delzer, this "deeply unsettling and incredibly thought-provoking adult drama" is the first production of 2009 by Theatre B and will please those looking for a gritty dark comedy. Tickets are $15. The show opens on Thursday, February 5th and runs through the end of the month. Visit FM Culture Pulse for more info and tickets.

For fans of lively musicals, the Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre will present "Sweet Charity," written by Neil Simon with songs by Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields and directed by Scott Brusven. The play follows the exploits of the "gullible and guileless" Charity Hope Valentine as she seeks love among the dance halls and night clubs of New York City. Tender, poignant, and funny, this production is perfect for the Valentine's season. Tickets are $15. The show opens on Friday, February 5th and will run through the 15th. For more information or tickets, visit FM Culture Pulse or www.fmct.org.

Simonett and Young Play Music Together

From Simonett and Young's MySpace page:

Dave Simonett and Ryan Young play in a band called Trampled by Turtles. Ryan Young plays in a band called Pert Near Sandstone. When they aren’t playing in those bands, sometimes Dave and Ryan play music together.

There isn't really a much better way to put it. Simonett and Young's straightforward self description alludes both to their stripped-down setup (guitar and fiddle) and their no-frills approach to acoustic folk that could be construed as a breather from the rowdier stringband fare of their respective bands. Make no mistake, though: their hard-earned chops - and chemistry - still shine throughout.

If you're a fan of Trampled or Sandstone, be sure to make it down for this special evening with two guys who play music together. Thursday, February 5th at the HoDo Lounge, 9 p.m., no cover, 21+.

Valentine's Day Update

How about a carriage ride this Valentine's Day?

Dakota Carriage Company, in cooperation with the Fargo Downtowner, will be offering rides through downtown Fargo in a horse-drawn limousine on Saturday the 14th from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The rides are $5/person and will leave from 1st Avenue North, in front of the HoDo Restaurant. They will last between 10-15 minutes.

For more information, contact Dakota Carriage at 701.347.4069. Have a nice ride!

Upcoming HoDo Events

For you long term planners out there:

*Thusday, Feb. 5 - Simonette and Young (of Trampled By Turtles) - bluegrass/folk in the HoDo Lounge - 9 p.m., no cover

*Friday, Feb. 6 - Readings from "I Bring You Dead Things" by author/MSUM faculty member Kevin Zepper in Stoker's in the Basement - 8 p.m.

*Thursday, Feb. 12 - Mike Holtz (of Carmen the Cactus) - folk/rock in the HoDo Lounge - 9 p.m., no cover.

*Saturday, Feb. 14 - Valentine's Day dinner in the HoDo Restaurant - five course prix fixe menu, $69/person - 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Call 701.478.1000 for reservations.

*Thursday, Feb. 19 - Two Many Banjos - Blugrass/country in the HoDo Lounge - 8:30 p.m., no cover.

*Thursday, March 12 - Charlie Parr - Blues/folk in the HoDo Lounge

*Thursday, March 19 - The Legionnaires - Country/jam in the HoDo Lounge - 8 p.m., no cover.

Foot ... ball?

Ok. So the HoDo Lounge isn't necessarily the place to go for football. Lots of other places do sports a lot better than us. We'll admit that.

However, we are pretty good at culture. We get that. So when one biggest cultural events of the year comes around we pay attention, and so it will be with Super Bowl Sunday. When the ... team, um, takes on ... um, well, ... that other team, we'll be showing it in larger-than-life form and pairing it with chili (on the house!) in the HoDo Lounge. Come on down for plenty of discussion about commercials and the place of sports in our society.

And watch the game, of course.

Sparks Will Fly...

It seems fitting that Valentine's Day occurs on the day after Friday the 13th this year, no matter what your take on this rather contentious holiday. Still, it's a great reason to get out of the house (the days are getting longer) and enjoy a meal with someone special.

Our Valentine's Day lineup includes a five course, prix fixe menu with a host of tantalizing options for $69/person. Call 701.478.1000 - or click here - for reservations:

.soup/salad.

Mixed Greens
with strawberry vinaigrette, chocolate curls and candied walnuts
with toasted marshmallows and goat cheese

Borscht
with horseradish creme fraiche

.small plate.

Seafood Ravioli
over sauteed pancetta and mushrooms with lobster sabayon

Baked Brie
with fruit chutney, burgundy wine reduction and micro greens

.sorbet.

Blueberry Basil

.entree.

Roasted ND Beef Tenderloin
with cauliflower puree and rosti cakes,
topped with caramelized onion relish and fried jalapenos

Eggplant Zucchini Pappardelle
pasta with sun-dried tomato pesto, vegetable ragu, and fried eggplant steak
drizzled with 25-year aged balsamic vinegar, organic extra virgin olive oil
and toasted almonds

Seafood Bouillabaisse
mussels, prawns, clams and skate stew, served with crostinis

Pork Noisette
with brandy macerated cherry risotto and fennel sauce

.dessert.

Strawberry Ice Cream Sandwich
with honey graham cracker and Oreo crust

Frangelico Mousse
in a chocolate cup with braised pears and almond tuiles

Last Weekend for "The Nerd"

(Via Culture Pulse) The Tin Roof Theatre production of "The Nerd" will have its curtain call this weekend (click here for show times and details), ending with a matinee on Sunday. It looks like it's been getting good reviews. And, it's a comedy. Who doesn't need a little comedy nowadays?