The Wake

When most people think about art and fashion, New York City comes to mind. An art gallery or top-notch art school sits on nearly every corner, and lauded designer names litter the streets. The Big Apple is also the place where many aspiring artists go to make it big. But Minneapolis’ art scene is well poised to take its own bite out of the apple — especially when it comes to graphic design. Want proof? Look no further than Density Studios’ second annual exhibit, Art of Design: The Future. The Northeast Minneapolis gallery is showcasing work from 13 up-and-coming Twin …

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As summer was winding down, The Tyde released their beach pop album, Three’s Co., on August 29. Though we can’t all appreciate the upbeat, summery sound of the CD while it’s still in season, the group fits nicely into its Los Angeles setting, where the Atlantic allows an escape all year round.Three’s Co. is The Tyde’s third release, following, fittingly, albums titled Once and Twice. In light of the simple progression of the discs’ names, the band’s tinny, simplistic sound features appropriately minimalist melodies that mirror their laidback surfer lifestyle.Don’t confuse their simple style with amateurism. In the early ‘90s, …

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Once upon a time, two Ians had a dream, the sort encouraged by years of various musical involvements and a loyalty to the scenes that nurtured them. Apparently the hearty hospitality of Minnesota extends beyond the exchange of hot meals and into a tight-knit music community, one that Ian Anderson and Ian Tsan, of Afternoon Records and Grape Juice Records respectfully, want to give a little something back to.“Everyone really cares about each other here, which makes it a great environment for musicians to grow together,” Anderson says of his desire to return the favor.Anderson and Tsan approached each other …

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“Hey man, can you help me out? I’ve just got—Well, I’m a buck short; need to catch the bus. The 94, it’s two fifty man, can’t you help me out?”His voice a murmur rising above the traffic, it became a very loud demand. I didn’t answer him, only looked up along his patchwork beard. He had calm imposing eyes.“Shit. I’m tired. I want to go home. I only need a few dollars. I have no place to go. Can’t you help me, you got money, I know it?” he paused.The Midway held us together – its gutters, exhaust, parking lots. …

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Red rock, huge red clay soap stones cleave apart at the encircling asphalt’s end: a place in the earth from which something has sprouted, the way old cedars and bristlecone pines push out through their scattered exterior – dark red and dark brown. The white-grey building that ruptures the unadulterated blue is a cross, a cross like a cedar or bristlecone pine. A cross like old world Catholicism and the Virgin of Guadalupe, a cross like a cactus, like a juniper, a plant. Canned music comes from the pews. Tinny hymnals from cheap speakers from beneath the seats give a …

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Once upon a time (in mid-August) in a far, far away place (Rosemount) the University gave away free corn on the cob, lemonade and tastes of local wine to all. The setting: a mysterious 7,500 acre park 30 miles from the St. Paul Campus, dubbed UMORE, or University of Minnesota Outreach, Research and Education Park.The park’s forte is agricultural field research, and “3,500 acres have been devoted to agricultural research for the last 55 years,” says Jim Rowe, assistant director of operations for UMore. On August 17, UMore looked beyond those 55 years, hosting its third annual open house …

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Envision yourself immersed in a rural African town while working at an orphanage. Or maybe learning how to speak Spanish in South America while taking in the culture. Can you see yourself interning for a human rights organization in Australia? The world is a huge place and no doubt there are places abound to explore and experience. It’s not impossible to seek adventure all over the globe thanks to study, work and volunteer abroad programs, which many college students participate in every year. The opportunity to study abroad while doing university study is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Imagine stepping off …

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Gubernatorial candidate Becky Lourey’s Aug. 23 discussion on fiscal policy was essential to convince voters she can finance her sweeping proposals to health care, education and transportation. Her plans are progressive and well-thought out, but require some major overhauls to our current systems, especially the health care industry. If Lourey wants Democrats to pass over Attorney General Mike Hatch and vote for her instead, she’s going to have to convince a lot of people before the Sept. 12 primary that her policies can work without a huge increase in taxes and that her programs are worth the increase. “We live …

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September starts a new school year and brings a new batch of freshman to the university. Among the new kids on the block, there is a group of students that can fall through the cracks and enter quietly into the system—transfer students. These students have previously attended at least one other college in their lifetime and enter the U of M with experience. Students transfer for many reasons. Some start out at smaller colleges and then move onto larger universities. This is because smaller colleges are less costly than larger universities and other responsibilities such as families, jobs and other …

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Another autumn. The time of year when Rush Limbaugh skips down Fourth Street wearing fishnet stockings and thigh-high black boots with eight-inch stiletto heels as he tries to lure unsuspecting freshmen into his lair of conservative love. The lair supposedly contains stripper poles, a 71-inch TV on a continuous Fox News loop, George W. blowup dolls with kung-fu grip, and Ann Coulter in chains. But autumn is not the sweetest time of year because of that. What could be good about Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh in a sex dungeon?Autumn is great because of football. Fans have been itchin’ and …

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Everyone knows the old phrase “practice makes perfect.” It was pounded into our heads by parents, coaches and teachers when we were young. But today, it seems like practice just isn’t enough. Some athletes are turning to a much more dangerous and risky method to help them obtain their goals — steroids. Drug enforcement officials have been at war with steroids for ages. But surprisingly, some sports are under fire more than others. If you enjoy a round of golf or like to play tennis every now and then, have no fear. You will probably be skimmed over when it …

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