Article written by Anne Ulseth
First Thursday Films @ the Capri, a partnership between the Capri and MSP Film, presents The Last Dragon, the final show of the season on June 1 at 7 p.m. This 1985 cult classic is a high-action comedy/drama set in New York City, where a young man searches for a mentor and guide who can take him to the final level of martial arts mastery known as the Glow. Come for the movie — and stay for the conversation, led in June by MSP Film’s Craig Laurence Rice. First Thursday Films tickets are $5 or free for Northsiders, and they’re available at mspfilm.org or at the door.
Ain’t Misbehavin’ continues its run through Sunday, June 4 at the Capri. Under local legends Austene Van and Sanford Moore as director and music director respectively, Ain’t Misbehavin’ brings the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s to life with the timeless music of Thomas “Fats” Waller. One of the most popular, well-crafted revues of all time, this sometimes sassy, sometimes sultry, always hugely entertaining show features the incredible vocal talents of Angela Stewart, Nikia Brown, Cornisha Garmon, Len Jones and Kevin Brown. Tickets to this Capri rental event are $20 or $10 for patrons under 30, and are available at stagenorthmpls.org or at the door.
On Saturday, June 3, Wensbo Ashby, American contemporary jazz pianist and prolific composer, presents House of Jazz, his fifth annual celebration concert for Black Music Month. This Capri rental program starts at 5 p.m. with a pre-show gathering and gallery viewing, and from 6-8 p.m., there will be performances by J. Michelle Caldwell, Zsamé Morgan, Keith Nance and Duane Smith featuring Neo-Soul, R&B and Smooth Jazz from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s. Tickets are $20-$40 at Eventbrite.com.
On Wednesday, June 7, Jellybean Johnson, the Minneapolis Sound Museum and The Paisley 5 & Dime present Tales from The Northside: Stories of the Minneapolis Sound, a community fundraising event from 6-10 p.m. to benefit the creation of the Minneapolis Sound Museum! The planned space will also include a recording studio, event space and a retail shop at a permanent location in Minneapolis. The new museum will be designed to explore the rich legacy of the musicians and bands who contributed to the legendary Minneapolis Sound.
The June 7 Capri rental program takes place on what would have been Prince’s 65th birthday and will feature oral histories of the people who helped build what would become known as the Minneapolis Sound. Guests will enjoy a multifaceted experience including a panel presentation with audience Q & A, a live performance by musicians who were present at the inception of this incredible music genre and an art sale featuring local artists who create Minneapolis Music Art. The event coincides with the week Prince’s life is honored with festivities that bring music lovers from all over the globe to Minneapolis. Tickets are $100. For information, visit minneapolissoundmuseum.org
On Thursday, June 15 from 2:30-5:30 p.m., PCYC and the Capri are taking it outside! The Plaza at the Capri will be the place for food and fun and free mini-golf (with advanced registration at events@pcyc-mpls.org). There will also be lawn games, a bouncy house, spin art, facepainting and more – with a KMOJ DJ spinning tunes throughout the afternoon.
Tre’ Da Marc presents Juneteenth Jubilee: A Black Burlesque Show on Friday, June 16 from 6-8 p.m. Just like gospel, jazz and blues, burlesque is Black! The Juneteenth Jubilee is an epic love letter to our communities, a celebration of liberation and freedom for black and brown bodies and identities in burlesque. Featuring some of the industry’s most prolific artists from across the United States, the entire Twin Cities is welcome to witness this event flaunting the facets of Black Performance Artists during this rental event at the historic Capri Theater. Tickets ($30) are available at Eventbrite.com.
Roots, Vol. I: A Journey Through African American Music Towards Community Healing takes place on Saturday, June 24 from 2-3p.m. and on Sunday, June 25 from 4-5 p.m. Greta Oglesby presents this journey through African American music — spirituals, jazz, blues, and gospel — with Sanford Moore and the Kingdom Life Ensemble. Tickets for this Capri rental event are $10-$25 at capri.simpletix.com.
The Capri is located at 2027 W. Broadway. For more details and ticket info visit thecapri.org.