Music, movies, memories, and more!

Written by Mike Mullen

Between trick-or-treaters and city election campaigns, there have been a lot of people door-knocking and asking for attention lately. Time to get out from behind that door, and there’s no better destination than the November line-up of events at the Capri Theater.

Keep your schedule clear the very first weekend of the month, and prepare for performances celebrating three of the most iconic Black voices of the 20th Century. With Blue Gardenia (Saturday November 4, 7 p.m.; Sunday matinee November 5, 3 p.m.), the latest in our Legends @ the Capri concert series, audiences can experience first-hand the songs of Etta James, Billie Holiday and Phyllis Hyman. Interpreting these haunting, unforgettable tunes is a daunting task. Good thing we’ve got a trio of accomplished local vocalists — Kathleen Johnson, Patricia Lacy and Thomasina Petrus — ready to pour out their hearts and fill up yours. Tickets $25 or $30 at the door; buy online at capri.simplextix.

Continue the journey through the American songbook at 7 p.m., December 3, when the Stevie Wonder Experience tribute band will perform big hits from the Motown superstar. What other artist’s repertoire requires not one, not two, but three keyboard players? Featuring musicians Craig Dion, Jason Craft, Sam Rosenstone and Jordan Hedlund, and vocals from Kathleen Johnson, Cornisha Garmon and Rhonda Johnson. Tickets $25 or $30 at the door, buy online at capri.simpletix.com.

The entertainment starts early this month, withFirst Thursday Films @ the Capriat 7 p.m. on November 2 showcasing a documentary whose tale is as emotional as it is educational. Lakota Nation vs. United States tells the story of an indigenous tribe’s generational effort to regain its gold-rich land in the Black Hills of South Dakota. This “stunning film” (New York Times) brings the landback movement  to vibrant life, and bears lessons that can enrich every American’s sense of place, especially right here in Minneapolis. 

After the screening, MSP Film programmer Craig Laurence Rice leads a videotaped discussion with director Jesse Short Bull.

Entrance is free for Northside residents, and all others can find them for sale for $5 at mspfilm.org. Find the full lineup and schedule for First Thursday Films, presented in partnership with the MSP Film Society and the Minnesota Historical Society, at thecapri.org. 

Camp Capri S3 invites all media schoolers to experience another great arts expedition guided by a talented guest artist on Saturday, November 18, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Students in grades 5-8 attend free; includes lunch. Registration required at thecapri.org.

The Capri will also host a number of guest events in November, starting with two runs of The Twelfth Night, as staged by the Ten Thousand Things Theater Company. Directed by Marcela Lorca, the Shakespeare comedy stars a line-up of local performers with music by Isabella Dawis. Show times are 7:30 p.m. from November 2-4 and 9-11, with 4:30 p.m. Sunday matinees on the November 5 and the 12. Masks required November 3 and 12; ALS interpretation on November 12. Tickets $35 at tenthousandthings.org.

Later in the month, the Great Northern Union chorus comes to the Capri with back-to-back events highlighting the tradition of African American barbershop singing. From 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. November 18, join Bruce Henry and David Wright for a participatory workshop exploring history through recordings, discussion and live performance. That legacy comes back to life with the “Roots Revisited” concert, 3-4:30 p.m. on November 19. Community workshop is free, with maximum capacity of 100 attendees; Roots Revisited concert, pay what you can ($5, $10, $15). Reserve tickets at greatnorthernunion.org.

The Capri is located at 2027 W. Broadway. For more details and ticket info visit thecapri.org.