Art Hounds: Fresh dance, short plays and a nightmare gala



Two performers on a stage.

From MPR News, Art Hounds are members of the Minnesota arts community who look beyond their own work to highlight what’s exciting in local art. Their recommendations are lightly edited from the audio heard in the player above.

Want to be an Art Hound? Submit here.

Strange Loop Project’s ‘Fresh Baked’

Anna Pinault is a dancer and choreographer in Minneapolis, and she recommends an innovative dance performance this Saturday from Strange Loop Project.

It’s the second installment in their “Fresh Baked” series, where four dancer/choreographers are given 24 hours to create a new dance based on a three-word prompt. Each dancer receives the same prompt, resulting in what Pinault says feels like a curated collection. The performance of these “fresh-baked” dances, which tend to average about 10 minutes each, will take place 8 p.m. Saturday, May 2 at 1629 Hennepin Ave. in Minneapolis.

Pinault performed in the first iteration of the series in February, and she described what the next four dancers are about to experience.

Anna says: You really have to let go and just give in to the freedom of creation. It takes a lot of trust in yourself as well, that you can show up in the studio, come up with something without over-editing yourself, because you don't have time to do that.

You just have to kind of push play and let the creative process go.

— Anna Pinault

Threshold Theater’s ‘More 4Play’

Freelance director Gretchen Weinrich of Minneapolis enjoyed seeing Threshold Theater’s new collection of four 10-minute plays by LGBTQ+ playwrights. A follow-up from their 2024 event, “More 4Play” continues at Bryant Lake Bowl in Minneapolis 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday, which tickets available in advance or at the door.

Though the plays center “the LGBTQ+ experience generally,” Weinrich says, they are diverse in story and style. She appreciated seeing the same small group of actors take on different characters in each show. As for the venue, Bryant Lake Bowl is one of Weinrich’s favorites.

Gretchen says: The food and drinks are great. They'll serve you right in your seat, and it makes for a fun uptown vibe.

— Gretchen Weinrich

Plains Art Museum’s Spring Gala

Eric A. Johnson of Hillsboro, North Dakota, is an artist and director of Fargo Moorhead Visual Arts. He’s looking forward to the Plains Art Museum’s Spring Gala this Saturday in downtown Fargo.

The event is a celebration of artistic talent in the Fargo-Moorhead area and beyond, as well as a fundraiser to support the museum. The swanky evening includes music, food, and a silent auction of art with the region's talent on display, which Johnson says feels like a juried art exhibition.

This year’s theme is “Nightmare at the Museum,” with themed costumes encouraged but not required. The Plains Art Museum is free and open daily.

Editor’s note: Johnson is one of more than 80 area artists who have donated work for the silent auction.



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A Republican lawmaker charged in an alcohol-related driving offense won’t have to appear in court again until after the Legislature adjourns for the year.

A June 10 arraignment hearing is set for Rep. Elliott Engen, a Lino Lakes Republican who faces three misdemeanor charges following an arrest early Friday. He was stopped for speeding and other infractions in White Bear Lake; officers detected alcohol and he later tested well above the legal limit for driving, according to a citation.

Engen has apologized for a lapse in judgment; he promised to learn from his actions and “do better.” Aside from being a second-term legislator, he is also a candidate for state auditor.

A second lawmaker, GOP Rep. Walter Hudson, was in Engen’s truck at the time of the stop and an open bottle of alcohol was found in a rear seat. Hudson, a second-term legislator from Albertville, was in possession of a permitted handgun, which could cause him legal problems if he is determined to have been intoxicated.

Police officers wrote in their report that Hudson disclosed he had the gun as the truck was being searched. The report said police took the firearm for safekeeping and said he could pick it up at a later time, which Hudson agreed to.

“I regret the poor decisions that were made during this incident, and commend the White Bear Police Department for their professional response,” Hudson said in a written statement. “I’m grateful that no harm was done to ourselves and others.”

Two lawmakers stand and look around
Rep. Walter Hudson, R-Albertville, (center) and Rep. Bidal Duran, R-Bemidji, (right) join other Republican lawmakers gather in the House chambers Jan. 27, 2025.
Tim Evans for MPR News file

A third, unidentified passenger was in the truck as well, according to police. Hudson and that person were transferred to the police department until they could arrange rides.

The Minnesota lawmakers had been at the Capitol late into the evening Thursday as the House debated procedural motions on gun, immigration and social media legislation. The motions failed on 67-67 votes.

There is no indication yet that either Hudson nor Engen had been drinking on Capitol grounds, which would be a violation of a House rule against consumption of alcohol or drugs in spaces under that chamber’s control.

According to a White Bear Lake Police report, Engen initially said he had not been drinking when asked by the police officer who pulled him over — “nothing at all,” he is quoted as saying. He performed a field sobriety test, which the report says showed signs of impairment.

Engen gave a preliminary breath sample there, the report says, which estimated a 0.142 blood alcohol level. After he was taken by squad car to the police department “Engen spontaneously stated, ‘Sir, I had a drink three hours ago,’” the report says.

He told the Minnesota Star Tribune in an interview Monday that he had also consumed alcohol in the afternoon on Thursday as well.

Engen is charged with two impaired driving offenses and speeding. White Bear Lake police also said he was driving a vehicle with expired registration and an inoperable headlight.

Engen has not returned calls from MPR News. A court docket lists a “notice of appearance” on Tuesday.

He is being represented in the criminal case by Chris Madel, an Excelsior attorney who waged a brief Republican campaign for governor.



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