By: Mary Rea
 |
|
The Dresden Dolls - Brian Viglione and Amanda Palmer - Photo by Jen Gapay
|
Maybe the eve of the full moon added that extra something to Sunday night's Fuck the Back Row experience at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis, but whatever it was, trust me on this: the molecular structures of the human beings in attendance were realigned!
Fuck the Back Row: An Evening of Celluloid Vaudeville with Amanda Palmer of the Dresden Dolls was a bona-fide arts salon of the 21st century variety, a Warhol-esque art happening for a new cross-generational audience of lonely arts dilettantes without a scene to call their own. Rubbing elbows with the locals were a bastion of Twin Cities visitors from as far away as New York City and Portland, and all were thrilled to discover Jason McLean’s 1915 former vaudeville showplace on the U of M’s east bank humming with something unpredictable and nouveau. The evening was brought together by the Brechtian punk cabaret mistress herself, Amanda Palmer, and her iconoclastic collaborator, filmmaker Michael Pope.
The scene was set as per the Varsity’s customary vintage style, tapestry-covered bistro tables decked with candle sticks, loveseats and armchairs on platforms backlit with antique lamps, and the signature red-velvet curtains on the walls. Adding immensely to the visual spectacle were the lush nudes and mixed media creations of Midwest artist Danielle Colbeck.
The promised Dadaist surprises included an atmospheric opening set by Paul Fonfara of the Painted Saints alternating on guitar, clarinet and squeezebox, after which the crowd sat transfixed as the first group of film shorts was screened. After the delight of an artfully curated presentation of Pope’s work that included the Dresden Dolls video, hilarious fan send-ups, and the many moods of “Bony Lil” and “Don’t Fuck with Love,” the buzz at the first intermission was palpable. Things got better from there as nodding heads, uproarious laughter and hearty applause greeted the second set of shorts, punctuated by the philosophical diva, Titler (a gown-wearing Hitler look-a-like), as well as other eye-melting, gothic and animated segments of cutting-edge filmmaking. Brianna Olson’s Dresden Doll’s video, “Sing,” was also screened.
Other notable performers graced the stage throughout the evening’s festivities. The touching and hilarious vignettes staged by Big and Little (of Minneapolis–based mime troupe Live Action Set) completely charmed the crowd. All was kept warm, sexy and welcoming by MC Venus DeMars of All the Pretty Horses fame, who performed new songs for solo electric guitar and voice.
And as if all this were not enough to shake the spectators out of a Sunday night’s entertainment funk, it all broke loose when Ms. Palmer took the stage. She played a fittingly unpredictable selection of film and stage songs including Radiohead’s “Exit Music for a Film,” Pink Floyd’s “Mother,” “Science Fiction Double Feature” (complete with audience shouting of Fuck the Back Row in place of original lyrics), “Rainbow Connection,” “My Favorite Things,” and Regina Spektor and Lou Reed covers. All were sung in her own inimitable style and with thoughtful dynamic nuance, her sultry voice just slightly raspy from the constant touring. A new and as yet unnamed song, melancholy and beautiful, kept the crowd almost silent. The best surprise of the evening was a special appearance from Dresden Dolls bandmate Brian Viglione, who joined Palmer on guitar and solo snare (he is the only drummer alive who can make a solo snare a virtuosic instrument) for “Mother,” “Rainbow Connection” and a few others. Their relaxed and chatty banter endeared them to the intimate audience of just over 200, and in true salon fashion they mingled with satisfied fans old and new after the performance.
Fuck the Back Row will be seen in eight more U.S. cities before heading to the U.K., as the Dresden Dolls continue to tour (thankfully in their wildly unconventional manner) in support of their new release, Yes, Virginia. Fuck the Back Row in Minneapolis set the standard for staging multi-media events in the twin towns, and more are planned as an offshoot of this amazing evening. Stay tuned.
Location Info:
The Varsity Theater
Artist Info: The Dresden Dolls
Share this story:
Article comments powered by Disqus