Georgia Finnegan (Erik Saulitis)
BALLET IN MINNESOTA: Georgia Finnegan, ballet dancer and teacher, and dance photographer Erik Saulitis discuss “Grace & Grit: A History of Ballet in Minnesota,” about the dance’s roots in this state and the people and companies who were significant in its growth. This gorgeous oversized paperback, filled with historic and contemporary pictures in black and white and color, begins with an interesting history of ballet from its origins in Italy to popularity in France and eventually Russia, where the greatest dancers were trained. We meet pioneers such as Marius Petipa, father of classical ballet, and Diaghilev’s Les Ballets Russes. Those who established companies in the Twin Cities and outside the metro include Loyce Houlton, whose version of “The Nutcracker” is a local favorite, and Lorant and Anna Andahazy. There are back stories for Minnesota Dance Theatre, James Sewell Ballet, St. Paul City Ballet and more. Free. Presented by Landmark Literati. Noon Tuesday, April 9, Landmark Center, 75 W. Fifth St., St. Paul.
FITZGERALD IN ST. PAUL: St. Paul poet Klecko hosts the St. Paul Stories of F. Scott Fitzgerald, presented by Friends of the St. Paul Public Library. This program focuses on “Winter Dreams.” First published in Metropolitan magazine in 1922, it’s about a middle-class boy who grows up to be rich and pines for a married woman, themes that would later appear in “The Great Gatsby.” Free. 6 p.m. Thursday, April 11, Highland Park Library, 1974 Ford Pkwy., St. Paul.
NITA PROSE: Author of the bestselling mysteries “The Maid” and “The Mystery Guest” makes a virtual appearance in MELSA’s Club Book series. 7 p.m. Monday, April 8. Free. Live at facebook.com/ClubBook.
RONDA ROUSEY: Presents “Our Fight” in conversation with Maria Burns Ortiz. 7 p.m. Monday, April 8, Magers & Quinn, 3038 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls.
BELL/CISEWSKI: Poets Carolyn Light Bell and Paula Cisewski read from their work. 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, Magers & Quinn, 3038 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls.
JOHN J. WATERS:Presents “River City One: A Novel.” 7 p.m. Thursday, April 11, Magers & Quinn, 3038 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls.
What else is going on
(Kevin Cannon / Rain Taxi Review)
It’s not too early to prepare for the April 27 Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Day with Rain Taxi again offering a pocket-sized “passport” offering local readers discounts and a chance to win prizes when they visit any or all of the 28 stores in the days leading up to IBD. Illustrated by local artist Kevin Cannon, the passport is free and can be picked up at any participating store between April 24 and April 28. During these five days readers can get passports stamped at the participating bookstores; a sample page for that store is good for a future discount. Getting 15 stamps makes passport holders eligible for various prize pack drawings and those who get all 28 stamps are eligible to win the grand prize, a $25 gift certificate from each participating store, amounting to $700 worth of books. (For a list of participating stores and other information, go to raintaxi.com/twin-cities-independent-bookstore-passport-2024/)
Khenpo Sherab Sangpo’s reading from “The Heart of Tibetan Buddhism,” listed in the March 24 Literary Events calendar, is postponed from March 26 to May 7 at Magers & Quinn in Minneapolis.
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