Monday, September 21 at the State Theatre, you can get in on the action. The Ivey Awards , a 2009 celebration of the best professional theater in Minneapolis Saint Paul, will feature a red carpet, glitz, glamour and some of the year’s best performers and performances taking the stage.

Plus, there’s oodles of fun to be had at the event’s pre- and post parties. A VIP event will take place before the celebration at the W Hotel, with catering by Manny’s and The Capital Grille, while the post party goes down in LaSalle Plaza.

Who will be honored? Who will heat up the red carpet? Buy your tickets now to secure your spot in the crowd.

The event’s centerpiece is the Regis Dialogue, featuring Joel and Ethan Coen in the flesh, on Friday, September 25 (8 pm). You must be a member of the Walker to even be in the running to score a ($100) ticket, however.

But… never worry, the film retrospective is lengthy (September 18 – October 17) and open for all, featuring all 13 of the Coen’s movies, with favorites like Raising Arizona, Fargo, O Brother, Where Art Thou? and The Big Lebowski running two nights each.

Tickets are $8 for each movie, although you can score on a “Ceinephile’s Special” where you can see 5 films for the price of 3 ($24). Find a list of showings and times here.

MINNESOTA NICE
A Delaware traveler finds it's the real deal
To the people of Minneapolis and St. Paul: I recently visited your great cities and found the residents to be delightfully warm, friendly and hospitable.

I'd been told of something called "Minnesota Nice." Not sure what it means, but please continue to keep the charm. I felt welcomed and hated to leave. We could learn something here in the East about random kindness to strangers and neighbors.
--GREG COY, Willmington, Delaware

I’ll be the first to admit that I didn’t know much about the life of the “First Lady of Song.” Indeed, the play’s format is perfect for those who may only know her through her repetoire. The entire play takes place on stage, as Ella either rehearses or performs. In-between takes, she reminisces about her childhood, the beginning of her career and her relationships with friends, lovers and her son.

The set is marvelous, transforming perfectly with the unfolding of Ella’s story. Additionally, the band accompanying her, who compose all the other actors in the play (minus one, Ella’s manager), is simply sensational. Of particular note is Ron Haynes, the trumpeter/Louis Armstrong impersonator.

You can get a sneak peak (or listen) of Fabrique’s Ella and the band here.

If you won’t be able to make the show (running now through September 6), you’re in luck. Ella company members Joilet F. Harris (Ella understudy) and George Caldwell (Ella Pianist role) are billed to host two hour-long casual lunchtime music events at the MCC--Minneapolis Convention Center. They’ll highlight some of the best pieces from Ms. Fitz’s soundbook.

Do join! The lunchtime song hours are scheduled for Wednesday August 5 and Wednesday August 12, from noon to 1 pm. Where? Inside the Minneapolis Convention Center at the Dunn Bros. Café.