FILM//

Mizna Twin Cities Arab Film Festival

$8 at Heights Theater, Thursday, March 14 – Sunday, March 17, various showing times

Here in Minneapolis, we have the second longest standing Arab film festival in North America. Some of the films presented are in some way tied to the Twin Cities, making that global-to-local connection we so love. Remaining films include Fidaï, Zabana!, Farewell Exile, Animated shorts, As if We Were Catching a Cobra, We Want To Know, The Lady with the Grapes, Starring Julia, Abu Rami, Detroit Unleaded, In Search of Oil and Sand, Sirocco, Horses of God, The Suffering Grasses, Café Regular, Words of Witness, A Resident of the Sity, Winter of Discontent, and a surprise screening on Sunday. Check miznablog.org for full details.

Noah Baumbach: Visibly Human

$9-$20 at Walker Art Center, Friday, March 15, Saturday, March 16 and Wednesday, March 20 at 7:30p

Want to catch up on the awkward but fascinating films of Noah Baumbach? “Kicking and Screaming” will play Friday night, “The Squid and the Whale” Saturday night, and “Margot at the Wedding” Wednesday night. Stay tuned for more events at the Walker surrounding Baumbach’s work in late March and early April, including a talk by the filmmaker himself on April 5 at 8p.

VISUAL ARTS//

Third Thursday: More Real? Part 1

Free at Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Thursday, March 21 at 6-9p

Want to challenge your conceptions of reality? Come see the opening of the MIA’s new show, “More Real? Art in the Age of Truthiness” with dance music, a tabloid style photo shoot, and strange happenings throughout the museum. Get your postmodern on and see this new exhibit featuring artists like Ai Weiwei, Vik Muniz and Thomas Demand as they question reality.

Abraham Cruzvillegas: The Autocontrucción Suites

$10 for talk, $20 for After Hours party at Walker Art Center, Friday, March 22nd at 9p-12a, March 23 at 2p

There’s so much going on at the Walker this week! Abraham Cruzvillegas’ new exhibit at the Walker opens next weekend focusing on ideas of “self-construction” by the well-known Mexican artist. His sculptures comprised of found objects highlight Cruzvillegas’ urban upbringing. Get a sneak peak of the show at the Walker’s After Hours party featuring live Afro-Cuban music from the group Malamanya, a digital playground (whatever that means), and snacks and drinks on Friday, March 22 from 9p-12a. Cruzvillegas and exhibition curator Clara Kim will be having a conversation about the show on Sunday March 23 at 2p.

DANCING//

Hipshaker

$5 at Kitty Cat Klub, Friday, March 22

It is the best night of the month. A Friday night of hip-shaking. You know what’s up.

MUSIC//

First Avenue presents BOY with The Ericksons

$15 at the Cedar Cultural Center, Tuesday, March 19 at 8p

These two ladies from Hamburg create beautiful, dancy, and thoughtful songs. Gaining popularity online, BOY is now conquering the U.S. Enjoy this breezy concert that will make you think it is summer, if only for a few hours. Afterwards you can grab a drink in Cedar Riverside, because it’s break after all!

Major Lazer Free the Universe 2013 World Tour

$20-22 at First Avenue, Wednesday, March 20, 8p

If you’re still playing “Pon De Floor” every weekend on your radio show (guilty), you should probably just spend the money and go see Major Lazer live next week. Diplo will certainly put on a show to remember. If Beyonce has sought out Major Lazer to make music, is not going even an option?

STRFKR

$13-$15 at The Varsity, Friday, March 22, 9p

Three reasons to see them:

1. This looks like they’re straight out of Portlandia (and in fact they are Portland natives).

2. With that oh so eye-catching name, they aren’t exactly forgettable and their music further proves this.

3. Their most recent album may be about death and the end of the world, but this is deceiving as their show promises to be surprisingly upbeat.