Recent content from Christy DeSmith
7 favorite holiday movies picked by Minnesota film lovers and experts
From dark foreign films to comic classics, these features come highly recommended.
Minneapolis artist shares WWI photos plucked from National Archives
Matthew Bakkom will share the images in an exhibition titled "11/11."
8 Minnesota music lovers reveal favorite movie scores, soundtracks
What are the undercelebrated triumphs in nearly 100 years of musical movie moments?
Should newlyweds combine their book collections?
Many couples maintain strictly separate stacks through years and decades, while others find a way to marry different tastes.
Sauna is shared passion for this Rochester family
All six members of the Rice family took a break recently in their neighbor's barrel sauna.
Free Minnesota Orchestra concert moving indoors due to cold, soggy forecast
Tuesday's concert will take place at Orchestra Hall.
Philip Glass, Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon on tap for 2018-19 Liquid Music Series
Glass will write a piece for Chicago's Third Coast Percussion, while Gordon will perform a "very intimate" work at the American Swedish Institute.
Minnesota Opera completes creative leadership team by hiring San Diego's Priti Gandhi
Gandhi was drawn to Minnesota Opera because of its New Works Initiative and diversity charter.
Massachusetts audiences get first peek at Bon Iver/Tu Dance show coming to St. Paul
The artists presented two workshop performances of at MASS MoCA contemporary art museum in North Adams, Mass.
TU Dance/Bon Iver project booked for Los Angeles' Hollywood Bowl
Following its St. Paul premiere, the piece will be performed Aug. 5 in Los Angeles.
Flu sidelines piano star André Watts; 23-year-old Minnesotan to step in at Orchestra Hall
Minneapolis native Kenny Broberg will be the featured soloist for Beethoven's "Emperor" Piano Concerto.
SPCO adds extra performance for Bon Iver/Tu Dance collaboration
The highly anticipated project is part of the SPCO's Liquid Music series.
Minnesota mom conquered her online shopping addiction by renting designer clothes
Rent the Runway got its start in 2009, leasing expensive dresses for weddings and other special events.
Minnesotans react to Garrison Keillor firing: 'A mix of sadness and whiplash'
Social media users expressed sadness, shock and support for Minnesota Public Radio's decision.
Moviegoers can't stand the new 'Frozen' short playing before 'Coco'
"Olaf's Frozen Adventure," a "short" that runs 21 minutes, has inspired a serious backlash.
Historic photos from Minneapolis' First Avenue nightclub
These images appear in Star Tribune critic Chris Riemenschneider's new book, "First Avenue: Minnesota's Mainroom."
Rare Prince photos by Baltimore photographer Steve Parke
Parke's new book features portraits, candids and other intimate photos of the purple icon.
Minneapolis' landmark Jesus mural is crumbling — can it be saved?
One of Minneapolis' most prominent public paintings is falling apart. An anonymous donor recently gave the church $1,000 to "beautify" the mural.
Meet the next Minneapolis designer to appear on 'Project Runway'
Minneapolis-based Samantha Rei is a veteran of the local cosplay and steampunk scenes.
Minneapolis woman makes rooster dress to celebrate Sculpture Garden reopening
Walker board member crafted a rooster frock for Sculpture Garden reopening.
Liquid Music announces ambitious Justin Vernon, Tu Dance partnership for 2017-18
Bon Iver frontman Justin Vernon will write original music for an April dance premiere at St. Paul's Palace Theatre.
Guthrie hosts tense, awkward dialogue on 'white-centric' play about refugees
Moving Company defends its work against critics who say "Refugia" misses the point.
St. Paul Chamber Orchestra launches first-of-its-kind 'Concert Library' with free HD videos
The project kicks off Saturday with free livestream video from the SPCO's season finale.
Inside Minnesota's feminist T-shirt craze
The feminist T-shirt is having a moment. And Minnesota designers are creating some of the most popular styles.
Derby hats by Minnesota designers
Check out these Kentucky Derby fashions by Minnesota's best milliners.
Free tribute to Minn. Orch. conductor Skrowaczewski will be a glittering farewell
Highlights to include a speech by Minnesota Orchestra cellist Tony Ross and a duet featuring the orchestra's former concertmaster Jorja Fleezanis.
Fashion and art from 'The Weather Diaries' at American Swedish Institute
The exhibition features fashions from extreme Nordic climates.
Minnesota musicians hit SXSW music fest
A look at the Minnesota artists who traveled to Austin, Texas, to perform at the world's biggest music-biz convention.
New discoveries from 2017 South by Southwest music fest
A selection of the SXSW's best new acts and new albums, plus breakout artists coming to Minnesota this spring.
Latest concert photography from the 2017 SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Tex.
Star Tribune music critic Chris Riemenschneider and freelance photographer Tony Nelson report from the 2017 South by Southwest Music Conference in Austin, Tex.
How to find vintage fashions from Dayton's and other bygone department stores
Secondhand stores peddle high-end designs from the great Twin Cities department stores.
Vintage fashions from the great Minnesota department stores
Once upon a time, the downtowns of Minneapolis and St. Paul each boasted a handful of high-end department stores.
Mozart, Verdi and 'Dead Man Walking' on tap for Minnesota Opera next season
Minnesota Opera announced its 2017-18 season Sunday evening.
Superstar cellist Yo-Yo Ma returning to Orchestra Hall this summer
The globe-trotting musician will perform with Osmo Vänskä and the Minnesota Orchestra for a single evening in June.
How will Trump's travel ban affect the Cedar's Somali music series?
The program invites Somali musicians to Minnesota for multi-week residencies.
Best thing about new 'Star Wars'? Girls like me won't have to play Chewbacca
With just one female character, the original movies were a drag for imaginative little girls.
Photography from 'Where the Children Sleep' at the American Swedish Institute
The exhibition features photos of Syrian refugee children by Swedish photographer Magnus Wennman.
Peek inside St. Paul's beautifully decaying Hamm's brewhouse
More on the setting for our fashion shoot: the historic Hamm's brewhouse on St. Paul's East Side.
How big (and expensive) is Minnesota Opera's 'Das Rheingold'?
The Wagner opera requires an enormous orchestra, which forced the company to get creative with its resources.
St. Paul Chamber Orchestra earns rave review from New York Times
The critic also used the concert as a metaphor for equity and participatory democracy.
Paying tribute: Why these 3 Minnesota singers love Joni Mitchell
Vocalists will perform in tribute concert Sunday in St. Paul.
Prince-inspired fashion at Minneapolis Institute of Art
The purple pop star inspired this fashionable assemblage.
'Today Show' gets exclusive look inside Paisley Park museum
Disappointed about the delayed Paisley Park tours? Take a peek with Al Roker.
Sights and scenes from Envision Minneapolis fashion show
Runway and party scenes from the big fashion event Saturday night at Orchestra Hall.
Theatrical looks: Twin Cities actors don dramatic fashions for Ivey Awards
How did the Twin Cities theater community celebrate the 12th annual Ivey Awards? With daring dresses, dapper suits and plenty of sparkle.
Never mind the bro bars: Why I love raising my family in Uptown
I've lived in Uptown for the better part of 16 years. I started noticing the insults about 10 years ago. The truth? I love living there. Urban amenities mean life is good in Minneapolis' most hated neighborhood.
Are you smarter than an idiot? Put your noggin to the test
GSN's "Idiotest" taps a different part of your brain than the average game show. See for yourself with this sampler from the series.
St. Paul Chamber Orchestra announces European tour
The orchestra will perform five concerts in Italy, Germany and Austria in November 2016.
The Pines cancels on Walker Art Center's Summer Music & Movies
The indie-folk band is stuck in Canada due to the Delta Airlines outage.
Loring Lore: Historic images from Loring Park
These are just a few of the stops, scenes and historic on James Lileks' Loring Park walking tour this sumer.
Gallery: Looking back at Skid Row Minneapolis
Take a trip into the historic heart of Minneapolis. Today it's center of a revitalizing downtown, but once it was home to the largest Skid Row in the upper Midwest.
Photos: Best Prince photos by Star Tribune photojournalists
Our finest Prince photos are on view at Star Tribune headquarters in downtown Minneapolis through the month of May.
Why I insist on riding Metro Transit with my preschooler
It's been 12 months since my daughter and I switched to mass transit. That means 12 months of embarrassment, hassles and important life lessons — for both of us.
Why I love running outside in the winter
For this Minnesotan, there is something magical about running in the cold.
Star Tribune Photos of the Year 2015
Our take on the newspaper's most beautiful, poignant and enduring images from the past calendar year.
Free event today to taste our cookie contest winners
Join us today in downtown Minneapnolis to celebrate our 13th annual Holiday Cookie Contest. Plus: Get a free cookie sampler of our top-five entries.
Happy hour featuring Star Tribune photos of the year
Join us this afternoon for a gallery-style event at Star Tribune headquarters celebrating our finest photojournalism from 2015. Also: Free food and a signature photography-themed cocktail.
Join Michael Russo, Mark Parrish today for a Wild season preview event
NHL writer Michael Russo and former Wild winger Mark Parrish will dissect the team's chances this year, and try their hand at bubble hockey.
Photos: A fresh look at old Havana
These photos from Cuba (and more) will be featured in a special event at the Star Tribune on May 28.
Hiking in the Swiss Alps in the footsteps of Mark Twain
Mark Twain's praise rings true on a trek up Mount Rigi, near Lucerne, Switzerland.
Worth the drive: 20 great museum artifacts in Minn.
Load up the car, and get set for a drive with a worthwhile destination. Here's a highly selective guide to the best art and museum artifacts in outstate Minnesota.
Minnesota Trail: 20 places to learn about our state's history
These 20 Minnesota museums offer 20 essential lessons on our state's history.
![Jacob Steele, 2, of New Brighton plays on the train exhibits at the Jackson Street Roundhouse in St. Paul on April 5, 2014. ] Photo by Leslie Plesser](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/OUGHIHBEKMQVRLTQFWWJUPLQW4.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Tiny places for tiny people: 5 family-friendly museums
The Bakken, Science and Minnesota Children's museums are all beloved Twin Cities destinations for families. Here's where to bring the little ones next.
What's it like to own a Chevy Volt?
What's it like to own a Chevy Volt? We asked Wade Barisoff of Maple Grove, who bought one last year.
Car color: White, black, silver, gray or adventurous
White cars now comprise 22 percent of the global market. Silver and black are close behind with 20 and 19 percent, respectively. Gray is trailing slightly at 12 percent.
Join us: Talking Twins baseball today at noon #StribHQ event
Twins president Dave St. Peter and Star Tribune journalists will talk baseball and make predictions for the season at the Star Tribune's new headquarters. (Plus: Natedogs and free Killebrew root beer floats.)
Modern furniture from Minnesota
If you're shopping for furniture, check out these small companies — the state's newest purveyors of a modern design tradition.
A winter survival guide for your house
How to get through this winter without burst pipes, broken furnaces, heat loss and other problems that can plague the Minnesota homeowner.
The leaders' way: Three CEOs discuss award-winning approaches
They provide employees with a consistent approach and plenty of opportunities for personal growth.
Winter at Split Rock Lighthouse
A medley of icy scenes from the rocky beach at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park.
Cryptic Critters: Impressive examples of camouflage in Minnesota
Look closely. These animals are wearing perfect camouflage for their Minnesota surroundings.
Outdoor fitness options for hardy Minnesotans
Studies show outdoor exercise is one of the best ways to treat seasonal affective disorder, aka the "winter blues."
