The daily digest of Twin Cities culture | Secrets of the City

SPECIAL EVENT
Matthew Shepard Vigil & The Laramie Project

It's hard to believe that Matthew Shepard's murder occurred ten long years ago because the heartbreaking and senseless act of violence is still so impossible to comprehend. In a hate crime that shocked the country, Shepard, a 21 year old college student, was beaten, robbed, tied to a fence in freezing weather and left for dead. The primary motive for this? His sexuality. Tonight join Matthew's mother, Judy Shepard, as she leads a candlelight vigil in Loring Park in honor of the 10-year Anniversary of his murder. Following the vigil, there will be a theatrical reading of The Laramie Project, the play that recounts the tale of what happened on that terrible night in a small Wyoming town. Visit the Matthew Shepard Foundation website for tickets HERE or call or call 303.830.7400, ext. 11.

6:30pm, Loring Park Vigil, 7:30 Women's Club Performance, 410 Oak Grove Street, Minneapolis, Vigil is free, performance $65-$100.

MUSIC
Ben Kweller

Texas-bred Ben Kweller is a genre-crossing charmer. Whether you're a die-hard, cowboy hat wearin' country-western lover, or a folk-friendly indie rocker, or even someone who simply appreciates good storytelling through song, Kweller's easy-going soundtrack to living life is bound to inspire. Rooted deeply in the country sound, he grew up "playing in creeks, bass fishing, shooting BB guns, thinking about girls and listening to Garth," which to us city-slickers may sound a little storybookish, but it's obviously provided generous fodder for Kweller's song-smithing. Tonight's show at the Varsity will definitely leave you warm and satisfied with a heaping helping of toe-tappin' Americana ala Ben Kweller. Make it a date with a pre-show dinner at the Loring Pasta Bar, conveniently located right next door to the Varsity!

Doors 7:30pm, Music 8:30pm, Varsity Theater, 1308 4th Street SE, Dinkytown, $20


FILM
Love: A Documentary

Homegrown Cinema wraps up its latest series of Minnesota-made films tonight at the Parkway Theater. This evening's screening is Love: A Documentary, a comedy that follows the love-spewing antics of John Stevens, a shy, mid-level financial analyst at Cratech Industries. Through interviews with videographer Ethan Burroughs, Stevens fills us in on his never-ending quest to bring love and compassion to those who obviously don't want it - with hilarious results. After the screening head next door to Pepito's Restaurant for the official Homegrown after party that includes a q&a with the director, plenty of film-buff elbow-rubbing, and of course, margaritas.

7:30pm, Parkway Theater, 4814 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, $8