Alef List: Hot Happenings for Jews

Don’t those hamantashen look tasty? Mmm….hamantashen. Poppy seed, apricot, prune…they’re all so darn yummy. Wait, I’m digressing. You’re here for the hottest Jew to-do’s for the next two weeks. Really? You sure we can’t talk about hamantashen for just a minute longer? Fine. I’ll oblige.
Here’s the Alef List for February 23 – March 8:
2/27/10
Isn’t it great when Purim falls on the weekend? Not that the holiday isn’t always great, but you have to admit that it’s a lot more fun when you can take a good long nap after a night of revelry. (Just make sure you wake up early enough on Sunday to catch the 2nd Megillah reading.) The events page has a full listing of Purim festivities around town. Young, hip and ready to get your party on? Don’t miss Temple Israel’s Purim After Dark. Starting with a Spirits Seminar and Tasting at 8:30 and moving on to a 9:45 Megillah reading, this is not your Bubbie’s Purim party. Bring an ID that shows you’re over 21 and under 40. No cost to attend, but RSVPs are required. On the other side of the river? Join Mount Zion’s NOAZIM group as they Party at the Pig (the Muddy Pig, that is). They’ll be in the back room around 9:30 or so. Because on Purim, it’s TOTALLY kosher to party at the pig. (TC Jewfolk would like to remind everybody to celebrate responsibly. And to eat lots of hamantashen.)
2/25-3/7/10
With days worth of funny stuff, you’re bound to find a performance (or three) at the  2010 Minneapolis Jewish Humor Festival that will have you laughing your ass off. (Seriously. Laughing for 10-15 minutes a day burns an extra 10-40 calories. That’s almost a whole bite of a hamantash.) From one-act plays to improv to film, there’s something for everyone. The festival folks were nice enough to include a rating system for the performances so you can decide ahead of time if bringing your mother with you isn’t the best idea (then again, maybe your mom is cooler than mine). And ticket prices are super reasonable – a definite bonus.
Honorable Mentions:
2/26/10 Ari Herstand DVD release at the Fine Line.
3/5/10 Stephen Sondheim: A Life in the Theater at the State Theatre
(Photo: Robert Couse-Baker)