Back to the summer via the Fargo Theatre

Summer is nearly over. Soon, many of you will be returning to school, or sending the kids there, anyway. Summer seems to have slipped away with barely a passing thought. But the Fargo Theatre wants to give it one last hurrah this coming week.

Monday August 6th through Thursday August 9th, the Fargo Theatre will be hosting the Summer Classic Film series, showing Casablanca, A Streetcar Named Desire, East of Eden, and Some Like It Hot, respectively. Each showing is at "approximately 7:05" (I'm not kidding, this is verbatim from their website). Prices are $10 for adults ($30 for a series pass) and $5 for the kiddles. I'm not quite sure why the prices are so high for classic films, but whatever. Seeing the romantic Casablanca in the setting of the Fargo Theatre would be worth it.

The Fargo Theatre is a restored Art Deco theatre that was originally built in the 1920s. Its iconic neon sign has been a symbol of Fargo and a facet of downtown nightlife since the late 1980s, when it was remodeled and restored to its former 1930s glory.

The American Theatre Organ Society was instrumental in saving the theatre and its members play the Mighty Wurlitzer each weekend. The Mighty Wurlitzer is a movie-house organ that was originally installed to provide music for silent films. The one at the Fargo is on hydraulics and rises from the stage and lowers back down into the organ pit. It's pretty amazing and fairly under-appreciated.

Today, it shows primarily indie, art-house, and foreign films, particularly Oscar-nominated ones. For instance, it was the first theatre in town to show "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," "Bend It Like Beckham," and "My Big, Fat Greek Wedding" long before the mainstream cinemas picked them up. They'll show classics, like the Summer Classics series, and ocassionally show silent films. The Fargo also plays host to musical acts and bands, live theatre, and events.

Historically, the live events have meant suspending film showings (there's only the one stage/screen), but with the Downtown Renaissance, there are plans to build in the lot that is now the theatre's parking lot and apparently rennovate the building next door. The new building includes a 72-seat second screen that would allow films to continue running during live events and multiple showings at once.

Of course, that also means less parking, but whatever. Better usable space than a parking lot. It'll look a lot nicer, too. Oh wait, apparently there will be underground parking? But that will probably be restricted to the residents of the new apartments and lofts. Wow, I might have to move there, when it's finished! *grin*

Anyway, I digress. The Fargo is amazing and under-attended. Of course, the concessions could use some work (it's called making smaller batches of popcorn so it's fresh when you buy it, people!), and the balcony seats are cramped, but when you're using historic red-velvet theatre seats, I guess you have to make some sacrifices.

So go now, while there's still plenty of parking! Besides, what could be more romantic than seeing Casablanca (a movie made in 1942) in a theatre that looks much the same way it did at the time Casablanca was released?

The Fargo Theatre is located at 314 Broadway (honestly, it's hard to miss.)
http://www.fargotheatre.org for more info and showings.

Hipster's Guide

So. You're young, you're hip, you like your culture alternative. And while I may be young, and maybe even hip, my subculture antennae leave a bit to be desired (particularly when it comes to music). So what's a poor hipster to do? Well, allow me to do what no self-respecting journalist would ever do: send you to another source.

That's right! I'm confident that you'll come back. Besides, this other source is a veritable regional staple. It's called the High Plains Reader. Heard of them? Good, you can probably stop reading now and go pick up the latest issue.

What's this? You haven't heard of them? For shame! HPR is the perfect publication: it's free, it's readily available at businesses and public locations all over Fargo-Moorhead and around the region, it's got an extensive events calendar, and it tells it like it is, often covering what the Forum missed (or refuses to cover). All with a healthy dose of alt film and music lovin'.

Their website is currently under construction, apparently, but issues are available free all over the city: notably at the public libraries, grocery stores, and most local restaurants.

So go check it out! It's the closest thing to the Insider you'll ever find in print.

Muy fresco!

A friend and I are headed out tonight for $1 margaritas and 1/2 price appetizers at what is arguably Fargo-Moorhead's oldest ethnic restaurant (still running, that is).

It's Mexican Village. Established in 1970, Mexican Village was perhaps the first specialized ethnic restaurant in the area. My parents were college students in the late 70s, and remember buying a late night college snack of a big brown paper bag full of freshly fried tortilla chips and a container of salsa; for $1.50.

Mexi Village (as it is colloquially known) is famous for its strawberry margaritas (made with real strawberries) and hot sauce. The hot sauce is something special, not too hot (wouldn't want to offend those Midwestern palates) and totally smooth, unlike traditional salsas. But entirely delicious with a basket of fresh chips. They are also famous for their fried ice cream. Yum!

Their food is a bit heavy, but still good and there's a wide variety to choose from. They even have American faves like burgers for the picky ones (kids in particular).

The atmosphere is lovely, with floor-to-ceiling murals of life in a Mexican village (pun intended?), spanish tiled floor and tables, and a fountain in the main room. There's plenty of room for big parties, too.

If you've never been, you need to go! Mexican Village is a Fargo institution.

Mexican Village is located at 814 Main Ave. in Fargo.
Visit http://www.mexicanvillagefm.com/ for menu and other info.

Self-guided tours of Fargo and the Red River

Mark Peihl, Clay County Historical Society conservator, has put together a really great walking/biking/canoeing tour of the Red River through Fargo-Moorhead, complete with fascinating historical info. Much of it is anecdotal and not common knowledge, so it's a fun read, even if you don't follow the river. Here's a link to the printable PDF.

If you're more interested in architectural history, the City of Fargo has published a walking tour of downtown Fargo. This one is best done by actually walking the streets. However, you can get the best view from the opposite side of the street as much of the architectural points outlined in the guide are on the second floor or higher. Considerably drier than the CCHS tour, but invaluable for architecture buffs. Also includes some anecdotal info, but not nearly enough in my opinion.

Print copies are available free at both branches of the Fargo Public Library, otherwise you can download the PDF for free on their website. Apparently, there was supposed to be an audio version, either on CD or somewhere on the website, but I can't seem to find it. If you know about it, let me know and I'll update this post with more info!

Nicole's Fine Pastry

This is one of my favorite spots in Fargo, Perhaps it's because I was a French minor in college, but somehow this place is never "Nichole's Fine Pastry," but rather Nichole's patisserie. Located downtown on 8th St. just south of Main Ave., the exterior evokes the Provençal colors of golden yellow and lavender blue.

The interior is spare and clean, but inviting. Ever-changing local art decks the walls and glass cooler cases house fanciful confections and treats evoking grandma's kitchen. Small square tables with glass-topped tablecloths make the space feel European and homey.

The real draw to Nichole's, however, is not the atmosphere: it's the food. Or rather, the desserts.

Pastry chef Nichole Hensen creates everything from seasonal fruit tarts, galettes, and the quintessential Midwestern bars, to créme brulée, chocolate truffles, biscotti, and pound cake. The menu changes seasonally, so check out their website for the complete list.

They also offer fresh sandwiches, salads, and full coffee house selections. Things aren't cheap, but they're not expensive either.

However much I love this place, I do have a few complaints: for one, they're not open on Mondays and only until 6 pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Dessert is meant for eating after dinner! Though they are open until 10 pm Thursday through Saturday.

However, they don't open in the mornings until 10 am! So walking to the patisserie at 6 am for your pain au chocolat and café au lait is a no-go. On a related note, I wish they were more French. Perhaps Nichole could go in with a master baker and open a bakery with delicious baguettes and flaky croissants... Okay, now we're off topic...

But Nichole's! Amazing! Go visit! And I'll go wishing after France.

Nichole's Fine Pastry is located at 13 S. 8th St. in Fargo.
Visit www.nicholesfinepastry.com for hours and the seasonally changing menu.

Heads up

A word about the header (and please don't be scared by the pun, I like them!): I got it from James Lileks' lovely site about Fargo (it's there, just scroll down his main page) and did a little cropping.

Downtown Fargo is one of my favorite places to hang out. The West Acres area (in southwest Fargo) seems to be the fertilizing soil for chains. That is, chain restaurants, clothings stores, shopping, etc. Which, while nice when you want to eat somewhere new, is not exactly my favorite thing. The homogenization of small town (or rather, medium-sized city) America is something of a crime, in my mind.

So downtown Fargo, in its recent and lovely renaissance, is the spot where all kinds of locally owned establishments are popping up.

And here's why I like local better than national (or worse, multi-national): Local is good because it gives back. Instead of profits going to some mega-corporation far, far away, profits are invested back into local businesses and the community (through taxes). Local businesses buy goods and services from other local businesses. Local businesses provide jobs (in a way that McDonald's and Walmart never can), often more jobs (and better jobs) than their chain counterparts. Local businesses inspire and foster innovation.

But above all, local businesses are unique; they provide diversity. And diversity is what makes a city or a community or a region what it is.

So yes. I suppose this is a sort of philosophy of why I write what I write. Now go local!

Welcome, chickadees!

Welcome! This is a fun little site dedicated to Fargo, North Dakota (and by extension, its sister city, Moorhead, Minnesota).

I began writing about Fargo-Moorhead in the fall of 2006 for my college newspaper, The Concordian. As soon as they get it online, you can search the issues in the Archives, or on The Concordian website.

However, since the column was called "Downtown Hotspots," I was necessarily limited to downtown Fargo-Moorhead. Which was frustrating sometimes, because there are cool places out of the downtown area, too!

So yes, posts will be arranged as reviews, historical vignettes, fun facts, etc. You get the idea.

This is also to collect fun links about Fargo (and Moorhead) together in one place.

The Insider's Guide is for natives, tourists, visitors, college students, adults, retirees, high school students, and pretty much anyone else interested enough to read it. Except for maybe people writing research papers. I doubt your professors/editors would like it very much if you cited a blog, however much I have a degree in History.

Anyway, once I get things up and running, enjoy!