Read, Drink, Listen
Every month, I have written a short column for Edina Magazine, paired up with a ‘Must Read’ and ‘Must Listen’ for the season… Here is the best of the best for the month of June. Try pairing all three together for a super summer sippin’ experience!
Read
Shopping for clothes in Edina, whether in the shops at 50th and France or at Southdale, leads us to ask, “Why do people wear what they do?” Project Runway’s Tim Gunn answers this question about style and apparel history and more inTim Gunn’s Fashion Bible: The Fascinating History of Everything in Your Closet. An excellent companion to Gunn’s book is The Thoughtful Dresser: The Art of Adornment, the Pleasures of Shopping and Why Clothes Matter by English journalist and novelist Linda Grant. Grant explains the emotional importance of shopping and the creative aspects of dressing, offering a thoughtful defense of style.
—Maureen Millea Smith is a librarian at Edina Library and a Minnesota Book Award-winning novelist.
*Available for $19.43 at Barnes & Noble in the Galleria.
Drink
June ushers in a season that shouts “fresh, fun and lively.” As we officially settle into summer, I dive into the fridge for lighter foods and often enjoy my wines outside with friends. Nothing is more refreshing for these times than a crisp, floral white wine. This month, I recommend the Tamari Torrontés from Argentina. Loaded with alluring notes of fresh jasmine, delicate white flowers and tropical fruits in the nose, this wine delivers all of these same elements on the palate, finishing with a crispy, lemony twist. Torrontés, Argentina’s main white grape, has become one of the most popular South American grapes, after its counterpart Malbec.
—Leslee Miller is a certified sommelier and owner of local wine consulting firm Amusée. amuseewine.com
*Available at all Edina Liquor locations and many other metro bottle shops for $10-$15.
Listen
This month I thought I’d stick to the Best of Edina theme, and feature Edina multi-instrumentalist Michael Nelson and his project Wilryans.Nelson is a great producer with over 50 records to his credit. This record, a collection of originals, is a very well-produced, smart record influenced heavily by the Beatles. One of my favorites is the loop-based “Good Love,” featuring a hypnotic hook and cool harmonies. “Annie’s Hopeful” is a haunting, memorable melody while “The Good Daughter” might remind you of Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer.” Singer Tonia Hughes sits in on two tracks on the record.
This is my last review for Edina Magazine. I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing my musical opinions with you, and I look forward to seeing you around town.