Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈
@rossraihala.bsky.social
Pop music critic at the St. Paul Pioneer Press. All shade very necessary. Former dancer at the Grind. World weary, cynical arbiter of taste. Gen X, baby.
Pinned
Reposted by Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈
Stevie Nicks was gd magical tonight in St. Paul. She's 77(!) and remains an utterly compelling live performer. Here's my review (gift link):
Concert review: An ageless Stevie Nicks charms Grand Casino Arena crowd
Stevie Nicks busted one of her white wings this summer, forcing the twirling songstress to postpone a number of shows, including an August stop at the St. Paul hockey arena then known as Xcel Energ…
www.twincities.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:23 AM
Stevie Nicks was gd magical tonight in St. Paul. She's 77(!) and remains an utterly compelling live performer. Here's my review (gift link):
Today's jam
November 13, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Today's jam
Stevie Nicks was gd magical tonight in St. Paul. She's 77(!) and remains an utterly compelling live performer. Here's my review (gift link):
Concert review: An ageless Stevie Nicks charms Grand Casino Arena crowd
Stevie Nicks busted one of her white wings this summer, forcing the twirling songstress to postpone a number of shows, including an August stop at the St. Paul hockey arena then known as Xcel Energ…
www.twincities.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:23 AM
Stevie Nicks was gd magical tonight in St. Paul. She's 77(!) and remains an utterly compelling live performer. Here's my review (gift link):
Stevie Nicks just twirled during Stand Back!
November 13, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Stevie Nicks just twirled during Stand Back!
I'm at the Stevie Nicks concert and I'm happy to say she sounds great. Tonight's show was originally scheduled in August, but it was postponed after Stevie fractured her shoulder(!)
November 13, 2025 at 2:33 AM
I'm at the Stevie Nicks concert and I'm happy to say she sounds great. Tonight's show was originally scheduled in August, but it was postponed after Stevie fractured her shoulder(!)
I heard the Crunch Bar facebook page is the place to be
November 12, 2025 at 3:21 AM
I heard the Crunch Bar facebook page is the place to be
I made a plate for dinner
November 11, 2025 at 2:05 AM
I made a plate for dinner
Posting this mainly because I just learned today that power pop icon/in-demand producer Butch Walker is now a member of Train(!)
Jack Johnson and Train book shows at the new outdoor amphitheater in Shakopee
Tickets for Johnson’s July 12 concert and Train’s Aug. 9 stop both go on sale Friday.
www.twincities.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Posting this mainly because I just learned today that power pop icon/in-demand producer Butch Walker is now a member of Train(!)
Real banger
"Wait in the Car" by The Breeders
Album: "All Nerve"
Time: 3:59 pm
Album: "All Nerve"
Time: 3:59 pm
November 10, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Real banger
The reviews for Ryan Murphy's new show All's Fair are comically bad. The Guardian gave it zero stars and called it "Fascinatingly, incomprehensibly, existentially terrible." It's at 5 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
We watched the first two episodes last night and ... it's trashy fun!
We watched the first two episodes last night and ... it's trashy fun!
November 9, 2025 at 8:54 PM
The reviews for Ryan Murphy's new show All's Fair are comically bad. The Guardian gave it zero stars and called it "Fascinatingly, incomprehensibly, existentially terrible." It's at 5 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
We watched the first two episodes last night and ... it's trashy fun!
We watched the first two episodes last night and ... it's trashy fun!
The tiniest bit of snow is now falling in 55102
November 9, 2025 at 6:08 AM
The tiniest bit of snow is now falling in 55102
We went to Skinner's for dinner tonight and, like, six people stopped Patric to tell him they love him on tv, have his books, whatever.
I love when this happens and I also love St. Paul
I love when this happens and I also love St. Paul
November 9, 2025 at 1:51 AM
We went to Skinner's for dinner tonight and, like, six people stopped Patric to tell him they love him on tv, have his books, whatever.
I love when this happens and I also love St. Paul
I love when this happens and I also love St. Paul
Post you from a different era (1988)
November 7, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Post you from a different era (1988)
Here's my review of the new Purple Rain musical, which officially opened last night. (gift link)
It's much tighter and streamlined than it was during the first public performance three weeks ago. The musical sequences are the best part about it.
Still, Prince would hate it.
It's much tighter and streamlined than it was during the first public performance three weeks ago. The musical sequences are the best part about it.
Still, Prince would hate it.
Review: Prince’s music is the best thing about the ‘Purple Rain’ musical
The best thing that happened during previews is Kris Kollins’ rapid development from timid amateur to captivating headliner.
www.twincities.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Here's my review of the new Purple Rain musical, which officially opened last night. (gift link)
It's much tighter and streamlined than it was during the first public performance three weeks ago. The musical sequences are the best part about it.
Still, Prince would hate it.
It's much tighter and streamlined than it was during the first public performance three weeks ago. The musical sequences are the best part about it.
Still, Prince would hate it.
Just got home from the official opening night of the Purple Rain musical. And let me tell you, the three weeks of previews worked, because it's *much* improved since the first performance. I'll post my full review here tomorrow.
Prince would hate it, tho.
Prince would hate it, tho.
Inspired by @katalogued.bsky.social (who did not like it), if you've seen the Purple Rain musical, what did you think about it? And what was the running time (including intermission)?
Here's what I wrote after the first performance (gift link).
Here's what I wrote after the first performance (gift link).
First look: Five observations from the new ‘Purple Rain’ musical
“Purple Rain” officially opens Nov. 5 and that’s when critics will weigh in on the show’s merits — but here are some observations from the first performance.
www.twincities.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:12 AM
Just got home from the official opening night of the Purple Rain musical. And let me tell you, the three weeks of previews worked, because it's *much* improved since the first performance. I'll post my full review here tomorrow.
Prince would hate it, tho.
Prince would hate it, tho.
Putting a fresh battery in your mouse is a game changer
November 4, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Putting a fresh battery in your mouse is a game changer
Speaking as a citizen (and not as as journalist), I'm thrilled that my friend @jasoncomix.bsky.social is running for the Minneapolis Parks and Rec Board (district four).
Jason is one of the kindest, most thoughtful people I know. They're exactly the kind of person who should be in public service.
Jason is one of the kindest, most thoughtful people I know. They're exactly the kind of person who should be in public service.
November 3, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Speaking as a citizen (and not as as journalist), I'm thrilled that my friend @jasoncomix.bsky.social is running for the Minneapolis Parks and Rec Board (district four).
Jason is one of the kindest, most thoughtful people I know. They're exactly the kind of person who should be in public service.
Jason is one of the kindest, most thoughtful people I know. They're exactly the kind of person who should be in public service.
Reposted by Ross Raihala (Alpha Male) 🌈
If you’re in the Twin Cities, you likely know Gigi (or have some of her fantastic pins!). She’s a fixture at drag shows and pro wrestling (which are very similar), and a friend to all that deserve her friendship.
Her stupid eye tumor is back and causing her problems. Help out if you can!
Her stupid eye tumor is back and causing her problems. Help out if you can!
Donate to THE INCREDIBLY SHITTY TUMOR RETURNS : LEFT EYE EDITION!, organized by Gigi Berry
(tldr :: ✨ Ameloblastoma ✨ growth on my
optic nerve in my left e… Gigi Berry needs your support for THE INCREDIBLY SHITTY TUMOR RETURNS : LEFT EYE EDITION!
www.gofundme.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:14 PM
If you’re in the Twin Cities, you likely know Gigi (or have some of her fantastic pins!). She’s a fixture at drag shows and pro wrestling (which are very similar), and a friend to all that deserve her friendship.
Her stupid eye tumor is back and causing her problems. Help out if you can!
Her stupid eye tumor is back and causing her problems. Help out if you can!
PSA: There are a bunch of Amy Winehouse remixes on Apple Music and they're quite good. I made a playlist and have been listening on shuffle.
November 2, 2025 at 9:56 PM
PSA: There are a bunch of Amy Winehouse remixes on Apple Music and they're quite good. I made a playlist and have been listening on shuffle.
My apologizes to the guy wearing a Pulp t-shirt in the WSP Target parking lot who I yelled "Did you see the show last month?" at with utter excitement.
(He did, indeed, see the show and also loved it.)
(He did, indeed, see the show and also loved it.)
November 1, 2025 at 8:45 PM
My apologizes to the guy wearing a Pulp t-shirt in the WSP Target parking lot who I yelled "Did you see the show last month?" at with utter excitement.
(He did, indeed, see the show and also loved it.)
(He did, indeed, see the show and also loved it.)
For *years* now, whenever my hometown girl Jessica Lange was asked if she would return to American Horror Story her answer was an unequivocal "hell no."
And yet...
And yet...
‘American Horror Story’ Season 13 Cast: Ariana Grande, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett, Jessica Lange & More
American Horror Story Season 13 is happening, and the cast has been confirmed.
deadline.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:59 PM
For *years* now, whenever my hometown girl Jessica Lange was asked if she would return to American Horror Story her answer was an unequivocal "hell no."
And yet...
And yet...
Sorry for the promo, but Patric just updated his website for the holiday season and I absolutely love that he's wearing a stuffed carrot charm on his shoe.
laundryevangelist.com
laundryevangelist.com
Laundry Evangelist | Host of The Laundry Guy Discovery+
Laundry Evangelist is Patric Richardson's shop for his favorite laundry products. Shop the host of The Laundry Guy's laundry care store today.
laundryevangelist.com
October 31, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Sorry for the promo, but Patric just updated his website for the holiday season and I absolutely love that he's wearing a stuffed carrot charm on his shoe.
laundryevangelist.com
laundryevangelist.com
Holy shit, we won!
I'm at the Asian American Journalists Association trivia fundraiser. After three rounds, Team Pioneer Press is tied for second.
This is a room full of nerds.
This is a room full of nerds.
October 31, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Holy shit, we won!
I'm at the Asian American Journalists Association trivia fundraiser. After three rounds, Team Pioneer Press is tied for second.
This is a room full of nerds.
This is a room full of nerds.
October 31, 2025 at 1:16 AM
I'm at the Asian American Journalists Association trivia fundraiser. After three rounds, Team Pioneer Press is tied for second.
This is a room full of nerds.
This is a room full of nerds.