Closing time at Third Ear Studio

There's a certain irreducible sadness that comes with moving. The day when you close the door on a place stirs up a mix of emotions: uncertainty, mourning, hope, nostalgia. For Tom Herbers, who's run Third Ear Recording Studio in southeast Minneapolis since 1993, that day is Sept. 30.

"I don't know where I'll be come Oct. 1," he admits. "Well, I know Oct. 1 I'll still be here, frantically trying to get the last of my stuff out as people are coming in to prepare the building for demolition."

As crews prepare to turn the site into a bioscience research park, they may encounter the ghosts of musicians who have recorded at Third Ear, including Low, Fog, Andrew Bird, JoAnna James, Martin Dosh, the Glenrustles and the Honeydogs.

Since Herbers learned in June that he'd have to move, he's been jamming people into the schedule. Bird came by to lay down tracks the last time he was in town, and Fog recently stopped in for a final session.

"Third Ear is the best place to record for very simple reasons: Tom and his gear, in that order," says Fog's Andrew Broder. "He knows exactly how to use what he has, when to give input, when not to, and knows how to make you feel comfortable while you're working."

Herbers will re-establish Third Ear elsewhere, but is there any chance he'll squeeze in one last magical session?

"It'd be fun to maybe do something like that," he said with a twinkle in his eye. "Just call up people randomly and say, 'Get down here and we'll make some noise.'"

• Steve McPherson

Invasion of the fat burger

Fatso's, home of the humongous 4½-pound burger(!), has moved from Anoka into the former Spirell Bar space in downtown Minneapolis. The sports bar will have its grand opening Friday and Saturday with a burger-eating contest and drink specials, including $1 shots all night. Its concept stays the same: burgers on one side and a dance floor with Top 40 DJs on the other. ... Across downtown Saturday, Spin will celebrate its third anniversary -- a lifetime in nightclub years. The dance club is gearing up for a half-million-dollar remodeling to be finished around Halloween.

• Tom Horgen

Theater community gets ready for its close-up

The third Ivey Awards celebration hits the State Theatre on Monday night, and if early ticket sales indicate interest, the Twin Cities' answer to the Tonys is on the upswing. VIP tickets, which include a preshow party at the Chambers, are up 100 percent over last year, said organizer Scott Mayer.

One draw is a special performance by Laura Osnes, star of Broadway's "Grease," who is flying in on her day off.

So what does an Ivey get you, other than a sweet paperweight and a chance to make a speech in front of 1,300?

"It has meant a huge boost in audience for us," said Paul Herwig, co-artistic director with Jennifer Ilse of "Off-Leash Area." The inventive little company has been recognized both years. "We've sold out every show we've done since 2005," said Herwig, who is hoping to make it three for three. 7:30 p.m. Monday 9/24. $30; $125 for VIP. www.iveyawards.com.

• Graydon Royce

Chloë in the afternoon

As MNfashion Weekend gets underway this weekend, the recent New York Fashion Week also featured Minnesota talent -- on the other side of the lens. Local photographer Stephanie Colgan has just returned after shooting her fourth Fashion Week. The New York Times hired her to help cover the event, moving her up a few spots on the photo pecking order.