Tonight: Mill City Farmers Market’s Tuesday Night Market at The Commons

Mill City Farmers Market’s Tuesday Night Market at The Commons park is Minneapolis' new trusted source for local, sustainable and organic groceries, bringing fresh food, cooking education and live music to one beautiful place. Join over 25 local farmers, artisans and prepared food vendors – rain or shine – this Tuesday night for a unique community shopping experience. Don’t forget your picnic blanket!

Produce Planner
Arugula, bok choi, beets, broccoli, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, dried beans, fresh herbs, garlic scapes, green garlic, green beans, gooseberries, kale, lettuce, microgreens, mushrooms, peppers, radishes, radicchio, raspberries, salad turnips, snap peas, snow peas, spinach, spring onions, squash blossoms, summer squash, Swiss chard, tomatoes, zucchini and more!

Beer, Wine & Cider
Enjoy your picnic with a tall glass of your choice of beer, wine or cider thanks to Day Block Brewery. Available for purchase at the Day Block Brewery tent.

Dinner
Our farm-to-table vendors have ready made food to-go or to enjoy in the park!
Black Cat – barbecue, rice bowls and more!
Chef Shack – tacos, burgers, and brats
Gorkha Palace – Indian and Nepali dumplings and curries
Northern Fires Pizza
Salty Tart Bakery
Solomon’s Bakery

Live Music
Mudsteppers will be playing live music from 5:30-7:30 in the green music tent located on the southwest corner of the Commons Park!

Meet Your Vegetables
Nutrition and Public Health students lead our Meet Your Vegetables demonstrations at the green Mill City Farmers Market tent. Discover creative, simple ways to prepare seasonal produce and walk away with a delicious sample and recipe card complete with nutrition information! Plus, children ages 3-12 who taste a sample can earn a $2 PoP token to spend on fruits and veggies at the market as part of our Power of Produce club. Learn more.

NOTE - Monitor MCFM's Facebook for any weather-related cancellation updates!

Scenes from the July 22 Mill City Farmers Market

If you missed the July 22 Mill City Farmers Market, stop by the July 25 Mill City Night Market in The Commons, 3:30p-7:30p.

Milly the goat!

New Fitness Studio Coming Soon to the North Loop: ALTR

A new experiential fitness studio, ALTR, is scheduling an August opening in the North Loop. The new concept was designed by two local fitness experts, both formerly of CorePower Yoga - Kari Ament was Chief Operations Officer, and Vincent Amendola was previously Director of Operations.

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Vincent Amendola and Kari Ament, photo provided

   

ALTR will give customers the expertise of a personal trainer delivered in a highly intensive group setting. Fifty minutes of physical and mental intensity with transcendent lighting and immersive sound to create an energetic total body workout utilizing High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). The in-studio lighting effects will be amplified when combined with music tempered to the pace of the workout. The studio will also include a rare custom built spring-loaded floor alleviating pressure on joints.

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Photo credit: Eric Best

 

ALTR is located on the second floor of The Washington building, 121 Washington Avenue N (Washington Avenue N and Second Avenue N). The 4,513 square foot space will have a coffee bar, kombucha on tap, meeting rooms and a communal lounge area.

    

Reach them at 763-639-0879 or connect@altrfit.com. Follow ALTR on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter to keep updated on opening information.

Blood Drive and Giveaways at Minneapolis Visitor Information on Nicollet’s First Thursday Event, August 3rd

Via a July 21 News Release from Meet Minneapolis:

Blood Drive and giveaways at Minneapolis Visitor Information on Nicollet’s First Thursday event

Participants in Memorial Blood Center’s blood drive receive partner giveaways!

Join in on Minneapolis Visitor Information (MVI) on Nicollet’s First Thursday event in August to save lives. On Thursday, Aug. 3 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., MVI is teaming up with Memorial Blood Center and seeking 50 blood drive participants who will receive special perks just for showing up to donate. Interested persons may register at www.mbc.org/searchdrives with the code 4574 to access this blood drive.

Giveaways and offers participants will receive (blood donors only):

• 20 percent discount throughout the day on Love From Minneapolis merchandise (excludes transit sales from Move Minneapolis)
• $25 Fogo de Chao gift certificate
• $2 off Hell’s Kitchen Bloody Mary token
• Free Hell’s Kitchen lemon ricotta hotcakes order coupon
• Minnesota State Fair Blue Ribbon bargain book
• 15 percent off bulk candy bucket certificate to iCandy Sugar Shoppe at Minnesota State Fair
• Chance to win a pair of tickets to one of three great events, including a Minnesota Vikings game, Minnesota State Fair and Minnesota Renaissance Festival

Available to all who stop by:

• 10 percent discount throughout the day on Love From Minneapolis merchandise (excludes transit sales from Move Minneapolis)

First Thursdays are held each month to encourage visitors and Minneapolis locals alike to learn more about Minneapolis Visitor Information and our partners, Love From Minneapolis and Move Minneapolis, as well as highlight community organizations, partners and events. MVI, 505 Nicollet Mall, is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.

ABOUT MINNEAPOLIS VISITOR INFORMATION ON NICOLLET: SHOP. MOVE. FIND.
Minneapolis Visitor Information includes three services in one convenient location:
      
• Shop: Love From Minneapolis offers Minneapolis- and Minnesota-themed apparel, art, specialty foods, souvenirs and gifts, including many made by local artisans. Products are also available at: https://lovefromcompanies.com/shop-minneapolis
• Move: Move Minneapolis (formerly the Commuter Connection) provides services to commuters, carpool information, transit passes, schedules and maps, MnPass and bicycling commuting information and accessories. Visitors seeking help with transit options should make this their first stop downtown.
• Find: Meet Minneapolis staff is available to answer questions, share visitor maps and provide suggestions about things to do in Minneapolis and the surrounding area. The Visitor Information Center in the Minneapolis Convention Center also is available to provide similar information to visitors and convention attendees.

ABOUT MEET MINNEAPOLIS

Meet Minneapolis is a private, not-for-profit, member-based association. It actively promotes and sells the Minneapolis area as a destination for conventions and meetings, works to maximize the visitor experience and markets the city as a desirable tourist destination to maximize the economic benefit to the greater Minneapolis area.

I-94 Construction Project Update

Via an e-newsletter from MNDot: 

Lowry Tunnel project work details

The first stage of the work in and near the Lowry Tunnel is scheduled to be complete early next week. The plan is to shift two lanes of westbound traffic into the westbound side of the tunnel late Mon, July 24. Two eastbound lanes will remain in the east side. If it rains, the work will be pushed to late Tue, July 25.

When the change is made, this will allow the ramps from westbound I-94 to westbound I-394 and from westbound I-94 to Hwy 55 to open.

The ramps from northbound I-35W to westbound I-94, from Hwy 55 to eastbound I-94 and from Fourth Ave. to westbound I-94 will remain closed. 

This configuration will be in place for about seven to 10 days.

Upcoming Portland Ave. Tunnel closure July 20

Beginning 11:00pm tonight, July 20, eastbound I-94 will close at the Portland Ave. tunnel. Motorists will be detoured I-35W S to 46th St. to northbound I-35W to eastbound I-94. The eastbound side of the Lowry Tunnel will be reduced to a single lane and the ramp from eastbound I-394 to eastbound I-94 will also close during this time. These closures will last until 5 a.m. Fri, July 21.

More about this project

Just a reminder: the speed limit in the work zone is 50 mph. In the tunnel it is 40 mph. Trucks weighing more than 9,000 pounds are prohibited for using the Lowry Tunnel. We are still seeing some trucks go through. The State Patrol is nearby enforcing.

For more details on project work, visit: www.mndot.gov/metro/projects/i94brooklyncntr/  

East Town Business Partnership Announces 2017-2018 Business Forum Dates/Topics

Via a July 18 e-newsletter from East Town Business Partnership (Formerly the East Downtown Council):

2017-2018 EAST TOWN BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP
BUSINESS FORUM SERIES

Business Forums take place on the third Thursday of the month from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at various locations in East Town. Registration, networking and lunch starts at 11:30 a.m., with the East Town Business Partnership Update and guest presentations beginning at Noon. 

Here is the 2017-2018 Business Forum Series: 

2017

September 21: Making a Mall for Everyone: The Nicollet Mall Project
A joint business forum with the mpls downtown council celebrating the progress and ultimate outcome of the Nicollet Mall construction including key accomplishments and future programming aspirations for this new public amenity.

October 19: Getting Around in East Town Now and for the Next 25 Years
Transit and access to downtown is a hot topic! This forum will include local and regional leaders talking about transit and access policy and strategies alongside emerging pedestrian, bike, and car technologies that are changing the way we move to and from East Town.

November 16: Super Bowl 52: Let’s Get the Party Started!
Super Bowl 52 Host Committee Leadership providing an overview of all the activities and events of Minnesota’s moment on a global stage.

December 19 (Tuesday) : Innovative Business Models + Start Ups
East Town is becoming a new hub for startup companies! This shared forum with the mpls downtown council will feature successful entrepreneurs discussing the theory and practice behind their success and strategies.

2018

January 18: Helping Businesses Lead on Energy Efficiencies, Waste and Pollution Reductions
This forum will feature subject experts discussing several new and innovative partnerships that are transforming how Minneapolis businesses can play a leading role in new energy efficiencies and waste reductions that are both good for business and the community.

February 15: Destination Transformation 2030 Meet Minneapolis Tourism Master Plan
Executive Leadership from Meet Minneapolis presenting on the long range goal to be a region that hosts 50 million visitors annually through regional branding and marketing and efforts across an array of sectors.

March 15: First Look at the New HCMC Clinic and Specialty Center
$222 million, 377,00 square foot, 40 clinics moved from 9 buildings into one new clinic that is skyway and tunnel connected to the HCMC campus! This shared forum with the mpls downtown council will feature HCMC Executive Leadership sharing unique details about the project.

April 19: A Big, Bold North, Booming East Town Extraaaaavaganza (Annual Meeting)
This meeting will include annual district highlights and emerging priorities. And, our feature presenters, the very popular Theater for Public Policy will provide a humorous and improvised look at what it means to be East Town in the Bold North!

May 17: Water Works + Lock and Dam: All Things Riverfront Development
This forum will feature leadership from the Riverfront Partnership and the Minneapolis Park Foundation giving us a comprehensive look at projects transforming the riverfront for generations to come.

June 21: Celebrating the Opening of the Kraus Anderson Block
The redevelopment of an entire block of East Town is a celebration of urban innovation and best practices for mixed use development. This shared forum with the mpls downtown council will introduce us to all that is new on this block including new housing, the Elliot hotel and restaurant, the Finnovation Center, and the new Kraus Anderson headquarters.

Road Closures for Aquatennial Events, July 19 and 22

Please note the following road closures for these Aquatennial events:

Wednesday, July 19
7pm – 9:00pm  Life Time Torchlight 5K
- West River Parkway - From N 4th Ave to Portland Ave
- Stone Arch Bridge
- SE Main St - From SE 3rd St to 6th St SE
- Third Street South, from First Avenue North to Second Avenue South.
- First Street North, from Hennepin to Fourth Avenue North.
- Fourth Avenue North, from First Street North to West River Parkway.

8pm - 10:30p CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade
Hennepin Avenue will close from Dunwoody Boulevard to Third Street South. Traffic will be able to cross Hennepin Avenue at Fourth Street, Fifth Street, 10th Street, 11th Street, Maple Street/16th Street and southbound on Lyndale Avenue. Also Dunwoody Boulevard will close to traffic, along with the Interstate 394 exit onto Dunwoody Boulevard. These streets will reopen after the parade is finished at approximately 10:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 22 - Aquatennial & Fireworks
8am – 10pm
West River Parkway from 4th Ave to Portland

ZeSa Fitness Founder Selected as a Presenter at the 2017 IDEA World Convention

Via a July News Release from ZeSa® Fitness:

Shanti Rainey, the founder and chief visionary officer of ZeSa® Fitness, a new Minneapolis company, has been chosen as a presenter at the 2017 IDEA® World Convention. This convention is the premier conference featuring the freshest, most diverse educational programming from world-renowned presenters, featuring personal training, sports conditioning, group training, nutrition, business, marketing and much more. This year is the 35th anniversary of the convention and it will be held July 19-23 in Las Vegas, Nevada, with more than 10,000 fitness, wellness, nutrition, business and mind-body professionals gathering from over 60 countries. 

ZeSa® Fitness has taken balance training and functional training to the next level, and it’s unique focus on unstable training redefines strength as the maximum recruitment of ALL muscles – primary, secondary, and tertiary.

At the heart of ZeSa®, and what differentiates ZeSa® from all other programs, is its focus on training on a progressive series of rotating, unstable training platforms called ZeSa® Activators. When a participant is on the platforms, all muscle groups are recruited, including primary muscles as well as stabilizers and neutralizers. While training on the unstable ZeSa® Activator Platforms, the body’s natural bio-feedback system triggers the muscles resulting in the ultimate dynamic and rapid development of strength, agility and balance.

The new ZeSa® Fitness Studio, located in downtown Minneapolis at 1024 Washington Avenue S, is currently the only place you can try the Activators and take classes focused on their use. Those who try them instantly recognize the unique, profound effects on their bodies. The company name of ZeSa® is the Sanskrit word for balance. 

ZeSa Studio offers a variety of classes several times a day, every day of the week. The patented equipment and unique classes were both created to enhance the lives of everyone at all levels of fitness, from workout beginners to fitness enthusiasts and professional athletes. ZeSa® is also effective for people requiring physical rehabilitation.

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Editor's Note - I've been practicing at ZeSa® weekly since they opened on the retail level of the Bridgewater Lofts building about a year ago. It is the perfect addition to my weight training and cardio routine because it adds a new dimension that cannot be attained any other way. Shanti and his business partner Cindy Vavra are both fantastic to train with, caring and inspirational. :D

Shanti and Cindy

Scenes from the July 15 Mill City Farmers Market

If you missed the July 15 Mill City Farmers Market - don't despair! The first Night Market in The Commons is Tuesday, July 18, from 3:30p to 7:30p.

The first peppers of the season!

The first Mokum carrots of the season! They ARE the Cadillac of carrots, you know. ;) Find them at Burning River Farm.

Milly the goat!

2017 Minnesota Fringe Festival runs August 3 - 13; Preview Events July 17, 24 and Aug 2

Minnesota Fringe is a Minneapolis­ based nonprofit organization with a mission to connect adventurous artists with adventurous audiences. As one of the largest Fringes in North America, Minnesota’s annual Festival welcomes roughly 50,000 audience members to view more than 160 works culminating in over 800 performances by greater than 1,000 artists on 15 or more stages in late summer.

Fringe shows are 60 minutes or less with a half hour break between each performance. Attendees can purchase a day pass that allows for entry into any show at any venue on that particular day. Venues are chosen in clusters to make traveling to multiple shows simple by walking, biking, personal and public transportation options. Ticket info

Check out these events leading up to the Festival:

Monday, July 17 @ 7:30pm - Fringe Previews #1
Three-minute previews of 30 different shows at the University of Minnesota Rarig Center Thrust stage.
RSVP on Facebook

Monday, July 24 @ 7:30pm - Fringe Previews #2
Three-minute previews of 30 different shows at the University of Minnesota Rarig Center Thrust stage.

Wednesday, August 2 - Touring Artist Showcase @ Mixed Blood
Previews from shows by artists from around Minnesota and across the country.

During the Fesitval:

Thursday, August 3 - Opening Night
Kick things off with a bang by welcoming the 2017 Minnesota Fringe Festival in style.

Friday, August 11 - Volunteer Appreciation Night
Salute the spectacular team of 400 volunteers who make our box offices run like clockwork. This special evening brought to you by Peace Coffee, the official volunteer sponsor who keeps the crew firing on all caffeinated cylinders throughout the 11 days of Minnesota's Summer Theater Crawl.

Saturday, August 12 - Encore Announcement
Be the first to hear this year's winners of the Fringe Encore - the show in each venue that sold the most tickets and gets an encore performance on Sunday, August 13 at 8:30pm. Don't forget to book your reservation before bar close!

Sunday, August 13, Closing Night Party, 10pm at The Triple Rock Social Club, 629 Cedar Ave.
Bid a fond farewell to this year's amazing artists, thank volunteers and staff for pulling off a Herculean happening, and dance 'til you drop with your new Fringe Friends.

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Minnesota Fringe is overseen by a governing board of directors and operated by a year round staff that balloons to nearly 100 seasonal hires leading up to the Festival. They receive critical support from nearly 400 dedicated volunteers logging a combined 5000 hours in just 11 days.

International Youth Choir and a World of Entertainment Featured at Sister Cities Day in Minneapolis July 16

Via a July 12 News Release from Meet Minneapolis:

International youth choir and a world of entertainment featured at Sister Cities Day in Minneapolis July 16

Celebration marks 25^th anniversary of Minneapolis’ Sister City relationship with Harbin, China

This year’s Sister Cities Day celebration in Minneapolis is an afternoon of entertainment honoring our global connections through music, dance and performing arts. This family event is free and open to the public, and it also includes free make-your-own ice cream sundaes and refreshments, while supplies last.

Featured entertainment this year includes Sounds of Hope™, an international youth choir featuring performers from a dozen countries around the world, as well as musicians and performers representing Japan, France, China, Mexico, Somalia and Sweden.

The 10th Annual Sister Cities Day will take place from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, July 16 at Nicollet Island Pavilion. The event is sponsored by Meet Minneapolis and will feature remarks at 2 p.m., with entertainment running all afternoon. The program will also recognize the 25^th anniversary of Minneapolis’ Sister City relationship with Harbin, China.

Highlights of the entertainment throughout the afternoon include:

• Ibaraki Dance Group, representing Ibaraki City, Japan
• Songs of Hope™ youth choir, with performers from a dozen countries
• Robert Everest, representing Tours, France
• Ha Family Lion Dance Troupe, representing Harbin, China
• Somali Museum Dance Troupe, representing Bosaso, Somalia
• Tjärnblom music group, representing Uppsala, Sweden
• Ballet Folklorico Mexico Azteca, representing Cuernavaca, Mexico

Full program details and performance times are available at http://www.minneapolis.org/partners-and-community/sister-cities/sister-cities-day/.

MINNEAPOLIS SISTER CITIES PROGRAM

The Minneapolis’ Sister Cities program was established in 1961 with the signing of the first Sister City agreement between Minneapolis and Santiago, Chile. Additional official sister cities include Cuernavaca, Mexico; Eldoret, Kenya; Harbin, China; Ibaraki City, Japan; Kuopio, Finland; Novosibirsk, Russia; Winnipeg, Canada; Tours, France; Uppsala, Sweden; Najaf, Iraq; and Bosaso, Somalia. 

Minneapolis’ Sister Cities program is managed by Meet Minneapolis and provides global connections and exchanges between international cities and the residents of Minneapolis, with the purpose of creating cultural awareness and fostering mutually beneficial opportunities. These relationships are supported and implemented by local citizen groups in Minneapolis and is recognized by Sister Cities International in Washington, D.C.

Sister Cites International is a program started by President Dwight Eisenhower to foster people-to-people citizen diplomacy. Sister Cities promotes peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation—one individual, one community at a time. The International organization focuses on creating and strengthening partnerships between communities around four key themes: sustainable and economic development, arts and culture, youth and education, and humanitarian assistance.

ABOUT MEET MINNEAPOLIS

Meet Minneapolis is a private, not-for-profit, member-based association. It actively promotes and sells the Minneapolis area as a destination for conventions and meetings, works to maximize the visitor experience and markets the city as a desirable tourist destination to maximize the economic benefit of the greater Minneapolis area.

Meet Minneapolis is accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) of the Destination Marketing Association International.

The Minnesota Center for Book Arts Invites You to the 2017 Book Art Biennial

Via an e-newsletter from the Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA):

Our 2017 Book Art Biennial, Shout Out: Community Intervention, Independent Publishing, and Alternative Distribution, is less than two weeks away!

Join us from 6-9pm next Friday, July 21 for a reception for the unprecedented seven (!) exhibitions presented in coordination with the Book Art Biennial. Kick off the Biennial celebrations, mingle with artists and fellow art lovers, and enjoy light refreshments.

This event is free and open to the public. RSVP to the Facebook event here. 

All work will be on view through August 13. Here is a brief overview of the seven exhibitions:

• Amos Paul Kennedy Jr.’s democratic and collaborative project, Open Book Takeover, features 5,000 community-made prints that cover the 55,000 square foot Open Book Building.
• An interactive zine reading lounge, Free for All is in MCBA’s Main Gallery, organized by Twin Cities Zine Fest.
• Guest curator Heid E. Erdrich has gathered Native American voices in the exhibition (About that) Water is Life in MCBA’s Main Gallery.
• Reader’s Art: Control/Alt/Shift, a juried exhibition of artists’ books exploring the politics of control and alternative methods of public discourse, is on view in Open Book’s Cowles Literary Commons.
• End of Times 2, a portfolio of broadsides by 41 letterpress printers organized by Mary Bruno, is on view in the Lerner Bindery Gallery.
• Stamp of Disapproval showcases counter-culture work from MCBA’s S. Helmes and W. Gaglione Rubber Stamp Archive.
• Meander, new work by environmental artist Alyssa Baguss, is on view in the Outlook Gallery.

Minneapolis closing streets near U.S. Bank Stadium for X Games

From the City of Minneapolis website:

The City of Minneapolis is closing streets and lanes around U.S. Bank Stadium for the X Games, four days of actions sports at the stadium July 13-16.

Full road closures include:

- Chicago Avenue, from Fourth to Sixth Street, through July 19.
- Fourth Street South, from Park Avenue South to the U.S. Bank Stadium loading dock, July 13-17.
- Park Avenue South, from Fourth Street to Fifth Street, July 13-17.
- Portland Avenue South, from Fourth Street to Fifth Street, July 13-17.

Several lanes around the stadium on The Commons will also be closed for the festivities. These street closings are for traffic safety and security needs related to a large stadium event.

For additional information about the X Games, visit minneapolismn.gov/xgames.

Nominations now open for the 8th Annual Greening and Public Realm Awards

The Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District (MDID) plays an active role in helping make downtown a more green and beautiful place. This summer, their team will plant and maintain over 16,000 annuals in planters, boulevard gardens and light pole baskets. Ambassador watering crews, who start work at 4:30 am, navigate downtown on a daily basis to make sure plants are watered and cared for. 

Nominations for the 8th Annual Greening and Public Realm Awards are now open. The Greening Awards celebrate outstanding examples of private greening and placemaking happening in Downtown Minneapolis. The MDID’s mission through the Greening Awards is to encourage all downtown businesses to participate in the greening effort. 

During this year’s nominations, the general public will be able to let MDID know which greening projects throughout Downtown Minneapolis are their favorites. To participate, you can submit using the hashtag #GreeningAwardsMpls on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, online submission form, or by emailing your nominations to Info@MplsDID.com.

Nominations will close July 31, and the finalists will be selected and categorized by MDID staff for an online vote in mid-August. Winning locations in each category will receive a display prize to showcase their greening achievement.

Mill City Summer Opera Announces 2017 Dates and Venue for Maria de Buenos Aires

Mill City Summer Opera’s Maria de Buenos Aires Unveils a Cast of Acclaimed Performers to Heat Up Minneapolis
National cast and creative team includes the dynamic opera tango duo of Catalina Cuervo, Luis Orozco

The sultry lament of the bandoneon, the thrilling atmosphere, alluring tango dancers, and a wildly acclaimed cast new to Twin Cities opera audiences, will take the stage for Mill City Summer Opera’s 2017 chosen production Maria de Buenos Aires, by famed tango composer, Astor Piazzolla.

MCSO today unveiled the stellar cast and creative team for this year’s production, including the key casting of Colombian soprano Catalina Cuervo in the leading role of Maria. As Maria, Cuervo has performed the role worldwide and is often referred to as the Fiery Soprano. Starring with her is baritone Luis Alejandro Orozco who has been hailed for his vocal and dramatic presence in the signature role of El Payador.

“Pairing Cuervo with Orozco in the heat of a Minnesota summer will be the hottest ticket in town this year; together they are the ideal duo to marry opera with tango,” notes returning artistic director David Lefkowich. “Dance is at the heart of this opera, so we will be integrating dancers as part of the cast for the first time in MCSO history.”

Opening night is Friday, July 14, with additional performances July 16, 18, 19 and 20.

With a ticket to the opera, attendees will be guided through dance instruction by professional tango dancers prior to the performance. After watching the tango performed as part of the opera performance, those that wish may join in the be dance with the cast to the splendid music that compliments the dangerous dance that is the TANGO.

Doors open at 7:00pm with tango dancing, the show begins at 8:00pm and more tango dancing at 9:30pm.

In light of the Ruins Courtyard’s extensive renovation throughout the Summer of 2017, MCSO is taking the opera across the Stone Arch Bridge for our sixth season. The shift in venue to the Machine Shop, 300 2nd Street SE, is temporary as restoration work continues in the Ruins Courtyard.

For tickets & more information visit http://www.millcitysummeropera.org/.

Scenes from the July 8 Mill City Farmers Market

Ta-da! It's raspberry season!

Wild and crazy heirloom tomatoes from Nistler Farms. According to their Facebook page, sweet corn is running about a week behind what Jeffrey considers normal, and the melon crop is looking fantastic. 

It's like a cloud - if you stare at it long enough it will resemble something...

Big Rivers Farms is operated by Minnesota Food Association (MFA), a nonprofit that provides a guarenteed market for farmers representing 10 countries around the world. They are located by Marine on St. Croix, and are holding an Open House on July 15.

Stop by the Info Booth to learn what's in these Bee Friendly packets.

Squeezed while you wait - refreshing drinks from The Bolt!

Below, Cara Lahti and Anna Bottila debuted Fair Anita at the July 8 Market. The jewelry, clothing, cards and other items offered are fair trade products made by over 8,000 talented, yet marginalized, women in 16 countries. Look for an article about Fair Anita on our Farmers Market blog later this week. 

With regard to the following three pictures - WEI Executive Director, Karen Clark, explained to me that these items diplayed at their booth are from the Mashkiikii Gitigan (Ojibwe for medicine garden). The garden was created on a formerly vacant, contaminated lot by the 24th Street Urban Farm Coalition as a way to address the food justice needs of people living in the Phillips community of South Minneapolis.

Beth Dooley and Mette Nielsen demonstrated Hot & Tangy Strawberry Jam during the Mill City Cooks demo. With only 5 ingredients, this one-pan recipe is quick and easy.

New from Horner's Corner: Maple Grenadine Syrup. Steve will be happy to provide suggestions on ways to use it.

Milly the goat!

Intermittent Lane Restrictions on Washington Avenue Today, July 7

Starting early today, July 7, there may be intermittent lane restrictions on Washington Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. 

Crews anticipate paving the initial layers of the eastbound lanes of Washington Avenue between 3rd and 5th Avenues. Until the road can reopen, the surface will provide a better working area for crews and help with issues like dust. 

Weather permitting, this work is anticipated to be completed by the end of the day.

No closures are anticipated on any of the intersections along this corridor, but you should expect delays as you travel through the area.

For more information about this project, visit www.hennepin.us/washingtonavenue.

MNHS Remembers 35W Bridge Collapse in Collections and New Display

Bridge piece commemorating 10th anniversary to go on exhibit at Mill City Museum July 28 to Aug. 30

On Aug. 1, 2007, one of the most pivotal and painful events in recent Minnesota history occurred: the collapse of the I-35W Mississippi River Bridge during rush hour, killing 13 and injuring 145. Over the years, the Minnesota Historical Society has documented this disaster in its collections, including acquiring several post-collapse pieces of the bridge.

To help commemorate the 10th anniversary, MNHS will put a remnant of the bridge, a gusset plate, on display at Mill City Museum. A National Transportation Safety Board investigation identified the gusset plates were a likely cause of the collapse; they were too thin and failed under the weight of the bridge and its traffic. The display will be in the museum’s Mill City Commons and will be free and accessible to the public from July 28 to Aug. 30.

Across the river in St. Paul, visitors can also view the emergency exit door of a school bus involved in the bridge collapse, signed by all the children and adults on board, in the Minnesota History Center’s “Then Now Wow” exhibit.

MNHS collections have additional bridge remnants and signage, a shirt worn by a first responder on the scene, various photos throughout the bridge's history, and items from workers who rebuilt the bridge in 2008. The Minnesota State Archives holds Minnesota Department of Transportation plans for the bridge’s original 1967 construction and is currently processing MnDOT records concerning the aftermath of the collapse.

Minneapolis Minute - A quick look at City news

From the City of Minneapolis website:

Not sure if this will be an ongoing series, but it's one more spot to check for updates on what's happening.

Hennepin County Library Announces New Online Music Platform Featuring Local Musicians

Via a July 5 e-newsletter from the Hennepin County Library:

Minnesota musicians: Be heard!

Submissions open today for MnSpin, Hennepin County Library's new local music resource

From the Andrews Sisters to Atmosphere, from Bob Dylan to Prince, from Cantus to Jimmy Jam, and Bobby Vee to the Minnesota Orchestra, many great musicians have launched from Minnesota to the world. Hennepin County Library is in search of Minnesota musicians to feature on MnSpin, a new online music streaming and download resource that will launch at the end of the year.  Submit a song Minnesota musicians and bands of all genres are encouraged to submit one song for consideration by August 2, 2017.  A panel of local music experts and library staff will review all submissions, and invite selected artists (up to 40 for now) to make one album available through the online platform. Artists will sign a license agreement and receive $200. The library plans to expand this pilot project to offer additional submission opportunities. Thanks to a grant from the Friends of the Hennepin County Library, music lovers will be able to connect to this new collection through www.hclib.org/arts-culture. Anyone can stream from the platform, and Hennepin County Library cardholders can download songs free. “Minnesota is such an incubator for musical artists,” said Hennepin County Library Director Lois Langer Thompson. “MnSpin is an opportunity for the music community to have its music heard and for all music lovers to have access to the rich talents of local musicians.”  A diverse collection Hennepin County Library will strive to create a collection that reflects the diversity of our community. Music in MnSpin will follow the same genre guidelines as in the general collection:  • Americana, bluegrass and country  • Blues, jazz and soul • Classical • Christian and gospel • Folk, ethnic and world • Pop and rock • Rap, hip hop and R&B • Children's MnSpin is open for submissions July 5-August 2, 2017.  For more information, visit www.hclib.org/arts-culture and http://www.hclib.org/about/news/2017/july/mn-spin.