Theatre in the Round Players Presents Sam Shepard’s Masterwork, True West, April 21 - May 14

Theatre in the Round Players (TRP) continues its 71st season with Sam Shepard’s masterwork, True West, running weekends April 21 to May 14 with a Monday Pay-What-You-Can performance on May 1.

Skirting the line between violently tragic and darkly funny, this classic American play tells the story of brothers clashing over a chance to leave a legacy with a Hollywood movie. Austin, the sensitive screenwriter, is working on a script he has sold to producer Sal Kimmer when his brother, Lee drops in. He pitches his own idea for a movie to Kimmer, who then wants Austin to junk his bleak, modern love story and write Lee’s trashy Western tale. Duck Washington directs the four-member cast with sets designed by Michael Haas, costumes by Colleen O’Dell, lighting by Shannon Elliott, props by Terri Ristow, and sound by Anita Kelling.

True West runs April 21 to May 14. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2pm.

Tickets are $25. For information, call the theatre’s box office at 612-333-3010 or visit the website.

Modist Brewing Company Begins $2 Million Renovation in North Loop

Construction expected to be completed in mid-July 2023

Kraus-Anderson Construction has begun a $2 million renovation of Modist Brewing Company located at 505 North 3rd Street in the Minneapolis warehouse district. 

Designed by Perkins&Will, the 7,000-square-foot renovation of Modist’s existing North Loop building features a buildout of its event space and adds new offices and a brewing lab for staff.

The spirited atmosphere of the new event space reflects Modist’s commitment to community and equity, while displaying the creativity and innovation of the Minneapolis brewer.  Detached from the existing tap room, the renovation of the existing brick industrial building features a flexible, two-story event space.  The renovation also includes a pre-function bar and waiting area. 

Modist’s focus on staff wellness sets a new standard for team members by refreshing the back of house with natural light, attractive views and an abundant open space to foster creativity and push the boundaries of brewing innovation.  The new immersive event space visually opens to the existing state-of-the-art brew house through full-height glass, spanning the entire length of the space. 

The brewer’s playful design language expresses a bold and experimental material pallet that aligns with Modist’s philosophy.  The glitter concrete floor, large murals, dichroic glass, and mirrored ceilings with mounted neon fixtures help to provide the warehouse district community with a unique celebration space. 

“Our team intentionally involved various user groups to build a North Loop modern, tricked-out, punk rock- and chic-designed event space to be welcoming and inclusive of many communities and uses,” said Daniel Paul Willendorf, owner of Modist Brewing Company.  “Group gatherings of all kinds are back, and this will be a community space perfectly suited for a corporate presentation, happy hour, a wedding party or to take your dog's birthday party to the next level.” 

The design and construction processes are also rooted in a commitment to equity with both the access and enjoyment of the space.  

“Contractor Kraus-Anderson (KA) is working in partnership with Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) contractor J. Benson as part of KA’s multi-year mentoring relationship with the certified BIPOC-owned firm, recently named Minnesota Associated General Contractors’ Diverse Business of the Year,” said Angelique Lisboa, Modist’s HR and DEI facilitator.  “The partnership allows Modist to bring local minority builders to the project.” 

KA has been working with Modist for more than a year of preconstruction planning to prevent the disruption of ongoing business in the existing building during construction.

Puttshack's Tech-infused Mini Golf Experience Coming to the North Loop in 2024

Puttshack, a tech-infused mini golf experience has signed a lease at 246 7th Avenue N inside CEDARst’s newest North Loop development, a 360-unit apartment community, and will occupy more than 20,000 square feet. Puttshack Minneapolis is slated to open in late 2024 and will feature craft cocktails and dishes inspired by flavors from around the world.

This new location will feature three highly engaging and competitive nine-hole mini golf courses, accentuated by a high-energy, upscale nightclub vibe featuring local DJs. The space will feature two bars and a main dining area. Like each Puttshack location, Minneapolis’s menus will be deliberately constructed through hands-on research to represent the city’s unique tastes and styles. A private event space with capacity for up to 70 guests will also be available for those in search of an exclusive space for a variety of gatherings from company outings to birthday parties and more.

“The North Loop neighborhood is a vibrant, trendy warehouse district with several exciting entertainment concepts. Puttshack will soon be a top attraction in the area for locals and visitors alike to experience our one-of-a-kind game and unrivaled food and beverage program,” said Puttshack President, Dave Diamond. “We’re excited to be a crucial part of CEDARst’s development strategy and to work with our partners at CEDARst to develop the second phase of this project.”

Puttshack is the latest leading concept in the emerging and growing market of competitive socializing. Founded by the creators of TopGolf, Flight Club, and AceBounce, Puttshack combines its patented Trackaball™ technology with a first-class, immersive social environment to elevate the game of mini golf into a cutting-edge, high-energy experience that is unlike anything currently on the market. Surrounded at every turn by colorful and eclectic décor, the brand’s ground-breaking technology is integrated throughout the game experience ensuring the gameplay experience is elevated by seamless automated scoring, bonus points opportunities, interactive games at each hole, and more.

Since opening its first location in 2018, Puttshack now has five locations in the United States - Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Miami, and St. Louis - and four in the U.K. Minneapolis is one of 13 new locations that have already been announced to open through 2023 and beyond, with Denver, Houston, Pittsburgh, and Scottsdale projected to open in the coming months.

Children’s Theatre Company Announces 2023-2024 Season

2023-2024 Season Includes Two World Premieres, an International Sensation, a Holiday Smash Hit and a 3-Time Tony Award®-Nominated Musical

Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) is excited to announce the 2023-2024 Season of seven productions featuring two world premieres, Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress and Babble Lab,  the international sensation Cookin’ from South Korea, the only Minnesota stop of the national tour of The Carp Who Would Not Quit and Other Animal Stories from Honolulu Theatre for Youth, the return of last year’s sold out production of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, the 3-time Tony Award®-nominated musical A Year With Frog and Toad, and the wildly inventive Alice in Wonderland.

 

CTC Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius is directing three productions in the 2023-2024 Season. It was recently announced that Mr. Brosius has decided to depart CTC on June 30, 2024, at the end of the 2023-2024 Season. His artistic vision has transformed the theatre into the nation’s leading theatre that serves a multi-generational audience.

 

“We are thrilled to announce this season of imaginative and inventive world premieres, as well as touring productions, that have dazzled audiences across this country and around the world,” said Peter C. Brosius. “In addition we will be bringing you our very own Tony Award®-nominated musical and our wholly original reimagining of a hilarious classic tale, and of course the most beloved holiday show we know. We can’t wait for you to see all of these shows. It is a joy to share brand new works and productions that have never been to Minnesota and productions we just had to bring back to delight, surprise, and carry you away.”

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The season kicks off with knife-juggling, food-flying fun with a production from South Korea! With a crazy deadline looming, the four frenzied chefs of Cookin’ turn their kitchen into a dynamic, veggies-flying-everywhere performance as Korean samulnori drumming and martial arts take center stage. During this outlandish cooking competition, the chefs put on a masterful display of food chopping, knife throwing, pot banging and fire-blowing wizardry that will make you laugh, scream in delight, and even beg for a chance to sample their food. Get ready to stomp your feet and clap your hands for a show that’s truly Cookin’! Directed by Seung-Whan Song, Cookin’ comes to CTC from PMC Production Co. and Broadway Asia. Best for all ages, this production runs September 12-October 22, 2023 on the UnitedHealth Group Stage.

 

"I can’t wait to meet the audience in Minnesota at a prestigious theatre like Children’s Theatre Company,” said Director Seung-Whan Song. “I hope you will feel the freedom from the unique rhythm of Korea and, through the comedy on stage, also feel the great pleasure of getting away from your daily life."

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Next comes Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress, by juliany taveras, based on the book by Christine Baldacchino and Isabelle Malenfant, with direction by Heidi Stillman. Morris likes lots of things: doing puzzles, painting pictures, pretending to be an astronaut, and wearing a tangerine dress from his school’s dress-up box because it “reminds him of tigers, the sun, and his mother’s hair.” But some of his classmates think boys can’t wear dresses because … well, because they’re boys. With his vivid imagination and space-animal friends, Morris travels the galaxy in search of an answer to the all-important question: “Do astronauts wear dresses?” Running October 10-November 19, 2023 on the Cargill Stage, Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress is recommended for everyone aged 4 and up.

 

“It’s been an absolute delight to get to write this play,” said playwright juliany taveras. “Diving into the expansive, resilient imagination of Morris Micklewhite has nourished me in a way I hope our audiences will experience too, because this story is a salve. Amidst the (often fear-fueled) rules and binaries of the world around us, Morris reminds us of the power of authentic, loving self-expression—even (or at times, especially) when it ruffles the feathers of the status quo. CTC has been such a wonderful dream-maker and co-conspirator, and I’m thrilled that this tale we love so much will soon premiere on their stage!”

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He’s back by popular demand! CTC’s smash-hit crowd-pleaser Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! returns for the holiday season. Featuring a book and lyrics by Timothy Mason and music by Mel Marvin, the production will once again be directed by CTC’s Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius with choreography by Linda Talcott Lee. A miserly and miserable, ever-so-cantankerous Grinch has observed the despicable Christmas joy of the Whos with disdain, from a distance, for decades. Enough! In this beloved holiday favorite, filled with music and Seussian rhymes, he plots the greatest heist imaginable—stealing the very thing they love the most!. Until, that is, the smallest of the Whos, tiny Cindy Lou, extends a hand. Through the combination of kindness and community, we witness not only a change in the course of Who-History, but the size and capacity of the old green guy’s heart. Best for all ages, this musical extravaganza runs November 7, 2023-January 7, 2024 on the UnitedHealth Group Stage.

 

“When composer Mel Marvin and I were writing this musical adaptation of the How the Grinch Stole Christmas nearly 30 years ago, we were aware that we’d been entrusted with the genius of Dr. Seuss and his irrepressible spirit,” said bookwriter and lyricist Timothy Mason. “We wanted the Seuss to shine through. It’s one of the great joys of our lives to know that children who saw the Grinch at Children’s Theater Company all those years ago are now bringing their own kids to see this show, and that for them and many others his spirit does indeed live on right here on this stage.”

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Winter magic continues at CTC with The Carp Who Would Not Quit and Other Animal Stories, by Reiko Ho and the Honolulu Theatre for Youth (HTY) Ensemble. Reiko Ho also directs the production. See a heroic carp climb up a waterfall (and so much more) in this energetic retelling of traditional fables from Japan and Okinawa. Through artful puppetry, masks, and three imaginative actors, you’ll also meet a grateful crane, a mouse who shares, and an industrious rabbit who teaches everyone to do the mochi dance! During this invigorating show from Hawaii, live music played on the koto and taiko drum will accompany young audiences as they dance, clap, and sing along. Running January 16-February 18, 2024 on the Cargill Stage, this production is best for everyone aged 4 and up.

 

“Sharing our cultural stories is one of the most important things I do as Asian American theatre maker,” said creator/director Reiko Ho. “I’m delighted to adapt a few of my own favorite childhood stories for the stage and introduce some of the beautiful performance traditions and aesthetics of Japanese and Okinawan culture to a new generation of young people and families.”

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Up next, prepare to take a tumble down the rabbit hole with Alice in Alice in Wonderland … and you’ll land in a wonderfully wacky world of rhymes and ridiculousness, checkerboards and cheeky cats, Mad Hatters and mayhem. In this head-spinning version of Lewis Carroll’s timeless classic, adapted for the stage by Sharon Holland with music by Victor Zupanc, Alice chases the White Rabbit through the audience, attends the most absurd tea party in history, and faces off with the ragingly red Queen of Hearts, all amidst a melee of teeny tiny songs. Humpty Dumpty on a ladder — what could possibly go wrong? Curiouser and curiouser. Directed by CTC’s Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius, Alice in Wonderland is recommended for everyone aged 6 and up and runs February 13-March 31, 2024 on the UnitedHealth Group Stage.

 

“Our Alice in Wonderland features an extraordinary scenic and costume design by the remarkable Skip Mercier,” said director Peter C. Brosius. “Skip created a world of illusion, surprise, mystery, and hilarity. We are thrilled to bring this wonderfully quirky and joyfully theatrical production to our stage. It is a magical tale of discovery, of standing your ground and following your curiosity. Alice is a musical and visual feast, a wild journey down the rabbit hole and into incredible new worlds.”

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 Strap on your safety goggles and clean out your ears! When an experiment unexpectedly goes awry, a concoction of sneaky, sprightly L E T T E R S takes over a weird and wondrous science lab in Babble Lab. Watch them jump into jars, spring from drawers, bounce around the room, and even play hide-and-seek as our scientist makes her surprising findings: Bluku terullala blaulala loooo! Rakete bee bee? Rekate bee zee! Enjoy the exploration of spoken blurbbles as they spring forth in this one-of-a-kind, gee-gaw-filled laboratory. Written by CTC Company Member Autumn Ness and directed by Sarah Agnew, Babble Lab runs March 9-April 14, 2024 on the Cargill Stage. Babble Lab was created with early learners in mind and is best enjoyed by audiences aged 0 to 105!

 

“I am so excited that with the world premiere of Babble Lab, I get to return to performing for my favorite audience, the pre-schoolers,” said playwright Autumn Ness. “This play is about discovering the power of your own voice, and learning to be fearless in using it. I want every preschooler that sees our show to find their own magical, musical, courageous, EPIC voice!”

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Returning for the first time since 2017, the cherished CTC original musical A Year With Frog and Toad will conclude the 2023-2024 Season. In the only show from Minnesota ever to be nominated for three Tony Awards® (including Best Musical), you’ll meet Frog and Toad: best friends who embark upon a year’s worth of adventures with great merriment, comedic agility, and joyful song-singing. A Year with Frog and Toad is based on Arnold Lobel’s Newbery and Caldecott Honor books, and features music by Robert Reale with lyrics and book by Willie Reale. The 2024 production will be directed by CTC’s Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius. Best enjoyed by audiences of all ages, this production runs April 23-June 16, 2024 on the UnitedHealth Group Stage.

 

“We are super stoked that A Year With Frog and Toad is returning to its birthplace at Children's Theatre Company to celebrate its 21st year," said Bookwriter & Lyricist Willie Reale and Composer Robert Reale. "Despite the fact that it is old enough to be welcomed in a saloon, we trust that the innocence and fun of the show will be on full display once again at CTC.”

 

Full season subscriptions and renewals for the 2023-2024 Season are now on sale and can be purchased online or by calling the ticket office at 612.874.0400. CTC’s 2023-2024 Season of artistic and educational programming is supported by The Shubert Foundation, Inc. and the Minnesota State Arts Board.

Mill City Museum to Premiere Fulbright Photo Exhibit, Ukraine: War and Resistance

Exhibit showcases photographs documenting the realities of contemporary life in Ukraine

A photo exhibit depicting life in Ukraine during the Russian invasion is coming to Mill City Museum this spring.

The exhibit, Ukraine: War and Resistance, will be on view from March 23 to May 14 in the Mill Commons area of the museum, which is free to visitors. Images, captured by Fulbright Scholars in the country, present the harsh consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the resolve of Ukrainian people.

“I wish we didn't have a reason to organize this exhibit,” said Roman Tyshchenko, a Ukrainian Fulbright Scholar who worked with Mill City Museum to display the exhibit in Minneapolis. “But the least I can do is support my fellow Fulbrighters in Ukraine. They are routinely risking their lives, working under missile attacks, so people in the rest of the world can see what Ukraine is going through.”

This will be the North American premiere of these large-scale photographs, first exhibited last fall in Vinnytsia, a city under Russian missile attacks for the past year. Most were taken in the past 12 months, but some date back to 2014, when Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula and invaded the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

The exhibit is sponsored by Fulbright Ukraine and the Fulbright Association Minnesota Chapter. The Fulbright Association Minnesota Chapter paid for printing and mounting the photographs because the exhibit furthers the Fulbright goals of international understanding and peacemaking, according to Michael Dorsher, Ph.D., the chapter’s president.

The Minnesota Fulbrighters sought out the Mill City Museum for this premiere because they visited a similarly striking exhibit there a year ago, displaying the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis. And recently, USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards recognized Mill City among the Top-5 history museums in the U.S.

Starting March 23, the exhibit will be open to the public during regular museum hours, 10 am–4 pm on Thursdays and Fridays, and 10 am–5 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. 

New Art Exhibit, Reawakening of Color, Opens at The Mill Yard April 2

 

Reawakening of Color

Opening Reception Sunday, April 2, 4:00 - 6:00PM

Stonebridge Lofts, 1120 S 2nd Street

Join us at The Mill Yard opening reception to meet the featured artists and engage with beautiful art. Wine, beverages and snacks are served.

Artists featured at this show: 

Tracy Frizzell, Painter

Growing up in a family of artists, Tracy began her artistic career early. Raised in northern Minnesota, her inspiration was always water and nature. Tracy graduated with degrees from North Dakota State University in landscape architecture, environmental design and art. With each piece she “strives not only to accurately portray a scene but also capture that elusive ‘something’.” Tracy paints in oil or watercolor utilizing a style that adds action to the scenes. Her favorite subjects are Minnesota and Canadian wilderness, but also urban and industrial landscapes that characterize much of Minneapolis.

Eddie Hamilton, Painter

Eddie is a painter living and working in Minnesota. A native of Los Angeles, his palette is inspired by his childhood in the sun and surf. His paintings use a gestural feel with attention to line and form to reflect childhood joys. Eddie has painted urban surreal and naïve scenes full of color and energy. Currently his work has evolved to bring that energy to paintings of nature and wildlife. Eddie’s work has been shown around the country.

Peder Hegland, Studio Potter

Peter has been a full time Studio Potter since 1976. He is grateful to have studied with masters: Dean Schwarz, Peter Deneen, David Stewart and Marguerite Wildenhain. Ancient pottery from around the world has also been his teacher. Making pots that are useful and beautiful to look at and touch has always been his goal and pleasure. For the past 30 years Peder has worked and lived on Pine Point, a little peninsula north of Sartell, MN surrounded on two sides by the Mississippi River. The river, it’s trees and animals, always provide daily lessons.  

Andy Ness, Painter

Andy earned his BFA from Pratt Institute and his MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design. His artist residencies have included the prestigious Vermont Studio Center, MacDowell Colony, Denniston Hill, and he was a two-year Fellow at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, MA. Andy has taught at RISD, Studio in a School in New York City, and the Grand Marais Art Colony. Andy’s work has shown both nationally and internationally. He currently has shows in Texas, Tennessee and in Trento, Italy.

Dean Seaton, Photographer

Dean has been using photography as art for over a dozen years. He perfects capturing a moment in time that “tells a story and evokes emotions through the use of line, shape, color, lack of color, shadow, texture, subject matter and composition.” He has learned the big difference between taking a picture and making a picture. He explains, “making a picture takes patience, thought, timing and sometimes a bit of luck.” All his images are Limited Editions that include a Certificate of Authenticity. Dean’s studio is in the Northrup King Building.

Anne Waddell Toohey, Jewelry Opening Reception Only

Anne has always been an artist. After graduating with a BFA in Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design she enjoyed a successful career selling high-end jewelry, always creating her own in a garage studio. For over five years Anne has focused exclusively on her own brand, drawing inspiration from her life experiences and nature. She works with gold, silver and precious and semi-precious gemstones. She has numerous successful collections and curated partnerships which allowed her to open a new studio in Deephaven, MN.

The Mill Yard at Stonebridge Lofts

Residents celebrate our area’s industrial heritage of the mighty Mississippi River and the mills. Today, what we see are the most recognizable Minneapolis landmarks. However, this is only part of the story. Rail lines were key to Minneapolis’ growth, and were particularly integral to the Mill District, bringing in wheat and timber and shipping out flour and lumber. We also honor the history of the mills, the reason for the rail yard’s existence. The Mill Yard aims to be both a gathering place for art and artists and a conduit by which art can be shared with and disseminated into the wider community. Contact: TheMillYard.Stonebridge@gmail.com

Universal Human Exhibit Reception at A-Mill Artist Lofts, April 5

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Beyond our ordinary worlds defined by our memory, our intellect, and our five senses is a mystical realm of beauty, magic and extraordinary potential.

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Universal Human

An Exhibit of Original Paintings by Lori Lentz 

Reception - April 15 12:00 - 5:00 pm

A-Mill Artist Lofts Gallery

315 SE Main Street, Minneapolis, MN 55414

AUTHENTICITY, Acrylics on gallery wrapped canvas 20 x 20" x 1 1/2"

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COMPASSION, Acrylics on gallery wrapped canvas 20" x 20" x 1 1/2"

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METAMORPHOSIS, Acrylics on gallery wrapped canvas 20" x 20" x 1 1/2"

March 2023 Minneapolis Central City Tunnel Project Update

Via a March 17 e-announcement from the City of Minneapolis:

Project Overview

The City of Minneapolis Public Works Department is constructing a new parallel storm tunnel, enlarging a portion of the existing storm tunnel, and constructing a new tunnel access in Downtown Minneapolis.

The new tunnel is being constructed parallel to the existing tunnel located under Washington Ave S between Nicollet Mall and Chicago Ave. The existing tunnel under Chicago Ave between Washington Ave S and the Mississippi River is being expanded to handle the increased stormwater capacity. The purpose of this project is to reduce pressure in the existing tunnel, provide more room for future growth, and to reduce the need for future repairs and tunnel failures.

Project Map

Latest Project News

Mississippi River Portal

• Crews continue enlarging the existing storm tunnel at the Mississippi River and continue to work on lining the tunnel with concrete.

2nd Ave

• Crews continue tunneling the new parallel storm tunnel under Washington Ave from the new tunnel access shaft in the southbound lanes of 2nd Ave S, just north of the Washington Ave intersection and continue to work on lining the tunnel with concrete.

Portland Ave

• Crews continue tunneling the new parallel storm tunnel under Washington Ave from the existing tunnel access shaft at the northeast corner of the Washington Ave and Portland Ave intersection and continue to work on lining the tunnel with concrete.

Tunneling Progress

In March, the project reached 88% completion with excavation. Crews have removed approximately 60,000 tons of material to date. As noted in the infographic above, 60,000 tons is equal to the weight of almost six Eiffel Towers.

Lining progress

In March, crews continued to work on the concrete tunnel lining. To date,1,800 cubic yards of concrete have been poured. As noted in the infographic above, 1,800 cubic yards is about half the volume of an Olympic swimming pool. This process is approximately 12% complete.

Long-term closures/restrictions

• The north westbound lane, bike lane, and parking lane remains closed on Washington Ave between Portland Ave and Park Ave. These closures will remain in place until the project is completed. This is necessary for the contractor to utilize the existing shaft to connect the existing tunnel to the new tunnel.
  • During this closure, pedestrians can still use the sidewalks along Washington Ave.
  • Crosswalks across Washington Ave and Portland Ave will remain open.
  • Bicyclists will share the traffic lane.
  • The existing left turn lane on Washington Ave at the Portland Ave intersection will temporarily become a left turn and through lane.

• The north sidewalk along Washington Ave remains restricted between Hennepin Ave and Nicollet Mall. The contractor will resume tunneling from the existing tunnel to the new tunnel at a later date.
  • During these restrictions, pedestrians share the bike lane on Washington Ave.
  • The crosswalks at the Washington Ave intersections of Nicollet Mall and Hennepin Ave remains open.

• The sidewalk on the east side of 4th Ave S remains restricted through the end of the project. The dewatering well and pumps are installed in this area.
  • Pedestrians can use the sidewalk on the west side of 4th Ave S.
  • The crosswalk at the Washington Ave and 4th Ave intersection remains open.
  • Access to driveways off 4th Ave S remains open.

• The west sidewalk of Portland Ave south of Washington Ave will remain restricted to pedestrians around the dewatering well and pumps until the project is completed.

• The parking lot and trail near Mill Runs Park will remain closed until spring 2023.

• 2nd Ave S remains a single lane in each direction using the northbound lanes between Washington Ave and 1st St S. Access will be restricted until the project is completed.
  • Access to driveways off 2nd Ave S remain open. There may be short-term access delays while crews move equipment and materials around.

Stay Connected

There are multiple ways to get information including email updates and ongoing stakeholder meetings. Visit the project website for more information and to sign up for project updates: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/central-city-tunnel/

Email the project team: info@mplscentralcitytunnel.com

Contact the project hotline: 612-888-9418

“We Are What We Drink” - Free April 5 Workshop with Art to Change the World at MWMO

Workshop includes a takeaway memory from the drawers and a “Pearl” T-Shirt.

Join Art to Change the World for a workshop exploring the origins of our drinking water. Explore Pearl’s 21 discovery drawers and participate in experiments and activities focused on water quality.

The event takes place April 5th, 6:00-8:00pm at Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (WMWO) 2522 Marshall Street NE.

Workshop includes a takeaway memory from the drawers and a “Pearl” T-Shirt. Please state size in registration request. Maximum Registration 10. Ages 8 and up. For more information contact: francesbates22@gmail.com.

To register email: info@arttochangetheworld.org. Learn more about this Art to Change the World project here.

The 2023 Minneapolis Teen Job Fair is April 15th

Minneapolis Teen Job & Opportunity Fair
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 15
2117 West River Road N

The Minneapolis Teen Job & Opportunity Fair brings together hundreds of young people and youth-serving programs every year from around the city to learn about opportunities with many local employers. This is the perfect place for Minneapolis youths to power up their summer job search.

Employers attending and hiring at the job fair include:

• City of Bloomington
• Great Wolf Lodge
• Home Depot
• The Loppet Foundation
• Minneapolis Police Department
• Steven Scott Management
• True Friends

Young people can attend one of the prep rallies in the days and weeks before the April 15 event to meet employers, research jobs, discover their skills and interests, and create their resume.

Learn more about how to get involved.

Grain Exchange Barbershop Closing March 31 - Memorabilia on Sale Now

Editor's note: Thank you to Bob Haddow and David Skarjune for sharing this information!

The oldest barbershop in Minneapolis succumbs to renovation - Closing March 31

Many downtown office towers had barbershops in their lobbies years ago. The Grain Exchange Barbershop is the last of its kind and oldest barbershop in Minneapolis. A little hard to find, invisible from the street, it’s worth the effort if you appreciate turn-of-the-century architecture.

New Grain Exchange building management will be renovating the lobby, and the barbershop is the last surviving business in the lobby. While the building itself is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the barbershop is not protected under that status.

Whenever a shop like this disappears, the community suffers. The downtown area is transforming into a residential neighborhood, while business activity has declined. Bob worked hard to maintain relationships with longtime customers, along with attracting new downtown residents.

The barbershop is full of history, classic barber equipment, artwork, and funky kitsch (Bob the Barber is also a painter, writer, and art historian). Here’s the last chance to tour the shop, chat with Bob, and even get a reasonable haircut at a reasonable price.

For more information on hours, servies and items available for purchase, visit the website, call 612-333-7426 or visit Barber Bob.

Miller Lite Free Rides Teams up with MTC on St. Patrick's Day, March 17

Twin Cities locals can count themselves lucky this St. Patrick’s Day as Molson Coors will partner with Metro Transit to offer free public transportation through the Miller Lite Free Rides program. Ensuring a safe transportation option is available to those having a shamrockin’ good time, fare will be free beginning March 17 at 6 p.m., until the end of regular service.

St. Patrick’s Day Free Rides is the first event in the 2023 annual Free Rides program — part of Molson Coors’ three-decade-old tradition of promoting alcohol responsibility by helping individuals celebrate safely on major holidays and celebrations throughout the year. In 2022, free transportation was offered in nine different cities through Molson Coors’ partnerships with local mass transit. This year, merrymakers across the country can look forward to free rides during the Kentucky Derby, the NFL season and New Year’s Eve. Since the inception of the Free Rides program, safe transportation has been provided to more than 8 million people.

“We are excited to continue our longstanding partnership with Molson Coors and help provide people access to safe and reliable transportation as they celebrate St. Patrick’s Day,” said Metro Transit interim general manager Lesley Kandaras. “Since 1997, the Miller Lite Free Rides program has become a dependable option to get Minneapolis residents to and from their holiday destinations.”

Visit the Metro Transit website to review transit routes and plan a safe ride home.

The Classical Music Project Presents Beethoven REimagined, April 23 at Westminster

The Classical Music Project has announced their inaugural concert, Beethoven REimagined, will take place at 3:00pm on April 23 at Westminster Hall, Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1200 Marquette.

This all-Beethoven event includes the Minnesota Premiere of Sonata for Orchestra, the brilliant transformation of Beethoven’s Sonata no. 7 for Violin and Piano into a showpiece for a much larger ensemble, arranged by Garrett Schumann and Yaniv Segal. Also programmed is Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.4 Op. 58, showcasing Steinway Artist Ignacio “Nachito” Herrera. Conductor/composer Yaniv Segal will be on the podium throughout.

The Classical Music Project is an emerging musical venture, created by professional musicians who are passionate about music composed primarily between the 17th and 19th centuries (but not only), and want to bring it to life in delightful new ways. The Classical Music Project aims to showcase outstanding local, national, and international talent in flexible configurations, ranging from one solo player up to a 33-piece classical-sized orchestra. Through engaging, thought-provoking, and carefully crafed programs, The Classical Music Project aspires to create an intimate, approachable, and moving musical experience that both delights each listener of the audience and celebrates live music.

Hosted within the Incubator Program of Springboard for the Arts, The Classical Music Project is guided by a spirit that older music can be made wonderfully new again.

The Sonata for Orchestra was arranged in Beethoven’s style, from the Sonata Op. 30 No.2 for Violin and Piano, by Garrett Schumann and Yaniv Segal. The collaborators have by effect created a new C minor symphony that foreshadows Beethoven’s dramatic Symphony No. 5. The orchestration requires capable musicians at every stand in the ensemble. The Sonata for Orchestra is available on a recording with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. 

Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.4 Op.58 in G Major is one of the pinnacles of the piano concerto repertoire. The concerto’s opening was considered radical when Beethoven premiered himself in 1807. His early biographer suggested the slow movement’s interplay between strings and piano conjures the imagery of Orpheus calming the mythical Furies. The elegant almost Haydn-like last movement dazzles with a rhythmic theme. For many audiences, the cadenzas alone make the performances of this masterpiece fulfilling.

Steinway Artist Ignacio “Nachito” Herrera is a master of Afro-Cuban jazz as well as Classical music, winner of Emmys, Grammys, and Minnesota Music Awards. He has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra among many others and made his solo debut at the age of 12, performing Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No.2 with the Havana Symphony Orchestra. In January 2023, he headlined the Havana International Jazz Festival for the second consecutive year.

Yaniv Segal has achieved critical success since childhood for his work as a conductor, composer, actor, and violinist. A rising star who is “redefining classical music” (Esquire Magazine), Yaniv is Music Director of the Salina Symphony, Conductor Laureate and Artistic Advisor of the Chelsea Symphony, and former Assistant Conductor of the Naples Philharmonic and Detroit Symphony Orchestras.

The Orchestra of The Classical Music Project is comprised of highly accomplished local, professional musicians who have performed with all the major musical organizations in Minnesota, as well as other distinguished ensembles across the U.S. 

Tickets:

$50 Premium seating /$20 General seating. Purchase tickets online, or call the Dakota Box Office at 612-332-JAZZ (5299). Attendees have the option of parking in the Westminster Garage beneath the Church, entrance on Alice Rainville Place, $10.

FRGMNT COFFEE Comes to the Mill District Spring 2023

FRGMNT COFFEE is a multi-roaster cafe that is focused on bringing coffee and offerings from around the globe. FRGMNT COFFEE is owned by Ben Banse, a veteran of Twin Cities craft coffee, and his business partner Sarah Roehl. They opened the first cafe in late 2019 in the North Loop in the Nordic, 729 Washington Avenue. They added their second location in Spring 2022 in the One Southwest Crossing building in Eden Prairie, with a third location opened Riverplace in January 2023. They are now set to open their fourth location in the Mill District this Spring in Open Book, 1011 Washington Avenue S.

Open Book is a center for reading, writing, and book arts. It is a cornerstone of the Mill District and FRGMNT is excited to bring a cafe back to the space. The space is being designed by Christian Dean Architecture and will have several seating areas as well as bar seating with a front-row seat to the action.

This location will offer FRGMNT's rotating espresso and coffee offerings as well as a retail market, baked goods from Honey & Rye, and FRGMNT fares grab-and-go food.

Follow them on social at @frgmntcoffee.

NIEBNA and NEBA Sponsor Summer Fun Events

The Nicollet Island-East Bank Neighborhood Association and the Northeast Business Association are pleased to announce major summer fun events in the Nicollet Island-East Bank Neighborhood!

April 22, 2023 EARTH DAY Celebration and Neighborhood Clean-Up. Spend quality time with friends making sure the local community is cleaned up in honor of Earth Day. RSVP

June 23, 2023 DOG PARADE. This popular event returns! Show up at Riverplace on Main with your costumed canine and kids for a really fun parade and prize contests. RSVP

August 1, 2023 NATIONAL NIGHT OUT, Chute Square Park. Food, fun, and celebration of this great neighborhood with your friends and neighbors. RSVP

NIEBNA and NEBA welcome volunteers for each event - Sign up here. You can also keep up with NIEBNA on Twitter or Facebook.

New Minneapolis Park Markets Begin This Summer

Weekly Park Markets launch in June at Lake Harriet, Market Square, Water Works, Minnehaha Falls, and The Commons; Vendor applications are due March 31.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) has announced new Minneapolis Park Markets launching at five parks in June! This new initiative will create attractions that enhance the sense of community at parks while helping local e.trepreneurs, producers and artists share their goods and services and grow their business ventures. 

Market Locations and Hours

Lake Harriet

Where: 4135 W Lake Harriet Parkway

When: Sundays, 2:30-6:30 pm; June 4-Aug. 27

Note: Market will be located near Lake Harriet Bandshell, which features concerts at 2pm and 5pm through Minneapolis Music in the Parks

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Market Square

Where: 2225 Lake St. E

When: Wednesdays 3-7 pm; June 5-Aug. 30

Note: Market Square is Minneapolis’ newest official park property

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Water Works

Where: 425 West River Parkway

When: Fridays, 10 am-2 pm; June 2-Aug. 25

Note: Priority given to Indigenous vendors and artists

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Minnehaha Regional Park

Where: 4801 S Minnehaha Drive

When: Fridays, 4-8 pm; June 2-Aug. 25

Note: Market will be located along walkway with view of Minnehaha Falls

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The Commons

Where: 425 Portland Ave. S

When: Wednesdays, 11 am-3 pm; June 7-Aug. 30

Note: Market will be run by community organization The Black Market, which highlights local black entrepreneurs and professionals.

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Become a Vendor

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Anyone interested in a space at one of the Minneapolis Park Markets can apply by filling out the Minneapolis Park Market Vendor Application. Visit The Black Market website to apply for The Commons Park Market.

Applications are due Friday, March 31, 2023. Vendors will be notified of their status by April 14, 2023. Full Season, Half Season, and Partial Season rates are available. Only handcrafted items will be allowed to be sold, no imports.

March 22 Bourbon Buyout Event at Nicollet Island Inn

Whiskey-lovers event at the Nicollet Island Inn

 

Oak, almond, hazelnut, pecan and other nutty-tasting notes will be sniffed, swirled and savored during a special Bourbon Buyout tasting event at the Nicollet Island Inn on Wednesday, March 22 beginning at 5 PM.  

 

Guests will enjoy tasting pours from the Inn's hard to find labels and vintages, expertly paired with the chef's cuisine, prepared to complement every delicious note and flavor accent.  

 

A limited number of tickets are available at $180 each and include:

 

• 12 1/2 oz. liquor pours, including 4 rare/allocated pours and 8 run-of-the-bar pours

• Chef’s unlimited buffet

• Select beer and wine available throughout the evening (unlimited)

• Drawings for giveaways of selected bottles and merchandise

• All food, drinks, tax, service charges included

 

A limited number of rooms will be available for overnight stays at $125.

Apply for the Community Commission on Police Oversight

Via a February 28 e-announcement from Ward 3 Council Member Michael Rainville

The City of Minneapolis is seeking applicants for the new 15-member Community Commission on Police Oversight, which will convene for the first time in late April.

The new commission will include 15 members – 13 will be appointed by the City Council (one per ward) and two appointed by the mayor. The civilian commissioners will serve as review panelists on a rotating basis to review investigations of alleged police misconduct. As panelists, they will have direct access to investigatory case files being reviewed and provide recommendations on the merits of misconduct allegations that will be forwarded to the Chief of Police.

The work of the full commission will take place during public meetings, which will provide an opportunity for residents to observe presentations, listen to discussions and provide public input.

The City is seeking applicants that represent a cross-section of Minneapolis, including formerly incarcerated individuals, LGBTQ community members, Black, Indigenous and other people of color, as well as community members from every ward of Minneapolis. 

The application deadline is March 20.

Learn how to apply and find more information on the City’s website.

Click HERE to apply for the Ward 3 seat.

Gopher Baseball Hosts NCAA Powerhouse Teams in Cambria Classic, March 3-5 at U.S. Bank Stadium

One of the nation's premier college baseball tournaments returns to U.S. Bank Stadium with the Cambria College Classic, taking place March 3-5. The games highlight six powerhouse teams from the NCAA, joining the Minnesota Gophers for a nine-game round-robin tournament. 

During the tournament, Cambria will present a variety of family-friendly activities, including a Kid Zone with a batting cage experience, cornhole, Plinko, photo opportunities with Cambi the Cambria mascot, and autograph sessions with players. 

An awards ceremony will be held at the conclusion of the final game between Vanderbilt and Minnesota on March 5, where the championship trophy designed and handcrafted by Cambria will be presented, as well as the all-tournament team and the tournament MVP.

Tickets are $15 per day (3 games each) for all fans and can be purchased in-person on gameday at the U.S. Bank Stadium ticket office or at ticketmaster.com.

Kolman & Reeb Gallery Announces A Fresh Start Celebration, Opening March 18

Jodi Reeb's Signs of Spring encaustic and metallic paint on acrylic disk, 42 x 44 x 2 inches

An artist reception will kick off the celebration of A Fresh Start Celebration exhibition on Saturday, March 18, 7:00p - 9:00p, during the Northrup King Building’s March Northrup King Nights.

Kolman & Reeb Gallery is celebrating in honor of its new partner, Jodi Reeb.

In the spring of 2022, Kolman & Reeb Gallery partnered with highly successful Minneapolis-based artist, Jodi Reeb. This spring, Kolman & Reeb Gallery aims to celebrate Reeb and her accomplishments with its next show, A Fresh Start Celebration. This lively exhibition will celebrate its continued admiration and support of Minnesota artists by showcasing its community of gallery artists' latest contemporary works. 

Jodi ReebFor nearly 30 years, Reeb has worked as a teacher, mentor, and advocate for other Minnesota artists. Her passion is to help artists reach their audience and achieve their professional landmarks. In her new role as gallery partner, Reeb has already helped broaden the reach and enhance the relationships between gallery artists and the patrons of the Minneapolis art community. “My first year as a partner dissolved in a flurry of activity,” Reeb says with a broad smile. “Now it’s time to celebrate and have some fun.”

When she was an up-and-coming artist, Reeb saw the chance to display her art in a gallery as a foundational step to success. In her new role as partner and curator, Reeb views the opportunity to partner with Kolman & Reeb Gallery owner, Anita Sue Kolman  as a tremendous milestone in her career.

“Jodi brings the perspective of a working artist coupled with enthusiasm, energy, and a strong commitment towards building visibility for the gallery among the local arts community,” says Anita Sue Kolman, co-founder and co-partner of Kolman & Reeb Gallery. “Jodi has been strongly connected to the gallery for ten years as a represented artist and as the gallery’s sales associate. She is very knowledgeable about the gallery’s artists and inner workings. As a result, she was able to step into her new role on day one.”

Betsy Ruth Byers' Beckon VII oil on canvas

Kelly Jean Ohl's Natural Wonders hand carved clayBy working together, Kolman and Reeb have the combined power to help further establish Kolman & Reeb Gallery as a foundational part of the Minneapolis art community through broader and more impactful exhibitions. A Fresh Start Celebration will demonstrate and celebrate this effort by including works by gallery artists, Cameron Zebrun, Betsy Ruth Byers, Jil Evans, Abby Mouw, Kelly Jean Ohl, Julie Snidle, and guest artist, Annie Irene Hejny.