$5,000 Can Be Yours - If You Win 'The MOST Amazing Race' on July 21

Time to start preparing if you want to quality for The MOST Amazing Race Twin Cities on July 21!

Award Winning Spanish Language Film ZOMBIE DAWN Comes to Minneapolis May 11-17 With FREE Comic Book Giveaway

Eagle One Media and iFN are proud to announce the nationwide theatrical release of the Spanish language horror action film ZOMBIE DAWN with the film debuting exclusively in the Minneapolis metro area at the AMC Block E Theater from May 11-17.

In a special arrangement with AMC, cinema ticket buyers shall receive a FREE limited edition copy of the ZOMBIE DAWN: Safehouse comic book that contains a prequel tie-in story to the feature film. The complimentary 28 page comic book was specifically commissioned for the film and created by comic industry veterans David A. Rodriguez and Dheeraj Verma and will be bilingual in English and Spanish.

Along with ZOMBIE DAWN, the award winning computer animated horror short HAMBUSTER will be shown before the main horror feature as an added bonus.

ZOMBIE DAWN is an action horror Spanish language film that has won praise for its presentation and kudos for the film makers in assembling such a feature while working with only a micro budget. ZOMBIE DAWN recently won awards at the Zixion Sars film festival in Chile for directors Cristian Toledo and Lucio A. Rojas, and art direction.

Glowing reviews are in regarding ZOMBIE DAWN:

"ZOMBIE DAWN is low budget zombie horror done right. It has that gritty feel as if it were made right about the same time as DAWN OF THE DEAD while embracing films like Peckinpah and the old spaghetti westerns by focusing on a morally grey merc and his men." AINITCOOL.COM

"'Zombie Dawn' Arrives in America with Originality, Micro-Budgeting" YAHOO!

"The passion for the genre is here, down to the trigger happy 'good guys'...there's a cultish charm to everything" INDIEWIRE.COM

Film premise: In 2006 a mysterious incident at a remote mining facility unleashes a zombie horde with an appetite for human flesh. It decimates large portions of the cities and countryside. The only course of action is to rapidly enclose the infected areas and seal them off from the rest of the remaining, living population. Now, 15 years later the tattered remains of the government and the mining corporation responsible where the initial event took place commit themselves to finding out what may have happened at the mining complex. The solution is to covertly send in a group of mercenaries led by a cynical but no-nonsense Colonel and investigative scientists into the quarantined zone to find answers.

Fans of ZOMBIE DAWN can be kept up to date at the official website or Facebookpage.  For additional information, contact Eric Reichert, President of Eagle One Media, Inc., at eagleonemedia@yahoo.com.

Brenda Langton Prepares a Recipe From Her New Spoonriver Cookbook on Kare11

Brenda visited Belinda Jensen on Kare11 this morning.

This Weekend in Mill City / May 4-6

Above: A recent photo from the Mill City Photo Pool

Events this weekend in and around the Historic Mill District and Minneapolis Riverfront Neighborhoods.  Have an event to share?  Contact us...

Friday, May 4

Live Music at Crooked Pint

The Making of a Medium - Composition Workshop with the Verdehr Trio at MacPhail

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Saturday, May 5

Taste Twin Cities Food Tours Minneapolis Riverwalk Tour

Midwest Photo Safari: "Minneapolis Nights" St. Anthony Main

BRIT BASH at The Depot

Live Music at Crooked Pint

Washburn A Mill Tour at Mill City Museum

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Free Family Music Series: “Celebrating Jewish Music" at MacPhail

Spice & Slice of Asian America: Japanese Taiko at Central Library

Sunday, May 6

No events scheduled

Brenda Langton and "The Spoonriver Cookbook" Featured in Star Trib Taste Section

Be sure to check out the Star Trib Taste section this week for Beth Dooley's articleon Brenda Langton and "The Spoonriver Cookbook".

Click here for a full list of Book Launch Events. 

In our neighborhood, mark your calendar for 7:00pm Thursday, June 7, when Brenda and Atina Diffley will be at the Mill City Museum for a discussion and book signing.

Tickets Go On Sale May 14 for Debut Season of Mill City Summer Opera

We look forward to enjoying one of the five 8:00pm performances of Pagliacci scheduled for July 12, 14, 15, 18 and 20 at the Mill City Museum.

Anton Treuer Presentation and Book Signing at the Mill City Museum May 15

Ojibwe scholar and cultural preservationist Anton Treuer will give a presentation based on his new book from the Minnesota Historical Society Press. 

White/Indian relations are often characterized by guilt and anger. "Everything You Wanted to Know about Indians But Were Afraid to Ask" cuts through the emotion and builds a foundation for true understanding and positive action.

Mill City Museum hosts the May 15, 7:00pm event.  After the presentation Dr. Treuer will sign copies of the book which can be purchased in the Mill City Museum store.

Click here for more on the book and author from the Star Trib.

Revitalization of Chute Square Park Made Possible by Neighborhood Group

During the next two months you'll see Chute Square Park (across from Lund's) revitalized with new tables, benches, light poles, colored and stamped concrete walkways, dog dropping receptacles and more.  The Friends of Chute Square Park, a group of Northeast neighbors who live across from the park, have been working on a renewal plan since 2007.

Opening Day and Mother's Day Celebration at Mill City Farmers Market May 12

Get ready for the Mill City Farmers Market Opening Day - Saturday, May 12, 2012

Video / A Most Awesome Time Lapse Video of the Mill City Museum and Mill City Farmers Market

We observed the photographers last year capturing the content for this production...

Pillsbury A Mill Project at Minneapolis Zoning and Planning Committee

From April 19, 2012 at City Hall.

The Week Ahead in Mill City / April 30 - May 6

Each Monday morning we provide an easy to reference list of events and activities for the week ahead in the Mill City neighborhood.  Submit your events here...

Monday, April 30

Mayday Eve Celebration at Open Book

Judy Collins at The Guthrie

April 30, 2012, Monday - Gallery Talk: Alexander Campos at MCBA

1862 Civil War Commemoration Postage Stamp Unveiling Ceremony at Ard Godfrey House

Tuesday, May 1

Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission Public Meeting

Wednesday, May 2

Range of Motion 'Tough Enough Bootcamp' at Mill Ruins Park

Sip & Save Wine Tasting at Spill the Wine

Sisters Who Lead and Read at The Loft

Thursday, May 3

Anthology Publication Reading: Use Your Words: A Writing Guide for Mothers at The Loft

Friday, May 4

The Making of a Medium - Composition Workshop with the Verdehr Trio at MacPhail

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Saturday, May 5

Taste Twin Cities Food Tours Minneapolis Riverwalk Tour

BRIT BASH at The Depot

Washburn A Mill Tour at Mill City Museum

Live Music at Aster Cafe

Free Family Music Series: “Celebrating Jewish Music" at MacPhail

Spice & Slice of Asian America: Japanese Taiko at Central Library

Sunday, May 6

No events scheduled

This Weekend in Mill City / April 27-29

Above: A recent photo from the Mill City Photo Pool

Events this weekend in and around the Historic Mill District and Minneapolis Riverfront Neighborhoods.  Have an event to share?  Contact us...

Friday, April 27

Book Arts Roundtable: Daniel Kelm at MCBA

Spotlight Series at MacPhail

Live Music at Crooked Pint

Saturday, April 28

Beauty and Brains Event at Behind the Scenes

Taste Twin Cities Food Tours Heart of Minneapolis Tour

Andrew Bird: Fever Year Afterparty at Aster Cafe

Taste Twin Cities Food Tours Minneapolis Riverwalk Tour

FLO(we){u}R Opens at The Soap Factory

DNA Day at Central Library

'Eco-Papermaking: Handmade Recycled Paper' Family Workshop at MCBA

'Eco-Upcycled Books: Repurposing Everyday Objects for an Original Book' Family Workshop at MCBA

Guest Chef: Rhubarb Renaissance with Kim Ode at Mill City Museum at Mill City Museum

Midwest Photo Safari: "Minneapolis Nights" St. Anthony Main

Prohibition and Organized Crime in Minneapolis at Central Library

Latin Dance Night at Crooked Pint

Village Green 21st Annual Splash Day Benefit for Ronald McDonald House at Mill District City Apartments

Sunday, April 29

Scratch vs. Mix: Which Brownie is Better? at Mill City Museum

Phillip Montgomery Invites You to the April 29 Screening of #ReGENERATION at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival

Phillip Montgomery shared with us some information on his new film #ReGENERATION, which he wrote and directed.  #ReGENERATION opens in theaters May 3rd, and is screening Sunday, April 29, at 7pm at the St. Anthony Main Theatre.

Per Phillip, "The film is produced and narrated by Ryan Gosling, and takes a hard look at the current state of activism in today's generation and the issues we face, while exploring the genesis of Occupy Wall Street and other movements across the world. In addition to a number of young voices, the film features Noam Chomky, Howard Zinn, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Kalle Lasn (founder of #OWS) and others.

It is a particularly important and heartfelt moment for me to screen the film this Sunday as part of the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival, as Eagan, MN, is my home town and we feature Eagan High School, it's teachers and students prominently in the film. I will be there in attendance for a discussion after the film, so it is a real homecoming for myself and for everyone who has helped make the film a possibility."

Screening/Ticket Info

Two West River Parkway Closures for Paving and Curb Repair - Begins April 30

Via an April 26 email from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board:

Two sections of West River Parkway will be closed for parkway paving and curb repair.

The parkway from the Franklin Avenue ramps south to E 26th Street will be closed beginning April 30.
The second section to be closed lies between 4th Street South and 22nd Avenue S / 2nd Street S (the street sign says 22nd Ave S). Construction on this section will begin May 1.

The section of parkway between the two projects will remain open. Bike and pedestrian trails will also remain open during construction.

Each project is expected to take up to two weeks to complete.

The 2011-2012 MacPhail Spotlight Series Finale is Friday, April 27

The MacPhail Spotlight Series showcases the finest musicians in six concerts staged in MacPhail’s stunning Antonello Hall. This ticketed performance series features MacPhail faculty with special guests and provides an intimate listening experience for lovers of classical, jazz, folk and more. A unique feature of the Series is the post-concert reception where guests meet the artists while enjoying light refreshments.

This Friday, April 27, marks the conclusion of the 2011-2012 Spotlight Series.

Tonight - Minnesota Shorts Program #3

At the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Film Festival

Tonight - 7:00 PM

More info on their website...

‘92 Skybox Alonzo Mourning Rookie Card

Jim and Dave, two brothers who don’t like each other very much, are forced to come together when their dad dies in Kansas City. Dave is pretty sure he has an Alonzo Mourning Skybox Series rookie card, but Jim has other ideas.
DIRECTED BY Todd Sklar, 12 min

Little Wolf

While trying to escape from two deadly hillbillies, Lowell and baby Samantha seek refuge in the most unusual place, ultimately being pinned against humanity, empathy, and faith.
DIRECTED BY Christopher Peck, 6 min

det.

A successful businessman just living his life is thrust into a puzzling chain of events. After he returns from the war, as past and present fuse, he is forced to confront a haunting mystery.
DIRECTED BY Darin Heinis, 16 min

The Well

A detached young outsider has trouble interacting with anybody, instead preferring to simply observe. When he follows his fellow classmate into the woods, he discovers a secret of hers involving an old well, and decides to investigate further.
DIRECTED BY Christopher Jopp, 10 min

Seeking Sasquatch

A comedy about famed Sasquatch hunter and TV host Karl Patterson, and his fiery wife, Patty. Upon learning of Karl’s plan to search the Arctic with his sexy Russian co-host in search of Sasquatch’s Arctic cousin, Patty tells Karl the unthinkable: Sasquatch doesn’t exist!
DIRECTED BY Jim Morgan, 8 min

The Pony Collector

A young boy searches for a missing pony figure that was given to him by his absent father. A sensitive, charming tale with some moments of magic.
DIRECTED BY Jason Ho, 14 min

Little Words

A story of disappointment and rejection. Set in the early 60’s, R. M. Brusse is a post-modernist writer who hopes to get her first novel published.
DIRECTED BY Ann Prim, 14 min

White Space

Follows the inner life of a deaf performance poet as he makes his debut at an open-mic night for a hearing audience. Can the language of the heart emancipate the inner voice, transcending the white space between a hearing audience and a deaf man’s soul?
DIRECTED BY Maya Washington, 9 min

http://www.mspfilmfest.org/2012/content/minnesota-shorts-program-3

Tonight - Get Together With Your Neighbors at the Stone Arch Patio Party!

It's looking like the weather will cooperate!

Above the Falls Sports is Ready to Get You on the Mississippi!

Bob Schmitz of Above the Falls Sports dropped us a line with information on the opening of their third season.

Above the Falls Sports sells, rents, and stores boats. They also provide boat handling instruction and group tours for those interested in kayaking, canoeing, and slide seat rowing here on the Mississippi River. Their mission is to promote safe, enjoyable recreational use of the river, primarily (but not exclusively) above St. Anthony Falls.

As their third season kicks off, they are excited to announce some additional offerings, starting with a Paddle Fitness program for those interested in working out on the river. The popular Twilight Supper Cruise is being joined by Lunch and Brunch Cruises.  A variety of on-the-water workshops, including photography, natural history, and a history of the the city, will begin soon.

Check out their website for tours and other offers.  Hours are 6am to 9pm, 7 days a week, from now until October 31st.  Reservations are required.

Bob and his staff are looking forward to their biggest season yet, with plenty of opportunities to get people out on the Mississippi!

New Exhibit at Mill City Museum "Growing Strong: How Farmers Markets Nourish People, Communities and the Planet"

The Mill City Museum held an Opening Reception for its latest exhibit, Growing Strong: How Farmers Markets Nourish People, Communities and the Planet, on April 19.  The exhibit, which runs through July 22, 2012, is located in the museum’s central Mill Commons, and is free and open to the public during regular museum hours.

Attendees were treated to music by Light of the Moon.  We look forward to seeing them again at the 2012 Mill City Farmers Market.

This exhibit celebrates the many ways that farmers markets serve Minnesota communities. While supporting renewed interest in sustainable farming and local food, this exhibit shows that farmers markets help fill a growing desire to make our communities more connected, livable and vibrant. Through a combination of photomurals and first-person storytelling, visitors can explore the importance of farmers markets both now and throughout history.

"Growing Strong" was created by North Node Consulting in partnership with Avant Garden Photography, Kidzibits, Renewing the Countryside, and Hello Industries.

Dave was honored to have one of his Mill City Farmers Market pictures used for this project.  It's a beautiful and informative exhibit, and we hope you check it out!