Open Eye Theatre Announces Fall/Winter Season

Open Eye Theatre announces its Fall/Winter Season, featuring rowdy puppetry, a horrifying Halloween show on the roof at The Bakken Museum, a Mexican-American multimedia collaboration, masterful Indigenous storytelling, and a raucous musical version of A Christmas Carol! This season, audiences will see a thrilling array of original theatre, inventive puppetry, and world-class storytelling from local, national, and international artists. 

Producing Artistic Director Joel Sass officially took over the leadership helm at Open Eye in 2020 after Founder and Executive Director Susan Haas announced her departure from the organization. Since then he has successfully led Open Eye through the pandemic, commissioning and directing LOG JAM! A Paul Bunyan Musical Spectacular and HAIR BALL! A Bigfoot Musical Adventure on the roof of The Bakken Museum, and creating unique opportunities for audiences to engage with artists through outdoor spectacles, virtual performances, global online puppetry workshops, a wildly successful Driveway Tour, and PUPPET LAB residency and festival this year. In addition to creating new and exciting productions, his leadership focuses on supporting artists, fostering connections with community, and expanding the circle of those who call Open Eye a creative home.

FULL MOON PUPPET SHOW, October 21 – 23

A rowdy puppet cabaret during the full moon! Join us under the full moon for an adult, rowdy puppet cabaret. Featuring performances by some of the most innovative Twin Cities puppetry artists and live music between acts! Since 2008, FULL MOON PUPPET SHOW has been performing puppet slams throughout Minneapolis. This October, nominated artists will perform 10 minute original puppet shows to an audience encouraged to howl at the moon and cheer on each show!

HALLOWEEN @ The Bakken Museum, October 27 - 30

 Open Eye returns to The Bakken Museum for a third year of Halloween mayhem, this time with a multimedia spectacle conjured by Steve Ackerman and his team of puppet poltergeists. Ingredients in this witch’s cauldron include a gothic heavy metal band, puppet-animal sacrifice, arcane mystic rites, and comic demons summoned in a rock concert / seance / mockumentary that will delight fans of movies such as “This Is Spinal Tap” and “The Exorcist.”

SPEECHLESS | SIN PALABRAS, November 3 – 13

SPEECHLESS illuminates the extremes of both isolation and proximity between feuding neighbors who learn to overcome their conflicts and communicate across their divided community. The unique multimedia puppetry is performed without words to connect with audiences across language barriers and cultures.

Kling & Co Master Storyteller Series: BIRD BRAINED November 17 - 20

Beloved storyteller Dovie Thomason returns to Open Eye as part of Kevin Kling & Co’s Master Storyteller Series. One of the country’s most respected tale-tellers, Dovie Thomason combines her knowledge of Indigenous stories with contemporary observations in evenings of luminous storytelling, rich with tenderness and humor. Each performance is followed by an audience talk-back with the artist, hosted by Kevin Kling.

SCROOGE IN ROUGE, December 1 - 23

The Royal Music Hall Variety Players' production of A Christmas Carol is in a pickle after seventeen members of the company suddenly fall ill. This leaves the three remaining members to plow on (so to speak) through a musical performance of the Dickens classic. Expect missed cues, unfamiliar characters, and costume mishaps aplenty. With cheeky puns and bawdy songs, this quick-change, cross-dressing version of the Christmas tale is a hilarious holiday treat!

The return of PUPPET LAB this fall

Following a sold out relaunch during the PUPPET LAB Festival this year, and continuing under the leadership of co-artistic directors Oanh Vu and Rebekah Crisanta de Ybarra, we will soon announce a call for applications for our fall PUPPET LAB cohort of emerging artists. More info will be available soon at openeyetheatre.org/about-puppet-lab.

Tickets

Visit openeyetheatre.org for showtimes and tickets. A limited number of $10 Economic Accessibility tickets are available online for each performance. Patrons may also pay what they can at the door.

Location and Parking

Open Eye Figure Theatre. 506 East 24th St., Minneapolis, MN 55404 (Map) Open Eye is located 2 blocks south of Franklin Ave between Portland Ave and 35W. Park for free in the Lutheran Social Service lot at 24th and Portland.

Shopping Basket from the September 3rd Mill City Farmers Market

New in this week's shopping basket from the Mill City Farmers Market are butternut squash from Dawn2Dusk and Kimchi from Mhonpaj’s Garden. The outdoor Market is open Saturdays, 8a-1p thru September, and October hours are 9a-1p.

Minneapolis Monarch Festival/Festival de la Monarca is Saturday, September 10

Saturday, September 10
10 am to 4 pm 
Lake Nokomis Park

Free and for everyone!

Butterfly, music and art lovers from the Twin Cities and beyond come together on Saturday September 10 for the free 2022 Minneapolis Monarch Festival / Festival de la Monarca. 

Scheduled from 10am to 4pm, the festival is filled with music, art activities, games, food, plants that monarchs love and more. 

The day offers a host of fun ways for people of all ages to learn about these amazing pollinators and their role in the ecosystem.

The festival takes place at Lake Nokomis Park, northeast of the lake and near the Nokomis Naturescape, a certified Monarch Waystation.

Read on for highlights, or visit the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) website or monarchfestival.org.

Festival Highlights:

Costume parade
Join in or cheer on this ever-popular monarch-themed march for children

Monarch encounters
Observe these insects up-close; learn about their 2,300-mile journey between Minnesota and the mountains of Michoacán, Mexico; find out simple things everyone can do to help restore their population

Monarch-friendly plants 
Purchase native flora to create a habitat in your yard for butterflies and other pollinators 

Performances galore 
Monarch-themed puppet shows, music from Salsa del Sol and Mariachi Mi Tierra performances and dance highlighting the Minnesota/Mexico connection 

Art activities 
Join in community mural and sculpture-making; make your own screen- or block print or paper from plants

Great tastes 
Minnesotan and Latin foods plus other eats and treats available for purchas

Volunteer at the Festival! Email monarch@nokomiseast.org for information.

Theatre in the Round Players Opens 71st Season with the Pulitzer-Prize Winning Drama, Doubt: A Parable

Theatre in the Round Players (TRP) opens its 71st season with the Pulitzer-Prize winning drama, Doubt: a Parable by John Patrick Shanley. 

In this powerful drama, Sister Aloysius, a Bronx school principal, takes matters into her own hands when she suspects the young Father Flynn of improper relations with one of the male students. Written in 2004, partly in response to increasing political polarization, Doubt explores the nature of uncertainty with profound relevance to our current day.

Kari Steinbach directs the 4-member cast, with sets designed by Devyn Becker, costumes by A. Emily Heaney, sound by Mark Kieffer, props by Andrew Stam, and lighting by Bill Larsen.

An open audience discussion with members of the company will follow the performance on Sunday, October 9. To provide space for further exploration of the themes presented in this production, Theatre in the Round is also offering facilitated post-show discussions for private groups, including book clubs, churches, classes, and civic groups. Interested groups can email larisa@theatreintheround.org to schedule.

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

* * Full schedule for Season 71 * *

Doubt a Parable, September 23-October 16, 2022

Agatha Christie’s The Mysterious Affair at Styles, November 18-December 18, 2022

The Book Club Play, January 27-February 19, 2023

Eurydice, March 10-April 2, 2023

True West, April 21-May 14, 2023 

Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood, June 9-July 2, 2023

Call for Artists! Parks for All Mural Project

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and Forecast Public Art seek artists to develop murals to foster Parks for All. There will be 9 artists selected to create murals in 2023. The deadline to apply is September 19, 2022, and selected artists will received a $6,000 fee + $3,000 for materials (to include artist travel).

Information Site

The 9 mural locations have been selected based on the following goals: to help reduce the amount of vandalism in the park system; to reduce reactionary maintenance efforts required for tagging removal; to beautify park walls, and to celebrate the park system and park users. There are specific sites in the MPRB system that are frequent targets for vandalism that require countless hours of labor each year to remove and repaint.

State Fair Ferris Wheel by Ric Rosow

Submitted by Ric Rosow

Around 11 pm last night after we finished watching a movie, my wife looked out our living room window and saw an unfamiliar colorful glow in the distance. With binoculars purchased for a trip never taken due to the pandemic, she identified it as the State Fair Ferris Wheel. Never one to pass up an interesting photo opportunity, even though it was late, I set up my camera and tripod. After several test shots to determine the right settings I took a dozen or so photos, as the lights on the Ferris Wheel kept changing colors. I was eager to see what the images looked like on my computer screen and processed this one image. Who knew that 8+ miles from the State Fair grounds one can see the Ferris Wheel from our Downtown East neighborhood. I didn’t. But then I’ve never before had a view from my home in Downtown East looking East. In order to get a closer and larger view of the Ferris Wheel, paraphrasing from that iconic line in Jaws, I need a bigger lens.

See more of my work at ricrosowphotography.com and Tres Leches Art Gallery in the Northrup King Building.

State Fair Ferris Wheel

21st Annual Ukrainian Heritage Festival is September 17th

The Twin Cities Ukrainian community is celebrating the 21st anniversary of the Annual Twin Cities Ukrainian Heritage Festival and the 31st anniversary of Ukrainian Independence. Bring family and friends to this FREE event! Saturday, September 17, 12 PM – 5 PM.

Dedicated proceeds from this year's festival will be going toward the humanitarian aid in Ukraine.

Improvements Coming to Riverside Park and Bohemian Flats Park

Via an August 23rd e-announcement from the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

Detail showing Riverside Park and Annie Young Meadow, from the Mississippi Gorge Regional Park master plan. Bohemian Flats Park, not pictured, is to the northwest along the river.

Opportunities to share your thoughts are coming soon!

Improvements are coming to Riverside Park and Bohemian Flats Park through a Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB) capital investment project. They include playground and wading pool improvements at Riverside Park and restoration of the savanna  landscape at Bohemian Flats Park. Community engagement for both projects will be combined, since both parks are within the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis. 

At Riverside Park, a new playground will replace the existing 20-year-old playground and the 80-year-old wading pool will get much-needed upgrades. Additional improvements may include picnic tables with concrete pads, additional basketball court space, lighting, grills, and benches.

At  Bohemian Flats Park, a five-acre savanna landscape will be restored with various types of oak trees, grasses, and wildflowers.

MPRB will share additional announcements about opportunities for Cedar-Riverside community members to get involved in the Riverside Park improvements project.

Project funding

Riverside Park (a neighborhood park within Mississippi Gorge Regional Park)

• $1,398,000 - 20-Year Neighborhood Park Plan (see below) and MPRB's 2022 Capital Improvement Program 

Bohemian Flats Park (a regional park within Mississippi Gorge Regional Park)

• $ 20,000 - River Access Grant

• $286,000 - 2022 Grant for Bohemian Flats Savanna

Riverside Park improvements are funded from NPP20, a historic agreement between the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and the City of Minneapolis. NPP20 helps address racial and economic equity across 160 neighborhood parks and provides more than $11 million annually to maintain, repair and replace facilities. 

• Watch a 1-minute video on NPP20
• Get more info and subscribe to email updates

More Information and Updates

Visit project page for Riverside & Bohemian Flats Parks Improvements

Subscribe to email updates on this project

Project contact

Tyler Pederson, Design Project Manager, Planning Division, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board

612-499-9084 | tpederson@minneapolisparks.org

MacPhail Announces First Free KidFest! Family Music Series Concert of the 2022-23 Season

Chione Quintet

Sing Play Learn with MacPhail® will present the first free KidFest! Family Music Series concert of the 2022-23 season on Saturday, September 10th.

This season kicks off with a brand-new musical performance featuring the Twin Cities-based woodwind quintet of cross-disciplinary women, Chione, along with Twin Cities author Ka Vang. The performance features Vang’s Shous and the Northern Lights Dragon set to beautiful music composed by fellow Minnesotan musician Jocelyn Hagen. Chione’s performance is captivating and inclusive, as they combine musical character themes with American Sign Language, while sharing the stories of each of their instruments.

Activities include:

• Free Family Music Concerts 10:15-10:45 AM and 11:15-11:45 AM
• Instrument exploration stations
• Visual Art stations- make an instrument
• Sample Sing Play Learn classes
• Snacks and more

As always, the Free Family Music series is open and welcome to the community. No tickets or RSVP necessary.

August 22 Minneapolis Central City Tunnel Project Update

Via an August 22 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. This project is anticipated to be completed summer 2023.

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

Get an inside look of tunnel mining

The Star Tribune recently released a story on the Minneapolis Central City Tunnel project. Check out the Star Tribune story to get an inside look of what tunnel mining looks like underground.

Latest Project News

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.
o The sidewalks remain open on both sides of the road.
o The crosswalk at the Washington Ave and 2nd Ave S intersection remains open.
o 2nd Ave S remains a single lane in each direction using the northbound lanes between Washington Ave and 1st St S.
o Access to driveways off 2nd Ave S remain open. There may be short-term access delays while crews move equipment and materials around.

Portland Ave
• Tunneling the new parallel storm tunnel under Washington Ave continues from the existing tunnel access shaft at the northeast corner of the Washington Ave and Portland Ave intersection.
o Pedestrian access is being maintained during this work. Please follow any posted detour routes.
o There may be short, periodic traffic delays while crews move equipment and materials around.

Tunneling Progress

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.
o During this closure, pedestrians can still use the sidewalks along Washington Ave.
o Crosswalks across Washington Ave and Portland Ave will remain open.
o Bicyclists will share the traffic lane.
o 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 in fall 2022.
o During these restrictions, pedestrians share the bike lane on Washington Ave.
o 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.
o Pedestrians can use the sidewalk on the west side of 4th Ave S.
o The crosswalk at the Washington Ave and 4th Ave intersection remains open.
o Access to driveways off 4th Ave S remains open.

• The eastern sidewalk along Nicollet Mall between Washington Ave and 3rd St N remains restricted. Access is open to the Marquette Plaza building. The dewatering well and pumps are installed in this area.
o This sidewalk will reopen to pedestrians after the scaffolding and extra equipment in the area are removed and the site is cleaned up. Once the sidewalk reopens to pedestrians, it will remain restricted around the dewatering well and pumps. This is anticipated to be completed by the end of August.
o Pedestrians are still able to use the sidewalk on the west side of Nicollet Mall.
o The crosswalk at the Washington Ave intersection remains open.
o Possible short-term sidewalk closures to remove equipment in the area through the end of the month.

• 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.

What to expect

• Expect additional noise, dust, and vibration as crews complete work.
• Schedule is tentative and subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances.

Suspended sites through summer 2022

Hennepin Ave

• Tunneling the new parallel storm tunnel under Washington Ave will resume fall 2022 at this site.

Mississippi River Portal

• Minor activities will periodically occur at the Mississippi River portal site through Summer 2022. Work will resume fall 2022.

Stay connected

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

August 20 Trip to the Mill City Farmers Market

Fruit attack! Watermelon, First Kiss apples, pears and strawberries. Alfajores and empanadas from Atacama Catering. New from Sunrise Flour Mill - biscuit mix.

Weekly Events at Peavey Plaza August 21 - 27

Green Minneapolis is excited to host these events, free and open to all!

YWCA Minneapolis Yoga on the Plaza

Tuesday, August 23 from 5:30-6:30pm

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Flow into summer with FREE yoga classes at Peavey Plaza (weather permitting). Bring a water, mat and towel. Members and nonmembers are welcome to attend. Nonmembers that attend receive a FREE three-day trial fitness pass to any of our three fitness locations. Plus, join YWCA Minneapolis as a member for just $15! Registration recommended

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MNspin Musician of the Week: Curtis & Loretta

Thursday, August 25 from 12-1pm 

Award winning folk singer-songwriter duo Curtis & Loretta’s extraordinary harmonies and proficiency on a parade of stringed instruments create an alluring frame for their poignant original songs, and traditional pieces. The Minneapolis husband and wife duo’s current menagerie includes mandocello, folk harp, guitars, clawhammer banjo, and ukulele, plus a bit of kazoo, harmonica, and shakers.

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Children’s Theatre Company Story Theatre 

Saturday, August 27 at 12-12:30pm & 12:30-1pm

Join Children’s Theatre Company for summertime fun at Peavey Plaza! Through imaginative play, collaborative storytelling, music, and family engagement, we’ll explore beloved children’s books together. Laugh, dance, and discover along with your family and friends.

Joe Davis & The Poetic Diaspora

Saturday, August 27 at 6-7:30pm

Journeying through the sonically diverse realms of old school and new school hip hop, R&B, funk, and soul, Joe Davis & The Poetic Diaspora seamlessly blend melodic harmonies, smooth instrumentation, and raw, poetic energy to tell stories of struggle, resilience, and celebration. Formed in the heart of the Twin Cities, Minnesota, the collective is dedicated to crafting vibrant soundscapes around honest narratives that reflect their community’s sacred humanity. Each song is an ancestral echo, a battle cry calling for freedom, an unending dance for justice and joy, welcoming all of the diaspora home.

For a complete calendar of Peavey Plaza Performing Arts Series, visit greenminneapolis.org/events.

Tour the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center!

After a hiatus due to COVID-19, Hennepin County is again offering facility tours at the Hennepin County Energy Recovery Center (HERC) waste-to-energy facility. HERC is a waste-to-energy facility where waste is received and burned to generate steam for the downtown district energy system and electricity sold to Xcel Energy. Tours describe how the plant works and fits within the county’s solid waste management system to divert waste from landfills.

• Tour participants must be 14 years of age or older.
• Masks are optional. (Masks are available at HERC for participants that do not bring their own.)

Tours for Groups

Please complete the HERC tour request form to request a tour for a group of five to 16 people. Due to safety precautions related to COVID-19, tours to groups of more than 16 people are not available at this time. Protecting the health of tour participants and HERC’s operating staff is critical to maintaining the waste and energy infrastructure.

Outdoor tour option: to request a tour that is 100% outdoors, list “outdoor tour” when providing your goal for visiting the facility. Note that outdoor tours will not enter the HERC facility. 

Tours for individuals or groups with less than five people

Complete the HERC tour sign up form to sign up for a slot during pre-scheduled tours of the HERC facility. This option should be used for groups of less than five participants. New date options will be added regularly. You will be contacted by a Hennepin County staff person when your slot is confirmed with additional information, including how to access the facility the day of the tour.

Take a virtual tour

Watch a video about HERC (YouTube) to learn more about how waste is managed in the county and how HERC converts waste to energy.

4th Street Reconstruction: Construction is Complete!

The City of Minneapolis has completed reconstruction of 4th St. between 2nd Ave. N. and 4th Ave. S. Planning for the project began in 2017 and construction began in 2021. The purpose of the project was to:

- Replace the aging street infrastructure

- Improve safety, access, and comfort for people walking

- Create a bicycle connection for all ages and abilities

- Collect and treat stormwater runoff using green infrastructure

- Enhance the area with street trees and plantings

- Create a more intuitive street by removing and relocating the contraflow bus lane

  

What Improvements Were Made

- Replaced aging asphalt street with a new concrete street

- Lane reconfiguration

- New trees and planting beds throughout the corridor

- Wider sidewalks and improved crosswalks including curb extensions at all intersections

- A new two-way protected bike lane along the north side of the street

- New traffic signals, lighting, and crosswalk timers throughout the corridor

Replaced aging street infrastructure

• 4th Street was last reconstructed in 1962. It had reached the end of its useful life and was severely cracked and potholed. As part of this project, new concrete pavement, curb and gutter, and storm sewer infrastructure were put in place

New lane configuration

• Three eastbound travel lanes between 2nd Ave. N. and 3rd Ave. S.
• Two eastbound travel lanes between 3rd Ave. S. and 4th Ave. S.
• Parking available between 2nd Ave N. and Marquette Ave., and parking in front of city hall between 3rd Ave S. and 4th Ave S.

Planting beds, rain gardens and boulevard trees

• New planting beds and rain gardens were constructed along 4th Street and include native plantings, perennials, and trees. These new green areas reduce stormwater runoff, capture excess rainwater, and provide shade.

Improved sidewalk and pedestrian crossings

• Wider sidewalks, improved crosswalks and curb extension at all intersections increase safety for people walking, rolling, and biking along 4th St.

Two-way protected bike lane

• A new two-way protected bike lane constructed on the north side of the street. This improves bicycle connection, safety, and access along 4th St.

Traffic signals, lighting, and crosswalk timers

• Traffic signals, lighting, and crosswalk timers at intersections provide updated safety measures for vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians on 4th St. Additional lighting along the corridor improves visibility at night.

Help protect greenspaces on 4th Street

Help keep new plantings and landscaping beds healthy along the 4th Street corridor by reducing your salt use this winter. Overuse of salt permanently pollutes lakes, rivers, and groundwater, and causes costly damage to buildings, vehicles, and plants. Did you know, 78% of salt applied in the metro area ends up in groundwater or local lakes and rivers?

Here are some helpful tips to reduce salt use while also keeping roadways and sidewalks safe.

1. Apply less: More salt does not mean more melting. A coffee mug of salt will cover about 10 sidewalk squares, or a 20-foot driveway.
2. 15 degrees (F) is too cold for salt. Most salts stop working at this temperature. Use sand instead for traction but remember that sand does not melt ice.
3. Shovel: The more snow and ice that can be removed manually, the less salt you will need to use. Do not pile snow on top of planting beds. This can kill plants that have gone dormant over the winter.

For more information see: Salt mini-course

Stay tuned to the City of Minneapolis newsletters and visit the project webpage for more information, hear about upcoming events and see our interactive map: minneapolismn.gov/4thStreet.

Composer Paola Prestini's Opera Edward Tulane to Receive World Premiere at Minnesota Opera, October 8-13

Edward Tulane, a new opera by composer Paola Prestini and librettist Mark Campbell, commissioned by Minnesota Opera, will receive its premiere after a two-year postponement on Saturday, October  8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. It is the first work by a woman to be commissioned by Minnesota Opera as part of the company's New Works Initiative. 

The opera is based on the novel The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by two-time Newbery Medalist and #1 New York Times best-selling author Kate DiCamillo. It is the first time one of her works is being adapted for the operatic stage. “I think that [this adaptation] is going to be a visual feat, in addition to a musical one,” DiCamillo said. “It’s a very dramatic tale, so it just seems well-suited for the drama of opera.”

"Edward Tulane continues my love of working on art that brings intergenerational audiences together," said composer Paola Prestini. "The themes found in the DiCamilo novel, woven into a brilliant and unique libretto by Mark Campbell gave me the perfect springboard for an opera about hope and transformation— told through a rabbit's perspective! The opportunity to unleash my imagination into sound worlds for underwater fish, a zany doll shop, and ultimately a cast of characters that guide our leading soul with love and wisdom has been delightful. We all are in need of magic and transformation, and Edward's journey brings it in spades. I’m immensely grateful that Minnesota Opera chose me for this adventure, and hope that this opera brings new audiences to our stages."

The leading cast features several noteworthy house debuts, including those of Minnesota native tenor Jack Swanson, soprano Zulimar López-Hernández, baritone Brian Vu, bass Zachary James, mezzo-soprano Elise Quagliata and baritone Daniel Belcher. Former Minnesota Opera Resident Artists Benjamin Sieverding, Victoria Vargas and Adriana Zabala with current Resident Artists Lisa Marie Rogali, Danielle Beckvermit, Nicholas Davis and Christian Sanders fill out the cast. Russian-American conductor Lidiya Yankovskaya, the music director of Chicago Opera Theater, will lead from the podium.

Postponed for two years due to COVID, the world premiere was preceded in December 2021 by a 40-minute Choral Suite, featuring stop-motion animation by acclaimed artist Erin Pollock:

August 13 Trip to the Mill City Farmers Market

The first apples of the season arrived at the August 13 Mill City Farmers Market, thanks to Pam at Prairie Hollow Farm. I couldn't wait to get my hands on the sweet peppers from Mhonpaj’s Garden.

Weekly Events at Peavey Plaza August 14 - 20

Green Minneapolis is excited to host these events, free and open to all!

YWCA Minneapolis Yoga on the Plaza

Tuesday, August 16 from 5:30-6:30pm

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Flow into summer with FREE yoga classes at Peavey Plaza (weather permitting). Bring a water, mat and towel. Members and nonmembers are welcome to attend. Nonmembers that attend receive a FREE three-day trial fitness pass to any of our three fitness locations. Plus, join YWCA Minneapolis as a member for just $15! Registration recommended

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MNspin Musician of the Week: Buffalo Galaxy

Thursday, August 18 from 12-1pm 

Dust from the years of performing with many groups and musical styles has coalesced to form Buffalo Galaxy. Each member brings with them a tradition of Bluegrass and American music as their bedrock, together creating moments of energy and intensity that can only be generated by light-speed bluegrass, while also exploring the deep-space between notes and emotions.

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MIRAGE Performing Arts

Thursday, August 18 from 6-6:45pm and again on Saturday, August 20 from 2-2:45pm

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MIRAGE Performing Arts: A performing arts group focused on creating a new and authentic expression of Classical Music and Ballet through innovative collaboration, programing and choreography. The primary goal being the spreading of joy and hope through the arts. Learn more at yukitokuda.com/mirage-performing-arts.

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Children’s Theatre Company Story Theatre 

Saturday, August 20 at 12-12:30pm & 12:30-1pm

Join Children’s Theatre Company for summertime fun at Peavey Plaza! Through imaginative play, collaborative storytelling, music, and family engagement, we’ll explore beloved children’s books together. Laugh, dance, and discover along with your family and friends.

For a complete calendar of Peavey Plaza Performing Arts Series, visit greenminneapolis.org/events.

Full Moon Over University of Minnesota by Ric Rosow

Submitted by Ric Rosow

On the evening of August 11th before the Full Moon rose in the east the skies were cloudy. I expected that I would be unable to see the moon. I took another look at the sky just after the appointed time for the moon to rise and there it was, bright orange, peaking over the horizon partly covered by thin dark clouds. I enjoy when the clouds give the moon a different look. The moon shined through the thin clouds and painted its color on them.

See more of my work ricrosowphotography.com and Tres Leches Art Gallery.

Full Moon Over University of Minnesota

C4W:2022 Pinky Promise curated by Jamie Owens, Featuring 28 Local, National & International Artists at Gamut Gallery

Gamut Gallery's annual Call-4-Work exhibition is a chance for artists to push against preconceived norms of what art "should" be. All media is accepted for submission, artists of all levels are encouraged to submit, and there is never a predetermined theme for the exhibit. After reviewing the body of submitted works, each year's chosen guest curator is free to hand-select a group of pieces that showcase the complete "Gamut" of visual mediums. The resulting exhibit makes for a memorable, one-of-a-kind event the space is thrilled to host each fall. With guest curator Jamie Owens behind the wheel, Gamut Gallery's 2022 C4W exhibition, Pinky Promise, is an enthusiastic and unexpected portrayal of emerging, established, and outsider artists across North America and Mexico.

Jamie OwensJamie is a multi-disciplinary studio artist, preparator, designer, and curator living and working in Minneapolis. Having graduated with a bachelor's degree in design from MCAD in 2014, his art has gained an international audience of collectors. After being exhibited in New York City, Germany, the San Diego Museum of Art & History, and the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Jamie has widened his focus to include curatorial work. He notably curated “Cracked Pavement: Twin Cities Skateboarding Then & Now” (2018) at Gamut Gallery, and “Selections” (2019) at Revere Auctions.

"Art is this rare space where contemplation and play are intertwined, but as an artist myself, I've fallen into the camp of serious art making, and feel like my personal practice suffered for it.” With this in mind, the imagery Jamie has chosen approaches adult topics of identity and mental health, but with the spirit of freedom felt in the final days of summer. Pinky Promise is an unapologetically juvenile exhibition featuring a mashup of ideas and mediums through a youthful lens.

Gamut is delighted to announce that of the 28 artists chosen to participate in this year's event, more than two-thirds are displaying work with them for the first time:

Analeise Jarvi-Beamer, Ash Hagerstrand, Ashley Ray, Brian Nagel, Christopher Alday, Christopheraaron Deanes, Constance Klippen, Daniel Allyn Lee, Derek Meier, Desirée Forgét, Emily Quandahl, Emma Beatrez, Erin Peña, Gary Stewart, Jake Zirbes, Jeremy Jones, Jesse Quam, Jordan Shepherd, Luis David Moran, Mara Glover, Merick Reed, Nick Knutson, Odam Art, Richard Wehrs, Tara Robinson, Tina Ford, Tony Kukich, Xiao Faria daCunha 

Their art helps make up the final 32 pieces that will recast the gallery as a play-place for fearless experimentation within painting, illustration, sculpture, and digital media. Varying shades of pinks, greens, blues, and purples wildly ricochet off each other,  embracing visitors with the playful and sentimental energy of Pinky Promise. While this event is undoubtedly a party in itself, opening night attendees are invited to come for the art and stay for music held in the courtyard!

EXHIBIT OPENING - Friday, September 9th / 6 - 9 PM
•$7 pre-sale available, $10 day of event
• Free admission for members
• Featuring DJ Superbrush
• Curated by Jamie Owens

Returning this year, there will be two “Best in Show” awards. One will be selected by the guest curator and the other by opening night attendees. Both winners will be awarded $100 cash and Platinum Memberships to Gamut Gallery ($300 value). You will not want to miss the opportunity to help one of these artists take best in show. Mark your calendars for opening night!

C4W:2022 ART TALK - Wednesday, September 21st / 6:30PM
• $5 pre-sales, $7 day of event
• Free admission for members

Curator Jamie Owens and Moderator Juleana Enright sit down for a conversation with three selected C4W artists Christopheraaron Deanes, Emily Quandahl and Jeremy Jones.

Christopheraaron DeanesChristopheraaron’s work contextualizes the building of creative social capital in humanity to illuminate the journey of benevolence. After graduating from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design with his BFA, Christopheraaron went on to obtain his Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction in Education from the University of St. Thomas. He later completed the Administrative (Eds) program at St. Mary’s University and a fellowship through the University of Minnesota, Urban Educators Program. He currently, works as a Culture and Climate Coordinator in Fridley Public schools. Christopheaaron’s work squarely focuses on the development of the chance to have a critical conversation about race and everyone’s role that we place in securing the future for a better more empathetic and equitable space for us.

Emily QuandahlEmily Quandahl is an abstract artist and muralist based in Minneapolis. Her studio work is created in layers by experimenting with techniques and mediums, starting on the floor with a base of diluted acrylics and building from there. With over 12 years devoted to studying classical viola, her compositions are inherently musical in their movements, while maintaining a balance between organic gestures and line-work, united by use of color. 

Jeremy JonesJeremy Jones is originally from Casper, WY and received a BFA in ceramics and sculpture from the University of Wyoming in 2006 and an MFA in sculpture from Wichita State University in 2012. He creates toy-like sculptures and assemblages that seek to enshrine the everyday moments of child rearing/parenthood. Jones has exhibited his work throughout the greater United States with notable spaces including: Space 204 at Vanderbilt University, The Nicolaysen Art Museum and the Macy Gallery at Columbia University. Jones currently lives and works in the Twin Cities.

Juleana EnrightJuleana Enright is an Indigenous, queer, non-binary writer, curator, and DJ living in Minneapolis. They are a member of the Sicangu Lakota Tribe of Lower Brulé. Their past roles have included culture editor for l’étoile magazine and communications specialist for Gamut Gallery. They have contributed writing to Pride Magazine, mplsart.com, Primer, and City Pages. Juleana has curated two art exhibitions, including their own solo show in the spring of 2018, titled “Soft Boundaries.” Juleana is the co-founder of the multi-sensory queer dance and performance night, Feelsworldwide. In 2019, Juleana co-directed Lightning Rod, a week-long works-in-process theatre initiative. In 2020, they were a participating artist in Controlled Burn. They are the recipient of the Emerging Curators Institute 2020 fellowship.

CoLab ART NIGHT - Wednesday, October 5th / 7 – 10PM

All skill-levels are welcome! Bring your own materials or work from those we provide, and join us for another wholesome night of making art with friends! All visual disciplines are welcome: painting, drawing, sewing, projections, photography, design, sculpture, collage, and more. Work together, collaborate, or work solo!
• $10 pre-sale, $10 day of the event
• 18+
• Limited Capacity Event

Follow Gamut on Facebook and Instagram for further details and information regarding the event.

Repairs Coming Soon for Three Historic Minneapolis Park Buildings, Including Ard Godfrey House

Siding on the Ard Godfrey House was repaired in October 2021 thanks to a partnership with the Hennepin County Community Productive Day Program

Partnership with Hennepin County Community Corrections and Rehabilitation aids effort to rehabilitate historic park buildings

The Ard Godfrey House, John H. Stevens House, and Longfellow House are scheduled for repairs this fall as part of ongoing efforts to rehabilitate historic structures located in Minneapolis parks.

Repairs at the Ard Godfrey House will be performed by participants in the Hennepin County's Productive Day Program, which pays people on parole or probation an hourly training stipend while they learn transferable skills. Participants who successfully complete on-the-job training and off-site classroom curriculum earn a certificate in general carpentry skills and are prepared for union apprenticeship employment. 

The partnership between Hennepin County Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) began last summer, when participants repaired siding on the Ard Godfrey House. After those successful repairs in 2021, program participants will return to the Ard Godfrey House to paint its exterior this fall. 

The historic Ard Godfrey House, located at 28 University Ave. SE in Chute Square, is the oldest surviving frame home in the Twin Cities. Built in 1848, the Greek Revival house was the residence for the Ard Godfrey family. The building was extensively restored by the Woman’s Club of Minneapolis in 1975 and opened to public tours in 1979. A replica of the house’s kitchen wing, which had collapsed in 1908, opened in 1985. It's filled with furnishings and household items authentic to the period 1849-1853. The Ard Godfrey House is open weekends 1-4 pm in June, July and August for free guided tours. Learn more at the Women's Club of Minneapolis website.