The Cowles' DECADANCE is a Short & Sweet Fundraiser With a Lot of Good Cheer

Via a September 1 e-announcement:

DECADANCE is a new fundraiser from The Cowles Center celebrating its 10th anniversary. The two-hour benefit provides attendees with a decadence of specialty desserts, bold performances from local dance companies, and attendees will be first to hear a special announcement outlining an exciting initiative for the center to further support local dance talent. In-person and virtual tickets are available. The event takes place in-person at The Cowles Center or virtually on Friday, October 1 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM. Tickets range from $25 - $100, early bird ticket prices (a savings of $25 per ticket) are now available through September 8. Learn more: thecowlescenter.org/decadance.

“This will be a great celebration, and our fundraising goal for DECADANCE is $75,000, which will expand our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility initiatives,” shares Mary Meyers, Individual Gift Manager at The Cowles Center. “We’re rising up to meet what our community asks of us and confronting the realities of our nonprofit budget; the money raised through our Fund-A-Need will open up doors for the Cowles to deepen our DEIA & community outreach.”

Duniya Drum & Dance Company, courtesy the company

Thanks to event sponsorship from The Copper Hen Cakery & Kitchen, in-person attendees will receive a custom Cowles box of desserts to enjoy throughout the event. The event program is expected to run 60 minutes. Duniya Drum & Dance Company and Rhythmically Speaking will perform on the Cowles’ Goodale Stage; their performances will be followed by a Fund-A-Need and special announcement from Cowles’ leadership.

Cowles Co-director Jessi Fett teases that, “If you’re ingrained or even interested in Minnesota’s dance community, we think that you’ll be delighted & surprised at what we are excited to announce during DECADANCE.”

Rhythmically Speaking, courtesy Bill Cameron

Virtual attendees will be provided a livestream of the performance, Fund-A-Need, and announcement program.

The event concludes at 7:00 PM, but attendees are invited to enjoy dinner at the Cowles’ 6th Street neighbor, Gluek’s Restaurant & Bar. As the official DECADANCE Restaurant Partner, Gluek’s will donate 10% of all attendee’s dinner sales to the center.

Attendees are also invited to extend their stay in Downtown Minneapolis with an evening at Minneapolis Marriott City Center, which is providing attendees with a special rate of $144 (plus tax) for a room the night of the event. More details for partaking in that rate are available at thecowlescenter.org/decadance.

After a difficult year, The Cowles Center is so proud to partner with these Minneapolis businesses and Minnesota dance ensembles to host a diverse group of arts supporters for the in-person, on-site components of our benefit.

In-person attendees will need to be masked and show proof of a full course of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 36 hours of the event to be admitted into our theater.

Get tickets at thecowlescenter.org/decadance.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Through performances, classes, workshops, and residencies, Duniya Drum & Dance Company (Duniya) prides itself on making West African rhythm and dance accessible for everyone, no matter their age or ability. The company’s roster of artists is deeply knowledgeable of West African movement artforms, and many are known internationally for their skills. Whenever Duniya is present, you can expect a high-energy and interactive cultural performance that you will never forget.

Since its founding in 2008, Rhythmically Speaking (RS) has sparked vibrancy and connectedness through performance and education work inspired by jazz and American social dance ideas. Touted by Dance Magazine as ‘revitalizing jazz dance in the Twin Cities area,’ RS is proud to be rooted where there is a rich jazz and American social dance history. RS endeavors to support and nurture enthusiastic idea exchange with other passionate people locally, nationally, and internationally.

HEALTH & SAFETY AT THE COWLES CENTER

Masks are required at all times in The Cowles Center’s hallways, common/shared spaces, and theaters. Anyone attending an event or performance in our theaters (the Goodale Theater & TEK BOX) will need to show proof of a full course of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to entry.

We respectfully ask that anyone who is feeling ill or is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to please stay home.

Please visit thecowlescenter.org/visit to review our full health & safety information.

ABOUT THE COWLES CENTER

The Cowles Center is a dance and performing arts hub that promotes movement and growth for artists through supportive programs and spaces; engages audiences through dynamic performances; and educates learners of all ages through robust and inclusive education initiatives.

The Minnesota Great River Road: An All-American Adventure

Via an e-announcement from the Minnesota Mississippi River Parkway Commission (MN-MRPC)

No matter the starting point – from the Headwaters to the Bluffs – All-American stories and vistas await Great River Road travelers along the Mississippi River.

Minnesota’s Great River Road became an All-American Road this year, putting it among the best-of-the-best scenic byways in the nation – a true destination unto itself. Follow the route to find your favorite All-American adventure during Drive the Great River Road Month this September.

The 565-mile Minnesota Great River Road is designated along a variety of state and local roads from the iconic Lake Itasca headwaters to the Iowa border. It provides up-close river experiences in a variety of settings, with All-American treasures always nearby.

Find unique scenic reaches - Lake Itasca, the winding Serpentine River, Headwaters Lakes, Prairie River, St. Anthony Falls, The Gorge, The Big River and Driftless Area.

Take in the history and lore - Rustic Architecture of Itasca State Park, Headwaters Dams, Charles Lindbergh House & Museum, Oliver Kelley Farm, St. Anthony Falls Historic District, Historic Fort Snelling, Dayton’s Bluff/Mounds Park, and River Towns.

And so much more - Plan Your Trip online mapping provides information on over 700 things to see and do, along with digital travel guides.

Find your favorite - The Great River Road offers something for everyone. Need some inspiration? Start with a few examples of All-American Favorites for personal tips on great locations. And share your own favorite!

September is the perfect time for a road trip as part of the Drive the Great River Road Month celebration! For more information and a map visit www.mnmississippiriver.com and www.experiencemississippiriver.com.

About the Minnesota Mississippi River Parkway Commission

Minnesota’s Mississippi River Parkway Commission (MN-MRPC) is a statutory Commission, recognized in 1963, whose mission is to...To preserve, promote and enhance the scenic, historic, and recreational resources of the Mississippi River, to foster economic growth in the corridor and to develop the national, scenic, and historic byway known as the Great River Road.  The MN-MPRC is part of the larger 10-State National MRPC organized in 1938 to celebrate the Mississippi River by developing the Great River Road Scenic Byway. The 10 states include: Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi,  Missouri, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

Upper Father Hennepin Bluff Park Improvements Project Update

Via an August 30 e-announcement from Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

A new performance stage and seasonal restroom building next to the Stone Arch Bridge is part of the project

Project includes new stage, seasonal restroom building and improvements to park entry, paths, lights, wayfinding, landscaping and stormwater management

Construction tentatively planned for 2022

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The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is nearly complete with design plans for a number of improvements at Upper Father Hennepin Bluff Park. The project includes:

• A new performance stage and attached seasonal restroom facility
• New park entry plaza spaces
• Upgraded lights, path connections, wayfinding signage and trail markings
• Landscape and stormwater management improvements

Follow the link below to view the project design:

Father Hennepin Bluff Park Improvements Design

Please note some of these improvements have been shifted to avoid disturbing historic artifacts revealed by an archeological investigation in June

The design plans are scheduled to be finalized this fall, then bid for construction. If the MPRB receives an acceptable bid, construction of these park improvements would begin in spring 2022.

Project Page

Minneapolis Parks Foundation's 7th Annual Sunrise on Mississippi is Scheduled for September 9

Via a recent e-announcement from Minneapolis Parks Foundation:

Please join us for the 7th annual Sunrise on the Mississippi

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 7:30am- 9:00am Under the Big Tent at Boom Island Park – 724 Sibley St NE Sunrise on the Mississippi 2021 will bring us back together at Boom Island Park for an in-person celebration, with a virtual-event option. Virtual Keynote Presentation from Toni L. Griffin Professor in Practice in Urban Design at Harvard Graduate School of Design Founder of urbanAC LLC, Founder and Director of the Just City Lab  With additional in-person speakers   Please RSVP by Tuesday, August 31, to let us know if you plan to attend in-person or virtually CMoir@MplsParksFoundation.org

If you plan to join us in-person Please know that we’ve adapted this year’s event to remain safe and welcoming for all who attend. Here are a few ways things might look different this year. We've added 20 feet to the tent for a little more room to spread out. Breakfast, coffee, and other drinks will be pre-portioned in compostable packaging. Seating is flexible and with plenty of space to move chairs, plus standing areas at high top tables, as well as reserved tables and seating for guests who RSVP with a group. Read our additional COVID protocols here. If you plan to join us virtually The Zoom link will be sent to the email you register with prior to the event.    If you are unable to attend Please consider a donation to the Parks Foundation. Your donation helps ensure the parks in our city remain accessible and equitable for everyone. If you aren’t sure yet, or have additional questions, please contact Christine Moir at CMoir@MplsParksFoundation.org

RSVP to Sunrise on the Mississippi

Modest Mouse at The Armory

Article and photos by Ryan Ojard

On August 22nd Modest Mouse returned to Minneapolis to play a show at The Armory. After almost two years of pandemic-driven shutdowns, you can imagine how eager fans were to see live music - the venue swelled up fast. 

Isaac BrockWhen the lights lowered there was a roar. The roar grew even louder as front man Isaac Brock and his bandmates took the stage. 

Then, it happened. For the initiated and utmost loyal of fans (myself included) they opened with Dramamine. Opening the show with that song set the tone for the rest of the night.  

Modest Mouse went deep on their set list grabbing from the best of their albums throughout the night.  As the evening came to a close, the highly engaged crowd chanted loud for an encore. As they took the stage the crowd got one of Modest Mouse’s most prolific songs ever, The World at Large.  I’m pretty sure everyone got goosebumps.

They ended the show coming full circle and back to their 1996 album, This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About, playing Breakthrough. 

Fans left fulfilled. We got a little bit of everything from their 25+ years of making music, and that’s just fine in my book.

Opinion: Proposed City Charter Amendment: "Government Structure: Executive Mayor and Legislative Council" - What it's About and Why You Should Care

Submitted by Mary Moos, Resident Southeast Minneapolis

Minneapolis City Charter Amendment

GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE: 

EXECUTIVE MAYOR and LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

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WHAT IT’S ABOUT AND WHY YOU SHOULD CARE.

There is a very important city election on Tuesday, November 2, 2021. Minneapolis will choose its city officials. This is pretty simple to understand so far. Now for the seemingly confusing part. The ballot will also include three amendments to our City Charter. The City Charter is our constitution. Minneapolis is required by State law to have a City Charter.

One amendment recommends the city adopt a system of rent control.

Another amendment requires the disbanding of the Police Department along with the Police Chief and instead, instituting a new department…the Department of Public Safety. This new department would have police ‘only if necessary.’

I am most interested in this next amendment. And you should be too. The future quality of life in Minneapolis depends on it. The ability of our city to exercise its full potential and take it’s place as one of the great cities in the Upper Midwest. This cannot happen without your support. Officially it is called the Government Structure; Executive Mayor and Legislative Council Amendment. This amendment will be listed first on your ballot.

Yes, it’s a mouthful. It sounds more confusing than it is. In reality it is quite simple.

Our current city government is without a well defined organizational structure. There is no single source of accountability. No one to say the buck stops here. All thirteen Council People and the Mayor are able to give orders to each of the department heads with equal authority. They also have the ability to seek retribution if their orders are not carried out. Having fourteen bosses is at the least confusing and at the worst dysfunctional. As a result there is extraordinary turnover within each department. In the last year the city has lost over eight key positions. Recruiting new experienced and competent people is difficult under the circumstances. We need and deserve the best most experienced city employees available.

I can’t imagine any business operating this way.

Minneapolis must simplify and clarify its government structure. We don’t need to invent this from scratch. And we don’t need band aid solutions. There are effective models for Minneapolis to adopt and easily implement. The Federal and State Governments are perfect examples.

Executive and Legislative Branch.

Under this amendment the Mayor is the Chief Executive Officer and has the authority and accountability to propose the annual budget. The Mayor is accountable to ­all residents of the city for the day to day operations once the City Council approves the budget.

The Mayor also nominates the designated Department Heads who are responsible for the delivery of basic city services. The City Council must approve the Mayor’s recommendations. This amendment sets a clear path for Minneapolis to reform the police department and transform public safety. 

The City Council will be the Legislative Policy making body. It defines the level of city services within city ordinances and the Annual Operating and Capital Budgets. Council members will have the responsibility for advocating and ensuring equity in the delivery of services. They will have oversite to ensure the work is done according to the policies they have set and within the financial parameters via independent audits. The responsibilities of the Mayor and the City Council are clearly stated in this Amendment.

What this means to you, the voter, is that emergencies like the riots of last spring can and will be addressed sooner with speed and compassion and without petty turf arguments.

It means that whatever the outcome of the other amendments, there will be a clear common-sense road map for implementing police reform. Currently there is none. Each department head struggles with serving fourteen bosses.

It means that  the much needed police reforms can take place systematically without jeopardizing the safety of any resident. At a time when city-wide homicides are at and all time high, emotional knee-jerk reactions are not appropriate.

Yes, you will still have access to your city council person. That person will still have the responsibility to advocate for their ward. And you will have peace of mind knowing that Minneapolis city government is working equitably for you today and for the long-term future of our city.  

Vote YES on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 for: 

Minneapolis City Charter Amendment

GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE: 

EXECUTIVE MAYOR and LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

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Early voting begins September 17,2021 

FINNOVATION Fellowship Selects Nine For Social Entrepreneurship Program, Now in its Fourth Year

Via a recent e-announcment:

FINNOVATION Fellowship Selects Nine for Social Entrepreneurship Program

Diverse applicants and areas of impact ranging from environmental sustainability efforts to support and resources for the Black community attracted to the program, now in its fourth year.

FINNOVATION Institute, the newly established non-profit partner of FINNOVATION Lab, has selected nine early-stage entrepreneurs for the fourth cohort of its Fellowship Program, which aims to support and empower entrepreneurs who have bold ideas for sustainable, positive impact. The nine-month program, running September 2021 through May 2022, will push the fellows to solve social or environmental issues through innovative business models. 

Fellows will receive a $50,000 living stipend and $3,000 health care stipend and have access to dedicated workspace and an ecosystem of advisors and mentors. The group will work through a tailored curriculum designed to develop the leadership skills necessary to run a successful social enterprise. In addition to valuable resources and benefits, fellows gain support and critical feedback through working as part of a group with shared values.

“We are excited to support our fourth cohort’s efforts to develop mission-driven businesses with mindful leadership. Their personal and professional progress is important to the work we aim to accomplish through the FINNOVATION Institute,” said Connie Rutledge, CEO of FINNOVATION Institute. “Amidst all of the uncertainty in today’s world, we must remember that our communities are full of innovative ideas that need room to grow.”

The nine fellows were selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants. A group of community leaders and alumni of the Fellowship Program selected this year’s group. The FINNOVATION Fellowship continues to attract diverse applicants, reflected in the final selected fellows and the social issues their business ideas represent. Within this cohort, the majority of founders identify as women and/or people of color, continuing the program’s support for entrepreneurs with personal experience in the issues they aim to solve.

The selected fellows and their areas of impact include: 

• Fun Fun Cheng: Providing healthy and culturally nourishing food to the chronically ill in the Asian community. 
• Charie Gill-Baptist: Reducing disparities for young people aging out of foster care, providing resources for self-development, professional growth, and financial stability.
• Hannah Hendrix: Eliminating access barriers to food and the kitchen using consultation and food delivery services that center disabled people and their experiences.
• Monica Jones: Increasing awareness and understanding of maternal wellness and mortality in the Black, Indigenous, People of Color community.
• Chou Moua: Bringing cultural consciousness into healthcare and social services consulting starting with Adult Foster Care and branching into other service areas.
• Ashleyn Przedwiecki: Tackling waste and the environmental footprint of the events industry through a sustainable events academy and creative design agency.
• Ayanna Rakhu: Addressing drowning disparities among People of Color, developing a culturally relevant swim curriculum.
• Katelyn Retterath Martin: Balancing injustices in cataloging systems, creating a database that forges pathways for equity and inclusion in libraries.
• Brittany L. Wright: Reducing maternal mortality and morbidity through a holistic maternal care center.

“This is a promising group of entrepreneurs,” said Jacquie Berglund, FINNOVATION Lab and FINNEGANS Brew Co. Founder. “Starting a business, especially in the social impact space, is incredibly challenging. One of the primary prerequisites is to have passion for creating change, and that is evident within each of the selected fellows.”

This latest cohort brings the FINNOVATION Fellowship Program network to 32 entrepreneurs, expanding the social impact community and increasing positive social change for local communities. Alumni of the program have gone on to create revenue-building businesses, raise capital funding and serve as visible leaders in our entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The Fellowship Program is made possible through generous support from the Bush Foundation, known for its commitment to innovation and creative problem solving. Dedicated workspace and business resources are available to fellows in the FINNOVATION Lab space within the FINNEGANS House at 817 5th Ave South, Minneapolis 55404.

More information about the FINNOVATION Institute and the Fellowship Program is available at Finn-Lab.com.

Potential Concepts for Graco Park, New Riverfront Park Project in Northeast Minneapolis

A view of Hall's Island, Plymouth Avenue Bridge and East Bank Trail running through the future Graco Park. Image courtesy of Mississippi Watershed Management Organization.

Review and comment on three concepts created based on feedback received over the summer

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is developing a new park along the Northeast Minneapolis riverfront called Graco Park! This summer MPRB staff collected initial feedback from the community and researched opportunities and constraints at the site, which is located just north of the Plymouth Avenue Bridge with Mississippi East Bank Trail currently running through it.

Now three distinct design concepts for Graco Park, created based on the initial feedback and research, are available for public comment. Use the link below to view each concept and comment on what you like or don't like about them. 

Graco Park Concepts

Feedback will be used to generate a refined concept that will incorporate elements from all three designs. The refined concept will be shared in late fall 2021.

Each concept is unique, but all include:

• A public multiuse building
• Access to the Mississippi East Bank Trail
• Improved landscaping and greenspace
• Improved stormwater treatment
• Improved intersection safety near 8th Avenue NE and Sibley Street NE

Get Involved

The MPRB invites anyone interested in the Graco Park project to give feedback on the three park concepts. There are multiple ways to get involved:

Online Survey: Visit the project engagement page to find images and information about the project and concepts, along with prompts to share your thoughts and opinions. All submitted ideas and comments will be documented and considered as designs for the project are developed. The survey will be open until Sept. 26, 2021.

In-Person Event: Share your thoughts in person at Graco Park on Sunday, Sept. 12, 3-5 pm. Look for the MPRB tent and table!

Virtual Conversation: Join MPRB staff and community members for an online open house on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 4:30-6 pm. Use the Zoom link below to join:

Graco Park Zoom Link Meeting ID: 883 7023 0432

Phase 1 Recap

The first round of community engagement occurred June 7-July 7, 2021. During the first round of engagement, MPRB staff met with more than 100 potential park users across several engagements and collected more than 170 comments through an online survey. Engagements included: Neighborhood meetings, Pop-Ups in Graco Park, a Project Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting, a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting,  a virtual Public Open House, intercept interviews in the park, and a Youth Engagement Bus Tour with 60+ youth.

Visit the project engagement page for more details on the feedback received during the first phase over the summer.

Down the Road

A third round of engagement will occur this fall with another survey and additional in-person events to share a preferred park and building design concept for feedback. The final concept will have a public hearing before being considered by MPRB Commissioners for final approval. Contract bidding is scheduled spring 2022, with construction anticipated to begin in summer 2022.

Visit the Graco Park and Lot 2 project page and enter your email address into the box under "Subscribe to Email Updates" to stay informed about this project. 

Bacon Social House Minneapolis Announces Grand Re-Opening Weekend September 10

August 28 UPDATE: The  grand re-opening weekend has been moved to the weekend of September 17.

Bacon Social House, an independently owned restaurant, is re-opening in the Thresher Square building at 700 S 3rd Street with reservations available now through Resy for the official grand re-opening weekend September 10, 2021.

This location is the company’s fourth location, which initially opened in 2019 and shut down due to COVID-19. It will be open Wednesday - Friday 11:00 am - 7:00 pm, Saturday 9:00 am - 8:00 pm, and Sunday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm serving weekend brunch, weekday lunch, dinner, and happy hour specials. The 4,200 square foot space is next door to the new Canopy by Hilton hotel, just two blocks from the U.S. Bank Stadium.

“We are THRILLED...our much-anticipated MSP location is ready to welcome guests back into the space! It has been a tough year for the restaurant industry as a whole, so this opening holds even more significance to us. We are honored to be part of the Minneapolis revitalization both downtown and in the U.S. Bank Stadium. We hope Bacon Social House will once again become a destination for both locals and visitors looking for delicious food and drinks in a place that’s all about bringing fun and good times. We are so grateful for an incredible team and community who have rallied behind us,” said owner David Dill.

Photo: Mill City TimesThe menu is bacon-forward, featuring the signature flight of 6 types of bacon: applewood, BBQ, chili lime, French toast, candied, and a bacon flavor of the month. Many popular items at the Colorado locations will be featured, including brunch favorites like bacon, shrimp & grits, and chicken & waffles with sausage gravy and applewood smoked bacon.

The menu will also feature some regional specialties like poutine with a choice of pork green chili or sausage gravy and melted cheddar, coffee from Spyhouse Coffee Roasters, spirits from Tattersall Distilling, Du Nord Craft Spirits, Prairie Organic Spirits, and RockFilter Distillery, and craft beer from Bauhaus Brew Labs, Lake Monster Brewing, Surly Brewing Co., and more.

MN Craft Brewers Guild's 20th Annual Autumn Brew Review Beer Festival Scheduled for October 16 at Boom Island

Via an August 20 e-announcement from the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild:

On October 16, 2021, craft beer fans can celebrate the season with unlimited samples of Minnesota-made beer, cider, and more at Autumn Brew Review beer festival. The festival will feature special seasonal releases and classic favorites, non-alcoholic and gluten free options, food trucks, music, games, and more!

Autumn Brew Review is hosted by the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild (MNCBG), the state’s nonprofit association for craft breweries and brewpubs. Like other MNCBG festivals, Autumn Brew Review will exclusively showcase the local talent of Minnesota’s breweries, brewpubs, and cideries. “We hear from attendees all the time that they love how they actually get to talk with the head brewers and owners of Minnesota’s breweries at our festivals. Our fests are a great way for craft beer fans to connect in a new way with some of their favorite local businesses, and discover new places they haven’t been able to try yet,” said Lauren Bennett McGinty, Executive Director of the MNCBG.

*  *  *  *  *  Autumn Brew Review Details  *  *  *  *  *

● October 16, 1:30-5:00p

● Boom Island Park, 724 Sibley Street NE

● Tickets On Sale Now

   ○ General Admission: $60

   ○ Sober/DD: $15

   ○ Early-entry available to members of the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild MNthusiast program

● 80+ MN craft breweries, brewpubs, and cideries

● Food Trucks, local shopping, games, competitions, and music hosted by The Current

*  *  *  *  *  Vaccinations Required  *  *  *  *  *

The MNCBG is taking new precautions for the upcoming festival; proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be required for all attendees, workers, and volunteers.The nonprofit will also be releasing tickets in stages, and, in the unlikely case of a full cancellation due to COVID, will offer refunds to ticket holders.

“The health and wellness of craft beer employees and customers is extremely important to the Guild, and so is continuing to host the festivals that energize and connect the craft beer community. As COVID continues to be a concern throughout the state, we felt it was our responsibility to do what we could to support community and industry safety at ABR,” says Bennett McGinty. “We know not everyone will be happy with the vaccine requirement, but our goal is to limit the potential negative impact our festival could have on community health, and allow people to be more confident in working, attending, and volunteering at ABR.”

More information

About The Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild

The Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild is a not-for-profit organization that was founded in 2000 and is made up of more than 165 Minnesota brewery members. The Guild showcases the talent of Minnesota’s craft brewers and promotes Minnesota’s brewing industry by sponsoring festivals and special events, including Winterfest, the MN Brewers Cup, All Pints North, the State Fair’s Brewed in Minnesota exhibit, and Autumn Brew Review. The Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild’s mission is to promote, protect, and grow a robust Minnesota craft brewing industry by building a healthy beer culture and community that allows for independent brewers, industry stakeholders, and craft beer fans to thrive.

Gamut Gallery Announces Annual Call 4 Work exhibition, C4W:2021

Via an August 16 e-announcement from Gamut Gallery:

 September 10 - October 9, 2021

C4W:2021 Elemental - a group exhibition that invites us to drop down from the chaos into the essential foundation of existence as life twists & changes around us.

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C4W:2021 Features: Aidan Dillon, Alexandra Beaumont, Alondra M. Garza, Atzín Rayas, Ayana Figueroa, Ben DiNino, Ben Hering, Benjamin Wuest, Bo Young An, Buddah Jankey, Caryn Ann Bendrick, Christopher Harrison, Christopher Palbicki, CL Martin, Corinne Teed, Daniel Allyn Lee, Derek Meier, Emily Forbes, Helene Woods, Human Shaped Animal, Ilya Natarius, Ivonne Yáñez, Jacob Docksey, Jessica Kitzman, Jes Lee, Jordan Wiebe, Jorie Kosel, Kat Moon, Katie Robinson, Kristine Fretheim, Laurie Borggreve, Liza Ferrari, Lucy Comer, Lynda Mullan, Madison Rubenstein, Maria Quinn, Margaret Vergara, Nate Woodard, Sarah M. Sosa, Tchana Pierre, & Tiffany Lange

Our annual Call-4-Work exhibition is not a show that influences what art should be. Instead, the chosen guest curator brings their unique perspective and interpretation of the submitted works ranging the full “Gamut” of visual media. When Cándida González accepted the invite to curate this year’s C4W:2021, they went in as a blank canvas and let the artwork choose them, empowering the 197 artists to lead the way through all 836 submissions.Through our guest curator’s lens and perspective, this body of work presented the theme Elemental.

“We are living in a portal moment in time, transporting between two worlds, strapped into a rollercoaster ride that we didn’t even know we were in line for. As everything twists and changes arounds us, we reach for the things that stay constant, the things that we know, the building blocks of life.” - Cándida González

This year’s group exhibit will feature 43 artworks that Cándida has chosen to represent one of the foundational blocks of life, from the classical elements and human connections to life and death. The roots of all existing matter – earth, air, water and fire – are essential principles of life, each possessing an energy that when summoned has the power to ground us and heal during times of turmoil. For Cándida, these selected works embody a form of elemental energy that invites us to drop down from the chaos into the essential foundation of existence as life twists & changes around us. These artworks all create roots in the state of being that we return to inorder to help us make sense of the confusion. - Join the FB Event: C4W:2021 - Elemental curated by Cándida González - Visit the exhibit online: GamutGalleryMpls.com

 *  *  *  * PUBLIC OPENING NIGHT: *  *  *  *

Friday, September 10 / 6-9pm • $7, FREE for members
Featuring 42 Artists, Icy Icy Baby Shaved Ice Truck & DJ FNK

• Pre-sales available and recommended
• Entry will be available at the door
• Masks required indoors

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 ($400 value). You will not want to miss the opportunity to help one of these artists take the best in show.

 *  *  *  * C4W:2021 ELEMENTAL ARTIST TALK *  *  *  * 

Wednesday, September 22nd / 7pm • $5 pre-sales, $7 door, FREE for members
Featured Artists: Alondra M. Garza, Benjamin Wuest, Katie Robinson & Tchana Pierre
• Pre-sales available and recommended
• Entry will be available at the door
• Masks required indoors

C4W guest curator, Cándida González, and Gamut Gallery’s director, Cass Garner, sit down for a conversation with four C4W artists to share about their processes, ideations and perspectives on current events.

 *  *  *  *  ABOUT THE CURATOR  *  *  *  * 

Cándida González is a queer, non-binary Puerto Rican native of South Minneapolis, they studied Latin American Art and History at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA, and went on to get their M.Ed. at The University of Minnesota in 2003. In their 15 years of arts education work in Minneapolis they worked on building art programs that focused on equitable arts opportunities, inclusivity of underserved populations, and deeper, culturally relevant arts experiences for youth and communities of color. Through their work they have also focused on providing opportunities and development for emerging artists of color. They approach their work by centering at the intersection of art, activism, healing and personal/community empowerment. They are deeply invested in the concept of using art and community design as tools to wage love and healing. Currently Gonzalez facilitates nationwide the Making it Public workshop series for Forecast Public Art, participates in select local arts and healing initiatives and creates mixed-media jewelry under the name Las Ranas Jewelry.

 *  *  * *  GALLERY & GIFT SHOP OPEN HOURS  *  *  * * 

FREE open hours: Wednesday - Friday, 11am - 6pm; Saturday 11am - 4pm

Gamut Gallery is open without capacity restrictions for in-person viewing of the exhibition. We are available by appointment, please request an appointment 48 hours in advance.

Vote for the Northrup King Building!

Congratulations to the Northrup King Building on being nominated for a Reader's Choice Award for Best Art Gallery by Minnesota Monthly.

If you love the building and the artists, cast a vote by clicking this link to go to the survey. 

NOTE: Votes must be cast by August 16.

Stone Arch Reflections by Ric Rosow

Submitted by Mill District resident Ric Rosow

I stepped outside onto our patio in the morning just as the rain ended. I saw a wonderful reflection of the arches of the Stone Arch Bridge in the calm waters of the Mississippi River. Not trusting that the calm would last long, I took my camera just as it was set up on my tripod with a telephoto lens. I thought a wide angle lens might be better, but did not want to take the time to change lenses. As it turned out the telephoto lens delivered exactly what I wanted to capture.

The calm waters reflected well. When I processed the photograph I saw that there were several people on the bridge who I had not noticed. In particular there was a man and a women in the middle of the bridge with their backs to me as they stood at the railing on the falls side of the bridge. Each had an arm around the other. I thought it would be a nice touch to keep them in the picture. But that was not what attracted me to the scene in the first place. More important than that however, is that beyond them there were too many distracting elements on the other side of the bridge. Wires, fences, a road, electric transmission towers, as well as other people on the bridge would take the viewers eye away from the arches and the reflection in the water. I decided to crop the image to just the bridge arches and their reflection. In anticipation of printing the image I placed a 1/4 inch white border around the image and a black border around that. Both will be covered up when the image is displayed in mat inside a frame.  

I hope you enjoy viewing the image. See more of my work at www.ricrosowphotography.com.

The Cowles Center and the McKnight Fellowships for Dancers Announce SOLO: Six World-Premiere Dance Films

Via an August 12 e-announcement:

Yeniel ‘Chini’ Perez Domenech

 SOLO: Six World-Premiere Dance Films, presented by The Cowles Center and the McKnight Fellowships for Dancers

September 18, 7:30p; September 19-25 on demand

The McKnight Fellowships for Dancers’ biannual showcase event, SOLO, pairs six Minnesota dancers with renowned local, national, and international choreographers. This year, the pairings result in the creation of six new dance films, interspersed with artist interviews. The films will premiere with an on-site screening in the Cowles’ Goodale Theater on September 18. A livestream of the premiere (which includes a Meet the Artist Q&A) will be available, and SOLO will be available on demand from September 19 – 25. Tickets are $20 - $25; purchase at thecowlescenter.org/solo21.  SOLO will include some captioning in Spanish and English. Masks will be required in the theater.

The six dancers are Renée Copeland, Sharon Mansur, Yeniel "Chini" Perez Domenech, Erin Thompson, Joseph "MN Joe" Tran, and Elayna Waxse. Each are recipients of a McKnight Dancer Fellowship, an annual award given to three mid-career Minnesota dancers whose work demonstrates artistic excellence. In addition to a $25,000 unrestricted cash award, fellows received additional support and the commission of a new solo from a choreographer of their choosing. The 2021 collaborations range from innovative Hip Hop to contemporary Arab imaginings, to intimate site-specific explorations and more.

Dana K. Kassel, Program Director, shares: “The McKnight Fellowship for Dancers is awarded to applaud and support exceptional Minnesota-based dancers. While we have always had a national audience, including support from nationally known dance artists who have served on our application panel, this year’s performance is special because we’re able to offer a version of SOLO that’s readily available to our audience around the globe.”

The Cowles Center for Dance & the Performing Arts, 528 Hennepin Avenue

Kolman & Pryor Gallery Announces "Absence" - A Performance Art, Painting, and Technology Installation by James Holmberg

Via an August 11 e-announcement from Kolman & Pryor Gallery:

 Absence runs September 11 though October 30, 2021

Artist Reception Saturday, September 18, 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Kolman & Pryor Gallery is thrilled to present a performance art, painting, and technology installation by its first Project Space grant recipient, James Holmberg. The Project Space initiative provides Minnesota visual artists with the funds, time, and exhibition space to create a project that significantly advances their careers. Holmberg’s project, Absence, investigates loss, memory, and transformation through a painting process of  accumulation and erasure captured with video and experienced via QR codes.

The exhibition begins Saturday, September 11, 2021. An artist reception will be held on September 18, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., during Northrup King Nights, the Northrup King Building’s quarterly open studio evening. The exhibition closes October 30, 2021.

“The Project Space has given us a new way to be of service to Minnesota artists,” says gallery co-founder Anita Sue Kolman, who launched the program this year with gallery co-founder Patrick Pryor. Adds Pryor, “With his grant, James has sent his artistic practice in a new direction and taken the next step in his artistic evolution.”

Holmberg is well-known as a painter. A long-time artist with Circa Gallery, he also frequently exhibits at the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA). “The grant has completely given me the freedom to explore some of the conceptual ideas I’ve been grappling with for a long time,” he says.

Absence includes six canvases that Holmberg painted, scraped off, washed with mineral spirits, and painted again 12 times, while he was recording the process on video. Each canvas is accompanied by a QR code, allowing viewers to use their smartphones to access a time-lapse video of the painting process. By doing so, the process retrieves the images attached to each painting that now only exist in the cloud.

“In my day job, I co-founded a company to develop digital spaces focused on memory preservation; how can we bridge the analogue and the digital in a dignified way?” Holmberg explains, “This project gave me the opportunity to dovetail my two interests - technology and art.” While the canvases retain the ghostly memories of previous paintings, generating a sense of loss and impermanence with each iteration, they’re also digital assets through which memories remain intact.

In part, Holmberg says, “I’m questioning the importance of an image, of a painting, at a time when we’re mostly sharing images via cell phones, which in turn brings up questions about the numbing abundance of imagery.” The work also investigates feelings of creative loss, “which is uncomfortable and challenging for me,” he adds. “The real core of the show is about absence and presence and transition, and the ability to let go.”

The exhibition also includes a pedestal on which Holmberg troweled all of the paint or “content” from the canvases. “The pedestal is a collective of all the canvases and paint that was used. It’s a sculpture.” 

“That’s the Pandora’s box that Project Space allowed me to open up,” he adds. The program awards artists $10,000 and exhibition space to show their projects. “I was able to focus on larger, more conceptual questions such as the importance of the artist’s hand and the changing value of an image.” As Kolman explains: “One reason we decided to give the grants is so the artists don’t have to worry about commercial value, but rather could explore artistically to advance the scale, scope, and aesthetic character of new work.”

For a preview of the show, please contact Anita Sue Kolman at anita@kolmanpryorgallery.com or 612-385-4239 or Patrick Pryor at patrick@kolmanpryorgallery.com or 612-280-7812.

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Kolman & Pryor Gallery is located in Studio 395, Northrup King Building at 1500 Jackson Street NE, Minneapolis. For more information, please call: 612-385-4239 or 612-280-7812, or email: anita@kolmanpryorgallery.com or patrick@kolmanpryorgallery.com or visit: kolmanpryorgallery.com.

New Superintendent of Mississippi National River and Recreation Area Announced

Via an August 10 e-announcement:

Matthew Tucker BlytheNational Park Service (NPS) Regional Director Bert Frost announced the selection of Matthew Tucker Blythe as superintendent of Mississippi National River and Recreation Area in Minnesota. Blythe is currently the Superintendent of Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site in Missouri. He assumes his new role September 12. 

“I am pleased to announce Tucker as the superintendent of Mississippi National River,” said Frost. “He has an extensive and successful background working with park gateway communities, partner organizations and tourism partners, and he is a strong leader. His collaborative style and excellent communication skills will serve the park well.” 

“I am honored to be selected as the superintendent of Mississippi National River and Recreation Area,” Blythe said. “I look forward to working closely with park staff, partners and engaging with community members to protect the incredible resources and tell the many stories the park offers. I am excited to join the team and work with the many partners who are passionate stewards of this majestic river. My family and I are looking forward to exploring the Twin Cities and getting to know the surrounding area." 

Blythe has served 24 years in the National Park Service. He has held leadership roles in several parks throughout his career including as acting deputy superintendent at Gateway Arch National Park; superintendent at Washita Battlefield National Historic Site; acting superintendent at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve; historian in the NPS Historic Architecture Division; supervisory ranger at Oklahoma City National Memorial; and chief of interpretation at Frederick Law Olmsted and John F. Kennedy National Historic Site. Outside of the NPS, he spent nine years as a business owner in Newton, Kansas. 

Blythe earned a Bachelor of Arts in Historic Preservation from Mary Washington College, Virginia, and a Master of Arts in Communication from Wichita State University, Kansas. 

He enjoys photography, architecture, reading, hiking, walking the dog, traveling and trying different foods and beers. Tucker will move to the area with his wife Sandy, whose family is from the area. They are both looking forward to exploring all that the Twin Cities area has to offer. 

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Editor's Note: Matthew is taking over for John Anfinson, who retired at the end of 2020. Those are some big shoes to fill!

Dogs Meet Art at the Guthrie Theater

Thank you to Tina Wahlstrom for submitting this photo of her pets Ruben and Sven immersing themselves in one of the interactive art pieces currently displayed on the 2nd Street South side of the Guthrie Theater. (Is that a collective "aww!" I hear?)

If you've taken fun pictures in front of the graphics currently on display at the Guthrie, please feel free to email them to kim@millcitymedia.org - we'd love to share them!

July 2021 by the Numbers from Cynthia Froid Group

Downtown real estate market update from Cynthia Froid Group:

Resources for Free COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics and Testing, City and County Rewards, Other Resources

The strongest defense against the delta variant is through vaccination. Get a free COVID-19 vaccine at a Minneapolis Health Department clinic. Walk-ins are welcome, and the vaccinations are free. You don’t need insurance, you don’t need an appointment and you don’t need an ID. Questions about the vaccines? Watch and share this video for 11 things you should know about COVID-19 vaccines.

Upcoming clinics

• 24th Street Somali Mall, 912 E. 24th St. 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7 Pfizer (12 and older)
• Lincoln International Charter School, 2520 Minnehaha Ave. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26 Pfizer (12 and older)
• Steven’s Square Park, 1801 Stevens Ave. 4-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27 Pfizer (12 and older)
• Park Avenue United Methodist Church, 3400 Park Ave. 9 a.m. to noon, every Saturday Pfizer (12 and older)

Find more information, updates and new free community vaccinations on the City website.

Other ways to get a vaccine

Vaccines work. If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, get a free vaccine as soon as you can. COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have plummeted as more Minnesotans receive their vaccine. About nine out of 10 Americans live within 5 miles of a COVID-19 vaccination site.

• Free vaccine at the barber shop. Watch and share this video about free vaccines at Wilson’s Image, 2124 ½ W. Broadway Ave. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 21.
• To find the site closest to you, visit vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829 (GETVAX); or call 1-800-232-0233.
• Find COVID-19 vaccine appointments at the CDC’s VaccineFinder. You can filter by location and search for Pfizer only for 12-17-year-olds.
• Find vaccine locations and providers near you using the State’s interactive map.
• Sign up for the Minnesota COVID-19 vaccine connector in English, Spanish, Somali or Hmong to get contacted about vaccine in your area.
• Contact your primary health care provider or a local pharmacy.

Unvaccinated children at greater risk for COVID-19

Unvaccinated children are at risk for COVID-19 infection much more now because of the new variants. With children returning to school in person this fall and online learning likely not available, it’s important that all children over 12 get the COVID-19 vaccine to be safe throughout the school year.

Children would need their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine by Aug. 2 and the second dose by Aug. 23 to be fully vaccinated by the first day of school.

For information about vaccines, visit the City of Minneapolis website. To find Pfizer vaccinations (approved for ages 12 and older), contact your health care provider or find details for the Mall of America community vaccination site

Vaccination Incentives

Minnesotans can now submit their requests for the $100 vaccination rewards program at mn.gov/covid19/100.

Minnesotans 12 years of age and older who have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine since July 30 can submit a request for a $100 Visa gift card. The form will remain open for submissions for Minnesotans who get their first dose until Aug. 15.

Reward requests must be submitted to the Minnesota Department of Health by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 15. Vaccine information will be subject to verification by the Department of Health.

This rewards program is limited to the first 24,330 eligible submissions, but the governor will work with the state Legislature on a public-private partnership to provide Minnesotans, especially those in vulnerable and underserved communities, real-time incentives to get their shot.

As fall approaches and kids go back to school, getting vaccinated can help slow the spread of the highly transmissible delta variant and keep our communities safer. This is your chance to do your part – and earn $100 for it.

Hennepin County $50 Visa gift cards

Hennepin County hopes to raise the overall vaccination rate in our county and state while closing the vaccination gap within communities and neighborhoods hardest hit by COVID-19. In doing so, we can limit where the virus – especially the variants of concern – circulates and makes people sick.

Hennepin County is offering vaccine incentives to people 12 and older who receive their first or second shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Instant vaccine incentives

Until Aug. 15 (or as long as supplies last), everyone 12 and older is eligible to get a $50 Visa gift card when they receive a first or a second COVID-19 vaccine dose at any Hennepin County vaccine event. (People who receive both doses will get two $50 Visa gift cards.)

Find a list of upcoming County vaccine events open to the public on the Hennepin County website.

For questions, call the COVID-19 navigator line at 612-348-8900, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. After hours, you can leave a voicemail. Help is available is English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong.

Free COVID-19 Tests

COVID-19 testing is free. Do not eat, drink or use tobacco products for 30 minutes before taking a COVID-19 saliva test.

• Native American Community Clinic, 1213 E. Franklin Ave. 2 p.m. Tuesdays Appointments required: Call 612-872-8086 to schedule an appointment.
• Southside Community Health Services, 324 E. 35th St. 3 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays Appointments required: Call 612-827-7181 to schedule an appointment. You can expect to get your test results in about two-three business days. Same day testing can be done for health care workers, first responders and essential workers.

Find a current list of free COVID-19 tests on the City website.

If you can’t attend one of these testing events, you can use this directory to find a testing location near you.

Resources

The COVID-19 test is free, and you do not need insurance for the test. If you need medical care but don’t have health insurance, the Minnesota Department of Health offers resources to find low-cost health care or health insurance.

CDC, Minnesota officials update COVID-19 recommendations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its recommendations for COVID-19 safety including wearing a mask indoors in public if you’re in an area of substantial or high transmission. Minneapolis is in an area of substantial transmission, and masks are required indoors in City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Minneapolis Public Schools, Ramsey County, and Saint Paul owned or controlled properties. Face coverings also continue to be required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on public transportation, including school buses.

State K-12 recommendations

With students, families and K-12 educators preparing for the start of the 2021-22 school year, and given the delta variant’s alarming ability to spread more easily, Minnesota health and education officials recommend that schools follow the CDC’s new guidance for COVID-19 prevention in K-12 schools this fall. The recommendations reflect the current state of the pandemic along with the importance of in-person learning.

State health officials stress that vaccination, masking and physical distancing remain our best public health strategies for slowing the spread of COVID-19. With the uptick in COVID-19 cases driven by the delta variant, it’s more important than ever that anyone eligible for vaccination get that protection as soon as possible.

Among the specific points covered in the State guidance:

• Everyone 12 and older should get vaccinated for COVID-19 before returning to school, sports or other activities in person to protect themselves and to protect the people around them who cannot get vaccinated.
  • Becoming fully vaccinated lessens the chance of getting COVID-19 and becoming seriously ill from it. Getting vaccinated slows down transmission and helps keep everyone at school and in the community safe. Vaccines are safe and effective, and vaccinations are an important step in keeping schools and activities open for all students.
  • Children need their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine as soon as possible to be fully vaccinated early in the school year. For information about vaccines, visit the City of Minneapolis website. To find Pfizer vaccinations (approved for ages 12 and older), contact your health care provider or find details for the Mall of America community vaccination site. The City of Minneapolis is also currently offering free Pfizer vaccinations.
• State officials also recommend all students, teachers, staff and visitors in school buildings wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status to protect those who cannot yet be vaccinated or who remain at higher risk because of immune-compromised status or other conditions.

For more information on how to get vaccinated, visit Vaccines.gov or contact your health care provider. You can use the map on State of Minnesota: Find Vaccine Locations to search for providers who are offering COVID-19 vaccine.

Mill City Commons Announces Fall 2021 Trial Membership

Via a recent e-announcement from Mill City Commons

If you're seeking fresh attitudes, meaningful connections and creative options to enhance your quality of life, Mill City Commons is for you!

Join MCC’s 3-Month Trial Membership for $100 from September-November and enjoy:

• A wide array of stimulating programs (in-person and virtual) each month making it easy to

engage with others and have fun as we learn.

• Opportunities to be a part of lively social gatherings and develop lasting networks.

• Trusted resources and one-on-one staff support ready to help you.

• Options to participate in active affinity groups.

• Valuable connections to welcoming friends who embrace the concept of a vibrant

neighborhood community.

• One-on-one technical assistance when needed.

• Weekly communications with recommendations and member news.

• So much more!

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Sign up at millcitycommons.org or email info@millcitycommons.org to learn more.

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Mill City Commons is a “village” community within the city unlike any other, bringing together neighbors 55+ who reside along or near the downtown riverfront.

Mill City Commons Village

We learn. We share. We engage. We give.