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.

Awaiting the Return of Blue Skies (after a soaking rain, that is...)

Mill District resident Rick Kittock recently captured this shot from his balcony. You can monitor the current air quality via the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency website. 

Community, Canoeing and Cookies: Share the River Nordeast 2021

Via an August 4 e-announcement from Mississippi Watershed Management Organization:

Share the River Nordeast on Wednesday, August 18!

Join us for an evening of community, canoeing, and cookies! Stop by anytime between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on August 18 for a free introductory canoe ride on the Mississippi River, then grab a cookie and enjoy a variety of fun and educational activities at our Stormwater Park and Learning Center. This family-friendly event is great for kids and adults of all ages. (Please note that you must weigh at least 30 lbs. in order to fit the provided life jackets.)

In addition to learning to paddle on the river, participants will also have opportunities to learn about the Mississippi River’s history, water quality, plants, animals and more. You’ll also be able to connect with other local organizations about their work in the community for the environment.

Canoe rides will be led by guides from Wilderness Inquiry, with support from National Park Service rangers from the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area and Mississippi Park Connection staff.

Parking and Transportation

Attendees are advised to use on-street parking, as the MWMO’s parking lot will be unavailable during the event. Bike parking, a Nice Ride station, and bus transit options are also available in the area.

Learn more!

Hello, We're EaTo: New Concept Debuts in Minneapolis' Mill District on August 6th

EaTo is located at 305 Washington Avenue S in the former Eastside space.

An Italian-inspired, fast-casual restaurant with a big family of amenities will be taking over 305 Washington Avenue South in the Mill District neighborhood of Minneapolis, bordered by the Guthrie Theater, US Bank Stadium and downtown, starting with its newly installed stroll-up window and patio opening Friday, August 6.

And speaking of a big family, the group behind the innovative new EaTo concept is Monroe Enterprises, a consortium of hospitality talent headed up by Dennis Monroe and his son, Matthew Monroe, along with the creative contributions of Chef Jamie Malone of Grand Café and Marco Zappia of 3Leche. EaTo is a new hospitality style and the first in a series of collaborations between Monroe Enterprises and various high-powered friends, from fellow restaurateurs to multifaceted creatives to cutting-edge provocateurs. 

Pizza PuffEaTo is on its way to becoming the neighborhood restaurant, bar, specialty market, rustic Italian espresso source, intimate space for ticketed dinners and inventive takeaway meals for East Town. The concept was designed to be a welcoming beacon for the neighborhood - a cheerful oasis where a single, couple or group can grab a glass of wine and retreat from the world on the expanded patio, score a unique snack like Pizza Puffs (a flavorful pocket of spill-proof pizza) or a cup of enticingly flavored ices and “cream,” or take away a meal. Whether you enjoy it on the patio, at a nearby park or in your apartment is up to you.

Also on tap is a bottle shop featuring a carefully curated list of intriguing Italian wines by sommelier Scarlett Carrasco. Libations continue with an impressive menu crafted by beverage innovator Marco Zappia of espresso drinks, aperitifs, digestifs and familiar drinks with upgrades, such as a mandarin negroni, a nonalcoholic bitter rosso or an espresso granita.

What’s unique about this new-style eatery is that each component is designed to build upon all the other ones: For instance, a superb bottle of wine can be quickly nabbed for a night at home, a hostess gift or to compliment a hand-cut steak from the meat counter or a takeaway meal. The steaks, accompanied by cooking instructions, will elevate not only the meal, but the home cook.

The knowledgeable and cheerful (don’t we all need that right now?) staff can offer tips on how to combine market items, and how to prepare them once they leave the shop. In addition, simple recipes will be available for the previously hard-to source items from Italy. Sounds elementary, but it’s got the Jamie Malone magic to creating elegant, complex food in a fun, easy-to-master style.

Panzanella Salad

The carefully crafted intent behind the concept is to engage the East Town neighborhood in a compelling dining experience, without the commitment of a full sit-down meal. “When we open up the inside, we want people to stop and chat with us and each other, but to also be able to take away ingredients for meals with no more than five ingredients that they can prepare at home,” Malone said.

In other words, the food meets you where you’re at - deliciously. EaTo will offer hospitality, meaningful interactions and a choice of how you want to spend your time dining.

On the menu are simply prepared pizzas with complex profiles (Taleggio with Rosemary Honey), fried meats (Steak Culotte with Mushroom Cream and Smoked Button Mushrooms), Sandwiches (Mortadella & Fried Chicken with Gruyere), salads and Little Things (side dishes). In addition, Chef Matt Hendrickson will be bringing his culinary flair to house-made sausages and ricotta.

EaTo will open in three phases:

The patio and walk-up window will open for dining August 6.

Indoor dining room and market to roll out during phase II in October.

The meat counter and bottle shop is scheduled for a November timeframe.

The MCBA is Reopening Saturdays, Starting September 18

Via a recent e-announcement from the Minnesota Center for Book Arts:

Open Saturdays

September 18 – October 30

10am–5pm

After being physically closed to the public for a year and a half, we are ready (so ready) to welcome you back! Join us for a special series of pop-up events starting September 18!

Discounts!

• Visit the Shop at MCBA and mention the code OPENDOORS for a 10% discount on retail cards, books on creativity, journals, art supplies, children’s items, gifts, and more! (Excludes artist consignment items)
• Members receive a 20% discount

Activities! 

• Make your own commemorative print on our nifty new mini press!
• Fold a zine to combat climate change
• Each Saturday will feature a special guest-led activity. Click below to see our rotating cast of artists!

Click here for a list of all free Saturday activities!

See this moving exhibition in person.

Solastalgia features work by 20 artists responding to climate change with grief and hope.

Drop in at 11am and 2pm for free guided gallery tours!

From papermaking and marbling to letterpress printing and bookbinding, find your creative groove again! In-person workshops and Studio Labs begin Saturdays in October. Scroll down to see what's cooking! 

Our work is powered by YOU! Whether you are near or far, you can power the next phase of our reopening as we bring our community back to experience hands-on creativity through the book arts.

We have been working behind the scenes to build a special “welcome back” team with a goal to raise $25,000 for our reopening. We’re at 87% of our goal! 

Join us! Sponsor levels start at $100 and include special perks and recognition for your generosity. Thank you!

In Motion: Using Text & Image in Artist’s Books 

Mini Modeled Books 

Flags and Tunnel Books 

* * * See all Workshops * * * 

Minnesota Center for Book Arts is a community-supported, (501c3) non-profit organization that ignites creativity and community through the book arts. Your support keeps our pulse going and enables our creative community to thrive. Join our family of supporters by becoming a member or making a donation today! Learn more at www.mnbookarts.org.

Gamut Gallery Announces August 6th International Movie Screening

Via a July 30 e-announcement from Gamut Gallery:

Join us for the premiere screening of two international documentary films: Les Invisibles 2.0 by Mina Agossi and A Life in Opera by Jade Patrick. Much like Gamut’s current exhibit Singula curated by Rodrigo Onate, featuring muralists from Mexico, Chicago and Minneapolis - these two films offer global perspectives alongside palpably local arts in action. Hosted by Christopher Shillock and Jade Patrick, the evening will include a Q&A session after the films.

In 2020, French filmmaker Mina Agossi asked artists from around the world to share how the pandemic has impacted them and their arts community. 18 artists working in all disciplines from 9 countries on 5 continents responded, including Gamut Gallery member Christopher Shillock, and Les Invisibles 2.0 is a collection of their reflections. Published poet, multimedia artist and decades long contributor to the Minneapolis art and music scene, Shillock highlights our neighborhood Elliot Park during his part of the film, including Gamut Gallery and the other small businesses here. (53 minutes)

A Life in Opera by local filmmaker and gallerist Jade Patrick celebrates the career of Judith Schubert while exploring the intersection of musical theater and politics. Born in Minneapolis and educated at the University of Minnesota, Judith Schubert made countless sacrifices to pursue a career as a classical singer. Her quest took her to Germany - the modern home of opera - shortly before the fall of the Berlin wall. Soon after she found herself at Theater Plauen-Zwickau in Saxony where she would spend the next three decades dedicated to her profession and the surrounding community. Alongside colleagues young and old, Schubert reflects on her years as leading lady and transition into retirement in this reverent look into the world of opera. (35 min)

Global-Meets-Local Documentary Film Screenings Friday, August 6th - 7pm doors Featuring LES INVISIBLES 2.0 and A LIFE IN OPERA $10 tickets pre-sale required Limited tickets available Popcorn and beverages available

MINA AGOSSI is a French singer-songwriter who has toured the world and was knighted as a Chevalier in the National Order of Merit by the French Government. She has 14 CDs, the latest being a participation with Ahmad Jamal entitled Marseille (2017). Gifted with a supple voice, like many current singers she mixes jazz, rock, hip hop and world music without abandoning her own assertive musical personality. In 2021 Alchimie Productions will be releasing Paris Fantatasie, an album she recorded with the electro group Age 7. Les Invisibles 2.0 is her first documentary film.

CHRISTOPHER SHILLOCK is a poet and activist. With the help of talented friends in the Twin Cities arts community, he has produced work in various media: 3 books of poetry, a stage show, a web-tv show. a poetry/video book with the help of a Jerome Foundation grant and a rock band called Invisible Jazz. He has performed twice in Paris with Mina Agossi.

JADE PATRICK is a photo and video maker, and one of the co-founders of Gamut Gallery. Synergizing her photography and video practice with her experience as a visual arts curator and gallerist, Jade Patrick has focused her lens on artists, performance and music. A Life in Opera is Patrick’s first in-depth documentary project celebrating the career of Judith Schubert.

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.

You're Invited to an Iconic Minneapolis Morning on the Mississippi River, August 12

Via an e-announcement from Meet Minnepolis

Enjoy a day in downtown Minneapolis, beginning with networking and socializing on the Upper Lock at the St. Anthony Falls Visitor Center. There will be refreshments from Mpls Coffee Cart, Cardigan Donuts, and Mintahoe Catering & Events. 

Thursday, August 12, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

St. Anthony Falls Visitor Center, 1 Portland Ave

* * * Register by August 6th * * * 

Don't miss this special morning of networking and exploration on the Mississippi River, featuring tours with National Park Service Rangers, a walk on the lock wall, panoramic views of the falls, and an opportunity to discover the history and impact of the area.  

In partnership with mpls downtown council, Mississippi Park Connection, and the National Park Service.

Event Schedule:

10 a.m. Networking + Tours

11 a.m. Words of Welcome

- Melvin Tennant, Meet Minneapolis

- Steve Cramer, mpls downtown council

- Dan Dressler, National Park Service

Parking:

Street Parking: Mill District neighborhood

Lots/Ramps: Stone Arch Bridge Lot, Portland Avenue Ramp, Mill Quarter Ramp

Nice Ride: Bike stations are nearby for ease in transportation 

Plan Your Downtown Thursday Special Activities on August 12:

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Nicollet Mall
6 a.m.–2 p.m. Nicollet Farmers Market and Makers Market (all buses are re-routed for a full pedestrian experience)

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Peavey Plaza
12 p.m.–1 p.m. MNSpin live music
11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Free lawn games
5–6 p.m. Piano performances

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See more activities

The Mill Yard at Stonebridge Lofts Art Exhibit Announces New Summer Show, The Shape of Color

The Shape of Color - Aug 8 to Nov 12

Opening Reception Sunday, August 8   4:00 - 6:00PM

Stonebridge Lofts, 1120 South 2nd Street

Join us at The Mill Yard opening reception for wine, beverages, snacks and beautiful art. Local popular food truck, Taqueria Victor Hugo, will be out front selling a variety of Mexican cuisine. COVID Safety: Masks are welcome but not required for those fully vaccinated. Please mask up if you are not fully vaccinated. 

The Mill Yard at Stonebridge Lofts

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

* * * * Featured Artists * * * * 

Stephen Capiz

A Minnesota native, Stephen Capiz studied at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Back in the 1950’s, as a teenager, he was dumpster diving for treasures and found a book on contemporary art. He was immediately hooked and dove into the world of art. Through his decades of painting he has created both realistic and abstract works. He describes his abstract works as kinetic blurs: “impasto with energy.” “My mission is to create paintings and artwork that are representative of motion in both nature and human form. My abstract paintings…are meant to evoke emotion n and a sense of curiosity, while also providing a sense of energy…almost to the point of violence at times.”  Stephen’s abstractions draw the viewer into a personal space of interacting with color, space, shape and motion that ignites fascination.  A prolific painter, his works can be found in Hilton and Weston Hotels, and Northwestern College as well as in the hands of collectors around the world. Facebook

Jodi Reeb

Moving between two and three-dimensional forms, Jodi Reeb is constructing paintings and sculptures layer by layer. She explores the theme of nature’s cycles using photographs as collage, elevated circular paintings, and constructing organic aluminum sculptures.  Her photographic works juxtapose geometry with the softness found in nature. Her colorful circular paintings identify with references to the round shape both an organic and geometric form. The attraction for her is the negative space that the circular paintings evoke through shadow and space. She is recently painting with enamel and encaustic (beeswax and damar resin) on primed aluminum, bending and twisting the metal into organic shapes and forms. She is creating wall sculptures that are elevated off the wall oscillating between painting and sculpture. Jodi’s art has been shown nationally and is in many private collections including Wells Fargo Mortgage, Target Corporation, United Health Group, Hilton Hotels. She has a long list of awards, grants, and residencies. Her studio is at Traffic Zone Center for Visual Art where she not only creates but offers classes. Website, Facebook, Instagram

Neysa Winterer

Neysa Winterer is one of those artists that has tried a little bit of everything from drawing, painting signs, wool sculpture, refurbishing furniture, painting on canvas, watercolor, soft pastels and graphite. All that changed in 2017 when she took a workshop in collage. She had found her perfect medium, little bits of paper. It was a slow process at first starting with small canvases where she experimented and learned what would work best for her. Today she makes detailed and delicate images tearing, cutting, and gluing bits of paper onto wooden substrates. Collecting bits of paper, she has used advertisements, newspaper, vintage sheet music, old mail, used street maps, discarded books…almost any kind of paper she can find!  She says you will find her most evenings “working away in her home studio” in Excelsior. November 2020 Neysa had her first big showing entitled “Van Gogh Slept Here.”  She recreated master works of Vincent Van Gogh in paper. You will see some of those pieces here.  Website, Instagram

T. Young

T. Young’s current work is inspired by the style and compositions of the early to mid-20th century painters working in Hard-Edge, Concrete and Constructivism styles. Working out of her studio in the Northrup King Building, she has recently been creating canvases with vinyl emulsion paint, blending color with shapes and lines that construct story narratives and geometric movement. Although her main medium is acrylic paint, her vast collection includes paintings combined with oil pastels, spray paint, ink, graphite, watercolor, gauche or chalk pastel. A native of Minnesota, she has studied and practiced art using a variety of forms and materials over the past 35 years. “I enjoy a pace of painting that creates clean and simple compositions as I feel this creates a balance in the often messy and complicated times we live in.” Website, Facebook, Instagram

West River Parkway Closes Between Portland Ave and 11th Ave S on Aug 3

Via a July 26 e-announcement from the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board 

West River Parkway is scheduled to close to all motorized vehicle traffic between Portland Avenue and 11th Avenue S on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. The closure is necessary to bring in a crane for repairs to the Mill City Museum.

The parkway will reopen by 4 pm on August 3 to accommodate the high volume of people expected to attend National Night Out festivities.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board appreciates the public's patience during a time when infrastructure repair projects have necessitated many parkway closures. Information on two previously announced closures is below.

13th Avenue S-22nd Avenue S; July 12-mid September, 2021

The parkway is closed to motor vehicle traffic between 13th Avenue S and 22nd Avenue S through mid September, 2021 for the rehabilitation of 10th Avenue SE Bridge by the City of Minneapolis and repairs to Bridge #9 (the bike/pedestrian bridge serving the Dinkytown Greenway) by the University of Minnesota. Trail traffic is rerouted onto the parkway while bridge work continues above the trails. Paradise Charter Cruises is accessible via 22nd Avenue S.

4th Avenue N-Portland Avenue; mid-late August

The parkway and adjacent trails are scheduled to close between 4th Avenue N and Portland Avenue in mid-late August. The closure is necessary for the reconstruction of the 3rd Avenue Bridge by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. More details about this closure will be shared later this summer as the bridge reconstruction project progresses.

Please visit the Hwy 65/3rd Avenue Bridge Reconstruction website for more details.

Aquatennial Fireworks Photos by Ric Rosow

Thank you to Mill District resident Ric Rosow for submitting these photos of the 2021 Aquatennial fireworks, which were quite spectacular!

Mill City Farmers Market Announces 2021 Harvest Social Event

Via a recent e-announcment from the Mill City Farmers Market

Our annual Harvest Social benefit celebrates community, the bountiful fall harvest and the work of the Mill City Farmers Market Charitable Fund, which expands the Market's impact in the local food community.

This year’s smaller, more intimate gathering will take place in the striking Mill City Museum Courtyard which rises from the ruins of the Washburn A Mill, a National Historic Landmark. Enjoy a craft cocktail, bountiful harvest supper, and live music performance.

 

Sunday, September 12

5:00 - 7:00 PM

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Proceeds help us continue our work to grow a just, local, sustainable food system and our mission to support a healthier community through partnerships, educational programming, and support for organic farmers and local food producers.

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Purchase Tickets (or make a donation if you are unable to attend!) 

IDS Center Celebrates Grand Reopening of the Crystal Court

Via a July 22 Press Release from ICR:

Accesso, a fully integrated investment manager and operator of multi-tenant office buildings and multifamily properties, today unveiled the newly renovated Crystal Court, Minneapolis’ central gathering place at the famed IDS Center. The grand reopening ceremony featured remarks from Mayor Jacob Frey and Steve Cramer, President and CEO of the mpls downtown council; Deb Kolar, General Manager at Accesso, who has been with the IDS Center for nearly 30 years; and Peter Hendee Brown, Acting Principal with consultant New History.

The renovation was thoughtfully designed in collaboration with local architects and consultants Perkins&Will and New History to honor the Crystal Court’s 50-year legacy, while ushering it into a new era of providing Downtown Minneapolis with a destination where people from all walks of life can come together to deepen their connections with the community. The updates, which were completed by general contractor Greiner Construction, include collaborative seating areas with modular furniture and benches designed by Dimensional Innovations; an enhanced grove of overstory trees rising directly through the granite floor to form a tall, healthy canopy of greenery; and a new infinity edge water feature that visually and acoustically fosters a sense of park-like serenity.

Kolar said, “I am truly grateful for the support we’ve received from the Minneapolis community and our partners during the entire renovation process, and I could not be more excited to finally unveil the newly renovated Crystal Court. The Crystal Court is such a special part of Minneapolis’ culture and history, so it was very important to us that the updates made remain authentic to its spirit and original intent. After a very challenging year for our community, we are all thrilled to celebrate the reopening. I look forward to seeing this space full of people again and to introducing exciting new retailers including Noa, a new restaurant that will open this fall.” 

Frey said, “The IDS Center is an iconic centerpiece of our skyline and a beacon of the unique energy generated by residents and businesses of Downtown Minneapolis. The reopening of a renovated Crystal Court is emblematic of the many new beginnings taking place across our city. Whether you’re heading downtown to support your favorite restaurant, pick up fresh produce at the Nicollet Farmers Market, or enjoy some spectacular fireworks this Saturday for the Aquatennial, it’s time to come back downtown – we are open for business.” 

In addition to the opening remarks, the Crystal Court hosted performances from prominent community artists including pianist Nachito Herrera; the Loring String Quartet, an international ensemble based in the Twin Cities area; chalk art by local artist Shawn McCann; free caricature illustrations; and live interactive art by Juxtaposition Arts – the local youth arts program that designed the murals featured on the temporary walls during the construction process. Further, as a token of gratitude to the greater Minneapolis community for its steadfast support of the Crystal Court over the past 50 years, the IDS Center held random drawings throughout the event with prizes including Minnesota Twins tickets and gift cards to the property’s retailers, restaurants and Hennepin Theatre Trust.

About IDS Center

IDS Center, considered the centerpiece of the downtown Minneapolis skyline and a landmark for business and commerce in the Twin Cities, is a 1.42 million-square-foot, 57-story Class A office tower, urban park and retail center located at the core of the downtown Minneapolis skyway system. It is conveniently located at the core of the skyway system for the Minneapolis Central Business District (CBD) and provides easy access to parking, light rail stations and dedicated bus routes. This distinctive property also includes nearly 2 million square feet of mixed-use space; a two-story retail center; the 19-story, four-diamond Marquette Hotel; and an enclosed eight-story urban park. The Crystal Court has been referred to as “one of America’s best indoor spaces” by the Star Tribune for its vibrant environment and ability to host a wide range of events such as concerts, performances, blood drives, sports broadcasts and other gatherings.

About Accesso

Accesso is a full-service, vertically integrated commercial real estate investment manager, owner and operator that aims to provide superior returns to its U.S. and international individual and institutional investors. Accesso’s focus is on acquiring office and multifamily properties in non-gateway metropolitan statistical areas, representing the fastest growing metropolitan cities and premier suburban submarkets throughout the U.S. Accesso’s property portfolio includes 34 office properties covering 14.5 million square feet, and the company has two ground-up multifamily properties under development. Its affiliate, Accesso Services LLC, provides proactive, cost-efficient property management services with an owner’s mindset. Accesso Partners LLC is headquartered in Hallandale Beach, FL. and has offices in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and Minneapolis.

About Perkins&Will

Perkins&Will, an interdisciplinary, research-based architecture and design firm, was founded in 1935 on the belief that design has the power to transform lives. Guided by its core values—design excellence, diversity and inclusion, research, resilience, social purpose, sustainability, and well-being—the firm is committed to designing a better, more beautiful world. Fast Company named Perkins&Will one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies in Architecture, AIA MN honored the Minneapolis Studio with the 2019 Firm Award, and industry rankings consistently place Perkins&Will among the world’s top design practices. With an international team of more than 2,700 professionals, the firm has over 20 studios worldwide, providing services in architecture, interior design, branded environments, urban design, and landscape architecture. Partners include Danish architects Schmidt Hammer Lassen; retail strategy and design consultancy Portland; sustainable transportation planning consultancy Nelson\Nygaard; healthcare technology planning firm Genesis; and luxury hospitality design firm Pierre-Yves Rochon (PYR). For more information, visit www.perkinswill.com.

About New History

New History creates innovative solutions to increase the use and viability of existing and historic sites and structures. The firm offers a dynamic and integrated team of historians and licensed historical architects with nationally recognized expertise, as well as professionals with specialized experience in historic preservation, real estate development, preservation regulations, and the financial framework for reuse. Our distinct services and expertise provides clients with real strategies, exceptional project management, historically and culturally relevant design development, and regulatory guidance to achieve successful outcomes. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, New History works with clients throughout the Upper Mississippi River Corridor and beyond.

About Greiner Construction

Founded by Wolfgang Greiner in 1989, Greiner Construction delivers the gold standard for interior buildouts, expansions, new construction, and building repositioning. As an employee-driven, customer-focused company, Greiner serves clients in commercial workspace, healthcare, legal, financial, industrial, hospitality, education, non-profit, multi-unit residential and other industries. Over the last three decades, Greiner has built millions of square feet of space for local and national clients who understand the value of well-designed, innovative environments that enhance brands, attract, and retain top talent and build culture. Learn more and view the Greiner portfolio at greinerconstruction.com.

Off the Shelf: The Secret Reading Lives of Local Authors Revealed

Via a recent e-announcement from Friends of the Hennepin County Library

In his famous advice to writers, William Faulkner said, “Read, read, read...Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You'll absorb it.”

Writers are some of the most voracious readers among us, so it’s no wonder that they’re always getting asked, “What are you reading right now?” Well, if you’ve ever wanted to know what’s on - or, more importantly, off - their reading shelves, the wait is over.

Introducing: Off the Shelf, a series of written interviews where local authors answer your most pressing questions about their writing, their reading, and everything in between. Start by exploring interviews with beloved authors Peter Geye, Diane Wilson, Michael Kleber-Diggs, and Kim Heikkila today, and stay tuned for more interviews with your Minnesota favorites to come!

Read the interviews!

Water Works Pavilion Opens Today, July 19

Indoor pavilion and Owamni restaurant will be open daily

The Water Works Pavilion and Owamni by The Sioux Chef restaurant open today, Monday, July 19! The two-story park pavilion and visitor center is located at 425 West River Parkway. Building hours are 4-9 pm today through Wednesday, July 21, then 11 am-9 pm daily July 22 through Aug. 31.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and Minneapolis Parks Foundation partnered on the 7,800 square foot. mill-remnant embedded pavilion as part of the surrounding Water Works site, which opened to the public on May 20, 2021. Water Works was made possible through generous Twin Cities individual and institutional supporters to the Parks Foundation’s $18.1 million RiverFirst Capital Campaign.

"The Water Works Pavilion drastically improves an area of our park system visited by millions of people each year by offering a range of accessible resources while honoring Indigenous history at this sacred riverfront site,” says Al Bangoura, Superintendent of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. “I’m excited for people to experience the building and enjoy everything The Sioux Chef has to offer. It’s a great place to rest, refresh, hydrate, celebrate, eat and learn.”

The first floor of the new park building features a welcome desk staffed by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB), accessible bathrooms, a water fountain and water bottle filling station, and the Lenzmeier Family Foundation Classroom,  which will be available to rent for events or meetings in the future.

A view of Owamni during a soft open event July 15.

The second floor of the building hosts Owamni, a new all-season restaurant from The Sioux Chef serving dine-in and take-out Indigenous cuisine. Online reservations are available at www.owamni.com. The Sioux Chef also plans to create events and educational opportunities to elevate Indigenous voices as part of its larger mission to promote Native American cultures, honor plants and natural resources, and foster a vibrant Indigenous food movement. To learn more, please visit The Sioux Chef website.

“With the opening of the Water Works Park Pavilion and Owamni, Minneapolis once again has a place to gather on the banks of the Mississippi within the Minneapolis parks system,” notes Tom Evers, Executive Director of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation. “This moment is the culmination of years of work and dedication and an extraordinary fundraising effort. As public life in Minneapolis returns after the past year, we will have an extraordinary new place to gather.”

The building offers supportive features like a wudu foot washing station and an adult-sized changing table to support use by seniors and people with disabilities. The pavilion and site meet B3 sustainability guidelines for energy efficiency, emissions and air quality, bird detectable glass, landscape treatment, and material sourcing.

“It's great to open the building after seeing so many folks out enjoying the outdoor spaces, trail connections and the Nature Play Lab at Water Works this summer," says Jono Cowgill, President of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. "I'm thrilled to see The Sioux Chef open Owamni and am proud we're partnering with them at this important and historic site."

The three-acre grounds of Water Works at Mill Ruins Park overlooks St. Anthony Falls and the Stone Arch Bridge. It's designed to reveal layers of untold stories, in acknowledgement of the location as both a spiritual place that has shaped cultural and economic connections for Indigenous people and immigrants, and as the birthplace of Minneapolis’ milling history.

The Lenzmeier Family Foundation Classroom will be available to rent for meetings, events or special occassions in the future.

Pavilion visitors will enter via West River Parkway through an arched glass doorway into the two-story atrium. A public elevator and stairway in the lower river level of the pavilion will help accessibility between the upper and lower levels. The staircase was built with reclaimed Douglas Fir beams salvaged from the Fuji Ya restaurant that operated at the site from 1968 to 1990. Minneapolis-based HGA Architects & Engineers was the lead architect on the pavilion.

Building and Site History

People have gathered at Owámniiyomni (St. Anthony Falls) for thousands of years. It was a prime place for encampments by the Dakhóta, Ho-Chunk, and Ojibwe due to the proximity to a place of spiritual power, traditional routes, and locations for harvesting foods such as maple sugar and cranberries. After the Euro-American settlement of the cities of St. Anthony and Minneapolis, Native peoples continued to stay at the Falls through the 1860s, when they were forcibly relocated to reservations. Today, this area is still a sacred destination for Native people across the country. 

Minneapolis grew around industrial development on the Mississippi River. Loggers gathered for work at the city’s saw mills, then some of the world’s largest flour mills were built, harnessing the power of the river as the city continued to grow.

The pavilion showcases carefully excavated mill remnants from the Bassett Sawmill, which was built in 1870 and burned in 1897, and Columbia Flour Mill, which was built in 1882 and collapsed in 1941. The decline of riverfront industry in the mid-20th century was followed by a central riverfront revitalization, led by the Fuji Ya restaurant.

When it opened in 1968, Fuji Ya was the first new building in an abandoned industrial area of Minneapolis, spurring the beginning of a riverfront redevelopment period that continues to this day. Fuji Ya moved in 1990 and the MPRB bought the site in an era of riverfront park development that saw the Stone Arch Bridge transition from railroad to pedestrian and bike use, an expansion of trails on West River Parkway and the development of Boom Island Park. Wooden beams salvaged from the Fuji Ya building were reused to build the stairway between the two floors.

Water Works is part of the RiverFirst Initiative, a effort supported by the MPRB and Minneapolis Parks Foundation to transform the once-industrial Mississippi Riverfront as it flows through the heart of Minneapolis into a welcoming place for all people through improved habitat and miles of new interconnected parks and trails. Other RiverFirst projects include Hall’s Island, an island and gravel beach that was restored in 2018 after it was destroyed by lumberyard expansion in the 1960s; and the 26th Avenue North Overlook, located a few miles upriver of Water Works and completed in May 2021.

After a Year and a Half COVID-driven Hiatus, the Mill City Singers Perform at Music in Kelly Park

Submitted by Mill District resident Ric Rosow

The Mill City Singers performed for the first time in over a year and a half at Music in Kelly Park in Apple Valley on Friday, July 16, with J.D. Steele and the MacPhail Community Youth Choir. 

J.D. Steele leading the Mill City Singers.

J.D. Steele leading the MacPhail Community Youth Choir. 

The Mill City Singers program is made possible by local nonprofit, Be That Neighbor.

The Pure Water School of Dance Now Open in the Northrup King Building

Beverly Tipton Hammond of the Tipton Hammond Arts Gallery (formerly Berries on the Vine) recently announced the opening of The Pure Water School of Dance, located in Suite 261 in the Northrup King Building.

Summer Session 2021 Class Schedule: 

Children’s Ballet (Ages 5-9)

10 Week Session – Saturdays, 10-11am

July 24 - October 2

Attire: Black leotard & pink or white tights. Pink or Brown Ballet Shoes.

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Afro-Modern Dance (Teens & Adults)

10 Week Session – Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30pm

July 14 - September 22

Attire: Leotards, tights, or loose-fitting comfortable clothing, i.e. sweatpants & t-shirt.

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Registration & Fees

Class Registration: $25

Single Class: $15

10 Week Session Full Pay $120 ($12/per class)

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Classes taught by Beverly Tipton Hammond, Founder/Director, 443-527-6118.

Register on PayPal to tiptonhammond@yahoo.com.

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Beverly Tipton Hammond is an ordained minister, choreographer, actress, singer, and songwriter. She began dancing at the age of 5 at the Washington School of Ballet. She continued her training as dance major at SUNY Purchase, where she studied, Graham, Limon, and Cunningham modern technique. Beverly has danced with the Baltimore Dance Theatre, Eva Anderson, the Cultural Arts Institute, Deborah London, and the Turn Out dance Company, Vanessa Jackson Johnson.

In Minnesota she studied at the Children’s Theatre in Minneapolis and the Minnesota Dance Theatre. She founded the Kingdom Dance Ministry in 1996 and opened the first Pure Water School in Baltimore in 2012. Since moving to Minnesota in 2016, she has become a member of Theatre 55 and opened an art gallery with her husband A. Drew Hammond in NE Minneapolis. Now as a resident of Minnesota, she is laying a new foundation for this school. Ballet and Modern Dance will be offered for students ages 5 to adult!

Unusual Sunday Morning Sight in Gold Medal Park

We've lived by Gold Medal Park for nearly 12 years  - and this is a first. Will be interesting to learn the story behind this one.

Minneapolis Craft Brewers Heading to Duluth for July 31 All Pints North Event

Via a recent e-announcement:

Festival to bring thousands of craft beer fans from around the region to Duluth on July 31

On Saturday, July 31, more than 100 MN craft breweries and brewpubs will gather at Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth to share their best summer beers and a few surprises with craft beer fans from around the region. All Pints North is one of Minnesota’s biggest beer festivals, and it exclusively features Minnesota breweries and brewpubs.

Attending from Minneapolis: 612 Brew, Able Seedhouse and Brewery, Bauhaus Brew Labs, Boom Island Brewing Company, Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative, Dangerous Man Brewing Company, Fair State Brewing Co-op, FINNEGANS Brew Co, Fulton Brewing Company, Inbound BrewCo, Indeed Brewing Co, Insight Brewing, Lakes & Legends Brewing Company, Modist Brewing Co, Pryes Brewing Company, Sociable Cider Werks, Surly Brewing Co., The Freehouse, Town Hall Brewery and Utepils Brewing Co.

The festival is put on by the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild, a nonprofit association dedicated to supporting Minnesota’s craft breweries and brewpubs. “This festival celebrates summer with the best the craft beer industry has to offer. Attendees can explore the state's craft beer offerings in one afternoon, participate in various activities, and soak up the sun on the shore of Lake Superior,” said Guild Executive Director Lauren Bennett McGinty.

Attendees can sample unlimited locally-made craft beer, seltzer, cider, and non-alcoholic beverages from more than 100 MN breweries and brewpubs from across the state. The fest will also feature local small businesses, food trucks, and musical acts. Tickets and other event details can be found online at www.mncraftbrew.org/event/all-pints-north.

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, 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.

Out of the Box Opera Announces July 23 & 24 Performances at the Canopy Hotel

Out of the Box Opera recently announced a new performance, Night at the Opera Night on the Town, taking place in and around the Canopy Hotel’s Umbra restaurant, lounge and lobby. Singers will move throughout these areas, making the audience feel like a part of the show. 

Performers will include singers soprano Siena Forest, tenor David Walton, and baritone Nicholas Davis with pianist Carson Rose Schneider.

To make a dinner reservation click here.

MSP Film Society to Screen the CatVideoFest 2021 at St. Anthony Main Theatre, July 25

CatVideoFest is a compilation reel of the latest and best cat videos culled from countless hours of unique submissions and sourced animations, music videos, and classic internet powerhouses. CatVideoFest is a joyous communal experience, only available in theaters, and raises money for cats in need through partnerships with local cat charities, animal welfare organizations, and shelters to best serve cats in the area.

St. Anthony Main Theatre, 115 SE Main Street, Sunday, July 25 at 1:00 PM

10% of the proceeds will benefit Feline Rescue.