Inaugural City Stories, May 2-10, Expands on the Success of Doors Open Minneapolis and MSP Home Tour

Rethos and NARI MN have announced the launch of City Stories, a new nine day celebration of architecture, history, and design taking place May 2–10 across the Twin Cities metro.

Building on the legacy of Doors Open Minneapolis and the MSP Home Tour, City Stories invites residents and visitors alike to explore the places that shape our region - from iconic landmarks to hidden gems. Many events are free. Most events ticketed. Browse the online options and sign up today!

Throughout the festival, City Stories will feature a dynamic mix of programming that reflects the diversity of the Twin Cities, including:

• Behind-the-scenes home and building tours

• Neighborhood walking tours led by preservation experts

• Speaker events with urban planners and designers

• Social mixers celebrating local design and cultural heritage

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Produced by Rethos in partnership with NARI Minnesota (National Association of the Remodeling Industry MN Chapter), City Stories brings together a wide range of tours, talks, open houses, and curated experiences under one coordinated festival platform. The event is designed to showcase the Twin Cities’ built environment while creating new ways for people to engage with the places that shape everyday life. 

At its core, City Stories is a flexible “choose-your-own-experience” event. Visitors can browse and book individual programs - from free, self-guided opportunities to premium ticketed experiences - building personalized itineraries across neighborhoods and across both cities.

“City Stories is about opening doors in every sense. It invites people to step inside spaces, stories, and communities that shape the Twin Cities - and to see those places in a new way." Heidi Swank, Rethos Executive Director

Rethos Executive Director Heidi Swank with Mayor Frey

"Doors Open is about curiosity, connection, and community. It’s a chance to step inside the places we pass every day - and discover the stories, people, and history that make Minneapolis what it is. It's one of the best events of the year - and you don't want to miss it!"  Mayor Frey

City Stories expands on the success of two long-standing, high-impact events:

• MSP Home Tour (May 2–3) – A free, self-guided tour offering access to real homes across the metro area, showcasing remodeling, design innovation, and neighborhood life.

• Doors Open Minneapolis (May 9–10) – A free, citywide open house featuring access to 75+ buildings, from historic landmarks to rarely accessible spaces. For one weekend, buildings across Minneapolis - from historic landmarks, including City Hall, to modern workspaces, cultural sites to civic institutions - will open their doors to the public, many offering behind-the-scenes access you can’t get any other time of year.

Together, these anchor weekends are connected and expanded through a full week of additional programming, creating a continuous, weeklong festival experience.

Expanding the Twin Cities’ Cultural Tourism Story

City Stories positions Minneapolis and Saint Paul as destinations for architecture, history, and cultural exploration - broadening the region’s tourism narrative beyond outdoor recreation. By activating neighborhoods and cultural assets across multiple days, the festival is designed to: 

• Encourage longer visitor stays
• Drive midweek tourism activity
• Support local businesses and cultural organizations
• Elevate the national profile of the Twin Cities as a cultural destination

Street Sweeping Begins April 21

Public Works crews will start the City’s comprehensive street sweeping program April 21 to clear away what accumulated in the streets over the winter. Drivers should watch for hot pink temporary “No Parking” signs to avoid a ticket and tow.

For approximately four weeks, sweeping crews will take care of more than 1,100 miles of city streets and nearly 400 miles of alleys. To make sure the crews can do the most complete job possible, temporary “No Parking” signs will be posted at least 24 hours in advance to make sure streets are clear of parked vehicles. Drivers need to follow street sweeping parking rules or they may have their cars ticketed and towed to the Minneapolis Impound Lot.

Find your street on the schedule - You can see when your street is scheduled to be swept by visiting the interactive street sweeping map.

Learn more about street sweeping.

June 6 Prince Celebration Block Party and Community Sing-Along

The Celebration Block Party and Community Sing-Along will take place near the downtown Prince mural by Hiero Veiga at 101 N 9th Street, on the day before what would have been the Prince’s 68th birthday. Free, all-ages.

Prince Sing-Along and Celebration Block Party

Prince Celebration is the official annual event honoring the life and legacy of Prince, welcoming fans from across the globe to come together in music, community, and remembrance. Held at Paisley Park and throughout the Twin Cities, Prince Celebration offers a rare opportunity for fans to experience curated programming including live performances, panel discussions, tours, and exclusive presentations. Since its inception, the event has served as a global gathering space for celebrating Prince’s artistry, cultural impact, and continued influence across music, fashion, and creative expression.

The multi-day Prince Celebration is the annual gathering of devoted Prince fans from around the world presented by Paisley Park. This year’s five-day event, a "10th Anniversary Celebration of Life," will take place June 3 - 7.

The Prince Sing-Along a one-time-only signature addition to the annual Prince Celebration Block Party on Saturday, June 6. Led by acclaimed Musical Director Sanford Moore of Moore by Four and a Minneapolis-based mass choir of 100 vocalists, the crowd will be guided through a selection of Prince’s greatest hits including “Purple Rain,” “When Doves Cry” and “Sometimes it Snows in April.” The event is expected to reflect upon the spontaneous outpouring of love outside First Avenue following Prince’s passing a decade ago.

Led by acclaimed Musical Director Sanford Moore of Moore By Four and a Minneapolis-based mass choir of 100 vocalists, the crowd will be guided through a selection of Prince’s greatest hits including “Purple Rain,” “When Doves Cry,” and “Sometimes it Snows in April.” The event is expected to reflect upon the spontaneous outpouring of love outside First Avenue following his passing a decade ago.

The goal of the Sing-Along is to have up to 15,000 people singing arm-in-arm to Prince’s beloved music, possibly even setting a record for the most uploaded social stories in one place. The result is sure to be a true “Minneapolis sound” and a major event for those who love his music.

“From Bunker’s to Dakota Jazz Club to First Avenue, Prince loved to entertain and take in the irresistible vibe in downtown Minneapolis." Adam Duininck, President and CEO 

Photo credit MinnPost

MPRB Invites You to April 29 Tree Distribution Site Tour

Join Green Cities Accord and the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB) for a behind-the-scenes tour of the MPRB Tree Distribution Site, 2150 W River Pkwy, on the evening of Wednesday, April 29, where thousands of trees are staged each spring for planting across Minneapolis.

This unique, behind-the-scenes experience offers a closer look at the nursery side of urban forestry, highlighting what it takes to care for and prepare thousands of young trees as they make their way to parks, streets, and neighborhoods across the city.

Guests will hear from Green Cities Accord and MPRB staff about current planting efforts, climate resilience priorities, and the role trees play in growing healthier, more livable communities.

Attendance is free, but spots are limited - so register today!

Severe Weather Awareness Week is April 13-17

With spring comes the likelihood of severe weather, including tornadoes, hail, destructive winds and flooding. Knowing what to do and making a few simple preparations can help protect you and your family when severe weather strikes.

Severe Weather Awareness Week

Severe Weather Awareness Week is a great opportunity to refresh your knowledge about seasonal hazards from severe weather. Throughout the week, each day has a focus theme.

• Monday, April 13: Alerts and warnings
• Tuesday, April 14: Severe weather, lightning and hail
• Wednesday, April 15: Floods
• Thursday, April 16: Tornadoes
• Friday, April 17: Extreme heat

Learn more about Severe Weather Awareness Week.

State-wide tornado drills

Outdoor warning sirens will sound on Thursday, April 16 in two simulated tornado warnings. The first drill is intended for institutions and businesses. The evening drill is intended for second shift workers and families.

State-wide tornado drills
Thursday, April 16
1:45pm and 6:45pm

Outdoor sirens

Did you know that these sirens are not just for tornadoes? Hennepin County uses outdoor warning sirens to alert people outdoors about dangerous weather. Sirens are meant to be heard by those outdoors, so it’s important to have other ways to get severe weather information.

The sirens are activated in several instances:

• A tornado warning has been issued, meaning a tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar and there is an imminent danger to life and property
• Credible reports of sustained winds of more than 70 mph
• Damaging, dangerous hail or other life-threatening weather hazard

When you hear sirens, seek shelter and information:

• Seek shelter in a building away from windows or lie in a low area away from cars. Cover your head with your arms. Don't go under an overpass.
• Listen to local weather information on the radio, television or online.
• Continue to shelter until the threat has passed.

Hennepin County does not use the outdoor warning sirens to give an “all-clear” or notify people that the danger has passed.

Learn more about outdoor sirens.

Oratorio Society of MN Announces April 17 Concert, An American Trilogy

Friday, April 17, 7:30pm

Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 4th Street S

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As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, the Oratorio Society of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota School of Music will present An American Trilogy, a sweeping concert of choral and orchestral masterworks inspired by the American landscape, spirit and poetry.

Bringing together the 150-voice Oratorio Society and University Singers, orchestra and a distinguished quartet of soloists - soprano Maddie Holtze, mezzo-soprano Kristina Rodel Sorum, tenor Scott Brunscheen and baritone Philip Zawisza - the program explores the cultural imagination that shaped America through music by Aaron Copland, John Corigliano and Lukas Foss. The concert is led by Artistic Director Matthew Mehaffey along with conductors Brandon Berger and Paolo Debuque.

At the heart of the evening is Lukas Foss’s The Prairie, a powerful choral work based on Carl Sandburg’s expansive poem. With bold orchestral writing and sweeping choral textures, Foss evokes the scale, force and generosity of the prairie landscape - land that has long sustained life, community and memory. In presenting this work, the program invites audiences to reflect not only on the prairie’s beauty and abundance, but also on our responsibility to honor the land and the histories carried within it.

Also featured is John Corigliano’s Fern Hill, a luminous musical setting of Dylan Thomas’s beloved poem about childhood and the passage of time, alongside Aaron Copland’s Quiet City, whose haunting trumpet and English horn lines evoke the introspective stillness of the American night.

“Together, these works offer a musical reflection on landscape, memory and the many stories carried through this place. The prairie is not simply a symbol of expansion or possibility - it symbolizes the courage and imagination of those and built communities there. It is a living landscape that has given deeply to those who have depended on it across generations. As we approach America’s semiquincentennial, this program creates space to experience that beauty while also reflecting on the complex histories tied to it - including loss, displacement and the enduring presence of Indigenous peoples. In that way, performance can become not only an act of interpretation, but also an act of acknowledgment and respect.” Matthew Mehaffey, artistic director of the Oratorio Society of Minnesota

To further explore these themes, the concert will feature a pre-concert lecture by Andrew Clark of Harvard University at 7:10pm. Professor Clark will place The Prairie into a modern context, examining its unique history and the evolving ways we understand the American landscape today.

Tickets are available at Oratorio.org or at the door. Prices include General Seating – $25, Premier Seating – $35, and Student / Livestream – $10.

The Oratorio Society of Minnesota is a 100-plus voice, auditioned choral group based in the Twin Cities dedicated to presenting compelling performances of major works for chorus and orchestra. Founded in 1980, the nonprofit organization brings together accomplished volunteer singers, professional soloists and instrumentalists to perform dynamic and diverse choral repertoire. The Oratorio Society presents an annual concert season and engages the community through educational and participatory programs such as a Summer Chorus and international music tours fostering lifelong engagement with choral music throughout the area.

Matthew Mehaffey is Artistic Director of the Oratorio Society of Minnesota and Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Minnesota. An internationally recognized conductor, he previously led the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh and earned a GRAMMY nomination for a recording of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

April 22 Red Cross Green Gathering Event Features Fun Earth Day Activities

April 22, 4p-7p

American Red Cross, Twin Cities, 1201 W River Parkway 

Red Cross Green Gathering is a community Earth Day open house highlighting practical, real-world sustainability in action. This interactive event features local partners, hands-on activities, reused-materials art, and behind-the-scenes looks at sustainability projects already underway at the Red Cross.

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Art to Change the World will display a selection of pieces from their Mystery Trash Remix (like the sample shown above) and will be hosting two make and takes:

• Magic Waste Wand Making - Use found objects to create a wand that can help make the world a better place!
• Sock-tapus - Transform an old sock into a fanciful sea creature!

Sock-tapus

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Featured Vendors include Chuck & Don's Uptown / Heatherly's Sweet Treats / Art to Change the World / Signature Mechanical / Chowgirls

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Free IT recycling - see website for details.

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Attendance is free, but you can register for an additional entry into the prize drawing.

New at Graco Park: Bike Maintenance Workshops with Bjorn Cycling

The Minneapolis Park and Rec Board welcomes Bjorn Cycling to Graco Park for a series of hands-on bike maintenance classes that are equal parts practical, empowering and fun.

Bjorn Cycling founder Erik has been teaching bike skills since the late 90s, and he breaks things down in a way that makes sense. Whether you're brand new to cycling or have been riding for years, you’ll leave feeling more confident and capable.

What you’ll get out of it:

• Fix your own flat
• Adjust your brakes and gears without guessing
• Learn what all those bike parts actually do
• Pick up quick trailside fixes and everyday maintenance tips
• Feel a little more self-sufficient every time you ride

Class options:

3-Hr Workshops (Ages 12–16/$60) A great starting point for youth riders

• April 26 | 2–5 pm
• May 17 | 2–5 pm
• June 12 | 9 am–12 pm
• July 26 | 2–5 pm
• August 16 | 2–5 pm
• September 20 | 2–5 pm

3-Hr Workshops (Ages 17+/$60) For adults to expand their bike knowledge

• April 1 | 4:30–7:30 pm
• May 3 | 2–5 pm
• June 14 | 2–5 pm
• July 12 | 2–5 pm
• August 9 | 2–5 pm
• September 13 | 2–5 pm

2-Day Youth Camps (Ages 12–17/$80) A deeper dive into bike maintenance

• June 30–July 1 | 5:30–7:30 pm
• July 30–31 | 1–3 pm
• August 20–21 | 1–3 pm

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A few things to know:

•  Graco Park is located at 810 Sibley Street NE
•  Bring your bike (especially one that needs a little love)
•  Small class sizes = lots of hands-on time
•  No experience needed

New Art Exhibit – Revive & Shine - Opens at The Mill Yard April 12

 

Revive & Shine

Opening Reception Sunday, April 12, 4:00 – 6:00pm

Stonebridge Lofts, 1120 S 2nd Street

Join the The Mill Yard opening reception to meet local artists, purchase original art, see neighbors and enjoy complimentary snacks and beverages. Chimborazo food truck will be on site with food to purchase.

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.

Artists featured at this show:

Painter Ron Boehm is visual artist painting primarily in abstraction with acrylic paint. His compositions are inspired by his life experiences as well as the world around him. His focus is the strength and power of design and the use of various techniques to arrange strong contrasting colors. His objective is to develop a unique statement in each composition. His passion, fascination and play with color is obvious in his work. In addition, “Texture and the impact it can have on the outcome of the paintings has been incorporated in my efforts.” Ron currently lives in the Twin Cities after retiring from teaching art for forty-two years in North Dakota public schools.

Logan Chyla is a local ceramic artist working out of his studio at the Northern Clay Center. Logan makes wheel-thrown functional and decorative vessels intended for everyday use. He is fascinated by the ceramic making process and strives to show aspects of how pots are made throughout his body of work, as well as highlighting the unique marks made by the firing process. His focus is on atmospheric soda firing. Recently, Logan has also begun exploring new colors and surfaces using cone 10 reduction firing.

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Mark Kuhn is a professional fine art travel photographer with a passion for capturing the world’s beauty. His photographs of landscapes, architecture, culture and native beauty emphasize shape, line, texture and, most especially, color. “I chase stories through my lens alongside my wife and travel partner, Kris.” His body of work from traveling 37 countries, so far, is regularly exhibited at juried art shows, where he has received multiple high honors. In addition, his photographs have been recognized in international photography competitions. Mark is owner of Wanderlust Photography based in Maple Grove.

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Risa Nishiguchi is a ceramic artist with a focus on creating functional objects. On each piece she meticulously carves patterns to represent the flow of energy in everyday moments. Occasionally, patterns are revealed from the kiln flames during a soda firing. Risa received a BA in ceramic art from Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana and has been teaching pottery across the Twin Cities ranging from community classes to public high school education. She currently works as a ceramics studio coordinator at Eagan Art House.

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Rya Priede is a textile-mixed-media artist specializing in a unique form of traditional sewing and embroidery. Rya’s lifelong passion for sewing and textiles intersected with her love of illustration and interest in photography inspiring her to combine these elements into original images. Several years ago, she discovered the “Big Little Books” series of children’s books which were published from the 1930s to the 1960s. Drawn to both the illustrations and captions – taken out of context and viewed through a feminist lens – she found them witty, sometimes subversive and inspiring. She had the pages scanned and printed on paper. Then she sewed on them. Some pieces are on paper backed with linen and others are on inkjet Tyvek. “The backs are just as fun as the fronts. Removed from the printed illustration, it’s a pure record of the act of sewing.”

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Nancy Hemstad Seaton is a glass artist who has been creating her entire life. “It’s breathing.” She finds the physicality, technicality, fluidity and solid intense color of glass inspiration. “Together we express our feelings in a duet. It’s science and heart. Chemistry creates the colors; physics the shape.” Nancy creates functional pieces, such as plates and bowls, as well as jewelry and sculptural towers. She discovers that some of her pieces are straightforward coming out of the kiln exactly as planned. “In others I’ll put reactive colors together or let gravity and heat move things around.” Nancy and her husband live on the Gunflint Trail, “where the calm of a sunset or the power of a towering White Pine stir me to share that moment’s emotion.”

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Linda Snouffer is a multimedia botanical printmaker. Her combination of materials and techniques (from fiber arts, watercolor, acrylics, and pastels), has transformed timeless leaf printing into a fine art. All plant images in her multifaceted landscapes are created by printing grasses, leaves, and other plant material. Structural variations in grass stalks, blades and tassels print with remarkable artistic versatility to create meadows and cattails, while fern and yarrow leaf prints form woods. Each of the landscapes informs the viewer of the beauty and respect for native landscapes.

Light and Nature Art Opening at Washburn Lofts, April 16

Opening Reception Thursday, April 16, 5-7pm

Washburn Lofts Lobby and Great Room, 700 S 2nd Street

Karl Herber was born the youngest of five kids in 1971 and has long felt like the odd one. Through art and photography, he has learned to embrace those qualities that make him who he is. A year spent in Austria during college laid the foundation for his development as an artist. There, he studied German, art history, printmaking and photography. Over the following thirty-plus years, he has worked as a professional photographer, won awards, and exhibited and sold work in Europe and the United States.

He currently lives in Minneapolis, in a house filled with light and art, and two tall women who inspire him to be better each day. As an avid Nordic skier and runner, he can appreciate the change of seasons and morning light; enough to offset the effects of screen time and monitor glow.

Wild Fennel

Garden Art Fling at the Flux Arts Building, April 11

Rooster Quilt by Tina Rohde of WonderWeavers

Garden Art Fling at the Flux Arts Building, April 11, 10:00a-5:00p

Join local artists for spring fun focused on gardens! The Flux Arts Building will be full of artists both downstairs and upstairs in the Art to Change the World headquarters. 

• Make and Take activities include Flower Weaving, “Trash Flowers,” make your own clay vase, build your own mini Bookshelf and more - music and snacks, too! Clay Squared will have a 50% off instock tile sale.
• Garden Swap: Bring seeds, seedlings and small garden tools and/or just take what you need from the swap table!
• Garden Art Exhibit upstairs in the Art to Change the World Headquarters featuring shaped garden art.
• Art in the shape of squares, circles, hearts, hexagons, triangles, etc., all in the theme of things you can see when you are in a garden. Check out this beautiful garden display made by multiple Art to Change the World artists. These items will also be for sale, along with seed balls and plants. Questions on the upstairs activities? Contact Denise at MNdreamArt@gmail.com. 

Artists displaying in the Hub of the Flux Arts Building include:

Lola Alexander / Holley Wlodarczyk/Garden Variety Art / Catherine A. Palmer / Laura Burlis / Becca David / Jillian Collins / James Smead / JobyLynn Sassily-James / Margo Ashmore / Meg Volkman Daoust / Christina Buelow / Tina Rohde/Colleen Shaskin WonderWeavers - Storytellers

The Flux Arts Building is located at 2505 Howard Street NE Minneapolis. Questions? Contact Layl at Layl@claysquared.com

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Additional info re: the Garden/Art Swap at the Garden Art Fling 

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Do you have extra seedlings or seeds? Garden tools that you don’t use anymore? Are you looking for some free additions to your garden? Come to the Garden/Art Swap at the Garden Art Fling!

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Advance drop-off available: Thursday and Friday, April 9 and 10, 11am to 5pm, or bring your items during the swap event. No new drop-offs after 3pm Saturday, April 11. 

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Materials accepted:

Seeds, seedlings (clearly labeled), small plant starts (clearly labeled in containers no bigger than a few plants each), art/decor for the garden, small garden-themed art for indoors, garden and house plant books, gloves, kneeling pads, plant markers, small trellises and supports, small hand tools, materials for making weather resistant garden art.

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If you would like to offer plant divisions that the recipient can arrange to dig up, prepare a note with your contact info. If you are looking for gardening help, prepare a note with your contact info. If you bring found objects or other supplies for garden art, please check back toward the end of the event to take back what’s left over.

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Not accepted: No large tools, no chemicals, nothing requiring electric power or gasoline. Nothing bigger than an individual can carry. Please save your pots and larger tools for the traditional neighborhoods’ garden tool swap later in spring. Info on this event will be provided at the Garden Art Fling.

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You do not need to bring anything in order to take, or to take anything if you just want to contribute. 

Reach out to Margo Ashmore for questions about the Garden/Art Swap: margo@margoashmore.com

Upcoming Programming at the Mill City Museum

The Mill District of Minneapolis is home to the Mill City Museum, a historical treasure part of the Minnesota Historical Society. Here's a sampling of upcoming events:

Millers’ Tour Multiple dates - A 60-minute guided tour including many of the nooks and crannies of Mill City Museum.

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Thursday, April 9 / 7pm-8 pm
Book Launch: “Making Mill City: Flour and Fortune in Minneapolis” with Author Robert Frame III
Join author and historian Robert M. Frame III for an illustrated presentation to celebrate the publication of Making Mill City: Flour and Fortune in Minneapolis, a richly illustrated history of the flour factories that transformed the milling industry worldwide—and forever changed the culture and architecture of Minneapolis.

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Sunday, April 12 / 1pm-2pm
Season’s Eatings: Spring
Spring is in the air and Mill City Museum staff invite you to the Baking Lab to celebrate the season! Visitors will be able to sample a lemon poppy seed Bundt cake recipe from the book Bundt Cake Bliss by Susanna Short and explore the history of the famous Nordic Ware Bundt cake pan.

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Friday, May 1 / 6pm-8:30pm 
Pot Likker: Food, Memory, and the Art of Nourishment
This intimate, hands-on gathering brings together food, storytelling, and art to explore how everyday cooking carries memory, culture, and care. Hosted in collaboration with Chef Lachelle Cunningham, who is featured in the Women With Taste exhibit, the evening centers on pot likker, a deeply nourishing broth rooted in Black food traditions and shaped by generations of ingenuity.

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Saturday, May 2 / 10am-1pm
Pearl’s Garden Family Day
Celebrate the recent release of the MNHS Press children's book Pearl's Garden and the first day of the spring outdoor Mill City Farmers Market with author and artist Carolyn Olson. 

11th Annual Great River Coalition Earth Day 5K Bee Run/Walk/River Clean Up, April 18

Family- and dog-friendly Earth Day event on April 18 supports pollinators, healthy riverfront habitat, and community action

As spring approaches, the Great River Coalition invites the community to celebrate Earth Day in support of pollinators at the 11th Annual Earth Day 5K Bee Run/Walk and River Cleanup on Saturday, April 18, at Boom Island Park, 724 Sibley Street Northeast. Participants can run or walk the scenic 5K or volunteer for the organized river cleanup, helping protect pollinators and support a healthier Mississippi River. Learn more and register.

The event welcomes families and dogs and features Earth Day festivities including live music, kids’ activities, educational booths, prize drawings, and bee-themed photo ops with a selfie station and mascots. Pollinator costumes are encouraged, with awards for standout looks.

Hosted in partnership with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, National Park Service, and Mill City Running/St. City Running, the Bee Run/Walk brings together runners, walkers, volunteers, and environmental advocates for a morning of fitness, fun, and hands-on stewardship along the Mississippi River corridor.

Since 2016, the Great River Coalition has raised funds for pollinator plantings along the Mississippi River and built public awareness about the urgent need to protect native pollinators amid climate and environmental change. Native species, including the federally endangered Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, continue to need expanded habitat and food resources.

Why Pollinators Matter to the Mississippi River Ecosystem

• Strengthen habitat corridors: The Mississippi is a natural travel route for species; pollinators help keep connected habitat patches blooming along the way.

• Boost biodiversity: More native flowers means more insects, which means more food for fish and wildlife.

• Prevent erosion: Pollinators help native riverbank plants reproduce, and those deep-rooted plants hold soil in place so less washes into the Mississippi.

• Support cleaner water: Healthy riverfront vegetation slows stormwater and traps sediment and pollutants before they reach the river.

• Feed wildlife: Pollination boosts seeds, berries, and fruit that feed birds and other animals, supporting the whole river corridor.

• Signal ecosystem health: When pollinators decline, it can be an early warning sign of habitat loss, pesticide exposure, or stressed soils and water.

“Great River Coalition is working to expand the habitat for our pollinators. If you walk along our Minneapolis riverfront, or travel around the state, you’ll see the limited food resources that sustain our pollinators as they travel along the Mississippi River. The erosion created by the lack of grasslands contributes to soil and water pollution, and encourages invasive species. The Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, Minnesota’s state bumblebee, is critically endangered. We aim to bring awareness to the vital role pollinators play in the health of our riverfront communities, our state, and our planet.” Board President Diane Hofstede

Event Details

PRICE: $40 in advance, $45 on Race Day. Free for kids’ race (ages 6 and under) and River Clean Up volunteers. Includes family-friendly activities and a celebration of Earth Day.

Register: raceroster.com/events/2026/111846/earth-day-5k-bee-runwalkriver-cleanup

The 5K will start at 9am. The kid’s race, with goodie bags, will begin at 8:30am — children must be age 6 or under and must be registered before the event, either online or in-person with registration of walker or runner. The River Clean Up begins at 9:30am. Volunteers register online before the event. 

Prizes:

• HD Flat Screen Smart TV
• Four tickets to MN Vikings game at US Bank Stadium, Row 12, End Seats (End Zone, Facing Minneapolis, value $600 +). Date to be determined.
• And much more!
• Costumes are welcome. Prizes for the best! Name your team!

The Great River Coalition are change agents and advocates for policies and initiatives that honor the historic, commercial, environmental, and spiritual significance of the Mississippi River. To carry out its mission, the Great River Coalition collaborates with local businesses, organizations, and government agencies to engage, educate, and plant pollinator plantings in our communities. For 11 years the Earth Day 5K Bee Run Walk and River Clean Up has brought thousands of people, built awareness, education and interaction with our Mississippi Riverfront partners, local and National groups. Great River Coalition members and partners take action by testifying at public hearings, publishing impactful comments about riverfront impacts, and building relationships. As a member-supported 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, the Great River Coalition relies wholly on support from members, donors, volunteers, and sponsors.

Facebook: facebook.com/GreatRiverCoalitionMN, Instagram: instagram.com/greatrivercoalition

Graze Food Hall by Travail to Host MN Bars Bake Sale March 21

Over 40 Home Bakers - All Proceeds Donated To The Salt Cure Restaurant Recovery Fund To Help Local Restaurants

 

Graze Food Hall by Travail is hosting MN Bars Bake Sale on Saturday, March 21, from 12pm to 2pm with a DJ playing from 2pm to 4pm. Over 40 local home bakers are coming together to benefit The Salt Cure Restaurant Recovery Fund, which preserves the heart of Minnesota’s food culture and serves those who often serve us.

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“Building community is very important to us at Graze, and we are honored to help bring this event to life to help our restaurant community,” said Molly Herrmann, director of operations at Graze Food Hall by Travail.

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Each baker is bringing at least three dozen bars, and the event will feature celebrity bakers, such as Zoe Francois of Zoe Bakes, chef/TV host Andrew Zimmern, and singer/songwriter Jeremy Messersmith, making “Star Bars,” which will be sold separately in a pack of six.

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Guests are encouraged to pre-purchase tickets to guarantee bars don’t sell out. Tickets are just $4 and can be purchased online. A limited number of tickets will be available in person at the bake sale.

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“There is nothing more quintessentially Minnesotan than gathering a room full of bakers to help a neighbor,” said Zoe Francois, owner of Zoe Bakes. “We’re supporting the restaurant folks who nurture our community and need our love!”

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The Salt Cure Restaurant Recovery Fund is an act of preservation for the Minnesota restaurant community. Many small restaurants don’t have large enough platforms to ask for meaningful help, even though they have been directly and negatively impacted by actions this past winter. The Salt Cure Fund is a collective of local food advocates and industry professionals who have partnered with trusted community organizations, like The Minneapolis Foundation, to ensure that direct, critical aid gets into the right hands. Despite the fund recently hitting over one million dollars raised, applications for grants through the fund have already surpassed four million dollars, and time is running out to make an impact.

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“While raising a million bucks is a huge feat, the need far surpasses that,” said Stephanie March, co-founder of The Salt Cure Restaurant Recovery Fund. “In fact, we are currently working hard to distribute all the money we've collected quickly to help restaurants pay rent and payroll, so every dollar donated back stretches the mission to more restaurants.”

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Follow @grazenorthloop on social media or visit grazenorthloop.com for more information and a full list of upcoming Graze events.

Theatre in the Round Presents Conscience - a Story About Margaret Chase Smith, March 27-April 19

Theatre in the Round Players will present Conscience, a thought-provoking historical drama by acclaimed playwright Joe DiPietro. Performances run March 27 through April 19, with shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2:00pm. Tickets 

Conscience tells the inspiring true story of Senator Margaret Chase Smith, the first woman elected to both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, who in 1950 stood alone on the Senate floor to publicly challenge Senator Joseph McCarthy and the fear-driven politics of McCarthyism. Her courageous 'Declaration of Conscience' speech was a defining moment of political integrity—one that came with personal and professional cost but continues to resonate with striking relevance today.

Conscience is a stirring portrait of moral courage and the power of conviction—an intimate arena theatre experience that confronts history, politics, and the human heart with honesty and insight. This timely production invites audiences to reflect on leadership, integrity, and the responsibilities of public service.

SHOW DETAILS

Content Notice: Strong language; recommended for ages 13+

Audio-Described Performance: Sunday, April 12 at 2:00pm

Pay-What-You-Can Performance: Monday, April 6 at 7:30pm

Miller Lite’s Free Rides Program Returns to Minneapolis for St. Patrick's Day

Those in the Mpls/St. Paul area can visit the Metro Transit website to review routes and plan their St. Patrick’s Day travel. 

Molson Coors is once again partnering with Metro Transit to activate its Miller Lite Free Rides program for St. Patrick’s Day in the Twin Cities. Minnesotans will have access to fare-free public transportation from 6pm on Tuesday, March 17 to end of service on all Metro Transit routes – both buses and light rail.

Since its debut in Milwaukee in 1988, Free Rides has provided nearly 10 million rides nationwide through partnerships with local transit agencies.

St. Patrick’s Day Free Rides kicks off the 2026 program, which will extend to additional markets during major holidays and community events throughout the year. Further details will be released later in the year.

In 2025, Molson Coors partnered with local transit agencies in eight cities to provide fare-free rides on three different occasions. Last year, the program provided more than 29,000 rides in the Twin Cities area.

To help increase access to free rides on St. Patrick’s Day, Metro Transit has also partnered with the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA), to provide transportation in the southern portion of the Twin Cities.

Twin Cities Restaurants Announce Exclusive Specials for March ‘Eat for Impact’ Initiative

During the month of March, restaurants and community members across the Twin Cities are coming together to show how everyday food choices can become powerful climate action. Through familiar flavors and environmentally-friendly creativity, the Eat for Impact initiative is creating greater access to planet-friendly foods and demonstrating how local decisions can generate measurable global environmental benefits.

Nine local restaurants have created exclusive pro-climate, plant-based dishes that promote a healthier, more sustainable food system, which will be on their menus all March. Each featured meal reduces environmental impact while showcasing the creativity of plant-based ingredients. The specials include:

• Namaste Cafe

  • Roasted-Spice Pesto on durum wheat pasta with Fiery Spring Vegetables: Freshly roasted spices are blended into an aromatic, creamy pesto that coats our pasta, finished with a turmeric-chili sauté of fresh vegetables.

  • Bold All Almond Masala Tofu: Our signature and customer favorite Creamy Masala Curry, prepared with a velvety almond masala sauce with tofu cooked in a rich and aromatic curry prepared with onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic and green peas (Gluten Free).

• Salt & Flour

  • Shaved Fennel & Citrus Salad: Fennel, spinach, orange, mint, chili oil and maldon salt

  • Winter Greens & Lemon Bucatini: Bucatini, olive oil, kale, spinach, swiss chard, sun-dried tomatoes, preserved lemon, toasted pine nuts

  • Mango Sorbetto: Macerated mangos, cane sugar, distilled water

• Food on the Fly

  • Crispy Tofu Tacos: Crispy marinated tofu tossed with savory taco seasoning and served in flour tortillas with citrus cabbage, pineapple salsa, and a refreshing strawberry vinaigrette.

  • Bulgogi Bowl: Jasmine rice with Thai basil aioli, topped with house-made ferments, fresh vegetables, plant-based beef bulgogi, and a savory butternut squash “egg yolk.”

• Hamburguesas El Gordo (two locations: Minneapolis and St. Paul)

  • Hamburgesa Fresca: Beyond meat, avocado, pickled peppers, lettuce, tomatoes, onion. mayo, ketchup and mustard.

  • Tacos Vibrantes: Vibrant tacos made with seasoned and fried soy curls, cilantro, onion, and avocado. Lime and salsa to taste.

• Sawatdee Thai Restaurants (three locations: Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Maple Grove)

  • Khao Soi Tofu: A Northern Thai noodle soup made with fried tofu, egg noodles, coconut milk curry broth, and napa. Topped with crispy fried noodles, red and green onions. 

  • Naked Tofu: Fresh tofu, mushrooms and dry chilis in a sweet sauce. Topped with cilantro and fried garlic. Served with rice.

• Hope Breakfast Bar

  • Specials to be announced soon!

At the end of March, a comprehensive climate report will be published about their impact. This report will highlight the greenhouse gas savings from all participants, including restaurant sales, and any additional food-related efforts from partners like climate offices, community events, and local businesses. Check out the website to learn more.

"Our goal is to make more sustainable, plant-based options available and accessible. By making products that everyone finds delicious, we hope to be able to introduce more people to plant-based eating. Especially people who might not have given it much consideration before." Samo Newman, chef and owner at Food on the Fly

Eat for Impact is an international initiative developed by Planted Society, which empowers cities to leverage the power of plant-based solutions to reverse environmental damage, conserve natural resources, and build healthier communities. In Minneapolis-St.Paul, the initiative is being led by local group Wholesome Minnesota, which has a mission to accelerate plant-based food offerings in Minnesota’s institutions and create a healthier community.

Per Anna Larsson, volunteer with Wholesome Minnesota, “This initiative encourages people to try delicious food that is good for the environment and our health. As a climate educator, I know that shifting to a more plant-rich diet is an absolute requirement for a healthy planet. I’ve lived in Minnesota for over 20 years, and we have a strong tradition of care for the natural environment and a fantastic food scene – Eat for Impact brings it all together.”

Since launching in 2022, Planted Society has worked with more than 391 restaurants and has launched 23 different Eat for Impact initiatives. On average, each initiative saves an impressive 40,000 pounds of greenhouse gasses and 585,000 gallons of water*, highlighting the substantial environmental impacts of plant-based choices. Further, partner restaurants report an impressive increase in sales during the campaign month; some past Eat for Impact initiatives have generated over $76,000 in sales from plant-based specials, directly benefiting the local economy. It’s estimated that each initiative reaches an average of 600,000 individuals, sparking conversations and driving awareness far and wide. 

*Based on 2025 averages.

Kolman & Reeb Gallery Announces Suyao Tian's Exhibition, Where We Meet

 Artist Reception: Saturday, March 14, 6:00pm–8:00pm 

The Kolman & Reeb Gallery has announced its next Project Space Grant Exhibition, Where We Meet, featuring new work by Suyao Tian. This series of immersive water-based media paintings continues her exploration of layered forms that remain open to interpretation. Each painting feels both complete and evolving—like a moment within something still unfolding. In this way, the exhibition marks a point within Tian’s lifelong artistic journey.

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Suyao TianFor Tian, her paintings are not separate pieces, but a continuous body of work that began when she first started painting and will continue until she is no longer able to make art. Each painting becomes a marker—evidence of where she is along a path that has no fixed endpoint.

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For this exhibition, Tian’s process begins outside the studio, where walks through neighborhoods and natural landscapes become inquiries, guiding what later unfolds on the canvas. Rather than trying to capture literal scenes, she reduces her observations into simplified lines and structural elements. This process includes both meditation and investigation—a way of thinking through place and perception.

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Material experimentation is central to her work. Ink, acrylic, and natural pigments, including handcrafted and internationally sourced materials, create images that shift from dense saturation to translucent washes, building depth and movement within fluid, biomorphic structures. Forms merge and dissolve without settling into fixed identities.

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Embedded within many compositions are subtle “hidden figures.” Viewers may glimpse a face, a mother and child, or another fleeting image depending on their perspective. Tian intentionally leaves these forms undefined, inviting interpretation rather than imposing meaning. Cultural background, memory, and lived experience shape what emerges, making the viewer a co-creator in the act of seeing. In this way, the work continues beyond the studio and into each viewer’s experience.

At the heart of Where We Meet is the concept that there is no clear beginning or end, no strict boundary between living forms and the spaces they inhabit. Everything unites—just as each painting merges into the next within her lifelong continuum of making.

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Per Anita Sue Kolman, founder and co-partner of Kolman & Reeb Gallery, “Suyao’s work embodies the spirit of the Project Space Grant. Her dedication to process and experimentation, combined with the openness she invites from viewers, creates an exhibition that feels both intimate and expansive.”

Gallery curator and co-partner Jodi Reeb added, “What moves me about Suyao’s paintings is the space they create. They ask us to slow down and look more closely. In that pause, something shifts—we begin to see connections we may not have noticed before.”

Suyao Tian is a professional artist based in the Twin Cities, MN. She serves as adjunct faculty at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, teaching Water-Based Media studio classes. Tian earned her BA from the University of Central Arkansas and her MFA from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and is included in permanent collections such as the North Dakota Museum of Art and the University of Minnesota.

Kolman & Reeb Gallery is in Studio 395, Northrup King Building at 1500 Jackson Street NE. For more information, please visit: kolmanreebgallery.com or call 612-385-4239.

The Minneapolis Institute of Art and Minnesota Aurora FC Announce Partnership Connecting Art, Sport, and Community

The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) has announced a multi-faceted partnership with Minnesota Aurora FC, a community-driven, women-led soccer club, that brings together visual art, design, and athletic movement in a new collaboration rooted in Minnesota’s creative and cultural life.

For its fifth season, Aurora’s jersey will become art in motion. Designed by Mia, in collaboration with local artist and educator Lindsay Nohl, the kit celebrates Minnesota through original artwork that moves with every sprint, pass, and goal. Nohl, a professor at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) and an accomplished creative leader, partnered with both teams to create a design that transforms the field into a public gallery. Nationally recognized for past jersey releases, Aurora continues to treat its kit as more than a uniform. It is the most visible expression of the club’s identity and a powerful canvas for storytelling.

Lindsay Nohl

The collaboration unites two women-led, community-driven institutions that share a belief in Minnesota as a creative and cultural capital. Together, Mia and Minnesota Aurora FC will create experiences that bridge art and sport, expand audiences, and deepen community connection through storytelling, design, and shared public moments.

“Art doesn’t live in just one place, and neither do our audiences. We believe deeply in Minnesota and in the organizations that shape its cultural life. By partnering with Minnesota Aurora, we’re inviting fans into new spaces — including the museum — through shared experiences that blend creativity, community, and sport.”                                           Katie Luber, Mia’s Nivin and Duncan MacMillan Director and President

Minnesota Aurora FC, founded on the principle “For Community, By Community,” has built a loyal following around the joy of soccer as a collective experience—one defined by shared emotion, belonging, and celebration. 

"Minnesota Aurora exists because this community showed up and believed in something different. This partnership is an extension of that spirit. We want our players, our fans, and our cities to see themselves reflected in the spaces we create, whether that's at TCO Stadium or at Mia."                                                        Saara Hassoun, President, Minnesota Aurora

The partnership further affirms Mia’s commitment to equity, representation, and inclusive storytelling in a highly visible public space. It speaks directly to the museum’s mission to celebrate creativity, elevate artists, and invite broader, younger, and more diverse audiences into meaningful cultural experiences.

Launch Details

As a part of this partnership, Aurora’s official kit reveal will take place on April 2, 2026. Mia and Minnesota Aurora will be giving away tickets to this event to 20 lucky fans through their social media channels. Additional details about the event are forthcoming.

2025 Recap from the February 25 Annual Meet Minneapolis Event

Credit: Coppersmith Photography

At its Annual Meeting on February 25, Meet Minneapolis reported 2025 performance results, significant progress on long-term strategy and major investments designed to strengthen the city’s visitor economy. Amid recent challenges that have required care and collective resolve, the organization emphasized its continued focus on securing future meetings, conventions and events which supports more than 31,000 tourism and hospitality workers and delivers meaningful economic impact for the city. 

Meet Minneapolis Key Performance Indicators for 2025*

Future Group Hotel Room Nights Booked: 532,100 

- Third consecutive year with more than 525,000 future rooms booked

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Minneapolis Lodging Taxes: $11.6 million 

- Second consecutive year with more than $11 million generated

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Minneapolis Convention Center Revenue Generated: $19.6 million 

- Third consecutive year with more than $18 million generated 

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Partnership Businesses: 493 

- 86 new partner businesses were added in 2025

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Tourism in Minneapolis directly supports hundreds of businesses and tens of thousands of workers – individuals whose livelihoods are built on the city’s ability to attract visitors and events. In 2025, Meet Minneapolis and its partners: 

• Brought more than 650 events to the city and region 
• Welcomed nearly 660,000 people to the Minneapolis Convention Center 
• Filled more than two million hotel rooms for the second consecutive year  

Per Melvin Tennant, President and CEO of Meet Minneapolis, “We are seeing the results of strong collaboration across our tourism and hospitality community. Tourism is an economic engine for Minneapolis. Every meeting we book, every convention we host and every event we attract sustains jobs and local businesses and generates critical tax revenue. Our focus is clear – increase visitation, support workers and keep Minneapolis competitive in an evolving meetings and travel landscape.”  

Launch of the Minneapolis Tourism Improvement District 

In June 2025, the local hotel community and city leadership, in partnership with Meet Minneapolis, established the Minneapolis Tourism Improvement District (MTID). The MTID is expected to generate approximately $7 million annually to support destination marketing, sales and event recruitment. In its first year, the MTID helped secure the Savannah Bananas for a high-profile Minneapolis stop and launched Winterapolis 2025-26, a targeted campaign designed to drive hotel room nights during the city’s slowest tourism season. This early momentum demonstrates how industry-led investment is strengthening the city’s ability to compete for meetings, conventions and major events while accelerating long-term growth. 

Destination Master Plan Momentum: Minneapolis as the #1 City for Women’s Sports 

Meet Minneapolis advanced a key priority from Destination Minneapolis: Charting the Future of Minneapolis Tourism, the city’s long-range tourism master plan aligning public, private and civic sectors around a shared vision. In October 2025, the organization launched Minneapolis: The #1 City for Women’s Sports, positioning the city as the leading U.S. destination for women’s sports based on decades of championship hosting, participation and competitive success. The initiative included a public announcement, a dedicated digital hub, a co-authored op-ed with Minnesota Sports & Events, and a stakeholder launch event. 

Key Future Bookings 

Meet Minneapolis secured more than 300 future events and conventions in 2025. Select future bookings: 

• American Choral Directors Association National Conference (March 2027) 
• United Methodist Church General Conference (May 2028) 
• Northern Lights Junior Volleyball Qualifier (March 2029 & 2030) 
• American Association of Immunologists Annual Meeting (May 2031) 
• American Political Science Association Annual Meeting & Exhibition (August 2031) 

Marketing Agency of Record Search 

Meet Minneapolis launched a Request for Proposals (RFP) to select a Marketing Agency of Record to lead a large-scale brand campaign launching in 2026. Supported by funding from the MTID, this effort represents a long-term investment in building a unified brand and demand marketing platform designed to inspire travel, attract meetings and conventions, and cultivate more ambassadors for Minneapolis. The RFP process is currently underway, with an agency partner expected to be selected later this spring.  

More 2025 Highlights 

• Best Week Ever for Minneapolis Hotels: On September 14-20, hotels in Minneapolis had their strongest week ever from a demand and room revenue standpoint, while also setting a new post-pandemic weekly occupancy record. The noteworthy hotel success was driven by many major events hosted throughout the city, including Farm Aid at Huntington Bank Stadium, and the North American Biochar Conference and World Workplace at the MCC.  
• Community Events Assistance Program: The Minneapolis Community Events Assistance Program launched in 2025. Minneapolis CEAP supports Minneapolis-based nonprofit organizations with financial assistance to help cover city-mandated service costs for community-driven events that support community engagement, cultural diversity, and the promotion of public events that enrich the lives of its residents and visitors. In 2025, 23 events were supported which attracted a combined one million attendees. 
• America’s Winter City: Winterapolis continued to serve as Meet Minneapolis’ signature winter leisure campaign in 2025, positioning Minneapolis as an inviting, active and culturally rich winter destination. The campaign was also adopted and amplified by a range of local partners, extending the reach of the messaging and reinforcing Winterapolis as a shared platform for celebrating and promoting winter experiences across the city. 
• Cultural Districts Tourism: To highlight the city’s designated Cultural Districts, Meet Minneapolis expanded this work through the Get Drawn In campaign, a multi-channel awareness effort designed to spotlight the businesses, culture and creative energy within each district. Across all tactics, the campaign delivered 3.2 million impressions and 27,600 clicks, reinforcing awareness of the districts and their role in strengthening Minneapolis neighborhoods. 
• Digital Engagement: The Meet Minneapolis website drew nearly three million sessions. There were also more than one million outbound clicks to partner websites. Social media channels generated more than 38 million impressions in 2025, and followers grew to more than 242,000 across all channels. 

To access the 2025 Meet Minneapolis Annual Impact Report, please go here.  

To address the challenges that Minneapolis has faced in the past few months, Meet Minneapolis launched the MPLS for MPLS marketing initiative to remind the local community and visitors of ways they can help support our local businesses and neighborhoods. More recently, the Go. Gift. Give. campaign was unveiled to encourage people outside Minneapolis (within driving distance) to support the city by coming in, buying gift cards and showing up for local businesses. 

*Regarding the audit line of our news release, CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) performs “agreed upon procedures” in testing results for our KPIs in Future Room Nights and Partnership Retention concurrent with a financial audit. Results are released at the same time and are presented to the Meet Minneapolis board in April. MCC Revenue and Lodging taxes are not tested as those numbers are provided by the City.