November 1st Marks the Very First “Minnesota Beer Day"

Hamm's Bear holding the proclamation

Starting this year, Minnesota Beer Day will officially be celebrated across the state on November 1, following resolutions signed by the Minnesota Legislature and a proclamation from the Governor. The celebration has been Resolved as an annual event moving forward.

“What we want to drive home is the importance of beer to the state of Minnesota. We were making beer 10 years before Minnesota was even a state!” says Bob Galligan, the Director of Government and Industry Relations at the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild. “MN Beer Day offers an opportunity for camaraderie across the industry and the state—a day for beer lovers everywhere to go out, celebrate, and support their local taproom, brewpubs, bars, restaurants, and liquor stores.”

As part of the celebration, the Guild has coordinated the release of a special pint glass for purchase, which will be sold across the state. Many Guild members are participating by offering special discounts, events, or even unique brews. A map detailing all participants and their deals is available on the Guild’s website at https://www.mncraftbrew.org/events/mn-beer-day/.MN Beer Day was established as an opportunity to celebrate the history of Minnesota beer and how the culture has transformed over the years. November 1st was chosen to honor the state’s most historic brand, Grain Belt, whose story began on November 1, 1850, when John Orth founded the second brewery in the territory. Grain Belt is currently brewed by the oldest brewery in the state and a Guild member, Schell’s Brewery. The Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild, which represents more than 170 of the state’s craft breweries, worked with Senator Howe (13, R) and Representative Isa Perez-Vega (65B, DFL) in their respective chambers to pass resolutions officially declaring the celebration. The date for 2024 was also proclaimed by the Governor's office.

Galligan added, “It’s amazing to see what beer has become in Minnesota. But I think it’s also important to remember the lineage from which we craft brewers come. And the immense ecosystem we are a part of. We celebrate this day with others we have disagreed with in the past because, for one day, we hope we can all remember the purpose of beer: to sustain and to connect. After 176 years, we think it’s time to celebrate the beverage that built the North Star State. In recognition of everyone from farmers to bartenders, we’re asking all beer-drinking Minnesotans to get out and responsibly enjoy a brew on November 1. We’ll be the ones filling your glass and showing you the true meaning of being a Minnesotan - hospitality.”

Know Your Local Dive Bar – Otter’s Saloon

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

A Discussion with Otter’s Saloon Owner Lynn Vashro

Otter's Saloon has karaoke 7 nights a week, 365 days a year, 8PM to 2AM. There’s even an earlier start on Saturdays - 4PM! If you feel like singing, or just being with a happy crowd, head on over to 617 Central Avenue SE. I asked Scott Parkin of Old Town Minneapolis if he has a favorite memory of Otter’s Saloon. Turns out he does – keep reading...

Lynn Vashro

We talked to Lynn Vashro, Owner/ Manager about the history of the bar, the karaoke program and the perfection that is Otter's Saloon.  

Q:  Can you give us the history of Otter's Saloon. How long has it been around?

A:  This building has a long history. Designed by renowned architects, Joseph & Ernest Haley, it was built in 1898 for Henry Thompson and operated as Thompson & Olson Saloon. It was a “tied house” connected to the Gluek Brewing Company selling Gluek products exclusively. It converted to a soft drink parlor during prohibition despite being cited multiple times for bootlegging. Despite Prohibition and ownership changes, the building has operated as a saloon its entire existence. It went through many changes of ownership. In 1997, Denise Freeman and Dell Hederman purchased the building and renamed it U Otter Stop Inn. In 2010, Bobby Vashro, my husband, and I purchased and renamed the business Otter’s Saloon. Bobby was a bartender here before we purchased the business. Bobby passed in 2022 – he truly loved the business and all our customers. See more extensive history here, thanks to Old Town Minneapolis.

Q:  Otter's must have the longest happy hours in the state. Please talk about your happy hour times and offerings. 

A:  We do have a lengthy Happy Hour - 8AM-7PM Monday-Friday, 8AM-6PM Saturday and Sunday. The happy hour specials are $3 Rail Drinks and $3 Domestic Beer.

Q: I read that you have the best karaoke in Minnesota. Please tell us about your karaoke program. What's the most requested song?

A:  We love our karaoke program. We use the songbooksonline.com app and paper slips and pencils. We have a nice crowd of regulars on the weekdays singing karaoke, the weekends bring in the big crowds to sing karaoke. The most popular song is Journey’s Don't Stop Believing. Scott Parkin of Old Town Minneapolis, has a favorite memory of Otter’s Saloon: “I watched a stunning woman with an entourage walk in, do an amazing rendition of Salt-N-Pepa’s Shoop, and walk right back out the door without batting an eyelash. The room was speechless.” 

Belt out your favorite tunes at Otter's!

Q:  I also saw a post about cribbage tournaments. Please tell us more about that and other sponsored activities.

A:  Our Cribbage tournaments are the second Saturday and last Saturday of each month at 1:00PM. Cribbage is $21 to play and all monies are paid out to the winners. We have 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners, depending on how many players we have on any certain day. The largest jackpot you can win is $120. 

We have pull-tabs and e-tabs daily. For pull-tabs, we have two $2 boxes and one $1 box. You can win up to $500 in the $2 boxes and up to $300 in the $1 box. The boxes are changed out frequently.

Our customers can win up to $899 on e-tabs, with 77 games available.

Q:  Do you have plans for expanding or renovating Otter's Saloon? Or is it best to 'don't change anything'?

A:  We don't have plans for expanding Otter's. It's kinda perfect the way it is. We are a staple in Northeast.

Q:  How do we follow your news?

A:  Come by and visit us at 617 Central Avenue SE. We’ll be here. We’re also on Facebook.

Here's to good times and good friends at Otter's!

Theatre in the Round Announces Ghosts in the Theatre Storytelling and Ghost Tours, October 18 and 19

One weekend only - Ghost tours and supernatural-themed storytelling on stage at Theatre in the Round! 

The guided tours of the building feature the history of the building as well as anecdotes about supernatural phenomena collected over the years. The 114-year-old building, which survived the Cedar Avenue Fire of 1959 and the Bimbo's fire of 1968, has been home to Theatre in The Round Players since 1969. Tours are offered at various times over Friday and Saturday and include actors telling a variety of stories and sharing theatre lore.

The night of themed storytelling, “Ghosts in the Theatre,” will be offered at 7:30pm on Friday and Saturday as an accessible version of the tour for folks who may not wish to traverse through the entire building. Audiences will be able to enjoy the same stories on the stage as well as clips from the movie Ghost Light by John Gaspard and Mary Kaeding that was filmed at Theatre in the Round in 2013.

Storytellers include Michael Bak, Jim Chase, David Harrison, Bailey Hess, Daniel Hildebrand, Shelley Nelson, Larisa Netterlund, Bobbie Smith, and Amir Sherif.

Tickets for tours must be purchased in advance.

*     *    *   Ticket Details   *     *    * 

Tour Times: Friday, October 18, 9pm & 10:30pm; Saturday, October 19, 3:30pm, 5pm & 9pm

Tour Tickets: $35

Ghosts in the Theatre Storytelling Tickets: $25

More info & Tickets: https://www.theatreintheround.org/home/season-placeholder/special-events/

Box Office Phone:  612-333-3010

Mia Announces “Catch of the Day” Exhibit and Naming Contest

Imai Sadamasa, Napoleon Fish, 2023, glazed stoneware 

The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) invites visitors to dive into "Catch of the Day," an immersive exhibit celebrating the profound relationship between Japanese culture and the sea. Open from October 12, 2024 through May 25, 2025, this exhibit blends art, tradition, and modern interactive elements, offering a unique experience for all ages.

At the heart of the exhibition is a breathtaking fish sculpture by Imai Sadamasa, a rising star in the world of contemporary ceramics. Mia curators first discovered Sadamasa’s extraordinary work during Asia Week in New York, where his piece captivated them. Hailing from a multigenerational family of ceramicists, Sadamasa’s craftsmanship is unparalleled. His featured sculpture, the exhibit’s centerpiece, underwent an intricate process of nine kiln firings, with multiple layers of paint and glaze, producing a mesmerizing, delicate finish.

"Just like Minnesotans, the Japanese also love fish,” added Mai Yamaguchi, PhD, Andrew W. Mellon Assistant Curator of Japanese and Korean Art at Mia. “This exhibition is about how people relate to nature— in this case, the ocean—and the ways artists have represented that relationship."

What’s in a name? 

In an interactive twist, Mia invites visitors to help name Sadamasa’s stunning fish sculpture. From October 10-31, a naming contest will be hosted via Instagram, Facebook, and in-person at Mia through a QR code. The artist will personally choose the winning name, which will be announced on social media. The lucky winner will receive a custom plush replica of the sculpture. Unique enamel pins featuring Sadamasa’s fish will be available to in-person participants.

"Mia has a proud tradition of introducing up-and-coming artists to the Midwest, and this exhibit is no exception," said Katie Luber, Nivin & Duncan MacMillan Director & President at Mia. "We are excited to see the creativity of our visitors through their name submissions and look forward to making the winning name a part of our permanent collection."

“Catch of the Day” merges art, culture, and community participation. It is also featured in our Family Day programming in November, where kids can create fish-themed artwork (and use textured plates to give it scales) alongside Mia's teaching artists.

Voices in the Dark – A One-Night-Only Immersive Paint and Sip Mystery at Oya Arts

10/14/24 Editor's Note - Due to demand, a second date (Oct 31) has been added: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/halloween-voices-in-the-dark-a-haunted-who-done-it-paint-and-sip-mystery-tickets-1047069451917?aff=oddtdtcreator

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

For one night only, October 26, at the Oya Arts Studio in the Northrup King Building, 1500 Jackson Street NE, you can participate in a Halloween edition of a who-done-it paint and sip mystery. We spoke to Karen Caldwell, Producer of Voices in the Dark about the experience – you’ll be assigned a character to reenact, have fun painting and sipping, nosh on delicious Caribbean treats provided by Channa Trinidadian Kitchen and will solve the mystery of a haunted attic. Get tickets here.

Q:  As producer of Voices in the Dark, what do you hope the participants will experience? 

A:  I want participants to experience something they've never experienced before - this is not your typical paint and sip. At Oya Arts, we do things a little differently. We combine the fun of painting with a fully immersive experience, and for Voices in the Dark, we're turning the studio into a Victorian attic for the evening. So, participants can expect mysteries, riddles, and even a few scares along the way!

My hope is that people will feel like they're stepping into a story, where they’re not just painting but becoming part of a thrilling, haunted tale. Each person will take on a character, uncover clues, and work together to solve the mystery. It’s not just about the art - it’s about getting caught up in the atmosphere, the suspense and having a blast in a way that’s totally unique. I want them to walk away feeling like they’ve created something special and had an unforgettable experience that they couldn't get anywhere else.

Karen CaldwellQ:  Is there a maximum number of participants allowed to register for the event?

A:  We keep it to 20 people to ensure it’s an intimate experience where everyone can fully engage and interact with each other. Since each participant will have a character and are encouraged to get into their role, it’s important that the group stays small enough for everyone to be part of the mystery. This way, everyone has the chance to connect, contribute to the storyline, and fully immerse themselves in the experience.

Q:  Tell us more about the characters we’ll reenact. What might the characters be?

A:  Each participant will be assigned a character to reenact, adding to the immersive experience. The event centers around unraveling the mystery of a long-buried tragedy at Blackwood Manor, where secrets, rumors, and hidden motives have haunted the family for years.

Each participant will step into a character, holding key pieces of the puzzle as the night unfolds. Every character brings their own story and secrets, making them vital to uncovering the truth that haunts the manor.

Q:  This sounds really eerie and fun. Why just one night?

A:  We’re really excited about the event. Right now, we’re only running it for one night to keep it special and exclusive. However, if the demand is high enough and we get a lot of interest, we may consider adding another night to give more people a chance to experience it. So, stay tuned - there could be more opportunities to join in the mystery!

Q:  What type of art will participants be creating?

A:  The painting itself will be a surprise, revealed on the night of the event! But don’t worry, everyone will get their own personal canvas and acrylic paints, and an artist will guide you step-by-step through the process. No previous art experience is necessary - it’s all about having fun and getting into the spirit of the evening while creating something unique to take home with you.

Q:  Is there a prize for solving the mystery?

A:  Yes, there is a prize for solving the mystery! Everyone who guesses correctly will have their name entered into a hat, and one lucky winner will get to choose from a cool range of prizes. These include a private art class for two with an English afternoon tea experience, a ticket to a future paint and sip event, or a free art print of their choice. Plus, there’s also a prize for the best costume! One thing we love to do at our paint and sip events is always give participants a chance to win something fun, so there’s plenty to look forward to!

Q:  How can we be notified of other upcoming events?

A:  There’s always something exciting happening at Oya Arts! We run our immersive paint and sip events every couple of months. So far, we’ve had themes like a secret agent paint and sip, an art heist, a 1920s murder mystery, and now our Halloween special. We also offer art meditation sessions, private lessons with an English afternoon tea experience, and private events for birthdays, bachelorette parties, and team-building sessions for organizations.

We’re not giving away too much just yet, but keep an eye out for our immersive art escape room coming to Minneapolis early next year - watch this space!

To stay in the loop on upcoming events, you can follow us on Instagram, check out our website and sign up for our newsletter!

Spoon and Stable Announces 2 Pop-up Events to Benefit Eric Pham's Khue's Kitchen

Chef Gavin Kaysen with Chef Eric Pham, photo: Spoon and Stable

Chef Eric Pham recently lost his restaurant, Khue’s Kitchen, due to a tragic fire in August. Before breaking out on his own, Chef Pham spent two years at Spoon and Stable contributing an incredible work ethic while honoring his family and the legacy that they built at Quang. In support of Chef Pham, Spoon and Stable is planning to host a two night pop-up menu in the bar and lounge with a percentage of revenue from the special menu items going to Khue’s Kitchen. 

The pop-up events are Thursday, October 24 & Friday, October 25, 4pm - 10pm each night.

A special menu by Chef Eric Pham will be offered along with 3 special themed cocktail offerings. The regular Spoon and Stable à la carte menu will also be available, although they hope guests will want to try the menu offerings from Chef Pham if they are dining in the bar and lounge on these nights:.

Crispy Pork Lettuce Wraps

Butter lettuce, padded noodles, shiso, scallion oil, cucumber, nuoc mam (fish sauce), herb salad

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Lion’s Head Pork Meatball

Tomato sauce, banh mi bread, chili oil, scallions, cilantro

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Fried Chicken Sandwich

Chili crunch, herb aioli, b&b pickles, lettuce, tomato, brioche bun

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Five Spice Tofu

Jasmine rice, kimchi, fried shallots, mint, scallions, cilantro

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Sesame Balls

Salted caramel, yellow bean, coconut flakes

Choreographing Balance | Diane Willow & Sarah Abdel-Jelil Art Opening at Washburn Lofts, October 17

Opening Reception Thursday, October 17, 4PM - 6PM        On View October 17 - December 30

Join your neighbors at Washburn Lofts for the art opening of Choreographing Balance | Diane Willow & Sarah Abdel-Jelil. Refreshments will be served. Washburn Lofts is located at 700 S 2nd Street. Parking is on the street, and the entrance to the building is through a marked gate that will be open on 2nd Street with the building entrance in the passageway. 

Diane Willow is a multi-modal artist and creative catalyst who creates art by any medium necessary. She calls upon technological modes of extending our senses and the intangible ways that our bodies intuit space and presence to invite people to become choreographers of their experience of art. Since receiving her graduate degree in art from the Center for Advanced Visual Studies at MIT, she has been artist in residence at the MIT Media Lab, Osher Fellow at the Exploratorium, San Francisco, guest professor at the Beijing Film Academy, China. She exhibited at: Apex Art, NYC, MIT Museum, Dayton Art Museum, Boston Harbor, New Media Art Triennial, Beijing, Kaihua Temple, Shanxi, China, and School of Creative Media, Hong Kong. She is Professor of Interdisciplinary Art and Participatory Culture, UMN Department of Art.  

Sarah Abdel-Jelil is a Mauritanian-American filmmaker, dancer, and multi-media artist based in Minneapolis, MN. Having grown up in eight different countries in a multicultural home, her artwork explores notions of home, movement, and liminal spaces. She holds a BA in cinema and media studies from Carleton College and is currently pursuing her MFA at the University of Minnesota ('25) where she is exploring movement, soft focus, and kaleidoscopes. She is a recipient of the 2019/20 MCAD-Jerome Foundation Fellowship for Early Career Artists and the 2017 Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiative Grant. She has completed residencies at Rosy Simas Danse three thirty one space (Minneapolis, MN), Caldera Arts Center (Sisters, OR), and Château de La Napoule (Mandelieu-La Napoule, France). 

Marcela Lorca Reflects on Final Project with Ten Thousand Things Theater

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Marcela Lorca

A Discussion with Marcela Lorca, Artistic Director

Ten Thousand Things Theater's current production of Helen will be the final show for Artistic Director, Marcela Lorca. The play began its tour October 3 and runs through November 10. We talked to Marcela about the themes of Euripides’ play and its relevance today, and her reflections on her time at Ten Thousand Things Theater.

Q:  You’ve been the Artistic Director at Ten Thousand Things (TTT) for 6 years. Helen will be your last production there - what are your thoughts as you reflect on your time at the theater?

A:  I feel immense gratitude for this great community of artists, colleagues, and diverse audience members. They’ve given me the opportunity to bring unique stories to life in ways that have taught me so much. I’ve learned, I’ve dreamed, and I’ve collaborated in atmospheres of joy, creativity, and love. What else can one ask for? TTT will always have a special place in my heart.

Q:  Helen by Euripides was first produced in 412 BCE. What themes from the play do you think are relevant today?

A:  The play asks some important and universal questions in a unique language that blends music, comedy, and high drama: How can we discern between what’s true or what may be false? Does it sound familiar? Is war inevitable? Why can’t we solve our problems through dialogue? Do Gods exist? And if so, how do they treat mortals?

Q:  Great job casting this production! How did you go about recruiting such a stellar cast?

A:  It is a slow and thoughtful process. This was a challenging one as we needed a cast of great singers who could embody specific roles and have the generosity and skill that deep choral/ensemble work requires.

Q:  What’s next on the horizon for you and how may we follow your news? 

A:  I’m excited to focus solely on directing for the foreseeable future. I am based in Minnesota but will travel where the work takes me. In the coming months, I will direct a new play called “December: A love years in the making” by Marisela Treviño Orta at the Alley Theater in Houston, and then I will direct Nilo Cruz’s “Anna in the Tropics” at the Asolo Theater in Sarasota. I look forward to my next artistic chapter and to continue my work in different venues and formats. I will be posting about my work on social media and on my website: marcelalorca.com.

Please note - Approximately half of TTT’s award-winning shows are performed for paying public audiences, and the other half are performed for free in locations where people may not have ample opportunities to see live, professional theater, including correctional facilities, shelters, English Language Learner centers, centers for individuals with disabilities, and low-income senior and youth centers. There is one performance at Open Book (October 27) and many at nearby Hennepin Methodist Church and the Capri Theater. Check the schedule and please come out to support this worthy theater company.

Fall Street Sweeping Will Start Tuesday, October 22

Crews are preparing to sweep streets across Minneapolis this month and November to clean the streets before winter. Street sweeping helps keep leaves and debris out of the storm drains and from ending up in our lakes and creeks and the Mississippi River.

Minneapolis Public Works will begin the big task of curb-to-curb street sweeping throughout the city Tuesday, Oct. 22. During the four weeks of the comprehensive fall street sweep, crews will clean about 1,000 miles of city streets. To make sure crews can do the best job possible, temporary hot pink “No Parking” signs will be posted at least 24 hours in advance so streets will be clear of cars when they’re swept. The first signs will be posted Monday, Oct. 21, and sweeping will begin the next day. Anyone who parks on the street will need to follow posted parking rules or their cars may be ticketed and towed.

Ways to stay informed of the parking rules:

• Interactive web feature – The Street Sweeping Schedule Map will be available on the City’s website before street sweeping begins. Visitors to the website will be able to find out which week their street is scheduled to be swept. Then, on the weekend before each of the four weeks, the schedule for the upcoming week will be broken down to show which day of the week streets are scheduled to be swept.
• “No Parking” signs – City crews will post pink “No Parking” signs at least 24 hours before sweeping any streets. Parking will be banned from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the day a street is swept. However, the “No Parking” signs will be removed as soon as possible after a street has been completely swept to allow people to resume parking after the signs are removed. Vehicles not in compliance with “No Parking” signs may be ticketed and towed to the Minneapolis Impound Lot. The sweeping takes several steps, so people should not resume parking until the signs are removed.
• Email and text alerts – You can sign up to get an alert automatically emailed or texted to you at the start of street sweeping.
• Social media – The City will use Facebook and X to post periodic street sweeping updates and information.
• Videos – Street sweeping is explained in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong on the City’s YouTube channel and on Minneapolis City TV.

Clean streets mean healthier water

Minneapolis streets are swept completely curb to curb with enforcement of parking rules once in the spring and again in the fall. You can do your part by not pushing leaves, grass clippings or other debris into City streets. It’s bad for our lakes and waterways, it can cause safety hazards and it’s against the law.

Leaves that wash into storm drains end up in our lakes and creeks and the Mississippi River. They may quickly begin to break down, creating pollutants that overfertilize lake water and help harmful aquatic plants and algae grow. The murky lake water that results is not good for swimming or fishing. It can also harm wildlife and pets.

Learn more about street sweeping.

Nordic Village Returns to Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis November 1

Public is Invited to the Nordic Village Launch Party and Open House on Saturday, November 2, 11am - 3pm 

Back by popular demand, guests and community members are welcome to tour Nordic Village, shop local vendors and visit The Spa and Cedar and Stone Nordic Sauna Terrace. This November 2nd event, including a welcome drink compliments of Moët Hennessy, is complimentary and open to the public.

Nordic Village offers you an opportunity to celebrate the wonder of winter with a Minnesota cabin dining experience in the middle of the city. Featuring a new addition in The Lodge – a cozy cocktail lounge with seating for up to 24 for pre- and post-dinner cocktails, private events and buyouts – the 2024 Nordic Village experience includes evolving Nordic-inspired menus, optional wine pairings and apparel and accessories.

Reservations and Private Events

Reservations for Nordic Village – which include the option to book a special rate on a Hotel room - are available on Tock. When The Lodge is not booked for private events and buyouts, it will be open to Hotel guests and residents, community members and those dining in Nordic Village or Mara Restaurant and Bar on a first-come, first-served basis; no reservations required. Event and meeting planners are welcome to contact the Hotel’s Events Team at sales.minneapolis@fourseasons.com to learn more and arrange pre-opening tours.

The below photo is from 2023 when the cabins were being lifting into place.

Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis is located at 245 Hennepin Avenue.

Be That Neighbor Annual Fundraiser at MacPhail with The Steeles, October 24

Be That Neighbor is a local non-profit that uses 100% of contributions to fund programs such Mill City Singers, the Sallie Steele Birdsong Scholarship, Yoga in the Park, Hope 612 and Groundworks. These programs are free to all participants.

Their annual fundraising event will take place 7pm October 24 at MacPhail Center for Music, featuring a concert by local music legends, The Steeles. Tickets are tax deductible. Buy Tickets 

.

Here are some reasons to attend:

Holidazzle Returns!

Free Festival on Five Blocks December 18 – 22

The Minneapolis Downtown Council has announced the return of Holidazzle, Wednesday, December 18 through Sunday, December 22. Five blocks of Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis, from 6th Street to Peavey Plaza (11th), will transform into a free and family-friendly holiday experience. Holidazzle 2024 promises a vibrant holiday atmosphere filled with fun, joy, and holiday cheer in the heart of the city.

The 2024 Holidazzle will bring community together to enjoy seasonal activities and entertainment while also supporting local small businesses. Guests are invited to stroll the Nicollet Mall as it becomes a festive playground complete with twinkling lights, performances, and tasty bites from local food trucks.

“Holidazzle is the perfect way to bring people together to celebrate our beautiful city in our winter season,” says Adam Duininck, president and CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council. “From Minnesota-made treats to community performances to families making their holiday memories, it’s a true showcase of the talent, creativity, and spirit that makes Minneapolis shine!” 

Holidazzle highlights will include:

• Light & art installations
• Holiday shopping pop-ups featuring Minneapolis Craft Market, Dayton’s Holiday Market, Chameleon Shoppes featuring BIPOC women-owned vendors, and Minneapolis Vintage Market
• Two entertainment stages
• Free Roller Skating and Minne-Golf
• and of course, visits with Santa 

Admission to Holidazzle is free and open to the public. “Friends of Holidazzle” passes are available for purchase starting November 1 and are partially tax deductible. The passes include valet parking, access to indoor restrooms, a limited-edition souvenir, and a Santa “fast pass.” 

New this year: the Holidazzle Hospitality Hub

Looking for the perfect holiday party location? The Holidazzle Hospitality Hub is a private indoor location on Nicollet Mall designed exclusively for festive fiestas. Let the team at Minneapolis Downtown Council help create your custom celebration for 50 – 1,000 guests complete with jolly seasonal decor, branded welcome signage, audio system, and holiday playlists. For more information and to book your gathering, contact Kitty Fahey at kfahey@mplsdowntown.com.

Holidazzle is partnering with Target, Xcel Energy, CenterPoint Energy, Fulton, Sherman Associates, and many others to showcase our treasured Nicollet Mall. 

While you’re downtown for Holidazzle, be sure to include one of many other seasonal activities on your itinerary such as performing arts and concerts at Hennepin Arts, Minnesota Orchestra, Guthrie, Fine Line, Dakota, and two Timberwolves games at Target Center. 

For more information and a complete schedule of events, please visit Holidazzle.com. 

Dates and Hours

December 18, 19 and 20, 4 – 9 p.m.

December 21, Noon – 9 p.m.

December 22, Noon – 6 p.m.

Holidazzle Social Media

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter @Holidazzle, Hashtags: #Holidazzle, #mymplsdt

The Lehman Trilogy: An American Story

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

The Lehman Trilogy at the Guthrie Theater is an epic story of one family, from immigration to America in the early 1840s to the collapse of the Lehman Brothers company in 2008. Three very talented actors portray approximately 50 characters - you will be amazed at their talent and stamina. I keep thinking about the play – it’s such an American story of immigration, persistence to succeed, losing touch with your family traditions and how greed can cause the collapse of all dreams. I suggest you get your tickets now – The Lehman Trilogy is playing through October 13th. Two of the actors, Mark Nelson and William Sturdivant, shared with me their experience of performing multiple characters, 8 performances a week, in a play that stretches to three and a half hours in length. 

Mark NelsonQ:  Tell me about the challenges of playing so many characters in an epic production.

Mark Nelson:  My most satisfying challenge is playing two members of the Lehman family over the span of their lives: Mayer starting at age 19, and Bobby at age 6! Both start as the shining soul in the family. In the 1850s, Mayer is the sweet peacemaker between his two hot-tempered brothers, and the business grows on the strength of his trusting smile. But when he follows the business from Alabama to Wall Street, from handshake deals to cold numbers, he’s a stranger in his own life, his soul starts to shrink. Then in the next century, little Bobby adores drawing and horses. He doesn’t care if his horse wins, he just loves watching them run. But under the pressure of his family’s ambition, and the unwanted role of savior after the 1929 crash, his exuberance gradually turns into a tense mask, and finally into unhinged greed. It’s a very human arc: the inexorable power of money to warp the best impulses of our hearts. It’s an amazing gift to tell their stories.

My other big takeaway is that I’m not as young as I thought I was. I’m playing 25 characters in a 3-and-a-half-hour play 8 times a week. I love it, and I don’t need to ever do it again!

William SturdivantQ:  What are your takeaways from performing in this epic play? 

William Sturdivant:  As a Minneapolis-based actor, I am continuously blown away by the vigor, artistry, and courage of this entire theater community and their willingness to venture into the unknown as a matter of cultural necessity. After performing in the History Plays at the Guthrie Theater this past spring, I get to embark on yet another epic trilogy (after having only 10 days off from performing as Claudius and Benedick at Great River Shakespeare Festival).

The Lehman Trilogy seemed like an obvious, "only up from here" opportunity, with the entire process being communal, collaborative, and awe-inspiring. I was shocked the most by the incredible fortitude and willingness to adapt, by both the script and the artists collaborating on this project. This principle of adaptation was instilled daily and acknowledged throughout the work. From director, to designer, to stage management, to crew and in-house costume builders, we as actors have been supported beyond, BEYOND! Quick shout out to Draper/Costume Builderess, Juliann Benson, whose expertise makes me feel like a million bucks every time I step on the stage.

My biggest takeaway is that it takes a village, a community, a populace to hold fast to the dream of what America can be, and the shock and awe, that so many at the Guthrie hold as a core principle to their craft/designated titles, and want nothing more than to help shine that light from offstage, so that audiences watching the stage have magic introduced into their veins and, indeed, their souls!

Neighbors Who Are Making a Difference: Minneapolis Neighborhood Safety Clubs

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Mill District and North Loop Neighborhood Safety Club members with MPD officers and Ward 3 Council Member Michael Rainville front and center.

A Discussion with Founder and Leader, Aileen Johnson

Did you know that we have neighbors walking our neighborhoods in the evening, providing assistance to people in need and reporting on crimes in progress? The Minneapolis Neighborhood Safety Clubs are currently operational in 15 neighborhoods, with plans to grow to 48 neighborhoods in two years. Founder Aileen Johnson provided us with the background of the clubs and information on how to join a current or start a new safety club.

Aileen JohnsonQ:  Can you tell us about the history and mission of the Minneapolis Neighborhood Safety Clubs?

A:  We began in April of 2022 in hard times in North Loop with the encouragement of MPD 1st Precinct Lt Mark Klukow, Park Police Chief Jason Ohotto, Martin Patrick 3 Business Owner Dana Swindler, and Council Member Michael Rainville. Over time what started as a neighborhood project spread across the city. We are neighbors, business, and law enforcement all moving forward together in a spirit of friendship.

Q:  What neighborhoods does the group cover?

A:  We cover North Loop, Mill District, Loring Park, East Isles, Lowry Hill, Kenwood, East Bde Maka Ska, West Maka Ska, Thomas Beach, Linden Hills, Windom, Dinkytown, Nicollet Island East Bank and Sheridan.

Q:  How often are the walks conducted?

A:  It depends upon the neighborhood. Some walk twice weekly, some weekly and some every other week. The safety walks are a part of a larger program which includes neighborhood clean-up events, tours of City Departments, and learning sessions with Departmental leaders to improve our civic and municipal acumen. We also do special details, for example, staffing our safety information table from during bar close in North Loop when there was trouble in the alley near N Washington Avenue and N 2nd Avenue and helping keep an eye out to address drug dealing on Oak Grove Street in the Loring Park neighborhood. We also have purely social events to get to know each other better.

Q:  What are the requirements to join a group?

A:  We are a civic-minded group promoting friendship and engaged in volunteer service to our beloved City.  In order to be a member, you must support our mission of neighbors, businesses, and law enforcement all moving forward together in a spirit of friendship.

Q:  What safety protocols does the group follow during walks?

A:  We stay together and look out for one another. We are not violence interrupters but are an extra set of responsible eyes on the street looking out for people who need help and reporting crimes in progress to 911. Even when we encounter a health emergency, we take a moment to reflect on the next safe step to take which is almost always to call 911 immediately and then let them talk us through the situation until help has arrived. We periodically meet with the MPD Precinct Crime Prevention Specialists who instruct us in tips and skills to keep us safe while on our walks and in our personal lives. We rely upon our collective ability to keep calm in an emergency and to evaluate all next steps from the position of not jeopardizing our own safety.

Q:  How do you communicate with local law enforcement or emergency services?

A:  We communicate both formally and informally. We report in-progress crimes and medical emergencies through 911 and other issues through 311. We have excellent relationships with each of the five MPD Precincts and the Park Police. They reach out to us and we reach out to them on a routine basis to discuss crime information and to adjust our walks and special details to address their needs and the needs of our neighborhoods. We have formed strong friendships with MPD Officers and visit with them on the streets and at their workplaces on a regular basis.

Q:  What equipment or tools do members typically carry (e.g., flashlights, whistles, phones)?

A:  We wear orange t-shirts - kindly provided to us at no charge by MP3 in North Loop - with our individual neighborhood name on front and our common motto on the back, “Join us. Together we stand for a safer community.” In winter we wear orange stocking caps also provided to us by MP3. We carry flashlights when we are out at night. We carry Narcan provided by the Sheriff. We pick up a lot of litter across the city so we also carry trash bags, gloves and pickers. In Loring Park - where our litter detail is extensive - we have a wagon provided by one of our members to carry our equipment and to manage recyclables, dog waste and broken glass.

Q:  How do you coordinate the walks or patrols (e.g., schedules, routes)?

A:  We are a federation of neighborhood safety clubs operating under one umbrella. We are a grassroots self-funded group of volunteers committed to the same objectives, which are to: improve safety; build friendships; increase our civic and municipal acumen. I lead the larger network plus the North Loop, Mill District and Loring Park clubs. As we expanded, we began to engage more safety club leaders and continue to inspire more people to become safety club leaders for their neighborhoods. The leaders of each club work with their neighbors to determine the schedule of walks. Most neighborhoods walk on the same day each week and a few neighborhoods change their walking day every week. In addition to their regular walks, the leaders of each neighborhood safety club often call upon their teams to do special details such as litter pick-ups, lake and river clean-ups.

Q:  Can you share any success stories or notable achievements of the group?

A:  MPD 1st Precinct Inspector Billy Peterson credits the North Loop Neighborhood Safety Club with reducing theft from autos in North Loop through our education program. Park Chief Jason Ohotto credits our Loring Park Neighborhood Safety Club with moving Loring Park from its status as number one park for crime to not even placing in the top ten. Park Board President Meg Forney and Park Chief Jason Ohotto credit our joint East Isles, East Bde Maka Ska,West Maka Ska, Thomas Beach and Linden Hills safety clubs with influencing a peaceful 4th of July at Bde Maka Ska through their 4th of July safety plan and nighttime walk around the lake paths. Perhaps our most notable achievement is the mutual aid network and the friendships we have built across our neighborhoods and with business and law enforcement. Working with Council Member Michael Rainville and Park Police Chief Jason Ohotto we successfully completed our “Lights On” project to restore broken lighting along the James Rice Parkway and the Stone Arch Bridge.

Neighborhood safety club team members perform litter pick-up as part of their overall tasks. 

Q:  What are the goals for the next year or two?

A:  Our goal for 2024 is to grow from our current 15 to 24 neighborhood safety clubs and then to double that number in 2025 to 48. We have made great strides in educating our members about how the various departments of our City work and in building friendships with the people who lead and work in these departments. In 2025, we would also like to expand our educational tours and programs to include County functions.

Q:  This is all so impressive – congratulations on making a difference in our neighborhoods and city. How may we follow your news or contact you to form a group?

A:  Please visit our website at www.mplsneighborhoodsafetyclubs.com or contact me at fritzdoris@comcast.net or at (612) 516-9705.

Update on Berger Fountain Rebuild Project in Loring Park

Illustration shows the proposed final design for reconstructing Berger Fountain and the surrounding plaza in Loring Park

Concept design approved by Park Commissioners, now detailed design and engineering begins

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB), in partnership with the Berger Fountain Task Force, is working to rebuild Berger Fountain (Dandelion Fountain) in Loring Park. The Berger Task Force (Task Force) consists of representatives from Citizens for a Loring Park Community, Friends of Loring Park and Loring Greenway Association.

Design Approved

At the MPRB meeting on September 18, Park Commissioners approved the concept design of Berger Fountain. Concept Design Overhead View - Design Illustrations

State Grant Moves Project Forward

The Berger Fountain project received a $200,000 grant from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Legacy Fund during the 2024 legislative session. The grant was secured thanks to work from state Rep. Hornstein and state Sen. Dibble, with support from members of the Task Force and MPRB Commissioner Shaffer. This funding allows the MPRB to move the project forward by paying for the next phase of detailed design and engineering.

Next Phase

The plan approved by MPRB Commissioners last night is a general concept design that outlines how the rebuilt plaza area could look. This next design phase, called Design Development, will complete 60% design drawings and analyze engineering details, like the size of the underground mechanical elements, placement of the plaza, and more defined cost estimates. 

Damon Farber Landscape Architects is leading a team of landscape architects, fountain designers, and engineers to do this work, which is scheduled to be complete in spring 2025.

Then a third design phase will delve into more refined details, like specific materials, fountain spoke design, and plant species for the garden. These will be part of 90-100% design drawings later in 2025.

The design team will be presenting to Task Force members and posting public updates at appropriate milestones to ensure the community is informed during the process.

Visit Project Page

Fundraising

The MPRB has an agreement in place with Berger Fountain Task Force to raise funds for the Berger Fountain reconstruction project. The Task Force is comprised of representatives from Citizens for a Loring Park Community, Friends of Loring Park, Loring Greenway Association and at-large representatives.

Visit the Berger Fountain Task Force website to get involved. People can contribute to the project at the Berger Fountain Donation Page, or by texting "BERGER" to 53-555. The Task Force recently hired a fundraiser to help fundraise $1.5 million to help close the remaining budget gap.

First Phase of Graco Park Opens on Northeast Minneapolis Riverfront

Graco Park from the Plymouth Avenue Bridge shortly before it opened to the public on September 25, 2024

Now open: New trails, river landing, public art, picnic tables, and gathering spaces surrounded by hundreds of new trees and native plants

Next phases include The River Hub at Graco Park, a new 4,000-square-foot park building opening in 2025, and a future trail connection to Boom Island Park under Plymouth Avenue Bridge

Graco Park is now open along the Northeast Minneapolis riverfront! The new nine-acre park is located just north of the Plymouth Avenue Bridge, between Boom Island Park and Graco Inc. headquarters. It includes Hall’s Island, which was restored in 2018, plus new trails and walkways, a river landing, public art, picnic tables, and gathering spaces surrounded by hundreds of new trees and native plants.

“If we’re going to have a truly equitable park system, residents of Northeast and North Minneapolis must be able to enjoy thoughtfully designed access to the Mississippi Riverfront, like residents in South and Southwest enjoy the riverfront, creek and lakes in their neighborhoods,” said Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) Superintendent Al Bangoura. “This is something that we’ve advocated for and worked on for decades, and now these parks are no longer just ideas, plans, or illustrations; they’re real. We’re in the middle of a golden era of riverfront park development in Minneapolis.”

Two other new riverfront parks – Water Works and the 26th Avenue North Overlook – opened on the Minneapolis riverfront in 2021. In 2023, the MPRB completed an extensive renovation at Father Hennepin Bluff Park and restored 4.5 acres of oak savannah habitat at Bohemian Flats Park. Earlier in 2024, the MPRB broke ground on a new 20-acre park at the Upper Harbor redevelopment and a new trail connection between the 26th Avenue North Overlook and Ole Olson Park.

“Opening Graco Park is a monumental milestone in our ongoing, decades-long mission to transition Minneapolis’ northern riverfront to a world-class attraction that’s more welcoming to people and wildlife,” said MPRB President Meg Forney. “We’re incredibly grateful to have a network of partners and neighbors like Graco who believe in our park system and support ambitious plans to restore our natural resources and offer outstanding trails and recreation opportunities.”

Future phases planned at Graco Park include a new 4,000-square-foot park building called The River Hub at Graco Park scheduled to open in 2025 and a trail connection under Plymouth Avenue Bridge to Boom Island Park.

The River Hub at Graco Park is scheduled to open in 2025

Graco Contributions

In 2018, Graco Inc., a leading manufacturer of fluid handling equipment that is headquartered next to the park, and the MPRB reached a series of agreements that resulted in this new park. The contributions from Graco allowed the park to be constructed much earlier than it could have through traditional park funding mechanisms.

“Graco Park is a testament to Graco’s commitment to the communities where we operate,” said Mark Sheahan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Graco. “Graco Park is a gathering space where the Northeast community can come together, play and build lasting relationships. We are proud to contribute to Graco Park and to be part of a community that has supported us for nearly 100 years.”

Graco Park Features

The first phase of Graco Park now open to the public includes:

• Habitat-rich plantings to support the Mississippi Flyway, including 255 trees and an expansive Bee Lawn
• Segment of Mississippi East Bank Trail
• Expansive river promenade walkway with room to host events
• New public art, “Timber Markers” that pay homage to the site’s logging history
• Gravel river landing
• Outdoor stage with sloped, grassy seating area
• Improved stormwater management
• Picnic tables
• Accessible parking spaces

L to R: Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Superintendent Al Bangoura, Mississippi Watershed Management Organization Executive Director Kevin Reich, Jan and John Gray, representatives from the Gray family that founded Graco Inc., Graco President and CEO Mark Sheahan, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board President Meg Forney

Mississippi Watershed Management Organization Contributions

The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) awarded a grant for native vegetation and habitat restoration, stormwater infiltration basins, a low-maintenance pollinator lawn, and a heated sidewalk and snowmelt system.

The restored habitat works hand-in-hand with the new green stormwater infrastructure at the park. A series of interconnected stormwater basins, planted with native vegetation and scattered throughout the site, form a stormwater treatment train to capture and clean runoff. These features are projected to capture 99 percent of the park’s stormwater runoff and remove up to 85 percent of sediment and phosphorus that otherwise would have entered the Mississippi River.

The heated sidewalk snowmelt system was installed in high foot-traffic areas around the new park building, reducing the need for salt and sand to keep paved areas safe for pedestrian traffic in the winter. The building will use geothermal heat for heating and cooling as part of the “Net Zero” building design.

Graco Park Agreements

On Oct. 17, 2018, the MPRB and Graco Inc. reached several agreements on the development of a riverfront park adjacent to Hall’s Island in Northeast Minneapolis.

Included in the agreements:

• The Graco Foundation donated more than $3 million to the MPRB to fund a new park named “Graco Park.”
• Graco gave an easement for the Mississippi East Bank Trail to the MPRB for free and the parties ended legal proceedings related to the easement.
• The MPRB sold 2.2 acres located next to Graco’s Riverside production facility to Graco at a fair market value of $1.1 million.
  • This land is part of a 3.55-acre section of the 11-acre site, dubbed “Parcel D,” which was purchased by the MPRB without state regional park funding.
  • When the site was acquired in 2010, the MPRB, City of Minneapolis and Metropolitan Council all agreed that Parcel D would not become parkland and planned to instead use Parcel D for a public-private partnership of some kind.
• Graco funded flood protection constructed on Parcel D and prepaid park dedication fees for Parcel D.

The site fall 2017, before Hall's Island was restored and Graco Park was built

Site History

2010: The MPRB purchased the 11-acre riverfront site from Scherer Bros Lumber Co. The former lumberyard was cleaned up and industrial buildings and asphalt were replaced with grass over the next few years.

2016: The Mississippi East Bank Trail was paved through the site. This riverfront trail extension connects Boom Island Park, Graco Park and Sheridan Memorial Park before terminating at the BNSF railroad bridge, in the 1600 block of Marshall Street NE.

2017-18: A project restored Hall's Island, which was eliminated by lumber yard expansion in the 1960s, and created a new gravel river beach.

2018: The MPRB and Graco Inc. reached several agreements that will result in this new park.

2021: MPRB staff collected feedback from the community, researched opportunities and constraints at the site and created a series of Graco Park design concepts for public feedback.

April 2022: The final park concept was approved by MPRB Commissioners after a public hearing.

September 2022: Grading and earthwork began to prepare site for park construction.

August 2023: Groundbreaking ceremony commemorates the beginning of park construction.

September 2024: The outdoor elements of the park open to the public.

FINNOVATION Institute and Conscious Capitalism

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Cohort 6 participants

A Discussion with Connie Rutledge, Executive Director

Connie RutledgeFrom its inception, FINNEGANS Brew Co. has been donating a portion of their profits to help feed those in need. FINNEGAN’s founder, Jacquie Berglund, also founded the FINNOVATION Lab (now FINNOVATION Institute) in 2017, a social business incubator and venture services company. We talked to Connie Rutledge, Executive Director at FINNOVATION Institute, about success stories from the Institute’s cohorts, conscious capitalism and what other innovative projects are in the works. You can get involved too – keep reading and supporting local businesses that back innovation and what’s best for all community members.

Q:  Can you share more details about Jacquie Berglund’s "potential of conscious companies" idea?

A:  Conscious capitalism is a global movement, and Jacquie is a rambunctious advocate in Minneapolis. Jacquie has been a social entrepreneur for over 20 years and is dedicated to helping others use business for the common good. Conscious capitalism is the idea that we can balance the needs of various stakeholders and still build profitable, thriving businesses. It's a mindful strategy to consider what's best for the environment, workers, and neighbors while making products or delivering services instead of only trying to maximize profit through the exploitation of resources. We all do better when we all do better.

Q:  FINNOVATION Institute has sponsored six cohorts. Can you tell us success stories from the program?

Junita Flowers of Junita's JarA:  We are really proud of all of our founders, so it is hard to highlight just a few! But I'll try to illustrate the breadth of ideas that our founders have and the various types of impact they are having in our communities.

From the first cohort, our most mature company is Junita's Jar. Junita Flowers started Junita's Jar with a mission to end relationship violence, and has become a well-known advocate and speaker - with cookies now being sold nationally in all Target locations. 

Alysha Price, CEO of The Price Dynamic, has become a thought leader in successful co-parenting and has made a difference in the lives of hundreds of families in the Twin Cities.

Marlee James, who founded Reviving Roots to elevate the mental health services available to Black people and to attract more Black therapists to our region; and Hilary Otey will be opening up Queermunity in Uptown Minneapolis this year - the first Queer community center in the Twin Cities!

The list of success stories goes on and on - our Fellows are working hard to preserve and advance the culture and languages of Hmong, Somali, and Native American communities, as well as equipping often overlooked communities with the tools and services they need to thrive.

Some of our newest Fellows are launching businesses this year to advance natural organic reduction (a greener alternative to cremation), to help ADHD college students stay on track, to center the Asian American experience in board games, to improve outcomes for BIPOC farmers, to connect Spanish speakers to resources in their local communities, to engage East African immigrants in both their heritage culture and American culture, to create emotionally intelligent workplaces where a diverse workforce can grow, and to bring the healing powers of sound and nature to those struggling with neurological disorders or poor mental health.

Q:  Has your organization inspired other companies to collaborate with FINNOVATION Institute to come up with their own programs? Can you share any details about their program objectives and history?

A:  We have collaborated with many other parts of our entrepreneurial ecosystem over the years. The Initiative Foundation in greater Minnesota has a program similar to ours for social entrepreneurs, and we have shared ideas and insights over the years. We've also collaborated with ILT Academy to offer early-stage entrepreneurs a way to prepare to apply for the Fellowship program, and we've also consulted with other organizations about fellowship programs they were launching.

Q:  What would you like Mill City Times readers to know about FINNOVATION Institute, and how may they support this initiative?

A:  There is so much good work happening in our city and so many social entrepreneurs to support. The best support they can give is to become customers and advocates for these young companies. Follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram), and let us connect you to the cool things happening in the world of entrepreneurship and social impact. 

Our alumni are making a difference in Minneapolis, whether it's providing tools for your child with sensory issues or reducing gun violence by empowering young people to handle conflict constructively. There is power in choosing a new way of doing business, but it is realized through customers willing to use their spending power to nurture and promote innovation and local businesses.

Mpls Downtown Improvement District Announces 2024 Greening & Public Realm Award Winners

Photo credit - Kurt Moses Photography

The Mpls Downtown Improvement District (DID) has announced its Greening & Public Realm Award winners, a group decided by an interactive public vote that includes five first-time winners among the ten categories. The Greening & Public Realm Awards aim to showcase the greening efforts by local organizations and companies that help beautify downtown and its surrounding areas through enhancing our urban landscape.

This year’s awards included five new categories: Best Tree, Best Façade, Best Outdoor Café, Best Sustainable Greening and Best Adopted Garden. These categories highlight the continued expansion of greening and sustainability efforts in downtown Minneapolis.

First-time award winners include the Cottonwood Tree at Water Works Park (Best Tree), ‘Rockman’ by Tom Otterness (Best Public Art), The Monte Carlo (Best Outdoor Café), 3rd Avenue Bridge Renovation (Best Public Realm Improvement), and St. Olaf Boulevard Gardens (Best Adopted Garden).

Loring Greenway won a Greening & Public Realm Award for a record 13th straight year – including winning Best Large Green Space for the eighth year in a row. Peavey Plaza won its fourth straight Greening & Public Realm Award (Best Activated Space) and Minneapolis College took home the award for Best Small Green Space for the second year in a row.

“The Greening and Public Realm Award winners exemplify the commitment to sustainability and greening that is transforming our downtown,” said Adam Duininck, President & CEO of the Mpls Downtown Council and Mpls Downtown Improvement District. “Their efforts not only enhance our public spaces but also inspire the continued expansion of eco-friendly initiatives throughout our urban core. Congratulations to all the winners for their remarkable contributions to our community’s vibrancy.”

Greening & Public Realm Award winners will receive a commemorative plaque created by Wood from the Hood, a Minneapolis-based company that reclaims discarded trees from urban neighborhoods and creates high-quality wood products. Each award will display the year the award was issued and the category that was won. Winning locations will also receive a Greening & Public Realm Awards winner sign to designate their award-winning placemaking and greenery.

Finalists for the Greening & Public Realm Awards were announced on September 5th. Public voting for finalists remained open through September 20th. The finalists were selected and categorized by members of the Mpls DID staff based on criteria including overall year-over-year enhancements as well as continued excellence in their efforts to increase vibrancy in the public realm.

Shopping Basket from September 21 Mill City Farmers Market

Our shopping basket from the September 21 Mill City Farmers Market: 

Apples from Mary Dirty Face Farm, juice from Pure Ginger for You, eggs from Sunshine Harvest Farm, tomatoes from Mhonpaj’s Garden, Aleppo and Hidden Falls cheeses from Shepherd's Way, arugula from Burning River Farm, watermelon from Mom's Garden, harissa from Dervish Mazza, ornamental gourds from Green Earth Growers, ganache filled chocolate cake jar from Janna's Gluten Free, pie crust from Vikings and Goddesses Pie Company and chocolate hazelnut spread from Chocolate San Jose Minneapolis.

As always, we are very appreciative of all the growers and makers who bring their best to the MCFM every week!

Mill City Museum’s Courtyard Comes to Life for Projection Art Performance

History, art, and music come together during powerful show titled, “Rising from the Ruins”

Mill City Museum’s iconic Mill Ruins Courtyard is about to transform like never before. On three nights this October, the walls will be illuminated and bathed in color during a special projection performance titled Rising from the Ruins.

Blending art and music, Rising from the Ruins is an epic and imaginative journey that sets off from the banks of Owamniyomni, widely known today as St. Anthony Falls. It explores time, history, and space to tell the story of all who are affected by the falls’ and the river’s power.

Local artist Paul Herwig created the story that incorporates music from Ben Siems and graphic novel-style drawings from Dirk Opstaele. Herwig is one of the area’s sole practitioners of projection mapping and live animated projection events, and is a fiscal year 2024 recipient of a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board.

This event will take place on three consecutive nights, October 3-5. On each evening, there will be two performances at 7:30 pm and 9 pm. Doors will open at 7 pm for the first showing and 8:30 pm for the later showing.

Tickets can be purchased online for $15 in advance or at the door for $20. Minnesota Historical Society members save 20%. 20 Pay-What-You-Can tickets will be available at the door thirty minutes before each performance. If a performance is canceled due to poor weather, a make-up showing will be scheduled for October 7.