Minneapolis Convention Center 2023 Q2 Event Calendar

It's wonderful to see Downtown continually coming back to life. One example is the growing list of events scheduled for the Minneapolis Convention Center. The facility hosts numerous meetings, conventions and trade shows, helping to support the hospitality industry in the Minneapolis community.

Highlights of the Q2 event calendar include several shows open to the public, including the Twin Cities Auto Show, GeekCraft Expo, the People of Color Career Fair, MagicCon Minneapolis, Oddities & Curiosities Expo, Minnesota Con and the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championships. Here's the current Q2 list:

APRIL

• Twin Cities Auto Show – March 31-April 8 – estimated attendance: 40,000
• Minnesota Craft Beer Festival – April 1 – estimated attendance: 6,000
• Hot Chocolate 15K/5K Expo – April 7 – estimated attendance: 6,500
• PEAK 2023, Midwest Poultry Federation – April 11-13 – estimated attendance: 2,500
• International Technology and Engineering Educators Association Conference – April 12-15 – estimated attendance: 1,200
• Kids Artistic Revue Regional Dance Competition – April 14-16 – estimated attendance: 1,500
• International Association of Operative Millers Annual Conference & Expo – April 17-21 – estimated attendance: 850
• Mantle Conference – April 19-22 – estimated attendance: 5,000
• Upper Midwest Electrical Expo – April 19-20 – estimated attendance: 4,000
• Region 4 Xcel Championships, Classic Gymnastics – April 21-23 – estimated attendance: 1,500
• GeekCraft Expo – April 22-23 – estimated attendance: 2,000
• Mobility Conference & International Bus Roadeo, American Public Transportation Association – April 23-26 – estimated attendance: 1,000
• Tax Executives Institute – MN Chapter Annual President’s Seminar – April 26-27 – estimated attendance: 550
• People of Color Career Fair – April 27 – estimated attendance: 500
• Starpower National Talent Competition – April 28-30 – estimated attendance: 3,000
• Twin Cities River Rumble, North Country Region Volleyball – April 29-30 – estimated attendance: 6,000

MAY

• Music Matters Luncheon, MacPhail Center for Music – May 4 – estimated attendance: 1,000
• Showbiz Regional Dance Competition – May 4-7 – estimated attendance: 2,700
• MagicCon Minneapolis – May 5-7 – estimated attendance: 8,500
• Humphrey-Mondale Dinner, Minnesota DFL– May 19 – estimated attendance: 1,800
• Metropolitan State University Commencement – May 6 – estimated attendance: 6,000
• North Hennepin Community College Commencement – May 11 – estimated attendance: 3,000
• Minneapolis Community & Technical College Commencement – May 12 – estimated attendance: 3,000
• Hennepin Technical College Commencement – May 17 – estimated attendance: 3,000
• Talent on Parade Dance Competition – May 19-21 – estimated attendance: 1,000
• Dunwoody College of Technology Commencement – May 20 – estimated attendance: 2,000
• Oddities & Curiosities Expo – May 20 – estimated attendance: 8,000
• Richfield High School Prom – May 20 – estimated attendance: 250
• University of St. Thomas School of Law Commencement – May 20 – estimated attendance: 1,500
• An Evening with Dr. Zahi Hawass – May 22 – estimated attendance: 2,000
• NAMICon 2023, National Alliance on Mental Illness – May 24-27 – estimated attendance: 2,000
• Bloomington Kennedy High School Graduation – May 30 – estimated attendance: 3,000
• Bloomington Jefferson High School Graduation – May 31 – estimated attendance: 3,000

JUNE

• Northern Lights Junior Volleyball Banquet – June 1 – estimated attendance: 1,500
• IASA Xchange and OnPOINT, Insurance Accounting and Systems Association – June 5-7 – estimated attendance: 2,000
• Minnesota Con, NerdinOut – June 2-4 – estimated attendance: 8,000
• Minnesota Music Teachers Association Honors Concert – June 3 – estimated attendance: 3,400
• Robbinsdale Area Schools Graduation – June 5 – estimated attendance: 6,000
• Community Connections Conference – June 10 – estimated attendance: 1,000
• Minnesota Connections Academy Graduation – June 10 – estimated attendance: 1,300
• Minnesota Virtual High School Graduation – June 10 – estimated attendance: 600
• Minneapolis Public Schools Graduation – June 10-12 – estimated attendance: 15,000
• Clinical Gait Analysis: A Focus on Interpretation, Gillette Children’s – June 12-14 – estimated attendance: 150
• USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championships (11-13) – June 14-17 – estimated attendance: 20,200
• His Holiness the Sakya Trichen, Minnesota Sakya Center – June 17-18 – estimated attendance: 1,000
• Kiwanis International Convention – June 21-24 – estimated attendance: 6,000
• Professional Learning Communities at Work Institute, Solution Tree – June 26-28 – estimated attendance: 2,500
• Best Buy Charity Classic – June 27 – estimated attendance: 2,000
• Bollywood Concert – June 30 – estimated attendance: 1,500

2023 MacPhail Spotlight Series Final Performance, April 22: The Space Where Words Fail

The Space Where Words Fail

The MacPhail Spotlight Series: Musical Explorations in Spectral Colors comes to a spell bounding, collaborative crescendo as Twin Cities photographer

Asha Belk creates a visual landscape to join the eclectic sounds of MacPhail’s EMRA (Electronic Music and Recording Arts) Faculty. With Belk’s highly narrative photographic style, she will curate a selection of relevant photographs from the Twin Cities and beyond, that speak to the essence of family, individuals, and her passion as a social worker.

MacPhail’s EMRA faculty, led by Grammy nominated pianist Michael Cain, and joined by Isaac Rohr, Kenichi ‘DJ Just Nine’ Thomas, and Barbara Cohen will feature a wide variety of musical pieces featuring voice, keys, and electronic music of all sorts.

Belk had this to say about bringing her work to the stage at MacPhail, “This a selection of work I’ve done over the past ten years and I’m excited to see it coexist with the power of music! This curation of photos is about celebrating and authentically capturing Black Culture and showcasing those beautiful spaces that we create. I want the audience to leave with a greater sense of humanity and to bring them into someone else’s world. The title of this performance is ‘The Space Where Words Fail’ because I want the art to speak for itself."

The Space Where Words Fail will take place on Saturday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m. in MacPhail’s Antonello Hall. Tickets are available for purchase here.

Dushani Dye, 2022 CFO of the Year in the Government Category

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

A Discussion with Chief Financial Officer, City of Minneapolis, Dushani Dye

CFO Dushani Dye was recently awarded CFO of the Year in the Government Category by the Minneapolis-St Paul Business Journal. We talked to her about being recognized for her work and how it differs from the CFO role in private enterprises. Dye is also a committed community volunteer – learn about her approach to work and giving back below.  

Dushani DyeQ:  Congratulations on being named CFO of the Year in the Government category by the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal. What did winning this award mean to you?

A:  It is a great honor to be recognized, especially as a CFO for the government sector. The last two years have definitely been a challenge for many CFOs, and City of Minneapolis was no exception. The entire finance team, including other leaders throughout the City, rose up to the challenges and was resilient through revenue losses and civil unrest the City experienced. I was recognized for the efforts made by the Finance Department, but there were many others who contributed to my successes. Our work is not complete, but this recognition means that we are on the right track.

Q:  You’ve worked in municipal finance for almost 30 years. Why does it appeal to you? 

A:  Early in my career, I have had the opportunity to work in multiple areas of local government including social services, property management, public works and the attorney’s office. I was able to see the direct correlation between finances and service delivery. Being able to have input into projects and programs and making budget decisions that affect the public we serve was extremely rewarding. As a county budget director, I had the opportunity to find solutions to budget challenges, and seeing the impact the decisions had in the community, was fulfilling for me. As the CFO, I enjoy working towards priorities of the City that affect all residents and visitors rather than making a profit for a company. Some say public service is a calling. That’s definitely true for me.  

Q:  You oversee departments that manage the City’s money – a daunting job that covers so many areas.  One of the tenets of your department, listed on the website, states that your department engages enterprise partners in decision-making to uphold the City’s lasting vibrancy and strength. Can you talk about this idea a little bit – which enterprise partners and how can your department contribute to Minneapolis’ vibrancy and strength? 

A:  It is extremely important to ensure the City can endure unexpected financial challenges. The pandemic is a good example of that, and the City was able to close the last two years with surpluses. This couldn’t have been accomplished by Finance Department alone. As the CFO, I can make recommendations or caution against making certain decisions, but ultimately all leaders of the organization, including elected officials, have to work together to make the best financial decisions for the City. It is also important for me to have the bond ratings agencies acknowledge the financial strength of the City. This evaluation affects the cost of borrowing for the City to complete capital projects and gives the investors’ confidence that the City is financially well managed.

Dye working with Michael Goenner, an Accounting Technician at City of Minneapolis

Q:  In my opinion, your job is so much more difficult than a CFO of a private corporation. How do you stay centered and focused on the tasks to be accomplished each day? 

A:  I start each day with a plan for the day. Most days, the plan is just a plan and I stay flexible to attend to situations as they arise. I have a great team that I get to work with every day, and everyone on it is willing to step in as needed. The decisions made by a City CFO is different than of a private company CFO. Financial decisions made by the City may impact every resident and visitor to the City, and that is a responsibility many private company CFOs don’t have.  

Q:  You’re on the board of Guild Services. Why is it important to you to support their mission? 

A:  Guild Services offers community-based mental health services and also helps individuals find safe housing and employment. Guild fulfills the unmet needs of the community and does amazing work. I see the intersection of my work with the community as the CFO for the City and the role Guild plays in social services. I find it rewarding to be able to offer my expertise as a financial professional and assist the organization to be successful. With mental health issues having been escalated since the pandemic, Guild Services’ dedicated staff has stepped up to find solutions. I am committed to playing a supporting role in the organization as I believe in supporting those struggling with mental health.  

Q:  How may we follow your department’s news?

A:  Finance Department news and all City news can be found at https://www.minneapolismn.gov/news/.

Be The Change MN to Present the Follow Your Dreams College & Career Fair at Orchestra Hall, April 26

Wednesday, April 26, 9AM - 3PM at Orchestra Hall 

Be The Change MN presents the Follow Your Dreams College & Career Fair (FYD), a day-long event with a mission of providing education and employment equity to 10th, 11th and 12th grade students in the Minneapolis Public School District. 

FYD offers a wide range of opportunities including exhibitor booths, aspirational speakers, job opportunities & internships, breakout sessions, career path guidance, financial aid assistance and great giveaways throughout the day. All students will be provided bus transportation and lunch at the event. 

Some of the highlights of FYD are: keynote speaker, Donyea Cooley-White (Senior VP at Mojang Studios Minecraft, previously Xbox Live), Dream Boarding with Jasmine Brett-Stringer (WCCO), Dress to Impress with Keith Dorsett (Heimie’s Haberdashery), Social Media Best Practices with Joelle Allen (Interaction Traction) and Simplify the Resume with Ellen Walthour (Cufflink).

Be The Change MN founder John Baker is excited to bring to life his vision of offering underserved, immigrant and first generation college students a welcoming, engaging and one-stop shop for post-secondary options. “When we talk about ‘being the change’ in our communities, it’s about community philanthropy; leveraging volunteers, young people, professionals and family donors, businesses and corporations to all connect to support real people who truly need it.”

The event offers a myriad of ways for Twin Cities corporations, educational institutions, local businesses & non-profit organizations to participate:

- Join as a booth sponsor and interact with enthusiastic students at the start of their career path

- Fund cool and fun essential event elements like the Dream Boarding creation station, Lunch & Learn Sessions, the Social Media Photo Booth or hourly giveaways (AirPods, Swag Bags, etc)

- Recruit students for summer jobs and internships

- Contribute to the Friends of Be The Change MN Scholarship Fund

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Launches "Our Parks, Our Stories" Initiative to Commemorate 140th year

New storytelling initiative will build community archive full of park stories over the next year

April 4th marked the 140th anniversary of the Minneapolis Park Board. To commemorate, they launched a new storytelling initiative and year-long project called 140 Years: Our Parks, Our Stories.

They are collecting personal stories of Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) staff, park users, and community members from across Minneapolis parks to build a community archive. Everyone is encouraged to share their story of a memory, person, place, event, or experience to help us shape the next chapter and legacy of the MPRB.

Share Your Story

• Submit your story using an online form
  • English
  • Español
  • Soomaali
  • Hmoob 
• Email a story and related photographs to ourstories@minneapolisparks.org. You can also email that account to ask for additional translation services. 
• Participate in upcoming storytelling programs this summer. More information coming soon on those events.

Submitted stories will be archived and may be featured on MPRB social media with your consent.

Featured Stories

The MPRB will periodically publish stories from its own staff and archives in addition to stories collected from community. The first two stories feature Reggie Jarrett, a MPRB parkkeeper for the last 30 years who has special connection to Farview Park; and Alice Dietz, an early recreation professional who oversaw a vast expansion in recreation opportunities in Minneapolis parks during her 40-year career spanning 1916-1957.

Expand Your Outlook: Queer Ecology Hanky Project at Quarter Gallery, Regis Center for Art thru April 22

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Queer Ecology Hanky Project (QEHP) is an ongoing traveling exhibition with over one hundred and twenty artists from across North America organized by V Adams and Mary Tremonte. The exhibit showcases a diverse array of artist responses to Queer Ecology—an emerging area of inquiry that unites the study of biology, environment, and sexuality with a framework of queer theory—and celebrates a wide spectrum of print mediums and methods.

I remember being in college at Virginia Tech in the 1970s and the original queer hanky code came into being – it was a means for gay men to subtly communicate sexual desires to include different bodies, identities, and activities.  The bandana was worn in a back pocket for the purposes of sexual signaling. The color of the bandana was associated with a specific sexual practice or fetish, and the wearer’s sexual role was indicated by which back pocket the bandana resided in (tops wore bandanas in their left pocket; bottoms wore bandanas in their right pocket). Any other people out there remember the hanky code which lasted into the 1980s?

But enough about my ancient history and back to the exhibit! It won’t be in town long – only until April 22. I spoke to Professor Corinne Teed of the U’s College of Liberal Arts, one of the artists whose work is displayed in the exhibition.

Q:  What inspired you to create a submission for the exhibit? Had you studied salamanders before?

A:  The hanky that I made is about spotted salamanders and their gay night life in vernal pools. Male salamanders gather together in summer puddles and masturbate each other, filling the pools with their sperm. Wildlife biologists have historically classified this activity as a necessary labor in a heterosexual reproductive system. In 2014, I made an experimental documentary called "Mounting Evidence" about the prevalence of queer sexuality and transgender individuals within non-human animals. During a Visiting Artist talk I gave at Bowdoin College, I shared clips of the video piece and a biologist spoke in the Q&A saying she had studied this behavior for decades and it had never occurred to her that the salamanders might be experiencing homoerotic pleasure. My hankie celebrates the queer pleasure of salamander bodies during their amphibious encounters of group sex.

The majority of my work is on concepts of queer ecology. I use a queer reframing of how we understand other species and nature-cultures to contradict the hetero-patriarchal and settler colonial concepts that underpinned the development of western colonial science.

Professor Teed is just one of the 120 artists who contributed to the show. Plan your visit to this special, fun and free of charge exhibit!

Location - Quarter Gallery, Regis Center for Art, 405 21st Avenue S

Days/Times -

Tuesday and Friday, 11 am to 5 pm

Wednesday and Thursday, 11 am to 7 pm

Saturday, 11 am to 3 pm

200 Films to be Presented at 42nd Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

The festival kicks off April 13 and runs until April 27 at The Main Cinema, 115 SE Main Street, with additional screenings at the Capri in North Minneapolis and the Landmark Center in St. Paul. The full schedule and movie descriptions are worth perusing. Parties, panels and other events fully round out the festival. Everyone who attends an opening night movie is invited to the MSPIFF42: Opening Night Party at Machine Shop, 300 2nd Street SE – great food, music and movie visionaries!

Festival organizers expect pre-pandemic audiences of about 40,000 people to attend. Attendees come from all over the world for the film festival, so let’s be sure to show local support for this major event. We asked MSPIFF staff for suggestions.

Jesse Bishop, Program Director, offers these three for your consideration:

A Compassionate Spy is the latest film from renowned documentarian Steve James, maker of Hoop Dreams, and brings to life an unlikely true story about the youngest physicist to work on the Manhattan Project who turned over secrets to the Russians. It's an incredible morality tale and love story wrapped into one.

Other People’s Children by Rebecca Zlotowski from France is one of two films in the festival that stars the amazing Belgian actress Virginie Efira (the other is REVOIR PARIS). It's a beautiful and engaging study of a woman's bond with her lover's child, and the longing to have a family of her own.

Mamacruz is a fun and irreverent Spanish dramedy about a devoted churchgoing grandmother who stumbles across an explicit website and finds herself exploring long buried desires. It's a fantastic story about retaking control of one's life, important at any age!

Kelly Nathe, Programmer & Publicity Manager, has one outstanding recommendation:

King Coal is a beautiful exploration of the many ways coal industry has been woven into the fabric of life in Appalachia, both positively and negatively. 

And here are my personal two top picks:

The Hamlet Syndrome. The Guthrie Theater is staging Hamlet in April, their 60th anniversary of the first production. I can’t resist seeing a movie also about Hamlet, just across the Mississippi River at the festival.  Plus, the heartbreak of the Ukrainian invasion needs to stay fresh in our minds. Movie Description: The Hamlet Syndrome is a powerful portrait of a vibrant young Ukrainian generation, the first one born after the collapse of the Soviet Union, shaped by the Maidan Revolution of 2013, empowered by political change and scarred by war. A few months prior to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, five young women and men participate in a unique stage production that attempts to relate their war experiences to Shakespeare’s Hamlet. For each of them, the stage is a platform to express their grief and trauma through the famous question, “to be or not to be,” a dilemma that applies to their own lives.

Gold Run. I’m a fan of historical movies, especially about World War II. If you enjoyed Atlantic Crossing on PBS or Narvik on Netflix, I think you’ll want to see this movie about the Nazi invasion of Norway. Movie Description: On April 9th, 1940 the Nazis invaded Norway. Based on true events, Gold Run tells the story of how a brigade of ragtag Norwegians, including a bank secretary, a famous poet and a female veteran of the Spanish Civil War, smuggled 40 tons of gold bullion out of the national bank vault in Oslo to safety with the Allies.

Get your tickets:

MSPIFF42 All-Access Festival Passes are $400 for Members/$500 for the General Public; individual tickets are $10 for Members/$15 for the General Public; and Six Packs are $50 for Members/$75 for General Public. Please visit mspfilm.org for more information.

We Shall Someday - World Premiere at Theater Latte Da

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

A Discussion with Harrison David Rivers, Book and Lyrics Writer

Harrison David RiversThe world premiere of We Shall Someday is in rehearsals now at Theater Latte Da. We spoke to Harrison David Rivers about his creative process, finding an inspired home in the Twin Cities and taking individual actions against injustice.

Performances run April 19 through May 14 at the Ritz Theater. Tickets are on sale now at Latteda.org or by calling 612-339-3003. 

Q: Your artistic statement includes this passage:

I write
[in my own words]
In hopes of ushering in a kinder,
gentler,
more equitable,
more accepting,
more courageous,
more compassionate,
more loving,
world. 

Your latest play, We Shall Someday, covers three generations of inequality, violence and oppression. Do you give us advice or guidance in the play about how to usher in a more equitable and loving world? Or how we might commit to creating real change?

A:  One of my favorite things about We Shall Someday is how each of the characters - Julius in 1961, Ruby in 1988 and Ben in 1992 - has a moment of realization about the significance of their role in the betterment of the world. Julius realizes that the most revolutionary thing he can do to “usher in a more equitable and loving world” is to be the best father to his daughters that he can be. Ruby realizes that she must be honest with her son about the realities of being Black and male. And Jay realizes that fear, both of physical harm and of distressing his mother, shouldn’t keep him from doing what he believes to be right - protesting injustice.

We Shall Someday cast members Roland Hawkins II, Ronnie Allen, and Erin Nicole Farsté. Photo by Lucas Wells.

The musical posits that real change starts on an individual level - it starts as a personal choice - and that the actions undertaken once one has made that choice, no matter the size or scale, are meaningful, significant, vital.

Q:  Your resume is impressive – we could spend an entire interview focusing on any one of the many aspects of your career, which includes teaching, publishing, honors, awards, residencies, fellowships, playwriting and more. You could live anywhere. Why are the Twin Cities home to you?  

A:  First, thank you. So often it feels like you’re running in place, that you’re working super hard, but nothing’s really happening. It’s nice to be reminded that that’s not true; nice to be reminded to be kinder to myself.

I moved to the Twin Cities in 2014 for a fellowship at the Playwrights’ Center and fell in love with the community here. I found artistic homes at Theater Latté Da, Penumbra and History Theatre, and incredible collaborators.

I’d been living in New York City for nine years and had gotten used to the frenzy – I’d sort of internalized it. I thought I needed the hustle and bustle and the pressure and the constant noise and motion, but it turned out that I was wrong. I realized very quickly upon arriving in the Twin Cities that I could have a robust creative life and do it on my terms — a little slower, a little quieter and less expensively.

Q:  We Shall Someday pays homage to the civil rights anthem, We Shall Overcome. Although I haven’t seen your play yet, I feel that the title reflects the sentiments expressed by Cheryl Bistani who wrote this for MLK Day 2023:  

There is a dance step called the tripudium. It is three steps forward and one step back. It matches the words, the rhythm, and the meaning of the song we sang as we touched the spot of spilled blood and marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, on the anniversary of Bloody Sunday. 

“We shall overcome, we shall overcome.
We shall overcome someday.
Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe,
We shall overcome someday.” 

Will we see your characters experiencing progress through a tripudium of three steps forward and one step back? 

A:  I’m not sure that We Shall Someday adheres to that exact math, but I do think that inherent in the idea of progress is failure — are setbacks and opposition — and, on the flip-side, reassessment and reactivation and perseverance.

I believe that all of these elements are present in the musical.

Q:  Music is very important to your creative process – you’ve said in earlier interviews that many lyrics and tunes of popular music are in our DNA. Did you structure We Shall Someday as a multimedia production, including music, as shortcuts to the audience to trigger a certain time and place?   

A:  Ted Shen (composer) was actually the first artist on the project. He had already created what was then called “Just One ‘Q’” with another writer. I was brought in later to write a follow up to Part 1, and then later to re-write the existing Part 1 and to add Part 3.

The piece was conceived as a musical so it has “sung” since the beginning. Any multi-media component at Theater Latte Da is owed to our brilliant director and design team.

Q:  Will you give talks or lectures in conjunction with We Shall Someday? Are there other ancillary events planned to accompany the play? 

A:  I imagine so! Honestly, we’re early days with the production so a lot of scheduling things are still being worked out. I’ll have to get back to you!

Q:  Please do keep us posted on events. How may we follow your news? 

A:  I’m on Instagram and my website is harrisondavidrivers.com – of course, now I’ll need to update it.

Apply for a City Boards and Commissions Opening - Advise City Leaders on Topics Important to You

The City of Minneapolis boards and commissions have openings for appointments this spring. The City seeks applicants with a diverse backgrounds and experiences representing the demographics of Minneapolis to strengthen the work of the City. City boards and commissions offer a direct way for residents to advise City leadership about topics important to them. Translation and interpreting is available so all residents can participate.

Applications will be accepted through April 30.

The following City boards and commissions seek applicants:

• Bicycle Advisory Committee
• Charter Commission
• Minneapolis Workforce Development Board
• Pedestrian Advisory Committee
• Southside Green Zone Council

The City has more than 50 volunteer-based boards, commissions and advisory committees that help shape key policy decisions, represent their community in the City’s administration of services and supply valuable insights. Appointments to boards and commissions are made twice a year, in the spring and fall.

Potential applicants can find more info on the website, call 612-673-2216 or email OpenAppointments@minneapolismn.gov.

MCAD Announces Artist List for 10th Annual Art Auction

Annual Art Auction Benefits Students Scholarships

As one of the creative pillars in the Twin Cities, Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) hosts an annual art auction to raise funds for students in need of financial support. Every year the event showcases established artists from across the country, who donate their artwork, and gives attendees the chance to add paintings, photographs, sculptures, or ceramics to their own personal art collection. Because of the generosity of past Auction attendees, hundreds of students have received scholarships, ensuring that young creatives, artists, and designers have access to a college education. With more than 97% of MCAD scholars receiving some form of aid, this event is critical to ensuring that students from all backgrounds are financially supported as they pursue their degrees.

Event Details:

Date: Friday, May 19, 2023
Location: MCAD Main Gallery, 2501 Stevens Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Time: (VIP Preview Reception 6:00pm) 7:00–9:30pm
Tickets start at $150
All proceeds go to the MCAD Scholarship Fund.

Starting prices for artwork range from $480 to $9,600.

More infor, artist list and tickets: mcad.edu/artauction.

Sample pieces:

Clarence Holbrook Carter: Mining,1952, Painting, 19” x 17”

Jenny Monick: Peregrine, 2020, Oil on linen, 14” x 11"

CL Martin: El, 2022, Charcoal, pencil, acrylic on paper, 21” x 27”

"In the Company of Grace: A Veterinarian's Memoir of Trauma and Healing" Book Launch, April 13 at Open Book

Launch of Jody Lulich's debut memoir, In the Company of Grace: A Veterinarian's Memoir of Trauma and Healing, Thursday, April 13, 7:00p, Open Book Performance Hall

In the Company of Grace is Jody Lulich’s moving memoir about finding courage in compassion and strength in healing—and power in finally confronting the darkness of his youth to become a world-renowned veterinarian. He explains his path to veterinary medicine and how caring for helpless, voiceless animals amidst his own shame and pain provided a lifeline, and a chance to heal himself as well.

Dr. Lulich will give a short presentation along with a reading from the book with fellow reader Rose Klass, followed by a moderated conversation with Dr. Lindsay Merkel.

Book signing will follow, and books will be available for purchase at the event through Magers & Quinn.

Minneapolis Invites Travelers to “See What All the Fuss Is About”

Meet Minneapolis launches a new tourism campaign to boldly (re)introduce the city and entice visitors by challenging existing perceptions

Perhaps you’ve heard or read somewhere that Minneapolis is “a ghost town” or that “it’s overrun.” Either way, there has been a lot of fussing about Minneapolis. Starting today, Meet Minneapolis invites travelers to “See What All the Fuss Is About” through its new tourism campaign.

Meet Minneapolis, in partnership with the Minneapolis-based agency Periscope, is setting out to address those misperceptions head-on with a tourism campaign to reclaim the city’s narrative through “See What All the Fuss Is About.” Minneapolis natives embrace the diverse variety of world-class experiences people can have in the state’s largest city. However, negative perceptions have overshadowed the abundance of positive experiences visitors can enjoy.

The result is a campaign designed to boldly and confidently tell the city’s story to people who used to travel to Minneapolis often – as well as those who are new to the destination – by highlighting the remarkable things that the city has to offer.

“People are talking about Minneapolis. Some of them have it wrong, but they are talking,” said Melvin Tennant, president and CEO of Meet Minneapolis. “This campaign will invite those people to re-experience Minneapolis by authentically telling the city’s story as a place that has evolved over the past several years and continues to be a buzzing hub of culture, cuisine, and natural beauty. We’re excited to welcome new and returning visitors to come see what all the fuss is about in Minneapolis.”

The “See What All the Fuss Is About” tagline will be accompanied by print, broadcast and digital advertising, billboards along highways, a dedicated web presence, and a social media influencer program. The campaign will utilize a blend of highly visual and engaging tactics to reach various audiences and turn the dial on their perceptions of Minneapolis. This year’s media spend will be approximately $500,000.

“Minneapolis is a world-class destination at the forefront of creating change. People from all over the world have put down roots in Minneapolis, contributing to an active, dynamic, and diverse culture that has something for everyone,” said Courtney S. Ries, SVP of Destination Branding and Strategy at Meet Minneapolis.

“This campaign will highlight the city’s award-winning food and beverage scene, premier arts programming, world-class museums, elite performance venues, unique independent businesses, glorious park system, numerous options for sports fans and exciting public art,” said Ries. “We invite both new and returning visitors to celebrate and savor these offerings by exploring Minneapolis events, businesses, and attractions throughout the year.”

Learning from Place: Cedar-Riverside Immersive Experience, April 29 1-5p

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

The Minnesota Humanities Center has partnered with the Brian Coyle Center, Augsburg University and the West Bank Business Association to produce their latest Learning from Place Program. We spoke to Eden Bart, Program Officer and Amano Dube, Director, Brian Coyle Community Center/Pillsbury United Communities, to learn more about the innovative program and how to register. Don’t delay – there are only 40 spots available to tour the "Ellis Island of the Midwest."

Eden BartQ:  The Minnesota Humanities Center describes Learning from Place as an immersive experience that brings people to sites of great significance. 

A:  That’s right - our Learning from Place experiences bring participants into community and sacred spaces to hear the unfiltered stories that are often overlooked or unknown by the general public. These co-created experiences can be transformative in helping to close relationship gaps.

Q:  Why was Cedar-Riverside/West Bank selected for the program? 

A:  Cedar-Riverside/West Bank was selected for this program because of its incredible cultural diversity and history of settlement, activism, and the arts. We are excited to be partnering with Pillsbury United Communities/Brian Coyle Center, Augsburg University, and the West Bank Business Association.

Abdirizak BihiQ:  How will the 4-hour program be structured?   

A:  Participants will meet at Brian Coyle Center for introductions and a historical overview of the neighborhood. We will then go on a 50-minute walking tour led by Abdirizak Bihi (known as Bihi), host of KFAI’s Somali Link Radio. We will return to Brian Coyle Center for a sampling of food from local restaurants and story sharing from several community members who will share their personal stories and connection to the neighborhood.

Q:  What will be highlighted during the program?   

A:  Stories from diverse cultures; insight into the economic, arts, and cultural vibrancy of the area; and the deep history of being a place that welcomes newly arrived immigrants and refugees.

The Cedar Cultural Center, a West Bank mainstay for decades.

Samiya Clothing Store, Riverside Plaza

Q:  Who will benefit from attending the program?   

A:  This is open to anyone who would like to build their cultural understanding of the neighborhood. All are welcome.   

Q:  Will it be accessible for those with mobility concerns? 

A:  There will be about 50 minutes of walking. Email registrations@mnhum.org with questions.

Q:  How do we register for the program? 

A: Visit https://www.mnhum.org/event/lfp-cedar-riverside/. 

We have other Learning from Place experiences that include: Bdote, Hmong St. Paul, St. Paul’s Little Africa, LGBTQ+ History in Downtown Minneapolis, and North Minneapolis. For more information about Learning from Place experiences, visit https://www.mnhum.org/events/category/immersive-experiences/learning-from-place/ .

One of the leaders of the program is Amano Dube – we had a few questions for him as well: 

Amano DubeQ:  We spoke to you last fall about the annual Cedar Riverside Multicultural Dinner. You’ve now partnered with Augsburg University, the West Bank Business Association, and the Minnesota Humanities Center on a Learning from Place program. What do you want attendees to learn and remember from the program?  

A:  We want attendees to learn about the rich history of the West Bank, including its vibrancy as a business corridor with lots of restaurants, cafés, music, theater and arts, but also its diversity and immigration history as a welcoming landing place for generations of immigrants. We also want attendees to hear firsthand information from each speaker about their real-life experiences in this neighborhood/country including what it means to be an immigrant who came very young or was born and grew up here, raised families, own a business and/or spent most of their adulthood lives in this community.  

Q:  At one time you were the Executive Director of the Oromo Community of Minnesota. Please tell our readers more about the Oromo people. 

A:  The Oromo are a Cushitic ethnic group native to the Oromia region of Ethiopia and parts of Northern Kenya, who speak the Oromo language, which is part of the Cushitic branch of the Afroasiatic language family. They are the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia constituting more than 40 million of about 110 million Ethiopian population.  

Outside of their home country, Oromos live in many parts of the world, including in the United Sates, Canada, Europe, Australia, Middle East, other African countries and some in Asia. In the U.S., Oromos live in most of the states although the number varies. But the largest concentration outside of their home country is here in Minnesota, roughly estimated at more than 60 thousand.  

The arrival of Oromos in United States and Minnesota might date as far back as 50 plus years, primarily as students and their families. The largest influx as refugees occurred over the last 20-30 years. Today, in Minnesota and elsewhere, Oromos have established number of institutions including the Oromo Communities, many Churches, Mosques, varieties of small to mid-size businesses and more becoming part of the American dreams.  

Q:  How may we stay up to date with Cedar Riverside/West Bank news? 

To stay up to date with the West Bank neighborhood, please access the West Bank Business Association (WBBA) website, and follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Doors Open Minneapolis Returns May 13-14, Volunteers Needed

Doors Open Minneapolis provides a unique chance to explore the buildings that tell a city’s story. From theaters to business hubs, sacred spaces to private clubs, sports complexes to engineering wonders, historical gems to not-even-open-yet buildings, Doors Open Minneapolis offers participants a FREE behind-the-scenes look at over 100 exciting venues. Building owners and caretakers will provide unique perspectives that illustrate why these venues, people, and businesses, are central to Minneapolis’ identity.

Venues will include The Dayton’s Project, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, Peavey Plaza, Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam, Xcel Energy Nicollet Island Power Plant, and so many more special places.

Doors Open Minneapolis invites the public to explore venues that show off the historical, architectural, and cultural elements that make up our amazing city. Sign up to volunteer and receive a VIP pass to skip the lines and get a behind-the-scenes look at buildings you’ve been dying to explore! You can view and register for volunteer opportunities at this link. 

• Volunteer shifts are four hours long (9:30 – 1:30 & 1:30 – 5:30). You are allowed to sign up for more than one shift, and you’re encouraged to sign up with a friend!
• You will receive a free Doors Open t-shirt and a “first priority” sticker that allows you to skip lines to visit other venues during the event!
• You will be required to attend a 90-minute training to prep you for volunteering at Doors Open Minneapolis. There will be five different opportunities to attend this training.

You can sign up now at this Hands-On Twin Cities link. Once you’ve signed up for a volunteer slot, please register for one volunteer training at this Rethos link.

For a list and description of some available venues to volunteer at, check out the Venues 2023 webpage on the Doors Open Minneapolis website. Rethos is still rounding up venues, so more will join this list soon! Some venues have limited accessibility, so be sure to check the volunteer description on the HandsOn Twin Cities website for the venue you’re interested in.

If you have any questions, please contact Kelly Fischer at kelly@rethos.org.

Theatre in the Round Players Presents Sam Shepard’s Masterwork, True West, April 21 - May 14

Theatre in the Round Players (TRP) continues its 71st season with Sam Shepard’s masterwork, True West, running weekends April 21 to May 14 with a Monday Pay-What-You-Can performance on May 1.

Skirting the line between violently tragic and darkly funny, this classic American play tells the story of brothers clashing over a chance to leave a legacy with a Hollywood movie. Austin, the sensitive screenwriter, is working on a script he has sold to producer Sal Kimmer when his brother, Lee drops in. He pitches his own idea for a movie to Kimmer, who then wants Austin to junk his bleak, modern love story and write Lee’s trashy Western tale. Duck Washington directs the four-member cast with sets designed by Michael Haas, costumes by Colleen O’Dell, lighting by Shannon Elliott, props by Terri Ristow, and sound by Anita Kelling.

True West runs April 21 to May 14. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2pm.

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

Modist Brewing Company Begins $2 Million Renovation in North Loop

Construction expected to be completed in mid-July 2023

Kraus-Anderson Construction has begun a $2 million renovation of Modist Brewing Company located at 505 North 3rd Street in the Minneapolis warehouse district. 

Designed by Perkins&Will, the 7,000-square-foot renovation of Modist’s existing North Loop building features a buildout of its event space and adds new offices and a brewing lab for staff.

The spirited atmosphere of the new event space reflects Modist’s commitment to community and equity, while displaying the creativity and innovation of the Minneapolis brewer.  Detached from the existing tap room, the renovation of the existing brick industrial building features a flexible, two-story event space.  The renovation also includes a pre-function bar and waiting area. 

Modist’s focus on staff wellness sets a new standard for team members by refreshing the back of house with natural light, attractive views and an abundant open space to foster creativity and push the boundaries of brewing innovation.  The new immersive event space visually opens to the existing state-of-the-art brew house through full-height glass, spanning the entire length of the space. 

The brewer’s playful design language expresses a bold and experimental material pallet that aligns with Modist’s philosophy.  The glitter concrete floor, large murals, dichroic glass, and mirrored ceilings with mounted neon fixtures help to provide the warehouse district community with a unique celebration space. 

“Our team intentionally involved various user groups to build a North Loop modern, tricked-out, punk rock- and chic-designed event space to be welcoming and inclusive of many communities and uses,” said Daniel Paul Willendorf, owner of Modist Brewing Company.  “Group gatherings of all kinds are back, and this will be a community space perfectly suited for a corporate presentation, happy hour, a wedding party or to take your dog's birthday party to the next level.” 

The design and construction processes are also rooted in a commitment to equity with both the access and enjoyment of the space.  

“Contractor Kraus-Anderson (KA) is working in partnership with Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) contractor J. Benson as part of KA’s multi-year mentoring relationship with the certified BIPOC-owned firm, recently named Minnesota Associated General Contractors’ Diverse Business of the Year,” said Angelique Lisboa, Modist’s HR and DEI facilitator.  “The partnership allows Modist to bring local minority builders to the project.” 

KA has been working with Modist for more than a year of preconstruction planning to prevent the disruption of ongoing business in the existing building during construction.

Puttshack's Tech-infused Mini Golf Experience Coming to the North Loop in 2024

Puttshack, a tech-infused mini golf experience has signed a lease at 246 7th Avenue N inside CEDARst’s newest North Loop development, a 360-unit apartment community, and will occupy more than 20,000 square feet. Puttshack Minneapolis is slated to open in late 2024 and will feature craft cocktails and dishes inspired by flavors from around the world.

This new location will feature three highly engaging and competitive nine-hole mini golf courses, accentuated by a high-energy, upscale nightclub vibe featuring local DJs. The space will feature two bars and a main dining area. Like each Puttshack location, Minneapolis’s menus will be deliberately constructed through hands-on research to represent the city’s unique tastes and styles. A private event space with capacity for up to 70 guests will also be available for those in search of an exclusive space for a variety of gatherings from company outings to birthday parties and more.

“The North Loop neighborhood is a vibrant, trendy warehouse district with several exciting entertainment concepts. Puttshack will soon be a top attraction in the area for locals and visitors alike to experience our one-of-a-kind game and unrivaled food and beverage program,” said Puttshack President, Dave Diamond. “We’re excited to be a crucial part of CEDARst’s development strategy and to work with our partners at CEDARst to develop the second phase of this project.”

Puttshack is the latest leading concept in the emerging and growing market of competitive socializing. Founded by the creators of TopGolf, Flight Club, and AceBounce, Puttshack combines its patented Trackaball™ technology with a first-class, immersive social environment to elevate the game of mini golf into a cutting-edge, high-energy experience that is unlike anything currently on the market. Surrounded at every turn by colorful and eclectic décor, the brand’s ground-breaking technology is integrated throughout the game experience ensuring the gameplay experience is elevated by seamless automated scoring, bonus points opportunities, interactive games at each hole, and more.

Since opening its first location in 2018, Puttshack now has five locations in the United States - Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Miami, and St. Louis - and four in the U.K. Minneapolis is one of 13 new locations that have already been announced to open through 2023 and beyond, with Denver, Houston, Pittsburgh, and Scottsdale projected to open in the coming months.

The Guthrie Theater’s Born with Teeth: A Discussion with Director, Rob Melrose

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Rob MelroseBorn with Teeth is at the Guthrie through April 2 – don’t delay in getting tickets. Yes, you could stay home and stream the latest video on Netflix, but you would miss the immediacy and vibrancy of two actors giving their all for 90 minutes with no intermission. We talked to Director Rob Melrose about why the play is relevant today and I can attest that you’re going to love the action, danger and betrayal. 

Q:  For people who shy away from Shakespeare productions, what would you tell them that might entice them to see Born with Teeth? 

A:  Although the play is set in Elizabethan times, the design and the language have a distinctively contemporary almost punk feel. So, it is not at all like hearing a Shakespeare play and not understanding some of the words. Also, the play is 90 minutes long with two actors and is packed with acting and action. There is a palpable tension between the two actors from the start of the play and it never lets up, right to the very end. Audiences do not need to know anything about Shakespeare or Marlowe when planning to see the show. I've had friends who are non-theater people come see it and it. I think there is just something undeniable about seeing two wonderful actors acting their hearts out.

Dylan Godwin (left) playing Will Shakespeare and Matthew Amendt playing Kit Marlowe

Q:  You do your research. For a production of Coriolanus you spent a week researching in DC at the Folger Shakespeare Library. Did Born with Teeth require research on your part? 

A:  Ha! Becky, how did you know that about Coriolanus? That was during my freelancing years when I had the luxury of spending a week in DC going to the Folger Shakespeare library. Now that I am the Artistic Director of the Alley Theatre in Houston, I have to spread out my research over a longer period in much smaller bursts. Part of my research is really a lifetime of studying, directing, and seeing plays by Shakespeare and Marlowe. There were a number of books I revisited specifically for this production, they were extremely helpful: Will in the World by Stephen Greenblatt, A Year in the Life of Shakespeare: 1599 by James Shapiro, The World of Christopher Marlowe by David Riggs, and The Reckoning by Charles Nicoll. 

Q:  Why is the play relevant for 2023 Minneapolis audiences? 

A:  The play is about being an artist during divisive and dangerous times. Playwright Liz Duffy Adams was inspired by a contemporary performance at the Belarus Free Theatre dealing with life under an authoritarian government. It made Liz think about the Renaissance Faires with turkey legs, dancing and beer drinking as being somewhat of a Disney-fied view of the time. People were split between Catholics and Protestants, and you could be executed if you were the wrong religion at the wrong time. There was spying and plague and riots and betrayal at every turn. I think that danger makes the play more immediate and makes it feel closer to our own uncertain times. There is nothing old-timey about it! 

Children’s Theatre Company Announces 2023-2024 Season

2023-2024 Season Includes Two World Premieres, an International Sensation, a Holiday Smash Hit and a 3-Time Tony Award®-Nominated Musical

Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) is excited to announce the 2023-2024 Season of seven productions featuring two world premieres, Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress and Babble Lab,  the international sensation Cookin’ from South Korea, the only Minnesota stop of the national tour of The Carp Who Would Not Quit and Other Animal Stories from Honolulu Theatre for Youth, the return of last year’s sold out production of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, the 3-time Tony Award®-nominated musical A Year With Frog and Toad, and the wildly inventive Alice in Wonderland.

 

CTC Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius is directing three productions in the 2023-2024 Season. It was recently announced that Mr. Brosius has decided to depart CTC on June 30, 2024, at the end of the 2023-2024 Season. His artistic vision has transformed the theatre into the nation’s leading theatre that serves a multi-generational audience.

 

“We are thrilled to announce this season of imaginative and inventive world premieres, as well as touring productions, that have dazzled audiences across this country and around the world,” said Peter C. Brosius. “In addition we will be bringing you our very own Tony Award®-nominated musical and our wholly original reimagining of a hilarious classic tale, and of course the most beloved holiday show we know. We can’t wait for you to see all of these shows. It is a joy to share brand new works and productions that have never been to Minnesota and productions we just had to bring back to delight, surprise, and carry you away.”

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The season kicks off with knife-juggling, food-flying fun with a production from South Korea! With a crazy deadline looming, the four frenzied chefs of Cookin’ turn their kitchen into a dynamic, veggies-flying-everywhere performance as Korean samulnori drumming and martial arts take center stage. During this outlandish cooking competition, the chefs put on a masterful display of food chopping, knife throwing, pot banging and fire-blowing wizardry that will make you laugh, scream in delight, and even beg for a chance to sample their food. Get ready to stomp your feet and clap your hands for a show that’s truly Cookin’! Directed by Seung-Whan Song, Cookin’ comes to CTC from PMC Production Co. and Broadway Asia. Best for all ages, this production runs September 12-October 22, 2023 on the UnitedHealth Group Stage.

 

"I can’t wait to meet the audience in Minnesota at a prestigious theatre like Children’s Theatre Company,” said Director Seung-Whan Song. “I hope you will feel the freedom from the unique rhythm of Korea and, through the comedy on stage, also feel the great pleasure of getting away from your daily life."

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Next comes Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress, by juliany taveras, based on the book by Christine Baldacchino and Isabelle Malenfant, with direction by Heidi Stillman. Morris likes lots of things: doing puzzles, painting pictures, pretending to be an astronaut, and wearing a tangerine dress from his school’s dress-up box because it “reminds him of tigers, the sun, and his mother’s hair.” But some of his classmates think boys can’t wear dresses because … well, because they’re boys. With his vivid imagination and space-animal friends, Morris travels the galaxy in search of an answer to the all-important question: “Do astronauts wear dresses?” Running October 10-November 19, 2023 on the Cargill Stage, Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress is recommended for everyone aged 4 and up.

 

“It’s been an absolute delight to get to write this play,” said playwright juliany taveras. “Diving into the expansive, resilient imagination of Morris Micklewhite has nourished me in a way I hope our audiences will experience too, because this story is a salve. Amidst the (often fear-fueled) rules and binaries of the world around us, Morris reminds us of the power of authentic, loving self-expression—even (or at times, especially) when it ruffles the feathers of the status quo. CTC has been such a wonderful dream-maker and co-conspirator, and I’m thrilled that this tale we love so much will soon premiere on their stage!”

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He’s back by popular demand! CTC’s smash-hit crowd-pleaser Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! returns for the holiday season. Featuring a book and lyrics by Timothy Mason and music by Mel Marvin, the production will once again be directed by CTC’s Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius with choreography by Linda Talcott Lee. A miserly and miserable, ever-so-cantankerous Grinch has observed the despicable Christmas joy of the Whos with disdain, from a distance, for decades. Enough! In this beloved holiday favorite, filled with music and Seussian rhymes, he plots the greatest heist imaginable—stealing the very thing they love the most!. Until, that is, the smallest of the Whos, tiny Cindy Lou, extends a hand. Through the combination of kindness and community, we witness not only a change in the course of Who-History, but the size and capacity of the old green guy’s heart. Best for all ages, this musical extravaganza runs November 7, 2023-January 7, 2024 on the UnitedHealth Group Stage.

 

“When composer Mel Marvin and I were writing this musical adaptation of the How the Grinch Stole Christmas nearly 30 years ago, we were aware that we’d been entrusted with the genius of Dr. Seuss and his irrepressible spirit,” said bookwriter and lyricist Timothy Mason. “We wanted the Seuss to shine through. It’s one of the great joys of our lives to know that children who saw the Grinch at Children’s Theater Company all those years ago are now bringing their own kids to see this show, and that for them and many others his spirit does indeed live on right here on this stage.”

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Winter magic continues at CTC with The Carp Who Would Not Quit and Other Animal Stories, by Reiko Ho and the Honolulu Theatre for Youth (HTY) Ensemble. Reiko Ho also directs the production. See a heroic carp climb up a waterfall (and so much more) in this energetic retelling of traditional fables from Japan and Okinawa. Through artful puppetry, masks, and three imaginative actors, you’ll also meet a grateful crane, a mouse who shares, and an industrious rabbit who teaches everyone to do the mochi dance! During this invigorating show from Hawaii, live music played on the koto and taiko drum will accompany young audiences as they dance, clap, and sing along. Running January 16-February 18, 2024 on the Cargill Stage, this production is best for everyone aged 4 and up.

 

“Sharing our cultural stories is one of the most important things I do as Asian American theatre maker,” said creator/director Reiko Ho. “I’m delighted to adapt a few of my own favorite childhood stories for the stage and introduce some of the beautiful performance traditions and aesthetics of Japanese and Okinawan culture to a new generation of young people and families.”

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Up next, prepare to take a tumble down the rabbit hole with Alice in Alice in Wonderland … and you’ll land in a wonderfully wacky world of rhymes and ridiculousness, checkerboards and cheeky cats, Mad Hatters and mayhem. In this head-spinning version of Lewis Carroll’s timeless classic, adapted for the stage by Sharon Holland with music by Victor Zupanc, Alice chases the White Rabbit through the audience, attends the most absurd tea party in history, and faces off with the ragingly red Queen of Hearts, all amidst a melee of teeny tiny songs. Humpty Dumpty on a ladder — what could possibly go wrong? Curiouser and curiouser. Directed by CTC’s Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius, Alice in Wonderland is recommended for everyone aged 6 and up and runs February 13-March 31, 2024 on the UnitedHealth Group Stage.

 

“Our Alice in Wonderland features an extraordinary scenic and costume design by the remarkable Skip Mercier,” said director Peter C. Brosius. “Skip created a world of illusion, surprise, mystery, and hilarity. We are thrilled to bring this wonderfully quirky and joyfully theatrical production to our stage. It is a magical tale of discovery, of standing your ground and following your curiosity. Alice is a musical and visual feast, a wild journey down the rabbit hole and into incredible new worlds.”

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 Strap on your safety goggles and clean out your ears! When an experiment unexpectedly goes awry, a concoction of sneaky, sprightly L E T T E R S takes over a weird and wondrous science lab in Babble Lab. Watch them jump into jars, spring from drawers, bounce around the room, and even play hide-and-seek as our scientist makes her surprising findings: Bluku terullala blaulala loooo! Rakete bee bee? Rekate bee zee! Enjoy the exploration of spoken blurbbles as they spring forth in this one-of-a-kind, gee-gaw-filled laboratory. Written by CTC Company Member Autumn Ness and directed by Sarah Agnew, Babble Lab runs March 9-April 14, 2024 on the Cargill Stage. Babble Lab was created with early learners in mind and is best enjoyed by audiences aged 0 to 105!

 

“I am so excited that with the world premiere of Babble Lab, I get to return to performing for my favorite audience, the pre-schoolers,” said playwright Autumn Ness. “This play is about discovering the power of your own voice, and learning to be fearless in using it. I want every preschooler that sees our show to find their own magical, musical, courageous, EPIC voice!”

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Returning for the first time since 2017, the cherished CTC original musical A Year With Frog and Toad will conclude the 2023-2024 Season. In the only show from Minnesota ever to be nominated for three Tony Awards® (including Best Musical), you’ll meet Frog and Toad: best friends who embark upon a year’s worth of adventures with great merriment, comedic agility, and joyful song-singing. A Year with Frog and Toad is based on Arnold Lobel’s Newbery and Caldecott Honor books, and features music by Robert Reale with lyrics and book by Willie Reale. The 2024 production will be directed by CTC’s Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius. Best enjoyed by audiences of all ages, this production runs April 23-June 16, 2024 on the UnitedHealth Group Stage.

 

“We are super stoked that A Year With Frog and Toad is returning to its birthplace at Children's Theatre Company to celebrate its 21st year," said Bookwriter & Lyricist Willie Reale and Composer Robert Reale. "Despite the fact that it is old enough to be welcomed in a saloon, we trust that the innocence and fun of the show will be on full display once again at CTC.”

 

Full season subscriptions and renewals for the 2023-2024 Season are now on sale and can be purchased online or by calling the ticket office at 612.874.0400. CTC’s 2023-2024 Season of artistic and educational programming is supported by The Shubert Foundation, Inc. and the Minnesota State Arts Board.

Mill City Museum to Premiere Fulbright Photo Exhibit, Ukraine: War and Resistance

Exhibit showcases photographs documenting the realities of contemporary life in Ukraine

A photo exhibit depicting life in Ukraine during the Russian invasion is coming to Mill City Museum this spring.

The exhibit, Ukraine: War and Resistance, will be on view from March 23 to May 14 in the Mill Commons area of the museum, which is free to visitors. Images, captured by Fulbright Scholars in the country, present the harsh consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the resolve of Ukrainian people.

“I wish we didn't have a reason to organize this exhibit,” said Roman Tyshchenko, a Ukrainian Fulbright Scholar who worked with Mill City Museum to display the exhibit in Minneapolis. “But the least I can do is support my fellow Fulbrighters in Ukraine. They are routinely risking their lives, working under missile attacks, so people in the rest of the world can see what Ukraine is going through.”

This will be the North American premiere of these large-scale photographs, first exhibited last fall in Vinnytsia, a city under Russian missile attacks for the past year. Most were taken in the past 12 months, but some date back to 2014, when Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula and invaded the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

The exhibit is sponsored by Fulbright Ukraine and the Fulbright Association Minnesota Chapter. The Fulbright Association Minnesota Chapter paid for printing and mounting the photographs because the exhibit furthers the Fulbright goals of international understanding and peacemaking, according to Michael Dorsher, Ph.D., the chapter’s president.

The Minnesota Fulbrighters sought out the Mill City Museum for this premiere because they visited a similarly striking exhibit there a year ago, displaying the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis. And recently, USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards recognized Mill City among the Top-5 history museums in the U.S.

Starting March 23, the exhibit will be open to the public during regular museum hours, 10 am–4 pm on Thursdays and Fridays, and 10 am–5 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.