Must-See Exhibition: A Tender Spirit, A Vital Form: Arlene Burke-Morgan & Clarence Morgan

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

A delightful new exhibit is open at the Katherine E. Nash Gallery, Regis Center for Art at the University of Minnesota. A Tender Spirit, A Vital Form: Arlene Burke-Morgan & Clarence Morgan exhibition will be on display until March 18. We asked Howard Oransky, Director of the gallery, about why we should we all should make the time to view the exhibit.  He gave us five excellent reasons.

Arlene Burke-Morgan and Clarence Morgan in residence at the Penland School of Craft, Penland, NC. Courtesy of the Morgan Family.

Reason #1: It is a story of art, love, and devotion.

This exhibition tells the story of an artist-couple whose life together was itself a work of art. The exhibition consists of 100 paintings, drawings, sculptures, and related ephemera. Arlene Burke-Morgan (1950-2017) and Clarence Morgan (b. 1950) epitomized the artist-couple: in love with each other and devoted not only to their art but also to their family and faith, and to the wider community of students and artists. Originally from Philadelphia, they moved to Minneapolis in 1992 when Clarence Morgan joined the faculty in the Department of Art at the University of Minnesota. Arlene Burke-Morgan also taught as a lecturer in the Department of Art from 1992 to 1996. Clarence Morgan retired his position as Professor of Art at the end of 2021.

Arlene Burke-Morgan, untitled, undated, ceramic sculpture, 14 x 13 x 9 in. Courtesy of the Morgan Family.

Reason #2: Arlene Burke-Morgan was an amazing artist.

Arlene Burke-Morgan (1950, Philadelphia; 2017, Minneapolis) earned a B.F.A. from the Moore College of Art and an M.F.A. from East Carolina University, School of Art. Her work has been exhibited nationally, including presentations at the National Academy of Design (NY), The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (NC), the Alternative Museum (NY), the Nexus Center for Contemporary Art (GA), and the Columbia Museum of Art (SC). She received numerous awards, including the Julius Hallgarten Award for Painting at the National Academy of Design, the North Carolina Arts Council Artist Fellowship, and the McKnight Foundation Fellowship in the Visual Arts.

Clarence Morgan, Medieval Remnants, 2011 Mixed-media collage-drawing on 3M Scotchcal film, 10.5 x 10.5 in. Courtesy of the Morgan Family

Reason #3: Clarence Morgan is an amazing artist.

Clarence Morgan (1950, Philadelphia) earned a Certificate-Diploma from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and an M.F.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, Weitzman School of Design. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including presentations at Ze Zhong Gallery and Dax Art Space, Beijing, Rosenberg+Kaufman Fine Art and Reeves Contemporary (NY), the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Walker Art Center and the Weisman Art Museum (MN), Galerie Resche, Paris, and the Contemporary Art Center, New Orleans. He has received numerous awards, including the North Carolina Arts Council Visual Artist Fellowship, the Art Matters Individual Artist Grant, and the Bush Foundation Individual Artist fellowship.

Exhibition catalogue cover. Courtesy of the Katherine E. Nash Gallery.

Reason #4: The exhibition catalogue is beautiful.

The Katherine E. Nash Gallery has published A Tender Spirit, A Vital Form, the catalogue to accompany the exhibition. The catalogue includes 100 full-page color images of artworks by Arlene Burke-Morgan and Clarence Morgan and original essays by Robert Cozzolino, Tia-Simone Gardner, Bill Gaskins, and Nyeema Morgan. The catalogue is distributed worldwide by the University of Minnesota Press and is available at the University of Minnesota Bookstore.

Howard Oransky, Director, Katherine E. Nash Gallery, University of Minnesota

Reason #5: You are welcome here!

The exhibition is open to the public and admission is free! The Gallery is located in the Regis Center for Art, East Building, 405 21st Avenue S, Minneapolis. This is in the Arts Quarter area of the West Bank campus. Open: Tuesday and Friday, 11 am – 5 pm; Wednesday and Thursday, 11 am – 7 pm; Saturday, 11 am – 3 pm. Closed: Sunday and Monday. Please call the gallery or check the website for the most current COVID access information: 612-624-7530, nash.umn.edu.

There is metered parking nearby on the street, and paid parking available at the 21st Avenue parking garage and the 5th Street surface lot. There are bus and light rail stops nearby. Come visit us! 

The City of Minneapolis Requests Your Feedback on Proposed Land Use Rezoning

Minneapolis 2040 went into effect on January 1, 2020, following over two years of engagement with the people of Minneapolis. The plan guides growth and change with fourteen goals in mind, including eliminating racial disparities, slowing climate change, and increasing access to jobs and housing.

As required by state law, the City is updating its zoning rules to match the development guidelines that the City Council already approved with Minneapolis 2040. Since 2020, the City has worked to meet this requirement by adopting inclusionary zoning, eliminating single-family exclusive zoning, adopting new built form districts and regulations, and eliminating minimum parking requirements. The Land Use Rezoning Study is the next major update to zoning regulations that will create consistency between the zoning code and the comprehensive plan. The comprehensive plan’s 12 Future Land Use categories will guide the development of new land use regulations, governing issues such as:

• Uses allowed in each zoning district
• Development standards that apply to uses allowed by zoning district (size of individual uses, where retail mixed-use is required, etc.)
• Creation and mapping of new zoning districts to be consistent with the Future Land Use Map in Minneapolis 2040

This amendment also provides the opportunity to make the zoning ordinance easier for users to navigate, and easier for staff to administer. Special attention will be paid to the structure of the ordinance with an eye toward making it a more user-friendly tool.

The City wants your feedback on the proposed changes to the code! You can do this by clicking on the survey link.

Local Artist Spotlight: Willard Malebear, Jr.

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Willard Malebear, Jr.

Multi-talented Indigenous artist Willard Malebear, Jr. has many projects in the works – designing park signage for the Mississippi Park Connection, opening a community arts collective that offers free resources to heal social crises, and a new Indigenous tattoo shop. His story is one of resilience, gratitude and giving back. Oh, his father was pretty inspirational, too!

Q:  You created the beautiful artwork for signage at Crosby Farm Regional Park for a project highlighting climate change in the floodplains of the Mississippi River. How did you come to be involved in the partnership between the University of Minnesota, U.S. Forest Service, City of St. Paul, National Park Service, and Mississippi Park Connection? 

A: I was attending NHCC (North Hennepin Community College) to get my associates degree in graphic design and I was invited to be a part of a program called the Xperience Project that links students with local businesses for graphic design internships. I was interviewed by several companies and organizations, and I felt a deep connection to the Indigenous cultural aspects of the design project presented by the Mississippi Park Connection, Lower Phalen Creek Project and their partners.

I am an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and after learning of the indigenous roots of the project I felt spiritual aligned with the mission and was very happy to hear that they chose me to be their intern. I can't possibly say thank you enough to Heather Olson, Jason Schoch and Leslie McDougall (Graphic design staff of NHCC) for their amazing support and guidance.

Above and below, Willard's artwork featured on signage at Crosby Farm Regional Park. The design and interpretive messages were developed in partnership with Lower Phalen Creek Project, a Dakota-led organization based on the east side of Saint Paul.

Q:  What do you hope visitors experience and learn when they view the signs you created for the park?

A:  My hopes are that visitors to the Crosby Farm Regional Park can learn more about the efforts to stop the destruction of the Emerald Ash Borer while also being educated on the Indigenous names and historical importance of the trees studied in the project. I also hope that the artwork and colors used in the designs can lure curious hikers to the park.

Q:  Will you do other work with these organizations to educate the public on Indigenous forest upkeep techniques and Dakota naming conventions? 

A:  Since this project, I have continued to work with Lower Phalen Creek Project, an affiliate of the Crosby Farm project, to design a poster and now have a contract to design their new logo and letter head.  I welcome more projects like these!

Q:  Your website, willardcustomart.com, states that your passion, aside from creating art, is cultivating creative drive in my community. What does that mean to you? 

A:  My passion for cultivating creativity in my community is based in my belief that art and creativity saved my life. I have had many struggles in my life and art/creativity has always been my resource for positivity and spiritual connection. I am currently 5 years sober and I have managed to crawl myself out of a grave with the help of art. After experiencing, witnessing and researching the wellness benefits of art and creativity, I chose to make it my life mission to cultivate and enable creativity in my community. This is actually the basis of my new company called Unified Theory Collective (UTC) located at 3507 Hennepin Avenue (around the back of the building) in South Minneapolis. At UTC we will provide free art supplies and creative space to the community on behalf of our collective members. UTC members are comprised of responsible businesses in the community that chose to "Enable Creativity to Combat Social Crisis."

I am also opening up a tattoo shop in the same building called Iktomi Tattoo, which is an Indigenous themed eco-mindful business. You can check out both businesses online: www.unifiedtheorycollective.com,  

Instagram,  Facebook,  www.iktomitattoo.com  and @iktomitattoominneapolis on Instagram and Facebook.

Q:  On an unrelated note, but I’m curious - your father, Willard Malebear, Sr., began the Dakota Remembrance Run in 1986 to commemorate the 1862 hanging of 38 Dakota men in Mankato, the largest mass hanging in U.S. history. Is the run still held? Are you involved with the run or any other events around the annual recognition of the executions?

A:  The run to commemorate the Dakota 38 is still being held, and in fact this year I had the pleasure to co-organize the run. Šišókaduta, a Dakota language instructor at the UMN Twin Cities campus has been organizing the run for several years and asked me to take over the role of organizer, which is a huge honor. There is actually an entire team of amazing individuals who volunteer their time and energy every year to help make the run possible - there are fire keepers, drivers and volunteers that work behind the scenes. I want to take this opportunity to say a BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE! The “run” is in fact better viewed as a ceremony, as we are in prayer the entire duration of event. I grew up hearing about the events surrounding the Dakota conflict and the hangings of 1862, my father always spread awareness of the injustices and I am super excited to continue his legacy. If anyone is interested in helping, volunteering or even running next year, please send me an email to w@willardcustomart.com.

Q:  Thank you for speaking with us – best of luck with Iktomi Tattoo and Unified Theory Collective!

A:  Before we end, I also want to say thank you to all my friends and family for their continual support and love, without them nothing I do would ever be possible! Pilamaya Mitakuye Oyasin (thank you to all my relatives).  

June 4th Amazing Urban Adventure to support Hennepin Healthcare

Teams of Two Solve Clues, Complete Challenges, Capture Photos, and Create Memories. Come Join the Fun! Sunday, June 4

Hennepin Healthcare Foundation introduces Adventurama, an urban experience in downtown Minneapolis. This fundraiser invites teams of two adults to complete challenges within a three-mile radius of Hennepin Healthcare. Starting at The Commons (across from US Bank Stadium), teams will earn points by solving clues and completing challenges at 12 pit stops while creating memories, capturing photos, and updating their perception of downtown.

More Info

MacPhail's February 25 Spotlight Series: Translucent Beauty

MacPhail Center for Music's Spotlight Series explores diverse musical themes performed by MacPhail Center for Music faculty and special guests – showcasing some of the finest musicians and artists in the Twin Cities. The next concert of the Spotlight Series is Musical Explorations in Spectral Colors, Translucent Beauty.

Eyenga Bokamba

In this multi-sensory artistic feast of sorts, Twin Cities visual artist and designer Eyenga Bokamba will use illumination, projection and short films to engage the audience. Her esteemed musical colleagues from MacPhail will create a musical landscape from Bach to improvisations and electronic soundscapes on keyboard, providing a variety of sounds within genre and time period. This performance will feature MacPhail’s own Mike Alexander on Horn with Miryana Moteva on piano, Rebecca Merblum on cello, and Michael Cain on piano. Together, these talented Twin Cities artists are sure to lure the community out of hibernation and into the warm glow of Antonello Hall.

Translucent Beauty takes place Saturday, February 25 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for seniors (ages 55 and older) and youth (ages 6 through 18).

Agate Housing and Services to Partipate in the 2023 Coldest Night of the Year Event with a 2.5k or 5k Walk, February 25

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Agate's Coldest Night of the Year Event will start and finish at Agate Housing and Services' Food Centre, 714 Park Avenue S, by Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC)

Living unhoused in the winter, when temperatures or wind chill can cause frostbite or death in a short time, is a harsh reality for many members of our community. Join Agate Housing and Services for a community walk to raise awareness and funding for housing and shelter for the most vulnerable among us. We talked to Anna Cisewski, Agate's Event Director, about the history of the event and all the different ways you may participate.

Anna Cisewski

Q:  Please tell us the history of The Coldest Night of The Year. 

A:  This is Agate's first year doing Coldest Night of the Year and only the second that the event has been held in the United States. It has been held in Canada for the last 15 years. The goal of CNOY is to raise awareness of the harsh realities of living unhoused and unsheltered during the winter.  

Every night, hundreds of people in our state sleep outside, in tents or on shelter beds that are not their own. Coldest Night of the Year will give walkers a chance to feel just how cold it is for our unhoused neighbors. Without first-hand experience, we can truly never understand the fear and trauma of living unhoused, but we can get a feel for just how cold it is.

The walk will be either 2.5k or 5k through downtown, starting and ending in our recently re-opened Food Centre and walking past three of Agate's housing and shelter locations.    

Q:  How may I participate locally - are there teams or may I walk as an individual? 

A: Community members can join the Agate team or register to be a team captain and recruit family, neighbors or coworkers to join their team and fundraise! We've also had a few teams sign up to walk virtually or organize an event in their residential housing building or office. Lots of options! And the Agate team would be happy to help organize any iteration of this event!

Q:  Is there a schedule of events happening around the walk? 

A:  All walks throughout the US follow the same schedule on February 25: 

• 4:00 pm: Meet - Check-in opens

• 5:00 pm: Move - Opening remarks + send-off

• 6:00 pm: Munch - Light meal served

• 7:00 pm: Mosey - Goodbye + Go Home

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In addition to this general schedule, we will also be spending time talking and learning together about the realities of being unhoused and unsheltered. The Educators from our A Day in the Life program will also be in attendance, giving presentations and joining us on the walk.

Q:  I really like the program: Meet, Move, Munch and Mosey!  Will I receive a map of the walk? 

A:  Yes! A map is of the route is currently available on the event page and we will have printed maps available on the day of the event. It's a simple loop in downtown Minneapolis and it will be well-marked with volunteers at every turn cheering our walkers on!

Q:  How may I follow news of the walk and your organization?  

A:  Interested community members can follow us on our social media platforms or sign up for our email list (at the bottom of our website) to receive updates for all things Coldest Night and Agate!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AgateServicesMN

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AgateServicesMN

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agateservicesmn/

We are excited for this event and the chance to connect better with our community and provide education and clarity on the harsh realities of living unhoused and unsheltered in our city. Agate works every day to end homelessness and hunger and this event is just part of that work.

Individuals can sign up to walk, join a team, or start a team here: https://cnoy.com/location/minneapolis.

Free Talk of Stacks with Charlayne Hunter-Gault, February 16, at Central Library

Talk of the Stacks with Charlayne Hunter-Gault

Free in-person + virtual event, February 16, 6:30p (Doors open 6p)

On Thursday, February 16, Emmy Award-winning journalist Charlayne Hunter-Gault kicks off the return to in-person Talk of the Stacks events at Minneapolis Central Library in Pohlad Hall. Join at the library or online to experience an enthralling conversation between Hunter-Gault and seasoned radio and podcast host Lissa Jones. 

Charlayne Hunter-Gault is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, author, and school desegregation pioneer. For more than five decades, this dedicated reporter has charted a course through some of the world’s most respected journalistic institutions, including The New Yorker and The New York Times, where she was often the only Black woman in the newsroom. Throughout her storied career, Charlayne has chronicled the lives of Black people in America—shining a light on their experiences and giving a glimpse into their community as never before.

Throughout her storied career, Charlayne has chronicled the lives of Black people in America—shining a light on their experiences and giving a glimpse into their community as never before. My People: Five Decades of Writing about Black Lives is a collection of ground-breaking reportage highlighting her experiences from across fifty years. 

In Person Registration  Virtual Registration

Pandia Health Offers Stress-free Birth Control Services via Telemedicine

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Sophia Yen, MD, MPHA discussion with Pandia Health CEO and Co-Founder, Sophia Yen, MD, MPH

Pandia Health is the only women-founded, women-led and doctor-led birth control delivery service and their services are now available to Minnesotans. Pandia is on a mission to make women’s lives easier by bringing birth control to women wherever they have access to the internet and a mailbox. We talked to Sophia Yen, MD, MPH, co-founder and CEO, to learn more about the start-up and how to avail ourselves of their services.

Q:  Your webpage states that you have a passion for “making women’s lives easier.” What led you to this mission?

A:  I gave a talk to physicians on how to prescribe birth control and the question came up, "Why don’t women take their birth control?”. One of the top reasons why women don’t take their birth control is they don’t have it on hand. They don’t have time to run to the pharmacy every month for 30 years non-stop to get the medication. I coined the term “pill anxiety,” which is the subliminal worry in the back of your head each month that you need to get to the pharmacy and get your birth control pills before you run out and the fear/stress of the risk of pregnancy or bleeding when you don’t want to bleed.

My friend, Perla Ni, and I thought, “We can solve this. We’ll just ship women birth control and keep shipping it until they tell us to stop.” Some of our mottos are: “Never run out of birth control on our watch,” "Set it and forget it. Let Pandia Health worry, so you don’t have to.” and “Get Pandia Health peace of mind."

Then, we ran ads for “free birth control delivery.” 60% of those who responded didn’t have a prescription. Since I’m a doctor, I already write prescriptions, so we added synchronous telemedicine to serve those people.

Q:  Did you observe inequities or burdens on women in your healthcare practice?

A:  Yes. Women subliminally suffer from “pill anxiety” described earlier. Women are stuck to their pharmacy each month by prescribers that don’t realize you can write a year’s supply and the pharmacy can restrict what they dispense to whatever the insurance allows but the pharmacy cannot expand the prescription. Meaning, if you write for one pack with 12 refills, the patient has to go to the pharmacy each month. We need to teach prescribers to write for 13 packs or 17 packs (if you are skipping the bleeding weeks).

Q:  Why the name Pandia Health?

A:  Pandia is the Greek Goddess of healing, light, and full moon. We are about women’s empowerment, thus a goddess was a perfect fit for a name. Pandia also means Pan = every, día = day. So, we’ve got you covered every day.

Dr. Yen pitches Pandia Health startup at 2018 University of California Entrepreneurship Showcase.

Q:  Pandia Health has raised a whopping $6.7 million to date from investors. Please tell us your business model and why you believe investors are attracted to your startup?

A:  We make money just like other pharmacies. The difference between what the insurance pays and what we can get the medication for, minus our overhead. We also have telemedicine and have the potential for affiliate income and “marketing the box.” We have a box going to women aged 18-50’s mailbox each month. Any Consumer-Packaged Goods company would be smart to partner with us to get in front of our audience with our recession-proof subscriptions.

Telemedicine 1.0 was cheap and fast. Telemedicine 2.0 will be about quality, expertise, and trust. As the only doctor-led, the only women-founded and women-led birth control delivery company, we are building “The Online Health Brand Women Trust" - starting with birth control and acne. We’re just getting started!

Investors are attracted because I built this business for the long game and they see the benefit of better care by better doctors. We want to be your friend from your first period throughout your life.

Using my MIT, UCSF and Stanford brain, I came up with an algorithm to minimize the chance of side effects when a woman starts the birth control pill. We have an 82% retention at a year vs. 55% for new birth control users. Our doctors are trained on how to tailor their birth control prescription to minimize side effects.

Q:  Has Pandia Health faced any backlash from conservative politicians who may not believe in stress-free access to birth control?

A:  No. Birth control prevents unplanned pregnancies and thus abortion. Birth control is used to treat painful or heavy periods, which is the number one cause of missed school and work for those with uteri under the age of 25.

Q:  Will you have a business location in Minnesota, or are all healthcare appointments conducted via teleconference?

A:  All our services are currently via asynchronous telemedicine. In the future, we may expand to video/phone. There are no plans to go brick-and-mortar at this time. Both our patients and doctors enjoy the flexibility of telemedicine. “Skip the trip” to the doctor’s office. Take the appointment from wherever you have internet. Fill out the health questionnaire 24/7 whenever you have time to do it and on your terms.

Q:  Can you describe what process was completed by Pandia to do business in Minnesota?

A:  Sure, here is the process we used: 

• We had to get our doctors licensed in Minnesota.

• We had to get our medical group, professional corporation recognized by the State of MN.

• We had to secure a registered agent.

.

Q:  How may we invest in Pandia Health?

A:  We have an AngelList Roll Up Vehicle for those accredited investors starting at $1,000. For those who can invest $500,000 or more, reach out to me directly! You can also invest via a Donor Advised Fund (DAF), a tax-deductible mechanism.

Otherwise, we ask that you follow us on social and spread the word!  

TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube

History and Science Come Together for STEM Day at Mill City Museum, Feb 25

The museum hosts a day of family activities featuring guest presentations

Science, technology, engineering, and math aren’t confined to the classroom. Families will have a chance to learn how the STEM fields are intertwined with history and how they continue to have an important impact today.

On February 25, 11 am–3 pm, Mill City Museum will hold STEM Family Day to showcase how science is all around us in the Twin Cities. The day’s program features interactive power and hydroelectricity tables, a flour dust explosion demonstration, and a free concert at 11:30 am with Petite Concerts, who will help make small instruments to demonstrate the science of music afterward.

Other highlights include:

• Live animals from the U of M Raptor Center and the MN Herpetological Society
• Fire safety from the Minneapolis Fire Department
• Wheat’s journey from Farm to Table by the General Mills Grain and Flour Quality Lab (in the baking lab, requires museum admission)
• Interacting with scientists and engineers from the U of M St. Anthony Falls Laboratory
• Inventing a boat with the National Park Service
• Learning about electricity with the Bakken Museum

Cost: Free, baking lab activity requires museum admission

For more information and a complete list of guest presenters, click here.

North Loop Neighborhood Safety Club: Updates and Schedule for the Week

By Aileen Johnson

Good Morning and Happy Monday North Loop Neighborhood Safety Friends!  

I hope that everyone enjoyed the warmer weather on Saturday and Sunday but - wow- Friday night was a different weather story altogether!

Friday night was indeed frigid when a small group of us bundled up to attend the MPD Academy Graduation Ceremony.  For those who were unable to venture out, let me put you into the picture.  The ceremony was held at the Convention Center where upon arrival we were greeted by MPD Community Service Officers (CSOs) who made us all feel welcome as they handed out the evening's program. The room was large and quickly it filled up with officers, friends, and family all excited for the ceremony to begin.  Council Member Michael Rainville was there and made a special point of talking with the families of the graduates as everyone was settling in.  All grew quiet as the Academy Class and their Instructors were piped into the room in a procession led by Bill Gilchrist of the MN Police Pipe Band.  Lt. Molly Fisher gave the welcoming remarks and the MPD Color Guard were there to present the colors before Chaplain Joan Austin gave the Invocation.  Next, we heard remarks from Mayor Jacob Frey, Chief Brian O'Hara, and Academy Class Representative Luke Weatherspoon.  Chief O'Hara then administered the Oath of Office and presented each new Officer their badge.  Following this, the new Officers had their badges pinned on them by proud family members.  After Police Chaplain Reverend Charles Graham gave the Benediction, there was plenty of time for visiting and there were cookies to be enjoyed.  It was a warm experience and we have been cordially invited to attend the next graduation.

On Saturday, we distributed 30 of the new North Loop maps to residents and visitors alike.  We did an informal survey of people on the street and in the shops about a new idea we have that may help with awareness on the prevention of auto theft and theft from auto.  More to come on this idea soon but the important thing to understand today is that in just the first month of 2023, Minneapolis has experienced 700 auto thefts and 260 cases of theft from autos. In many cases, the cars were stolen with keys or fobs left in the car by their owners or when they were left running while their owners did a quick errand.  I am attaching a new flyer from our First Precinct Crime Prevention Specialist Renee Allen that outlines this growing issue. Please share this flyer with your friends and families and, if possible, post this in your building. There is no doubt that every bit of help that each one of us gives will make a difference!  

Beginning this Sunday, February 12th we will be changing the time of the Sunday walk to 2:00 pm.  This will allow us to interact with more neighbors and visitors.

This week we have two tours of MECC/911/Dispatch to look forward to!  If you have not yet had the opportunity to spend some time learning about how 911/Dispatch works and to see the operation in action, this is a "can't miss" event.  Here are the details:

Date and Time: Wednesday, February 8 Evening Tour from 6:30 - 8:00 pm 

Event: Evening Tour of MECC/911/Dispatch 
Location: The MECC is located in Minneapolis City Hall at 350 S 5th St.  We will enter the City Hall Building at the 4th St “After Hours” Entrance and gather at the Father of Waters Statue 15 minutes before the tour at 6:15 pm.  The Father of Waters Statue weighs 14,000 pounds so you will be able to spot it easily.   

Date and Time: Thursday, February 9 Morning Tour from 9:00 - 10:30 am

Event: Morning Tour of MECC/911/Dispatch

Location: The MECC is located in Minneapolis City Hall at 350 S 5th St.  We will enter the City Hall Building at the 4th St Entrance and gather at the Father of Waters Statue 15 minutes before the tour at 8:45 am.  The Father of Waters Statue weighs 14,000 pounds so you will be able to spot it easily. 

If you would like to walk to City Hall for the tour together on Wednesday evening, please let me know. We will meet at 5:45 pm in front of the Hewing Hotel.  We will walk everyone home afterwards.  There is no need to walk alone.  If you prefer to drive, there is metered street parking available in the blocks surrounding City Hall. I always have the best luck finding a metered street spot on 3rd St S between 3rd and 5th Aves S.

Here is our walk schedule for the week ahead:

Date: Friday, February 10th from 8:00 - 9:00 pm 

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The Nordic at 729 N Washington Ave 

Date and Time: Saturday, February 11th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm 
Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: 4th Ave Playground on the James Rice Parkway 

Date and Time: Sunday, February 12th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm 
Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: On the sidewalk at 575 N 1st St   

I look forward to seeing you and catching up!

Thanks and best wishes from Aileen

Aileen Johnson 

(612) 516-9705 

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UPCOMING WALKS AND EVENTS

Date and Time: Wednesday, February 8 Evening Tour from 6:30 - 8:00 pm 

 Event: Evening Tour of MECC/911/Dispatch 
Location: The MECC is located in Minneapolis City Hall at 350 S 5th St.  We will enter the City Hall Building at the 4th St “After Hours” Entrance and gather at the Father of Waters Statue 15 minutes before the tour at 6:15 pm.  The Father of Waters Statue weighs 14,000 pounds so you will be able to spot it easily.   

Date and Time: Thursday, February 9 Morning Tour from 9:00 - 10:30 am 

Event: Morning Tour of MECC/911/Dispatch 
Location: The MECC is located in Minneapolis City Hall at 350 S 5th St.  We will enter the City Hall Building at the 4th St Entrance and gather at the Father of Waters Statue 15 minutes before the tour at 8:45 am.  The Father of Waters Statue weighs 14,000 pounds so you will be able to spot it easily. 

Date and Time: Thursday, February 9th from 3:30 - 5:30 pm 

Event: Classic Movies in Loring Park 

Details: This is an exciting new weekly series of classic movies hosted by our friends in the Park House. 
Location: The Park House in Loring Park at 1382 Willow St 

Date and Time: Thursday, February 9th from 5:30 - 7:00 pm 

Event: Loring Park Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The Woman’s Club at 410 Oak Grove St 

Date and Time: Thursday, February 9th from 5:30 - 7:00 pm 

Event: Mill District Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The steps at the back of the Guthrie 

Date: Friday, February 10th from 8:00 - 9:00 pm 

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The Nordic at 729 N Washington Ave 

Date and Time: Saturday, February 11th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm 

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: 4th Ave Playground on the James Rice Parkway 

Date and Time: Sunday, February 12th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm 

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: On the sidewalk at 575 N 1st St   

Date and Time: Sunday, February 12th from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 

Event: East Isles Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: Meet at the Joanne Levin Triangle Park at 1600 W 26th St 

Date and Time: Thursday, February 16th from 3:30 - 5:30 pm 

Event: Classic Movies in Loring Park 
Details: This is an exciting new weekly series of classic movies hosted by our friends in the Park House. 
Location: The Park House in Loring Park at 1382 Willow St 

Date and Time: Thursday, February 16th from 5:30 - 7:00 pm 

Event: Loring Park Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The Woman’s Club at 410 Oak Grove St 

Date and Time: Thursday, February 16th from 5:30 - 7:00 pm 

Event: Mill District Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The steps at the back of the Guthrie 

Date: Friday, February 17th from 8:00 - 9:00 pm 

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The Nordic at 729 N Washington Ave 

Date and Time: Saturday, February 18th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm 

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: 4th Ave Playground on the James Rice Parkway 

Date and Time: Sunday, February 19th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: On the sidewalk at 575 N 1st St   

Date and Time: Thursday, February 23rd from 3:30 - 5:30 pm 

Event: Classic Movies in Loring Park 
Details: This is an exciting new weekly series of classic movies hosted by our friends in the Park House. 
Location: The Park House in Loring Park at 1382 Willow St 

Date and Time: Thursday, February 23rd from 5:30 - 7:00 pm 

Event: Loring Park Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The Woman’s Club at 410 Oak Grove St 

Date and Time: Thursday, February 23rd from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 

Event: East Isles Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: Meet at the Joanne Levin Triangle Park at 1600 W 26th St 

Date and Time: Thursday, February 23rd from 5:30 - 7:00 pm 

Event: Mill District Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The steps at the back of the Guthrie 

Date: Friday, February 24th from 8:00 - 9:00 pm 

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The Nordic at 729 N Washington Ave 

Date and Time: Saturday, February 25th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm 

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: 4th Ave Playground on the James Rice Parkway 

Date and Time: Sunday, February 26th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm  

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: On the sidewalk at 575 N 1st St   

Date and Time: Tuesday, February 28th from 2:00 - 3:30 pm

Event: Narcan Training 
Location: Woman's Club at 410 Oak Grove St 

Date and Time: Thursday, March 2nd from 3:30 - 5:30 pm 

Event: Classic Movies in Loring Park 

Details: This is an exciting new weekly series of classic movies hosted by our friends in the Park House. 
Location: The Park House in Loring Park at 1382 Willow St 

Date and Time: Thursday, March 2nd from 5:30 - 7:00 pm 

Event: Loring Park Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The Woman’s Club at 410 Oak Grove St 

Date and Time: Thursday, March 2nd from 5:30 - 7:00 pm 

Event: Mill District Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The steps at the back of the Guthrie 

Date: Friday, March 3rd from 8:00 - 9:00 pm 

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The Nordic at 729 N Washington Ave 

Date and Time: Saturday, March 4th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm 

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: 4th Ave Playground on the James Rice Parkway 

Date and Time: Sunday, March 5th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm  

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: On the sidewalk at 575 N 1st St   

Date and Time: Thursday, March 9th from 3:30 - 5:30 pm 

Event: Classic Movies in Loring Park 
Details: This is an exciting new weekly series of classic movies hosted by our friends in the Park House. 
Location: The Park House in Loring Park at 1382 Willow St 

Date and Time: Thursday, March 9th from 5:30 - 7:00 pm 

Event: Loring Park Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The Woman’s Club at 410 Oak Grove St 

Date and Time: Thursday, March 9th from 5:30 - 7:00 pm 

Event: Mill District Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The steps at the back of the Guthrie 

Date: Friday, March 9th from 8:00 - 9:00 pm 

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The Nordic at 729 N Washington Ave 

Date and Time: Saturday, March 10th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm 

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: 4th Ave Playground on the James Rice Parkway 

Date and Time: Sunday, March 11th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: On the sidewalk at 575 N 1st St   

Date and Time: Thursday, March 16th from 3:30 - 5:30 pm 

Event: Classic Movies in Loring Park 
Details: This is an exciting new weekly series of classic movies hosted by our friends in the Park House. 
Location: The Park House in Loring Park at 1382 Willow St 

Date and Time: Thursday, March 16th from 5:30 - 7:00 pm

Event: Narcan Training 
Location: Woman's Club at 410 Oak Grove St 

Date and Time: Thursday, March 16th from 5:30 - 7:00 pm 

Event: Mill District Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The steps at the back of the Guthrie 

Date: Friday, March 17th from 8:00 - 9:00 pm 

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: The Nordic at 729 N Washington Ave 

Date and Time: Saturday, March 18th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm 

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: 4th Ave Playground on the James Rice Parkway 

Date and Time: Sunday, March 19th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm  

Event: North Loop Neighborhood Safety Walk 
Location: On the sidewalk at 575 N 1st St   

Groundbreaking TESTIFY Exhibit Returns to Minneapolis Central Library

Article by Becky Fillinger, Opening Night photos by Joshua Yetman, Hennepin County Communications

A discussion with Georgi Page-Smith, Director of the Diane and Alan Page Collection, and Jesse Sawyer, Community Engagement Coordinator at Hennepin County Library

The vitally important exhibit returned to the Minneapolis Central Library on February 1. Located in the skyway-level Cargill Gallery, the exhibit will be on display through March 29, with many in-person and online programs and events to amplify the artifacts’ lessons. 

Georgi Page-Smith with her father, Justice Alan Page, at the opening night event.

Q:  The TESTIFY exhibit was first displayed at the Hennepin County Library in 2018 and press at the time said it was to counter the "recent resurgence of racial tension in our country." "There are those who would say 'get over it, we are here now, let's go forward' but you can't go forward without looking back," Justice Alan Page said of the exhibit in 2018. Racial tensions in the U.S. are more extreme today - CRT has been banned by 7 states, and 16 states have bills or state education policies that would restrict teaching about racism. Perhaps, with the Page family’s blessing, TESTIFY should become a permanent exhibit? 

Georgi: We would love to find a permanent home for TESTIFY and the entire Diane and Alan Page Collection, in fact, because we have been so lucky to see firsthand what an impact the exhibit has had. One of the hardest parts of the last exhibit was closing it down with such strong demand for this content and conversation coming from all over the state. The good news is that my father addressed the Minnesota Librarians Association a few months back and we are developing a program with the Great River Regional Library - and the support of Clean Water, Land and Legacy funding.

Q:  One obvious and necessary goal of TESTIFY is to challenge viewers to look at the past and learn, so that we all can have a better future – but are there other goals as well? 

Georgi:  We want people to act! One thing I’ve learned as an environmental activist is that elected officials do listen if you are persistent enough. And when you are thoughtful you can really break through and get stuff done. So, we plan to help coach and equip people to develop their stories in the service of advocacy - for whatever purpose or initiative or cause that they feel is relevant to them. We want to help them share their story within their communities, on social media or with elected officials, or beyond.

Q:  How many artifacts are on display? Can you give us a preview of what we’ll see? 

Georgi: There are right around sixty-five objects – one or two will come out of the exhibit and we’ll have at least one new object. The exhibit starts with the foundation: a brick that was part of the White House, made and placed there by enslaved people. From there it travels to a corner of the gallery where we’ve set up a tableau with a board game from the 1960’s. We’ve built a wall in the center of the gallery to create a moment of division – with objects of expression on one side and objects of oppression on the other. The exhibit is also grouped by themes and contains a few surprising combinations of objects that I hope people will come experience for themselves.

Above and below, photos from the opening night event.

Q:  What programs and events will accompany the exhibit?

Jesse:  In 2018, the exhibit was a standalone experience. In 2023, Hennepin County Library is hosting a weekly series of workshops and events. TESTIFY Tuesdays, produced by the Diane and Alan Page Collection and facilitated by Change Narrative LLC, with ACLU of Minnesota, and a Loft Teaching Artist, are designed to guide participants through exercises will help them create personal narratives and testimonials to advocate for social change.

In addition to the workshops, Minneapolis Central Library will host a TESTIFY Talk on March 2 and a TESTIFY Storytelling Slam on March 30. The March 2 event is focused on race, justice, and the economy. MPR News host Angela Davis will moderate a conversation with Justice Alan Page and Minneapolis Federal Reserve President and CEO, Neel Kashkari.

On March 30, we’re inviting the public to join us for an evening of powerful personal testimonies that deepen dialogue and encourage action on justice. The TESTIFY Storytelling Slam will feature curated stories told live from the stage by community members, celebrating the culmination of the TESTIFY exhibit and TESTIFY Tuesdays workshops.

Q:  Will TESTIFY Tuesday events be themed? 

Georgi: Every week, with support from Change Narrative LLC, the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota and The Loft Literary Center, participants will be guided through prompts that help explore our individual stories and how we are impacted by important issues.

Themes include voting rights, immigration and criminal justice, healthcare, police reform, the environment, housing, and the economy.

Q:  How may we follow Hennepin County Library news?  

Jesse:  If you’re interested in attending a TESTIFY event or workshop, visit the library’s website for complete details, along with links for registration. The exhibit and all events are 100% free of charge. Minneapolis Central Library is at 300 Nicollet Mall located along and near public transit stations, connected to the skyway, and offers hourly-rate underground parking. Cargill Gallery hours align with the open hours of the library – come on down to beautiful Minneapolis Central Library and take in this challenging, and crucial, exhibit. 

You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

A Discussion with Dan Chouinard, Concert Curator for the 24th Annual Black History Month Concert

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Dan Chouinard

Save space on your February calendar for the 24th Annual Black History Month Concert at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Community. We talked to Dan Chouinard, Concert Curator, about the history of the joyous event and what to expect this year, as well as his other projects.

Q:  You’re the Concert Curator for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday/Black History Month Concert at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Community, on February 19. Have you been involved with the concert from its start in 2000? If yes, what was the impetus to offer a concert for Black History Month in 2000?

A:  The entire concert series at St. Joan of Arc began with our first MLK Holiday concert in January 2000, an evening of popular songs and childhood reminiscences from the 1960s Civil Rights era with just three of us: me at the piano as host, and singers Debbie Duncan and Dennis Spears. Some folks wondered afterwards, “What did all this have to do with MLK and the struggle for civil rights?”. My experience has been that social change often begins with individuals getting to know one another, which means taking the time to hear one another’s stories.

Q:  What is the theme for this year’s concert? Do you collaborate with others to put the program together? If yes, please tell us how the program comes together. 

A:  Each year’s concert is a collaboration between church and neighborhood leaders and a dozen or so performers and speakers, with conversations starting six to twelve months out. 

The 2023 concert title is “Change Is Gonna Come.” We'll explore the big changes on Minneapolis' South Side and at St. Joan of Arc Parish in the late 1960s and early ‘70s: The building of 35W and white flight. The pairing of Hale and Field elementary schools and Minneapolis’ first step towards school desegregation. The appointing of a new pastor at St. Joan of Arc, Fr. Harvey Egan, closing out an era of conservatism and barely concealed racism and forging a new identity as a place of welcome and creativity, and we will mix it all with pop songs and guest speakers, activism and joy.

Q:  I like your words of pop songs, activism and joy. Can you give us a preview of what we will hear and see at this year’s concert program? How do we order tickets?

A:  It’ll be an exciting evening of songs, storytelling, archival photos and video all mixed together to give glimpses of the era, with featured guest musicians T. Mychael Rambo, Thomasina Petrus, Julius Collins and Charmin Michelle, plus TPT videographer Daniel Bergin, youth poet Enzo La Hoz Calassara, Brass Solidarity (who play outdoors at George Floyd Square every Monday all year), MN Opera violinist Emilia Mettenbrink, the SJA Choir and more. Order tickets here.

Q:  Is the concert a fundraiser for the church or other nonprofit organizations?

A:  Proceeds from the concert support all the work that St. Joan of Arc does within the church and all over the Metro area, including annual Peace and Justice Grants to dozens of local nonprofits.

Scene from last year’s concert finale, February 20, 2022: left to right: T. Mychael Rambo, Dan Chouinard, Thomasina Petrus, Charmin Michelle, Gwen Matthews, Jordan Hedlund (bass), Peter Johnson (drums), Daryl Boudreaux (percussion), Tommy Barbarella (keyboards).

Q:  A bit off topic, but you must be one of the busiest musicians in the Twin Cities. You travel extensively across the country, perform frequently at local clubs like Crooners and The Dakota and offer community singalongs several times a month. A Star Tribune article called you “everybody’s go to guy.”  How do you manage your time with so many events each month?

A:  As Tom Lehrer sang memorably on Sesame Street so long ago: Carefully. It helps to be lucky enough to work with people you’re eager to see and love being around.

Q:  Where else may we see you perform in February? How may we follow your news?

A:  I’m be at The O’Shaughnessy with Kevin Kling on Valentine’s Day evening. Around the country with Garrison Keillor, Prudence Johnson and Dean Magraw. Every first Monday night of the month, I’m at the Danish American Center in Minneapolis. The calendar’s always (reasonably) up to date at danchouinard.com/calendar.

Tuesday, February 14 - THE LOVE SHOW: HEARTS ON FIRE 2023, Dan Chouinard joins Kevin Kling, Bradley Greenwald, Prudence Johnson, Simone Perrin, Claudia Schmidt and Dane Stauffer and Marc Anderson.

Mpls.St.Paul Magazine's Winter Restaurant Week is Feb 20-26

Mpls.St.Paul Magazine's Winter Restaurant Week is happening February 20 - 26. Some of the Twin Cities finest chefs will be dishing out mouth-watering two and three course prix fixe meals at prices ranging from $15 to $45.

There are over 55 participating restaurants, including some in our Downtown and riverfront neigborhoods: 

• All Saints, 222 E Hennepin Ave 
• The Freehouse, 701 Washington Ave N
• EaTo, 305 Washington Ave S 
• Cafe Lurcat, 1624 Harom Place 
• Copper Hen Cakery & Kitchen, 2515 Nicollet Ave  

Lisa Goodman's February 1 "Lunch with Lisa" Featured Chief Brian O’Hara

Article by Becky Fillinger

Every month Ward 7 Council Member Lisa Goodman hosts Lunch with Lisa at the Minneapolis campus of St. Thomas, and Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara was a special guest at the February 1 lunch. Over 100 citizens from Goodman’s Ward attended the session to hear Chief O’Hara talk about priorities for his department.

Ward 7 Council Member Lisa Goodman and Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara

O’Hara has been on the job for just under three months. He stressed several times that there is tremendous opportunity and desire for change in Minneapolis. So many have experienced trauma – both the public and police. He believes the officers who remain are incredibly dedicated and performing multiple jobs, and that the time is right for all of us to take advantage of the desire for progress that is universal across the city.

Here are some of the items he shared with the audience: 

• There are two ongoing investigations with the City of Minneapolis Police Department – one with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights and one with the U.S. Department of Justice. The outcome of both investigations may include mandates for reforms within the Police Department.  

• Staffing issues are a priority for the MPD. The Department is down a few hundred officers that are budgeted for – O’Hara is pursuing ways to attract more young people to the job and to certify officers more quickly if they have relevant experience and abilities. 

• He acknowledges that Minneapolis has an absolutely unacceptable level of gun violence. His goal is to collaborate with partners who are also seeking a reduction in gun violence (FBI, BCA, Hennepin County Sheriff, U.S. Attorney’s Office) and to be laser focused on moving gun violence prosecutions to the U.S. Attorney’s purview for federal prosecution. 

• MPD has an interest in using drone technology to assist their policing efforts. The equipment is purchased, but O’Hara is awaiting an opinion by the ACLU as to whether drone surveillance would unintentionally violate citizens’ rights under Minnesota law.

• Being present in the community is a priority. MPD is building (or rebuilding, in some cases) relationships with community-based organizations to be visible. Police League Activities have been re-engaged. Pilot activities are underway – the 3rd Precinct’s Command Staff is holding crime staff meetings in the neighborhoods they serve. 

• Increasing officer morale is a priority. O’Hara is instituting a means of rewarding officers who exhibit good behavior to build motivation and to also hold bad actions accountable.  

• Engagement and trust building is just as important to Chief O’Hara as preventing crimes. His goal is to do everything the MPD possibly can to have fewer victims of crime and to build a level of confidence with the community - these are the two pillars of his department’s mission. 

O’Hara mentions the MPD’s social media and requests that you follow them: Instagram and Facebook. 

How to Contact 311

Excerpt from the February 2 City of Minneapolis e-newsletter:

Need to report an issue? Can't find the right information? Minneapolis 311 can help. 311 coordinates with City departments and service providers to report your concerns, find you information and connect you with non-emergency City services. For example, if you report an icy sidewalk or have questions about winter parking restrictions, 311 connects with the experts in the right department to get to the bottom of it.

There are many ways to get in contact with 311 for non-emergency City information. Choose what's easiest for you.

• Call 311. Agents are here to answer your call 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 311 from within city limits or 612-673-3000.
• Email 311. You can email 311 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Agents will respond 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Email Minneapolis 311.
• Text 311. You can text 311 a short question any time. Just text two or three keywords to 311TXT (311898) to receive an answer from the Minneapolis 311 information database on your mobile phone.
• Get the 311 mobile app. Report neighborhood issues on the 311 mobile app 24 hours a day.
  • Download for Android.
  • Download for iPhone.
• 311 agents use computer-based technology so hearing-impaired callers can easily communicate with the City using TDD/TTY devices. Call TTY 612-263-6850.

Use the contact form. You can send 311 your comments or questions on the website contact form.

Ten Thousand Things Theater Presents Mlima’s Tale at Open Book, Feb 16 – March 12

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

A discussion with Director, Ansa Akyea

Ansa AkyeaNext up for Ten Thousand Things Theater is Mlima’s Tale, Lynn Nottages’ play about the complicit international players and communities involved in the devastating ivory trade. Focusing on one magnificent elephant, Mlima, the play follows his spirit from Kenya to Vietnam to China. We talked to Director, Ansa Akyea, about the difficult and tragic lessons of Mlima’s Tale, ways to help Earth’s elephants and where to see the play. It’s only here for a short time, from February 9 to March 12 - get your tickets now!

Q:  Ben Brantley, theater critic for the New York Times, called Mlima’s Tale “a beautiful, endlessly echoing portrait of a murder and its afterlife.” Please tell us how the play resonated with you as director? 

A:  Mlima's Tale resonated with me because of its unique look at the complex and difficult subject of poaching and trafficking of ivory tusks. It also resonated because of Lynn Nottage's layered and poetic writing, and the clear call to action for us to do our parts in protecting elephants and redeeming our collective future.

Brian Bose as Mlima

Q:  The press release from Ten Thousand Things suggests that Nottage's play asks audiences to reflect on the collective consequences of human action. Will there be opportunities for the audience to reflect, immediately after the play, with each other and the cast? Will you provide audience members with a call to action if they’re so inclined?

A:  There will be post-show talks on February 19 and 24, and March 9. We will be including conservation organizations and nonprofits whose mission is to protect elephants in the program – here is the full list of organizations that would gratefully welcome donations and a wider knowledge of their missions: 

• Elephant Voices 
• Save the Elephants
• The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
• International Elephant Foundation
• The Nature Conservancy
• The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee
• Elephant Aid International
• Save The Asian Elephants
• World Wide Fund Kenya
• Wild is Life

Q:  Will there be special performances for high school students? What are your thoughts of engaging young people in discussions of conservation and mercy for sentient beings?  

A:  We have two community performances with St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists (an arts high school) and two community (free) performances with Project Success. We are also partnering with OnStageMN: Creating a Community Dialogue Around Live Theater, a theater outreach and audience development program fiscally sponsored by Springboard for the Arts. On Stage is designed to enhance in-class learning, to make local theater relevant to younger and non-traditional audiences, and to lay the groundwork for building future theater attendance.

Marcela LorcaI’ve asked our Artistic Director, Marcela Lorca about her thoughts on engaging young people in these discussions - here are her thoughts: "I'm very curious about what young people are thinking, given the world they're growing up in. We are happy to provide them opportunities to express themselves, listen to each and connect their imagination with the world they live in. We share this earth with animals and their habitat. We, all living creatures, depend on each other to keep the planet healthy for future generations. Art provides unique opportunities for important and transformative conversations."

Q:  Where may we see performances of Mlima’s Tale? 

A:  Here’s the complete schedule – it’s a short run and we’re hoping the community will come out to see the play.

Performance Schedule at Open Book

Thursday, February 16 at 7:30 pm

Friday, February 17 at 7:30 pm

Saturday, February 18 at 7:30 pm

Sunday, February 19 at 4 pm (Post-show Talk)

Thursday, February 23 at 7:30 pm (Audio-Described)

Friday, February 24 at 7:30 pm (Post-show Talk)

Saturday, February 25 at 7:30 pm

Sunday, February 26 at 4 pm (ASL-Interpreted)

Thursday, March 2 at 7:30 pm

Friday, March 3 at 7:30 pm

Saturday, March 4 at 7:30 pm

Sunday, March 5 at 4 pm

Thursday, March 9 at 7:30 pm (Post-show Talk)

Friday, March 10 at 7:30 pm

Saturday, March 11 at 7:30 pm

Sunday, March 12 at 4 pm

Community Performances (Free - reservations required) 

Sat Feb 11, 2 pm at St Paul Opportunity Center

Sun Feb 12, 2 & 7 pm at Project Success (1 Groveland Terrace, #300, Mpls)

Tue Feb 21, 1 pm at Episcopal Homes - Kings Crossing (500 Dale St N, St Paul)

Thu Feb 23, Time TBD at Cora McCorvey Center (1015 N 4th Ave, Mpls)

Tue Feb 28, 1 pm at Interact Center (1860 W Minnehaha Ave, St Paul)

Fri Mar 3, 2 pm at Metro State University (700 E 7th St, St Paul)

Tue Mar 7, 10 am at Harmony Learning Center (1961 County Rd C East, Maplewood)

Tue Mar 7, 2 pm at Transition Plus (2015 E Lake St, Mpls)

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Q:  How may we follow news of this production and Ten Thousand Things Theater Company? 

A:  Please do follow our news: https://tenthousandthings.org/

Sensory Friendly Days at the Mill City Museum, Feb 12 and July 22

Visitors can explore modified exhibits and activities outside of regular museum hours

The Minnesota Historical Society welcomes visitors with sensory sensitivities, Autism, or developmental disabilities to Sensory Friendly Days at several metro area historic sites throughout the coming months.

Multiple MNHS sites will modify museum activities and exhibits with neurodiversity in mind. Considerations include low volume for all media shows, signs with explanations of activities, allergy signs, and take-a-break spaces. Pre-registration is required to attend Sensory Friendly Days.

Participants at these events can enjoy selected museum exhibits, short films when applicable, and hands-on activities. Sensory Friendly Days will begin one to two hours before sites open to the general public. Visitors are welcome to extend their visit into regular museum hours. Locations and dates for Sensory Friendly Days include:

Mill City Museum: Sunday, February 12, 9–10am, Theme: Valentines

Minnesota History Center: Saturday, March 25, 8:30–10am, Theme: Sherlock Holmes: The Exhibition

James J. Hill House: Saturday, May 13, 9–10am, Theme: Train Day

Mill City Museum: Saturday, July 22, 9–10 am,Theme: Archaeology Day

Register and find more information about Sensory Friendly Days here.

Children’s Theatre Company's Locomotion Plays thru March 5th

The Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) production of Locomotion runs througth March 5th. Locomotion was a finalist for the National Book Award, and author Jacqueline Woodson has adapted her acclaimed work for the stage. CTC’s production is directed by Talvin Wilks, an award-winning playwright, director, and dramaturg.

 

Junie Edwards as Lonnie. Photo by Glen Stubbe PhotographyLocomotion takes the audience into the life of 11-year-old Lonnie Motion, as he finds new tools -  the result of a school poetry assignment – which help him to process the tumult of life in foster care. As Lonnie discovers the power of poetry, he experiences deeper connections to his new foster mother, his school friend Enrique, his teacher Ms. Marcus, and his beloved younger sister Lili.

 

Uprooted from his family, surrounded by the unfamiliar, Lonnie couldn’t feel more alone. But this year, his class is learning to write poetry. As Lonnie finds his voice, you’ll discover how poetry can bring you closer to others and to yourself.

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Ticket Information

 

Locomotion plays through March 5 at CTC’s Cargill Stage, 2400 3rd Avenue S. Tickets may be purchase online at childrenstheatre.org/locomotion or by calling the ticket office at 612.874.0400. Ticket prices start at $15. School groups interested in attending Locomotion can contact schools@childrenstheatre.org for more information. This production is best enjoyed by everyone age 9 and up. Due to the age recommendation, lap passes will not be available for this production.

Gamut Gallery Announces Astroturf, a Group Exhibit Featuring SoCal Architecture, Pop art and Post-painterly Abstraction Opening February 17th

Via a recent e-announcement:

Public Opening February 17, 6-9pm, $7 presale/$10 door

Gamut Gallery has announced Astroturf, their first exhibit of 2023. This group exhibit plays with the idea of appearances vs. authenticity through the iconic influence of SoCal architecture, pop art and post-painterly abstraction.

Gamut’s multimedia exhibit, in collaboration with Blu Dot, features local MN artists, Genie Castro and Nicole Mueller, along with returning SoCal artists, Human Shaped Animal and Neal Breton. Astroturf embraces bold and vivid colors, hard-edge lines and geometry, this selection of work celebrates the resurgence and influence of the mid-century movement and pop-culture Southern California suburbia.

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Installed in place of grass from as early as the 1950s, AstroTurf™ forgoes naturally growing grass for the carefree ease of owning an evergreen front lawn. In mid-century America, the synthetic material was marketed to homeowners as a means of signaling status to their neighbors through perfectly manicured landscaping year-round. Mirroring our current consumer culture of filtered images and branded content, Gamut Gallery’s first show of 2023, Astroturf, plays with the idea of appearances vs. authenticity through the iconic influence of SoCal architecture, pop art and post-painterly abstraction. Astroturf peers over the neighbor’s hedge to sneak a peek of how the Joneses really live. 

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Genie Castro’s renditions offer a nod to the midcentury design through her vibrant mono-prints and nine accompanying pieces from her 2022 collection, Lily. While Human Shape Animal incorporates tropical foliage with post-painterly abstraction to produce sculptural, yet functional, wall fixtures that incorporate living plants. Nicole Mueller’s potent images from her annual pilgrimages to Palm Springs highlight mid-century modernist architecture, with the quiet stillness of manicured lawns and majestic palms. Also lending a nod to the leisurely lifestyle, Neal Breton’s works from his Strange Paradise Collection reveal inviting pool scenes we all long for during these cold winter months. Blu Dot’s selection of locally designed and constructed furniture elevates the mid-century modern aesthetic, immersing the viewer in the movement's all-encompassing influence on art, design and culture. 

Mill City Museum Nominated for Best History Museum in the Nation

Via a January 27 e-announcement:

Photo courtesy Minnesota Historical Society

Supporters of Minnesota history can vote for the museum daily in online contest

Mill City Museum was recently named one of the nation’s best history museums, and the downtown Minneapolis site needs the public’s support to earn the top prize.

The museum is among 20 nominated for a USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award in the category of best history museum. Minnesotans can vote online once per day until the contest concludes on February 13.

“This nomination is an incredible honor,” said Mill City Museum Site Manager David Stevens. “Mill City Museum brings people together by showcasing the history of Minneapolis, and we are grateful for this opportunity that will allow more people around the country to learn about this gem.”

Visitors at the museum can learn about Minneapolis’ growth through interactive exhibits and hands-on activities which tell the intertwined histories of the flour industry, the Mississippi River, and the city of Minneapolis. Curious patrons of all ages enjoy informative multimedia shows and programs exploring the story of Minneapolis.

Guests can admire both stunning modern architecture and components of the original Washburn A Mill, which was once the world’s largest flour mill. For its incorporation of contemporary design within a history-rich setting, the museum has won several awards, including the American Institute of Architects Honor Award for Architecture and the AIA Minnesota Honor Award.

Paintings and sculptures from local artists are featured throughout the museum. Scenic views of St. Anthony Falls, Mill Ruins Park, and Stone Arch Bridge from atop the Koch Rooftop Observation Deck also provide unbeatable photo opportunities.

To vote for Mill City Museum as Best History Museum and learn more about USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice travel awards, click here. Individuals are encouraged to vote daily through February 13.