Unusual Sunday Morning Sight in Gold Medal Park

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

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

Via a recent e-announcement:

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

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

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

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

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

The Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild is a not-for-profit organization that was founded in 2000 and is made up of more than 165 Minnesota brewery members. The Guild showcases the talent of Minnesota’s craft brewers and promotes Minnesota’s brewing industry by sponsoring festivals and special events, including Winterfest, the MN Brewers Cup, the State Fair’s Brewed in Minnesota exhibit, and Autumn Brew Review. The Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild’s mission is to promote, protect, and grow a robust Minnesota craft brewing industry by building a healthy beer culture and community that allows for independent brewers, industry stakeholders, and craft beer fans to thrive.

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

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

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

To make a dinner reservation click here.

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

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

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

10% of the proceeds will benefit Feline Rescue.

Small Business Spotlight: Maxwell’s American Pub (Re-opening July 12!)

Article by Becky Fillinger

Downtown eagerly awaits the reopening of Maxwell’s American Pub on July 12 at 11 AM. We spoke to General Manager Michael “Rosie” Rosenstiel about what’s new on the menu, and a general Welcome Back message to former and new customers.

Q:  Welcome back! What would you like to tell your customers about the reopening next week?

A:  Without a doubt, we have missed you all so much. All of us, from the cooks, bartenders, servers and me – we want to get back to our long-standing friendships with you and deliver another great dining experience to you. We have some new menu items you’ll want to try. We open at 11 AM next Monday, July 12 – come by to see us! 

Q:  Are Happy Hours back?

A:  Absolutely. Happy Hour will run from 3-6 PM every day and again from 10 PM to close of business. 

Q:  What are the new menu items?

A:  We have a new chicken tender entrée, made from scratch and cooked in a brand-new fryer. With the same fryer, we can prepare a buffalo chicken wrap and our famous wings. It’s a full chicken line-up here at Maxwell’s, which is in addition to our full American menu.

Q:  What are your new hours of service?

A:   We’re open Monday to Sunday, 11 AM to 1 AM. Kitchen hours are 11 AM to 11 PM on Sunday to Wednesday. Thursday to Saturday, kitchen hours are 11 AM to Midnight. Follow us on Facebook for up-to-date news.

Maxwell's is located at 1201 Washington Avenue S.

Aquatennial to Set Sail July 21-24

The Official Civic Celebration of the City of Minneapolis Offers Traditional and New Events, Free and For All Ages

Aquatennial, the Official Civic Celebration of the City of Minneapolis, is getting ready to set sail with two dozen events taking place from Wednesday, July 21 through Saturday, July 24. This year’s schedule of events is filled with traditional Aquatennial favorites and an array of new activities with the majority located in and around downtown Minneapolis. All events are free and open to the public.

“We are excited to welcome everyone to Aquatennial this summer, as we are leading the way back to enjoying collective urban experiences together,” said Leah Wong, vice president of external relations, mpls downtown council. “Whether it is the CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade, Target Fireworks (a top 5 annual display in the country), group fitness activities, shopping local makers, a Twin Cities River Rats show or listening to live music, we know there is something you and yours will love. We can’t wait to see you downtown.”

From the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden to Peavey Plaza, Midtown Global Market to the Mississippi Riverfront, Nicollet to Mill Ruins Park, the 82nd Aquatennial will provide fun opportunities for all ages including its flagship events the CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade and Target Fireworks.

“Aquatennial is our Official Civic Celebration and a summer staple here in Minneapolis, and we are thrilled to return to celebrate together this year,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. “From our world-class culinary scene to views along the river and so much more, we invite you to enjoy everything our city has to offer. Whether you make every Aquatennial or this is your first time joining, there’s always something new to try downtown, and we can’t wait to welcome you for this year’s events.”

The schedule and the proximity of the activities make Aquatennial a walkable and bikeable experience throughout the four days as many of the festivities take place throughout downtown and at or near the riverfront, the birthplace of our city.

“Aquatennial is an annual tradition in Minneapolis, a time that offers fun ways to gather and enjoy outdoor spaces together,” said Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Superintendent Al Bangoura. “We enjoy having Aquatennial events in our park system each year, and we’re excited to welcome everyone back to enjoy their favorite events again this July. Events will take you along the Mississippi Riverfront to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, and there is something for everyone at Aquatennial while enjoying some of our city’s beautiful outdoor spaces.”

Here are some of the highlights of the 2021 Minneapolis Aquatennial*. A full schedule of events can be found at aquatennial.com/events.

Flagship Events

CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade
Wednesday, July 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Nicollet between 12th Street and 4th Street

The CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade will illuminate downtown Minneapolis along Nicollet with parade units, floats, displays, and marching bands through the heart of downtown. The parade will begin at 12th Street and run to 4th Street.

Target Fireworks
Saturday, July 24 at 10 p.m.
West River Parkway near Portland Avenue

The Target Fireworks are considered one of the Top 5 annual fireworks displays in the country. Come early for Aquatennial Pre-Fireworks Festivities along the riverfront on West River Parkway near the Stone Arch Bridge beginning at 6 p.m. Live musical entertainment will include the Command Steppers, Dred I Dread, and Annie Mack. The world-famous Zambelli Fireworks team spends approximately two to four hours per each minute of the display to ensure that the display and music are perfectly synced.  

The 2021 Minneapolis Aquatennial schedule is as follows*:  

Wednesday, July 21

Aquatennial Blood Drive at Peavey Plaza, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Lunchtime Lawn Games at Peavey Plaza, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Pianos on Parade Performance at Peavey Plaza, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade, Nicollet between 12th Street and 4th Street, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 22

Downtown Thursdays along Nicollet and throughout downtown, all day

Nicollet Farmers Market & Makers Market - Nicollet between 6th and 8th Streets, 6 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Aquatennial Blood Drive at Peavey Plaza, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Lunchtime Lawn Games at Peavey Plaza, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Jam at Peavey Plaza, MNSpin live music performance featuring Twins of Franklin, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

Pianos on Parade Performance Presented by PNC Bank featuring James “Cornbread” Harris at Peavey Plaza, 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Concert at the Commons featuring Jessica Vines (425 Portland Ave. So.), 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Aquatennial Workout Party with YWCA of Minneapolis at Peavey Plaza, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Twin Cities River Rats Aquatennial Water Ski Show on the Mississippi River (West River Road between Plymouth and Broadway bridges), 7 p.m.

Minnesota Twins vs. Los Angeles Angels at Target Field, 7:10 p.m.

Friday, July 23

The Alley Project at Mixed Precipitation (between FAIR School & The Chambers Hotel), 4:30 p.m. & 5:30 p.m.

Alchemy 365 at Aquatennial at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden (726 Vineland Pl), 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Twin Cities River Rats Aquatennial Water Ski Show on the Mississippi River (West River Road between Plymouth and Broadway bridges), 7 p.m.

Minnesota Twins vs. Los Angeles Angels at Target Field, 7:10 p.m.

Saturday, July 24

Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam Open House (1 Portland Ave), 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Twin Cities Carifest on (West River Road between Plymouth and Broadway), 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Jonny Pops Pop In - Ice Cream Social at Midtown Global Market (920 E. Lake St), 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

City of Lakes Market (in partnership with The Black Market) at the Chicago Mall on West River Parkway between Guthrie Theater and Mill City Museum, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Pre-Fireworks Festivities -- live music at West River Parkway near Portland Ave., 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Minnesota Twins vs. Los Angeles Angels at Target Field, 6:10 p.m.

Target Fireworks, West River Parkway near Portland Ave., 10 p.m.

Volunteers Needed

The Aquatennial relies on dozens of volunteers to help make the festival a success. Sign up online to be part of the Aquatennial Volunteer Program and assist with such events as the CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade and Target Fireworks. Perks included! aquatennial.com/volunteer/

Local Leader: Lousene M. Hoppe, President, National LGBTQ+ Bar Association

Article by Becky Fillinger

Lousene HoppeLousene Hoppe is a partner at local law firm Fredrikson & Byron specializing in white collar crime and litigation. She was also recently installed as President of the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association. With the Twin Cities Pride Festival rapidly approaching, we thought it was timely to speak to Hoppe about the national organization, local affiliates and bringing our authentic selves to work. 

Q:  Congratulations on your installation as President. Are there local chapters of the organization? 

A:  Thank you! Yes. The National LGBTQ+ Bar has affiliated organizations throughout the country, including Minnesota’s Lavender Bar Association. We are proud to support and partner with our local affiliates in a number of ways. The Lavender Bar here in Minnesota is a particularly active group; it sponsors a regional conference in January/February that attracts renowned keynote speakers and advocates from around the country.

Q:  What are your priorities as President for the next two years?

A:  One key priority is to increase opportunities for LGBTQ+ lawyers by promoting diverse and inclusive work environments. We also want to continually expand the ways in which we can support our members, given the innumerable ways there are to practice law. Lawyers are employed in corporations, law firms, government, small businesses. They are solo practitioners, they are judges. Providing them with networking opportunities and tools to increase their success no matter where and how they practice is important. The LGBTQ+ Bar also advocates for its members and for the LGBTQ+ community at large. As the nation's largest bar association serving LGBTQ+ lawyers, we have a unique voice with respect to key legal cases and issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community.

Q:  What is the biggest challenge facing the organization today? 

A:  The status of efforts to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in law firms and other legal employers varies greatly from employer to employer. Law students and practicing lawyers alike face very different challenges with respect to their identities and their ability to bring their whole selves to the workplace. Thus, to support its members, the LGBTQ+ Bar is dedicated to providing a wide diversity of programming, advocacy, and opportunities for leadership and mentorship to its lawyer and law student members. Lawyers work in so many different sectors of the business world and government. And the LGBTQ+ community intersects with all other races, ethnicities, religious traditions, and other characteristics. We are always striving to identify the areas of greatest challenge to our members and understand how we can help them meet those challenges.  

Q:  Can you tell our readers about the LGBT+ gay panic defense strategy and where it stands in Minnesota? Have you been involved in the legislation in Minnesota? 

A:  The LGBTQ+ “panic” defense is a strategy used by criminal defendants to justify or excuse their act of violence, such as assault or murder, against an LGBTQ+ victim, often a gay man or transgender woman of color. The concept is that a non-violent sexual advance or even the mere discovery of the victim’s LGBTQ+ status is so offensive or provocative that the perpetrator was justified in committing acts of violence against the individual. This defense has been used successfully in getting juries or courts to view the perpetrator as having diminished culpability, including in some cases of extreme violence.

The LGBTQ+ Bar has worked for more than ten years to encourage legislatures and courts to eliminate the use of this strategy, as it inherently devalues the lives of the LGBTQ+ victims and works only by trying to exploit bias against the LGBTQ+ community. We have partnered with advocates like Judy Shepherd, the mother of Matthew Shepherd, to pass legislation in 16 states, so far, essentially banning the use of these types of defenses. Legislation to address this issue has been introduced in Minnesota in recent sessions, but it has not been advanced to a vote. The LGBTQ+ Bar is in regular consultation with state legislators and advocates about this bill. The LGBTQ+ Bar also advocates on issues related to jury access and education, and regularly submits amicus briefs to the Courts on various issues of national importance to the LGBTQ+ community.

Q:  Does the association consult on creating inclusive and diverse workplaces? 

A:  We do! Our Lavender Law 365 program is the only LGBTQ+ inclusion coaching and consulting program designed specifically to enable the implementation of best practice standards for LGBTQ+ equity across law firms, law schools, and companies. We offer a comprehensive training program customized through discussions with organizational leadership to help them foster a more knowledgeable and supportive LGBTQ+ inclusive environment, where legal organizations gain the benefits of having a truly diverse talent pool.  When it comes to gender, race, class, disability, and LGBTQ+ inclusion, the legal profession is sadly one of the least diverse. This is unfortunate for the organization, as diversity results in better decision-making and strengthens the bottom line, but it also has a greater impact. We all look to the legal profession as an important partner to achieve greater justice and equity in a democratic society. The lack of diversity in law firms can contribute to distrust of the justice system. 

Q:  In your career, have you noticed that LGBT+ attorneys bringing their authentic selves to work has had an impact on law firm culture?

A:  Yes, I have definitely seen real and measurable progress toward LGBTQ+ inclusion over my 15-year career, at corporate legal departments, law firms, and the Courts. I am lucky to work at a law firm that values and supports its LGBTQ+ lawyers and staff, but that is not the case for everyone working in the legal profession today, and can vary greatly, depending on the region of the country, the time and attention of employer has spent toward inclusion efforts, and other factors. Law students who identify as transgender, non-binary or who have intersectional identities may feel especially uncertain about the extent to which the courage to bring their whole selves to work may affect their success in the legal profession. The LGBTQ+ Bar is dedicated to supporting its members in their professional development and in helping provide resources and education to their employers to work toward a goal of greater justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. Even simple steps, like requesting and respecting the pronouns new lawyers use to identify themselves, can make a huge difference toward a culture of inclusion.

Who Should Control Minnesota Historical Sites?

Article by Michael Rainville, Jr.

The Minnesota Historical Society. Now that we got that out of the way, I’d like to delve into why it’s problematic that Republicans in the Minnesota Senate are up in arms about our history and want control over sixteen historic sites, including Fort Snelling at Bdote.

The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) was founded in 1849 by the Territorial Legislature, the same year the Village of St. Anthony was incorporated and nine years before we became a state. For 172 years, MNHS has been a vital resource for not just preserving our past, but sharing it. They have worked tirelessly with the State government to provide the best historical and educational experiences at all of their sites throughout the years. The immense amount of academic work that has been done by MNHS, the National Park Service, county historical societies, museums, and independent historians has been done in good faith. The thing about history is that it becomes very apparent when stories are told incorrectly or when important details are purposefully left out, especially in this modern age where it is easy to access facts. If a story is wrong, then we make note of it and correct it. There is no shame in going back and correcting previous articles, books, historical markers, etc., a sentiment some members of the state Senate do not agree with.

Our past never changes, but our history does. 

Just over a month ago I walked across the graduation stage at the University of St. Thomas to receive my Master of Arts in art history, the same university where I received my Bachelor of Arts in history four years prior. At that ceremony, one of the speakers noted that now more than ever we, those who have dedicated our lives to the Humanities, are needed in this world. That one line has helped me put into perspective just how important and necessary history is for our society. Everyone’s history. The more stories we know, the more lessons we learn, and the less mistakes we will make. It is as simple as that.

I understand that it can be difficult to grasp our past here in Minnesota, but that’s the point. If control over the sixteen historical sites changes, what will stop those who are in favor of the change in ownership from purposefully changing the many stories found in Minnesota? If certain stories make you uncomfortable, find out why instead of lashing out. Why does learning about the Fort Snelling concentration camp make you mad? Is it because it was a crime against humanity or is it because you simply do not want to know the negative stories of our past? If it makes you so upset that you are willing to take control of historical sites away from historians, that is an action that will only lead to propaganda, and there is no room for that in our state, in our society.

The past never changes, but our history does.

I, too, have had to ask myself important questions and I know how difficult that can be. My great, great, great grandfather and his brother served at Fort Snelling during the Civil War and the U.S.-Dakota War. At the same time, twenty-eight of their cousins, my cousins, were being held against their will just below the fort at the concentration camp on Pike Island. It would be so easy to convince myself that the sole purpose of my Dakota relatives being brought to the fort was for protection, as some in the state Senate think. Or I can accept the truth, that they, along with 1,600 others, were forced to march 150 miles to the fort only to be thrown into a 12-foot barricaded concentration camp on an island in the middle of winter where hundreds of them passed away from disease, malnutrition and harsh weather.

The past never changes, but our history does.

The arguments for the changing of control over historical sites are not well-thought-out either. In a June 24 Star Tribune opinion piece, Katherine Kersten attempted to give the MN GOP side of the story. She noted that a few years ago Fort Snelling added the phrase “at Bdote” to their official name. “Bdote” is a Dakota word meaning “where two waters come together.” When white settlers first came to the area, many Dakota people had a different name for that area, “Mdote,” a word that has the same meaning as “Bdote.” Words change over time. We don’t call Saint Paul “Pig’s Eye” anymore, even if I think that name suites the city better. Kersten’s opinion piece is titled “Small group of activists commandeers Minnesota Historical Society,” which is quite farcical to say the least. From the wording of the title to the various arguments full of fallacies, it is clear that those who are for this changing of control are so for the wrong reasons.

As I sit at my desk and wrap up my thoughts on this “controversy,” I still find it hard to believe that some politicians in this state have a problem with historians doing their job. While it is concerning, I hope to put your mind at ease. Historians, teachers, tour guides, and history columnists like myself will continue to do what we do best; gather sources and stories, interpret our past to get a better understanding of our present, and create hope for our future.

The past never changes, but history does.

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About Michael Rainville, Jr.

A 6th generation Minneapolitan, Michael Rainville, Jr. received his B.A. in History, Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies, and M.A. in Art History from the University of St. Thomas.

Michael is also a lead guide at Mobile Entertainment, LLC, giving Segway, biking, and walking tours of the riverfront for 9+ years.

He can be reached at mrainvillejr@comcast.net.

Third Avenue Bridge Adorned With American Flags for the Independence Day Holiday Weekend

Editors Note: We are immensely thankful to Mill District resident Doug Verdier, who did an excellent job documenting the Water Works project through to fruition, and continues to document the Third Avenue Bridge refurbishment project.

On July 2nd, workers at the Third Avenue Bridge project provided the City with a patriotic display for Independence Day weekend. The three tower cranes on the span across the Mississippi River were decked out in large American flags for the weekend. Smaller flags are also mounted on the rear section of each crane and at other locations on the bridge deck. When the flags on the cranes were first raised, the crane operators rotated the crane arms several times in a full circle to wave the flags. Gentle breezes make the flags flutter at other times. Great job everyone, and what a fantastic idea to celebrate the holiday!

River Matters: Twin Cities River Rats

Article by Becky Fillinger

Alexa Ernst performing in a River Rats showYou know, not every city has a nationally ranked water ski show team. We are so lucky to have the legendary Twin Cities River Rats performing for free all summer long. How do they make those water ski pyramids look so easy? We talked to Alexa Ernst, Show Director and Marketing/Promotions Director of the River Rats about the history of the club and how it stays afloat. 

Q:  Please tell us the history of the Twin Cities River Rats.

A:  The River Rats were established in 1979 and were originally part of the University of Minnesota Water Ski Club when the team first skied on Lake Independence as part of the U of M’s Recreational Sports program. They began performing exhibition shows (no costumes and no theme) throughout the Twin Cities in 1985. During the summer of 1990, the team moved to Buffalo Lake to perform several shows with an announcer who developed a storyline, costumes for each ski act and the continued development of skiers.

In 1992, they competed and hosted the first ever Minnesota State (now known as the Midwest Regional) Show Ski Tournament on Lake Phalen in St. Paul. In 1996, the team moved to the current ski site on the Mississippi River and created the name Twin Cities River Rats. We’ve been here since that time!

Princess Ariel is a key character in this year's Under the Sea-themed show.

Q:  Congratulations on 42 years of entertaining the Twin Cities! What will we see if we attend a show of the current production - Under the Sea?

A: Join Nemo and friends on their adventure through the Great Mississippi Sea! Come along as they search for Princess Ariel with their high-flying jumps, careful balancing acts and barefoot tricks. Will Nemo be able to reunite Ariel with her underwater friends? You’ll have to join us to find out.

We missed last summer due to COVID. Our 2019 show was Ratty Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. We practice multiple times a week and throughout the winter to gear up for the summer shows – the show is the culmination of a lot of practice hours.

Spectators bring blankets and folding chairs on which to watch the show from. If you want to get a little more fancy, consider a donation of $80 to reserve your own VIP section for up to 15 people. Performances take place at 1758 West River Road N, between the Plymouth Avenue and Broadway bridges.

Q:  Twin Cities River Rats are nationally ranked - please tell us more about how this is achieved.

A:  We compete each year at a Regional Tournament where teams qualify for Nationals. The Regional Tournament is typically held in Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota or North Dakota in July. Teams that qualify for Nationals then compete at the National Tournament in August, which is usually held in Wisconsin or Illinois. We had our best finish at Nationals in 2018, coming home in 5th Place.

Q:  How do you recruit new members? Is it part of the club's mission to expand access to water skiing for people of color?

A:  As a club we have never recruited new members. At each performance we announce how anyone interested can participate in the club. We welcome anyone who is interested in being a member of River Rats. We are aware that water skiing – regionally and nationally – has not historically had a diverse membership. Our ‘Learn to Ski’ event each year is our outreach to the greater community for new members. Our only qualification for performers is that they know how to swim. However, we have opportunities that go way beyond performers – we need help driving the boats, setting up each event, acting on stage, announcing, working in the concession stand, etc. We have about 150 River Rats – there is a little something for everyone!

Q:  Are the shows recorded and available for viewing if we can't make it to the banks of the Mississippi River?

A:  Not today, but we would love to make this happen!

Q:  How may we support your club and follow your news?

A:  Come to a show and spread the word about us! We are here to provide free family entertainment to the Minneapolis area, and we love nothing more than performing for you. You may follow us on Facebook, Instagram and our website for the most up to date information and River Rat news. The River Rats are a volunteer, 501(c)(3) organization. We are able to provide our shows to Minneapolis from support from our fans and sponsors. Your donations pay for gas for the boats, costumes, programs, backdrops, trips to competitions, etc. If you’d like to donate to help us continue to provide free entertainment throughout the summer and help us stay on the water, please visit givebutter.com/tcriverrats. We thank you! 

Upcoming Events: 

Thursday Night Show, July 8 @ 6:30pm-9:00pm

Thursday Night Show, July 15 @ 6:30pm-9:00 pm

Aquatennial Show, July 22 @ 7:00pm-9:00 pm

Aquatennial Show, July 23 @ 6:30pm-9:00 pm

Full list of events. 

June 2021 by the Numbers from Cynthia Froid Group

Downtown real estate market update from Cynthia Froid Group:

Local Leader: Joshua Crosson, Executive Director at EdAllies

Article by Becky Fillinger

Joshua CrossonWe often hear many complaints about education systems in Minnesota. EdAllies is an innovative, results-oriented non-profit you should know because they are making a difference. We talked to Executive Director Joshua Crosson about the history of EdAllies, how he became involved and how we can all help.

Q:  Thanks for speaking with us Joshua. What is the history of EdAllies?

A:  About a decade ago, Teach For America’s founding executive director, Daniel Sellers, was attempting to run the innovative teacher preparation program, while also passing policy in Minnesota, to allow the program to take root and thrive in the state. He discovered that it just wasn’t feasible to create a new education program when policies prevent it, even though the program had proven results in other states. From there, Daniel became executive director of MinnCAN, which later spun off to become the fully local initiative EdAllies - to lead the policy, research, and communications around education systems change so practitioners and families can focus on their work and their students.

I joined the team in 2013 as the lead on policy and advocacy. In 2016, a few of my colleagues and I decided to forge out and found a new, fully local initiative - and that’s when EdAllies came to be. We wanted a nimble, hands-on organization that would build from what we’re hearing in the community, while learning about best practices from partners across the country. Through our different stages as an organization, our mission has stayed the same: to partner with schools, families, and communities to ensure that every young Minnesotan has access to a rigorous and engaging education. We advance policies that put underserved students first, remove barriers facing successful schools and programs, and foster an inclusive conversation about what’s possible for students. We have evolved and grown over the years, and over time I moved up from leading policy initiatives to leading the organization as Executive Director, and I’m excited to lead EdAllies into its next phase of tireless advocacy for all Minnesota kids.

Q:  What drew you to a career with EdAllies?  

A:  For as long as I can remember, I’ve been dedicated to uprooting white supremacy in all corners of society. From healthcare to our tax code to voting access, every system in our country has either been built on the foundation of or infiltrated by white supremacist thinking. Our public education system is no exception. EdAllies has allowed me the opportunity to organize impacted communities and redesign an education system that works for each and every kid by naming and eliminating injustices at the root.

A great education is a human right and an opportunity to achieve one’s fullest potential. This is personal for me. When I was going into high school, I was being funneled into a school where only 17% of their freshmen graduated from the school in four years. It was clear that my community was not getting the education we deserved. My mom’s boss suggested that she seriously consider taking me out of the school district and enroll me into the private school he attended. A private education seemed out of reach for me. We were a single-parent, low-income family, and there didn’t seem to be other options for us - but my mom’s boss urged her to reconsider. So, with my mom working two jobs and selling Avon on the side and my contribution through work-study - a truly Herculean effort - I was able to escape that situation and attend a school that set me up for success in college and career. Many of my friends who went to the high school I was supposed to go to did not have the same chance as me, and while none were less intelligent, less hardworking, or less deserving than me, many of them wound up with very different trajectories, never receiving the opportunity they needed and deserved to reach their full potential. When I say education allows us to reach our full potential, I’m saying that from seeing the outcomes of a high-quality education and a broken education system firsthand.

It’s my job, now, to guarantee each and every kid has access to a life-changing education. It’s not fair to ask parents and students who are stuck to change their systems while subjugating their kids to a poor school. It’s not fair to force educators and practitioners to remove policy barriers so they can provide opportunities for kids. This is why EdAllies exists. We do the work to improve systems and remove barriers, so kids have access to a great school and educators have the ability to transform the lives of their students.

Q:  Your organization's website notes that EdAllies partners with schools, families, and communities on barriers facing students and opportunities available to them. How do you go about setting up the partnerships? How do you maintain the relationships?

A:  We take our name seriously, striving to be strong allies in the fight to ensure all Minnesota children get the education they need and deserve. Partnerships are essential to everything we do. We look to our partners - families, educators, teachers, students, and other education stakeholders - to tell us what needs to change for Minnesota students, and together, we work to make change happen.

We develop partnerships in many ways. We meet people where they are in the community through everything from classroom presentations to parent trainings, and we bring people in through our own events, fellowships, and more. Sometimes people will reach out to us for help on a specific problem like a teacher licensure issue or a student discipline issue. We help on an individual level but, more times than not, the problem is a symptom of a systemic failure, so it’s important to create deeper, longer-lasting changes by elevating individual stories and experiences. In other words, EdAllies empowers our communities to solve individual problems, and communities help EdAllies solve the systemic problems that resulted in those individual problems in the first place.

We work to ensure that we’re accessible and creating opportunities to collaborate and connect - from convening coalitions on specific initiatives to texting in the middle of the night to turn a student’s story into an article. We’re here to work with people as needs come up, whenever and wherever. And that genuine approach to meeting people where they are goes a long way to expressing and demonstrating our dedication to this work.

We also evaluate how well we partner and whether we’re filling an important role. We measure the value we generate for our partners through an annual partner survey, which we use to assess EdAllies’ value to others in the education ecosystem.

Q:  Does EdAllies operate outside of Minnesota?

A:  EdAllies is a Minnesota-focused advocacy organization. As a locally-led education advocacy organization, we work to be as responsive as possible to the specific needs of Minnesota’s students, especially those whose potential is most often overlooked. In our work, we see that students, families, and community advocates often know what needs to change but need support to navigate systems and identify levers for the change they hope to see. And it’s Minnesota student and family input and insight that drives our policy and advocacy agenda.

That said, we don’t and can’t operate in a vacuum. For example, examining national trends, practices, research, policies, and conversations - and occasionally being part of them - not only informs our work but also helps us understand what’s working and what’s not in education. For example, with the federal government’s funding and guidance around COVID relief aid, EdAllies took the opportunity to both advise our national and local policymakers on how we should include community input to invest in our education system more wisely.

Q:  Your lists of funders, staff and board members are impressive. Has the organization had major successes that led to this level of recruitment?

A:  Ultimately, I think people are drawn to us because of our approach. Our mission is clear and inspiring, and the need is great, creating an overwhelming desire from the community to help develop EdAllies. We are incredibly lucky to have a deep well of talent at all levels of our work. We believe that every student deserves a great education, and we’re not willing to let the status quo stand in the way. We are willing to partner to do whatever it takes to move the needle for kids, and we’re not afraid to upset those who stand in the way, which I think is a refreshing approach for many, and something they want to be a part of.

That approach helped us spearhead a major overhaul of Minnesota’s teacher licensure system, which was notoriously broken and hard to navigate but also deep-rooted and difficult to change. We took the issue head-on, and after a few years of effective advocacy, we rebuilt our teacher licensure system by centering it on what students need – high-quality, experienced, and diverse educators. It demonstrated that we have an approach that can get big things done.

Family foundations are also very excited about our systems-change and collaborative approach. Long-term change that improves outcomes permanently is like steering a giant ship; it’s often slow and strategic. Funders know that investing in an organization dedicated to changing a system, especially one as big and as important as education, might see results after a few years rather than a few months, but the solutions will be longer lasting.

Q:  Data disaggregation is another priority for EdAllies. Can you tell us what this is important? 

A:  To create a more equitable education system, we need to understand how schools are serving students across lines of race, ethnicity, income, zip code, disability, and more. Minnesota is currently rolling out a better system for gathering and sharing this nuanced data - but as it stands, we have an incomplete understanding of how our schools are serving students across broad racial and ethnic categories.

For example, we can look at outcomes for Asian and Black youth in Minnesota, but not Hmong or Somali students. We might know the high school graduation rates of white and Native American students, but we can’t compare the high school graduation rates of white students with disabilities and Native American students with disabilities. With the All Kids Count Act, we have begun to do much more to collect data in a way that tells a meaningful story about school performance. The Minnesota Department of Education, along with many districts across the state, have only just begun to implement this critical policy that gives us access to detailed, actionable information on student outcomes.

We are eager to see much more progress on this law so we can move to the next phase of the work and make the data actionable. For example, we had data that shows Native American students who take two or more high school courses in career and technical education are 75% more likely to graduate, which means investments in career and technical education courses will have an impact on Indigenous students and their communities. What other solutions are we missing because data are not available? Partners across Minnesota like the Coalition of Asian American Leaders and the African American Leadership Forum have been asking for this policy change for a long time. If we get this right, we can really emerge as a national leader in the use of more detailed data to help build better, more tailored programming for students.

Q:  How may our readers engage with EdAllies to assist with your efforts on behalf of Minnesota children?

A:  Donate, participate, and follow/share.

Taking action can be as simple as taking three minutes to pick an action alert on our site edalliesmn.org/take-action and use it to contact your representatives. You can also share your story with us. If any part of our mission resonates with you, allowing us to help elevate your voice helps advances our many initiatives.

Follow us on Twitter or Facebook to learn about events, ways to support students, and for up-to-the-minute opportunities to act. We’re constantly posting videos and blogs to keep you informed about what’s going on in education policy, and we do different types of events throughout the year. We’d love for you to participate.

And donations are the fuel to allow us to do this work. Help provide the critical resources we need to fight for students, help students and families tell their stories, and lead Minnesota to adopt a better education system that works for everyone. If you want to help us to continue to be the advocates our kids need and deserve, please donate and be part of the movement (edalliesmn.org/donate). Every donor is another ally that students have on their side.

Upcoming West River Parkway Closures Related to Bridge Work

Via a June 29 e-announcement from the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

Sections of West River Parkway have been impacted throughout the last two years due to numerous construction projects. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board appreciates the public's understanding and patience while these critical projects to repair and improve public infrastructure are performed. Please stay away from areas where work is taking place and follow all posted detours and signage.

10th Avenue SE Bridge and Bridge #9 Repairs

July 12-Sept. 1, 2021

The parkway will be closed to motor vehicle traffic between 13th Avenue S and 22nd Avenue S from July 12-September 1, 2021 for the rehabilitation of 10th Avenue SE Bridge by the City of Minneapolis and repairs to Bridge #9 (the bike/pedestrian bridge serving the Dinkytown Greenway) by the University of Minnesota. Trail traffic will be rerouted onto the parkway while bridge work continues above the trails. Paradise Charter Cruises will be accessible via 22nd Avenue S.

3rd Avenue Bridge Reconstruction

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

The parkway and adjacent trails are scheduled to close between 4th Avenue N and Portland Avenue in mid-late August. The closure is necessary for the reconstruction of the 3rd Avenue Bridge by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. More details about this closure will be shared later this summer as the bridge reconstruction project progresses. Please visit the Hwy 65/3rd Avenue Bridge Reconstruction website for more details.

The Mill City Times Interview: Dr. Job Ubbink, University of Minnesota Department of Food Science and Nutrition

Article by Becky Fillinger

The Twin Cities are a mecca for food lovers and especially for the fusion of cuisines from around the world. Check out this description of pizzas at local favorite Day Block Brewing Company: "Most pizzerias use classic Italian flavors on their pizzas. We also use classic flavors but draw inspiration from all the myriad of food cultures represented in Minnesota. What sets us apart are the Latin American, Vietnamese, Scandinavian, North African, Eastern European, Japanese, American and many other influences that guide our pizza making direction every day."

Dr. UbbinkYou can now study the edible marvels that you’ve enjoyed many times. Dr. Johan B. ("Job") Ubbink, Professor and Head of the Food Science and Nutrition Department at the University of Minnesota, teaches Food Customs & Culture. A new course this past spring, it is getting rave reviews from students. We talked to Dr. Ubbink about food and culture, and the wealth of opportunities in the Twin Cities to experience different food cultures.

Q:  In your opinion, how are food and culture related to each other?

A:  "Culture" is the identity that you share with other members of your group or community and that evolves from shared social patterns, such as family relationships, dress, meal patterns, religion and many more. "Culture" is thus acquired from others by spending time with them. In the case of food, one very important aspect of "culture" is that it helps to learn individuals from past experiences about what foods are healthy and nutritious, and what food sources are to be avoided, for instance because they are toxic.

Food culture has however evolved far beyond this, and is setting the norms for behavior of a community, for instance on how to prepare or store foods, when to eat, with whom to eat, what utensils we use in preparing and eating food and how we use them (think of knife, fork and spoon vs. chopsticks and spoon), the role of food in celebrations, religious food laws, etc. One example is what we call a "meal pattern": Mostly as a consequence of the settlement of Northwest Europeans, in the US we still conventionally assume that a regular, healthy meal pattern consists of breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are actually many different ways one can eat in a healthy and satisfying manner. Native Americans would typically have two meals a day, and the traditional Mexican meal pattern is five meals a day.

Culture is also dynamic: many people these days skip breakfast (I am always polling my students in class about this!). If this trend is maintained, as a society we will be migrating to a dominantly two-meal-a-day pattern, complemented with the frequent snacking that is so much part of US food habits. Also, with the increasing diversity of our society, we are gradually seeing a higher level of acceptance of wholly different food patterns.

Q:  Our local area has provided refuge to many immigrant cultures. Does the availability of food and food memories help with the transition of integrating into a new country and culture?

A:  Definitely so. Immigrants will attempt to maintain a significant part of their food culture, and will look for or perhaps even produce their own specific ingredients and initially maintain their food traditions. Gradually, however, almost all immigrants will start to adopt food practices of their new surroundings, often in parallel to them maintaining parts of their original food culture. The availability of diverse foods is thus an important element of welcoming newcomers, and these diverse foods and food cultures are also critical to help us all to engage these diverse cultures.

Q:  You've lived and worked in several countries and many US states. How does the Twin Cities food culture rank in your mind, in terms of diversity?

A:  Having previously lived in California, I did not know what exactly to expect when moving to the Twin Cities. I am, however, very much taken in by the very active food culture that I find here. From my part Norwegian heritage, I am enjoying for the first time in several decades some Scandinavian food traditions, and via several professors in my department I am learning much about traditional Native American food culture, including the special significance of wild rice and the issues around it. Furthermore, the increasing diversity in the Twin Cities gives me many opportunities to engage with different food cultures, including traditional Southern US food culture, many Asian food culture, Hispanic food culture and many more. I am also much appreciating the great diversity of small food producers and farmers markets, and enjoying their foods and ingredients, including specialty grains and milled flours, bread and pastries, culinary products, dairy products, fresh produce and a wide range of fermented foods.

Q:  Does food culture impact health?

A:  This is an area that is currently drawing a lot of attention from researchers, including several of my colleagues in the nutrition program at the University of Minnesota. My view is that a deeply lived food culture is one of the essential elements for a flourishing community. We just do not eat because we need certain nutrients, but to maintain our social network, connect with our food system and find a healthy life balance.

Food culture is also essential for emotional and social well-being. Food is one of the main ways by which we build our relationships - think of a date that you are treating to a romantic dinner, the food that you enjoyed as a kid at home and that your parents prepared for you, or the welcoming feeling when as a guest you are invited to share food with your host.

Conversely, loss of food culture is one of the critical factors leading to loss of community and community well-being. A most grave example is the loss of their food culture by the indigenous communities, as forced by the settlement of what is now the US principally by European immigrants. Native Americans faced displacement from their territories, resulting in the loss of their traditional, sustainably managed food systems and their traditional, healthy eating patterns. I find it very positive that numerous, mainly young people of indigenous background are reconnecting to their traditional food background, and reinvigorating their food culture by novel and creative initiatives.

Q:  What has surprised you as you teach the course?

A:  A very positive surprise to me is the engagement of the students in the course. The students bring up great examples from their own cultures and experiences, and they provide really insightful elements in the discussions. This course is thus for me a true learning experience as well, as every time I am picking up many new things. However,  I also often notice that only a few students understand the multicultural basis and the diversity of our US food culture. Beef jerky as we know it now is for instance very close to the original way that the Native Americans preserved bison, venison and other meats. And that Southern-style slow cooked barbecue is rooted in African American traditions. A very personal recent surprise for me, as someone originally from the Netherlands, was that cole slaw is of Dutch origin and came to North America with the Dutch settlements in what is now New York.

Q:  Do you offer the course outside of the University of Minnesota? I think it would be wildly popular.

A:  As of now, we do not offer the course outside the University of Minnesota. I am however regularly speaking for diverse audiences outside the university, and our college is regularly involved in sessions for high schoolers, alums, etc.

Q:  Do you have advice for our readers, as residents of the Twin Cities or as travelers, on how to become more versed in food and culture?

A:  Be open minded! Meet people, learn from them, start appreciating their culture, ways of doing things, and perspectives, and start enjoying their foods and food habits!

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  Please follow us! Here are all of our media channels:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/department-of-food-science-and-nutrition-8140138a/detail/recent-activity/

https://www.facebook.com/fscnumn/

https://twitter.com/fscn_umn?lang=en

https://fscn.cfans.umn.edu/

DMNA Seeks Additional Vendors For August 3rd National Night Out in The Commons Park

The Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA) has a large National Night Out event planned for Tuesday, August 3rd, 5pm-9pm, at The Commons Park, located at 425 Portland Avenue (between 4th and 5th Avenues and Park and Portland Avenues). 

They've got a great start on securing vendors, music and food trucks, and are looking for additional vendors to provide giveaways, games, etc. Please pass along this information to any businesses or organization you think would be a good fit as a participating vendor for this much anticipated event.

EDITORS NOTE - updated info provided June 30th:

Free Fitness Classes Coming to the Minneapolis Convention Center Plaza

Via a June 24 e-announcement:

Every Saturday from July 17 through August 28, the newly redesigned MCC Plaza will host Summer Fitness on the Plaza

The Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC) is introducing the public to its newly redesigned Plaza this summer by offering free outdoors fitness classes every Saturday from July 17 through August 28. A variety of local fitness businesses have been invited to take their classes outside and onto the Plaza – bringing seven weekends and 15 classes from which to choose.

Each Summer Fitness on the Plaza event is free to the public. There is no limit on the number of events that fitness enthusiasts may attend.  

• When: Every Saturday from July 17 through August 28
• Where: Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55403 (The Plaza is located across the street from the main entrance on 2nd Avenue.)
• Price: Free
• Registration: Click here
• More Information: Click here for the complete schedule and class details

“We’re excited to welcome the community to our beautiful new Plaza through these free fitness classes,” said Minneapolis Convention Center Executive Director Jeff Johnson. “We talk a lot about the Minneapolis Convention Center being a ‘relationship building,’ and Summer Fitness on the Plaza is one of the events that helps strengthen the bonds between the MCC and the surrounding community”

ABOUT THE MINNEAPOLIS CONVENTION CENTER

The Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC) is owned by the City of Minneapolis and marketed through Meet Minneapolis. The 1.6 million square foot facility features 475,000 square feet of exhibit space, a 3,400 fixed-seat auditorium, 87 meeting rooms and two ballrooms. The MCC is GBAC STAR, LEED and GMIC certified and works to serve its constituencies and stakeholders as the face of Minneapolis to visitors. Through its efforts, the MCC helps sustain more than 8,600 jobs in the community.

ABOUT THE MCC PLAZA

Located on the south side of downtown with beautiful skyline views, the 2.5-acre Minneapolis Convention Center Plaza is built on top of an underground parking deck and includes a sweeping manicured lawn perfect for picnics and lawn games, surrounded by a lush urban meadow planted with prairie grasses and wildflowers that is downtown’s largest pollinator refuge. Designed by Damon Farber Landscape Architects for environmental sustainability, the Plaza includes native tree and plant species, and irrigation utilizing the Convention Center’s stormwater capture system. The project is pursuing SITES certification as one of the first projects in the region. SITES is a sustainability-focused framework that ushers landscape architects, engineers and others toward practices that protect ecosystems and enhance the mosaic of benefits they continuously provide our communities, such as climate regulation, carbon storage and flood mitigation.

Recording of the June 23rd Third Avenue Bridge Project Update Webinar

MnDOT hosted a virtual construction update for the Third Avenue Bridge restoration project on June 23rd. The 35-minute recording of that webinar is below. Visit the project page for more information.

Public Art Installation at Canopy by Hilton Minneapolis Mill District up for a Prestigious CODAaward - Your Vote Can Help Them Win!

A public art installation in the Canopy by Hilton Minneapolis Mill District is among the top 100 finalists for a prestigious CODAaward; given to those who successfully integrate commissioned art into interior, architectural or public spaces. From June 18 - 30, public voting is open! The two artworks that receive the most votes will receive a People’s Choice CODAaward.

The centerpiece of this historic Minneapolis building’s lobby is the atrium art installation. It is a sculpture designed to evoke the image of flour falling from a sifter in homage to one of the local historic industries. This delicate installation consists of nearly 200 strands that are 100 feet in length with a series of bronzed and stainless metallic square elements within the Canopy by Hilton Minneapolis, a conversion of the historic Advance Thresher/Emerson-Newton building from office to hotel by DLR Group.

CODAworx is a creative online platform that connects artists, de­sign­ers, and fabricators with municipalities and developers who commission artwork. The organization continues an active presence in shaping public arts in the U.S. and around the world. Their annual CODAawards is an international competition given to those to excel in integrating commissioned artwork into interior, architecture, and/or public spaces. Design categories include Landscape, Residential, Healthcare, Commercial, Institutional, Liturgical, Public Spaces, Transportation, Hospitality, and Education. Cindy Allen (EIC, Interior Design), Malene Barnett (Founder, Black Artists + Designers Guild), and Frances Bronet (President, Pratt Institute in New York City), are among the eighteen jurors, who have spent weeks reviewing and scoring all 374 entries to narrow down the Top 100. They will agree on one winner in each category to create the 2021 CODAawards winners circle, in addition to the two People’s Choice CODAawardees that the general public will select.

Mill District Artist Kathleen Franzen Featured in Book Illustrating Minnesota's Threatened Boreal Forest

Mill District resident Kathleen Franzen is one of 10 Minnesota botanical artists featured in Art on the Edge of the Boreal Forest: Alternative Futures for the trees, birds and insects, a science and art book including articles by Lee Frelich, Ph.D., director of The Center of Forest Ecology at the University and Gerald J. Niemi, Ph.D. and Professor Emeritus in the Department of Biology, University of Minnesota-Duluth.

The book includes 83 renditions of original art. In addition to Kathleen, the Minnesota botanical artists include Vicki Barth, Wendy Brockman, Marj Davis, Nancy Gehrig, Debra Greenblatt, Julie Martinez, Mary Anne O'Malley, Kathy Reeves, and Bruce Wilson. Their work highlights specific aspects of 10 trees of the boreal forest identified by Lee Frelich that are undergoing slow and silent but significant change due to disturbances caused by fire, invasive insects and stressful climate conditions.

Threatened birds of the boreal forest were identified by Gerald J. Niemi. Insects associated with the trees of the boreal forest were identified by Jana Albers, DNR Forest Health Specialist. 

Art on the Edge of the Boreal Forest is available online from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target and BookBaby. Sales proceeds go to The Center of Forest Ecology and Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory in Duluth.

SINGULA Exhibit at Gamut Gallery Opens July 16 Featuring Muralists from Mexico, Chicago and Mpls

Via a recent e-announcement from Gamut Gallery

Singula (adj.) derives from the Latin word, singulus, meaning single or separate; each one being individually unique and particular, possessing its own essence. As individuals experiencing and interpreting distinct realities– from our physical surroundings to our imaginations deep within the subconscious realm; Singula honors the distinguishable and rare elements that continuously shape our identity and understanding of the world.  

Singula is curated by Rodrigo Oñate and features muralists he has invited from Mexico, Chicago and Minneapolis, all whom incorporate whimsical characters and dream-like imagery to explore their cultural origins and storytelling practices that embolden critical connections across identities. Through a combination of colors, textures and intricate shapes and figures, this collection of muralists reveres the accessibility of public spaces to create vibrant and eclectic works that connect directly with the community. By highlighting everyday human experiences and marginalized narratives, this exhibition affirms street art is a powerful form of expression and solidarity among communities, stimulating the imagination and activism necessary for transformative change. 

We hope this work engages the viewer to reflect upon their own innermost identities and the dreams that we carry with us throughout our lifetime. This Summer, we invite you to enter the gallery filled with environments most commonly found in our flights of fantasy.

MEMBERS ONLY PREVIEW NIGHT:

Thursday, July 15 / 6-8pm
Meet & greet with Twin Cities with curator & artist Rodrigo Oñate 

Reserve your spot or become a member today!!
• Memberships required, book your FREE pre-sale today
• Members may purchase a guest pass to bring a friend for $7

PUBLIC OPENING NIGHT:

Friday, July 16 / 6-9pm • $7, FREE for members
Singula will feature muralists Los Calladitos, 2MIL, Lelo Zaa and Roco Drilo from Mexico, (sub)urban warrior, Liz Flores and Elloo from Chicago, Chuck U and Joy Spika from Minneapolis, all whom incorporate whimsical characters and dream-like imagery. Curated by Rodrigo Oñate aka Roco Drilo.
• Pre-sales available and recommended • Entry will be available at the door

Elliot Park Art Walk & Makers Market

Saturday, July 24 / 11am - 3pm • $6.50
Tour times at 11:30pm, 12:30 pm, 1:30pm & 2:30pm with Live painting in Gamut's Courtyard.
FREE pop-up makers market at Gamut featuring Twin Cities Makers and Icy Icy Baby shaved ice treat truck!

Experience historic Elliot Park neighborhood through a comedian-led tour from the Theater of Public Policy. Learn fun facts about the neighborhood, check out historic landmarks, and explore experiences in the Elliot Park Arts Quarter featuring Gamut Gallery, Fades Of Gray Inc. Bee Ink Tattoo, Rose Salon & Segue Coffee Shop.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

The creation of characters and fantastic worlds are the universe that defines the work of Rodrigo Oñate (Roco Drilo). Originally from the city of Queretaro, Mexico, Roco embarked on his career as a self-taught plastic and graphic artist, influenced by the pop culture of the 80s, comics, graffiti and various artists representing Mexican art. By extracting himself from his context and looking at it from the outside, he found a better appreciation and understanding of Latin American culture, thus conceiving a style with a contemporary and modern vision of Latino folklore, mixing techniques that since his career have gained great relevance as in graffiti or pop art. 

Los Calladitos (The Silent Ones) was founded in 2015 by Ariadna Galaz and Jorge Peralta. When Ari and Jorge began working together they gave themselves Los Calladitos as a nickname because they believed that the work is more valuable than words. Passionate about their work and improving the environment through art, Los Calladitos creates unique characters based on legends, myths or real people representing the communities they visit, encouraging the viewer to be a part of their own community. Currently, they are painting murals around Latin America and helping communities through art education, and hosting workshops. Their studio is located in the quiet colonial town of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

Creator and promoter of street art in Mexico, LELO is known for his colorful artwork, in small and large format, using spray, acrylic, latex paint and natural pigments. In his art, Juárez explores and recreates the worldview of native towns, with elements of his personal identity. He uses street art and graffiti as techniques of orality and image, aimed to build a universal language. His work continues to revolve around the worldview and cultural context of the native towns; articulated with the medical background he acquired at the veterinary school. In this way, he combines empirical and scientific knowledge.  

2MIL is a Mexican street artist, born in Morelia, Michoacán. He has dedicated his work to the appropriation of urban spaces with muralsl since 2015. With a varied and eclectic style, he represents through Mexican folklore an iconic character of his work, a personal reinterpretation of the torito de petate dance, one of the most traditional emblems of Morelia.

Elloo is a Chicago based artist who is known for her bright colored compositions. Her work is inspired by her love for sweets, subconscious memories and fairytales. Her bright colored characters are a blend of her imagination and dark dream-like scenes. Behind every piece she creates: Life is Sweet. Currently, she resides in Pilsen and continues to paint from her imagination bringing her characters to real life. Her main focus is to create a body of work that is unique and that allows the viewer to dig into their subconscious and develop their own interpretations of what they see.

Liz Flores is a painter and muralist based in Chicago. Her work experiments with how the human condition—with its interplay between emotion and memory—can be represented abstractly. She engages everyday human experience and the female body by using shape, color and the human form as a mode of visual storytelling.  Her mural work can be found throughout the Chicagoland Area and New York City. In addition to working with private and commercial clients, her work has been exhibited in galleries throughout Chicago and is driven by her interests in womanhood, belonging and inner life.

(sub)urban warrior is an artist from the suburbs of Chicago, who views each piece as an opportunity to share her passion with the surrounding communities, and to leave something behind that will be thought provoking, emotionally significant, and mentally stimulating to the viewer. Influenced greatly by nature, something that is very relatable to all walks of life, (sub)urban warrior combines multiple creatures and sometimes humans in a whimsical playful way that oftentimes exudes an ethereal feeling. Her original creations are called beasties, all knowing omnipotent beings that are eternal and roam the earth, bringing a message of love and strength and stability to those around them. While her characters are known for their sweet nature and strong presence, incorporating bright colors and vibrant tones communicate a joyful message that is uplifting and smile inducing.

Joy Spika is a black identifying artist with a mixed cultural background. She incorporates her personal stories into all of her work. She is a mixed media artist with a deep love for aerosol murals, painting, and textile art, who believes in the power of art to heal and connect people. From a young age she has used art as a fundamental form of expression and communication. Joy finds Inspiration through her intuitive understanding of the world around her and those things that aren’t always visible. Joy uses her art as a channel to retrieve messages from her ancestors and guides. Art has always been her primary spirituality. The characters she creates are often exaggerated or dream-like versions of her current emotions and still images of what her internal life looks like. In this show she is featuring paintings that have her deep truths hidden in them through symbols and the characters she creates. She wants to hold space for the complicated and non-monolithic nature of the lives of BIPOC, fat, femme and alternative humans. 

Chuck U is a painter, illustrator and muralist from Minneapolis, Minnesota, who specializes in whimsical yet intricate works that celebrate the unusual and unexpected. His pieces are populated with fanciful flora, fauna and unusual landscapes that are playful yet masterful and aim to spark imagination and joy in the viewer. Chuck’s prints utilize a combination of traditional pen and ink technique with digital coloring applications that are printed digitally or as limited edition screen prints. His paintings and murals are approached with a similar sensibility but take on a life of their own transporting the viewer with scale, color, and the skillful line work that has become his signature.

GALLERY & GIFT SHOP OPEN HOURS 

FREE open hours: Wednesday - Friday, 11am - 6pm; Saturday 11am - 4pm

Gamut Gallery is open without capacity restrictions for in-person viewing of the exhibition. We are available by appointment, please request an appointment 48 hours in advance. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for further details and information regarding the event.