zAmya Theater Project Celebrates 15 years with the Annual Fall Roadshow: zAmya Zone

Via a recent News Release:

Performances inspire action for housing justice during Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, November 18-23, at venues throughout Minneapolis

zAmya Theater Project announces the Annual Fall Roadshow: zAmya Zone, a 90-minute theatrical event to build understanding about homelessness and inspire action for housing justice. zAmya Zone will be performed at venues across the Twin Cities during Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, Nov. 17-23. zAmya Theater Project will celebrate its 15th birthday with a celebration after the Nov. 23rd performance at Pillsbury House Theater.

zAmya Zone marks the company’s 15th anniversary of creating performances from stories lived by participants who have experienced homelessness, crafted by zAmya’s core artistic members, to change the narrative about homelessness. zAmya believes in the basic human right of safe, stable, affordable housing for all. Sharing personal stories of homelessness helps to heal the trauma for those who have experienced it and begins to unravel the systemic crisis of homelessness. 

zAmya Zone was written by Junauda Petrus-Nasah (who recently released the book The Stars and the Blackness Between Them) and is co-directed by Eric Avery and Maren Ward. The cast includes Joshua Battey, Robert Blood, Annette Bryant, Charles Hilton, Marvin Howard, Lurch, Sol Sepulveda, Tahiti Robinson, and Arminta Wilson.

zAmya Zone was inspired by content generated during weekly workshops at Minneapolis Central Library over the summer with members of the community who have experienced homelessness. zAmya Zone borrows its name from the popular TV series The Twilight Zone and explores the surreal and strange nature of an abundant world that is somehow not enough. 

You unlock this door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension—a dimension of sound, a dimension of sight, a dimension of mind, a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. In this dimension we are on beautiful earth, with abundant food and shelter for all. Yet, in this dimension, there exists the world of homelessness, displacement and poverty. A dimension where your class, your mental and physical health, your race, your ancestry could result in you not having a home, safety or care. Redlining and angry mobs, broken treaties with sovereign nations, settled land and enslavement, genocide and gentrification are apart of this legacy too. You're moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of privilege and poverty, between haves and have nots, of shelters and high-rise condos. It is an area which we call the Zamya Zone.

“It’s inspiring to see how zAmya has grown from one show a year to year-round programming! The skills and bonding that have happened with the troupe under the leadership of Maren Ward have been astounding. I’m thrilled to see the breadth of the work—weekly workshops at Minneapolis Central Library, touring SW Minnesota, performing for fundraisers, contributing to organizations' workshops in diversity and inclusion, along with our shows. And the impact continues to be humbling. Expressing our voices together is the heartbeat of the work. My hope is that the participants are invited to do more work inside and alongside those in organizations and that their skills are utilized to bring us together and see each other’s humanity.” — Lecia Grossman, zAmya Theater Project founder and advisory board member

“Art and theater can touch our hearts and minds in ways that annual reports, white papers and news articles simply can’t. The stories of zAmya Theater Project are incredibly important, poignant narratives of how various situations lead to homelessness, many times through no fault of their own. When will we stop staring and start seeing?” — Andrea Jenkins, Minneapolis City Council vice president

Performance Schedule

All performances are free and reservations are not required. More information is available at zamyatheater.org.

Monday, Nov 18, 7pm
Plymouth Congregational Church
1900 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis

Thursday Nov 21, 7pm
Minneapolis Central Library, Pohlad Auditorium
300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis 

Friday, Nov 22, 7pm
Washburn High School
201 West 49th Street Minneapolis

Saturday, Nov 23, 7pm (zAmya 15th birthday celebration after performance!)
Pillsbury House Theater
3501 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

About zAmya Theater Project

Through captivating performances and creative collaboration workshops, zAmya Theater Project builds understanding and connection between individuals who have experienced homelessness and those who have not. From understanding and connection, hearts and minds are changed. Solutions are imagined and achieved. Since 2004 the zAmya Theater Project has been changing hearts and minds through performances and workshops in hundreds of Minnesota locations and with many partners including: Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District, Hennepin Theater Trust, Southwest Minnesota Housing Project, The Guthrie Theater, Edina Reality, Salvation Army, Thrivent Financial, Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless Annual Conference, Basilica of St. Mary, Augsburg College, and more.

zAmya Theater Project has been operating independently for one year after leaving St. Stephen’s Human Services in the fall of 2018. The company recently completed a tour of Southwestern Minnesota with A Prairie Homeless Companion, a new play which brought attention to the widespread need for affordable housing and resources for people who are experiencing homelessnes across Minnesota.

zAmya Theatre Project believes theater can change the narrative of homelessness. Our performances grow from stories lived by participants and crafted by our core artistic members. We share them because we know that if we want to unravel this crisis then we have to unravel the story. Informed by experienced advocates and direct service providers, zAmya is led by professional artists, and employs a core group of actors who’ve experienced homelessness to create the plays, co-facilitate workshops, and guide the direction of the company.

zAmya is a Sanskrit word that means “aiming at peace.” For zAmya, aiming at peace means aiming toward a community with safe, stable, affordable housing options for all. More info at zamyatheater.org.

Hennepin Avenue Downtown Reconstruction Project Update

Hennepin Avenue Downtown Reconstruction Project

Hennepin Ave. reconstruction project, led by City of Minneapolis Public Works, will be reconstructed between 12th Street and Washington Avenue beginning Spring 2019.  The project will reconstruct the pavement from building face to building face, including improvements to public and private utility infrastructure, and improved infrastructure for pedestrians, bicycles, transit, and vehicles.

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Latest Project News

 

The Sanitary Sewer work is coming to an end soon on the south end of the project.  Xcel Energy is continuing progress throughout the majority of the corridor.  Both projects will continue into the winter and these cold temps.

What's Coming Up 

Xcel Energy is nearing 5th Street with their structural work and following behind with their underground cable work from Washington to 3rd.  Their second crew is south of 8th Street and moving into the next block next week between 9th and 10th.

The Sanitary Sewer work is wrapping up between 10th and 11th Streets.  This work is progressing toward the final tie-in at the 12th Street intersection.  This work at 12th will require closure of the intersection to cross traffic on 12th from 10am Wed 11/20 to 6am Mon 11/25.  The Hennepin traffic, 1-lane in each direction, will be maintained through the intersection.

Please see the attached update for additional information: 

Hennepin_Update_Vol16.pdf

For more information on this project contact: 

Construction Manager, hennepinCM@minneapolismn.gov or 612-225-4049

www.hennepindowntown.com

Evaluation Shows Safe Harbor Program is Succeeding in Supporting At-Risk Youth

Editor's Note: I'm passing along this News Release from the Minnesota Department of Health in case anyone reading it knows a young person who could benefit from the Safe Harbor program.

An evaluation of the state’s Safe Harbor Program has found most at-risk and sexually exploited youth in the program reported feeling more hopeful and better prepared for the future.

Wilder Research completed its third evaluation of Minnesota’s Safe Harbor program, a multi-agency statewide initiative designed to meet the needs of sex-trafficked and exploited young people through age 24 using a public health, public safety, human services and human rights approach. Program funds allow agencies and grantees to provide supportive services, housing and shelter, and to deliver training, coordinate across disciplines, and conduct outreach.

Between April 2017 and March 2019, Safe Harbor grantees served 1,279 youth and young adults, including 977 new clients. The last evaluation published in November 2017 found that from April 2015 to June 2017, Safe Harbor grantees provided services to 1,423 people.

“It’s encouraging to see the positive impact of Minnesota’s Safe Harbor approach as we all work to address the serious problem of sexual exploitation,” Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm said. “Our public health model is focused on giving young people the tools they need – housing, education and support from trusted adults – to rebuild their lives after sex trafficking. We need to build on this success and make sure we reach all exploited youth where they are at in their schools and communities.”

The average age of participants served under Safe Harbor was 17. A slightly higher percentage of youth served were in greater Minnesota (54%) compared to the metro area (46%). Most participants were female (91%), while 6% identified as male and 3% as transgender, gender non-conforming and other. More than half (59%) of participants were people of color.

Safe Harbor is a statewide initiative to meet the needs of sexually trafficked and exploited youth. The evaluation showed 97% of youth interviewees noted a positive change after accessing Safe Harbor services, and 88% noted a positive change in their situation.

Almost all (94%) respondents felt more hopeful after receiving services, and 100% felt more prepared to reach educational goals. In addition, 94% said they would seek help from police if they felt unsafe, while 89% felt more prepared to support themselves financially in a safe way.

The evaluation also found that Safe Harbor could be even more effective by decreasing service and training gaps and addressing systemic challenges. Additional needs include housing, mental health, long-term services, rural services, culturally specific services and services for victims/survivors over age 24.

“No young person should have to face the trauma of sexual exploitation,” said Human Services Commissioner Jodi Harpstead. “It’s up to us to make sure the right supports are in place to help them as they recover so they can go on to lead full, healthy lives. This evaluation shows that the right interventions make all of the difference.”

If you or someone you know is sexually exploited or taken advantage of, help is available. Visit Safe Harbor Minnesota. You may also call the Day One Hotline at 1-866-223-1111.

The full report is available the Wilder Research Safe Harbor page.

Bacon Social House Honors Veterans w/Complimentary Entrees on Nov 11

Our friends at the Bacon Social House, 700 S 3rd Street, have great respect and appreciation for all current and former members of the military and are excited to have the chance to give back this Veteran's Day!

On Monday, November 11, the Bacon Social House is offering a free entree for active military and veterans (with military ID or proof of service). 

Hyatt Regency Minneapolis’ Joseph Miklausich Receives Meet Minneapolis ‘Hospitality Hero’ Award

Via an October 5 News Release from Meet Minneapolis:

Joseph Miklausich, Banquet Server at Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, has been named the Hospitality Hero award winner for the third quarter of 2019 by Meet Minneapolis, Convention and Visitors Association. The award is given quarterly to a member of the Minneapolis hospitality community who has been nominated by their colleagues for their valuable contributions to the image and culture of Minneapolis through outstanding hospitality and service.

Maxine Matheson, Director of Events at Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, nominated Miklausich for his dedication to providing the best experience for all guests and his coworkers throughout his more than 38 years of service at the hotel.

Wes Olson, Director of Engineering; Dusty Perryman, Director of Human Resources; Chad Preese, Director of Security; Caroline Guerrera, Associate Director of Events; Andrea Thompson, Banquet Manager; Joseph Miklausich, Banquet Server; Maxine Matheson, Director of Events; Amber Doscher, Assistant Banquet Manager; Dan Bronke, Executive Chef; Deanna Hirts, Director Of Operations; Mark Bastis, General Manager, Hyatt Regency Minneapolis

According to Matheson, Miklausich has been through every significant improvement to the hotel’s event experience, took ownership of creating a training program for new hires and when the new menus are published, he keeps a personal copy for review and goes over every item with the chefs. He also pays attention to the smallest of guest details, such as food allergies and favorite items. “We have had clients who return years later, and Joseph is able to remember their preferences and continues to grow the relationship,” she said.

This personal attention gets recognized, too, as Miklausich receives social media mentions from pleased guests, such as one recent person who lost a wallet during an event and shared his diligent effort to return the item to the guest.

Miklausich is a proud Minnesotan, who Matheson noted loves to share stories with guests and colleagues of the development in the community, improvements to downtown, area history, attractions and the latest on the theater scene.

“Joseph epitomizes ‘Minnesota Nice,’” Matheson said. “Joseph’s amazing persona and his kind and caring nature, matched with authenticity, makes him unforgettable.”

ABOUT MEET MINNEAPOLIS

Meet Minneapolis is a private, not-for-profit, member-based association. It actively promotes and sells the Minneapolis area as a destination for conventions and meetings, works to maximize the visitor experience and markets the city as a desirable tourist destination to maximize the economic benefit to the greater Minneapolis area. Meet Minneapolis is accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) of Destinations International.

Open Book to host Tellabration!™ 2019 on November 30

Tellabration!™, an annual event promoted by The National Storytelling Network and hosted in over 300 venues around the world, will be celebrated Saturday, November 30, 10 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. at Open Book, 1011 Washington Ave S.

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The day-long event, which is free to all, features a dozen panel discussions, classes, and workshops that explore a wide-range of topics about storytelling, narrative techniques in other disciplines, and how to craft, promote, and refine stories for audiences and print. Special classes this year include: Social Justice Storytelling, Writing and Performing Stories with Middle Grade Kids, Telling and Writing Ghost Stories, and Sex, Death & Violence – Go For It! There will be a panel discussion with museum interpreters and another with self-published writers and a chapbook printer. There will also be mini concerts and open tell segments hosted by Story Arts of MN from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and a hosted open mic from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. where all visitors are invited to tell a story, or a story about a story. A Traditional Story Challenge will start at 5:00 and wrap up the afternoon of storytelling in the Auditorium. 

 

The event will conclude with a powerful and eclectic evening concert in the Target Performance Hall featuring the donated talents of Kevin Kling, Amie Durenberger, Barbara Schutzgruber, Danny Klecko, Jim Stowell, Khary Jackson, Maria Vorhis, and Nothando Zulu.

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Three of the region’s story organizations—Cheap Theatre, Northlands Storytelling Network, and Story Arts of Minnesota—combined efforts to produce this engaging showcase of spoken word expertise and talent as part of Tellabration’s international reach.

For additional details visit www.tellabrationmn.org. All classes and the concert are free though donations are appreciated. Doors for the concert open at 6:30 p.m. Questions? Contact: Richard Rousseau via  

Richard@tales-from-another-stage.com or 651-649-1757. 

2019 - 2020 Snow Emergency Info

It's only early November, but winter can strike at any time, and being prepared might save you a few headaches, inconvenience and money.

By now you should have received the Snow Emergency Information mailer from the City of Minneapolis, but if you didn't (or didn't save it), there are a number of ways to keep up to date on weather-related restrictions, etc.

Go to http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/snow/ and you'll find it all: If a Snow Emergency is in effect, the Snow Emergency hotline 612-348-SNOW (7669), towed vehicle info, instructions for downloading the Snow Emergency app and more.

Two Northeast Minneapolis Arts Groups Featured at Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center ‘First Thursday’ Event

Two Northeast Minneapolis Arts Groups Featured at Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center ‘First Thursday’ Event

On Nov. 7, free coffee, doughnuts and local art featured from noon to 2 p.m.

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As part of its “First Thursday” event on November 7, Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center guests will be able to enjoy live artist demonstrations and learn about upcoming events and ART365 from Northeast Minneapolis Art District and Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association (NEMAA) staff. In addition, free coffee and raised, glazed doughnuts made with locally milled flour from Kieran’s Kitchen will be available while supplies last.

First Thursdays take place at the Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center, located at 505 Nicollet Mall, Suite 100, directly across from the METRO Nicollet station.

During this event, guests may:

• Sample doughnuts and coffee from Kieran’s Kitchen, a popular café in Northeast Minneapolis’ The Food Building.
• Enjoy live artist demonstrations such as Paper Marbling by Heather Fletcher and Calligraphy by Sally Wightkin.
• Meet Northeast Minneapolis Arts District and Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association (NEMAA) staff.
• Learn about the new ART365 commitment, where at least one artist within the district will stay open every day of the year.

First Thursdays are held to encourage residents, employees of downtown businesses and visitors to learn more about Meet Minneapolis Visitor Information and its retail partner, Minnesota Makers, as well as highlight community organizations and events. For more information and daily hours, visit www.minneapolis.org/visitor-information/

ABOUT MEET MINNEAPOLIS VISITOR CENTER

As part of Meet Minneapolis, Convention and Visitor Association, the Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center is the official visitor center for Minneapolis, located in the CenterPoint Energy building on Nicollet and 5th Street. Staff is available to answer questions, share visitor maps and resources about things to do in Minneapolis and the surrounding area. The Visitor Information Center in the Minneapolis Convention Center also is available to provide similar information to visitors and convention attendees.

Meet Minneapolis is a private, not-for-profit, member-based association. It actively promotes and sells the Minneapolis area as a destination for conventions and meetings, works to maximize the visitor experience and markets the city as a desirable tourist destination to maximize the economic benefit to the greater Minneapolis area. Meet Minneapolis is accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) of Destinations International.