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Covering life, work, and play in the Historic Mill District and Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront neighborhoods. Have an opinion, local news or events to share?  Contact us.

Saturday
Mar092019

Award-Winning HAUS Salon to Open a Third Salon and Spa in Northeast Minneapolis this Spring

Construction is underway on a new HAUS Salon location in Northeast Minneapolis with an expected opening date in Spring 2019. This new 4,000 square foot salon and spa is the third HAUS Salon for award-winning duo Charlie Brackney and Jessica Reipke, who also own and operate HAUS Salon locations in South Minneapolis and in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis. They’ve partnered once again with Jonathan Gomez Whitney to design the salon located at 309 First Avenue NE on the main floor of NordHaus, a luxury mixed-use apartment community. The space offers a modern industrial aesthetic, incorporating iron, wood, stone, and greenery in a space with lofty ceilings and ample natural light.

Growth at HAUS Salon has been organic. The company started by offering only hair services with just eight chairs in January of 2011 at their flagship salon on Nicollet in South Minneapolis. In a few short years, they outgrew their space and opened a second, larger location in 2014 that included a spa in the North Loop neighborhood of downtown Minneapolis. They’ve since remodeled both locations to accommodate for their increasing clientele and 70+ employees. “We had no grand plans to grow our company at this rate. It’s happened organically while we were focused on building a team of talented artists and giving the best possible service,” said Jessica Reipke, co-founder and Salon Director of HAUS Salon. “If we were going to grow, it had to be in the right way, at the right time, in the right space. And it has become vividly clear to us in the past few months that we simply must expand.”

“It’s a beautiful new space in one of our favorite neighborhoods in Minneapolis”
Charlie Brackney
.
“Our company’s vibe is and always has been urban. It might seem ambitious to have three salons all within the City of Minneapolis, but we’ve chosen three distinctly different neighborhoods, and it’s truly the right fit for our brand and our clientele,” said Charlie Brackney, co-founder and Creative Director of HAUS Salon. This love of all things Minneapolis brought HAUS Salon to the popular Northeast Minneapolis neighborhood. The NordHaus community at First and University near Surdyk’s, approached Charlie and Jessica about considering their ground-level retail space. “It’s a beautiful new space in one of our favorite neighborhoods in Minneapolis,” said Brackney.

HAUS Salon Northeast will initially feature HAUS artists transferring from both locations to allow more new clientele to experience all that HAUS has to offer the people of the Twin Cities. Services offered will include haircuts, color services, and hair extensions plus a spa with facials, body waxing, and brow services including waxing, threading and microblading. HAUS Salon offers convenient online scheduling and shopping, featuring carefully curated beauty and wellness essentials in their online shop, shopHAUS.

ABOUT HAUS SALON:

The first HAUS Salon opened eight years ago in January 2011 at 42nd and Nicollet in South Minneapolis. Their second HAUS Salon location opened in October 2014 at 7th and Washington in the North Loop. Guests receive world-class haircuts, color, waxing and facials from some of the most talented and expertly trained artists in the Twin Cities. To schedule an appointment at HAUS Salon, call 612-827-4287 or schedule online at www.haussalon.com.

Saturday
Mar092019

Registration Now Open for Summer Youth Sports and Activities in Minneapolis Parks

Youth Sports

Register your child for fall sports in Minneapolis Parks! Check out the links below to find a league that works for your family:

Gymnastics

Ages 9-14, March-May
Available through Armatage, Audubon and Lake Nokomis Recreation Centers

RBI Baseball

Ages 8-18, May-August

RBI Softball

Ages 8-18, May-August

Slow Pitch: 10U Girls and 18U Co-Ed
Fast Pitch: 12U, 14U and 18U

Track and Field

Ages 9-18, May-July

Umpires Needed!

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is always looking to hire baseball or softball umpires! Earn extra cash and stay involved in the game!

To apply or learn more information please contact Anthony DiBella at adibella@minneapolisparks.org or 612-230-6546.

Activities and Classes

If your child is not into sports, please browse the hundreds of activities and classes linked below:

Arts

Art, Crafts, Dance, Drama, Music and Theater

Computers and Technology

Film, Tech Academy, Video Games

Cooking and Nutrition

Cooking, Baking and Kid's Night Out programs

Health and Fitness

Acrobatics, Boxing, Dance, Martial Arts, Indoor Playgrounds, Yoga and more!

Hobbies, Clubs and Games

Archery, Biking, Billiards, Board Games, Books, Movies and dozens of Summer Camps!

Language and Culture

African Culture Camp, East Phillips Culture Connection, Spanish Language Lessons

Mentoring and Development

Building values and self-esteem to develop tomorrow's leaders

Nature and Environment

Archery, Canoeing, Day Trips, Fishing, Gardening, Junior Naturalists, Nature Nuts and many different Outdoor Summer Camps

Preschool

Kindergarten prep programs and camps available at recreation centers across the city

Water Activities

Swimming Lessons at Lake Nokomis, Lupient Water Park and Wirth Beach; Log Rolling, Sailing and Swim Camp

Recreation Fee Assistance

Minneapolis residents who cannot afford instructional fees because of economic need may apply for fee assistance through the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Fee Assistance Program.

Questions? Contact your local recreation center (Recreation Center List) or the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board information line at 612-230-6400 or info@minneapolisparks.org.

Thursday
Mar072019

Hennepin Healthcare offers “Ask the Brain Injury Experts” event March 13

Unlike a wrist or ankle fracture where a cast, splint or minor surgery can help return function back to “normal,” an injury to the brain can present unique challenges. No two brain injuries are alike; recovery and treatment recommendations are based on the severity of the injury and other factors – and can have life-changing effects.

Hennepin Healthcare’s Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Center cares for more than 3,000 patients each year, providing a full range of state-of-the-art medical and rehabilitative services from prevention to emergency care, neurosurgery, critical care, rehabilitation and the Traumatic Brain Injury Outpatient Program.

Experts from many of those services will be available to answer questions in person at the “Ask the Brain Injury Experts” event on Wednesday, March 13 from noon-1pm at the M. Stillman Education and Community Center located on the first floor of the Hennepin Healthcare Clinic & Specialty Center, 715 S 8th Street, M. Stillman Education and Community Center (parking is available beneath the building). A live Twitter chat will also take place during that time so anyone who cannot attend in person can ask questions using the hashtags #TBIMonth and #TBIChat to @hennepinhc.

Throughout the month of March the TBI Center is sponsoring educational events for the public to raise awareness about traumatic brain injury. Although they are free, some of these events require registration. For more information go to www.hennepinhealthcare.org/tbimonth 

Each year, more than 2.5 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Among children and young adults, TBI is the leading cause of death and disability. In Minnesota, nearly 100,000 brain injuries occur annually. A large percentage of those injuries are mild to moderate cases and often go untreated. As a Level I Trauma Center, Hennepin Healthcare admits and treats the most traumatic brain injuries in the state. For more information about TBI programs and services, go to www.hennepinhealthcare.org/tbi

Wednesday
Mar062019

“Real People, Real Conversations, Real Solutions” on display in the Hennepin Gallery March 2–28

“Real People, Real Conversations, Real Solutions” on display in the Hennepin Gallery March 2–28

Community Mediation & Restorative Services, Inc. (CMRS) presents an exhibit designed to give hope and resources to everyday people dealing with difficult situations.

Since 1983, CMRS has been dedicated to helping people move from conflict to resolution and from harm to healing through respectful and confidential mediation and restorative processes. CMS believes many of our community’s most pressing issues – housing instability, youth conflict, neighborhood discord – stem from an unresolved dispute or offense. As an example of their work, CMRS is currently providing mediation services as part of a community-wide effort to prevent evictions and stabilize housing.

The Hennepin Gallery is free and open to the public Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Hennepin County Government Center, A-level, 300 S Sixth Street.

The Gallery is a project of Hennepin County Communications. Look for more news on the Hennepin County website – www.hennepin.us.

Wednesday
Mar062019

2019 Earth Day Clean-Up Event to Take Place Saturday, April 20

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and the City of Minneapolis announce the 2019 Earth Day Clean-Up event

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB), along with the City of Minneapolis, announce the 25th annual Minneapolis Earth Day Clean-Up event, to be held Saturday, April 20, 2019, from 9:30 am–noon.

The Earth Day Clean-Up has become the largest community service project in Minneapolis and takes place at more than 35 clean-up sites throughout the city. Since 2008, more than 20,000 residents have removed more than 160,000 pounds of garbage. Do you want to get involved in this great event, and gain exposure for your business? You can support your community and Earth Day by becoming a 2019 sponsor. Please contact Erica Chua at echua@minneapolisparks.org to learn more!

It’s free to participate, and residents are encouraged to participate by volunteering to help pick up trash in parks, neighborhoods, and watersheds. No registration needed, just choose a site and show up. To find a detailed list of clean-up sites and more information please visit www.minneapolisearthday.com or call 612-230-6479.

Wednesday
Mar062019

FINNEGANS is Hosting a 3-day Celebration, March 15 - 17

There’s something extra meaningful about this year’s St. Patrick's festivities at FINNEGANS. The 19-year-old beer company – known for donating 100% of profits to charities fighting hunger since day one – is celebrating the first anniversary of opening their own brewery and taproom.

The downtown Minneapolis space in Elliot Park will host a weekend long celebration from 3/15 – 3/17 complete with live music, Irish fare, and a special appearance from The Current’s Oake & Riley on Sunday. The morning show duo even put together a flight of their favorite FINNEGANS beers, dubbed The Oake & Riley Flight, which will be available for customers to order in the taproom the entire month of March (excluding 3/17, when flights are unavailable).

To make things even more special, FINNEGANS is releasing a trio of new beers as tribute to their fierce founder, their skilled head brewer and their brewery’s first anniversary:

Jacqued Up Double IPA (ABV 8.7%) – Released Friday 3/15

Named after FINNEGANS founder Jacquie Berglund, this double IPA is packed with 7.2 pounds of hops per barrel, making it the most heavily hopped beer FINNEGANS has ever released. With notes of peach, mango and tropical fruit, its flavor is as fun and bold as its namesake.

George Lager (ABV 6%) – Released Saturday 3/16

Helles Pale Lager aged in Minnesota white oak barrels and named for head brewer, Ryan’s late father. This lager is an homage to when Ryan’s father home-brewed, as he always made lagers and pilsners. It’s crisp, light bodied and has notes of lemon, orange, oak and a slight hint of caramel and smoke from the barrels. They’re also making a version brewed with blueberries! 

Firsties Imperial Irish Ale (ABV 7.5%) – Released Sunday 3/17

The official first anniversary celebration beer. It's the famous FINNEGANS Irish Ale, only amplified. Still smooth and refreshing, but with even more malt and caramel character and a jump in ABV.

On St. Patrick’s Day, join the team for Kegs & Eggs and a celebratory toast at 10 AM to kick off the big day’s festivities and say cheers to one year in their beautiful space. From Friday 3/15 until sold out, FINNEGANS friends can purchase a commemorative first anniversary pint glass filled with their beer of choice (excluding barrel-aged varieties) for $10.

The Elliot Park Hotel next door is offering a discounted rate. Find all the details on FINNEGANS' website

Tuesday
Mar052019

Millers Landing Senior Living Open House Scheduled for March 12

Millers Landing Senior Living, 155 5th Avenue S, invites you to their Open House on Tuesday, March 12. Enjoy appetizers, beverages, prize drawings and socializing.

Professional Networking is 3pm-5pm - General Public 5pm-7pm

Tuesday
Mar052019

Guthrie Theater to Mark its 20th Shakespeare Classic with Special March 10 Matinee of As You Like It

All tickets are $10 for this special matinee on Sunday, March 10 at 1 p.m.

The Guthrie Theater is proud to host the 20th year of the Shakespeare Classic As You Like It on Sunday, March 10 at 1 p.m., providing young people, with the recommended age range of 10–17, and their families an opportunity to experience this William Shakespeare romantic comedy filled with music, merriment and mistaken identities.

Established in 1999, this popular event is tailored specifically for young audiences and offers $10 tickets to all patrons, a custom program with backstage details and a meet-and-greet opportunity with actors after the performance. Every order must have at least one but no more than two adults for every young person, ages 17 and under. Tickets are available in person at the Guthrie Box Office or by calling 612.377.2224 or 1.877.44.STAGE (toll-free). Tickets for this performance are not available online.

ABOUT AS YOU LIKE IT

In this charming romantic comedy that centers on Rosalind and Orlando, everything seems to get turned around: lords and ladies are banished from court, brothers are at odds and guises abound in the Forest of Arden. Set in the here and now with the same great Shakespeare text, this amusing and often-musical world of royalty, rebels and clowns comes together in the end to celebrate four weddings between some of the Bard’s most beloved characters.

ABOUT THE SHAKESPEARE CLASSIC

At a 1953 production of Richard III directed by the Guthrie’s namesake, Sir Tyrone Guthrie, Sheila Livingston and her soon-to-be husband Ken attended an evening of Shakespeare at Canada’s Stratford Festival — Livingston’s first encounter with the stage that set her course toward a life in the theater. Livingston found her way to the Guthrie, where she started as a volunteer and eventually became an employee who served the theater for decades. Throughout her tenure, she worked in a variety of roles, including director of artistic relations and director of education. In 1998, former artistic director Joe Dowling established the Kenneth and Sheila Livingston Education Fund in her honor, which has grown significantly over the years due to the ongoing support of countless donors who share Livingston’s passion for creating educational opportunities for young people.

The Livingstons earmarked the funds to introduce more students to more theater experiences, and the Shakespeare Classic was born, premiering with a production of Julius Caesar on March 28, 1999. Livingston’s husband Ken, a theater enthusiast who never missed a Guthrie opening night, passed away the following year. Together with the Guthrie, Livingston and her three daughters vowed to carry the Shakespeare Classic onward in his memory.

In Livingston’s own words: “I am convinced that by exposing children to the pleasures of live theater they will discover a world of wonder and imagination that can only be experienced through this vibrant living art form.”

The Shakespeare Classic is made possible by generous contributions to the Kenneth and Sheila Livingston Education Fund. This production of As You Like It is sponsored by U.S. Bank. The National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest presents Shakespeare in American Communities. The Guthrie is one of 40 professional theater companies selected to participate in bringing the finest productions of Shakespeare to middle and high school students in communities across the United States.

THE GUTHRIE THEATER (Joseph Haj, artistic director) was founded by Sir Tyrone Guthrie in 1963 and is an American center for theater performance, production, education and professional training, dedicated to producing the great works of dramatic literature and cultivating the next generation of theater artists. Under Haj’s leadership, the Guthrie is guided by four core values: Artistic Excellence; Community; Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; and Fiscal Responsibility. The Guthrie produces a mix of classic and contemporary plays on three stages and continues to set a national standard for excellence in theatrical production and performance, serving nearly 400,000 patrons annually. In 2006, the Guthrie opened a new home, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, located on the banks of the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Open to the public year-round, it houses three state-of the-art stages, production facilities, classrooms, full-service restaurants and dramatic public lobbies.guthrietheater.org.

Monday
Mar042019

Stone Arch Bridge will be closed 7am-5pm, March 13-15

Closure necessary for Xcel Energy to perform maintenance on overhead power lines

Weather permitting, the Stone Arch Bridge will be closed from 7am to 5pm on March 13, 14 and 15. The closure is necessary for Xcel Energy to perform maintenance on overhead power lines running between towers at Gold Medal Park and Boom Island Park.

Please follow posted detours and stay away from areas where work is being performed. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board appreciates the public's patience while this project is completed.

Monday
Mar042019

Upper Harbor Terminal Plan Approved

The Minneapolis City council approved the concept design & plan for what may be the largest remaining parcel of developable land in Minneapolis.

The 48-acre Upper Harbor Termianl (UHT) site is located along the Mississippi River in north Minneapolis and includes almost a mile of riverfront, generally between 33rd Ave. N. and about 40th Ave. N in the McKinley neighborhood. The site has many positive attributes, including its size, riverfront location and excellent freeway access. However, it also presents many challenges that have complicated the planning process. These include the electrical transmission lines that extend over the site, the rail corridor and Interstate 94 that divide the site from the nearby community, the lack of existing public infrastructure and utilities to serve development, and the presence of existing structures that are potentially eligible for historic designation. The site also is largely surrounded by industrial uses, which makes it more challenging to assess its marketability for potential non-industrial uses.

For the types of private redevelopment, the Concept Plan proposes the following components that would occur in Phase 1 of implementation:

  • An outdoor music performance venue just south of Dowling Ave along the river;
  • A hospitality mixed-use building just north of Dowling Ave along the river;
  • A residential mixed-use complex on the southeast corner of Dowling and Washington Avenues with both market-rate and affordable units;
  • An office mixed-use building on the southwest corner of Dowling and Washington Avenues;
  • An innovative mixed-use building dubbed “The Hub” along the river at about 36th Ave N; and
  • Parking to support the development.

Watch detailed presentation and discussion at City Council meeting:

Download the concept design & plan presentation (4MB):

https://app.box.com/shared/static/29ef7oh0fhffvc67oac3vozku1kzt5oo.pdf

More media coverage:

Minneapolis City Council approves concept plan for riverfront project
The redevelopment would be one of the city's biggest projects in recent years.

Mpls. council backs concept for riverfront development
The Upper Harbor Terminal plan concerns 48 acres of riverfront. It envisions entertainment facilities and affordable housing, and it would restore river access to nearby neighborhoods.

With Minneapolis' first amphitheater, city walks fine line between national and community attraction
Minneapolis riverfront plan has raised concerns for North Siders about their role in redevelopment.

Despite opposition, Minneapolis approves Upper Harbor Terminal amphitheater concept
Residents of North Minneapolis say their views have been ignored during the process.

Everything You Need to Know About Minneapolis' Upper Harbor Terminal Project—And What Happens Next
The massive plan to turn 48 acres of riverfront land into housing, businesses and an outdoor performance venue was approved Friday. Here's a look at the costs and the challenges ahead.

Saturday
Mar022019

February by the Numbers

Downtown real estate market update from Cynthia Froid Group:


Thursday
Feb282019

Starch Madness: Will Your Favorite Cookie ‘Crumble’ Under the Pressure?

Mill City Museum baking bracket gets underway March 1 on Facebook

As the nation gears up for the NCAA Championship game in Minneapolis on April 8, Mill City Museum is inviting the public to visit its Facebook page and vote for their favorite cookie in the first-ever “Starch Madness” competition.

The road to the “Big Dance” will be paved with flour, sugar and chocolate, and there will be lots of dunking, so get the milk ready!

Beginning March 1, the public can nominate their favorite cookies on Facebook with the reveal of the “Awesome Eight” on March 16. Voting gets underway on March 22.

The battle over butter will result in the “Fresh Four," which will head into Mill City Museum's Baking Lab for live baking showdowns on March 30 at 1-3 p.m. and March 31 at 1:30-3:30 p.m. The championship “bakedown” will be held live on Saturday, April 7 at 1:30-3:30 p.m. Watch the live baking battles on Facebook or in person at the museum.

Who will be the Cinderella cookie? Will there be lots of dribbling on the court? Show your cookie pride by liking the Mill City Museum Facebook page and join the action online and at the museum. Watch Facebook for expert commentators announcing the nominations, voting brackets and events.
  
The champion cookie will become Mill City Museum’s official cookie for the year.

About Mill City Museum
Built within the ruins of the Washburn A Mill, a National Historic Landmark, the award-winning Mill City Museum chronicles the flour milling industry that fueled the growth of Minneapolis. The story comes to life through the eight-story Flour Tower, Water Lab, Baking and other hands-on exhibits.

The museum is located at 704 S 2nd Street. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. The site is also open Mondays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in July and August. For more information, call 612-341-7555 or visit www.mnhs.org/millcity.

The Minnesota Historical Society is a nonprofit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. MNHS collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs and publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, MNHS preserves our past, shares our state’s stories and connects people with history.

The Minnesota Historical Society is supported in part by its Premier Partners: Xcel Energy and Explore Minnesota Tourism.

Wednesday
Feb272019

The MSP Film Society announces the award-winning Yuli as the Opening Night Film of the 38th Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival,

The MSP Film Society announces the award-winning Yuli as the Opening Night Film of the 38th Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival, which runs April 4 – 20, 2019. Festival Passes and 6-packs are on sale now at mspfilm.org, with individual ticket sales opening to MSP Film Society Members on March 14 and to the public on March 21.

Yuli is a dazzling dramatization of the early life and work of legendary Cuban dancer Carlos Acosta. Inspired by Acosta’s 2007 memoir No Way Home, which details his rise from the streets of Havana to the heights of classical ballet. The film was helmed by the distinguished Basque director Icíar Bollaín and adapted for the screen by her frequent collaborator Paul Laverty. Special guest Santiago Alfonso, the acclaimed Cuban choreographer, dancer, and actor, will be in attendance for MSPIFF’s Opening Night festivities, which includes the presentation of Yuli at St. Anthony Main Theatres on Thursday, April 4, 2019, at 7pm, and a party to follow at Jefe Urban Hacienda, featuring live music by celebrated Afro-Caribbean ensemble Malamanya. Tickets to the Opening Night Film include entrance to the party, and go on sale to MSP Film Society Members on March 14 and to the public on March 21.

The MSP Film Society also announces the expansion of their WOMEN & FILM INITIATIVE for the 38th Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival and the launch of a new Fiscal Sponsorship Program for local women filmmakers, which will charge a mere 1.9% fee, instead of the industry standard of 5-10%.

“When we read that women accounted for only 1.9% of the directors of the 100 top-grossing US films in 2014, this statistic propelled us to find ways within our organization to begin to address this disparity and inequity,” says Susan Smoluchowski, Executive Director of the MSP Film Society. “In 2015, we developed and launched a major MSPIFF program entitled Women & Film to highlight the work of women filmmakers from around the globe. Every year since, a growing number of films directed by women and programs highlighting the work of women filmmakers have been included in our annual MSPIFF line-up, and in 2019 we expand that commitment.”

The 38th MSPIFF will include 75+ films by women directors spanning all programs, from the Opening Night film Yuli, directed by Icíar Bollaín, to the Nextwave program of shorts directed by aspiring teen filmmakers. The MSPIFF Luminaries Tribute to Alice Guy-Blaché on Saturday, April 13, 2019, will include a screening of the riveting documentary Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché, directed by Pamela B. Green and narrated by Jodie Foster, followed by the MSPIFF Centerpiece Party at the A-Mill Artist Lofts to celebrate all the women filmmakers and special guests attending this year’s festival, including Ann Hornaday, Chief Film Critic from the Washington Post.

“The MSPIFF Luminaries Tribute Program recognizes notable filmmakers for their contributions to the medium of filmmaking and for artistic talents that have been instrumental in promoting a higher regard for the art of film around the world,” says MSPIFF Programming Director Jesse Bishop. “And no one embodies this spirit more than the pioneering French filmmaker Alice Guy-Blaché. We’re excited to also present a collection of her recently-restored films in this year’s festival.”

The MSPIFF Women & Film Initiative strives to increase the number of visiting women filmmakers and members of the film industry each year, and arranges workshops at schools, colleges and universities while they are in attendance, to both increase their visibility and underscore the importance of diversity in filmmaking. Many of our visiting filmmakers will be available for media appearances; details of their schedules will follow in coming weeks.

The 38th MSPIFF runs April 4 - 20, 2019 and showcases over 250 dynamic narrative films, engaging documentaries, and innovative shorts by both emerging and veteran filmmakers hailing from 70+ countries around the world. The complete MSPIFF line-up will be announced on March 14, 2019.

MSPIFF screenings will once again be concentrated at the St. Anthony Main Theatre, taking over all five screens for the full run of the festival. MSPIFF continues to expand the festival’s footprint with screenings and special events to be held the newly-renovated Parkway Theater in South Minneapolis, while also returning to the Capri Theater in North Minneapolis, Film Space at Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, and the Marcus Rochester Cinema in Rochester, MN.  

OPENING NIGHT FILM – Thursday, April 4, 2019

YULI

Yuli is the nickname given to a young boy named Carlos Acosta by his father Pedro, who considers him the son of Ogun, an African warrior god. From a young age, Yuli flees any kind of formal education, instead gleaning his schooling on the streets of his run-down neighborhood in Havana. But Pedro knows his son has a natural talent for dance and forces him to attend Cuba’s National Dance School. Despite initially resisting the discipline, Yuli ends up captivated by the world of dance, and begins to forge his own legend as one of the best dancers of his generation. His star rises as he breaks taboos by becoming the first black dancer to interpret some of the most famous roles in esteemed companies, including Romeo in London’s Royal Ballet. Directed by Icíar Bollaín, Yuli premiered at the 2018 San Sebastian Film Festival before screening at the Havana and Palm Springs International Film Festivals.

Acclaimed Cuban choreographer, dancer, and actor Santiago Alfonso will be in attendance!

LUMINARY TRIBUTE to the ORIGINAL WOMAN IN FILM: ALICE GUY-BLACHÉ – Saturday, April 13, 2019

BE NATURAL: THE UNTOLD STORY OF ALICE GUY-BLACHÉ

This energetic documentary about the trailblazing filmmaker Alice Guy-Blaché is both a tribute and a detective story, tracing the how the first woman director, screenwriter, and producer revolutionized the film industry, made over 1,000 films, then was all but erased from history. Directed by Pamela B. Green and narrated by Jodie Foster, this documentary expertly ensures her game-changing accomplishments will no longer be ignored. Be Natural premiered at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival before screening at Sundance Film Festival last month.

Director Pamela B. Green will be in attendance!

Official Trailer: https://vimeo.com/70380930

ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS OF WOMEN & FILM FEATURE TITLES

*Complete MSPIFF line-up will be announced March 14, 2019.

*Updates to Visiting Filmmakers will follow as they are confirmed.

RAISE HELL: The Life & Times of Molly Ivins

Six feet of Texas trouble, Molly Ivins took on Good Old Boy corruption wherever she found it. Director Janice Engel charts her early days, from the Minneapolis Tribune, where Ivins was the first woman police reporter covering the turbulence of the late 60s, to joining the New York Times in the mid-70s, and freelancing everywhere from The Nation to TV Guide. Ivins served up her quality reportage with a heaping dollop of humor, and by the height of her popularity in the early 2000s, she was a best-selling author of seven books, and over 400 newspapers around the country carried her column. Raise Hell premiered last month at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. DIRECTOR WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE!

PERSONAL STATEMENT

Director, Producer and Cinematographer Julie Dressner’s debut feature-length documentary follows three seniors from Brooklyn who are determined to get their entire class to college, even though they aren't sure they are going to make it there themselves. They are working as peer counselors because many of their friends have nowhere else to turn for support. They struggle and they stumble, but refuse to succumb to the barriers that prevent so many low-income students from attending and graduating from college. Personal Statement premiered at the 2018 AFI Docs, where it was the Opening Night Film. DIRECTOR WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE!

HUGH HEFNER’S AFTER DARK: Speaking Out in America

In the wake of both Hefner’s death and the #MeToo movement, Academy Award-winning Filmmaker Brigitte Berman returns to a familiar subject, Hugh Hefner, this time focusing on the Playboy icon’s brief but impactful television ventures. Penthouse and Playboy: After Dark were talk shows that aired in the late 50s and 60’s, respectfully, and featured numerous celebrity guests, musicians, public figures and more. Told through interviews and a collection of riveting archived footage, this documentary makes it clear how and why Hugh Hefner deserves a spot in television history. DIRECTOR WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE!

CRYSTAL SWAN / Хрусталь

The year is 1996. Young Belarusian DJ Velya dreams of starting a new life in Chicago, the place that first inspired her love of music. Desperate to claim her own version of the American Dream, young Velya is instead stuck in farcical limbo. From Director Darya Zhuk, who previously directed the documentary Gogol Bordello NonStop. Crystal Swan is her first narrative feature film, and premiered at the 2018 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. DIRECTOR WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE!

HAIL SATAN?

Director Penny Lane charts the meteoric rise and influence of The Satanic Temple, a religious group catapulted to the spotlight in 2015 after pleading for the removal of the Ten Commandments from the Oklahoma State Capitol in exchange for an 8-foot tall statue of occult deity Baphomet. Both controversial and widely misunderstood in the public consciousness. Lane follows members of the religion with an unbiased gaze as they tell the real story. Hail Satan? premiered last month at the Sundance Film Festival. DIRECTOR INVITED!

KATE NASH: Underestimate The Girl

Director Amy Goldstein’s unfiltered documentary follows English punk renegade-turned-TV wresting star Kate Nash through the tumultuous highs and lows in her life, alternating between explosive live performances and vulnerable moments of personal betrayal and insight. Kate Nash: Underestimate The Girl premiered at the 2018 Los Angeles Film Festival. DIRECTOR INVITED!

AFTERWARD

An examination of the trauma shared between victims and victimizers alike, director and trauma expert Ofra Bloch serves as her own subject director as she visits to Germany, Israel and Palestine to confront her own demons in the wake of the recent surge of anti-Semitism. Afterward premiered at 2018 DOC NYC. DIRECTOR INVITED! 

ANTHROPOCENE: The Human Epoch

Travelling across twenty countries and six continents, filmmakers Jennifer Baichwal, Nicholas de Pencier and Edward Burtynsky explore and investigate the vast, undeniable and lasting human impact on the planet. Anthropocene premiered at 2018 Toronto International Film Festival, followed by Sundance and Berlin.

CORE OF THE WORLD / Serdtse Mira

Egor is a vet at a training facility for hunting dogs in a remote region of Russia, where he is surrounded by foxes, deer, and badgers. He cleans the kennels, oversees the workers, and meets with the clients and treats their dogs. Egor is willing to take on any job to get closer to the facility’s master, and his near and dear. He wants the impossible —to become a member of that family. Core of the World premiered at 2018 San Sebastian, followed by Toronto and Rotterdam International Film Festivals.

THE DAY I LOST MY SHADOW / Yom Adaatou Zouli

In the war torn Damascus countryside, a Syrian pharmacist named Sena is separated for her son. Forced to venture outside of town alongside to siblings, Sena navigates a landscape of brutality, loss and trauma. Working primarily with exiled Syrian cast and crew, first-time director Soudade Kaadan’s cinema vérité style is melded with touches of magic realism. The Day I Lost My Shadow premiered at the 2018 Venice Film Festival, where Kaadan received the Lion of the Future award.

FIG TREE

Ethiopian-Israeli writer-director Aäläm-Wärqe Davidian makes a startlingly confident feature debut with this story of 16-year old Mina, whose Jewish family is planning to flee war-torn Ethiopia for Israel. But this plan leaves out the person Mina loves most: Eli, her Christian boyfriend. Fig Tree premiered at the 2018 Haifa Film Festival, followed by Toronto International Film Festival.

GIRLS ALWAYS HAPPY / 柔情史

A hilarious and heartfelt telling of the relationship between mothers and daughters, Yang Mingming’s feature film debut follows duo Wu (played by Yang) and her mother (Nai An) as neurotic writers who are as rebellious as they are codependent. Girls Always Happy premiered at the 2018 Berlin International Film Festival. 

THE GOOD GIRLS / Las Niñas Bien
This stunning feature from director Alejandra Márquez Abella highlights the stark reality of Mexico’s financial crisis of 1982 through the eyes of a young couple, Fernando and his socialite wife Sofia (beautifully portrayed by Ilses Sala.) With the world now spinning on its head, they are forced to adjust to a life without wealth. Las Niñas Bien premiered at 2018 Toronto International Film Festival.

THE LITTLE COMRADE / Seltsimees Laps

This poignant coming-of-age story shows the effect of the Stalinist terror visited on the Baltic countries in the 1950s from the point of view of a traumatized six-year-old Estonian girl, who sees her school principal mother arrested and taken away at gun-point. Based on autobiographical novels by Leelo Tungal, one of Estonia’s most beloved writers. The Little Comrade has won awards at the Berlin, Locarno, and Busan International Film Festivals.

Wednesday
Feb272019

Minneapolis Police Department’s First Precinct Receives Meet Minneapolis ‘Hospitality Hero’ Award

Award for final quarter of 2018 presented at Meet Minneapolis Annual Meeting

The Minneapolis Police Department’s First Precinct has been named the “Hospitality Hero” award winner for the fourth quarter of 2018 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. This honor is for an individual or organization that has made valuable contributions to the image and culture of Minneapolis through outstanding hospitality and service.

The Minneapolis Police Department First Precinct accepted its Hospitality Hero award for fourth quarter 2018 from Meet Minneapolis at the organization’s Annual Meeting on Feb. 26 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Pictured are: Minneapolis Police Sgt. Rob Illetschko and Lt. William Peterson with Meet Minneapolis President and CEO Melvin Tennant.

With a 22 percent reduction in overall crime in the precinct for the year, the officers of the First Precinct have kept visitors, residents and downtown workers safer by employing creative new strategies to reduce crime, according to nominator Tim Murray, owner of Murray’s Steakhouse.

Several of the successful strategies included: partnering with social service agencies to provide effective help for the homeless; working with YouthLink to help youth receive needed services; and establishing a high level of communications with the downtown community by advising safety groups and hosting livability forums.

“The Minneapolis Police Department First Precinct works diligently to provide both the visitors and the locals of downtown with the utmost safety,” said Murray.

The First Precinct also works together with Meet Minneapolis in providing a welcoming environment for visitors and convention groups to enjoy downtown Minneapolis. In December, directed patrols kept downtown safe for the 2018 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championships. More than 23,000 college students, coaches and spectators enjoyed events throughout the city, from Target Center and the Minneapolis Convention Center to team pep rallies at several locations.

“The officers and leadership of the First Precinct work diligently to keep downtown safe and vibrant for all our meetings and convention groups, as well as leisure visitors,” said Melvin Tennant, Meet Minneapolis President and CEO. “We couldn’t do what we do without their efforts.”

Tuesday
Feb262019

Meet Minneapolis Celebrates the Positive Impact of Tourism at its 2019 Annual Meeting

 

The organization exceeded its key performance metrics, and its impact helps support more than 36,000 tourism and hospitality jobs in Minneapolis.

Today, Meet Minneapolis unveiled its year-end figures at its 2019 Annual Meeting. The city’s convention and visitors’ bureau exceeded its key performance goals including convention center revenue, hotel room nights, and private revenue. While sharing these insights with partner businesses, elected officials and other attendees, Meet Minneapolis President and CEO Melvin Tennant highlighted the positive impact tourism has on the region.

“Our responsibility is to bring visitors to the city, in part, through the more than 600 events Meet Minneapolis secures annually. Yet our impact reaches far beyond that,” explained Tennant. “These events and visitors add millions of dollars in tax revenue for the city to reinvest into the community.”

Tennant continued, “Our work also plays a significant role in supporting the more than 36,000 tourism and hospitality jobs and careers in our city, from hotel workers, printers, and event planners to retailers, transportation providers and more. The hospitality industry provides everything from part-time, flexible work to family-sustaining careers with upward mobility and growth. Tourism matters and is an economic engine that adds to the vibrancy of our city and region.”

Meet Minneapolis Key Performance Indicators for 2018*

  • Group Room Nights: 560,681 nights, or 107% of the goal set for 2018
  • Minneapolis Convention Center Revenue: A record-setting year, with revenue of $22.6 million, eclipsing the goal of $20 million by 112%
  • Private Revenue: $2.9 million, 113% of the stated goal of $2.6 million

The City of Minneapolis and local hotels benefit from the work of Meet Minneapolis. In 2018, the overall hotel occupancy rate was nearly 71 percent. That was an increase from 68.6 percent in 2017, even with the addition of more than 1,400 new rooms between 2016 and 2018. Lodging taxes, alone, generated more than $8 million for the city and local residents. Those tax dollars become city resources to be reinvested into the community.

Minneapolis Convention Center

As the foundation of the hospitality industry in Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Convention Center generated $22.6 million in record revenue in 2018. In addition, the Minneapolis Convention Center was one of only five venues honored with the Venue Excellence award from the International Association of Venue Managers. The award goes to the best managed stadiums, arenas, and convention centers in North America.

“The Minneapolis Convention Center is the gateway to the City of Minneapolis for the hundreds of thousands of people who attend the events we host,” said Minneapolis Executive Director Jeff Johnson. “Visitors start here, and then they move deeper into the community, experiencing the city, spending their dollars and supporting the jobs and businesses of people in every part of Minneapolis.”

Impact on community:

  • Support over 8,600 jobs of the more than 36,000 hospitality jobs in Minneapolis
  • Overall attendance for 2018 was nearly 840,000, a 3% increase over 2017
  • Approximately 796 tons of waste was recycled in 2018, 164 more tons than the previous year
  • Annual recycling rate of 60%

Additional Highlights:

  • Sports Minneapolis highlighted its major role in bringing key sports events to the region such as last year’s Super Bowl LII, X Games, WNBA All-Star Game, and the NCAA®Women’s Volleyball Championship. 
  • Seventy (70) future sporting events were secured by Sports Minneapolis in 2018 including:
    • Extension of ESPN’s X Games for 2019 and 2020
    • 2019 USA Taekwondo National Championships
    • 2021 NCAA® Men’s Basketball Regional
    • 2022 NCAA® Women’s Final Four
    • Extension of the Northern Lights Junior Volleyball Qualifier Tournament through 2022
  • Neighborhoods were front-and-center of the re-launched Meet Minneapolis website (www.minneapolis.org), which was visited by more than 2 million people last year.
  • More than a dozen new website guides introduce visitors to places they should know, like the Midwest Global Market on Lake Street, the Cedar Cultural Center in Cedar Riverside and Sammy’s on West Broadway.
  • Over 62,000 visitors from 64 countries and all 50 states stopped into the Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center, located in the Centerpoint Energy building at 5th and Nicollet, last year to learn more on where to eat, shop and be entertained.

Awards and Recognition

Meet Minneapolis is pleased to recognize the following groups and individuals: 

  • Lifetime Achievement Award  Presented to John Edman, Director, Explore Minnesota
  • Innovation in Tourism Award – Presented to an individual or organization that contributes to an advancement of the hospitality community that impacts the destination’s visitors and attendees.
    • Award recipients: Greater MSP and the Metropolitan Airports Commission for work to secure new international nonstop airline routes through the Regional Air Service Partnership.
  • President’s Award – Honors and individual or organization that contributes significantly to the visitor experience in Minneapolis.
    • Award recipients: The Minnesota Lynx and Minnesota Timberwolves for bringing the best in women’s professional basketball to Minneapolis for the WNBA All-Star game.
  • Excellence in Meetings, Events & Conventions Award – Highlights an individual, institution or organization whose efforts will result in an impact to the city for future years.
    • Award recipient: Northern Lights Junior Volleyball, which brought nearly 680 teams to the city for a six-day competition. An estimated 50,000 people attended.

To learn more about how tourism and hospitality impact, our community, watch here. To access the 2018 Meet Minneapolis Annual Report, please go here.

* Unaudited. Key performance indicators are verified by an independent auditor.

Tuesday
Feb262019

Is it “Juicy” or “Jucy”?

Article by Michael Rainville, Jr.

It’s time to reveal a personal secret of mine that not too many people know about. I love cheeseburgers, and I hope my metabolism never changes as I get older so I can keep eating these delicious creations. That being said, as a cheeseburger connoisseur, I cannot think of a better city to live in than Minneapolis. The best thing that has ever been done to two beef patties happened in this city in the 1950’s, and almost 70 years later, it has become a worldwide phenomenon. That’s right, I’m talking about the Juicy Lucy, or is it the Jucy Lucy? That’s a debate that will never be settled.

A Juicy Lucy

The two establishments that claim to be the home of this infamous cheeseburger are Matt’s Bar, on 35th St. and Cedar Ave., and the 5-8 Club, on 58th St. and Cedar Ave. Matt’s opened its doors in 1954, and soon after their Jucy Lucy was created by owner Matt Bristol when a customer asked for a slice of cheese in between two hamburger patties and as soon as the customer bit into it he bellowed out “that’s one juicy Lucy!” It became an over night success and soon after, the “i” in “juicy” found its way out the door. Matt’s claims that “if it’s spelled correctly, you just might be eating a shameless rip-off!”

The 5-8 Club

The 5-8 Club, on the other hand, started as a speakeasy back in 1928 as a result of Prohibition. Not much is known about how the Juicy Lucy started at the 5-8, but it happened at some point in the 1950’s. Just as Matt’s has an opinion on their competition, so does the 5-8. They claim that "if it's spelled right, it's done right.” Is it really Minnesotan if there isn’t any passive aggressiveness? One of the main differences between the two cheeseburgers is the cheese. Where Matt’s only puts American cheese inside their Jucy Lucy’s, the 5-8 also offers pepper jack, Swiss and blue cheeses.

These two establishments have also garnered national attention. In 2008 Time Magazine briefly wrote about the cheeseburgers, in 2009 the Travel Channel show Man vs. Food put the rivalry in the spotlight, and a year later Food Wars, another Travel Channel show, based an episode around the two cheeseburgers. However, Matt’s might have a 1-up on the 5-8. Back in 2014 President Barack Obama paid them a visit to enjoy a Jucy Lucy, fries, and a couple sweet teas. A presidential seal of approval is hard to beat, but the rivalry is still churning.

President Obama visits Matt's Bar in 2014.

Spelling aside, putting cheese between two hamburger patties changed the burger game forever, and finding a Juicy Lucy on a Twin Cities restaurant menu is about as common as a snow storm in February. Thankfully the 5-8 and Matt’s decided to not put a stop to the spread of their creation. From The Blue Door Pub to The Nook, the Juicy Lucy has joined hotdish, lutefisk, and wild rice upon the Mount Rushmore of Minnesotan foods.

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About Michael Rainville, Jr.

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

Michael is also a lead guide at Mobile Entertainment LLC, giving Segway tours of the Minneapolis riverfront for 6+ years.

He can be reached at mrainvillejr@comcast.net.

Sunday
Feb242019

Downtown Riverfront Living: Lourdes Square

Full river & skyline views at Lourdes Square! Perched above the Mighty Mississippi, this classic townhome is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts & anyone with a green thumb! Private entry, screened porch, terrace, balcony & secret garden make this truly unique & perfect for gardening & entertaining al fresco. Fresh paint, open floorplan & main floor master suite. Attached garage, newly remodeled kitchen, baths & storage. Finished lower level features guest suite with private terrace & family room.

3 bed | 3 bath | 2 parking | 3,862 sf | $1,899,000

Visit this listing online for more details...

Thursday
Feb212019

Register for Spring/Summer Adult Sports and Activities in Minneapolis Parks

Adult Sports

Register for spring/summer sports in Minneapolis Parks! Check out the links below to find a league that works for you:

Dodgeball

When: Sunday afternoons, late March-mid May

Where: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center
Leagues: Co-Ed only

Season: Eight weeks of play, including tournament
Cost: $155

Indoor Soccer

When: Sundays and Tuesdays, mid March-early June

Where: Northeast Ice Arena
Leagues: Co-Ed Sundays, Men's Tuesdays

Season: Eight weeks of play, including tournament
Cost: $765

Kickball

When: Sunday-Thursday, late April-mid July

Where: Bryn Mawr, Keewaydin, Northeast, Nokomis, Pearl, Painter 
Leagues: Co-Ed only

Season: 12 games scheduled, 10 games guaranteed (not counting forfeits)
Cost: $405

Sand Volleyball - Spring

When: Sunday-Friday, late April-early July

Where: Wirth Lake Beach
Leagues: Co-Ed, Open and Women's (four-person and six-person leagues available)

Season: Eight weeks scheduled, plus post-season single-elimination tournament
Cost: $355 6-person; $283 4-person

Sand Volleyball - Summer

When: Sunday-Friday, early July-mid September

Where: Wirth Lake Beach
Leagues: Co-Ed, Open and Women's (four-person and six-person leagues available)

Season: Eight weeks scheduled, plus post-season single-elimination tournament
Cost: $355 six-person; $283 four-person

Softball

When: Sunday-Friday, April-July

Where: Bossen, Bryn Mawr, Carew Field, Logan, Marshall Terrace, Neiman, Northeast, Nokomis
Leagues: Co-Ed, Men's and Women's

Seasons: Six-week doubleheader, eight-week single game, 12-week single game, 12-week doubleheader
Cost: $325-$980; $115 for optional post-season tournament


Officials Needed!

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is always looking to hire more officials for any of the sports listed above! Earn extra cash and stay involved in the sports you love!

To apply or learn more information please contact Anthony DiBella at adibella@minneapolisparks.org or 612-230-6546.

Activities and Classes

Not into sports? Browse hundreds of activities and classes linked below:

Arts

Ceramics, Crafts, Dance, Music, Pottery

Health and Fitness

Aerobics, Barre, Fitness/Strength Training, Martial Arts, Pickleball, Yoga and Zumba

Hobbies, Clubs and Games

Card Games (Bridge, Cribbage, 500), Dog Obedience Classes and Parent Support Groups

Language and Culture

Armored Combat and Cultural Programs

Nature and Environment

Bird Watching, Gardening and Hiking

Special Events

Monthly Dances for Adults with Developmental Disabilities, Tea Party, Voiceover Class

Trips and Tours

Senior Trips to exciting and interesting attractions across the state

Water Activities

Adult Swimming Lessons, Log Rolling and Sailing Lessons

Wednesday
Feb202019

MnSpin Open Now for Music Submissions

Hennepin County Library's digital music platform, MnSpin, open now for local music submissions

Minnesota musicians can join established acts and rising stars on MnSpin, the local music streaming and download platform from your library. MnSpin connects music lovers with our local scene, and Minnesota creators with new audiences.

Submit a song

Minnesota musicians and bands of all genres are invited to submit one music recording by March 27. The song must have been produced in the past five years. A panel of local music experts and library staff will review all submissions, and invite selected artists to make one album available through the online platform. MnSpin artists will sign a license agreement and receive $200.

For full submission details and consideration criteria, see the MnSpin FAQ.

A diverse collection

Currently, MnSpin features more than 1,100 songs on more than 120 albums, covering 18 genres. Following this submission cycle, Hennepin County Library will add as many as 100 more albums. The collection captures the richness of music created in Minnesota and the diversity of Minnesota creators in all genres, including rap and hip-hop, classical, folk, pop and rock, world music and more.

Connect to MnSpin

Anyone can stream from the platform, and Hennepin County Library cardholders can download songs for free. Connect to MnSpin on any device through www.hclib.org/arts-culture.

MnSpin is supported by Friends of the Hennepin County Library.

Sunday
Feb172019

The Mill City Singers + Out of the Box Opera = Opera Gospel Fusion

Article by Claudia Kittock, photos by Ric Rosow

When you decide to become a part of the Mill City Singers, life changes in very important ways. The first way is that on Saturday afternoons, from 2:00-3:30p on the 8th floor of the Guthrie, you find a sense of hope, and a community of singers who make wonderful music while laughing, hugging, and singing together.         

The second change that occurs is that you go places and do things that you never thought would be part of your life. Appearances at Orchestra Hall, the Ordway, the Loring Park Music Fest, Holidazzle, the MacPhail Music Matters Luncheon, and singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame at Twins games are just a few examples. On Saturday, February 9th, another first happened for the Singers. We were part of an opera, literally and figuratively, front and center! 

A heavy snow could not deter the audience from attending.

Noah Eisenberg and Jim Berman, opera aficionados and great friends, have spent decades of their friendship going to operas and delighting in the wonder of the sights and sounds of opera. As time progressed, Noah and Jim discussed a mutual concern about how to introduce opera to younger people and by introducing it, make sure to show the humor, the showmanship, and the skill needed to be a performer in the world of opera. So along with artistic director David Lefkowich, Noah and Jim formed Out of The Box Opera, whose mission is to bring opera to new audiences in new ways.

The Mill City Singers performed in their signature hand painted scarves.

After several very successful shows, the idea was hatched to have an opera fusion event. J.D. Steele was a judge in the first Out Of the Box Opera Cage Match, so he became part of this discussion and suggested an Opera Gospel fusion, featuring the Mill City Singers, and opera stars. That is what happened on February 9th at the Wiseman Art Museum, because...what says opera and gospel more than a museum? Yes, creativity abounds at every turn.

Tenor Dominique Wooten, front center, with the Mill City Singers.

Michele Crowder and J.D. Steele with the Mill City Singers.

Soprano Alexandra RazskazoffDominique Wooten and Alexandra Razskazoff were the featured singers, alternating arias with gospel songs sung by the Mill City Singers. Then came the fusions pieces, led by Tonia Hughes and J.D. Steele with the Singers singing back up in the choruses.

It was a sold-out performance with an enthusiastic audience, and the evening ended with a rendition of Oh Happy Day that will not soon be forgotten. Even the audience joined in, as it was impossible to resist the magic of the evening.

Sound like fun?  It is, and so much more. The Singers are free and open to anyone who loves singing. If you are interested, please contact Claudia Kittock at cjkittock@gmail.com. Be warned if you come - the magic is difficult to resist!

This event was also covered by the Minnesota Daily.

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About Claudia Kittock

Claudia is a resident of the Mill District. In addition to writing for Mill City Times, she is a founding Board Member of Friends of the Mill District. Claudia is the author of Health Through Chaos, mentors young adults at YouthLink, and has served on the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA).
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Contact: claudia@millcitymedia.org