The Great River Coalition's April 19 Earth Day Supports Efforts to Protect Pollinators and Their Habitat

Saturday, April 19, 9am - 12pm, Boom Island Park,         724 Sibley Street NE

Event features a family and dog-friendly fun run/walk, river cleanup, and Earth Day festivities.  

Since 2016, the Great River Coalition has been raising funds for pollinator plantings along the Mississippi River and building awareness about the importance of protecting and saving our pollinators due to climate and environmental changes. Native pollinators, including the federally endangered Rusty Patched Bumblebee and other wild bees, continue to desperately need our help.

Rusty Patched BumblebeeThe Earth Day 5K Bee Run/Walk/River Cleanup is hosted by the Great River Coalition, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, the National Park Service, and Mill City Running/Saint City Running.

The 5K course traverses through the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area—the only national park offering scenic views of the Mississippi River. Following the 5K, participants will be able to take part in an organized river cleanup and enjoy festivities including live music and entertainment, prizes, games for kids, Pre Race Kids Run, educational activities, and more. Photo ops will include a bee-themed selfie station, notable appearances, and mascots.

Bee and pollinator-themed costumes are encouraged! Prizes for the best costumes will be awarded. All are encouraged to participate in the event to help save our bees and other important pollinators.

“Great River Coalition is working to expand the habitat for our pollinators,” said Board President Diane Hofstede. “If you walk along our Minneapolis riverfront, or travel around the state, you’ll see the limited food resources that sustain our pollinators as they travel along the Mississippi River. The erosion created by the lack of grasslands contributes to soil and water pollution and encourages invasive species. The Rusty Patch Bumblebee, Minnesota’s state bumblebee, is critically endangered. We aim to bring awareness to the vital role pollinators play in the health of our riverfront communities, our state, and our planet.”

Event Details:

The cost is $40 in advance, $45 on Race Day. Free for kids’ race (ages 6 and under) and River Clean Up. Includes family-friendly activities and a celebration of Earth Day.The 5K will start at 9am. The kid’s race, with goodie bags, will begin at 8:30am - children must be age 6 or under and must be registered before the event, either online or in-person with registration of walker or runner. The River Clean Up begins at 9:30am. Volunteers register online before the event.

Registration: https://register.chronotrack.com/r/81795

The Great River Coalition is comprised of change agents and advocates for policies and initiatives that honor the historic, commercial, environmental, and spiritual significance of the Mississippi River. To carry out its mission, the Great River Coalition collaborates with local businesses, organizations, and government agencies to engage, educate, and plant pollinator plantings in our communities. For 10 years the Earth Day 5K Bee Run Walk and River Clean Up has brought thousands of people, built awareness, education and interaction with our Mississippi Riverfront partners, local and National groups. Great River Coalition members and partners take action by testifying at public hearings, publishing impactful comments about riverfront impacts, and building relationships. As a member-supported 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, the Great River Coalition relies wholly on support from members, donors, volunteers, and sponsors. Learn more at greatrivercoalition.com. Follow on Facebook and Instagram

Race route:

Small Business Spotlight: A Discussion with Aubry Walch, co-owner of The Herbivorous Butcher

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Aubry Walch

In 2016, siblings Aubry and Kale Walch opened the country’s first vegan butcher shop, The Herbivorous Butcher, in NE Minneapolis. It was audacious, but the two had build a reputation at local farmers markets and knew the demand for their tasty plant-based products. We talked to Aubry about the history of the business, their best sellers, and how to follow their news. Stop by at 507 1st Avenue NE during business hours and try some of their delicious creations!

Above and below, the welcoming shop at 507 1st Avenue NE.

Q:  What’s the history of The Herbivorous Butcher? What inspired you to become a vegan butcher and to begin your business?

A:  We started at the Minneapolis Farmers Market with a six-foot table, a small counter top fridge, and a dream. We were cooking out of Kindred Kitchen, which is a community kitchen in north Minneapolis. Both of us had day jobs, zero experience, and no money - but we cooked on Thursday and Friday nights after work, and with the help of our mom and my husband we made it work. We sold food at the farmers market both Saturday and Sunday mornings. We sold out our first day at the market and knew we were onto something, so we made a little more every week and still kept selling out.

We were inspired by climate change and the increasing need for cleaner proteins - cleaner for both our bodies and the environment. And we were both vegan and feeling very uninspired by the options that were on the market back then. We knew we could do better and create proteins that both vegans and their non-vegan friends and family members would love. It’s important for everyone to have foods that they can share with the ones they love, even if they’re vegan. 

Q:  How do you approach replicating the flavors and textures of traditional meats?

A:  When we started, Kale had gone vegan only a few years before so it was still fresh in his memory. Plus, we had our omnivorous friends and family who willingly tried all our successful and not so successful trial recipes. We had a lot of input!

Huli Huli Ribs

Large Charcuterie Board

Pepperoni

Smoky house ribs

Q:  What’s the most popular item on your menu? 

A:  We have several heavy-hitters but I think it’s still between the Korean ribs and our Pastrami - both very classic recipes which I think people like. However, it seems like our fried chicken is coming in pretty strong as a popular product, too, and for obvious reasons, everyone LOVES fried chicken!

Q:  What are the primary ingredients in your products?

A:  For our meats we typically use a high-protein wheat flour which is high in protein but low in carbohydrates, a nice clean protein. And then from there we use different juices, nutritional yeast for the good B vitamins, spices, etc. We also use a lot of jackfruit, which is a fantastic source of fiber and is gluten free. As far as our cheeses, they are soy and coconut-based for the most part, and we also have a few that are almond-based. And of course, everything we make is 100% cholesterol free. 

Q:  Do you offer cooking tips or recipes for your products?

A:  We do! Our website has a number of recipes, plus Kale and I put out The Herbivorous Butcher Cookbook a couple years ago. In the cookbook you’ll find not only recipes that you can use our products in, but also recipes for our favorite vegan meats and cheeses so you can make them at home if you wish.

Q:  How do you see vegan butchery evolving in the future?

A:  That’s a tough question to answer. A vegan butcher shop is very much a labor of love. This stuff can be mass produced just like anything else: Impossible Foods, Beyond, Daring, Gardein - they’ve all done a version of it, but with huge machines. 

I think and hope that vegan butcher shops, although few and far between, will continue forward.

The beauty of small batch vegan meats and cheeses is that we have room to be as inventive and experimental as we want because we don’t have limitations. And each and every item is handmade with love and artistry. The food tastes better because we’re using real ingredients and there’s an actual human making sure that what our customers are getting is the best product we can possibly make. I’m so proud to work with such talented vegan butchers in our kitchen.

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A: You can find us on Instagram, Facebook and our website.

Aubry's brother Kale with their pot roast product

The Herbivorous Butchers, Aubry and Kale Walch :)

Graco Park Update

Via a February 21 update from Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board

The River Hub at Graco Park in October 2024

Plymouth Avenue Bridge closes April 21-August 22 to build trail connection to Boom Island Park

New park building named The River Hub at Graco Park opens this spring

The next phases of Graco Park hit big milestones this spring! The new nine-acre Northeast Minneapolis riverfront park will debut a 4,000-square-foot park building named “The River Hub at Graco Park” this spring and open a new trail connection under Plymouth Avenue to Boom Island Park in the fall.

Construction is already underway on the trail connection, which will close Plymouth Avenue Bridge for four months beginning April 21, 2025.

The River Hub at Graco Park

The River Hub at Graco Park is expected to open by the end of April. Its address is 810 Sibley St. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413. Hours will be Wednesday-Friday, 3-8:30 pm; Saturday-Sunday, 12-6 pm.

The River Hub is designed as a place for people to enjoy and appreciate the Mississippi River, with opportunities for environmental education, art and technology programs, and performances and events supporting the local arts community. Building features include a Spark’d Studios location, the Riverview Room, which can accommodate 50-150 people with large doors opening toward the Mississippi River, a conference room that can accommodate up to eight people, a welcome lobby, and public restrooms.

The building is considered “Net Zero,” which is an ultra-low energy structure that consumes only as much power as can be generated onsite by clean, renewable resources. This is achieved through an energy efficient design, rooftop solar panels, and geothermal energy system. All windows have a reflective coating to reduce bird-glass collisions in the Mississippi Flyway.

A Grand Opening event is planned this spring! More information on that will be shared once details are finalized.

Youth experiement with green screen video technology at Whittier Park Spark'd Studios

Spark’d Studios at Graco Park

Spark’d Studios are new spaces in Minneapolis park buildings that help young people build creative skills and career readiness through free multimedia arts programs, access to technology, and mentorship from creative professionals. The River Hub will host the fourth of six planned Spark’d Studios locations.

Spark’d Studios at Graco Park will offer an exciting array of top-of-the-line creative equipment: 

• Recording booth for audio projects and music production
• Laser cutter and engraver
• 3D printer
• Video and photography equipment
• Mac laptop and desktop computers with creative design software
• Gaming station for multi-player tournaments
• Crafting area for hands-on STEAM and mixed media projects

Follow Spark’d Studios on Instagram or YouTube to learn about upcoming programs and view youth-directed projects!

An illustration shows a new bridge over the Boom Island Marina heading north into a trail underpass connecting to Graco Park

Boom Island Trail Connection 

Construction has begun on a trail connection between Graco Park and Boom Island Park under Plymouth Avenue. When this work is complete, people will be able to run, walk, or roll seamlessly on a completely off-road riverside trail that connects Sheridan Memorial Park, Graco Park, Boom Island Park and Nicollet Island. 

Plymouth Avenue Bridge will close on Monday, April 21, 2025, and is scheduled to remain closed through Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. City of Minneapolis Public Works will also perform bridge maintenance during this time. 

Safety improvements to the intersection of Plymouth Avenue and Sibley Street NE will be constructed as part of this project. Sidewalk bump-outs will narrow the distance to cross Plymouth Avenue and a flashing beacon will be added to alert vehicles to people crossing the street. 

At Boom Island Park, a new bridge will be built over the Boom Island Marina and paths will be realigned leading up to the underpass. The Boom Island Marina will be closed throughout 2025 to accommodate construction activities. People can launch watercraft on the Mississippi River in Minneapolis at North Mississippi Regional Park while the Boom Island Marina is closed. 

Graco Park Features

Graco Park opened in September 2024. The nine-acre park is located just north of the Plymouth Avenue Bridge, between Boom Island Park and Graco Inc. headquarters. It includes Hall’s Island, which was restored in 2018, plus new trails and walkways, a river landing, large, artistic “Timber Markers” that pay homage to the site’s storied logging history, picnic tables, and gathering spaces surrounded by hundreds of new trees and plants.

In 2018, the MPRB reached a series of agreements with Graco Inc. that resulted in Graco Park. The agreements allowed the park to be constructed much earlier than it could have through traditional park funding mechanisms.

The Scherer Bros Lumber Co property shortly after it was purchased by the MPRB in 2010

Site History

2010: The MPRB purchased the 11-acre riverfront site from Scherer Bros Lumber Co. The former lumberyard was cleaned up and industrial buildings and asphalt were replaced with grass over the next few years. 

2016: The Mississippi East Bank Trail was paved through the site. This riverfront trail extension connects Boom Island Park, Graco Park and Sheridan Memorial Park before terminating at the BNSF railroad bridge, in the 1600 block of Marshall Street NE. 

2017-18: A project restored Hall's Island, which was eliminated by lumber yard expansion in the 1960s, and created a new gravel river beach. 

2018: The MPRB and Graco Inc. reached several agreements that resulted in Graco Park. 

2021: MPRB staff collected feedback from the community, researched opportunities and constraints at the site and created a series of Graco Park design concepts for public feedback. 

April 2022: The final park concept was approved by MPRB Commissioners after a public hearing. 

September 2022: Grading and earthwork began to prepare site for park construction. 

August 2023: A groundbreaking ceremony commemorated the beginning of park construction. 

September 2024: The outdoor elements of the park opened to the public. 

Winter 2024-25: Construction began on a trail underpass connecting Graco Park and Boom Island Park. 

Spring 2025: The River Hub at Graco Park opens. 

Fall 2025: A trail underpass connecting Graco Park and Boom Island Park is scheduled to open.

Free Art Exhibit at Mill City Museum Showcases Cities Across Minnesota

“Minnesota Cityscapes” by Mike Melman will be on display through May 11

A special art exhibit at Mill City Museum invites visitors to appreciate the beauty and significance of Minnesota’s overlooked places like train yards, factories, and shipyards.

Featuring 20 paintings by the late painter, photographer, and architect Mike Melman, Minnesota Cityscapes includes scenes of Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth/Superior, Little Falls, Albert Lea, Brainerd, and more. The exhibit’s artwork depicts urban centers and small towns in the quiet hours of dawn or evening.

Melman’s artwork began as black and white photography, inspired by the fascination he developed with the Minneapolis milling district upon his arrival to Minnesota in 1972. Later in his life, Melman revisited these old negatives, using them as the basis for the acrylic paintings featured in the exhibit. The paintings are on loan to the Minnesota Historical Society from his widow, Lotte Melman.

Located in the Mill Commons area of the Mill City Museum, Minnesota Cityscapes will be free and open to the public during regular museum hours through May 11, 2025. More information about the exhibit can be found here.

A Discussion with Myron Medcalf, Founder of Hennepin County Library's Mary Ann Key Book Club

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos by Hennepin County Communications

The Mary Ann Key Book Club is a collaboration with Myron Medcalf, the Hennepin County Library and the Star Tribune. It is gloriously woke, facilitating intercultural conversations around understanding and addressing past and current injustices that impact Black, Indigenous, and BIPOC community members. The club has just over 4,100 members – and is the largest in the Hennepin County Library system. We talked to Medcalf about the origins of the club, memorable moments and what’s next. As a college basketball reporter and nationally syndicated radio host with ESPN, he also gives us some Final Four predictions.

Q:  What inspired you to establish the Mary Ann Key Book Club and how did your great great great grandmother's legacy influence its creation?

A:  I had an awareness of my family history at an early age. My Aunt Sarah was a historian, so I grew up with the sort of family knowledge before it became a trendy thing to pursue, like with Ancestry.com. Aunt Sarah actually had an African American museum in her basement. Things that were normal for me as a kid back in the 80s weren’t as normal for others. Mary Ann Key, as our family’s matriarch, was a part of that knowledge for me very early on – we went down to Alabama and visited the plantation where she had been enslaved, met some of the descendants of the family that owned her – I always felt a connection with that part of my background. She was a slave in the 1850s, purchased for $1000 at the age of 14. There are many Mary Ann Key’s out there - people who maybe were not offered the recognition and respect that they deserved. A lot of those people are women. Many people have ancestors just like her in their own families. Mary Ann Key is a prime example – slavery never stole the freedom of her heart, mind and soul and she was the inspiration for the book club.

Q:  What's the primary goal of the book club, and are you able to measure its impact on the community?

A:  I guess I'll start with the second question. I don't know how to measure the impact of anything I've ever done on the community. I don't know if I've made a difference in anything honestly in my entire life, so I think that's for other people to decide.

My goal is that the key to any sort of progress or change is relationship and conversation. You can't formulate new opinions unless you have new ideas - unless you have decided to put yourself in a position where you're going to consider other perspectives. The book club introduces ideas on African American history or Indigenous history and we've presented a lot of different books just to say, “Hey, the world as it is, has been described by a predominantly set of white male authors.” Of course, that's not the world everybody experiences. In order to change perspectives, you have to be within the conversation, so that's the goal in terms of impact. I just want to be a part of the conversation and bring other people into the conversation too.

Q:  How do you choose the books and what criteria do you use to guide your selections?

A:  This is a partnership with the Hennepin County Library, so they play a significant role, as well as the Star Tribune. I work closely with a group at the Library – we have a panel of leaders who assist with selection. We read many different books that we’re considering and then we have a discussion. We have different categories – the discussion starts with selecting the category that makes sense at this time and then from there we try to choose the book and it is not easy. There are a lot of excellent, incredible books but we also have to have a discussion around distribution and availability of the titles. It is a cool process and a great deal of the credit goes to the Library for their role in the selections. Shout out to Friends of the Hennepin County Library, too, for sponsorship.

Above and below, Myron Medcalf with author Anthony Ray Hinton at a 2024 Mary Ann Key Book Club event at the Central Library.

Q:  Can you share a memorable moment or feedback from participants that highlight the book club’s influence? I attended the presentation last year with author Javier Zamora where he discussed his memoir, Solito. Several Mexican immigrants seated next to me cried throughout the talk, so I witnessed firsthand the impact the club has on community members. I’ve thought about that event many times.

A:  I would say the overall thing that stands out is when people tell me that they feel “seen” in ways that maybe they haven't felt seen before. Yes, the talk with Javier was really powerful conversation but I think Anthony Ray Hinton’s book – The Sun Does Shine - and the author talk we did around it was really impactful. We had a group of individuals who had been previously incarcerated in Minnesota on a panel talking about their experiences and just being highlighted and acknowledged and just being able to say your voices matter was important. I try to just assemble groups of people and say, “Your voice matters too.” Again, I don’t know if I achieved anything - that’s just the goal so those are my favorite moments when people feel like they matter. All we can do about anything is get in there and try to do something. I don’t ever want this to be about me in any way - I'm just a piece of the puzzle and quite insignificant in the greater pursuit of justice and equality. I believe it's the largest book club in Hennepin County Libraries history with over 4000 members – I’m so happy to tell you that fact. We select the book, gather the community and panelists and I try to shrink into the background.

Q:  What are your aspirations for the club? What's on the horizon?

A:  More books, more conversations, more connections and changed perspectives. My hope is that a participant might wake up tomorrow and then reconsider things that they had previously thought about folks who are not like them. I don't think there's another path to change. You can talk about all these action statements but I don’t think any of that is sustainable unless there is the consideration that my worldview isn't the only worldview. That is where you have to start and I think too often we go to action steps without that foundation and that's why things don't last.  I'm just trying to do it at the grassroots level - the real ground level - because I think that's where everything grows from. Our next book is The Stars and the Blackness Between Them by local author Junaudra Petrus, winner of  the 2020 Coretta Scott King Honor Book Award.  Expect some lively discussions around this book!

Q:  Ok, I’m shifting gears but you are the ESPN College Basketball analyst and reporter. Who will be in the men’s and women’s Final Four?

A:  I wouldn’t bet against Paige Beckers and UConn for women. For men, it’s hard to forecast, but Duke and Auburn look pretty good to me!

Moon, Venus and Capella by Ric Rosow

Submitted by Ric Rosow

A View of the Moon, Venus and Capella from the Mill City District

This is a composite of two photographs taken seconds apart. The Moon and Venus were on opposite sides of Capella. I zoomed in on Capella to see whether either would remain in the frame. Venus remained visible but the Moon did not. To get both in the same image I zoomed out for a much wider view. That, however, did nothing to highlight Capella, as the Moon was very small and Venus was hardly visible. So I zoomed in on the Moon and took that shot. Then I rotated the camera  and adjusted the focal length to capture as much of Capella as possible while keeping Venus in the composition.

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In post-processing I blended the two layers together to reveal the Moon in the layer with Capella and Venus. Next I colorized the Capella building’s exterior with colors that were present in the image to a much smaller extent. AI was not used to create the scene, just my NI (native intelligence). I’ve printed this photograph on cotton so that it can be framed and hung on a wall or used as a table runner. The Fireworks artist in our Price Krishnan Gallery saw the table runner version and ordered the image to be printed on aluminum. Given the colorful art she creates using only fireworks, I am not surprised she likes this colorful work of art.

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You can see more of my work at ricrosowphotography.com and pricekrishnangallery.com.

Register Now to Save $5 off the April 19 Earth Day 5K Bee Run/Walk!

Great River Coalition has announced their 10th Annual Earth Day 5K Bee Run/Walk/River Cleanup at Boom Island Park, and to show you a little love they are offering $5 off of registration when you use the code BEEMINE25. Register here: https://register.chronotrack.com/r/81795.

This is a family-friendly event hosted by:

• Great River Coalition

• Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board 

• The National Park Service

• Mill City Running/St. City Running

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Dogs are welcome, costumes are welcome (prizes for the best - name your team!). Help save our bees and pollinators and their habitat by participating in this national movement!

Artists at Work: The Mia Staff Art Show

Article by Becky Fillinger

Utopia: Access Denied, by Rocky Xóchihua, Facilities

The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) Staff Art Show is happening now through April 13. It's a unique exhibition spotlighting the immense creative talent of Mia’s staff. Many employees are artists - from Security to Registration to Information Systems - nearly all departments are represented, showcasing over 60 art submissions.   

We talked to six of the employee artists about the inspiration for their submissions and also their thoughts about working for and being encouraged by Mia. The show runs through April 14, but don’t wait until the last minute. Make plans to visit Mia at 2400 3rd Avenue S to see how ‘fostering creativity’ is a guiding principle taken seriously by our local world class museum.

Pink Aqua Metro 13" x 19" (17 1/2" x 25 1/2" framed) Digital Painting (brushes and shapes only in Photoshop) by Daniel Henry, Security

Daniel HenryI am a designer and editor of all digital media. I love color, typography, sound, classic art, and minimalism. My compositions tend to reflect a dawn or twilight atmosphere with a tinge of mystery.

I am inspired by a combination of the older art that surrounds me at Mia, simple ideas that can hint at mystery, and daily conversations. I am new to the art world and relatively new to Mia. As a security guard, I spend a lot of time absorbing art. I'm always learning about different styles and genres; the Museum is the best resource for this information. Mia gives the staff a great platform with the Staff Art Show. I have worked at the museum for the past year and a half, and I'm delighted at how supportive the public and co-workers are of local art. Also, the frequency of rotation in the art collection helps the flow of ideas and inspiration. I've come to appreciate work that I might not have done before this job. “Everyone Welcome” applies to the entire Institute.

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Lake Superior, October 14, 2018 32 inches long and 14 inches tall - Watercolor by Jenny Rydeen, Visitor Experience

Jenny RydeenI am a watercolor artist who loves painting outdoors. I learned plein air oil painting from my grandma (Nana) before discovering watercolors from my art teacher in high school.  I most often paints lakes and interiors.

I am inspired by nature and love painting outdoors. I see beautiful works of art every day at my job at Mia. My new favorite inspiration is the painting A Norwegian River in Winter by Ludwig Skramstad, which is on view in the third-floor galleries! I am a plein air artist. I enjoy looking at landscapes and considering how the artist may have created them. Any artwork on paper is really interesting to me. I like making frequent visits to the print and drawing study room. It is open to the public with an advanced reservation. We have the best staff and volunteers. I love working at a museum where everyone is passionate about art and art-making processes. It is so special that Mia holds an all-staff art show where my friends and family can see my paintings. It is really special when staff and volunteers tell you that they saw (and liked) your artwork!

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Cabin Hideaway - Oil on Canvas by Joshua Angel, Information Systems - Painted along with Bob Ross - Cabin Hideaway (Season 13 Episode 11)

Joshua AngelI try to find peace in the process and really grasp the idea of having my own time to be present and free from distractions. I imagine what it would be like to stand in the wilderness and observe first-hand what I am trying to paint.

I have seen many beautiful paintings here that inspire me to try new things and techniques with my own art practices. I observe other artists' delicate strokes and details and want to see if I can achieve something close to that. I can find beauty and inspiration in all of Mia's collections. I appreciate all forms of art across various mediums and the process and time spent creating them. I am also really excited about a number of upcoming shows.

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Synesthesia Sliced in Sections (Would You Come Closer...) 12 1/2 X 15 1/2 inches - in frame - Ink on Paper by Rachel Raskin, Retail

Rachel Raskin

I’m inspired by a little of everything; lately, the biggest inspirations have come from observing the change and flow found within nature, my lived experiences with my various neurodivergencies, and listening to an excessive amount of music. I also think all the art I’ve had the privilege to experience in person impacts what I create and how I create. To certain eyes, the reflection of parts of Mia’s collection can be easy to spot in my artwork. I’ve been inspired by the pointillism reflected in the clouds from Georges Suerat’s Port-en-Bessin and the fine line work commonly found throughout our Asian art galleries, specifically in Liu Yuanqi’s Scholar in Landscape, Cai Jia’s Landscape with Scholar Viewing a Waterfall, and Baichi Dōjin’s Plum Drawn from the Mind. 

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Honeymooners 2 11x14 photos, framed together, so around 12 x 30 - Photo print by Anna Dilliard, Learning & Programming

Anna DilliardIn middle school I saved my money for a Nikon 35mm camera. Two decades later and I used that camera to take pictures of my wife on our Midwestern honeymoon. Little Anna would be thrilled.

My piece in the staff art show is a pair of photographs. I saved up for the camera when I was 12 years old and these are photos from my honeymoon two decades later. My biggest inspiration—in life, not only in art - is young Anna. Everything I do is to make her proud. She'd be thrilled by these photos and the love they exemplify. Oddly enough, I didn't always love looking at photographs in museums, but that's changed since picking up my camera again. Seemingly monotonous moments become time capsules.

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Jane, George, and Tiepolo 20"x16" unframed - Oil paint on panel by Bill Skodje, Curatorial Affairs

Bill Skodje

Beautiful works of art inspire me. Because I paint plein air watercolors, nature also inspires me. I’m not sure if my work can be affiliated with any art movement, but it reflects themes I find at the museum. I use as many influences as I can from Mia's broad collection, including works of art, to create still-life paintings.

It’s a privilege to have access to so many beautiful objects. Mia’s mission statement includes the idea of inspiring through art. Mia provides a wonderful resource for artists to come and be inspired, and it’s free every day!

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Mia's ever-growing collection of LGBTQ+ artists includes lesbians like Harmony Hammond and Mickalene Thomas. Both are groundbreaking and some of my favorite artists. Hammond's work can be goofy, which I love - showing queerness in art doesn't need to be serious all the time. Thomas often depicts hyper-feminine women covered in sequins and glitter; that's what I feel like on the inside. I love that Mia’s collection demonstrates that being queer can be peaceful and playful.

Puppy Cuddle Time at the Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center, Feb 13

The Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center invites the public to a special Puppy Cuddle featuring adorable, adoptable puppies from a local animal rescue organization. From 11:30am to 1pm on Thursday, February 13, attendees can enjoy stress-relieving cuddles, learn about adoption opportunities, and support a great cause. A $5 donation is suggested to support Healing Hearts Rescue. Cash, credit and Venmo accepted, with 100% of donations going to Healing Hearts Rescue.

The Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center is located at 505 Nicollet Mall, Suite 100, directly across from the Nicollet Light Rail Station.

Healing Hearts Rescue is a volunteer-based nonprofit dog rescue dedicated to changing the lives of animals whom humans have failed by finding them safe and loving homes.

 

Minneapolis Premiere of “This Is Not A Dream” at Ukrainian American Feb 14-15 Community Center

Nine plays present a variety of views into the daily life of people in or from Ukraine today

The Lex-Ham Community Theater of St. Paul, in partnership with the Ukrainian American Community Center, will be presenting a staged reading of "This Is Not A Dream" – a set of short plays written by nine contemporary playwrights from Ukraine about their life during the current Russian invasion and war there. 

The playwrights, known as Young Playwrights Ukraine, founded by New York-based writer Laura Cahill, are young authors - some of whom are still in Ukraine, while others are displaced.

The authors include Anna Brovarna, Anastasia Chala, Taya Fedorrenko, Luka Ivanov, Uliana Klimchuk, Tanya Kostyniuk, Asia Psenychna, Sasha Sereda, and Karina Syrota. The plays were written during a mentorship project started in April 2023. Professional writers and directors worked with the young writers over Zoom for five months. Directed by Sara Skar.

Performances will take place at Ukrainian American Community Center, 301 NE Main Street on Friday, February 14, 7:00pm and Saturday, February 15, 2:00pm.

Tickets - More info - Questions: info@uaccmn.org

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Superhero: A Ukrainian college students visits the parents of her college roommate in North Carolina

Candies, Wedding, Bones: A young woman visits the cemetery where her grandmother is buried.  A young man trying to sell wedding dresses encounters her.

Perfect Material: A college film school student who’s been out of Ukraine comes home to make a documentary by talking with her father about his experience fighting the war.

Dnipro: A college student returns to Dnipro to visit her aging and increasingly forgetful grandmother.

The Sea: A couple attempting to escape Ukraine to live in Cyprus use the wife’s mother as a means to escape

Proof of Love: Two young students are held at the police station for taking photos of railroad tracks.

Ruins: A young woman returns to her burnt-out home and encounters her younger much-more-innocent self.

The Old Couple: An elderly couple have left Ukraine and now live in Vienna and discuss the pros and cons of returning to Ukraine.

The Orchid: A doctor and her retired husband living in Ukraine listen to the news of the day on the television while discussing the state of the husband’s orchid.

Performing Arts are a means to preserving and perpetuating Ukrainian Culture and Identity from tyrants set upon the destruction of an entire nation.

North Loop’s New Sports and Entertainment Venue, The Rabbit Hole, Opens February 7

The venue will combine elevated American cuisine, craft cocktails and a high-energy atmosphere for sports fans, food lovers and live music enthusiasts alike.

The Rabbit Hole, 411 N Washington Avenue, will open on Friday, February 7, just in time for Super Bowl Sunday. It will be the North Loop’s largest sports and live entertainment venue, spanning 12,000 square feet, with an additional 3,000-square-foot patio opening this spring.

Co-owned by Deepak and Sara Nath, Joe Berg, Thomas Pivec, Craig Dauffenbach and Jay Ettinger, the ownership group brings extensive experience from previous projects, including Bootleggers, The Pourhouse, The Exchange & Alibi Lounge and the Lumber Exchange Event Center.

“We are lifelong Minneapolis residents, many of us spent decades in the North Loop, and we are all die-hard sports fans,” says Deepak Nath, co-owner of The Rabbit Hole. “We saw an opportunity to create something unique in this neighborhood – a space where fans can come for the game, stay for the food and keep the energy going all night.”

Thomas Pivec is leading the culinary program with a menu that blends elevated classics with local comfort foods. Guests can enjoy game-day favorites such as a Jumbo Salted Pretzel with grain mustard and Summit beer cheese sauce, Smoked Chicken Wings, the 411 Smash Burger and “The Big Stick,” a 10-inch mozzarella stick that stretches up to eight feet. Elevated offerings such as a 14 oz grilled Sterling Silver Ribeye with truffle fries and bearnaise, Tuna Poke with fresh ginger, Fresno peppers, seaweed, avocado and wonton crisps and house-made Tater Tot Hot Dish round out the menu. Dinner will be served nightly with lunch served Friday through Sunday initially. Brunch will follow in the coming months.

The craft cocktail menu features modern twists on classics, including the RH Old Fashioned made with Rabbit Hole Distillery’s Heigold Bourbon and Filthy Cherries, and the Skrewed Up Espresso Martini made with peanut butter whiskey, vodka and espresso. Three off-the-menu Instagram-worthy cocktails have been hidden throughout the venue, accessible to order via QR codes once found. Guests can also enjoy a rotating selection of 12 draft beers, highlighting local favorites like Castle Danger Cream Ale, Fulton Lonely Blonde, along with a curated selection of wines, bottles and cans.

Designed by EK Interiors, with architecture by Little Box Inc., the venue brings together a stylish and high-energy vibe. Guests descend a staircase “down the rabbit hole” into a space filled with playful surprises and unexpected design elements. The entrance features an ultra-transparent film LED screen that transforms the windows into a dynamic visual experience. 42 high-definition, large-format TVs ranging from 65-85 inches, and a prominent 200-inch LED board behind the stage provide optimal viewing for all major sporting events. With access to the NFL Sunday Ticket and ESPN+, the venue guarantees that Minnesota sports fans can cheer on their favorite teams, including the Twins, Vikings, Wild, Lynx, Timberwolves, United FC, Gophers and more – all with the sound on for an immersive experience. Three Vestaboards will display rotating quotes and visual surprises, while a sports score ticker delivers real-time game updates.

A blend of communal spaces and cozy booths will welcome up to 700 guests, in groups large and small. The space is casual and approachable for lunch and afternoon meetings and entirely transforms for the dinner and nightlife crowd with different styles of seating and lighting. Partitions allow for a private event space, named “The Den,” which can accommodate up to 25 seated or 35 standing for private and corporate events. The main bar, lined with 12 hanging TVs, seats up to 40 guests, while a secondary back bar, which serves both indoor and outdoor spaces, seats an additional six. Garage doors lead to a multi-level private patio, set to open this spring, complete with astroturf, outdoor TVs and seating for several hundred guests. Through those windows, abundant natural light enters the subterranean space year-round, adding warmth and vibrancy to the venue.

The Rabbit Hole is more than just a sports bar – it’s a community-driven destination. Weekly events such as Trivia Mafia on Tuesdays (starting Feb 25) and Saturday afternoon Bingo (starting Feb 8) invite guests to visit beyond game days. A lineup of notable cover bands and live DJs will entertain guests Thursday through Saturday from 10 pm onward. In partnership with Firefighters for Healing, proceeds from pull tabs and Saturday bingo will benefit local firefighters, burn victims and their families. Always serving those who serve, The Rabbit Hole will offer a 25% discount for military, EMTs and first responders.

To celebrate the opening and Super Bowl LIX, The Rabbit Hole will offer happy hour from 11am-11pm on Sunday, February 9. Tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

HOURS: Monday-Thursday, 3pm-2am; Friday-Sunday 11am-2am. Happy hour will be offered from 3-6pm daily. Reservations are now available for groups of 5 or more.

Follow The Rabbit Hole on social media @therabbitholempls.

Experience “Institute of Ice” at Mia: A Winter Art Spectacle, February 6th

Minneapolis Institute of Art (Target Park), February 6, 5-8:30pm Program / 9a Sculpture Installation Begins (Open to Public Viewing)

The Minneapolis Institute of Art  (Mia), 2400 3rd Avenue S, invites media and the public to experience the return of Institute of Ice, a dazzling outdoor celebration of art, winter, and community. This year’s event features eight breathtaking hand-carved ice sculptures inspired by Mia’s collection and the upcoming Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys exhibition. Guests can enjoy live ice sculpting, guided tours, an ice bar, music, and more.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Ice Sculptures: Eight hand-carved pieces by Minnesota Ice, including works inspired by Yoshitomo Nara and Nick Cave.

• Live Ice Carving: Watch artists transform ice into stunning sculptures that are (literal) works of art.

• Tours: Explore sculpture-inspired artworks with guided and self-guided tours.

• Ice Bar & Food Truck: Enjoy winter-themed drinks and bites from KCM Eggroll.

• Fire Pit Lounge and Live DJ: Stay cozy while enjoying the icy artistry and live DJ.

Kolman & Reeb Gallery Celebrates 5 Year Anniversary of Project Space Grant Program

Since its inception, the Kolman & Reeb Project Space Grant initiative has supported 19 artists of various styles and techniques to finally undertake and realize their most ambitious projects.

2025 marks the fifth year of Kolman & Reeb Gallery’s Project Space Grant Program.  Established in 2020 by gallery owner and partner, Anita Sue Kolman, the grant provides Minnesota visual artists with resources, exhibition space, and financial support to undertake projects that will substantially impact their artistic careers. By supporting the Minnesota art community with this grant program, the gallery aims to foster art that delivers engaging and thought-provoking experiences to gallery patrons and local art collectors.

Like so many of us, artists also have aspirations or excitement built around a future creative pursuit. For a professional artist, a new idea or concept could significantly impact the scope of their future work. However, most artists set aside these desires until the time and resources are available. By being awarded a Kolman & Reeb Gallery Project Space Grant, selected artists can finally fulfill on the development of these compelling, courageous, and even unimaginable endeavors.

Since its inception, the Kolman & Reeb Project Space Grant initiative has supported 19 artists of various styles and techniques to finally undertake and realize their most ambitious projects. As in the past four years, again in 2025, the Kolman & Reeb Gallery has awarded individual grants of $10,000 each to selected artists who met the submission criteria. However, the opportunity is more than just financial support. The grant also offers creative advice, curation, business, marketing, and promotional support. All it takes is a unique vision and a project proposal.

"The opportunity to create new work knowing that it will be exhibited in a gallery setting changes the entire focus of the project completely. The foresight of being assured the work will be offered for sale in a commercial art gallery removes nearly all constraints." Cameron Zebrun, 2022 grantee

The selection of artists who will receive one of several $10,000 grants each year is merit-based and determined by examples of past work and concepts used in their grant proposal. Submission requirements include a description, plans for public interaction, a budget, a timeline, a resume, work samples, and descriptions of how the work samples relate to the proposed project.

The gallery provides support throughout the grant period, including quarterly payments, space for public interaction, and guidance to ensure the successful completion and exhibition of the project. Applications are accepted annually from July 15 through September 15, with grantees notified by November 30. The selected artists are announced in January, and their exhibitions are scheduled throughout the following year.

The Kolman & Reeb Gallery Project Space continues to play a pivotal role in the Minnesota art scene by empowering artists to pursue transformative projects, engage with the community, and advance their careers through substantial financial and professional support.

"This validation of my artistic vision and talent allowed me to see past the usual limitations and present work that is not only an evolution of my current work and style, but it allowed me to offer distinctive, unique, and truly original art." Lisa Truax, 2024 grantee

Exhibiting contemporary, abstract artwork by Minnesota artists in diverse media, Kolman & Reeb Gallery is a unique collaboration between Anita Sue Kolman, arts patron, and Jodi Reeb, artist and curator. Kolman & Reeb Gallery creates essential connections between artists and collectors by holding exhibitions celebrating the evolving aesthetics of the established artists it represents, with an eye toward placing artworks in the homes and businesses of discerning collectors.

For more information about the Project Space Grant Program, please contact Anita Sue Kolman at anita@kolmanreebgallery.com or 612-385-4239. Kolman & Reeb Gallery is in Studio 395 of the Northrup King Building, 1500 Jackson Street NE.

Milo Imagines the World at the Children’s Theatre Company - A Discussion with Director Mikael Burke

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos by Joe Mazza & Eleanor Kahn

First impressions aren’t always accurate. In Children’s Theatre Company's world premiere production of Milo Imagines the World, Milo takes the audience along with him on subway rides that expose him and us to different people, music, cultures and ways of thinking. We talked to director Mikael Burke about bringing the play alive from the printed page to the stage and lessons of empathy and understanding that apply to all ages. The play runs February 4 through March 9 - get tickets here.

Mikael Burke Q:  You’ve said, “When we come to the theatre to share in witnessing a story, we silently make a pact: for just a while, we all agree to believe what unfolds before our eyes. The imaginary becomes real because we believe it, and when that belief is rewarded, our experience is transcendent, our hearts and minds are changed.” Do you believe the audiences who attend Milo Imagines the World can or will be changed by the play’s messages?

A:  Absolutely. I believe audiences can expect to be moved by the story that unfolds. Milo's magical journey on an NYC subway train is a wild ride. It's full of great music, delightful surprises, and is just bursting with imagination. But it's also a moving story about love and family that is sure to tug the heartstrings. I cannot wait to see all the ways Milo's journey inspires audiences, and how they carry his story out of the theatre and beyond.

Q:  How does the play expand on the book’s themes of empathy and understanding?

A:  What the play does so well is deepen the explorations of empathy and understanding so expertly rendered in the picture book by giving us more time and space to actually experience the sights and discoveries Milo encounters. We get to experience the fun of imagining someone else’s life, and we also get to experience how it feels when someone makes a wrong assumption about us. And the relationship between Milo and his sister is greatly expanded in the play helping us to see Milo’s learning in real time thru his developing relationship with her as they go from siblings at odds to a family in harmony.

Q:  How do you convey Milo’s imaginative drawings in a theatrical setting? Are you collaborating with sound, set and costume designers to bring Milo’s world to life?

A:  We are bringing Milo’s drawings to life is exciting ways thru dynamic collaborations with sets, light, costumes and props. Every imagined world we visit is a little different, each with a unique musical style, but what ties them all together is Milo’s drawings, which leap off the page and become real elements that the cast interacts with in ways that are delightful and surprising. 

Q:  Were there specific moments from the book that you were particularly excited to bring to life on stage?

A:  The moments from the book that most excited me when I first began thinking about bringing this story to life are the moments when we dive into Milo’s imagination, and the possibilities for theatrical play that arise when the rules of the real world are off the table. And there’s a moment of imagination that comes late in the play that I think will be a particularly impactful and moving moment.

Q:  What message do you hope audiences, especially children, take away from the play?

A:  I think this story takes us on a journey of understanding, and teaches us that there’s always more to people than meets the eye. I hope that people walk away understanding that we shouldn’t judge a sketchbook by its cover, and that there’s always more to the story if take the time to really understand rather than pass judgement.

Q:  How do you react when you find out a person isn't the way you thought they would be?

A:  I love when someone surprises me. At this point in my life, more often than not, if I’m discovering someone to be unlike what I anticipated they would be, my first impulse is to reflect inward and check in with myself about why I needed to believe that that person might be a certain way in the first place. Then, I simply keep an open heart and a gracious mind as I learn who they really are and I aim to meet them where they’re at rather than feel any sort of way about the fact that they’re different from what I expected.

Q:  What has been the most rewarding part of directing this world premiere?

A:  The most rewarding part of directing this piece is definitely the opportunity to collaborate with so many incredible artists across disciplines, and creating a rehearsal room that is vibrant, curious, and built on mutual respect of each other as artists and people.

Q:  What’s next for you after this project?

A:  Following Milo, I go into rehearsals for the Chicago premiere of Brendan Pelsue’s thrilling new adaptation of Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, which opens in late April with Shattered Globe Theatre. Follow my news on my website.

Gamut Gallery Announces First Exhibition of 2025 - Sovereignty of Joy, a Solo Show by Artist Jonathan Thunder, Feb 8 - March 8

Gamut Gallery will present their first exhibit of 2025, Sovereignty of Joy, February 8 - March 8. This is a solo exhibition celebrating the artistry of Jonathan Thunder. With a striking visual language steeped in symbolism and layered narratives, Thunder’s work is a masterful blend of cultural heritage, personal identity, and surrealist storytelling.

An enrolled member of the Red Lake Band of Ojibwe, Thunder draws inspiration from his upbringing in the Twin Cities and his roots in the traditions of the Red Lake Indian Reservation. These dual perspectives imbue his art with a unique depth, where everyday moments collide with elements of tribal mythology and pop culture. From playful depictions of going out for ice cream or shooting pool Sovereignty of Joy explores the delight found in ordinary experiences.

Amid the vibrant compositions and sensual imagery of Thunder's artwork lies a subtle undercurrent—an edge of saltiness and humor that hints at the complexities of relationships. Thunder’s distinctive approach to painting brings together human and animal forms in surreal environments, each resonating with humor, sincerity, and emotional nuance.

Thunder’s accolades, including the prestigious Pollock-Krasner Foundation Award and recognition for his short films and multidisciplinary work, mark him as a standout talent in contemporary art. This exhibition offers a rare chance to experience - and collect - his pieces!

 *  *  * Exhibition Details *  *  *

PUBLIC OPENING NIGHT Sat., Feb 8, 7-10pm $20 tickets - FREE to members 

ARTIST CONVERSATION WITH JONATHAN THUNDER Moderated by Russ White  Thursday, Feb 20, 6-8pm. $20 tickets - FREE to members 

COLLAB NIGHT: EXPLORING IDENTITY Facilitated by the Gamut crew. Materials provided. Sat, Feb 28,  6-9pm $30 tickets 

CLOSING RECEPTION Sat, March 8, 2-4pm. Join the Gamut crew for an informal tea service and last look at Sovereignty of Joy - FREE event.

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GALLERY & GIFT SHOP OPEN HOURS
Visit for FREE during our open hours: Thurs - Fri, 11a-6p; Sat 11a-4p
*Closed on exhibit opening day 

Theatre in the Round Announces Legacy of Light, Feb 21-Mar 16

Theatre in the Round Players (TRP) is presenting Legacy of Light by Karen Zacarías as the fifth production of their 73rd Season. Quirky humor, joyful intellectualism, a fascinating true story, and poignant fiction all collide in this beautifully surreal comedy that asks “What is the science of love?”

In this play, Zacarías highlights the unsung history of Émilie du Châtelet, a mathematician and scientist in 18th century France (and lover of the philosopher Voltaire). Legacy of Light juxtaposes the true story of Châtelet becoming unexpectedly pregnant at 42 and that of a fictional 21st-century physicist desperately trying to conceive a child.

Kari Steinbach directs the six-member cast with stage management by Erin Sondrol, intimacy and fight direction by Mason Tyer, set design by Sadie Ward, costumes by Colleen O’Dell, lighting by Bill Larsen, props by Ren Edson, and sound design by Warren Sampson.

This is the second year TRP has presented a story about historical women in STEM. Last year’s Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson was well received by audiences and members of the local science community. This year, TRP is partnering with Minnesota Academy of Sciences’ Science Salon to host a discussion and Q&A with physicists Dr. Robyn Wangberg and Dr. Jolene Johnson Armstrong, immediately following the performance on Sunday, March 2 at 2pm. 

Legacy of Light runs February 21 to March 16, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2pm.

*     *    *

Tickets: $20-29

Content Warning: Flashing lights. Sexual situations and adult themes. Best for ages 14+

Audio-Described performance: Sunday, March 16 

Box Office Phone:  612-333-3010

*     *    *

Theatre in the Round’s facilities are accessible for audience members using wheelchairs. Assisted listening and individual captioning devices are available for check-out. An Audio-Described performance will be held on Sunday, March 16 at 2pm. For questions about access services, please email tix@theatreintheround.org or call the box office at 612-333-3010.

DisPlace: A North Loop Fantasy Quest, March 13–16, Luminary Arts Center

zAmya Theater Project has announced DisPlace: A North Loop Fantasy Quest, an original production that blends real-world housing issues with fantasy role-playing adventure. Created in partnership with the North Loop Neighborhood Association and Avivo Village, DisPlace: A North Loop Fantasy Quest runs March 13 – 16 at Luminary Arts Center, 700 N 1st Street, in the North Loop. 

The North Loop is an economically diverse neighborhood with high-end condos and organizations supporting individuals experiencing homelessness. It is also ranked among the lowest of neighborhoods affected by poverty. Recent conflicts over a homeless encampment highlighted the urgent need for community dialogue and solutions. In response, zAmya Theater Project, the North Loop Neighborhood Association and Avivo Village collaborated to foster a shared vision of inclusivity, safety, and housing support for all residents.

One outcome of this partnership is DisPlace: A North Loop Fantasy Quest - a theatrical adventure created by and for North Loop community members across the housing spectrum. This innovative production weaves stories of unsheltered homelessness into a fictional narrative, inviting audiences to imagine bold solutions for ending homelessness. The goal is to inspire an ongoing coalition of neighbors working together to compassionately address housing concerns.

About the Play

Hear ye, hear ye! His honorable Lord Sunshine hereby invites you to the first official Festival of DisPlacement, celebrating the triumph over poverty in the Kingdom’s Northern Loop! Rest assured, there is absolutely no chance whatsoever that you will run into any wayward heroes or formidable monsters on your way to Archer’s Arena – which is definitely not Target Field. However, please be advised that you may want to keep your sword on you…you know… just in case. Inspired by the high-energy imagination of tabletop roleplaying games and created in conversation with North Loop and Avivo Village residents, DisPlace is an epic fantasy quest about the reality of housing injustice in Minneapolis.

Through audience participation, and immersive storytelling, DisPlace challenges audiences members to think about how we can come together as a community to create housing justice.

Directed by Harry Waters Jr. and written by Elle Thoni with contributions from Charli Fool Bear-Vetter, the play features performances by zAmya Theater Project troupe members and Avivo Village residents. Music will be composed by Carlisle Evans Peck.

Tickets

All ages welcome. Parental discretion is advised – audience discussions may include adult topics such as substance use and trauma. $10 gift cards will be available after each performance for individuals with lived experience of homelessness (while supplies last). Sign up at the box office upon arrival. No refunds on tickets. More info at zamyatheater.org.

Insomnia Cookies Opens 2nd Minneapolis Location

Insomnia Cookies, a cult brand known for serving warm cookies all day and late into the night, is set to open its second store in Minneapolis. The new bakery, located on Hennepin Avenue just north of downtown, marks the second location in Minneapolis, the third store in Minnesota, and its 317th location nationwide. 

When that craving for something sweet hits (even at 3am!), Insomnia Cookies offers in-store, pickup, and delivery options for customers to experience the company’s signature warm, delicious cookies. From the Classic Chocolate Chunk cookie to favorites like Snickerdoodle and Confetti Deluxe, delicious Cookies IN Ice Cream flavors, decadent brookies, brownies, and blondies, a full slate of vegan options, and a frequently-rotating limited-edition menu, the brand’s offerings satisfy every sweet tooth – warm or cold. 

In celebration of the new Minneapolis location, Insomnia Cookies will be holding an all-day in-store grand opening event and late-night celebration baked full of freebies, treats, and more.

STORE DETAILS

• Address: 600 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403
• Store Hours:
  • Sunday 12:00 PM - 1:00 AM
  • Monday 11:00 AM - 1:00 AM
  • Tuesday 11:00 AM - 1:00 AM
  • Wednesday 11:00 AM - 1:00 AM
  • Thursday 11:00 AM - 3:00 AM
  • Friday 11:00 AM - 3:00 AM
  • Saturday 12:00 PM - 3:00 AM

GRAND OPENING EVENT DETAILS & GIVEAWAYS

• Date: Saturday, February 1, 2025
• Time: 12:00 PM – 3:00 AM
• Sweet Offers:
  • On Saturday, February 1, from 12 PM – 3 AM, Insomniacs who visit the new Minneapolis store and sign-up for Insomnia Rewards* will receive 1 FREE Classic cookie (no purchase required) in-store.
    • *For new Insomnia Rewards members – Customers can sign up online or in the app. Customers will need to enter their mobile number, first and last name and email address to create an account. Inside Insomnia Rewards, customers will be able to easily track their points status, redeem available rewards, access their surprise offers and easily reorder their favorite menu items.
  • Insomniacs can also earn FREE delivery with the code MINNEAPOLIS beginning Saturday, February 1 – Saturday, February 15.  

The new store will deliver to Insomniacs in Minneapolis and throughout surrounding neighborhoods. Insomnia Cookies looks forward to satisfying the cravings of Minneapolis cookie lovers. 

Join the squad! The new Minneapolis location is hiring part-time cookie crew members, delivery drivers, and shift leaders. Interested applicants and cookie lovers are encouraged to apply now at Careers.InsomniaCookies.com. 

Download the Insomnia Cookies App! Satisfying your sweets cravings is made easy with the Insomnia Cookies app. Insomniacs can track their deliveries, re-order favorites, and receive the best deals that are only available in the app. Available in the App Store and Google Play Store.

Sunrise and Pink Clouds by Ric Rosow

Submitted by Ric Rosow

I was on the treadmill getting my exercise in and a photography webinar on my iPad. The sky started to lighten up as sunrise neared. I looked up from my iPad and saw a beautiful array of pink clouds low in the sky. The clouds colored the smoke rising high from the power a light plant pink. I knew I wanted a photograph of that scene. I grabbed my iPad and rushed out of the room, took the elevator up to my condo and grabbed my camera. It was VERY cold outside but I knew I had no time to put on anything over my exercise clothes. I didn't even have time to setup my tripod. Hurrying out to our patio deck I adjusted the settings on my camera and took eight photographs.

While this photograph is a beautiful landscape scene, I missed the best one, which was of course the one I saw from the treadmill. By the time I started photographing the clouds had moved higher in the sky. I went back to the exercise room to finish my exercise routine. When I walked into the room I went over and spoke to one of my neighbors asking if she had seen beautiful clouds over the river. Indeed she had. I told her I missed getting the best shot. She replied that I could get that shot the next morning, to which I replied, no that was a one time opportunity. Sure enough, the following morning the sky was covered with gray clouds and the sunrise was not visible through the cloud cover. There was no pink to be found in the sky. 

You can see more of my work @ricrosowphotography.com and @PriceKrishnanGallery. 

Local Entrepreneur Superstar: Gary Berg

Article by Becky Fillinger, photo provided

Did you know we have a local booking agency that brings in over $10 million in annual sales? G.L. Berg Entertainment is celebrating 35 years of success this year - their services include representation of artists of all types for all sorts of events, from local to national! We talked to Gary about why he got involved in this business, the early years, memorable moments and the company’s ironclad and transparent recipe for success. 

Gary BergQ:  What inspired you to start your booking agency, and how has it evolved over time?   

A:  Throughout my life, I’ve had a deep passion for sports and entertainment, both as a participant and an observer. After earning my Master’s Degree in Higher Education, I spent nine years as a college administrator. While I enjoyed that work, I couldn’t shake the desire to create positive, memorable experiences for people through live events. I wanted to help communities and companies connect through high-quality entertainment.

That dream became a reality on July 1, 1989, when I founded G.L. Berg Entertainment from scratch. My mission was clear: to provide professional, non-offensive, high-quality, and affordable entertainment options for companies, fairs, festivals, theaters, schools, and other special events.

Back then, it was just me and a big vision, with gross sales of $30,000 in our first year. Today, I’m proud to say that G.L. Berg Entertainment has grown into a thriving agency with over $10 million in annual sales. Our team includes nine full-time staff members, one part-time employee, and two specialized sub-contractors. We represent more than 300 professional performers who bring joy to audiences across cruise ships, performing arts venues, fairs and festivals, corporate events, schools, and fundraisers.

It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to do what I love while making a positive impact on so many people.

Q:  What have been the biggest challenges in scaling from local to national operations?

A:  One of the biggest challenges we’ve faced over the years is that every type of event comes with its own unique set of considerations - venues, budgets, dates, locations, and more. On top of that, each market approaches buying entertainment differently, which requires tailored strategies and expertise.

As we’ve grown, we’ve learned that specialization is key. In 2022, we reached a pivotal point where we could establish several distinct divisions, each led by an expert in their respective markets. This structure allows us to better meet the specific needs of our clients and performers while streamlining operations.

Today, G.L. Berg Entertainment is proud to offer specialized divisions for:

• Corporate and Private Events
• Cruise Ship Performers
• Performing Arts Centers (PACs) and Theaters
• Fairs and Festivals
• Speakers (via our Elan Speaker Division)
• K-12 Schools, Colleges, and Universities

This shift has been transformative for our agency, enabling us to provide customized, high-quality service on both local and national levels while continuing to grow and innovate.

Q:  How do you market your business to attract new clients?

A:  Like many successful and growing businesses, we use a multifaceted approach to attract new clients. Our main marketing and sales strategies include:

• Dynamic Web Presence: We maintain a general website along with several market-specific sites to cater to the unique needs of our diverse clientele.
• Industry Engagement: We are active members of industry-specific organizations, which often involves attending tradeshows, networking events, and fostering relationships within those communities.   
• Targeted Campaigns: We employ highly targeted email and direct mail campaigns, ensuring our outreach resonates with the right audience.
• Client Outreach: Regular communication with current and past clients via phone and email helps us maintain strong relationships and uncover new opportunities.   
• Showcase Opportunities: Every time one of our acts performs, they effectively serve as a live showcase of their talent. These performances often generate leads and referrals from captivated audiences.
• Word-of-Mouth Recommendations: Satisfied clients become our greatest advocates, spreading the word and bringing in new business through their enthusiasm.
• Social Media Connections: Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn allow us to connect directly with clients and share our success stories, upcoming events, and featured performers.
• Proactive Outreach: Sometimes, it’s as simple as picking up the phone and reaching out to potential clients we know would benefit from our services.

This combination of modern marketing strategies and traditional relationship-building has been instrumental in driving our growth and connecting us with new clients.                    

Q:  Please share some memorable moments in your business - I'm sure there are so many!

A: It’s incredibly tough to narrow it down because there have been countless positive and memorable moments over the past 35+ years. A few that stand out include:

• In year three I hired my first employee and moved to a bigger office and things were starting to take off.
• Created the acapella group Tonic Sol-fa while they were finishing up college and over the next 15 years got shows for them all over the United States, brokered a large sponsorship deal with Herbergers, brokered a deal to get their CD’s attached to hundreds of thousands of General Mills cereal boxes, and built them into a very successful and popular national group.
• Going to Nashville on several occasions as our exclusive acts (comic magician Tim Gabrielson and comic ventriloquist James Wedgwood) performed on variety shows on the Country Music Television network.
• Our acts have also had featured guest spots on The Tonight Show, David Letterman Show, The Today Show, Comedy Central, Last Comic Standing on NBC, America’s Got Talent, The Conan O’Brien Show, Live with Regis and Kelly, The Late Show with Steven Colbert, The Sing Off (where our exclusively represented group Home Free won the fourth season).
• Booking Keith Urban for a Minnesota fair early in his career for $7,500 and bringing him to the state for the first time. Similarly, we booked comedian Frank Caliendo for a company holiday party in St. Cloud for $1,000, and just a few years later, he performed for another client at $50,000 as his career skyrocketed.
• When you go from Zero to almost $100 million in sales over 35 years there are wonderful moments all along the way.  Each year we had a record sales year was/is celebrated in a big way.

Q:  What role does company culture play in G. L. Berg Entertainment's success? 

A:  Company culture is absolutely central to our success and has been a guiding principle since day one. Our mission has always been to only provide entertainment that works. This means every event must work for the client, the performer, and our company. Transparency is the cornerstone of our culture, which sets us apart in an industry where this isn’t always the norm. All contracts are signed by both the client and the performer or speaker, ensuring everyone is fully aware of terms, payments, and expectations. This level of openness fosters trust and eliminates misunderstandings, creating a win-win for everyone involved. If it doesn’t - for reasons like budget, audience composition, or logistical challenges - we don’t move forward with the booking. By prioritizing integrity and alignment with our mission, we’ve built an environment where clients, performers, and staff alike feel respected, valued, and confident in the work we do.

Q:  If you could go back and change one thing about your entrepreneurial journey, what would it be?

A:  Honestly, I have no regrets. Every experience, whether positive or challenging, has been an opportunity to learn and grow, ultimately shaping the success of our company today. That said, if I had to choose one thing, I’d say I might have explored securing capital earlier to accelerate our growth. Our company has always operated without loans or debt, which is a position I’m proud of—it has provided us with financial stability and peace of mind. However, this approach sometimes meant missing opportunities, like hiring additional staff or investing in marketing strategies, simply because the cash flow wasn’t available. While it delayed certain milestones, it also reinforced our resourcefulness and commitment to building a sustainable business. Looking back, the lessons learned from growing at our own pace have been invaluable, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything.

Q:  How may we follow your amazing story?  

A:  Our website (https://www.glberg.com/) is regularly updated with the latest news, and we’re active in the community, which means we occasionally appear in the media. However, our story is always evolving and somewhat behind the scenes. People tend to follow the careers and activities of the incredible performers we represent rather than us as a company - and we wouldn’t have it any other way! Watching their success is the ultimate testament to our work.