October 26 Bridge 9 Improvement Project Update

Bridge No. 9 was constructed in 1922 by the Northern Pacific Railroad to carry freight over the Mississippi. The City of Minneapolis acquired this bridge in 1986 and converted the bridge to a pedestrian use bridge in 1999. The bridge currently provides a Mississippi River crossing for the Dinkytown Greenway bike trail.

Beginning in July 2022, the City of Minneapolis started making repairs and improvements to Bridge 9, Pier 5.

Latest project news

Construction Update Meeting (online meeting)

Virtual monthly project stakeholder meetings were held at 9:30 am the 1st Thursday of each month using Microsoft Teams. These meeting have been suspended until the Spring of 2023 as Pier 5 work nears completion. The meetings will resume when the Contractor prepares to begin Pier 2 and Abutment 1 work on the easterly side of the river next year.

Join on your computer or mobile app.

Click here to join the meeting

Or join by entering a meeting ID Meeting ID: 213 161 635 706 Passcode: KyceBr

Or call in (audio only)

+1 612-428-8778,,6668421#   United States, Minneapolis

Phone Conference ID: 666 842 1#

These meetings help us to give you more detailed information about work progress on a monthly basis and to have discussion on any concerns or questions you have about the project. Please send an email or give a call to the project engineer if you have difficulty using the link above.

If no one joins the meeting within 10 minutes the meeting will end, but you can still contact the meeting coordinator via phone or email:

Rich Revering, Design Team Project Manager; 612-718-8412 or Richard.Revering@Bolton-Menk.com

Schedule

Construction activities for Pier 5 repairs started in July 2022. The scheduled completion date is December 1, 2022. The contractor is currently anticipating substantial completion by the end of October 2022. 

Traffic Impact

West River Parkway is scheduled to be open for vehicular traffic subject to occasional one-way traffic w/ flaggers during certain equipment and material loading operations. Pedestrian and bicycle traffic are open to traffic, with pedestrians sharing the bike path through the project area

Current work

For the month of October, the following construction operations were performed: Forming and pouring pier wrap foundations and four lifts of pier wrap. The wrap is a thick layer of reinforced concrete to contain and strengthen the pier to extend its useful life. Current work involves placing an overlay over the bridge seat, concrete touch ups as needed, grading, riprap, and site restoration and cleanup.

Coming up

Work will be suspended on the bridge until next spring. Normal bicycle and pedestrian patterns will resume when construction is suspended.

Stay Connected

For more details and to sign up for email updates please visit the Bridge 9 Improvement project webpage.

Project Engineer: Petru Vizoli, 612-673-2368, Petru.Vizoli@minneapolismn.gov

The Statistical "Big Lie"

Article by Doug Berdie

Over and over again, when news media report the results of polls, they proudly, yet inaccurately, present the so-called "margin of error" they believe is associated with those results.  So, on the August 22 episode of "Morning Joe", the commentator proudly boasted that the poll results he was reporting, based on 1,000 responses, had a "margin of error" of 3 points.  Lack of knowledge regarding what is technically referred to as "statistical precision" underlies this type of "Big Lie" that continually misleads the public.

Why are these so-called "margins of error" incorrectly reported?  Several key reasons underlie this problem.  Among these are 7 key requirement that are often violated, including  (1) the underlying assumption that a scientifically accurate random sample of people has been surveyed; (2) all (i.e., 100%) of the people selected in that random sample actually responded to the survey; (3) the questions people were asked were so clearly worded that everyone polled understood them in the same way--and in the way in which they were intended to be understood; (4) the questions that were asked were not biased in any way--i.e., did not commit any of the many known wording problems that bias responses; (5) the correct statistical formulae were used to calculate the "margin of error"/"statistical precision"--given that different types of questions require different formulae; (6) the statistical confidence level associated with the reported "margin of error"/"statistical precision" was reported; and (7) the "margin of error"/"statistical precision" value is reported for each question about which people were polled--as the value will vary question by question based on the answers people give the question.  Let's look at each of these critically important issues.  And, moving forward we will refer to the "margin of error" as the more correct "statistical precision."

First, without responses collected from a truly random, representative sample of people, none of the statistical reporting can be considered accurate.  For example, if samples to be polled are drawn from a list of registered Democrats, results obtained can in no way be generalized to all eligible voters, all registered voters, or any other group other than to the group from which the sample was drawn.  Many polls these days are of people who've been recruited to "panels" (either internet or phone), and results from those groups, though inexpensive to obtain, are only reflective of people willing to sign up for such polls--and not the public at large.  It's very expensive to obtain truly representative samples of the general public, and that's why many polling organizations take shortcuts in their selection process.  But, those shortcuts ensure that statistical precision numbers that are presented based on the assumption that the sample is representative are not correct.

Second, the formulae underlying statistical precision estimates evolved within the field of agriculture--assessing plant growth under varying situations.  In those situations, if a plant did not grow, or grew less than another, that result was deemed relevant and the difference reported.  In other words, there was no "nonresponse problem" because every plant behavior was registered.  Data from survey research methodological studies during the past 100 years has documented that nonresponse bias often exists in polls--especially when low percentages of those selected in the original random sample participate in the poll.  The extent of that bias varies from poll to poll--affecting statistical precision estimates in varying, usually unknown, manners.  It is common to "replace" nonrespondents with additional sample to get the desired number of poll responses, but this practice does not guarantee that the final sample is representative.  Only extensive follow-up techniques aimed at the original sample will get to a response rate high enough to give some faith that the statistical precision number generated is a decent estimate of what it would have been with a 100% response rate.

Third, vaguely worded questions abound in polls and that results in respondents interpreting them in varying ways.  I once asked people in a poll if they believe "more cultural opportunities" were needed in their neighborhood.  When about 80% said "yes," we met with them to see what, specifically, they wanted.  It turned out that some of the people had interpreted "cultural opportunities" to mean opportunities to interact with different cultures and people from those cultures, whereas others interpreted the phrase to mean artistic events like concerts in the park, art fairs, and other such "cultural" events.  Hence, we had in that situation no real indication of how people as a whole in that neighborhood felt.  Only by extensive pretesting and wording revisions can poll sponsors reach a state where they can be confident that most respondents are "answering the same question."  And, in these times when poll results are wanted ASAP, this care in wording is often short circuited.

Fourth, Stanley Payne's 1951 classic, "The Art of Asking Questions," has served as a guide serious professional survey researchers used to avoid asking questions that will lead to  biased responses.  For example, presenting only one side of an issue in a question can influence response by as much a 40 percentage points--or more.  This bias results from, for example, asking "Do you favor the U.S. response to the war in Ukraine?" as opposed to asking, "Do you favor the U.S. response to war in Ukraine or do you disapprove of that response?"  Again, only by careful pretesting of questions can one discover (and repair) the many wording problems that bias results--and make statistical precision estimates meaningless.

Fifth, many formulae exist to calculate statistical precision--some for questions with only two response options (e.g., "Yes" or "No" questions), some for questions with more than two response options (e.g., "How do you feel about X?" with options, "Strongly Approve," Approve," "Neither Approve Nor Disapprove," "Disapprove," "Strongly Disapprove"), some for questions that require a numeric response when one wishes to present an average (i.e., mean) as the result (e.g., "How many years have you lived in your current residence?"), etc.  And, because varying types of questions require different formulae, the statistical precision estimates vary from question to question.

Sixth, statistical precision estimates are necessarily associated with given "confidence levels."  In other words, one can say (roughly speaking), "I'm 90% confident that the result is within +/- 4 percentage points."  (The word 'confidence' does not refer to psychological comfort but, rather, to the percentage of times a random sample would yield results such as those reported.)  And, because one can state any confidence level one wants (with lower confidence levels yielding smaller "margins of error"), one can state pretty much whatever one wants.  Hence, for honest reporting, it is critical to report the confidence level underlying the statistical precision being reported (most often 90% or 95%).

Seventh, even questions of the same type (e.g., "Yes" - "No" questions) will have varying statistical precision estimates with, in this case, the questions with responses closest to "50% - 50%" having the largest "margins of error."  So, one cannot just give one number for an entire poll and say: "The poll results are within X percentage points"!

With the mid-term elections fast approaching, and news media reporting polling results almost daily, it is critically important that those of us who hear or read these poll results understand the above points that influence how "accurate" the polls are.  After the Trump-Clinton election, I recall hearing people say, "How could the polls have been so wrong?"  And, the answer to that question is that many of the above problems were inherent in those polls.  With the focus on getting speedy results into the media, there is often not time to collect truly reliable poll results.  For example, immediately after results are posted on a Wednesday, a major event may occur that people believe will change opinions of voters.  So, there's a rush to get another poll conducted (without pretesting questions, "grabbing" anyone who agrees to be surveyed--without attention to representativeness, etc.).  So, "Beware!"  Because the underlying factors affecting poll results that are reported are often not presented, it's up to those of us who see such results to critically review them.

Doug Berdie, Ph.D. has been in the marketing research/public opinion business for 40+ years, has taught such courses at universities and for other organizations, and is senior author of the text:  Questionnaires:  Design and Use.

Theatre in the Round Debuts Stage Adaptation of Agatha Christie's First Novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles

The Mysterious Affair at Styles runs Nov. 18 - Dec. 18

Theatre in the Round Players (TRP) continues its long-running holiday tradition of Agatha Christie mysteries with the world premiere of The Mysterious Affair at Styles. This new version of Christie’s debut novel is adapted by playwright Kate Danley who will be joining the company for an audience discussion following the performance on Friday, December 16.

Published in 1920 to rave reviews, The Mysterious Affair at Styles introduced readers to fan-favorite character, Hercules Poirot, as he investigates the midnight poisoning of a family matriarch. Throughout the course of the mystery queen’s 56-year career, the Belgian detective shows up in 33 novels, 2 plays, and over 50 short stories.

Agatha Christie’s colorful characters and gifts of misdirection are on full display in this new staged adaptation, directed by Linda Paulsen with sets designed by Devyn Becker, costumes by Jessica Moore, lighting by Mark Kieffer, props by Roxanne Miller, and sound by Kristin Smith.

TRP also welcomes a panel of authors from the Twin Cities chapter of Sisters in Crime to discuss the enduring legacy of mystery stories and the role of women, such as Agatha Christie, in the creation of the genre. Sisters in Crime was founded to “combat discrimination against women in the mystery field, to raise awareness of the contributions of female authors, and to promote the professional advancement of women who write mysteries.” Audiences are welcome to enjoy this panel immediately following the performance on Sunday, December 11.

Show times: Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2pm. Tickets are $25. For information, call the theatre’s box office at 612-333-3010 or visit the website.

Curious About Watershed Spa + Baths?

Article by Becky Fillinger

We’re all delighted that Watershed Spa + Baths is ready to welcome guests. We first reported on Nell Rueckl’s dream two years ago and the pandemic has only increased our desire to have a long hot soak and the comfort it brings! Their Grand Opening was recently held – the gorgeous space was filled with friends, local business owners and community members wishing Nell great success with her venture. We asked Nell to give us an up-to-date review of what we can expect at the business. Here’s what she told us.

Nell Rueckl at the Grand Opening party, photo credit Becky Fillinger

* About Watershed *

Located at 514 2nd Street SE in the historic Switch House building (formerly the Soap Factory), Watershed Spa + Baths is the first-of-its-kind destination in the Twin Cities. The design of the 11,000 square foot location creates a balance of both vibrant and earthy elements by showcasing the building’s exposed beams, brick, and windows and adding contemporary decor, plants, and local art.

* What you’ll find and experience *

Spa treatments all take place on the entrance level, offering integrated healing modalities; massage, acupuncture, holistic facials, yoga therapy, and more. A retail area showcases a carefully curated selection of green beauty and lifestyle products, Watershed’s own small-batch, house-made salts, body butters and oils, and its custom signature scent. 

The baths are located on the lower level and are co-ed. Swimsuits are required, and there are private dressing rooms and lockers. Here, guests can enjoy the key elements of the bathing ritual: soak, cold plunge, cedar sauna, and a steam room, all of which can be enjoyed in the sequence and at the guest's preferred pace. Rest and relaxation are also essential components of the process, so a dedicated area allows for the rejuvenation that comes with completing the full experience, whether spent lounging, reading, or simply feeling the present moment. 

Soaking room, photo credit Becky Fillinger

Treatment room, photo provided

Treatment room, photo provided

Treatment room, photo provided

* The booking process *

Spa services and Bath Rituals can be booked by calling 612-600-7768 or in person. 

* A watershed moment for all humans *

The inspiration behind Watershed is to create an inclusive space centered around holistic healing and vibrational wellness. I have had a long-held dream of bringing a deeper level of healing to the community. Nell believes we can optimize the energy that already exists within each one of us through healing practices and bathing rituals. There is a reason these traditions have existed in different cultures for centuries. When we take time out to focus on our own well-being in a communal setting, we amplify the positive effect exponentially; when we heal ourselves, we begin to heal our world.

* Follow our News *

Follow Watershed Spa on Instagram and Facebook. They welcome you to sign up for their online newsletter on their website, www.watershedspa.com.

Photo credit, Becky Fillinger

Mhonpaj’s Garden's Ginormous Rutabaga at the Mill City Farmers Market

May Lee of Mhonpaj’s Garden proudly displayed a gargantuan rutabaga at the October 22 Mill City Farmers Market. 

The fall months are prime time to buy rutabagas at the Market. They are a rich source of calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamins C and E, and antioxidants, and are high in insoluble fiber. They have a pleasant sweet and slightly bitter flavor. You can add them to meals in a variety of ways, including:

• boiled and mashed
• cut into fries and fried
• roasted in the oven
• added to a soup
• thinly sliced and added to a casserole
• grated raw into a salad

Due to their versatility in flavor and preparation methods, rutabagas can replace potatoes, carrots, turnips, and other root vegetables in most recipes. Rutabagas will keep for months in a cool storage place. They store well in plastic bags in a refrigerator or cold cellar.

Open Book to Host Ellie Roscher Book Launch and Reading of The Embodied Path

Local author Ellie Roscher will be reading from her new book The Embodied Path: Telling the Story of Your Body for Healing and Wholeness on December 6 at Open Book, 1011 Washington Avenue S. Doors open at 6:30pm, and there will be a program starting at 7pm followed by a book signing.

In this book, Ellie tells more than 20 body stories, woven together with her own body insights. She covers stories ranging from a woman who sees her hijab as an extension of her body to a front man in a funk band who views his entire body as his instrument; from a quadriplegic woman who became a lawyer to advocate for herself to a transgender man who underwent a gender transition after birthing two children. The book does the essential work of resistance and repair at the individual and communal level. It also includes discussion questions, writing prompts, and breath and body practices.  

Ellie Roscher is the coauthor of 12 Tiny Things and author of Play Like a Girl and How Coffee Saved My Life. She hosts the Unlikely Conversations podcast and teaches writing at The Loft Literary Center. Ellie holds an MFA in writing from Sarah Lawrence College and an MA in theology from Luther Seminary. She lives in Minneapolis with her spouse and sons. 

Local Cultural Steward: Chef Yia Vang

Article by Becky Fillinger, photo provided 

We have a bounty of celebrity chefs in our area. One of the busiest and more awarded is Chef Yia Vang. He is innovative, energetic, determined, approachable and has telegenic charm. You won’t believe all the projects he has in the works – keep reading!

Q:  What a year for you - 2022 James Beard Foundation Best Chef - Midwest semifinalist; 2022 James Beard Foundation Best New Restaurant for Union Hmong Kitchen semifinalist; Two new TV shows – Stoked and Feral; New restaurant opening – Vinai; permanent restaurant stand at the Minnesota State Fair; Host of TPT’s Relish - Have I missed anything? Five years ago, could you have imagined a year such as 2022 for you?

A:  One of the new projects that we've been working on is our podcast "Hmonglish" - the interconnection between Hmong culture and American Culture. Many of us Hmong kids who grew up in America or were born here have been asking questions like “How can I be Hmong and American at the same time?” We get to dig into that question in this podcast.

In each episode of Relish, Chef Yia Vang takes viewers inside the home kitchens of local chefs as they serve up an ingredient or dish that has personal and cultural meaning to them.With that being said, I feel totally blessed to be in the position that I am in today. I always think about it this way...I'm a simple Hmong kid who grew up in central Wisconsin, loves watching the Packers play on Sundays and grilling with my dudes. I never would have seen all of this. Truly I've been blessed to be given a platform that I get to dig into my own cultural heritage and speak about it through the foods that we make. I get to talk about how a mother and father who courageously struggled and fought for each one of their kids. I get to tell their story because the truth is my story is boring...I only have a voice because they gave me the voice. I only have a story because at the end of the day it's their story and I'm merely an editor...I get to move a few commas around and switch a few letters here and there but it's about them. So, 2022 is their year and I get to show our community, our people and the world their story of grace, courage, and grit!

Q:  What a beautiful statement of gratitude. Let me shift to your new restaurant - Is there an opening date set for Vinai? Please give us up to date info on the restaurant and what we can expect once we step into your new Northeast Minneapolis establishment.  

A:  There's no open date yet...right now we're going through a few financial institutions for help to finish some of our funding. The hardest part of this process is when things move fast, they move very fast but when they slow down it becomes a crawl. We're hopeful to be able to give a clear answer in 2023.

Q:  Please tell us the premise of Stoked and Feral. How may we watch?

A:  Stoked is basically Hmong Cooking 101 over wood fire. It's a show on the Food Network that talks about the philosophy of Hmong food. We break down all the dishes to help tell the story of our people. In Stoked I draw from the memories of my father teaching me how to cook over an open fire at home. For the Hmong people cooking over wood fire is as simple as turning on a knob for your oven at home. Our people have been cooking over the fire for many generations and we wanted to be able to dig into that part of our food culture. As for Feral I can't say too much about it, but the word will be out very soon and I'm so excited to share more about the show with everyone.

Q:  How are you as one person able to manage all these projects? 

A:  The only way I'm able to manage all these projects is because I have an incredible team back at home that's managing the restaurants, catering group, and event projects. I've learned that if you surround yourself with people who believe in the vision, mission, values and goals of what you do, then it sets up everyone for success.

Q:  You must be pleased with the surge of interest in Hmong cuisine – especially since you’re leading the movement. What are the reactions you hear from the Twin Cities’ Hmong community?  

A:  Overall, I don't see myself as someone who's "leading a movement"... I believe that was going to happen no matter what. It was only a matter of time before our people had a chance to show the world what we're capable of. If you look at the history of our people, every few decades there's a movement of our people being challenged to progress forward and in those movements there's a few people that rise as "stewards" of these movements. I use the word "stewards" because I truly believe that a "steward" is someone who looks over and handles the challenges of a movement and makes sure that they leave it better than it was given to them so that the next "stewards" will be able to progress that movement forward for the betterment of the community or people.

As for the reaction of the Hmong people in what we're doing...it's mostly great reactions and comments. Many encouraging messages from them. But with every movement there will always be haters and "keyboard warriors" giving their opinions and comments. 

Q:  Please tell us how to follow all your exciting news.  

A:  You can follow us on social media on Facebook or Instagram @unionhmongkitchen and @vinaimn or on my personal ones @yiavang70 or our podcast at @hmonglishpod.

Winter is Coming

Submitted by Ric Rosow

I took this photo the morning of October 20 from the bottom of the bluff along the road leading to the Lower Lock and Dam.

Winter is Coming

Eagles and Red-Tailed Hawk at the River

Submitted by Ric Rosow

On Wednesday the 19th of October I watched and photographed two eagles and a falcon over the course ninety minutes. At first there was an eagle (the first eagle) on a rock in the middle of the river and another eagle (the second eagle) in a tree at the side of the river. After a while the second eagle flew to the rock and literally chased the first eagle away. The first eagle flew to its nest, likely the nest of both eagles, on the other side of the river in the cottonwood tree below the back of the Metal-Matic building.

In this first photograph (above) the second eagle is jumping from the tree to the rock. I have purposely darkened the area around the eagle for you to see it more easily against the water. For a long time it was splashing around in the water hunting for fish. I have a number of photos of one or the other eagle going into the water for fish, but because of the distance between me and the eagle it is hard to see the details of any of the fish they caught.

While photographing the two eagles a red-tailed hawk flew into my line of view. The second photograph (above) is of the hawk. The hawk flew upriver close to the fence on the top of the bluff and then turned to go down river over the bluff. As the hawk flew by the second eagle on the tree limb, either the hawk or the eagle cried out a loud audible screech. I'm guessing it was a warning and not a casual hello.

On Thursday morning I spotted an eagle in a tree overlooking the Mississippi River. This time I went out down by the river to see if I could get a good image from ground level. Fortunately, the eagle was still in the tree, at least for the next 47 seconds. This is the first photo I took that morning. As I was taking a fourth shot, the eagle apparently did not like the sound of the shutter and initiated flight out of the tree. The last five images I took are of the eagle launching out of the tree. Of course, my camera shutter speed was set for a "still" bird, not one in flight.

You can see more of my work ricrosowphotography.com and Tres Leches Art Gallery. Art Attack is coming up on November 2-4 at the Northrup King Building. Stop in and see some fine art in the Tres Leches Art Gallery.

Ivalas Quartet to Visit MacPhail for Weeklong Residency, Free Performance October 29

October 29th 7:00pm concert is free and open to the public. All are welcome - RSVPs are requested to reserve space.

The Ivalas Quartet, Julliard’s 2022-23 Quartet in Residence, will visit MacPhail Center for Music October 23-29 for a week as Madeline Island Chamber Music’s Emerging Artist Quartet in Residence.

Composed of violinists Reuben Kebede and Tiani Butts, violist Aimée McAnulty and cellist Pedro Sánchez, Ivalas Quartet is challenging the status quo of the classical world as they dedicate their artistry to the celebration of BIPOC voices and composers. During their time in Minneapolis, the Ivalas Quartet will visit MacPhail’s location in the Mill District, along with a number of MacPhail’s school partnership locations and a pre-forum concert at Westminster Presbyterian Church, as they connect with students and the community. The weekend culminates with a concert in Antonello Hall entitled “First Light.”

The Quartet notes, “Whether watching movies like Star Wars, reading books like Dune, stargazing, or visiting the planetarium, our quartet has always felt fascinated by outer space. In fact, a few decades ago our violist Aimée’s grandmother completed sketches and illustrated materials for the Voyager, and today we are proud to contribute to the conversation with our own craft, aided by the music of three amazing composers. We’re thrilled for you to join us in this voyage to outer space and help us think about these questions as we perform Tenebrae by Osvaldo Golijov, Eleanor Alberga’s first string quartet, and Beethoven’s op. 130.”

Must See Exhibit: Botticelli and Renaissance Florence: Masterworks from the Uffizi

Article and photos by Becky Fillinger

Botticelli and Renaissance Florence: Masterworks from the Uffizi

October 16, 2022 - January 8, 2023 at Mia

Dr. Katie LuberDr. Katie Luber, Mia’s Director and President, opened the new exhibit and called the occasion a red letter day for Mia and the nation. She was visibly touched to introduce the exhibit and called it a high point of her life. She noted that the collaboration points to the prestige of Mia to work with international partners on a new level. Why is it so important?

Mia worked extensively with the renowned Uffizi Galleries of Florence for two years to bring 45 items on loan to the exhibit.  The works include paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, decorative arts and ancient Roman marble statues, displayed in five different thematic galleries.  Some of the pieces are exhibited for the first time ever.  It is the largest and one of the most comprehensive shows on Botticelli ever staged in the United States, featuring works that rarely leave the Italian museum. Several of the works were restored for the new exhibit, unveiling hidden or obscured imagery. One drawing will only be displayed for six weeks, as it is quite fragile and must be put in dark storage again.   

The exhibit also includes works from Sandro Botticelli’s circle from 15th Century Florence – Italian Renaissance painters and sculptors, and also intersperses works from Mia’s extensive Renaissance collection.  The artwork portrays mythological creatures, religious subjects, portraits and an inner glimpse of Florentine households during the Renaissance.

Eike Schmidt 

Eike Schmidt, Director of the Uffizi Galleries, likens the exhibit and the Renaissance to a cultural collision.  Greek and Roman antiquities and philosophies are rediscovered and collide with Italian sensibilities– which produces a new course of world art, knowledge and culture. He believes that even the U.S. Constitution owes a debt of gratitude to the broad thinking of the Renaissance – where all religions and all philosophies are recognized and become important. 

Dr. Luber’s hope is that the exhibit will delight loyal and new audiences. I hope you attend, no matter your status. I was delighted! It’s magical and compelling – if you need one reason to visit – the centaurs are mesmerizing. Get a ticket and enjoy!

Pallas and the Centaur

Ancient Roman Centaur

Torso of a Dancing Faun

Gamut Gallery Announces 11th Annual Raging Art On Event

Raging Art On is Gamut Gallery’s annual holiday pop-up, featuring artwork and handcrafted gifts made by over 50 Minnesota artists!

In Person December 1 - 23 (Available online through January 10, 2023)

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Gamut's 11th annual holiday market Raging Art On (RAO) is back again to deck your halls! Since the inception of Raging Art On in 2011, the Gamut team has hand selected the artists, leaving it up to them to choose their best of the best for the holiday pop-up shop. Always sourced locally, Gamute welcomes over 50 participants this year, some names and faces you may be familiar with from past RAO’s, plus 22 new artists. With the gallery walls filled from floor-to-ceiling showcasing original works of all price points and mediums, tick off everyone on your list in a single shopping trip at Gamut. Whether it's pottery, fiber art, paintings, prints, apparel, jewelry, or homegoods that catch your eye, everything in the collection is ready to take home with you that day.

Members of the gallery are invited to preview the festivities on Thursday, December 1st from 5pm–9pm, followed by four weeks of in person shopping open to the public. RAO will be shoppable online at gamutgallerympls.com for those who are not able to attend in person. All work will remain online to shop through January 10th.

Featured Artists: 

 Aaron Schmitz, Amit Michael, Ashtyn Sibinski, Astralchemy, Barret Lee, Bekah Worley, Benja Wuest, Black Daze, Bruno Press, Catherine Brinker, Carter Casmaer, Cassie Garner, Destiny Davison, Eli Libson, Emily Floyd, Emily Forbes, Emily Quandahl, Evan Weselmann, Genessis Lopez, Heather Renaux, Hilary Greenstein, Jorie Kosel, Josh Katzenmeyer, Juliana Ferguson (Hello Cross Stitches), Kate Johnson, Kathryn Flora, Keya Hutchins, Jenna Murphy, Jovy Rockey, Lauren Strom, Leeya Rose Jackson, Lindsee Boyer, Linnea Maas, Liza Ferrari, Madison Rubenstein, Malleus Pottery, Marne Skusa (Prajna Bodyworks), Martzia Thometz, Melissa Sisk, MK Metten, Monica Helland, Nichole Showalter, Nina Perkins (Pompa Goods), Phaedra Odelle, Rachel Schroder (Ms. Stitch), Russ White, Sander Kolodziej, Sara Kahn (Imaginary Conservatory), Sari Lennick, Scott Seekins, Sydney Newman, Tiffany Lange, and Travis J. Collins. 

Member Preview Night - Wednesday, December 1, 5-9pm

Don’t miss first dibs on your favorite pieces!

Not a Gamut Gallery member? Become one today.

•         Must be a Gamut Gallery Member to attend

RAO Pop-Up Dates: (717 S 10th St) December 2nd - December 23rd

•         In person shopping

•         Wednesdays - Saturdays, 11am- 6pm

Online Orders - December 2 - January 10, 2023

•         Shipping available nationally

•         Shop featured artworks at gamut-gallery.myshopify.com/

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Follow on Facebook and Instagram for further details and information regarding the event. Join the Facebook Event Page. Official hashtags: #RagingArtOn # RAO2022

A few photos from the 2021 Raging Art On event:

The Gamut Gallery

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Jason DeRusha

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Nichole Showalter 

Changemaker: Barbara Bridges, Founder and Director, Art to Change the World

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos supplied

Barbara BridgesBarbara Bridges is a true changemaker in our community. She’s a sculptor, a mentor, an educator and a motivator. While she has been an artist and a teacher/college professor for over 40 years (her sculptures have been exhibited in Maine, Miami, the Virgin Islands, Maryland, Chicago, Mexico, Spain, Canada, and throughout Minnesota), it’s her work with Art to Change the World that demonstrates how one person can make a huge difference in one person’s life or in a community. She inspires me – how about you?  

Q:  I read on the Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association (NEMAA) webpage that you're an intervenor - that any object already has a story to tell. Please tell us about your art practice as a sculptor and intervenor.

A:  I have always been attracted to objects with a history. Perhaps the patina acquired by an object which has survived for a long time in our world is a comforting contrast to the current impermanence of our digital existence. As artists, I believe we find objects already holding a story (this includes, paints, stone and inks) and then we re-combine and arrange these objects to create a new narrative. In my practice, I also like to fancy I am saving these objects from landfills by becoming the intervenor as I re-purpose, re-cycle and re-create.

Q:  You're the Founder and Director of Art to Change the World. Please tell us the history and mission of your organization. What are some of your programs?

A:  I am an intervenor in my artist life but in my professional life, I am an educator (which is just another kind of intervenor!). I was an art teacher for 20 years and then I served Bemidji State University as a professor for 20 years where I designed the first online/hybrid teacher licensure program in the nation. It is still going with over 200 students and 12 professors. I trained teachers - in a very different way. On retirement, I knew I needed to be busy and I wanted to use the skillsets I had acquired in my journey.

I dreamed of an arts organization which was inclusive of everyone. I dreamed of a social justice organization which would use Art…well…To Change the World! Currently, we have almost 500 members ages 19-103. We are a positive, non-competitive, collaborative community that supports equity practices across disciplines, cultures, age, race, economics and abilities. Our members include both established and emerging artists.

ACW is committed to recruiting youth, underserved and BIPOC members and providing them access to stipends and leadership roles. Glitter Renaissance is a new divergent under-40 group within the Art to Change the World collective.

A GoFundMe page is set up to support young ACW members and their 2022/2023 projects. Every $10 helps!

We have so many examples of programs!

2021/2022 Coaching Project for a Better World. Three youth candidates were assigned one artist and one scientist coach. Each team of three works symbiotically to develop and implement a social justice ACW project which will engage 50-100 community members. Three teams. Participants are paid $1,200 each.  $3,000.00 per team for project supplies. The power of art and science to change the conversation – and the world.

In 2019 COMPASSIONATE ARTS was ACW-facilitated artmaking project between the police, and students and faculty of South High School. SOUTH’S HEART project created a family engagement center with students, Somali and Latinx community members, administration, and school counselors. The participants were 90% BIPOC.

In 2019 we hosted INVENT/PRESENT, a “Healing from Trauma” workshop for 20 BIPOC high school age participants offered at Homewood Studios.

In 2018 ACW hosted SEE.SAY.DO. We had 700 attendees, nine performances, seven workshops, 20 artists and 20 expert voices over a two-week period. All participants were paid $250 and the event was free to attend. Artists worked with their experts to explore their art topic and 200 action promises were collected.

Q:  ACW is in the middle of a collaboration with Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) - One River's Trash/The Same River's Treasure. Could you please tell us more about the project?

A:  Our MWMO’s Stewardship Fund Program grant leads 10 people (diverse culturally and by age) to meet, collect trash along the Mississippi and participate in an immersive curriculum unit and then create a sculpture which will be collaboratively created by Barbara and the participants themselves. The participants are: Frances Bates, Amada Marquez Simula, Greg Volker, Margo Ashmore, Annie Merrell, Neil Granlund, Katherine Boyce, Alexis Schramel, Kelly Frankenberg and Kevin Reich. Read More about the MWMO project here.

Photos from the September trash collection day:

Barbara, Kelly and Annie on the Northeast RiverKeepers boat during trash pick up day.

Q:  What's the schedule for the project?

A:  In September we collected ‘trash’ on the Mississippi River. This month, we create the artwork. In November and beyond, we show the work. Homewood Studios, 2400 Plymouth Avenue N, will premiere the work on November 11, 2022 5:00-8:00 PM. The public is invited to this ACW Happening – we can’t wait to show the works of our participants. ACW is famous for our creative snacks and beverages. This sculpture will be highly interactive and informational. Insider Tip: It is taking on a very throne-like look. There is a metaphor buried in there, I am sure!

We are seeking 1-2 month installations in public areas. The work is highly interactive and elegant and there is no fee to the venue to exhibit the works. Please spread the word on this program, and email info@arttochangetheworld.org if you would like to participate.

Q:  This project echoes your ethos to "recycle, repurpose and create." Do you hope the participants carry your beliefs forward?

A:  Absolutely. The MWMO participants will be encouraged to submit a proposal to the ACW Task Force. This is how all ACW projects start.

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  Please do follow our news and come to our events! Our Events and Projects page always lists ongoing projects. We’re on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

All members of planet earth are invited to receive our monthly Newsletters FREE - send a request to info@arttochangetheworld.org. Check out past Newsletters. Please note - we do not use our Newsletter list for recruiting or any other commercial purpose.

October 15 at the Mill City Farmers Market

Remember Billy Joel's song, New York State of Mind? At the October 15 Mill City Farmers Market we were in a pumpkin state of mind, starting with Market sponsor Cindy Froid's annual pumpkin give-away, which included copies of Brenda Langton's Ginger Pumpkin Soup recipe. These beauties were grown by Jeff Nistler.

This large pumpkin was for sale at the Prairie Hollow Farm stand.

A long line at Rudy's - always! Best bagel breakfast sandwiches, made to order.

 

Spoke & Weal Expands Full Service Hair Salon to Minneapolis

Article and photos by Becky Fillinger

With nine locations across the country (and soon to add Austin, TX and London) and press reviews by the oldest and best fashion and style publications, Spoke & Weal arrives in our community with a known pedigree and well deserved accolades. We attended the Grand Opening and spoke to owner/celebrity hair stylist Jon Reyman about his philosophy and why Northeast Minneapolis/Marcy-Holmes is perfect for his salon.

Q:  I am observing you work with five clients – and simultaneously teaching your staff and interns about cut and color. What is your philosophy about education?

A:  Learning was very important to me as I entered the hair and beauty industry. Making money wasn’t what drove me in the beginning. Now, I have been very successful and I very much want my stylists to be successful, but it all has to be based on a solid base of knowledge. I wanted to know (and still do) everything there was to know. I require that the quality of services at Spoke & Weal be excellent and we do that through training and career-long learning.

Client consultation

Jon with stylist Christy Hannibal

Q:  There are many hair salons - what will make Spoke & Weal stand out from other salons in Minneapolis? 

A:  We work as a team – decisions are made as a team. Perhaps other salons in Minneapolis operate on those principles as well. We will spend our time with you as a client discussing your hair – Do you love your hair every day? Do you understand your hair’s density, texture and shape? What do you want to accomplish with your hair? What is the function of your hair products – are they hydrating, moisturizing or a polymer? We won’t spend your time here discussing your dog or your vacations. You visit us for a hair consultation and we are professionals who respect that relationship. I teach our teams how to sit with a client and have a truly meaningful discussion about their hair. We take education and team work very seriously. We have weekly classes and quarterly day-long and multi-day long classes. Our team members run the salons together – in fact, we grow our salons together. Team members from New Jersey wanted to expand to Minneapolis.

Q:  Why the name Spoke & Weal?

A:  The spoke implies that we operate as a team and weal because our welfare, well-being, and prosperousness is all tied to our successful teamwork.

Q:  You’ve worked as a hair stylist for fashion runway shows around the world and red carpet events for years. Might you be involved in our local fashion events?

A:  It could happen, yes! Minneapolis is on the cutting edge of the North in terms of fashion, music and influencers. Our team members felt this was a perfect spot for our expansion.

Q:  Could you give us a few tips to help support our hair habits right now?

A:  Get a good cut, appropriate for your hair type. Narrow down your products to ones that work great for your situation. You can have healthy hair that you love every day. Talk to us – we have suggestions!

Spoke & Weal, 514 2nd Street SE, Suite 130, Minneapolis 612.463.5832

Minneapolis Central City Tunnel Project Update and Tunneling Progress Update

Project Overview

The City of Minneapolis Public Works Department is constructing a new parallel storm tunnel, enlarging a portion of the existing storm tunnel, and constructing a new tunnel access in Downtown Minneapolis. This project is anticipated to be completed summer 2023.

The new tunnel is being constructed parallel to the existing tunnel located under Washington Ave S between Nicollet Mall and Chicago Ave. The existing tunnel under Chicago Ave between Washington Ave S and the Mississippi River is being expanded to handle the increased stormwater capacity. The purpose of this project is to reduce pressure in the existing tunnel, provide more room for future growth, and to reduce the need for future repairs and tunnel failures.

Project Map

Get an inside look of tunnel mining

CBS Minnesota recently released a story on the Minneapolis Central City Tunnel project. Check out the WCCO story to learn more about the project.

Latest Project News

2nd Ave

• Crews continue tunneling the new parallel storm tunnel under Washington Ave from the new tunnel access shaft in the southbound lanes of 2nd Ave S, just north of the Washington Ave intersection.
  • The sidewalks remain open on both sides of the road.
  • The crosswalk at the Washington Ave and 2nd Ave S intersection remains open.
  • 2nd Ave S remains a single lane in each direction using the northbound lanes between Washington Ave and 1st St S.
  • Access to driveways off 2nd Ave S remain open. There may be short-term access delays while crews move equipment and materials around.

Portland Ave

• Tunneling the new parallel storm tunnel under Washington Ave continues from the existing tunnel access shaft at the northeast corner of the Washington Ave and Portland Ave intersection.
  • Pedestrian access is being maintained during this work. Please follow any posted detour routes.
  • There may be short, periodic traffic delays while crews move equipment and materials around.

Tunneling Progress

Long Term Closures/Restrictions

• The north westbound lane, bike lane, and parking lane remains closed on Washington Ave between Portland Ave and Park Ave. These closures will remain in place until the project is completed. This is necessary for the contractor to utilize the existing shaft to connect the existing tunnel to the new tunnel.
  • During this closure, pedestrians can still use the sidewalks along Washington Ave.
  • Crosswalks across Washington Ave and Portland Ave will remain open.
  • Bicyclists will share the traffic lane.
  • The existing left turn lane on Washington Ave at the Portland Ave intersection will temporarily become a left turn and through lane.
• The north sidewalk along Washington Ave remains restricted between Hennepin Ave and Nicollet Mall. The contractor will resume tunneling from the existing tunnel to the new tunnel in fall 2022.
  • During these restrictions, pedestrians share the bike lane on Washington Ave.
  • The crosswalks at the Washington Ave intersections of Nicollet Mall and Hennepin Ave remains open.

• The sidewalk on the east side of 4th Ave S remains restricted through the end of the project. The dewatering well and pumps are installed in this area.
  • Pedestrians can use the sidewalk on the west side of 4th Ave S.
  • The crosswalk at the Washington Ave and 4th Ave intersection remains open.
  • Access to driveways off 4th Ave S remains open.

• The west sidewalk of Portland Ave south of Washington Ave will remain restricted to pedestrians around the dewatering well and pumps until the project is completed.

Coming Soon

Hennepin Ave

• Later this fall, crews will resume work at the Hennepin Ave site. They will continue tunneling the new parallel storm tunnel under Washington Ave.

Mississippi River Portal

• Crews will soon resume work at the Mississippi River portal site expanding the existing storm tunnel. The parking lot and trail will be closed.

What to Expect

• Expect additional noise, dust, and vibration as crews complete work.
• Schedule is tentative and subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances.

Stay Connected

Visit the project website for more information and to sign up for project updates: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/central-city-tunnel/

Email the project team: info@mplscentralcitytunnel.com

Contact the project hotline: 612-888-9418

Posters for Parks October 22 Event Benefits Organizations and Communities

Posters for Parks is an annual show featuring limited-edition posters inspired by Minneapolis Parks. The event is a joint venture of LoveMplsParks and the Minneapolis Parks Foundation. Your poster purchase directly benefits the local community, with 50% designated for the Parks Foundation’s People for Parks Fund to protect and preserve the award-winning Minneapolis park system and 50% going directly to the artists.

Saturday, Oct. 22, 4-8pm / Royal Foundry, 241 Fremont Ave N

Tickets are free, register on Eventbrite - Posters $45 each

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Following the in-person show, the remaining stock will go on sale online beginning Monday, October 24 - only at PostersForParks.org.

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In 2021, Posters for Parks raised a record $36,000, which helped the Parks Foundation make community-based equity-aligned grants throughout Minneapolis in 2022, including Minneapolis Slow Roll, swimming lessons at Webber Natural Swimming Pool and Wirth Lake, and Afro Cardio/Yoga classes at North Commons.

Local Author: Anne Ursu

Article by Becky Fillinger

Our local Minneapolis author and educator Anne Ursu has been nominated for the prestigious literary Kirkus Prize. We talked to her about the award, teaching adult writers to find the magic in their craft, the causes she supports and her feline support system.

Anne UrsuQ:  You’ve been selected as a finalist for the 2022 literary Kirkus Prize for The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy. Our collective fingers are crossed that you win this month at the Austin TX awards ceremony! Did you feel like a ‘troubled girl’ growing up, like Marya your main character, who is sent away to conform and learn to accept secondary, obedient roles in society?

A:  Thank you so much. I tried very hard to please people when I was a kid, and I definitely felt off—like I was somehow too weird, too much. It felt like just being in the world was a troubled girl’s school. Marya is very much based on the way I felt and still feel. I am very glad to see her resonating with readers.

Q:  What will winning the Kirkus award mean to you?

A:  I am just so excited to be nominated. This book means a lot to me. It really is designed to help girls see their value in the world, and to have every kid examine what the stories power tells about itself and about them. It was an incredibly difficult book to write - with both an intricate world and a mystery plot line and it took a lot of drafts to get it right.

Q:  I love the fact that you took criticism of your work – you were called an "Obscure children's book author with three cats and a murderous rage.” by a Toronto Star reporter, and made that phrase part of your Twitter bio. Do you counsel your students to face criticism head on – learn from it – but don’t let it make you cower?

A:  I confess I would probably dismiss any book reviewer that described a book of mine having a murderous rage! That feels like the sort of comment that’s more about them than the book. This particular line was actually in reference to a joke I tweeted about a new Jonathan Franzen book that I found particularly sexist, and a book reviewer wrote a column about my comment and other such criticism that I found to be hilarious, especially as there was no murderous rage in my tweet. I don’t think book reviews themselves are really for the author; they can tell me what one person thinks of a book I wrote (for better or for worse), but that doesn’t help me with the next book. The way I get better as a writer is by reading a lot and by doing the hands-on work of revision, guided by my brilliant editor and readers, and this is what I counsel my students to do. That is the work that makes us grow as writers. 

Q:  I’ve read that you have three cats, an ‘ever-growing number of cats,’ and copious numbers of cats. How many felines make their home with you?

A:  It’s actually been holding steady at four for almost ten years. The e’er-growing part came when it went from three to four (one died and we ended up getting a bonded pair) but I like to keep the door open in case more find us! (Perhaps literally.)

Q:  You’ve been teaching at Hamline University's low-residency Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults program since 2008 and have probably inspired countless other nonstudents as well. You’ve been quoted as saying, “Magic allows us to live in the land of metaphor. There are so many more stories you can tell if you use magic.” Do you help your students learn to find their own form of magic in their storytelling?

A:  One of the wonderful things about teaching is students tend to come in with magic; you just have to help them harness it. I’ve worked with such incredible writers over the years and they’ve taught me so much about what fantasy can do. I highly recommend my former student and fellow Minneapolis resident Brita Sandstrom’s brilliant debut middle grade Hollow Chest as an example.

Q:  I admire you for creating a survey in 2018 that allowed professionals in the children’s literature industry to report on sexual harassment. You didn’t do it to expose individuals, but rather to allow a spotlight to shine on unspoken truths in the industry. Have you noticed that changes have happened – for the better – since you published your survey results? 

A:  A lot of conferences changed their codes of conduct and instituted other reforms. I was quite glad to see it. The conversation around sexual harassment also seemed to center on the perpetrators, but I really wanted to put the focus on the consequences to the people who were getting harassed. There were so many writers and artists who simply stopped creating and suffered severe mental health consequences; I wanted to focus the conversation on them in hope that would create some structural change.

Q:  Will you ever revive your popular sports blog about the Minnesota Twins called bat-girl.com?

A:  Unfortunately, no. It’s hard to maintain a baseball blog and be a mom! It was a wonderful experience though and I’m still friends with some of the people I met.

Q:  Do you have any book events scheduled – signings or readings – in our area? How may we follow your news?

A:  My website is anneursu.com. Watch for updates next year on my new book, which should be out in early 2024.

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For all the cat lovers out there, Anne has shared photos of her current feline family:

Hazel

Hex

Petra

Bartleby

Kolman & Reeb Gallery Announces November 3rd Opening of Color Finds Form: Paintings by David Moore, Jr.

 Color Finds Form: Paintings by David Moore, Jr.

November 3, 2022 - January 7, 2023 

Artist Receptions November 3 and November 5

Artist Talk December 1

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Kolman & Reeb Gallery is pleased to welcome emerging Minneapolis artist, David Moore, Jr., to the gallery for an exhibition of his abstract paintings. The show, Color Finds Form, opens with an artist reception from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on November 3, 2022, during the Northrup King Building’s monthly First Thursday. A second artist reception will happen on Saturday, November 5, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., during the second day of Art Attack, the Northrup King Building’s fall open studio weekend. Moore will talk about his show on December 1, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., during December’s First Thursday. The exhibit will run through January 7, 2023. Moore will donate his sales proceeds to The Minneapolis Foundation.

Moore, a retired theater artist and philanthropist, initiated his current series of paintings in 2017 after assembling everyday objects into an evolving tableaux: old fabric, bits of lumber, plumbing, packaging, ironwork, abandoned mechanical parts, toy soldiers, and plaster reproductions of iconic figures, including a large bust of Napoleon. “These arrangements often remind me of the scale models I built decades ago when designing stage settings for theatrical productions. I incorporates a ‘set’ from this detritus, and then transcribe what I see into paintings. In the activity of rendering, I’m always checking to see if what’s happening feels true to me. I have mishaps all the time, which are stimulating for their abstract results. As my spatial and visual experience has grown, so has my rendering of color.” All of Moore’s paintings are acrylic on canvas or on paper, matted and framed.

Still Life Southwest Corner 15

For three decades Moore worked professionally on the East Coast and in the Twin Cities in theater and performing arts, starting as a stagehand and later as manager and independent producer. He moved to the Twin Cities in 1987 to lead the Playwrights’ Center. In 1996 he formed 3 Legged Race New Theater & Performance, a multi-disciplinary company premiering more than sixty original works by rising and established artists from New York, Minnesota, and elsewhere. Of the hundreds of writers and artists he has supported many today number among the most recognized and influential in the field.

Since 2007 Moore has exhibited his visual work regionally in several group shows. Previous exhibitions include, Persistence of Vision, a two-person exhibit with the late Fred Larson, at the University of Minnesota, 2015; Armature at Traffic Zone Center for Visual Art in Minneapolis, 2017; and Searching High and Low, 2019, at The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis. In 2023 he will assist the University of Minnesota’s Quarter Gallery with an exhibition celebrating Fred Larson’s work, life, and influence.

A graduate of The Putney School, Moore earned an AB in Visual and Environmental Studies from Harvard College, initially studying scenic design before switching to drawing and painting with Dimitri Hadzi and Flora Natapoff.  t the Yale School of Drama, he studied dramaturgy and dramatic criticism under Richard Gilman, Leon Katz, Stanley Kauffmann, and Lloyd Richards, for whom he served as dramaturg for Yale Repertory Theatre’s world premiere of August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone. He has studied drawing and painting with Graham Nickson at the New York Studio School. At the University of Minnesota’s Department of Art, he has studied with Hartmut Austen, Meg Bussey, Sean Connaughty, Lynn Gray, Diane Katsiaficas, Alexis Kuhr, Joyce Lyon, Avigail Manneberg, and Clarence Morgan. Among Moore’s current mentors is the artist, Lisa Nankivil.

Still Life Southwest Corner 14

Moore is active in arts, education, and other nonprofit activities. He serves currently as a trustee of the Guthrie Theater, whose government affairs committee he chairs, and on the boards of the Walker Art Center, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the Camargo Foundation. He is a member of the National Council for the American Theatre (Theatre Communications Group) and a former trustee of the Minneapolis College of Arts & Design and the Highpoint Center for Printmaking.

“We’re excited to open our doors to a pillar of our arts community, David Moore, Jr., who is also a thrilling, emerging artist,” says Anita Sue Kolman, co-founder and co-partner, of Kolman & Reeb Gallery. “The way in which David approaches painting is so intriguing and demonstrates that one can initiate a creative undertaking at any point in life and achieve success. We invite our gallery visitors and collectors to enjoy exploring David’s abstract works.”

Kolman & Reeb Gallery is located in Studio 395, Northrup King Building at 1500 Jackson Street NE. For more information, please visit kolmanreebgallery.com or call 612-385-4239.

Tenth Annual Cine Latino Film Festival, October 13-20, to Include Inaugural Bright New Voices Jury Competition

Article by Becky Fillinger

The 10th Anniversary Cine Latino Film Festival will be held October 13-20 at the MSP Film at The Main. The event is the Midwest’s largest showcase of the best new films from the U.S LatinX, Latin American and Iberian cinema. 

Hebe TabachnikWe talked to Hebe Tabachnik, Artistic Director for the festival, about what we can expect to see and experience at the festival, and her favorites from the twenty-five films to be screened. 

Q:  Please give us an overview of the Cine Latino Film Festival at MSP Film.

A:  This is the 10th Anniversary of the festival and we think it will ‘blow the roof off’ in terms of lively films featured, engaging filmmaker conversations and exciting parties to engage the Twin Cities’ growing Spanish-speaking populations and vast community of global cinephiles. This year's selection reflects that wealth of creativity, diversity and imagination that continues to make the region one of the richest filmmaking traditions in the world. We invite you to celebrate this milestone year with us as together, we continue fostering avenues of understanding, empathy, and respect through a shared love of film.

Q:  What is new this year?

A:  The festival will host for the first time the Bright New Voices Jury Competition, reflecting Cine Latino’s commitment to supporting and helping in the development of emerging voices of the region. This inaugural edition will feature eight debut features from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador and Spain. This year’s members of the jury will be: Juan Carlos Arciniegas - anchor and movie critic for CNN en Español's Ojo Crítico, Effie Brown - multi-award winning producer of Real Women Have Curves, Dear White People, and many others and Jayro Bustamante - Guatemalan director of the Oscar-nominated film Ixcanul, La Llorona, and many others.

Q:  Do you have favorite films from the line-up?

A:  This is a hard question to answer, but yes. Here are my picks:

ARGENTINA, 1985 Directed by Santiago Mitre, Argentina/USA, Fiction, 2022

Argentina, 1985 is inspired by the true story of Julio Strassera, Luis Moreno Ocampo and their young legal team of unlikely heroes in their David-vs-Goliath battle in which, under constant threat, they dared to prosecute Argentina’s bloodiest military dictatorship against all odds and in a race against time to bring justice to the victims of the Military Junta. It won the FIPRESCI Prize, 2022 Venice Film Festival and Audience Award at the recent San Sebastián Film Festival, and has been selected to represent Argentina at the Oscars.

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MY EMPTINESS AND I (Mi vacío y yo) - Directed by Adrián Silvestre, Spain, Fiction, 2022

French millennial Raphi (Raphaëlle Perez) struggles to find love, acceptance, and her place in a world not ready for the reality of being trans in this searingly honest, emotionally raw feature from writer/director Adrián Silvestre. Winner of the Maguey Award at FICG 2022 and the Outfest Grand Jury Special Mention Award for Performance in an International Feature. Raphaëlle Perez is scheduled to attend and present this film.

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SEDIMENTS (Sedimentos) - Spain 2021

This is a documentary about a group of six lively trans women who enjoy a scenic vacation in the Spanish countryside. It was during the shooting of this documentary that Adrián Silvestre, met Raphaëlle Perez and got inspired to do My Emptiness and I.

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THE PREACHER (El Rezador) - Directed by Tito Jara H., Ecuador/Colombia/Spain, Fiction, 2021

Veteran con artist Antancio di Felice meets his match when he befriends a girl with special gifts - as well as her equally unscrupulous parents - in this sharp new thriller from writer/director Tito Jara H. This is the film’s North American premiere! Tito Jara H. is scheduled to attend the festival to present the film.

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MIÚCHA, THE VOICE OF BOSSA NOVA - Directed by Liliane Mutti & Daniel Zarvos, Brazil/USA, Documentary, 2022

This is a lively, buoyant portrait of legendary singer/songwriter Heloïsa Buarque de Hollanda, a.k.a. Miúcha, who was taught to sing by the legendary Vinicius de Moraes, who was Chico Buarque’s sister, the longtime partner of fellow legend João Gilberto, and forever the self-made Voice of Bossa Nova. You’ll enjoy this one!

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FLY SO FAR - Directed by Celina Escher, El Salvador/Switzerland, Documentary, 2021

After serving ten years behind bars for her miscarriage, considered by her government to be an act of aggravated murder, Teodora Vásquez becomes a spokesperson for the other 16 Salvadoran women behind bars for the same “crime” in this story of sorority, resilience, and solidarity. Winner of the Ibero-American Grand Jury Prize, 2021 Seattle Int’l Film Festival. Director Celina Escher is scheduled to attend the festival to present the film.

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WALLS CAN TALK (Las paredes hablan) - Directed by Carlos Saura, Spain, Documentary, 2022

From the cave paintings of Altamira and Lascaux to the graffiti-covered walls of Barcelona, the new documentary from legendary director Carlos Saura (Cria Cuervos, Flamenco, Blood Wedding), takes us on a vivid and colorful trip through humankind’s timeless desire for expression and the massive stone canvases that make it possible. This is the film’s North American premiere! 

Q:  These films sound so wonderful. How do we purchase tickets and stay current on news about the festival?

A:  Purchase tickets here. We look forward to seeing you at the festival! Follow news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.