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Covering life, work, and play in the Historic Mill District and Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront neighborhoods. Have an opinion, local news or events to share? Contact us.
In this powerful drama, Sister Aloysius, a Bronx school principal, takes matters into her own hands when she suspects the young Father Flynn of improper relations with one of the male students. Written in 2004, partly in response to increasing political polarization, Doubt explores the nature of uncertainty with profound relevance to our current day.
Kari Steinbach directs the 4-member cast, with sets designed by Devyn Becker, costumes by A. Emily Heaney, sound by Mark Kieffer, props by Andrew Stam, and lighting by Bill Larsen.
An open audience discussion with members of the company will follow the performance on Sunday, October 9. To provide space for further exploration of the themes presented in this production, Theatre in the Round is also offering facilitated post-show discussions for private groups, including book clubs, churches, classes, and civic groups. Interested groups can email larisa@theatreintheround.org to schedule.
Tickets are $25. For information, call the theatre’s box office at 612-333-3010 or visit www.TheatreintheRound.org.
* * Full schedule for Season 71 * *
Doubt a Parable, September 23-October 16, 2022
Agatha Christie’s The Mysterious Affair at Styles, November 18-December 18, 2022
The Book Club Play, January 27-February 19, 2023
Eurydice, March 10-April 2, 2023
True West, April 21-May 14, 2023
Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood, June 9-July 2, 2023
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and Forecast Public Art seek artists to develop murals to foster Parks for All. There will be 9 artists selected to create murals in 2023. The deadline to apply is September 19, 2022, and selected artists will received a $6,000 fee + $3,000 for materials (to include artist travel).
The 9 mural locations have been selected based on the following goals: to help reduce the amount of vandalism in the park system; to reduce reactionary maintenance efforts required for tagging removal; to beautify park walls, and to celebrate the park system and park users. There are specific sites in the MPRB system that are frequent targets for vandalism that require countless hours of labor each year to remove and repaint.
Around 11 pm last night after we finished watching a movie, my wife looked out our living room window and saw an unfamiliar colorful glow in the distance. With binoculars purchased for a trip never taken due to the pandemic, she identified it as the State Fair Ferris Wheel. Never one to pass up an interesting photo opportunity, even though it was late, I set up my camera and tripod. After several test shots to determine the right settings I took a dozen or so photos, as the lights on the Ferris Wheel kept changing colors. I was eager to see what the images looked like on my computer screen and processed this one image. Who knew that 8+ miles from the State Fair grounds one can see the Ferris Wheel from our Downtown East neighborhood. I didn’t. But then I’ve never before had a view from my home in Downtown East looking East. In order to get a closer and larger view of the Ferris Wheel, paraphrasing from that iconic line in Jaws, I need a bigger lens.
The Twin Cities Ukrainian community is celebrating the 21st anniversary of the Annual Twin Cities Ukrainian Heritage Festival and the 31st anniversary of Ukrainian Independence. Bring family and friends to this FREE event! Saturday, September 17, 12 PM – 5 PM.
Dedicated proceeds from this year's festival will be going toward the humanitarian aid in Ukraine.
Yue WuWe are used to reading about medical innovation in our state – but did you know that we have local professionals tackling health issues combined with music therapy?
Meet Yue Wu, who is working as a board certified music therapist at MacPhail Center for Music, while pursuing her PhD in Rehabilitation Science at the University of Minnesota. She is tackling problems by collaboration - music therapy for individuals with disabilities and telehealth music therapy solutions for children with autism spectrum disorders in rural areas. We talked to her about how she approaches multi-disciplinary collaboration and a recent project, Light in the Well.
Q: You are a member of the University of Minnesota’s Medical School – focusing on Rehabilitative Medicine. You also reach beyond the boundaries of the medical school to work on collaborative projects with other organizations. Could you tell us about some of these projects?
A: Yes. Being a curious person and wanting to learn from others was what led me to the PhD program in Rehabilitation Science at the Medical School. Being in an intellectually rich and emotionally supportive environment helped me thrive in developing innovative ideas and collaborate with people in other fields. I have done projects both nationally and internationally, in-person and virtually, in and across fields. Some of these projects include an international documentary featuring music therapy and people with disabilities, an international partnership training rehabilitation staff to incorporate music into their services for children with disabilities, and research projects focusing on the experiences of having a child with disabilities.
It was the research projects – interviewing families who are affected by disabilities in both China and U.S. - which made me realize that having a child with disabilities is more like a universal experience, despite the cultural, language, and regional differences.
Q: One of these collaborative efforts – culminated in an event called Light in the Well. What groups were involved? Who was the event for?
A: Light in the Well was born out of these research findings and is dedicated to honoring people with disabilities and their families by telling their true stories and inviting all into a conversation of hope. This project involves a variety of groups including families who are affected by disabilities, professional musicians, therapists, university researchers, disability rights advocates, visual artists, and college students who study related areas. MacPhail Center for Music, where I work as a music therapist, has been a big support, providing initial funding and in-kind venue for our first show last fall. Half of the orchestra were MacPhail teaching artists. The development and facilities departments helped us greatly with fundraising, setting up, and audience accommodations.
The event is really for everyone. We want Light in the Well to be therapeutic for the featured families by validating their emotional journeys and enabling them to gain skills through real-life situations, while also being educational for the rest of us who are not directly affected by disabilities. People with disabilities are featured in Light in the Well as they tell their own stories on stage and perform alongside professional musicians in an orchestra under the spotlight. Through many practices and rehearsals, the featured people with disabilities learn how to cope with unexpected situations and how to work with others. For the rest of us, Light in the Well provides an opportunity of exposure to learn about what life is like with disabilities. Our society is not complete without people with disabilities, and together we are better.
Q: How did the audience respond?
A: After our first show last fall at MacPhail, many audience members came to us and said they were touched in deep ways. “We came expected to be entertained but left being educated.” Many people laughed and also cried with the featured families as the stories unfolded.
We interviewed the audience and highlighted their experiences in this video:
Q: Why are these collaborations important to the work you’re doing?
A: Many people came alongside of the project since it started – people with disabilities and family members, therapists, leaders in disability services, business and legal professionals, etc. These different collaborators are important to the work because they offer a variety of expertise and bring different life and emotional journeys into Light in the Well.
Q: What’s next for you?
A: Next, Light in the Well will be putting on its fall performance on Sunday, October 16, 2pm, at the Landmark Center in St. Paul. We are currently working on a series of children’s picture books which highlight the featured individuals in Light in the Well. The purpose is to bridge the gap in children’s literature regarding disabilities. We want to expose the younger generation to learn about the life of having disabilities. We have also invited other organizations who serve people with disabilities in our community to be at our next performance to share about the resources available to families who are affected by disabilities. We hope to partner with high school bands or community orchestras in the future to perform the original music and expose their members to this type of work.
Last, but not least, I will be finishing my PhD program by completing my dissertation, which focuses on accessibility to disability services. Low accessibility and lack of resources are primary barriers for children in rural areas to receive music therapy services. In my PhD dissertation research, I used real-time video-conferencing platforms to provide cost effective music therapy to serve children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Thanks to MacPhail Center for Music, I was able to recruit participants from Austin, MN, where one of our satellite centers is located. The preliminary analysis showed that tele-music therapy is effective in producing lasting behavioral changes in children with ASD. We will apply the exciting research findings in practice to provide a robust and reliable alternative method of music therapy addressing the reduced access some children experience.
Please attend our free performance on Sunday, October 16, 2pm, at the Landmark Center in St. Paul. Click here or scan the QR code to reserve your spot:
Detail showing Riverside Park and Annie Young Meadow, from the Mississippi Gorge Regional Park master plan. Bohemian Flats Park, not pictured, is to the northwest along the river.
Opportunities to share your thoughts are coming soon!
Improvements are coming to Riverside Park and Bohemian Flats Park through a Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB) capital investment project. They include playground and wading pool improvements at Riverside Park and restoration of the savanna landscape at Bohemian Flats Park. Community engagement for both projects will be combined, since both parks are within the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis.
At Riverside Park, a new playground will replace the existing 20-year-old playground and the 80-year-old wading pool will get much-needed upgrades. Additional improvements may include picnic tables with concrete pads, additional basketball court space, lighting, grills, and benches.
At Bohemian Flats Park, a five-acre savanna landscape will be restored with various types of oak trees, grasses, and wildflowers.
MPRB will share additional announcements about opportunities for Cedar-Riverside community members to get involved in the Riverside Park improvements project.
Project funding
Riverside Park (a neighborhood park within Mississippi Gorge Regional Park)
Bohemian Flats Park (a regional park within Mississippi Gorge Regional Park)
$ 20,000 - River Access Grant
$286,000 - 2022 Grant for Bohemian Flats Savanna
Riverside Park improvements are funded from NPP20, a historic agreement between the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and the City of Minneapolis. NPP20 helps address racial and economic equity across 160 neighborhood parks and provides more than $11 million annually to maintain, repair and replace facilities.
This season kicks off with a brand-new musical performance featuring the Twin Cities-based woodwind quintet of cross-disciplinary women, Chione, along with Twin Cities author Ka Vang. The performance features Vang’s Shous and the Northern Lights Dragon set to beautiful music composed by fellow Minnesotan musician Jocelyn Hagen. Chione’s performance is captivating and inclusive, as they combine musical character themes with American Sign Language, while sharing the stories of each of their instruments.
Activities include:
• Free Family Music Concerts 10:15-10:45 AM and 11:15-11:45 AM • Instrument exploration stations • Visual Art stations- make an instrument • Sample Sing Play Learn classes • Snacks and more
As always, the Free Family Music series is open and welcome to the community. No tickets or RSVP necessary.
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
The Star Tribune recently released a story on the Minneapolis Central City Tunnel project. Check out the Star Tribune story to get an inside look of what tunnel mining looks like underground.
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. o The sidewalks remain open on both sides of the road. o The crosswalk at the Washington Ave and 2nd Ave S intersection remains open. o 2nd Ave S remains a single lane in each direction using the northbound lanes between Washington Ave and 1st St S. o 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. o Pedestrian access is being maintained during this work. Please follow any posted detour routes. o 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. o During this closure, pedestrians can still use the sidewalks along Washington Ave. o Crosswalks across Washington Ave and Portland Ave will remain open. o Bicyclists will share the traffic lane. o 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. o During these restrictions, pedestrians share the bike lane on Washington Ave. o 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. o Pedestrians can use the sidewalk on the west side of 4th Ave S. o The crosswalk at the Washington Ave and 4th Ave intersection remains open. o Access to driveways off 4th Ave S remains open.
• The eastern sidewalk along Nicollet Mall between Washington Ave and 3rd St N remains restricted. Access is open to the Marquette Plaza building. The dewatering well and pumps are installed in this area. o This sidewalk will reopen to pedestrians after the scaffolding and extra equipment in the area are removed and the site is cleaned up. Once the sidewalk reopens to pedestrians, it will remain restricted around the dewatering well and pumps. This is anticipated to be completed by the end of August. o Pedestrians are still able to use the sidewalk on the west side of Nicollet Mall. o The crosswalk at the Washington Ave intersection remains open. o Possible short-term sidewalk closures to remove equipment in the area through the end of the month.
• 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.
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.
Suspended sites through summer 2022
Hennepin Ave
Tunneling the new parallel storm tunnel under Washington Ave will resume fall 2022 at this site.
Mississippi River Portal
Minor activities will periodically occur at the Mississippi River portal site through Summer 2022. Work will resume fall 2022.
Fruit attack! Watermelon, First Kiss apples, pears and strawberries. Alfajores and empanadas from Atacama Catering. New from Sunrise Flour Mill - biscuit mix.
Green Minneapolis is excited to host these events, free and open to all!
YWCA Minneapolis Yoga on the Plaza
Tuesday, August 23 from 5:30-6:30pm
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Flow into summer with FREE yoga classes at Peavey Plaza (weather permitting). Bring a water, mat and towel. Members and nonmembers are welcome to attend. Nonmembers that attend receive a FREE three-day trial fitness pass to any of our three fitness locations. Plus, join YWCA Minneapolis as a member for just $15! Registration recommended
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MNspin Musician of the Week: Curtis & Loretta
Thursday, August 25 from 12-1pm
Award winning folk singer-songwriter duo Curtis & Loretta’s extraordinary harmonies and proficiency on a parade of stringed instruments create an alluring frame for their poignant original songs, and traditional pieces. The Minneapolis husband and wife duo’s current menagerie includes mandocello, folk harp, guitars, clawhammer banjo, and ukulele, plus a bit of kazoo, harmonica, and shakers.
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Children’s Theatre Company Story Theatre
Saturday, August 27 at 12-12:30pm & 12:30-1pm
Join Children’s Theatre Company for summertime fun at Peavey Plaza! Through imaginative play, collaborative storytelling, music, and family engagement, we’ll explore beloved children’s books together. Laugh, dance, and discover along with your family and friends.
Joe Davis & The Poetic Diaspora
Saturday, August 27 at 6-7:30pm
Journeying through the sonically diverse realms of old school and new school hip hop, R&B, funk, and soul, Joe Davis & The Poetic Diaspora seamlessly blend melodic harmonies, smooth instrumentation, and raw, poetic energy to tell stories of struggle, resilience, and celebration. Formed in the heart of the Twin Cities, Minnesota, the collective is dedicated to crafting vibrant soundscapes around honest narratives that reflect their community’s sacred humanity. Each song is an ancestral echo, a battle cry calling for freedom, an unending dance for justice and joy, welcoming all of the diaspora home.
Margaret McDonaldMill City Commons has a new Executive Director, Margaret McDonald. I asked Margaret to tell me her thoughts on taking the helm of the innovative organization, programming updates and how to get involved.
Tipping my hat to Creedence Clearwater Revival’s John Fogerty, I don’t claim to be Proud Mary. But there is a part of me that is proud Margaret these days. As the new Executive Director of Mill City Commons, I could not be prouder to represent this dynamic organization. I’ve worked and lived close to our magnificent Mississippi River for several years. But never this close. Today I walk across the river to my office. I work with and serve wonderful people. I walk out of my office and sit by the river and eat lunch. I’m back where I belong!
“The Mill City Commons Board was impressed with not only Margaret’s extensive experience but also her long-standing commitment to the Rivefront Neighborhoods.”
Pam Berkwitz, MCC Board President
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Since 2002, I’ve chosen to be an active part of the neighborhoods on both sides of the riverfront. I’ve seen the areas transformation from parking lots, rusty railroad ties and abandoned buildings to a dynamic, growing civic minded community with all the amenities to support it. My husband and I are committed to supporting local businesses and establishments as we are very familiar with the hard work it takes to build and sustain a business.
Since the inception of Mill City Commons in 2008, our mission has been to provide programs and services to our members who are 55+ and live near the Minneapolis riverfront. As a neighborhood community, MCC provides member-driven programs that are educational, relevant, fun, easily accessible and inspiring.
Post-COVID, my vision is not to reinvent the wheel but to re-ignite the element of personal engagement, relevant discussions and fun to all our programs. After these past two years I believe we all need more comradery and good times. It’s time for us all to reconnect.
Scenes from Summer 2022 activities
Our programs fall into four categories: Educational (Great Discussion Series,Current Events and Conversations with Bill); Recreational (River walkers); Social (Men’s Dutch Lunch); and Cultural (Dressed by Nature: Textiles of Japan). In addition, our members strive to be a positive force in our community through volunteerism, civic involvement and supporting local businesses and fundraising activities. Meetings, social events, and discussion groups are frequently held in local restaurants and venues.
Throughout the pandemic most of our programing was delivered on Zoom. We were fortunate to be able to maintain our high-quality programing and membership retention. We even gained new members. My goal is to provide 80% of our programing in person in the coming months. Our new office located at 219 Main Street SE, affords us enough space to hold some events. In addition, many of our members willingly open their residences or party rooms to host programs and social events like our monthly Soiree buffet. For those members who spend their winters in warm climates, most of our programs are archived for future on-line access.
Although the majority of our members live along both sides of the Mississippi River, we have many living in South Minneapolis and surrounding suburbs. Membership is broad and diverse, as is our programing.
In addition, our members support one another with services such as rides to doctor appointments, airports and grocery shopping. Members also network with others through post-hospital stays and rehabilitation. MCC is committed to helping members remain empowered in order to live vibrant lives in this community with friends and family.
To learn more about us, roll on over to our website at http://www.millcitycommons.org. You will find our monthly calendar, pictures of recent events and how to become a member. If you prefer, call us at 612-455-3329.
We look forward to welcoming you to our exciting neighborhood on the river.
Kristen Denzler is the CEO and Founder of Tierra Encantada. She was recently honored as SBA Small Business Person of the Year 2022. Her company has been on The Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal list of the 50 fastest-growing privately held companies in the Twin Cities for a few years. We talked to Kristen to learn more about her business success and perhaps take away a few tips.
A: Many people have great business ideas but hold themselves back because they don't have a degree or experience related to their business idea - and they think that is needed to be successful. While that can certainly help, it shouldn't hold someone back from pursuing an idea they are passionate about. I never worked at a childcare center prior to starting Tierra. I also had never constructed a licensed commercial kitchen and had never worked in construction before Tierra, either. But, by using my resources and being willing to put in the work, I figured it out and opened multiple centers, working as the general contractor for two of them, with no relevant experience/education.
Many people also think you need a business degree to start a business. I don't have one, and I know many successful entrepreneurs and not a single one of them have a business education. If you believe in something, don't hold yourself back with self-created limitations - just go for it.
Q: You’re the CEO and Founder of Tierra Encantada. The business features Spanish immersion language skill building and organic food. What led you to put these two features together?
A: The United States is incredibly behind in language learning, and countries around the globe have children learning multiple languages from a very young age. Knowing first-hand the limitations that come with learning a second language as a teen, I wanted my children to have an opportunity I did not have - to learn at the most critical time for their language development, their first years of life. I also wanted my children to be exposed to a vast array of food that they may not otherwise have - I wanted more for them than chicken nuggets and hot dogs. I didn't have much variety as a child, and tried Brussel sprouts, okra, asparagus, and mushrooms for the first time as an adult. Many parents don't know how to cook some things, like lentils, and some parents simply don't have time. Our culinary program provides fresh-cooked meals designed to expand young palates.
Q: You have degrees in Psychology, Political Science, Leadership and Evaluation Studies. Did your education help you become fearless in trying new things? Did your education prepare you for owning a business?
A: My education provided valuable experiences, connections, and learnings that shaped who I am and how I think about things. Though, I wouldn't say it was instrumental to my entrepreneurial nature nor my sense of adventure. I mean, the very first "club" I joined freshman year at the University of Minnesota was the skydiving club! 🙂 My education was not really related at all to the companies I have started, so did not do much to prepare me for running a successful company. The most relevant I would say was my graduate assistantships, which allowed me the opportunity to see what it was like to work as a consultant for community organizations - which I parlayed into my first business - consulting.
Q: You’re a Board Member at Women Venture and St. Croix Preparatory Academy. Have these experiences helped you as an entrepreneur? Are you mentoring other business start-ups?
A: Serving on both boards has been both fulfilling and educational. Seeing how other entities structure things has definitely informed decisions I have made as I have grown Tierra. With Women Venture, I also am on one of the two loan committees. It is very inspiring to see entrepreneurs bring their ideas to be considered for funding, and I feel honored I get to be a small part of their journey to entrepreneurship. I have had a number of entrepreneurs over the past few years that I have shared ideas and guidance with to help support them in growing their business.
Q: What are your daily habits? I’m sure that I’m not the only person who wants to know how you accomplish so much in a 24-hour period.
A: It's a bit hard to get into a routine with how busy I am - though I do try to! I try to get any large projects or tasks completed first thing in the morning and aim to keep my email under 100 if I can. I typically work 12-14 hours a day, so I try to plan ahead with healthy meals when I can and I make it a priority to work out 5 days a week. We have a gym at our corporate office, so that helps! Scaling a company means many long days, but if it is something you are passionate about, then it doesn't feel so much like work!
Q: We wish you many continued years of business success! How may we stay up to date with your news?
After a hiatus due to COVID-19, Hennepin County is again offering facility tours at the Hennepin County Energy Recovery Center (HERC) waste-to-energy facility. HERC is a waste-to-energy facility where waste is received and burned to generate steam for the downtown district energy system and electricity sold to Xcel Energy. Tours describe how the plant works and fits within the county’s solid waste management system to divert waste from landfills.
Tour participants must be 14 years of age or older.
Masks are optional. (Masks are available at HERC for participants that do not bring their own.)
Tours for Groups
Please complete the HERC tour request form to request a tour for a group of five to 16 people. Due to safety precautions related to COVID-19, tours to groups of more than 16 people are not available at this time. Protecting the health of tour participants and HERC’s operating staff is critical to maintaining the waste and energy infrastructure.
Outdoor tour option: to request a tour that is 100% outdoors, list “outdoor tour” when providing your goal for visiting the facility. Note that outdoor tours will not enter the HERC facility.
Tours for individuals or groups with less than five people
Complete the HERC tour sign up form to sign up for a slot during pre-scheduled tours of the HERC facility. This option should be used for groups of less than five participants. New date options will be added regularly. You will be contacted by a Hennepin County staff person when your slot is confirmed with additional information, including how to access the facility the day of the tour.
Jesse BishopThe 2022 MSP Iranian Film Festival is returning August 19-21 to MSP Film at The Main. The Festival hasn't been in-person since 2019. We are blessed to have independent international cinema available in our community.
There may not be a better way to breakdown misunderstandings between cultures than to take an audience to – in this case, Iran – and show how life really is – how do they love, work and live? We talked to Jesse Bishop, Programming Director, about what we can expect from the lineup of films and other ancillary events. He gave us so many reasons to make the trip to 115 SE Main Street this weekend.
The lineup features 5 new Iranian films that can only be seen at the festival. The program offers moviegoers a chance to see new works by contemporary Iranian filmmakers depicting Iranian society, perspectives, and expressions as created by Iranian artists. Click on the film’s title to purchase tickets. All-access passes are also available. Festival highlights include:
ABSENCE was written, directed and starring Ali Mosaffa and it's a clever and absorbing mystery of family history and political intrigue. It has a classic Cold War era thriller vibe, with great characters, subtle humor and it will keep you guessing.
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THE MAJORITY is a melodramatic and often humorous morality tale that takes place in a rural village in pre-revolution Iran that has been struggling for years. News of the return of a now wealthy former resident sparks hope that she’ll enrich the town, however there's just one very big catch and a sacrifice must be made.
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A MAN OF INTEGRITY is a first-rate dramatic thriller by one of Iran's finest contemporary filmmakers, Mohammad Rasoulof. Rasoulof was recently imprisoned in Iran in a crackdown on artists and filmmakers. A Man of Integrity reveals the corruption and state cronyism at the heart of one of the most powerful and influential regimes in the Middle East.
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NO CHOICE follows three Iranian women from different backgrounds – a sixteen-year-old homeless girl forced into pregnancy, a human rights lawyer, and a physician – as their lives intersect in this powerful social drama from Iranian writer/director Reza Dormishian.
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ASTEROID is the sweetest film in the lineup. It's a tender drama that centers on 12-year-old Ebrahim, breadwinner for his rural Iranian family and their dreams to build a home and a better life. Set against the rich beauty of the desert, Asteroid observes Ebrahim’s wise demeanor amidst moments of childhood joy, and a quiet determination to help others.
The City of Minneapolis has completed reconstruction of 4th St. between 2nd Ave. N. and 4th Ave. S. Planning for the project began in 2017 and construction began in 2021. The purpose of the project was to:
- Replace the aging street infrastructure
- Improve safety, access, and comfort for people walking
- Create a bicycle connection for all ages and abilities
- Collect and treat stormwater runoff using green infrastructure
- Enhance the area with street trees and plantings
- Create a more intuitive street by removing and relocating the contraflow bus lane
What Improvements Were Made
- Replaced aging asphalt street with a new concrete street
- Lane reconfiguration
- New trees and planting beds throughout the corridor
- Wider sidewalks and improved crosswalks including curb extensions at all intersections
- A new two-way protected bike lane along the north side of the street
- New traffic signals, lighting, and crosswalk timers throughout the corridor
Replaced aging street infrastructure
4th Street was last reconstructed in 1962. It had reached the end of its useful life and was severely cracked and potholed. As part of this project, new concrete pavement, curb and gutter, and storm sewer infrastructure were put in place
New lane configuration
Three eastbound travel lanes between 2nd Ave. N. and 3rd Ave. S.
Two eastbound travel lanes between 3rd Ave. S. and 4th Ave. S.
Parking available between 2nd Ave N. and Marquette Ave., and parking in front of city hall between 3rd Ave S. and 4th Ave S.
Planting beds, rain gardens and boulevard trees
New planting beds and rain gardens were constructed along 4th Street and include native plantings, perennials, and trees. These new green areas reduce stormwater runoff, capture excess rainwater, and provide shade.
Improved sidewalk and pedestrian crossings
Wider sidewalks, improved crosswalks and curb extension at all intersections increase safety for people walking, rolling, and biking along 4th St.
Two-way protected bike lane
A new two-way protected bike lane constructed on the north side of the street. This improves bicycle connection, safety, and access along 4th St.
Traffic signals, lighting, and crosswalk timers
Traffic signals, lighting, and crosswalk timers at intersections provide updated safety measures for vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians on 4th St. Additional lighting along the corridor improves visibility at night.
Help protect greenspaces on 4th Street
Help keep new plantings and landscaping beds healthy along the 4th Street corridor by reducing your salt use this winter. Overuse of salt permanently pollutes lakes, rivers, and groundwater, and causes costly damage to buildings, vehicles, and plants. Did you know, 78% of salt applied in the metro area ends up in groundwater or local lakes and rivers?
Here are some helpful tips to reduce salt use while also keeping roadways and sidewalks safe.
Apply less: More salt does not mean more melting. A coffee mug of salt will cover about 10 sidewalk squares, or a 20-foot driveway.
15 degrees (F) is too cold for salt. Most salts stop working at this temperature. Use sand instead for traction but remember that sand does not melt ice.
Shovel: The more snow and ice that can be removed manually, the less salt you will need to use. Do not pile snow on top of planting beds. This can kill plants that have gone dormant over the winter.
Stay tuned to the City of Minneapolis newsletters and visit the project webpage for more information, hear about upcoming events and see our interactive map: minneapolismn.gov/4thStreet.
Edward Tulane, a new opera by composer Paola Prestini and librettist Mark Campbell, commissioned by Minnesota Opera, will receive its premiere after a two-year postponement on Saturday, October 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. It is the first work by a woman to be commissioned by Minnesota Opera as part of the company's New Works Initiative.
The opera is based on the novel The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by two-time Newbery Medalist and #1 New York Times best-selling author Kate DiCamillo. It is the first time one of her works is being adapted for the operatic stage. “I think that [this adaptation] is going to be a visual feat, in addition to a musical one,” DiCamillo said. “It’s a very dramatic tale, so it just seems well-suited for the drama of opera.”
"Edward Tulane continues my love of working on art that brings intergenerational audiences together," said composer Paola Prestini. "The themes found in the DiCamilo novel, woven into a brilliant and unique libretto by Mark Campbell gave me the perfect springboard for an opera about hope and transformation— told through a rabbit's perspective! The opportunity to unleash my imagination into sound worlds for underwater fish, a zany doll shop, and ultimately a cast of characters that guide our leading soul with love and wisdom has been delightful. We all are in need of magic and transformation, and Edward's journey brings it in spades. I’m immensely grateful that Minnesota Opera chose me for this adventure, and hope that this opera brings new audiences to our stages."
The leading cast features several noteworthy house debuts, including those of Minnesota native tenor Jack Swanson, soprano Zulimar López-Hernández, baritone Brian Vu, bass Zachary James, mezzo-soprano Elise Quagliata and baritone Daniel Belcher. Former Minnesota Opera Resident Artists Benjamin Sieverding, Victoria Vargas and Adriana Zabala with current Resident Artists Lisa Marie Rogali, Danielle Beckvermit, Nicholas Davis and Christian Sanders fill out the cast. Russian-American conductor Lidiya Yankovskaya, the music director of Chicago Opera Theater, will lead from the podium.
Postponed for two years due to COVID, the world premiere was preceded in December 2021 by a 40-minute Choral Suite, featuring stop-motion animation by acclaimed artist Erin Pollock:
Julia GillisWhen you visit Lakewood Cemetery, and you should, you’ll see stunning architecture, including a Byzantine chapel that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, 250 acres of gorgeous gardens, exquisite examples of cemetery art and you’ll feel an enduring sense of serenity. We talked to Julia Gillis, Director of Marketing & Outreach, about the history of Lakewood Cemetery, events and plans to recognize the milestone anniversary.Keep reading – you don’t want to miss information about The Great Big Garden Party coming up on August 21.
Q: Lakewood Cemetery has been a community gathering place for the last 150 years. Please tell us some of the early history and how the community may interact with Lakewood today.
A:Lakewood is one of the most storied and extraordinary urban cemeteries in America. It was founded by a group of influential Minneapolis leaders in 1871 who had a vision for a grand “garden” style cemetery that is nonprofit and open to all. And for the past 150 years, Lakewood’s park-like grounds have become a fascinating chronicle of local cultures and traditions - a place where countless families have come to honor, remember and reflect in ways that are uniquely personal to them.
Though Lakewood is located in the heart of Minneapolis now, when Lakewood began it was set far outside the city center. Visitors travelled by horse-and-buggy along an unpaved road to get to here. It was often a full day’s trip, and they would spend time here socializing, picnicking and tending to graves. Like many garden-style cemeteries, Lakewood features winding roads, sculpted monuments, water features, beautiful architecture, and of course, gardens! Garden cemeteries, like Lakewood, were designed for the living as much as the dead. They met an emotional need – and Lakewood continues that legacy today.
Tea Ceremony
The Living Memory Tree
Music in the Chapel
Lantern Lighting Celebration
For our 150th anniversary (and beyond), the team at Lakewood has been making an extra effort to make sure the community knows they are welcome here. We are inviting people in to experience the amazing beauty of Lakewood, and we’re also sparking meaningful new conversations and sponsoring a variety of unique experiences and events that go far beyond what you would expect from an institution like ours.
Some of our upcoming events and experiences include:
Death Cafe – offering a safe space to talk about death
Trolley tours of Lakewood’s history, art and gardens
Plus more! In the spring, we have greenhouse tours and a Memorial Day Celebration, we honor Mother’s Day and Father’s Day - and our popular Midsummer Memory Mandalas Community Celebration, which features an amazing earth art installation and a creative practice for honoring grief, takes place in July.
And of course – to celebrate our 150th, we’re inviting everyone to a special event called The Great Big Garden Party on Sunday, August 21, 4-7 p.m. At the event, we are honoring our roots as a garden cemetery and inviting the community to enjoy a picnic on our front lawn. We’ll have live music, raffle giveaways, art activities, carriage rides and more. Register for your box lunch here.
All are welcome to attend any of these events. You do not need to be affiliated with Lakewood in any way.To find out more about all of Lakewood’s events and offerings, visit our website:https://www.lakewoodcemetery.org/events-calendar/.
Green Minneapolis is excited to host these events, free and open to all!
YWCA Minneapolis Yoga on the Plaza
Tuesday, August 16 from 5:30-6:30pm
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Flow into summer with FREE yoga classes at Peavey Plaza (weather permitting). Bring a water, mat and towel. Members and nonmembers are welcome to attend. Nonmembers that attend receive a FREE three-day trial fitness pass to any of our three fitness locations. Plus, join YWCA Minneapolis as a member for just $15! Registration recommended
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MNspin Musician of the Week: Buffalo Galaxy
Thursday, August 18 from 12-1pm
Dust from the years of performing with many groups and musical styles has coalesced to form Buffalo Galaxy. Each member brings with them a tradition of Bluegrass and American music as their bedrock, together creating moments of energy and intensity that can only be generated by light-speed bluegrass, while also exploring the deep-space between notes and emotions.
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MIRAGE Performing Arts
Thursday, August 18 from 6-6:45pm and again on Saturday, August 20 from 2-2:45pm
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MIRAGE Performing Arts: A performing arts group focused on creating a new and authentic expression of Classical Music and Ballet through innovative collaboration, programing and choreography. The primary goal being the spreading of joy and hope through the arts. Learn more at yukitokuda.com/mirage-performing-arts.
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Children’s Theatre Company Story Theatre
Saturday, August 20 at 12-12:30pm & 12:30-1pm
Join Children’s Theatre Company for summertime fun at Peavey Plaza! Through imaginative play, collaborative storytelling, music, and family engagement, we’ll explore beloved children’s books together. Laugh, dance, and discover along with your family and friends.
On the evening of August 11th before the Full Moon rose in the east the skies were cloudy. I expected that I would be unable to see the moon. I took another look at the sky just after the appointed time for the moon to rise and there it was, bright orange, peaking over the horizon partly covered by thin dark clouds. I enjoy when the clouds give the moon a different look. The moon shined through the thin clouds and painted its color on them.
Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at 4:52AM
In this powerful drama, Sister Aloysius, a Bronx school principal, takes matters into her own hands when she suspects the young Father Flynn of improper relations with one of the male students. Written in 2004, partly in response to increasing political polarization, Doubt explores the nature of uncertainty with profound relevance to our current day.
Chione Quintet
