Voting for 2024 DID Greening and Public Realm Awards Opens Today, September 5

The Mpls Downtown Improvement District (DID) has announced public voting for the 2024 Greening and Public Realm Awards is officially open!

The Greening and Public Realm Awards, a DID initiative since 2010, celebrates outstanding examples of greening and placemaking that improve public spaces in downtown Minneapolis. Winners will be selected by public vote. The public vote will be open September 5 through September 20.

Finalists were divided into eight categories based on project size and other characteristics. Among the finalists selected were 20 new nominees – a sign of continued growth in downtown greening efforts – as well as several past winners.

“Efforts to enhance our public greening are invaluable, as they elevate our urban spaces and improve the quality of life for everyone who lives, works and plays in downtown ,” said Adam Duininck, Mpls Downtown Improvement District President & CEO. “Our downtown community is grateful to all the finalists and their efforts to improve vibrancy and greening in the city’s core.”

Winners will receive a commemorative Greening and Public Realm Award created by Wood from the Hood, a Minneapolis-based company that reclaims discarded trees from urban neighborhoods and creates high-quality wood products. Each award will display the year the award was issued.

The Greening and Public Realm Awards were created to celebrate the outstanding examples of private and public greening and placemaking happening in downtown Minneapolis and are intended to inspire all to work towards making downtown a greener and more vibrant place.

The public is encouraged to vote by visiting mplsdid.com/greeningawards and using the interactive vote link. Each category will showcase the finalists along with a photo of each location for easy viewing and identification. This year’s eight categories include the following finalists  

• Activated Space: The Commons, North Loop Green, Peavey Plaza, Government Center South Plaza
• Façade: Café Bar & Lurcat, Gluek’s Bar and Restaurant, Strive Bookstore, Lenox Brownstones
• Large Green Space: Loring Greenway, Mpls Convention Center Plaza, Gold Medal Park, Water Works Park
• Small Green Space: Minneapolis College, Federal Reserve, Triangle Park, WCCO Plaza
• Best Adopt a Rain Garden: 4th Street Oasis, St. Olaf Boulevard Gardens, Skip & Michelle’s Rain Garden, 8th St. & Portland Community Garden
• Sustainable Greening: 8th St. Stormwater Planters, 4th St. Rain Gardens, Mpls Convention Center Plaza, Westminster Presbyterian 
• Public Realm Improvement: North Loop Green, Renovated 3rd Avenue Bridge, Reopened Cedar Lake Light Rail Trail, Elliot Park Tree Canopy Project, 2nd Street Protected Bikeway
• Outdoor Café/Patio: The Local, EaTo, Red Cow, The Monte Carlo 

The public is not only encouraged to vote for a winner in each category, but also to celebrate downtown greening year-long. Send your greening photos to @MplsDID on Facebook and/or Instagram using the hashtag #GreenAwardsMpls.

Imminent Change | Rising Potential by Annie Hejny Opens September 14 at Kolman & Reeb Gallery

Desire to Escape by Annie Hejny

Exhibition opens September 14 and runs through October 26. The gallery will host an artist reception on Saturday, September 21, 7:00-9:00p.

Kolman & Reeb Gallery is pleased to present Imminent Change | Rising Potential by Annie Hejny. A Minneapolis-based artist and environmental activist, Annie strives to celebrate nature’s beauty while simultaneously wrestling with humanity’s devastating impact on the environment.

Using resources provided by a Kolman & Reeb Project Space Grant, Annie continued her investigation of Lake Superior. The first step for her grant exhibition was a 24-day solo journey circumnavigating Lake Superior, a road trip known as The Circle Tour. During her journey, she collected water and sediment samples from the lake, took photos, and shot video footage. Inspired by this journey of discovery, with these water and sediment samples, she explored concepts directly influenced by the lake. Asking more profound questions about painting as a practice, Annie integrated these samples with manufactured pigments to delve into deeper questions about the lake's landscape and history.

Soft and Dangerous by Annie Hejny

Taking a step away from her familiar water painting style, Annie went in a fresh direction. The pieces created exclusively for this show rely on an acceptance of the unknown to impact the development of the expressions in her work. Using looser gestures and compositions that challenge the space of the canvas, these pieces not only incorporate water and sediment samples collected from Lake Superior but they are also an exciting departure from her previous work. Including acrylic paintings, mixed media wall sculpture, watercolor, and video installations, this exhibition offers a look at a completely new style for Annie.

Annie found the history, teachings, and current state of Lake Superior are more vast and powerful than she could ever hope to fully address in this first exhibition solely committed to Lake Superior. Yet, she believes any conversation we can engage in regarding the state of our freshwater sources is part of the progress toward the future health of fresh water for all. She believes this artwork is about being fully present to our personal changes as we witness the impact on our natural landscapes stemming from climate change.

Annie Irene Hejny is a Minneapolis-based artist and environmental activist. In her art, she explores personal and communal relationships with fresh water, acknowledging that all humans are bodies of water and are connected by water. She believes any conversation regarding the state of our freshwater sources is part of the progress toward the future health of fresh water for all. Annie has exhibited nationally, and her artwork is held in private collections in 30 states and internationally.

Kolman & Reeb Gallery is in Studio 395, Northrup King Building, 1500 Jackson Street NE.

612-385-4239 kolmanreebgallery.com

Shopping Basket from August 31 Mill City Farmers Market

Our shopping basket from the August 31 Mill City Farmers Market: 

Beets from GVY Fresh Produce, juice from Pure Ginger for You and Krishna’s Delight, MoonGlow cheese from Cosmic Wheel Creamery, eggs from Sunshine Harvest Farm, cilantro salsa from Atacama, Candle from Tare Market, rye bread from Baker's Field, currie ginger chili ferment from Kiss My Cabbage, fruit syrup from Twin Cities Berry Company. The cucumber, melon, peppers, garlic, tomatoes and butternut squash are from Clover Bee Farm.  

As always, we are very appreciative to all the growers and makers who bring their best to the MCFM every week!

2024 MCAD Faculty Biennial Opening Reception September 6, Open to the Public

2024 MCAD Faculty Biennial, Opening September 6 Free and Open to the Public

The Gallery at Minneapolis College of Art and Design will spotlight the art and research undertaken by faculty in the 2024 MCAD Faculty Biennial. Some fifty faculty members are participating in an exhibition in the Main and Concourse Galleries. The wide variety of media and formats will showcase the breadth of the faculty’s expertise and talents as working artists.

Per Keisha Williams, Director and Curator of MCAD Gallery, “It's been a privilege to collaborate with esteemed MCAD faculty every two years as they select what to show of their own personal works. This exhibition is a reminder of the vast talents that MCAD’s creative leaders and educators bring to the Twin Cities art scene.” 

Details:

• August 26–November 2, 2024
• Main Gallery and Concourse Galleries, 2501 Stevens Avenue
• Free and open to the public during the following hours:
  • Monday–Friday, 9:00am–7:00pm
  • Saturday, 10:00am–4:00pm
  • Opening Reception: Friday, September 6, 6:00–8:00pm  

Sneak Peak:

Howard Quednau - Shepards and Charlatans, 2023 - Wood, styrene, plaster, paper, acrylic

Michael Banning - Wallpaper and Tree, 2024 - Oil on linen over panel

Regan Golden-McNerney - Eden Climber, 2024 - Collage

Ric Rosow Photos from a Recent Twin Cities River Rats Show

Thank you to Ric Rosow for sharing these photos from a recent Twin Cities River Rats show. Their talent is unbelievable! :D

You only have a few more opportunities to see the River Rats this year, and it's a wonderful way to spend an evening on the banks of the Mississippi. (Be sure to bring a few bucks to hit the concession stand or drop in the tip buckets that get circulated - this is an all volunteer operation!)

Info Meeting August 26 at Riverplace to Learn About the Main Street SE Mural Project

Join your neighbors Monday, August 26, at Riverplace to learn about the Mural Project - meet the artists, hear their design ideas & provide feedback.

Nicollet Island-East Bank Neighborhood Association and Marcy Holmes Neighborhood Association are working Native American Community Development Institute (NACDI) to plan and design a painted mural along Main Street SE.

The meeting will take place at Riverplace (43 SE Main Street next to FRGMNT Coffee) in the Garamond Training Room on Monday, August 26 from 6:30-8:00pm to meet the artists creating the design, hear their ideas and provide your feedback. Due to the interactive nature of this conversation, Zoom will not be an option.

Funded by the St. Anthony Falls Heritage Board, this project intends to align with the Heritage Boards priority of developing an appropriate and meaningful presences for the Dakota and other Indigenous peoples in the area.

Theatre in the Round Players Announces 73rd Season

Theatre in the Round Players (TRP) will kick off their 73rd season with Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, King Lear, running weekends September 13 to October 6.

Declaring “I am going to divide my kingdom,” an aging king of Britain puts his daughters to the test – how much do they love him? Seduced by the flattery of his eldest daughters, King Lear banishes his youngest, Cordelia, and unknowingly sets in motion a plot of treachery and murder. This irresistible beginning starts a journey of madness, tyranny, loyalty, and love. Shakespeare’s tragedy about the fall and decay of the world, tells a tale of fathers and children, property, power, and possession.

Full of warring factions, family politics, and tested loyalties, this bold production features original music by composer Donald Sweet with local favorite Meri Golden playing the titular role. Presented on Theatre in the Round’s unique 360-degree stage, audiences will be close to the action.

George M. Roesler directs the fourteen-member cast with set design by Greg Vanselow, costumes by Bejou Leifeld, lighting by Mark Kieffer, props by Mark Steffer, fight choreography by Madeline Achen, and sound design by Robert Hoffman.

King Lear runs September 13 to October 6, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2pm.

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Tickets: $20-$29. Flexible Season Packages are available from $129-160.

Content Warning: Graphic stage violence, recommended for ages 13+

Post-Show Discussion: Sunday, September 22, immediately following the performance

More info & Tickets: https://www.theatreintheround.org/king-lear/

Box Office Phone:  612-333-3010

Theatre in the Round’s facilities are accessible for audience members using wheelchairs. An audio described performance is scheduled for Friday, October 4 at 7:30pm

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Complete 2024-2025 Season Programming:

King Lear - Sept 13-Oct 6, 2024

Ghost Tours - October 18 & 19, 2024

Reunion (After the End of the World) - November 1-10, 2024

The Unexpected Guest - Nov 22-Dec 22, 2024

Glory - Jan 17-Feb 9, 2025

Legacy of Light - Feb 21-March 16, 2025

Lettice & Lovage - April 4-27, 2025

Sanctuary City - May 9-June 1, 2025

Endometriosis: The Musical - June 20-July 13, 2025

Shopping Basket from August 17 Mill City Farmers Market

The first watermelon of the season appeared at the August 17th Mill City Farmers Market - compliments of Mom's Garden. Check out those beautiful pears from Mary Dirty Face Farm and gorgeous sweet corn from Der's Farm. The tub from Sonny's holds a rich and creamy salted caramel gelato. Mokum carrots from Burning River Farm; green beans from GVY Fresh Produce, juice from Pure Ginger for You and Krishna’s Delight, feta from Cosmic Wheel Creamery (goes great with watermelon and pears) and eggs from Sunshine Harvest Farm. Plus two of my must-haves: Muhammara from Dervish Mazza and hidden below the gelato, cilantro salsa from Atacama.

My diet from the first Saturday in May thru October is 90-95% from the MCFM. There is never a lack of variety, flavors, textures and worry-free nutrition. I am thankful to have this valuable asset in the neighborhood, and appreciate our wonderful vendors beyond words.  :)

Hennepin County Support Available for Child Emotional Issues

Excerpt from the August 15 City of Minneapolis e-newsletter:

If your child has a mental, behavioral or emotional issue that leaves you overwhelmed, Hennepin County offers help. Support is free and quick.

There are no specific criteria required for Family Response support, but concerns may include children or youths who are:

• Having a hard time with a family member or change in the home.
• Showing aggression or anger.
• Feeling down or less engaged.
• Feeling worried and concerned.
• Having issues at school.

Learn more about how to get support from the Family Response and Stabilization Service on the Hennepin County website.

Discover Downtown Parks: August Events & Activities

August 13 updates from the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

August is shaping up to be an exciting month with a fantastic lineup of events and activities in our downtown parks! From free yoga sessions to vibrant community gatherings, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Read on to find out what’s happening and how you can be part of the fun.

Wonka in the Park: August 14

Get ready for a magical movie night! Join us for Wonka in the Park on Wednesday, August 14. Sponsored by The ALMA GROUP: Brasa Rotisserie, Brasa Catering, ALMA: Cafe, Hotel, Restaurant, and ALMA Provisions this event features:

•  Pop-Up Restaurant: Chef Alex Roberts and the talented team behind ALMA and Brasa will be serving up delicious brats, hotdogs, popcorn, queso and toppings. The perfect snack food for your movie experience.
• Aerial Acrobatics performance by Unicorn Art Circus Show
• Beer, wine and cocktail service by Steady Pour
•  Food and Bar Service Begins: 6:30-9:30 pm
• Aerial Acrobatics by Unicorn Art Circus Show: 7-8 pm
•  Movie Screening: 9 pm

Come early to enjoy tasty treats and settle in for a night of acrobatic and cinematic fun under the stars. It’s an evening you won’t want to miss!

Free Yoga in Downtown Parks: Weekends in August

Did someone say free yoga in downtown parks every weekend? Yes, indeed! Whether you're new to yoga or a seasoned pro, come join us for relaxing and invigorating sessions in the fresh air:

• Saturdays: 10-11 am at North Loop Park - 731 N 3rd St 
• Sundays: 10-11 am at Water Works Park - 425 West River Parkway

Unwind, stretch, and breathe deeply as you embrace the serene surroundings. It’s the perfect way to celebrate your weekend and connect with your community. Don’t miss out on this rejuvenating experience!

Pop-Up Paws at The Commons: Tuesdays 5-7 pm

Attention all dog lovers! Bring your pups and your pals to The Commons pop-up dog park on Tuesday nights from 5 - 7 pm for Pop-Up Paws. We  Downtown Dogs! Enjoy:

•  Playtime for Pups: Let your furry friends run free and socialize.
•  Dog-Friendly Activities: Fun games and activities for dogs of all sizes.
•  Social Time for Owners: Meet fellow dog owners and share the joy of pet companionship.

It’s the perfect way to unwind with your four-legged friends and connect with other dog lovers. Don’t miss out—see you and your pups at The Commons!

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Skatin’ in Commons: August 18

Get ready to roll! Lace up your skates and join us at The Commons on Sunday, August 18, from 11 am-2 pm for Skatin’ in Commons. Enjoy:

•  Free Skates: Skates are available for all to use.
•  Live DJ: Dance to upbeat tunes from our DJ.
•  Fun Atmosphere: Enjoy a vibrant day with friends and family.

Let’s turn The Commons into our ultimate skating playground. It’s going to be a blast—don’t miss out!

Pop-Up Parks Return to The Commons: August 14 

Hey families! Get ready for Pop-Up Parks—exciting events packed with bumper balls, art, games, and connect four! In partnership with Community Connections and Violence Prevention, this fantastic park will pop up at The Commons on:

• Wednesday, August 14, 5-8 pm

Monday nights at Water Works Park

Join us in August for a series of exciting events at Water Works Park that celebrate music, art, and literature!

• August 12, 7 PM: Kick off with FINICK, an indie-folk singer-songwriter who will captivate you with heartfelt melodies.

• August 18: Unleash your creativity at the Park Palette Art Class with a special focus on weaving.

• August 19, 6:30-7:30 PM: Dive into a thrilling mystery with our Book Club as we discuss Gone to Dust by Matt Goldman.

• August 19, 7 PM: Enjoy an enchanting evening by the river with the Overdressed Duo, offering a spectacular opera and musical performance.

• August 26, 7 PM: Wrap up the month with Lydia Sophia, a talented Minneapolis-based singer/songwriter who will leave you inspired.

These events are the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow creatives, relax by the river, and enjoy the vibrant energy of our community. Don’t miss out!

That's a Wrap! Minneapolis Central City Tunnel System Project Complete

On Thursday, August 8th, Mayor Jacob Frey and Council Member Michael Rainville were joined by State lawmakers from the Minneapolis delegation to celebrate the completion of the Central City tunnel construction. This project was one of the largest Minneapolis Public Works projects undertaken in recent history.

Remarks about the project were given by Mayor Jacob Frey, Council Member Michael Rainville, City Operations Officer Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Senator Scott Dibble, Representative Sydney Jordan, and Surface Water and Sewer Director Angie Craft.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held following the remarks. 

Project Overview: The City of Minneapolis Public Works Department constructed a new parallel storm tunnel, enlarging a portion of the existing storm tunnel, and constructed a new tunnel access in Downtown Minneapolis. The new tunnel was constructed parallel to the existing tunnel located under Washington Avenue S between Nicollet Mall and Chicago Avenue. The existing tunnel under Chicago Avenue between Washington Avenue S and the Mississippi River was expanded to handle the increased stormwater capacity. The purpose of this project was 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

Sunrise on the Mississippi - September 5, Boom Island Park

Join the 10th Anniversary Sunrise on the Mississippi! Thursday, September 5, Boom Island Park, 724 Sibley Street NE, 7:30 – 9:00a

Sunrise on the Mississippi is the Minneapolis Parks Foundation's annual breakfast benefit. Enjoy an outdoor, riverside breakfast in support of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation’s critical work to foster innovative, sustainable, and equitable parks for all.

Keynote Presentation with Akiima Price at 8:00a

An award-winning family and community engagement specialist and founder of Friends of Anacostia Park in Washington D.C. A creative thinker and doer who links people, places, and programs, Akiima Price is a nationally respected thought leader at the intersection of social justice and environmental issues who has cultivated over 30 years of experience into cutting-edge best practices in trauma-informed, equitable environmentalism.

Please RSVP by August 31 via Give@MplsParksFoundation.org or call 612-354-7513.

An Evening Celebrating the Mississippi River - Sept 26 at Nicollet Island Pavilion

An Evening Celebrating the Mississippi River - On September 26, join Friends of the Mississippi River in celebrating the many ways the Mississippi's steadfast presence enriches our lives. From the historic Nicollet Island Pavilion on the Minneapolis riverfront, you will savor seasonal fare, enjoy refreshing drinks, and connect with the community of river supporters. The evening's entertainment includes a river-themed auction, live music, and interactive learning exhibits.

This year's program will feature presentations of FMR's new and inspiring work to achieve their vision of a transformed and thriving Mississippi River with clean and healthy waters, a vibrant watershed resilient to climate change, and diverse, engaged communities caring for its future.

Funds raised from this evening support FMR's mission to protect, restore, and enhance the Mississippi River and its watershed in the Twin Cities region. More info

Hotel Ivy Unveils Multi-Million Renovation

Hotel Ivy, 201 S 11th Street, has announced an extensive, multi-million-dollar renovation by Whitespace Interiors. Phase one of the transformation is now complete and includes renovated guest rooms, meeting and event spaces, and the hotel’s new restaurants, Breva Bar & Grill and Masa & Agave. Phase two of the renovation will be finished by early fall and will include newly designed suites, an updated lobby, and a new lobby bar concept, Bar Breva. Hotel Ivy’s renovation not only provides a new level of luxury for visitors from around the world, but it also highlights the property’s dedication to being an integral part of the vibrant downtown Minneapolis community.

Above and below, a Grand Deluxe King room with Deluxe Bathroom

Above, a Superior Room with two queen beds

Above, the Grand Salon, and below, the welcoming lobby bar

“As the original luxury hotel in Minneapolis, this renovation is focused on reinvesting in ourselves and downtown Minneapolis,” says Mark Maggiotto, General Manager of Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis. “We are eager to welcome guests to the newly transformed property and allow them to enjoy the innovative and enhanced luxury experiences the property has to offer while immersing themselves in Minneapolis."

MODERN REDESIGN PAYS HISTORICAL TRIBUTE 

Whitespace Interior’s design was inspired by the iconic building itself and the striking contrast between the elegance of the interiors and the rigid, historical ziggurat architecture of the city’s past. Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis is a property that defines the destination and builds upon the history of the city with its preservation of the original Ivy Tower, which dates back to 1930. The transformation creates a blend of modern luxury while acknowledging the building’s historical past.

“Whitespace Interiors was honored to reimagine this Luxury Collection property,” says Michael Dalton, Managing Principal of Whitespace Interiors. “It was a privilege to work in Minneapolis and encapsulate the city’s unique charm through the property’s interiors for guests and locals alike to enjoy for years to come.”

All guest rooms and suites are now lighter and brighter with high-end furniture, thoughtful finishes, and residential touches. The color palette is composed of luxurious creams, greens, blues, and traces of blush, each drawing inspiration from nature. The exaggerated headboard wall features a custom, nature-inspired mural, and abstract artwork designed by Whitespace Interiors is set in an ornate, gilded frame to add a luxurious juxtaposition. The artwork is heavily inspired by the local lakes and parks for which Minneapolis is renowned. Elegant, inviting bar carts replace traditional minibars, and offer a curated selection of local products including small batch, handcrafted chocolates from Groveland Confections. Public spaces, including the third-floor meeting and pre-function rooms, have been revitalized with a fresh look and feel. 

ELEVATED DINING AND DRINKING EXPERIENCES

The hotel’s restaurant spaces have been redesigned and opened by the acclaimed hospitality group, Apicii. The Whitespace Interiors team crafted two distinct designs for the restaurants, each reflecting the individual atmosphere and menu of the establishment while maintaining a cohesive and authentic connection to the aesthetic of Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis. 

On the ground floor, Breva Bar & Grill is a neighborhood restaurant serving New American cuisine and craft cocktails inspired by the flavors of the Midwest. Dishes are made with high-quality ingredients that pay tribute to the region and beyond. Notable customer favorites include Suyu Honey Chicken Wings with roasted peanuts and Brick Chicken with wild rice, rainbow carrots, wilted greens, and mission fig jus. Breva has an extensive wine program focused on popular New and Old-World varietals. 

Underground, Masa & Agave is a bustling speakeasy-style bar and cantina with regionally inspired Mexican food. A collection of over 300 agave spirits showcases the craftsmanship of Mexico’s distillers and diverse agave distilling regions. The menu offers a selection of sharable starters such as Tuna Ceviche with chili de arbol, avocado and dill, Mexico City-style street tacos including Beef Birria with braised beef, consume, queso chihuahua and elevated mains including Tablones, Negro Modelo-braised beef short rib and lime. Each dish showcases the culinary heritage and rich flavors of Mexico with Masa & Agave’smodern spin. Additionally, a robust calendar of nightlife programming is offered weekly, Thursday through Saturday. Outside, the open-air patio now features the full Masa & Agave menu and signature frozen margaritas. 

ENHANCED AMENITIES AND HAPPENINGS 

As part of the renovation, various hotel amenities have been upgraded. Upon check-in, a complimentary welcome Lavender Haze cocktail or mocktail is offered, featuring house-made lavender lemonade with the option to be topped with Prosecco.

A new daily Epicurean Moment is offered in the lobby each evening and guests are invited to taste Breva’s signature Smoked Walleye Dip. Weekly Epicurean Journeys have also been introduced to showcase exclusive food and beverage experiences. This summer’s journey is a guacamole-making class with Chef Bjorn Thompson on the Masa & Agave patio on Saturday afternoons.

These new amenities will complement Anda Spa and Fitness, the city’s leading luxury spa and hotel fitness facility. For a limited time, this summer, in celebration of the renovation, Anda Spa is offering spa customers complimentary BLNCD, a refreshing CBD-infused sparkling water made locally by Global Organic. The hotel has also upgraded its pet-friendly amenities, now providing dog beds, bowls, organic treats, and take-home toys for pets staying with guests.

FINAL PHASE COMING SOON 

The last phase of the renovation will include a makeover of the lobby, a new lobby bar concept called Bar Breva (a spin-off of Breva Bar & Grill), and completion of the hotel’s luxury suites. Chef Bjorn Thompson, who helms the property’s restaurants, is developing breakfast, lunch, and light bite menus, along with an abbreviated evening menu featuring a mix of signature dishes and shareable items for the new lobby concept. At Bar Breva, there will be a strong focus on craft cocktails, designed by Apicii’s Beverage Director, Tony Edgerton. 

Open Eye Theatre Announces 2024-2025 Season

Open Eye Theatre unveils its captivating 2024-2025 season, promising a diverse lineup of innovative productions that will ignite imaginations and stir souls. 

With Open Eye’s commitment to Minnesota artists and communities, the season’s unique and profound theatre, puppetry, storytelling, and music offer something eye-opening for all audiences.

"We are thrilled to present a season brimming with imagination, diversity, and artistic excellence," says Open Eye Theatre’s Producing Artistic Director Joel Sass. "We invite audiences of all ages to join us for an unforgettable theatrical adventure."

The season kicks off with special encore performances from the Puppeteers of America National Festival’s Minneapolis Puppetry Palate - A Taste of Puppetry. 

August 15, 2024: MIGRACIONES/MIGRATIONS - This acclaimed performance explores the global migration situation, and draws on the artists' own surreal experiences in the U.S. immigration system while inspiring compassionate perspectives from the global refugee crisis.

August 17, 2024: THE AMAZING GNIP GNOP CIRCUS - Step right up and allow Z Puppets to astound you with a glow-in-the-dark, ping pong ball spectacular! Open Eye’s Mainstage Season explodes with a vibrant mix of productions, including sci-fi vaudeville, spine-tingling suspense, genre-bending puppetry, the return of last year’s hit holiday production, and an acclaimed musical fable!

September 5 – 22, 2024: MOONWATCHERS - Inspired comic clowning, live music, and all manner of lunar lunacy abound in this sci-fi vaudeville entertainment that was a runaway hit of the 2022 MN Fringe Festival.

October 3 – 31, 2024: BROOMSTICK - Open Eye offers up a frightfully fun show perfectly suited to the season of ghosts, haunted houses, black cats and pumpkins. Don’t miss this twisted yarn of delightful humor and spine-tingling suspense that will conjure a spooky experience unlike any other.

November 14 – 16, 2024: FULL MOON PUPPET SHOW - Featuring works by Lys Ackerman-Frank, Brant Bollman, David Valentine, Felicia Cooper, Eva Adderley, Mackenzie Lageson & Kaden Kelsheimer, Monica Rojas, and Steve Ackerman. Join us under the full moon for an adult, rowdy puppet cabaret. Featuring performances by some of the most innovative Twin Cities puppetry artists and live music between acts!

November 29 – December 29, 2024: SCROOGE IN ROUGE - Celebrate the season with a Christmas Carol turned holiday boilermaker – a raucous, drag-fueled extravaganza with outrageous costumes, sassy lyrics, and side-splitting performances guaranteed to get your spirits soaring!

March 6 – 15, 2025: INVISIBLE FENCES - Singer-songwriter Gaelynn Lea and storyteller-playwright Kevin Kling combine their talents in an original musical fable, which weaves together storytelling and song to create a unique theatrical experience celebrating Disability Culture. After co-commissioning INVISIBLE FENCES last summer for a sold out run, we’re excited to bring it back for a two-week engagement!

May 9 – 18, 2025: PUPPET LAB FESTIVAL - PUPPET LAB is a 2-week festival of radical, genre-expanding, boundary–pushing puppet work, the culmination of a 6-month development residency for emerging puppetry and mask artists.

The season culminates with two exciting productions in our Guest Artist Series. In addition to our MainStage productions, Open Eye is deeply committed to curating and presenting a dynamic Guest Artist Series that highlights emerging local artists and innovative performing ensembles who tell stories in ways that are fresh, fun, and experimental. 

March 22 - April 13, 2025: WITCH - One of the Twin Cities’ most established advocates of new work and provocative scripts will present a new work in our intimate space. 

May 29 – June 8, 2025: ODE TO WALT WHITMAN - Bart Buch’s acclaimed ODE TO WALT WHITMAN is a tender, silent puppet poem that uncovers a dialogue between Walt Whitman and Federico Garcia Lorca. Within the context of an online gay chat room, their poetic dialogue contrasts Whitman’s America, a nation full of lovers and comrades, with what Garcia Lorca sees, an America inundated with machines and tears. 

Chef Yia Vang's Highly Anticipated Hmong Restaurant, Vinai, opens July 30 in NE Minneapolis

“Vinai is a love letter to my parents. When I think about them, and about Vinai, the common theme that comes through is this idea of restoration.” Chef Vang

The 88-seat restaurant at 1300 NE 2nd Street will be open evenings Tuesday through Saturday

Reservations: www.vinaimn.com

James Beard Finalist Chef Yia Vang will officially open Vinai to the public on July 30. The restaurant, which has been in the works since 2019, features a menu focused on shareable dishes and food that centers on four components of Hmong cuisine: proteins, vegetables, rice and hot sauce.

Vinai is named after Ban Vinai, the refugee camp in Thailand where Vang’s parents met and where Chef Vang was born. “As a reflection, Vinai the restaurant will be a place for people to come and enjoy a nourishing, fulfilling meal. They can rest with us there – it’s the same echo. We want to invite them in for a place to rest and relax.”Now that's a pork chop!

The menu will feature a number of dishes designed to be shared among a table, such as charred cabbage and stir-fried greens. With an emphasis on live fire cooking and grilling, the menu also includes a variety of proteins — spatchcocked chicken and a nearly 2-pound pork chop for those who love a new version of a classic, and lamb heart and fried catfish for those seeking a more adventurous dining experience.

“The menu is broken into different sections, sort of ‘choose your own adventure’ style. There’s no wrong way to order,” Chef Vang said. “The menu is reflective of how we ate at home, growing up in a Hmong household. The four components of Hmong food are the structure of our menu; everything works together. Our cultural DNA is intricately woven into the foods we eat. Our identity starts at the table."

The bar program was crafted in partnership with Jeff Seidenstricker of Steady Pour, featuring ingredients of Hmong cooking, such as galangal and Hmong cucumber. The cocktail list also includes variations on classic drinks like the “1988 New Fashioned,” named for the year in which Vang’s family immigrated to the United States.

For larger groups, “The Family Table” will be reservable for parties of 6-10. The table itself was hand-built by friends of Vang’s, End Row Designs, meant to emulate the dining experience in a Hmong home. Vang hopes the Family Table will serve as a space to gather with friends and family for special occasions or celebrations.

While the space at 1300 NE 2nd Street was most recently home to the taproom for Dangerous Man Brewing, it was originally built as the Northeast Bank Building. To preserve the historical roots of the space and build out a kitchen and dining area fit for Vinai, Chef Vang worked with local architecture firm, Christian Dean Architecture.

“There was a lot of discussion with Yia about how we could thoughtfully include design cues from Hmong culture, including the architecture, textile tradition, cuisine, and even the soil color in Laos,” said Chris Brenny of Christian Dean Architecture. “Other elements are very specific to Yia, like the center banquette that directly references the concrete block grills he's used for outdoor cooking.”

The restaurant’s design also calls back imagery from the Ban Vinai refugee camp, with its wood ceiling structure mimicking the long huts under which people would gather and share a meal in the camp.”

“During the day, the orange tones of the space look like the red dirt from Northern Laos,” Chef Vang said. “And in the evening, the tones shift to a brown hue, reminding us of the dirt here in Minnesota. We call both of these places home.”

The restaurant seats 88 in its main dining room, at the bar, and at the Family Table. It will be open evenings Tuesday through Saturday – Tuesday to Thursday from 5 pm to 10 pm, and Friday to Saturday from 5 pm to 11 pm.

For anyone who might not be keen on cabbage, this dish might change your mind!

Top 6 Reasons Not to Miss The Cohort 2024, August 15-17 at the Southern Theater

2024 marks Rhythmically Speaking's 16th annual Summer production, and the 6th of the Cohort format. It is built to support and share four different perspectives on and via the vibrancy of jazz and American social dance ideas - a cohort of two local artists and two visiting artists - all danced by the RS cohort of company dancers. 

Top 6 reasons not to miss The Cohort 2024, running August 15-17 at the Southern Theater:

1. It features dance works inspired by jazz and American social forms, which are joyful and accessible to dance newbies and dedicants alike.
2. The company has a rooted approach to jazz dance that is unique not only within the Twin Cities, but in the nation and world at large.
3. The show includes new works by two local choreographers (Erinn Liebhard and Jake Nehrbass), and revisited works by two visiting artists (Eboné Amos of Clarksville, TN and Maurice Watson of Greensboro, NC), so you will experience a variety of interesting approaches to jazz dance.
4. It's performed by a lineup of 10 of the Twin Cities' best local dancers.
5. Experiencing it will encourage vibrant connection to your own body and sense of shared humanity, something we all need more of.
6. It's in your own backyard!

Performance dates and times:

 August 15 @ 7:30pm

 August 16 @ 7:30pm (talkback following the show)

 August 17 @ 2pm (pay what you can option)

 August 17 @ 7:30pm

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Purchase tickets here. Follow Rhythmically Speaking Dance on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and their website. 

Photo from a previous Cohort performance year. Credit Bill Cameron

Meet Minneapolis Reports Another Record-breaking Week for Minneapolis Hotels

Thank you to Meet Minneapolis for providing these stats. Not too shabby!

Minneapolis hotels had one of their best weeks ever from a revenue, demand and occupancy standpoint. The noteworthy hotel success was driven by the meetings, conventions and events that Meet Minneapolis – and its partners – brought to the city including:

• Academy of General Dentistry 2024 and the Rubik's WCA North American Championship at the Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC)
• Herbalife North American Extravaganza at U.S. Bank Stadium
• Stonewall Sports National Tournament & Summit at various sites around the city

Attendees of large events at the MCC and throughout the city provide a significant boost to Minneapolis’ economy by visiting local businesses, restaurants, bars, breweries and attractions, and staying at Minneapolis hotels, thereby generating lodging, entertainment, restaurant, liquor and sales taxes for the city and supporting more than 31,000 tourism and hospitality workers in Minneapolis.

Some takeaways from last week’s hotel data (July 14-20): 

Hotel room revenue

• Minneapolis hotels recorded more than $12.5 million in total guest room revenue last week – a new all-time high weekly revenue mark and an increase of more than 42% from the same week in 2023.
  • The record-breaking guest room revenue surpasses $12.0 million mark previously set on June 18-24, 2023 (Taylor Swift concerts, Twin Cities Pride Festival, Kiwanis International Convention). 

Hotel room demand

• The 58,812 hotel rooms occupied from Sunday-Saturday, July 14-20, were the 2nd-most since 2020 (post-pandemic).
  • Higher hotel demand week:
    • 59,590: March 3-9, 2024 (American Physical Society March Meeting at the MCC, Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament)
• The 9,881 hotel rooms occupied on Saturday, July 20, were the most ever on a Saturday in Minneapolis.
  • That 9,881 mark was the 4th-highest of the year and the 6th-highest all-time.
  • Higher hotel demand days of 2024:
    • 10,036: Tuesday, May 7 (CLEANPOWER 2024 at the MCC, Twins vs. Seattle at Target Field)
    • 10,001: Tuesday, June 11 (Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo, and PLC at Work Institute at the MCC, Melanie Martinez concert, Twins vs. Colorado game)
    • 9,991: Tuesday, March 5 (American Physical Society March Meeting at the MCC, Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament) 

Hotel occupancy

• Hotel occupancy from Sunday-Saturday, July 14-20, was 81.8% – the 2nd-highest since 2020 (post-pandemic).
  • Higher hotel occupancy week:
    • 82.9%: March 3-9, 2024 (American Physical Society March Meeting at the MCC, Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament)
  • In 2023, the corresponding week had an occupancy rate of 68.3%.
• Hotel occupancy in Minneapolis on Saturday, July 20, was 96.2% – the 4th-highest of the year and the best Saturday occupancy mark since Oct. 12, 2019.
  • Higher hotel occupancy days of 2024:
    • 97.7%: Tuesday, May 7 (CLEANPOWER 2024 at the MCC, Twins vs. Seattle)
    • 97.4%: Tuesday, June 11 (PLC at Work Institute and Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo at the MCC, Melanie Martinez concert, Twins vs. Colorado game)
    • 97.3%: Tuesday, March 5 (American Physical Society March Meeting at the MCC, Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament) 

Notes:

• Minneapolis has more hotel rooms now than it ever had previously. Hotel room supply is currently at 10,268 in Minneapolis, up more than 17% since the Super Bowl in 2018.
• All data according to hospitality industry data provider Smith Travel Research (STR). 

Looking ahead, the following events are expected to bring a significant number of visitors to Minneapolis:

• Jack and Jill of America National Convention, July 23-28, Minneapolis Convention Center
• Minneapolis Aquatennial, July 24-27, various sites
• Loring Park Art Festival, July 27-28, Loring Park
• Foo Fighters/Pretenders/L7 concert, July 28, Target Field
• AVID Midwest Summer Institute, July 31-Aug. 2, Minneapolis Convention Center
• Basilica Block Party, Aug. 2-3, Boom Island
• UNFI Holiday and Winter Show, Aug. 6-7, Minneapolis Convention Center
• Metallica concerts, Aug. 16/18, U.S. Bank Stadium
• Green Day/Smashing Pumpkins/Rancid/Lisa Lisas concert, Aug. 17, Target Field
• Def Leppard/Journey/Steve Miller Band concert, Aug. 19, Target Field
• Zach Bryan concert, Aug. 24, U.S. Bank Stadium
• Minnesota Lynx vs. Indiana, Aug. 24, Target Center
• Sports, theater and music events that downtown regularly hosts

August 17 Artist Reception for Interpreting the Invisible Universe by Holly Streekstra at Kolman & Reeb Gallery

Orion Nebula by Holly Streekstra

Interpreting the Invisible Universe runs Aug 10 - Sept 7

Artist Reception: Saturday, August 17, 7:00pm–9:00pm

Artist Talk: Thursday, September 5, 6:30pm–7:30pm

Kolman & Reeb Gallery has announced their next Project Space Grant exhibition, Interpreting the Invisible Universe: by Holly Streekstra. A conceptual artist, Streekstra works with multiple modes and forms of expression to investigate our subjective inner states, our relationship with wonder, and our desire for mystery and enchantment. In her work, created exclusively for Interpreting the Invisible Universe, she uses encaustic paint, photograms, and photo-based collages to investigate and explore images of deep space.

For her exhibition, Streekstra uses the publicly owned photographs captured by the James Webb Space Telescope as reference material. While studying the images for her show, Streekstra learned how astronomical telescopes capture images in the infrared, ultraviolet, X-rays, and radio wavelengths. While they provide valuable information about space objects, these wavelengths are not visible to the human eye. To construct the colorful photographs we see from space, scientists re-interpret this data, assigning colors to the various wavelengths through a process known as "false-color imaging" or "color mapping." This technique highlights specific features and details that are otherwise invisible. This process is done primarily to make the scientific data accessible and engaging for the public.

Realizing how these wildly colorful, unbelievably beautiful space clouds are formulated through human interpretation, Streekstra was eager to expose the underlying truth.

To create her work for Interpreting the Invisible Universe, Streestra uses these color-mapped images as a reference to form her own, unique interpretations of the data. She highlights the methods used to question the truth of the photos. She also intends to reveal our capacity to suspend disbelief as we gaze upon these depictions in unquestioning wonder and awe with little concern for accuracy or truth.

Stephan S Quintet by Holly Streekstra

"Holly took full advantage of the resources provided by the Project Space grant," says Anita Sue Kolman, Kolman & Reeb Gallery co-founder and co-partner. "In her grant proposal, Holly wanted to move her primary focus from the conceptual art she’s so well known for to more traditional, two-dimensional works that balance high-quality, idea-driven art with greater accessibility to art patrons. The pieces she created have a nice balance between an abstract use of color and form mixed with keenly representational images. The result is beautiful and collectible artworks.

Jodi Reeb, gallery curator and co-partner, comments, "Holly’s work is highly conceptual in nature, so I am excited to see Holly explore creating photograms and paintings that emulate space for her show at Kolman & Reeb Gallery. The paintings are interpretations of the images using the beautiful surface of encaustic paint and a balance of the information captured from the telescope."

Holly Streekstra, based in Minneapolis, is a versatile artist working with video, sound, movement, installation, image, and object making. Her work has been showcased at venues like SooVAC, Minnesota Museum of American Art, Minneapolis St Paul International Film Festival, and Franconia Sculpture Park in Minnesota, as well as the Invisible Dog (Brooklyn) and Good Children Gallery (New Orleans). Holly was a 2016 Jerome Foundation Emerging Artist Fellow and a 2013 Fulbright Teaching Scholar in Hungary. She holds a BFA from the University of Minnesota and an MFA from Louisiana State University.

Kolman & Reeb Gallery is in Studio 395 of the Northrup King Building.

New Art Exhibit - Colorful Expressions - Opens at The Mill Yard, August 11

 

Colorful Expressions

Opening Reception Sunday, August 11, 4:00 - 6:00PM

Stonebridge Lofts, 1120 S 2nd Street

Join the The Mill Yard in welcoming these artists to The Mill Yard, purchasing original art, meeting neighbors, and enjoying free beverages. Victor Hugo food truck will be on site to purchase food.

The Mill City. Residents celebrate our area’s industrial heritage of the mighty Mississippi River and the mills. Today, what we see are the most recognizable Minneapolis landmarks. However, this is only part of the story. Rail lines were key to Minneapolis’ growth, and were particularly integral to the Mill District, bringing in wheat and timber and shipping out flour and lumber. We also honor the history of the mills, the reason for the rail yard’s existence. The Mill Yard aims to be both a gathering place for art and artists and a conduit by which art can be shared with and disseminated into the wider community. 

Artists featured at this show:

A View From the Sculpture GardenMichael Birawer has brought a new look to the face of urban neighborhoods through his unique style of painting. A combination of graffiti, cartoon, illustration and heavy textures, his paintings have received praise from both art critics and patrons, who describe his work as "one of the best examples of the contemporary revival of urban art.” More recently, Michael has introduced his take on nature art. Combining bright and bold colors, he guides his brush with the same passion and style as his "architectural" work. 

Sue Mooney's artistic journey is a testament to the potent intersection of passion and art. Sue worked as an advocate for developmentally disabled clients and individuals affected by HIV/AIDS. Her innate interest in art eventually led her to make a remarkable decision—to leave behind her job and former life and embark on a journey in her camper van to immerse herself in the art circuit. This bold commitment resulted in success and Sue began participating in prestigious shows across the country receiving accolades for her expressive use of color. Notably self-taught, she wields her palette knife to craft pieces that exude her trademark boldness and vibrancy. She continues to push the boundaries of her creativity and invites others to join her on this unfolding journey, where the mesmerizing allure of colors serves as a balm for the soul.

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Snowy AsterLisa Roy is a fine art photographer based in Minneapolis. She captures compelling landscapes and city scenes that showcase the beauty of what surrounds us. With a talent for composition, she turns everyday scenes into captivating reflections of natural and man-made wonders.

One Pear IAndrew Sjodin is a classically trained painter and draftsman working in the realist tradition. His work combines an academic drawing foundation with an impressionistic approach to seeing and interpreting color. Sjodin creates still life and figurative pieces working primarily in oils. Much of his work is peaceful and quiet. His compositions are mindful, calling the viewer to slow down and dwell within the work and themself. Sjodin holds a B.A. in Philosophy from St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN and is a graduate of The Atelier Studio Program of Fine Arts, Minneapolis. www.sjodinfineart.com

DishIsaac Theobald is a talented glass artist, working at Foci – The Minnesota Center for Glass Art. Isaac continually expands his experience blowing glass, creating functional and creative pieces. He explores and perfects the possibilities of manipulating molten glass. His talent for creative designs, use of color, forming shape and perfecting detail results in exquisitely beautiful and unique pieces. IsaacTheobaldGlass@gmail.com

Contact and socials: TheMillYard.Stonebridge@gmail.com, Website, Facebook, Instagram