July 19, 2012, Thursday - "Let's Make a Scene" Student Opera Showcase at Mill City Museum

Time:  8:00pm -  Museum doors open at 7:00pm

Location:  Mill City Museum, 704 South 2nd Street

STUDENTS TAKE OVER MILL CITY OPERA FOR A FREE OUTDOOR SHOWCASE THURSDAY, JULY 19 AT MILL CITY MUSEUM
 
WHAT: "Let's Make a Scene" Student Opera Showcase
 
WHEN: Thursday, July 19, 2012
 
TIME: 8 p.m. Museum doors open at 7 p.m.
 
WHERE: Mill City Museum, 704 South Second Street, Minneapolis MN 55401 (On the Mill City Opera's Pagliacci stage set in the open air Ruin Courtyard)
 
COST: FREE
 
BACKGROUND: Members of Mill City Summer Opera's Studio Artists Program, many pursuing music degrees at the University of Minnesota, will perform scenes from Carmen (Bizet), Don Giovanni (Mozart), Tales of Hoffmann (Meyerbeer), On the Town (Bernstein), The Pearl Fishers (Bizet) and Cosi fan Tutte (Mozart). In the event of rain, performances will take place indoors in the museum’s Mill Commons.
 
Mill City Summer Opera, the region’s only outdoor summer opera, presents its first production, Leoncavallo's Pagliacci (The Clowns) on July 12, 14, 15, 18 & 20. David Lefkowich is the Artistic Director, and Brian DeMaris is the Music Director.
 
For more information visit http://www.millcitysummeropera.org/

July 19, 2012, Thursday - Midwest Photo Safari: "Minneapolis Nights" Mill Ruins Park and the Stone Arch Bridge

Time:
This safari begins 30 minutes before local sunset (your tour confirmation will have an exact time). We meet at Mill Ruins Park on the west bank of the river. The Safari runs about 90 minutes on Thursday and Friday Nights.

Location:
This tour begins at Mill Ruins Park on the west bank of the Minneapolis riverfront.  We start by photographing  this interesting park,  then walk across the famous Stone Arch bridge to photograph the Minneapolis night skyline. We will learn the principles of low light settings on your digital SLR's or the various "scene" mode settings of your digital point and shoot camera.

More Information and Registration.

July 19, 2012, Thursday - What's in Dragonfly's Box? at Central Library

Time: 1:30pm–2:30pm

Location: Children's Library at Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall

What's in Dragonfly's Box?

PreK-entering grade 3. Visit the Children's Library to see what crafts or activities the dragonfly has in its box. 

July 18, 2012, Wednesday - CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade

Time: 8:30pm-10:30pm

Location: Hennepin Avenue between the Dunwoody College of Technology & 5th Street

Brighten up your summer with the CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade. This one-of-a-kind parade will illuminate downtown with bands, floats, and fun for all ages.

More Info

July 18, 2012, Wednesday - Minneapolis Park and Rec Board Meeting

Time:  5:00pm

Location:  Minneapolis Park and Rec Board, 2117 West River Road

Agenda

The regular meetings are rebroadcast on Channel 79 on Saturdays at 1 p.m. and on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at 5 p.m.

Webcasts of MPRB regular board meetings are posted on the MPRB website two to five business days after each meeting and are available for viewing, along with Webcasts for the recent two months, at http://www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=900.

July 17, 2012, Tuesday - Marionette Madness Workshop at Central Library

Time: 1:00pm–2:30pm

Location: Children's Library at Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall

Marionette Madness Workshop

Registration required, begins Jun 19. Register online or call 612-543-8000.

Entering grades 2-6. Robots! Weiner Dogs! Dragons! Learn to construct a simple marionette (a puppet operated by strings) and dazzle your family with crazy puppet action. 
Sponsored by MELSA (Metropolitan Library Service Agency); Funded by the Friends of the Hennepin County Library.

July 17, 2012, Tuesday - Movie in the Park at Father Hennepin Bluffs Park

Time:  Movie starts 15 minutes after sunset. Click here to find out sunset time.

Location: Father Hennepin Bluffs Park (East Bank of the Stone Arch Bridge)

Tonights Movie:  The 36th Chamber of Shaolin

What to bring: Blanket or chair, sunblock and bugspray, picnic basket.

Reminders: Watch our facebook or twitter page for weather cancellations of the evening festivities. Post photos on our facebook page of you enjoying the concerts. Support the artists by picking up a CD or other merchandise.

Enjoy Music and Movie combo nights: Tuesdays at Father Hennepin Bluffs Park, start your evening with 7:00pm music!  June 12, 19, 26, July 10, 17,24, 31, August 7, 14, 21.

Questions or comments? Email us at concerts@minneapolisparks.org

Music & Movies in The Parks is produced by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board. Enjoy more than 250 FREE concerts and movies in Minneapolis parks this summer!

July 17, 2012, Tuesday - Music in the Park at Father Hennepin Bluffs Park

Time: 7:00pm

Location: Father Hennepin Bluffs Park (East Bank of the Stone Arch Bridge)

Tonights entertainment: The Sudden Lovelys - Boot stompin' aggressive folk music

What to bring: Blanket or chair, sunblock and bugspray, picnic basket.

Reminders: Watch our facebook or twitter page for weather cancellations of the evening festivities. Post photos on our facebook page of you enjoying the concerts. Support the artists by picking up a CD or other merchandise.

Enjoy Music and Movie combo nights:
Tuesdays at Father Hennepin Bluffs Park
Fridays at the Lake Harriet Bandshell (beginning June 9th).

Questions or comments? Email us at concerts@minneapolisparks.org

Music & Movies in The Parks is produced by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board. Enjoy more than 250 FREE concerts and movies in Minneapolis parks this summer!

July 16, 2012, Monday - Music in the Park at Nicollet Island Amphitheater

Time: 7:00pm

Location: Nicollet Island Amphitheater

Tonights entertainment: Ross Kleiner & the Thrill - Original high energy rock n roll

What to bring: Blanket or chair, sunblock and bugspray, picnic basket.

Reminders: Watch our facebook or twitter page for weather cancellations of the evening festivities. Post photos on our facebook page of you enjoying the concerts. Support the artists by picking up a CD or other merchandise.

Questions or comments? Email us at concerts@minneapolisparks.org

Music & Movies in The Parks is produced by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board. Enjoy more than 250 FREE concerts and movies in Minneapolis parks this summer!

July 16, 2012, Monday - The Only Story I Can Tell Is My Own, a One-Man Show with Eleven Women at Southern Theater

Time: 10:00pm (show begins at the door to the Southern Theater)

Location:  The Southern Theater, 1420 Washington Avenue South

The Only Story I Can Tell Is My Own, a One-Man Show with Eleven Women
Presented by Billy Mullaney

With “The Only Story I Can Tell Is My Own, a One-Man Show with Eleven Women”, Billy Mullaney uses his privileged access to the objective space of theater to explore and critique his privileged access to the objective space of theater. Engaging with his (necessarily) failed attempt at inter-subjective exchange, Mullaney articulates the vulnerability required to ethically pursue desire while negotiating the structures of power potentially appropriated by privilege. With one foot hovering over institutional critique as the other is firmly planted in unmitigated narcissism, Mullaney eschews his own product, building a ritual of consent and vulnerability, a residue of the performers’ practice of everyday life, pointing to “the possibility of an ethical heterosexual male [white, American, upper-middle-class, college-educated, literate, English-speaking, able-bodied, Christian-raised, right-handed…] desire.”

Tickets: $10 - $18 Sliding Scale

All audience members must contact Billy Mullaney directly to set up a pre-performance appointment at 612.599.5649, or billymullaney@gmail.com, or via facebook. Audience members failing to do so will be turned away from the performance proper.

July 16, 2012, Monday - Chefs for Change at People Serving People

Time:  7:00pm-9:00pm (shelter tours beginning at 6:30pm)

Location:  People Serving People, 614 South 3rd Street

Chefs for Change: A Chef's Table Culinary Experience

July 16 - Chefs for Change with The Strip Club Meat & Fish

Chef JD Fratzke of The Strip Club Meat & Fish will visit People Serving People for the third year to prepare a meal of the ages. Get ready for the occasional double entendre and bring a note pad to jot down some insider's tips on how to select and prepare fine meats. And of course, enjoy those fine meats with delicious wine pairings and possibly some vegetables.

Information and Tickets

July 15, 2012, Sunday - Taste Twin Cities Food Tours Minneapolis Riverwalk Tour

Time: 11:00am - 2:00pm

Location:  Begins at Gold Medal Park (10th Avenue South & 2nd Street South), next to the Guthrie Theater - ends in Northeast Minneapolis

The Riverwalk Tour explores the Mill District and St. Anthony on Main in Northeast Minneapolis.  You'll enjoy the afternoon sampling a variety of food at historical landmarks, as well as visit the Mill City Museum, stroll by the Guthrie, and enjoy gorgeous views of St. Anthony Falls while crossing the Stone Arch Bridge into historical St. Anthony on Main.
 
You'll learn about the history of both these neighborhoods including a stroll along the oldest street in Minneapolis.  Taste and chat with other food-loving guests, and leave the tour with an appreciation for these distinct neighborhoods.

Reservations.  
 
Follow Taste Twin Cities on Facebook and Twitter.

July 15, 2012, Sunday - Twin Cities River Rats Aquatennial Show

The 2012 Twin Cities River Rats Aquatennial show on July 15 is at 3pm, and take place at 1628 West River Road (between the Plymouth and Broadway).

The Twin Cities Rivers Rats describe their show as an aquatic Broadway musical featuring multiple water ski acts choreographed to music and built around a theme.

If you haven't already enjoyed a River Rats show, their website is loaded with fun videos to give you an idea of what to expect.  These are free events.

July 15, 2012, Sunday - Tour with Preserve Minneapolis

Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm

Location:  424 5th St. SE. (Woodbury Fisk Residence)

Preserve Minneapolis

Cost: $5.00

Guide: Joe Ring

The Fifth Street Southeast Historic District exhibits popular nineteenth century architectural styles built by influential citizens of Minneapolis. Beginning as a scattered residential development in the late 1850s, the district expanded on the edge of the pioneer milling town of St. Anthony. During the early years of St. Anthony and after the merge with Minneapolis in 1872, Fifth Street Southeast remained one of the finer streets of residence. Many of the people who resided in this neighborhood were merchant families originally from New England. The flour and milling industry drew these early residents to St. Anthony and Minneapolis. In order to be near their business, Fifth Street Southeast was a reasonable choice for settlement, due to its close proximity to the river.

Today the area contains combinations of large and small homes in a wide range of architectural styles; remarkably these buildings have great historic character despite their age(s). Join us to experience this wonderful historic district!

July 15, 2012, Sunday - Yoga in the Park at Father Hennepin Bluffs Park

Time:  10:00am - 11:00am

Location: Father Hennepin Bluffs Park (intersection of SE Main and SE 6th Avenue, on the East Bank of the Stone Arch Bridge).

Looking for a way to take your sun salutations outside so you can truly salute the sun? The Downtown Minneapolis CorePower Yoga invites you to join them each Sunday for CorePower Yoga’s, “Yoga in the Park.” CorePower encourages yoga practioners to open their minds and join their breath and movements to the sound of music and nature all around us. All levels of yoga students are welcome and their hope is that you take this opportunity to not only practice yoga, but to find even deeper connections within your community!

These free classes will be held every Sunday starting June 3rd and running through August 26th.  All classes are 10:00am – 11:00am at Father Hennepin Bluffs Park.  Please call CorePower Yoga Downtown Minneapolis at 612-375-9642 with questions.
 
Items of note:
- Attendees should arrive 15-30 minutes prior to class starting for sign in purposes.
- Students are asked to bring their own mat, towel, water and SUNSCREEN! There is limited shade at the park.
- Classes will be lead by certified yoga instructors from downtown Minneapolis’ CorePower Yoga.

July 14, 2012, Saturday - Midwest Tomato Fest

Time: Noon-7:00pm (6:00pm tomato fight)

Location: 395 Portland Avenue South

MUSIC: Absolute Gruv, DJ Zeke Thomas, The Blend, Gemini Club, and Tim Sigler Band

FOOD: Barrio,Chef Driven Companies, Famous Daves’s, Nate Dogs, Rob Miller Concessions, Simply Steves’s, World Street Kitchen

A Tomato Fight to fight hunger?!We understand that this event seems wasteful, but in fact it is resourceful. Here is how: There are many farmers that grow tomatoes around the United States. After every season there are tomatoes that spoil, are inedible, and therefore cannot be sold or given away to be consumed. Naturally, inedible tomatoes = waste. We figure if these tomatoes cannot be marked for human consumption, we will collect the “waste” from farmers and throw an event that will raise food waste awareness. This event intends to be an annual festival for Midwest states that will help contribute to local economies. In addition, we will donate part of the proceeds organizations that are dedicated to fighting hunger. This year, we are donating to Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless and running a food drive so they may purchase fresh and edible food for those in need. Instead of the tomatoes actually ending up as waste, we are recycling the tomatoes. We would never destroy perfectly good tomatoes. If you have any other questions we would be more than glad to answer it. Please visit our “contact us” page.

Thank you,
Midwest Tomato Fest

July 14, 2012, Saturday - Wilderness Inquiry Mississippi River Day Trip: Paddle with Arctic Explorer Ann Bancroft

Time: 9:30am – 3:00pm

Location: Meet at East River Flats

Wilderness Inquiry Mississippi River Day Trip: Paddle with Arctic Explorer Ann Bancroft

Day trips are a great way to experience the great outdoors right in your own backyard. We'll provide voyageur canoes, staff, all equipment and shuttles. These trips involve and engage everyone regardless of their age, ability or previous outdoor experience.

Spend a day on the Mississippi River with Ann Bancroft. Ann has been involved with Wilderness Inquiry since she returned from her first trip to the North Pole in 1986. She and her family have gone on many trips and done much to support Wilderness Inquiry’s mission. $45 per person; youth 17 and under: $30.

For information and to register.

July 14, 2012, Saturday - Mill City Farmers Market

Time: 8:00am - 1:00pm

Location: 704 South 2nd Street

Today at Mill City Farmers Market: Allergy Free/Gluten Free Day

Produce Planner:
At the Market today you will find: snap peas, Hakurei turnips, radishes, spinach, spring salad mixes, arugula, spring onions, green garlic, head lettuce herbs, wild greens, purple carrots, sorrel, asparagus, kale, Swiss chard, rhubarb, WI high tunnel-grown heirloom tomatoes, broccoli raab, green beans, garlic scapes, and lots of BERRIES: strawberries, black raspberries, blueberries, and sour cherries!

Gluten-Free Goodies at the Market:
■Gluten-free granola from Bliss Gourmet Granola
■Gluten-free crepes from Spoonriver
■Gluten-free muffins and other treats from Black Cat
■Sweet potato tacos and pulled pork tacos on corn tortillas and pulled pork nachos from Chef Shack.
■Vegetarian Curries served with Basmati Rice and Momos from Ghorka Palace. This week they will also be serving gluten-free Choley Masala (chickpeas with fresh green spinach).
■Coconut macaroons from Salty Tart
■Look for other naturally gluten-free products at Ellie’s Flax, HeathGlen, Lucille’s Kitchen Garden, French Nugget, Sonny’s Ice Cream and Sorbets, Northern Lakes Wild Rice, and fermented products from Kiss My Cabbage.

Mill City Cooks, 10:00am:
Chef Nick Schneider will be featuring Savory Amaranth Corn Crepes with Dry Aged Sheep’s Cheese.  This recipe celebrates light Latin flavors and reveals that gluten-free need not be flavor-free!

Live Music/Entertainment, 11:00am to 1:00pm:
Roe Family Singers.  This über popular jug band blends characteristic old-time sound with rock & roll influence.

Meet Your Vegetables, 9:00am (while supplies last): Featuring an easy cauliflower recipe!

Special Activity: Yoga with Ben Lee sponsored by our neighbor, Mill City Clinic.

Art Market, all day: Featuring Spring Finn, Cracked Clay, Aprilierre, and Crookedwood.

July 14, 2012, Saturday - Twin Cities River Rats Aquatennial Shows

The 2012 Twin Cities River Rats Aquatennial shows on July 14 are 3pm and 7pm, and take place at 1628 West River Road (between the Plymouth and Broadway).

The Twin Cities Rivers Rats describe their show as an aquatic Broadway musical featuring multiple water ski acts choreographed to music and built around a theme.

If you haven't already enjoyed a River Rats show, their website is loaded with fun videos to give you an idea of what to expect.  These are free events.

July 14, 2012, Saturday - The Authentic East Hennepin Experience Tour with Preserve Minneapolis

Time: 10:00am – 11:30am

Location:  Meet at the corner of Main Street SE and East Hennepin Avenue (Riverplace)

Preserve Minneapolis

Cost: $5.00

Guide: Tammy Lindberg

East Hennepin Avenue, originally known as Bay Street, has always served as a curious dividing line between northeast and southeast Minneapolis. Join us to learn a brief history of St. Anthony Falls, walk the streets of East Hennepin, and hear gripping tales of the neighborhood’s first families. Along the way you will view eight blocks of diverse architecture, assorted building rehabilitations, and hidden neighborhood art!