July 18, 2018, Wednesday - Talk of the Stacks at Central Library

Time: Doors open at 6:15:00pm; program begins at 7:00pm

Location: Central Library, Pohlad Hall, 300 Nicollet Mall

Talk of the Stacks is a free reading series exploring contemporary literature and culture, held at the Minneapolis Central Library. The series is unified by its commitment to connecting our leading authors with a community of readers at the Library. Programs are free and open to the public. Seating is first come, first served. Programs begin at 7 pm. Doors open at 6:15 pm. Books are available for sale and signing. Signing follows lecture.

Tayari Jones is the author of the novels Leaving Atlanta, The Untelling, Silver Sparrow, and An American Marriage. Her writing has appeared in Tin House, The Believer, and The New York Times. An American Marriage, which was named a 2018 Oprah's Book Club pick, has been called, "A tense and timely love story packed with brave questions about race and class." Jones currently serves on the MFA faculty at Rutgers-Newark. She is also a visiting fellow at the Black Mountain Institute at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Check out print, audio, and electronic books by Tayari Jones at Hennepin County Library.

Add this event to your Facebook calendar. 

July 18, 2018, Wednesday - Aquatennial Events (thru July 21)

Click here for all 2018 Aquatennial events listing

July 18, 2018, Wednesday - Aquatennial Events (thru July 21)

This year’s annual celebration showcases many events, including (but not limited to): 

Twin Cities River Rats Ski Show West River Road between Plymouth and Broadway

Thursday, July 19, 7pm and Friday, July 20, 7pm

Join the Twin Cities River Rats for a humorous, family-friendly water ski show on the Mississippi River. Watch high-flying stunts, fast-paced barefooting, graceful swivel skiing and even human pyramids courtesy of the talented Twin Cities River Rats crew. Bring beach towels or lawn chairs and enjoy this free water ski show for the whole family along the banks of the Mississippi River – located just south of the Broadway Bridge. This year’s theme will be Welcome to R.A.T.S Academy! 

Aquatennial Skyline Fest  Boom Island, 724 Sibley Street NE

Saturday, July 21, 11am - 5pm

Skyline Festival is the biggest paddle sport race in Minneapolis! This is the place to be in Minneapolis. Skyline Festival is a big “ocean style” race with a good Midwest city feel. This year SUP Minneapolis is adding to the ohana by partnering with the Aquatennial. The Skyline Festival is a jam-packed day filled with tons of fun for everyone young and old. This festival has a race for everyone including a 5K Open race for any and all who want to test themselves on a board, a 10K for more experienced racers and a 200M Fastest Paddler race presented by iDol Surf. In addition to the paddleboarding there will be SUP Yoga, Board Demo Zone, great food, delicious beer, tons of local merchant tents and a raffle with great prizes. Register at the link below today and make sure to tell your friends and family because this is a day you and they will not want to miss!

Wilderness Inquiry Canoe Rides Boom Island, 724 Sibley Street NE

Saturday, July 21, 11 am -- 5 pm

Free voyageur canoeing and paddling instruction as part of the Aquatennial Skyline Fest is open to people of all abilities, including people with disabilities. Experienced Wilderness Inquiry guides will provide all equipment needed, ensuring a safe and fun experience for all.

National Parks Service Picnic and Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock Tours/Open House Upper Saint Anthony Falls Lock and Dam, 1 Portland Avenue

Saturday, July 21, 11am - 5pm

Check out the falls during Minneapolis' Aquatennial celebration! Take in the sights and sounds of this beautiful location as the St. Paul District of the US Army Corps of Engineers St. Paul District and the National Park Service are joined by other federal agencies including the U.S. Coast Guard and its Auxiliary to talk about the site's history and water safety, and learn how each of the organizations' missions benefit the area.

Ambassador Organization Queen of the Lakes Coronation Ted Mann Concert Hall, West Bank

Saturday, July 21, 4pm – 6pm

The Coronation of the Aquatennial Ambassadors will be held at the Ted Mann Concert Hall on the West Bank of the University of Minnesota where the 2018 Queen of the Lakes, Aquatennial Princesses, Commodore and Captains will be announced. The program plans are all in place, and it will be another entertaining event! Tickets can be purchased through University of Minnesota Ticket Office at 612-624-2345.

AquaJam Best Trick Guthrie Theater, 818 Second St., parking lot

Saturday, July 21, 6pm - 8 pm

An Aquatennial classic event is back! Join us for AquaJam, a legacy event that was a popular Aquatennial destination during the 1980s. This year’s event is taking place at the Guthrie Theater’s parking lot, equidistant from the Target Fireworks/pre-fireworks festivities and X Games at U.S. Bank Stadium. Stop by this free event and watch local skateboarders take part in a Best Trick Contest on new obstacles! AquaJam is presented by Fulton Beer and Familia Skateshop.

Aquatennial Pre-Fireworks Events West River Parkway near Portland Avenue

Saturday, July 21, 6pm – 10pm

Join the fun for the Aquatennial Pre-Fireworks events leading up to the Target Fireworks at 10 pm. Stop by for music, food and more as you await one of the nation’s top five annual fireworks shows. The fun includes live music, a kids zone, food trucks and more!

Target Fireworks Show Along the Mississippi River in Downtown Minneapolis

Saturday, July 21, 10pm

Join the Minneapolis Aquatennial in celebrating another year of with the Target Fireworks, considered one of the top five annual fireworks displays in the nation. Get there early! Prime space fills up pretty quickly at this beloved event along West River Parkway and on the Stone Arch Bridge. Bring sunscreen for the afternoon and bug spray for the evening. The best spots are between Gold Medal Park and the Third Avenue Bridge on West River Parkway. While you’re there: Enjoy a show, tour or walk on the Endless Bridge at the Guthrie Theater, learn about Minneapolis’ history at the Mill City Museum, enjoy a morning at the Mill City Farmers Market or a leisurely afternoon at Gold Medal Park. Stop by Stone Arch Bridge and check out the skyline view from the Mississippi River. And tune into Go 96.3 and enjoy the simulcast of music set to the Target Fireworks display.

July 18, 2018, Wednesday - Creekside Pollinator Tour with Minneapolis Parks Foundation

Time: 8a - 10a

Creekside Pollinator Tour

New for 2018, the Minneapolis Parks Foundation’s Walk & Talk series is a small group exploration of Minneapolis parks, curated with our supporters in mind.

You’ll bee busy discovering something new on this Walk & Talk featuring environmental educator MaryLynn Pulscher. She’ll share how Minneapolis Parks supports pollinators at many different scales, including the creation of bee habitat and flowering lawns, research partnerships with the University of Minnesota Bee Lab, pollinator habitat mapping, and how best practices are incorporated into master planning and maintenance processes. You’ll start and end at one of the city’s most stunning and pollinator-friendly places – Longfellow Gardens. In between, you’ll meander along Minnehaha Creek to Lake Hiawatha and back.

YOUR GUIDE: MaryLynn Pulscher, Supervisor for Environmental Education, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board

ACTIVITY LEVEL: Easy 2.5-mile roundtrip walk on mostly paved trail

July 17, 2018, Tuesday - Mill City Farmers Market Night Market at The Commons

Time: 4:00pm to 8:00pm

Location: The Commons, 425 Portland Avenue S

Mill City Farmers Market Night Market

This will be an ongoing event through Tuesday, September 25.

Pick up farm fresh, organic produce and local artisan foods for an easy weeknight meal. Prepared food vendors will be cooking up seasonal recipes all evening, so come hungry, stay, listen to live music and have a picnic supper in The Commons!

PROGRAMS

At our Tuesday Night Market we will continue to offer “can do” cooking and wellness activities and live entertainment, such as

• Free outdoor yoga
• Monthly Beer, Wine & Cider Nights with Day Block Brewing (dates TBD)
• Live Music every week
• Bag toss, kubb and other lawn games
• Meet Your Vegetables demonstrations
• Power of Produce kids veggie tasting club
• CSA pick-up

NOTE - Monitor MCFM's Facebook for any weather-related cancellation updates!

July 17, 2018, Tuesday - Mill City Summer Opera: Carmen at Mill City Museum

Mill City Summer Opera presents: Carmen

Mill City Museum  July 13 – 24

Ticket info

Experience the opera like never before! Mill City Summer Opera is one of the world’s premier opera companies and brings in an audience from all different walks of life. They hope to see you at this year's performance of Carmen!

Among the most famous and performed of all operas, Carmen is a riveting story of love, lust, betrayal, jealousy and murder. Set in 1830s Seville, the gypsy girl Carmen seduces soldier Don José away from his post and his beloved Micaëla. After luring him to join her and a clan of smugglers, Carmen turns her attention toward the swaggering bullfighter Escamillo. Carmen's fate is met in the final act when she meets the madly jealous Don José outside of the arena. The outdoor ruins of the Mill City Opera offer a magical setting to experience this iconic masterpiece. Music by Georges Bizet and libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy. These tickets go quickly, so don’t delay.

Additional dates: July 19, 20, 22, 24

July 16, 2018, Monday - Music in the Park at Nicollet Island

Time: 7:00pm

Location: Nicollet Island Park

Tonights entertainment: (See website to verify any programming changes.)

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 of you enjoying the concerts on the facebook page. Support the artists by picking up a CD or other merchandise.

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, 2018, Monday - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Public Meeting at Mill City Museum

Public Meeting 

Even before the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock in downtown Minneapolis was closed to halt the spread of invasive carp in 2015, many questioned the cost of maintaining the locks and dams in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Mississippi River gorge. 

Despite the precipitous decline of commercial navigation and lock use north of Fort Snelling, taxpayers spend approximately $2.4 million (according to the Star Tribune) to maintain the upper three locks and navigation channel.

Now, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is conducting a study to take a closer look at what to do with all of this underutilized infrastructure. 

The Corps' disposition study for the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock, the Lower St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam and Lock and Dam #1 (a.k.a. the Ford Lock and Dam) is a key part of this investigation. In a nutshell, they're trying to determine if it makes sense for the U.S. government to continue to own and/or operate this infrastructure, and if not, what entity would or could take on its ownership and maintenance.

The Corps' St. Paul office is hosting a public meeting about the disposition study July 16, 6-8 p.m. at the Mill City Museum, 704 Second Street S. The purpose of the meeting is to help inform the public about the study, the properties owned by the Corps, and the potential process of transferring or selling them.

The study will also be a chance for the agency to document concerns or issues related to the properties' potential disposal or transfer, and for interested parties who would like to own the infrastructures and associated riverfront land to step forward. Corps staff also plan to meet with organizational stakeholders, including Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR), later that week. 

Competing visions

There is both a lot at stake and a lot of stakeholders in this process. Several groups see the disposition study as the first big step towards achieving their riverfront visions. 

A proposal to repurpose the Upper St. Anthony Falls lock as a world-class destination visitor and interpretive center in downtown Minneapolis has been put forth by the Friends of the Lock & Dam. Meanwhile, American Rivers has launched a "Restore the Gorge" campaign to remove the Lower St. Anthony Falls and Ford dams and return the rapids that historically provided exceptional fish spawning habitat.

Add to these the groups who advocate for continued use of dams for hydropower, and paddlers and rowers who use the impounded river for flatwater recreation, and we can count on a variety of opinions being expressed at upcoming meetings.

Next steps

After the July meetings, the Corps expects to complete an environmental assessment of its potential options. They will invite the public to comment in mid- to late 2019. 

July 15, 2018, Sunday - NEXT Festival 2018 at the Ritz Theatre (thru July 28)

The NEXT Festival is Theater Latté Da’s New Work Festival showcasing new works that stretch the boundaries of musical storytelling. Each show in the Festival receives public performances providing audience members the opportunity to get in on the ground floor of the creative process. Following each performance is an in-depth conversation with the playwrights, composers, and lyricists. Be a part of Theater Latté Da’s commitment to the next generation of the Great American Musical.

NEXT Festival 2018

TO LET GO AND FALL
Sunday, July 15 at 2:00 pm
Monday, July 16 at 7:30 pm

GUN AND POWDER
Friday, July 20 at 7:30 pm
Monday, July 23 at 7:30 pm

7 SHOT SWING
Thursday, July 26 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, July 28 at 7:30 pm

PANSY
Thursday, July 26 at 9:30 pm
Saturday, July 28 at 9:30 pm 

July 15, 2018, Sunday - Twin Cities World Refugee Day at Loring Park

Time: Noon to 6:00pm

Location: Loring Park 

Twin Cities World Refugee Day

Immerses attendees in an artistic, culinary, and social experience that expands intercultural understanding by building human connections, and improving knowledge of immigrant and refugee issues. Local organizations dedicated to providing opportunities and improving the quality of life for immigrant and refugee communities will be onsite.

July 15, 2018, Sunday - Disasters of the Riverfront Tour at the Mill City Museum

Time: 1:00pm

Location: Mill City Museum, 704 South 2nd Street

Disasters of the Riverfront Tour

Take a guided walking tour of the St. Anthony Falls milling district and learn about some of the most tragic disasters in Minnesota history. Hear the stories of fires, floods, explosions, collapses, and other natural and human-created calamities. Visitors will learn about the Eastman Tunnel Collapse in 1869, the Great Conflagration of 1893, bridge collapses in 1859 and 2007, numerous fires, and massive landscape changes that shaped the Twin Cities.

This tour includes about 1.5 miles of moderately paced walking on uneven surfaces. Please call ahead to make arrangements for guests with limited mobility.

Future dates: August 26, September 23

July 15, 2018, Sunday - Mill City Summer Opera: Carmen at Mill City Museum

Mill City Summer Opera presents: Carmen

Mill City Museum  July 13 – 24

Ticket info

Experience the opera like never before! Mill City Summer Opera is one of the world’s premier opera companies and brings in an audience from all different walks of life. They hope to see you at this year's performance of Carmen!

Among the most famous and performed of all operas, Carmen is a riveting story of love, lust, betrayal, jealousy and murder. Set in 1830s Seville, the gypsy girl Carmen seduces soldier Don José away from his post and his beloved Micaëla. After luring him to join her and a clan of smugglers, Carmen turns her attention toward the swaggering bullfighter Escamillo. Carmen's fate is met in the final act when she meets the madly jealous Don José outside of the arena. The outdoor ruins of the Mill City Opera offer a magical setting to experience this iconic masterpiece. Music by Georges Bizet and libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy. These tickets go quickly, so don’t delay.

Additional dates: July 17, 19, 20, 22, 24

July 15, 2018, Sunday - Historic East Hennepin Walking Tour

Time: 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM

Location: Riverplace corner of Main Street and East Hennepin Avenue

Historic East Hennepin Walking Tour

The bustling commercial district surrounding East Hennepin Avenue has hosted many names throughout the years, but everyone knows its unforgettable landmarks...Surdyk's, Kramarczuk's, Historic Main Street, and Lourdes Church.

Located across the Hennepin Bridge from Downtown, this neighborhood was originally established in 1855 as the Town of St. Anthony Falls and later merged with The City of Minneapolis in 1872. Its proximity to the Mississippi River, Downtown, the University, and Northeast Minneapolis have made it an influential hub for transit, industry, and commerce. The last decade has brought dramatic change and the area around East Hennepin is now considered one of the trendiest and most exciting places in Minneapolis to eat, shop, and live. Fortunately, the area has managed to maintain its old-world flavor to this day.

Join us for a “behind-the-scenes” history of the busy streets, unique businesses, and colorful people that have shaped this popular walking neighborhood. Hear amazing stories told from the perspective of individuals who have lived and worked here, through good times and bad. Come away with perspectives on what life and work here might have actually felt like throughout this neighborhood’s most defining eras.

Please note that this tours ends at the Ard Godfrey House, which is a short, 5-minute walk from the starting location.

This tour will walk approximately 1.5 miles. The tour is ADA accessible.

Tour guide Scott Parkin is a residential realtor with a storefront office right along the tour route. He is the past president of the NE Mpls Business Association and has been active in the development and business community along East Hennepin Ave since 1993.

Tour guide Michael Rainville, Sr. is a 5th generation resident of NE Minneapolis. He is a graduate of DeLaSalle High School and St. Thomas and Notre Dame Universities. He has worked for the Minneapolis Convention & Visitors Association for 33 years, watching the City evolve.

July 14, 2018, Saturday - Northeast Food Truck Rally at Able Seedhouse

Time: 11 AM - 6 PM

Location:Able Seedhouse & Brewery, 1121 Quincy Street NE

Northeast Food Truck Rally

The Minnesota Food Truck Association will be hosting the 3rd Annual Northeast Food Truck Rally, sponsored by Able Seedhouse & Brewery & Meals On Wheels. This year our theme we will have 12 trucks that follow the them "Around the World" so no two trucks will be the same!

The Mighty Mofos, Fury Things, Monica LaPlante, The Federales, Chemistry Set-Mpls and Catbath will be joining us on stage, stay tuned as we announce the set times! The new rally time ending at 10 pm will allow the party to go well into the evening, a great way to enjoy a Minnesota summer night!

TRUCKS:
Original Hockey Mom Brownies Food Truck
PaniniPinups
Alimama's
Blue Fire Pizza
TOT BOSS
Hibachi Daruma
Soul Lao
Sasquatch Sandwiches
HomeTown Creamery
Lu's Sandwiches
Run Tell That BBQ
Thai Thai Street Food
Sssdude-Nutz

NEW THIS YEAR: 
Secondhand Hounds will be joining us with puppies and the puppy kissing booth! 

Games for the whole family! We'll have a giant inflatable slide, a bounce house and a giant Connect Four game. There will be face painting and plenty of space for kids to play.

Vendors! We will have some retail vendors and some other community organizations there that you will enjoy, and if you know anyone that might be interested in being a vendor, please let us know!

The concept of food trucks partnering with Meals On Wheels is a great one and we’re excited to promote their cause. Meals On Wheels is a non-profit, community based organization that delivers meals directly to the homes of seniors and individuals with disabilities throughout the Twin Cities.

July 14, 2018, Saturday - Yoga in Gold Medal Park

Yoga in Gold Medal Park 

We meet Saturdays thru September 1st. Each session will begin at 9 a.m. and end before 10.  Grab your mat (or a towel), a neighbor, and meet us by the orange sculpture. 

The sessions are free of charge and sponsored by the Friends of the Mill District charity. Come salute the sun and enjoy the beauty of our neighborhood with your friends and neighbors. Questions and comments can be sent to cjkittock@gmail.com.

July 14, 2018, Saturday - Mill Ruins Park Volunteer Habitat Restoration with the National Park Service

Looking for something fun and rewarding to do on a Saturday morning? Consider joining a volunteer crew for habitat restoration activities with the National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with Mississippi Park Connection, in Mill Ruins Park.

Typical NPS Mill Ruins volunteer activities include invasive species removal, occasional planting, and caring for native species that have been planted by other volunteers.  

These drop-in volunteer events will take place at Mill Ruins Park from 9am-12pm on the following Saturdays throughout the summer and fall:

July 14 & 28 - August 11 & 25 - September 15 & 29 - October dates TBD

Sign in will be at 9 AM in front of the St. Anthony Falls Visitor Center. Gloves, tools, and instruction will be provided. Volunteers should bring a water bottle, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, and clothes that can get dirty. Chat with a ranger or NPS volunteer crew leader, play in the dirt, and feel good knowing that your efforts are helping to improve the national park in our backyard!

Questions? Contact Ranger Erin Steinhibel at erin_steinhibel@nps.gov. Come join an award-winning team of volunteers in their restoration adventures!

July 14, 2018, Saturday - Mill City Farmers Market

Time: 8:00am - 1:00pm

Location: 704 South 2nd Street

Today at Mill City Farmers Market: (check back for updates)

July 14, 2018, Saturday - Riverfront Quest Family Tour at Mill City Museum

Time: 10:30pm

Location: Mill City Museum, 704 2nd Street S

Riverfront Quest Family Tour

Explore the Minneapolis riverfront with a family treasure hunt. Make a quest journal from 10:30-11 am and then solve rhyming riddles, search for hidden boxes and discover the stories of Minneapolis' history along the way from 11 am to noon. The tour is designed for ages 6-11, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

The 60-minute tour includes no more than one mile of moderately paced walking on uneven terrain. Please call ahead to make arrangements for guests with limited mobility.

July 13, 2018, Friday - Paint Nite at AC Hotel Minneapolis Downtown

Time: 6 PM

Location: AC Hotel, 401 Hennepin Avenue

Lake Sunset II

Raise your glass to a NEW kind of night out! Paint Nite® invites you to create art over cocktails at a local restaurant or bar, guided by a professional artist and party host. Grab your friends and spend two hours drinking, laughing, and flexing your creative muscles. There’s no experience necessary and we’ll provide all the supplies, so you don’t have to worry about a thing (except having a great time!). Must be of legal drinking age. Food and drink may be purchased at the event.

.

The event begins promptly at the start time listed above. Please allow extra time to find parking and get settled. If you're coming with a group (yay, how fun!) make sure you arrive early to get seats together. If you're planning to eat dinner before the event, please inform the host/hostess that you're with Paint Nite® and check in with us to reserve your seats.

July 13, 2018, Friday - Boom Days 2018: Beers, Bands & Bikes (thru July 15)

Boom Days 2018:  Beers, Bands & Bikes

As the summer continues to fly by, be sure mark your calendar for Boom Days 2018 at Boom Island Brewing Company!  Many know and love Boom Days and instantly think of the traditional beer release:  Cuveée de Boom.  This year we sweeten the deal and will also be releasing our Petite Rosé as well!  Both will made available to take home in bottle form, with a limited amount to be divided for each day of the event.  

.

Friday, July 13

4-10 pm

$1 off drink tickets if you ride your bike to the brewery

Petite Rosé Release - 4pm

Cuvée Release - 6pm

Don Oishi Kitchen Food Truck

7:30pm Skruffians perform live instrumental Ska and Reggae.

Photo Booth

.

Saturday, July 14

1-10 pm

11am - Namaste and Drink Cuvée:  Free Yoga by YogaFit.

Bike to Boom Day, with Velofix Mobile Bike Repair Van and Pedago Electric bike leading tours, etc.

$1 off drink tickets if you ride your bike to the brewery.

El Burrito Mercado Food Truck 

Music:

3pm:  Miss Myra and the Moonshiners

5pm:  Bill Patten Trio

8pm:  Eleganza!

.

Sunday, July 15

1-6pm

$1 off beers if you ride your bike to the brewery. Show the bar staff your helmet.

Brewing Competition/Education and Belgian Travel Day

2pm - “Yeast Propagation” Seminar by Boom Island Brewer/Owner Kevin Welch

3pm - Homebrew Competition Awards Ceremony

4pm - Brewing Tips from Northern Brewer

5pm - Travel to Belgium the Right Way by Kevin Welch

*A limited number of bottles of Cuvée and Petite Cuvée will be made available each day.  Suggestion:  arrive early to get your bottles!  They cellar like a dream.

July 13, 2018, Friday - Mill City Summer Opera: Carmen at Mill City Museum

Mill City Summer Opera presents: Carmen

Mill City Museum  July 13 – 24

Ticket info

Experience the opera like never before! Mill City Summer Opera is one of the world’s premier opera companies and brings in an audience from all different walks of life. They hope to see you at this year's performance of Carmen!

Among the most famous and performed of all operas, Carmen is a riveting story of love, lust, betrayal, jealousy and murder. Set in 1830s Seville, the gypsy girl Carmen seduces soldier Don José away from his post and his beloved Micaëla. After luring him to join her and a clan of smugglers, Carmen turns her attention toward the swaggering bullfighter Escamillo. Carmen's fate is met in the final act when she meets the madly jealous Don José outside of the arena. The outdoor ruins of the Mill City Opera offer a magical setting to experience this iconic masterpiece. Music by Georges Bizet and libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy. These tickets go quickly, so don’t delay.

Additional dates: July 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24