Location of DanceCo's July 15 "Dance Around Minnesota" Performances has been moved to Father Hennepin Bluff Park

NOTE: Originally scheduled to take place at The Commons, DanceCo's Dance Around Minnesota July 15 10:00a and 11:30a performances have been moved to the Father Hennepin Bluffs Park Bandshell.

See dancing vegetables, trains, shoppers, and more told through Paul Bunyon’s fun facts and tall tales. 

DanceCo Performance Company is a professional performance company creating original, interactive dance narratives for young people ages 3-103. Produced in collaboration with Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board, St. Paul Parks, and Young Dance, DanceCo is thrilled to bring its fourth production outside, free to the public!

They return to the stage this summer with free, interactive, family-friendly outdoor performances. As always, DanceCo focuses on making dance performance a lived experience by offering short kid-focused workshops at the beginning of each show to teach audience members parts of the show. Then, Paul Bunyon and the DanceCo Artists will begin a 45-minute performance touring many of the great assets of life in Minnesota!

Here's an interview 5 Eyewitness News anchor Brett Hoffland conducted with Matthew Keefe, director at DanceCo, regarding the production.

Minnesota Lynx to Grand Marshal Aquatennial Torchlight Parade

Reeve, Duwelius, and Knox to Celebrate Lynx’s 25th Anniversary

The Aquatennial Torchlight Parade kicks off the 2023 Minneapolis Aquatennial on Wednesday, July 19 and will feature members of the Minnesota Lynx organization as we celebrate the 4-time WNBA champions’ 25th anniversary season. 

This year’s Grand Marshals will include: 

President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach Cheryl Reeve 

Coach Reeve has led the Lynx to four WNBA championships in her 14 years with the team.

Her 41 career playoff victories are the most in WNBA history. She also serves as the team’s President of Basketball Operations and was the 2019 WNBA Basketball Executive of the Year.

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General Manager Clare Duwelius

Duwelius is in her 10th season with the Lynx and first as General Manager.

She began her career in Minnesota as the team’s Basketball Operations Coordinator in 2014 and was promoted to Assistant General Manager in 2016. She was part of Minnesota’s 2015 and 2017 championships.

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President of Business Operations Carley Knox

Knox is in her 14th season with the Lynx and 19th in the WNBA. She is the organization’s President of Business Operations and oversees the day-to-day business operations of the team. She has been part of all four Lynx WNBA championship seasons.

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The Aquatennial Torchlight Parade is the largest nighttime parade in Minnesota and features units, bands, performers, and organizations from throughout the state. This year’s Aquatennial Torchlight Parade will again be emceed by K102’s Chris Carr & Co. You can check out their play-by-play near Peavey Plaza at 11th and Nicollet.

You can take Metro Transit to the Aquatennial Torchlight Parade for free. Get there by bus or light rail using a free ride pass located on the Torchlight Parade webpage. Parking information, a parade map, and more details can also be found there.

Family-Friendly Minneapolis International Sister Cities Celebration is July 16 at Nicollet Island Pavilion

The July 16 festivities are open to the public and will include dancing, music, ice cream, and 50th anniversary celebrations with Winnipeg, Canada, and Kuopio, Finland

The annual Sister Cities Day celebration – featuring an afternoon of entertainment to honor the City of Minneapolis’ international connections – will take place on Sunday, July 16, from 1-5 p.m., at Nicollet Island Pavilion. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public. The afternoon festivities will include musicians and performers representing seven of Minneapolis’ 12 sister cities, as well as informational displays and crafts for people of all ages. In addition, complimentary make-your-own ice cream sundaes and other refreshments will be available while supplies last.

This year’s celebration will be highlighted by the recognition of the 50th anniversary of Minneapolis’ sister city relationships with Winnipeg, Canada, and Kuopio, Finland. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham and Kuopio City Council Chairman Aleksi Eskelinen will be on hand to mark the special occasion.

“This will be our 14th Sister Cities Day, and we welcome families of all ages to join us for a fun afternoon of fostering cultural awareness within our community,” said Meet Minneapolis President and CEO Melvin Tennant. “Through this event, we’re proud to help showcase the global connections and local cultural talent that adds to the vibrancy of our city and region.”

Performances* include:

1 p.m.	Harisen Daiko (Ibaraki City, Japan)
1:20 p.m.	Iraqi Chobi Dance Performance (Najaf, Iraq)
1:30 p.m.	Songs of Hope
2 p.m.	Official Remarks to recognize the 50th Anniversary of Minneapolis’ Sister City relationships with Winnipeg, Canada and Kuopio, Finland; followed by a ceremonial cake-cutting
2:30 p.m.	Linda Breitag & Karen Mueller: French Canadian fiddle/foot-tapping/call-response songs (Winnipeg, Canada)
3 p.m.	Jesse Nummelin: Cello, Yuki Tokuda: Dance, Howard Dotson: Finlandia (Kuopio, Finland)
3:30 p.m.	Tonada 3/4 (Santiago, Chile)
4 p.m.	Heart and Soul Drum Academy (Eldoret, Kenya)
4:15 p.m.	Rafiki USA (Eldoret, Kenya)
4:30 p.m.	Mexico Lindo Ballet Folklorico (Cuernavaca, Mexico)

*Performance times subject to change. 

Set alongside the Mississippi River in one of the most beautiful parks in Minneapolis, the Sister Cities Day celebration will occur rain or shine. 

This event is sponsored by Meet Minneapolis in partnership with its sister city organizations. Meet Minneapolis supports these relationships on behalf of the City of Minneapolis. 

The Minneapolis Sister Cities program was established in 1961 with the signing of the first Sister City agreement between Minneapolis and Santiago, Chile. Today, it includes Winnipeg, Canada; Santiago, Chile; Harbin, China; Kuopio, Finland; Tours, France; Najaf, Iraq; Ibaraki City, Japan; Eldoret, Kenya; Cuernavaca, Mexico; Novosibirsk, Russia; Bosaso, Somalia; and Uppsala, Sweden.

Nicollet Island-East Bank Neighborhood Association Invites Residents to Participate in NIEBNA.VISION

The Nicollet Island-East Bank Neighborhood Association (NIEBNA) has been working closely with landscape architecture firm Urban Ecosystems to design, develop, and execute a vision for the future of the neighborhood.

NIEBNA.VISION is a collaborative design effort to propose an urban design plan for the future of the Nicollet Island / East Bank Neighborhood. The process involves studying the community, engaging with residents, and developing rendered designs for the streetscapes, plazas, and parkways. This process will allow residents to share their ideas, and generate excitement and interest in the future transformation of the neighborhood. NIEBNA has retained Urban Ecosystems to facilitate this process and develop potential designs for the public realm.

“This is a unique opportunity to set the neighborhood apart, encourage engagement with residents and businesses owners, and further realize our community's Small Area Plan, all through a single project.”

- Brett Kistner, NIEBNA Board Member/Project Lead

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NIEBNA is conducting an ongoing series of community engagement sessions during the Summer and Fall of 2023 to share these visions with the community. They will be attending National Night Out, hosting walking tours of the neighborhood, celebrating the neighborhood's bars and restaurants, and exploring the history of St. Anthony Falls and Nicollet Island. This fall, they will present the final vision plan to the neighborhood and government stakeholders and begin planning for implementation.

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NIEBNA cordially invites you to participate in this process. Visit NIEBNA.VISION to see the initial findings and sign up for the project email list, and take the survey. That way you can stay in the loop, take the community survey, and learn more about upcoming events.

Small Business Spotlight: Afro Deli

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Abdirahman KahinA Discussion with CEO and Founder, Abdirahman Kahin

Abdirahman Kahin is the brainchild behind Afro Deli. As CEO and Founder, he was recently awarded 2023 SBA National Small Business Person of the Year. We talked to him about the future growth of Afro Deli, emphasis on community and how he puts together a winning approach for employee satisfaction.

Q:  Congratulations on winning 2023 SBA National Small Business Person of the Year! Will Afro Deli expand outside of the Twin Cities with your recent win on the national stage?

A:  Thank you! We’re very honored and grateful for the award. We will expand throughout the state of Minnesota in the next five years. We are talking with potential partners who can assist us with putting together a framework that can be replicated – items such as menu, training, customer service, operating systems, culture, etc. – so that the wider launch can take place. We need to create a franchise agreement, too – it protects us and the potential franchisee. So, there are many things to do to grow larger, but we are on the path.

Kahin with Vice President Kamala Harris at the 2023 SBA National Small Business Person of the Year event.

Q:  You've said that your hobby is creating jobs. I applaud you for this wonderful focus! How many employees do you currently have between your four Afro Deli locations in the Twin Cities and Grab N’ Go at the airport?

A:  We currently employ between 70 – 80 people. 

Q:  Your website states Afro Deli is a fusion restaurant that weaves together business, community, and culture. Why did you choose this language? How do you weave the community and culture into the business model?

A: Our restaurants are community spaces where people can come together. We have always opened our doors to the communities where we operate – and we have always supported our communities. Afro Deli directly supports initiatives and organizations that do good locally and across the world. We started on the West Bank and this community-based approach is our goal for all of our locations. Of course, we want to succeed financially in the business but we also want to be a friendly welcoming space. I want to point out that 95% of our customers are not Africans. We are a main stream restaurant serving a wide range of customers. Just as Chipotle does not only serve Mexicans, we do not just serve Africans. Our food is universal, as well as being fast, fresh and delicious.

Q: In an earlier interview you say that you work hard to make sure everybody is able to come to work tomorrow with joy. How do you do that and how will you keep that employee-focus if Afro Deli becomes a national brand?

A:  If we are successful in the future, it will be due to our employees. We have always taken good care of our employees, without mandates to do so. We have paid above the minimum wage for the past 10 years. We also have vacation and sick pay as benefits. We hire family members – it is not uncommon to see husbands and wives, twins, daughters and Dads and cousins all working together. If we can maintain the employee-focused nature of Afro Deli, there will be joy at the workplace.

Q:  You have a degree in Film and Media Production. Has that education been helpful in the success of Afro Deli?

A:  Absolutely it has! Film school taught me how to tell a story and how to promote and market the story. Film makers are creative people and I believe that you need creativity if you are going to successfully break into the food industry. My filmmaker background allows me to always mix it up a bit and keep selling the underlying business.

Q:  How may we follow your news?  

A:  Please follow us on social media - Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Please visit one of our locations and give us feedback – we love to hear from our customers.

July 8 at the Mill City Farmers Market

This week we added broccoli and cabbage to the produce mix in our Mill City Farmers Market shopping basket. Have you tried a flavorful broth from Superior Provisions? I've used them in soups/stews, and for cooking quinoa and brown rice.

Meet 2 New MCFM Art Vendors!

Rachel (right) of Start a Flame creates a number of items, including rosaries, necklaces, earrings, velvet yarn pillows and customized orders. She is scheduled to be back for the July 29th market.

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Azania Tripp of Obsidian Pause Wearable Paper Art debuted at the July 8th market with lightweight multi-media collage earrings and pins she designed. Azania uses paper from her travels to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sydney, Australia, New York, Minnesota and Michigan. She returns to the MCFM on August 12.

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Nistler heirlooms are in!

July 8th was a Kids Day at MCFM, featuring Story Time, produce tasting and Babycakes Book Stack.

Got an air fryer? You can roast a lot of garlic in a fraction of the time it takes in a regular oven.

Isaac Lotz of sweetgreen in the North Loop was at the Baker’s Field Flour & Bread booth handing out samples of their teas, snack bars and salads, as well as discounts for first time digital orders. Sweetgreen sources ingredients from Baker's Field. Learn more about sweetgreen's mission here. Love to see those local collaborations!

 

 

 

Small Business Spotlight: Backstory Coffee Roasters

Article by Becky Fillinger, photo credit Andrew Reiland, Superwell Co-Creative

A Discussion with Kristina Oak, Retail Manager

We’re coffee-obsessed here in Minneapolis. A 2022 survey found that Minneapolis ranked 27th out of 100 U.S. cities for coffee-loving citizenry. Here’s an establishment you must try – Backstory Coffee Roasters. We spoke to Kristina Oak, Retail Manager of BCR in The Duffey, 528 Washington Avenue N. You’ll find a friendly space, hand-crafted drinks, delicious baked goods and many satisfied repeat customers.   

Q:  You’ve been open for 7 months now in your North Loop location in the street level of The Duffey. How is it going for the business?

A:  We’ve had an amazing first 7+ months in the North Loop. The community here is vibrant and lively, and very focused on supporting the local businesses in our neighborhood. Our space is filled every day with folks working on their laptops, holding business meetings, connecting with friends. It’s a dog-friendly lobby, which allows folks to bring the whole family when they visit us! Sharing our space with the Duffey Lofts apartments has been great- they’ve transformed this historic ironworks building into a truly special space, and we’re very happy to be here.

Q:  Could you tell us about your signature coffee drinks? Do you have seasonal drinks and food options?

A:  Seasonal food and beverages are a key aspect of what we do here at BCR. Our Summer Seasonal Specialties include a Peaches & Cream Latte, Pina Colada Cold Brew with coconut rum cold foam, and an herbal tea latte, the Summer Tiger Matcha. This season’s menu is all about the bright, fruity flavors of summer, while our spring menu leaned more into the floral, and our fall and winter menus also highlight the produce and flavors of those seasons. We offer a seasonal selection of pastries from local bakeries Vikings & Goddesses Pie Company and Sift Gluten Free. In addition to our seasonal menus, we offer frequent holiday weekend specials, and a State Fair-inspired menu at the end of every summer.

From our roastery, you’ll find fresh seasonal coffees coming in every month or so. Look for a perennial favorite, the fruity and bright Summer Break Blend, on our offerings list through August!

Q:  Please tell our readers about your coffee subscription services.

A:  It’s a beautiful thing when freshly roasted coffee appears on your doorstep without a second thought - and that’s what our coffee subscriptions do! Subscriptions are available in various sizes and at various frequencies, with your choice of coffee. Purchase one for yourself, or give one as a gift! We roast our coffee in Saint Paul, at our West Side roastery and coffee bar, and orders are packed and shipped immediately after roasting.

Q:  What makes Backstory Coffee Roasters unique?

A:  At BCR, we seek to make specialty coffee approachable and welcoming. Our staff is committed to our values of passion, seeking excellence, care for people and care for planet, and you’ll see the evidence in everything we do. We source coffees largely through direct-buying relationships with farms and mills around the world. We choose them for their quality and flavor, but also for the use of sustainable growing practices and supportive working conditions for the folks growing and processing the fruit. At our coffee bars, you’ll meet baristas with roots in our local communities, who are passionate about their craft and about connecting with our neighbors. Whether you’re looking for a single-origin espresso or a well-done classic mocha, we’ve got something for you!

Q:  Do you hold events in your shop? 

A:  We’re still assessing plans for events in our North Loop space. As of now, expect occasional sampling events of new seasonal coffees, as well as weekend beverage specials! Keep an eye on our social media pages for other BCR events held at our West Side-STP coffee bar, where we have a large yard and abundant parking! Private event inquiries for our North Loop-MPLS space are managed in partnership with the Duffey Flats, and can be sent to me at kristina@backstory.coffee.

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  The best ways to keep up with us are to follow us on Instagram and Facebook and join our email lists! You can sign up for coffee bar newsletters by joining our rewards program at the end of your transaction at one of our coffee bars. To sign up for roastery/seasonal coffee release newsletters, join that mailing list by visiting our website.

Minneapolis Aquatennial is July 19 - 22!

The Official Civic Celebration of Minneapolis Returns July 19 – 22

The mpls downtown council (mdc) is proud to announce the 2023 lineup of events for the Minneapolis Aquatennial, the official civic celebration of the City of Minneapolis. The annual tradition returns Wednesday, July 19 through Saturday, July 22. All events are free, family-friendly, and open for all to enjoy.

The bookends of this year’s schedule are longtime signature events:

Aquatennial Torchlight Parade, Wednesday, July 19, 7:30pm

Along Nicollet from 12th to 4th Street 

Annually the largest nighttime event in Minnesota, the Aquatennial Torchlight Parade will fill downtown Minneapolis with great floats, displays, and marching bands through the heart of downtown.

Target Fireworks on Saturday, July 22 at 10pm

Along the banks of the Mississippi on West River Parkway near the Stone Arch Bridge

The Target Fireworks, produced by the world-famous Zambelli Fireworks team, are considered one of the top five annual fireworks shows in the entire country. The fireworks will once again be synced to music this year. 

Come early for Aquatennial Pre-Fireworks Festivities on West River Parkway beginning at 6pm  

“Aquatennial is an event for all with over two dozen free events and activities here in downtown Minneapolis,” said Leah Wong, vice president of external relations, mpls downtown council. “This beloved summer tradition brings us together for fun unforgettable moments highlighted by the Aquatennial Torchlight Parade and Target Fireworks. We continue to see more people enjoying all downtown offers and invite you to celebrate Aquatennial and all that makes Minneapolis so special.”

Most of the events take place in the heart of the City of Lakes in downtown – from Loring Park and The Commons and along Nicollet and West River Road. The schedule and the proximity of the activities make Aquatennial a walkable and bikeable experience throughout the four days.

Here are some of the highlights of the 2023 Minneapolis Aquatennial. A full schedule of events can be found at aquatennial.com/events. Check back for updates leading up to Aquatennial.  

WEDNESDAY, JULY 19

• Aquatennial Blood Drive with the American Red Cross – U.S. Bancorp Center, 9am – 3pm  |  sign-up link
• Park Market: The Black Market – The Commons (425 Portland Ave. S), 11am – 3pm
• Go Outside: Summer Sessions (live music, giveaways, and more) – Hennepin Government Center South Plaza, 11:30am – 1:30pm
• Music in the Park: Spaghetti Monetti and The Sauce – The Commons, 12pm – 1pm
• USTA Cardio Tennis – Loring Park, 5:30pm – 7:30pm  |  sign-up link
• Loring Park Family Fun Night, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
• Aquatennial Torchlight Parade – Nicollet from 12th to 4th Streets, 7:30pm
• Movies in the Park: “Best in Show” – The Commons, at 9:15pm 

THURSDAY, JULY 20

• Downtown Thursdays (food trucks, music, games, giveaways, and more) Nicollet from Washington Ave. to 10th Street, 11:30am – 1:30pm
• Minne-Golf on Nicollet – Nicollet Mall, 11:30am – 1:30pm
• Music in the Park: Chemistry Set – The Commons, 7 p.m. – 8pm
• Go Outside: Movie Night – “Legally Blonde” at Target Field Station, 7pm – 9pm
• Twin Cities River Rats Waterski Show – West River Road on Mississippi River between Broadway and Plymouth Avenues, 7pm
• Minnesota Lynx vs. Los Angeles Sparks – Target Center, 7pm

FRIDAY, JULY 21

• Park Market: Indigenous Market – Water Works Park, 10am – 2pm
• Alchemy 365 outdoor fitness class at Aquatennial, Mpls Sculpture Garden, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
• Twin Cities River Rats Waterski Show – West River Road on Mississippi River between Broadway and Plymouth Avenues, 7pm
• Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago White Sox – Target Field, 7:10pm

SATURDAY, JULY 22

• USTA Cardio Tennis – Loring Park, 9am – 10:30am  |  sign-up link
• Upper St. Anthony Lock and Dam Open House – St. Anthony Falls Lock & Dam, 10am – 4pm
• Twin Cities Carifest – West River Road between Plymouth and Broadway Ave, 11am – 10pm
• Wilderness Inquiry Voyageur Canoe Rides and Fire Building – Boom Island Park, 12pm – 5pm
• AquaJam Skateboarding –West River Parkway near Stone Arch Bridge, 4pm – 7pm
• City of Lakes Market – Chicago Mall between Guthrie Theater and Mill City Museum, 5pm – 10pm
• Mpls Craft Market – Chicago Mall between Guthrie Theater and Mill City Museum, 5pm – 10pm
• Pre-Fireworks Festivities – live music – West River Parkway near Stone Arch Bridge, 6pm – 10pm
• Kids Zone – Pre-Fireworks Festivities – West River Parkway near Water Works Park, 6pm – 9pm

SATURDAY, JULY 22

• Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago White Sox – Target Field, 6:15pm
• Minnesota Lynx vs. Las Vegas Aces – Target Center, 7pm
• Target Fireworks – West River Parkway near Stone Arch Bridge, 10pm

More information available at aquatennial.com and follow along @Aquatennial on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for up-to-the-minute details. 

Volunteers Needed!

The Aquatennial relies on dozens of volunteers to help make the festival a success. Sign up online to be part of the Aquatennial Volunteer Program and assist with such events as the CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade and Target Fireworks. Perks include access to the partner viewing area at the Fireworks, a t-shirt, and other benefits. aquatennial.com/volunteer/

Full Moon by Ric Rosow

Submitted by Ric Rosow

Photo of the full moon taken in the early hours of July 4th from the Eleven while the moon was between Legacy and Stonebridge. 

On the morning of July 4th, I went out at 5:15am to take photographs of the full moon setting. I had planned to take the photograph from a location on the Stone Arch Bridge when the moon was above the Mill City District. The City’s closure of the bridge disrupted that plan. My alternative location was from our condo amenity deck. From the deck I was able to see the moon setting in the open space between the Legacy and Stonebridge condominiums before sunrise. On July 4, the moonset was at 6:42am and the sunrise was at 5:32am. By 5:30am the moon was out of view behind Stonebridge.

The best time to take a moon photograph is when moonset or moonrise is close in time to the sunrise or sunset. For instance, on July 2, 2023 the moonrise and sunset were both at 9:03pm. Since the sky remains bright for a time after the sun appears to set below the horizon, there is an opportunity to photograph a moonrise while the foreground in front of the horizon is still illuminated. This particular image is one photograph, not a composite or blend. I set exposure, aperture and ISO to capture to the maximum extent possible, both detail in the bright moon and in a dimly lit foreground. Of course while I am dialing in those settings both the moon and sun are constantly moving and the brightness of the sky constantly changing.

On July 16th the moonset will be at 8:52pm and the sunset will be at 8:56pm. But only 0.7% of the moon will be visible, so its hardly worth the time and effort. However, on August 1st there will be a supermoon and the moonset and sunrise will be 41 minutes apart, and the sunset and moonrise will be 36 minutes apart. My next step will be to determine from where to take the photograph.

You can see more of my work @ricrosowphotography.com and @Tres Leches Art Gallery.

Mystery on the Mississippi - Solve a Crime Aboard the Jonathan Padelford!

Article by Becky Fillinger

No, it’s not a Dateline episode. It’s interactive, educational, fun mystery theater – performed on the Mississippi River. We talked to Anna Waugh, Interim Executive Director for the Mississippi Park Connection, and Tim Wick, co-writer of the show, to learn more about the plot and how to sign up for the cruise. 

Q:  Congratulations on bringing back the murder mystery on the Mississippi River.

Anna:  Thank you. Mystery on the Mississippi has become a staple of the summer season. Featuring the incredible Fearless Comedy, we are excited to share another interactive murder mystery adventure with all of your readers this year. This year's setting is the 1980s, and participants are encouraged to dust off their best of the '80s and wear something radical! Part cruise aboard the accessible Jonathan Padelford, part play, part whodunnit - there is nothing quite like this event.

There are only three dates left for the show this year, so check out parkconnection.org/events to register early before tickets are gone!

Anna Waugh

Q:  Could you give us a brief synopsis of the mystery we'll be solving?

Tim WickTim:  The show is set in 1988 at the celebration of the establishment of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. A group of people responsible for the creation of the park have gathered to celebrate their work. Unfortunately, there is a party crasher who isn't all that popular and someone dislikes him just a little bit more than the others. The Acting Park Superintendent Chip Mather and Law Enforcement Ranger Casper Hogart need to figure out who committed the crime before the boat returns to the dock and they need all the help they can get!

Q:  What ages are welcome on the cruise?

Tim:  The script is appropriate for all ages.

Q:  For first timers, how do we interact with the performers? Any other tips for us?

Tim:  If the performers are not involved in a scene, it is completely appropriate to talk with them and ask questions about whatever you like. It doesn't even need to be about the crime.

The best advice I can give people is if we clearly establish an alibi for a character, they didn't commit the crime. A lot of people give us credit for being cleverer than we actually are.

And while our actors do a lot of research into their character, they don't know everything. A real lawyer is likely to know more about the law than someone playing a lawyer. That's not a clue.

There are a lot of scenes and no one can see them all because some will happen at the same time. It's best to work with other people to share information.

Finally, don't forget to enjoy the river! There is enough time to pay attention to the show and experience the park that brought us all together.

Performance dates and times:

Thursday, July 27

6:30-6:50PM: Guests arrive for check in at Harriet Island

7:00 PM: Boat Launch

Thursday, August 17

6:30-6:50PM: Guests arrive for check in at Harriet Island

7:00PM: Boat Launch

Thursday, September 21

6:30-6:50PM: Guests arrive for check in at Harriet Island

7:00PM: Boat Launch

Order tickets here.

Large Crowd at Day 1 at Taste of Minnesota

Submitted by Ric Rosow

Thank you to Ric Rosow for submitting these photo from the well attended first day of Taste of Minnesota. 

The Fabulous Armadillos

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The roof of a highly decorated car. A number of ornately adorned cars were lined up just inside the Washington Avenue entry point.

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The crowd on the mall 

July 1 at the Mill City Farmers Market

New this week from the Mill City Farmers Market - blueberries, cauliflower, patty-pans and green beans. Finally arrived early enough to get a container of the always perfect strawberries from Twin Cities Berry Company.

The best example I've ever seen of someone who knows how to precisely pack their market purchases!

 

I Am More Than You Think I Am: Genet Gessert

By Claudia Kittock

Have you ever been to a concert and heard the MacPhail Community Youth Choir (MCYC), directed by J.D. Steele, accompanied by Fred Steele? This group of young people sing with amazing heart and will touch your soul. You will always be entertained by the soloists that step forward. Genet Gessert is one of the incredible singers.

J.D. loves to tell people that he knows things are going to continue to get better because of the young people of MCYC. Once you spend time with them, you will understand what he means. In a recent interview, Genet explained how she wants to change the world and make it better. She hopes to study neuroscience so that she can understand how emotional intelligence works and to use that to change things for the better through possible work with the government.
 
Ah, and her voice! When Genet sings, every cell in your body listens. Her heart and her soul are infused in every note. How does this 15 year old do that? Here’s what she told me.
 
Music has always been a part of her life and she has spent her whole life singing. She plays the piano and guitar and composes music without being able to read music. It’s just there, in her head, all the time. When someone in class turns a page of a book, Genet hears 10 different rhythms in that simple act. Every sound turns into music in her head. When she met J.D. at the very first rehearsal, she said she found the other half of her soul. She had the voice, but she needed the confidence and ability to use it onstage and that’s what she got.
 
Genet is a recipient of the Sallie Steele Birdsong Scholarship, which owes its name to the remarkable mother of the Steele family. She raised six musical children on her own following the death of her husband. This scholarship, created and funded by Be That Neighbor, provides youth with the opportunity to take vocal lessons. It started during the pandemic, and J.D. began by giving vocal lessons online. Now he uses every venue he needs to provide vocal education to young people like Genet.
 
Genet told me that she resonates with Sallie Steele Birdsong and her incredible ability to keep going, no matter how many times life knocked her down. She understands the emotional piece of picking yourself up and going forward. Genet wants the world to know not to judge her by what people see. As she so wonderfully said, “Don’t stereotype me. Listen to my music and get to know me through that. I am more than you think I am.” She is all of that and more. Watch for this young woman and listen to her music. You won’t be sorry.
 
The Sallie Steele Birdsong Scholarship is funded by our generous donors. If you would like to help us continue and expand this program, please donate at https://www.givemn.org/organization/Be-That-Neighbor.

Doug Argue Retrospective at Weisman Art Museum

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Doug ArgueMinnesota native son Doug Argue has been producing art since the 1980s. Weisman Art Museum (WAM) has put together a retrospective of his work, DOUG ARGUE: LETTERS TO THE FUTURE, on display until September 10. He lives in New York City now, but came back to Minneapolis to launch this fascinating exhibit. We caught up with Argue and curator Elizabeth Armstrong to learn more about the body of work displayed.

Armstrong explained, “He was always doing his own thing, right from the start. I curated his first museum show at the Walker Art Center in 1985. Everyone else was consumed with abstract or conceptual art – not Doug. He was different from his contemporaries.”

You’ll see a roughly chronological depiction of Argue’s works – including wildly imaginative nature and biological/fantasy paintings, paintings of fathers and sons (reminiscent of his childhood on Battle Lake, MN) and enormous canvases of thousands of "tiny, interlocking shapes and lines that suggest the dynamism and fluidity of nature." Forty-one works are in the retrospective covering 4 distinct time periods in the artist’s life.

Argue with curator Elizabeth Armstrong

I asked Argue what he would like to impart to visitors to the exhibit. “I’d want the viewers to experience the arc of my different works and how it changed over time – you’ll see the mental leaps between things.”

Armstrong calls out the uniqueness and precision of Argue’s work. “Take a look at One Fish Follows Another.  Each fish is different in scale and scope – Doug’s work is the exact opposite of what Artificial Intelligence can do.”

Fish School 2021

Argue’s “untitled” chicken factory painting

Argue told me that the famous Chicken painting took three years to paint and to notice that the expression on each chicken’s face is different. What was the inspiration? Argue told me that he read Franz Kafka’s work, Investigations of a Dog, where the story is told from the dog’s point of view. The dog’s thoughts in the story about how he could get food inspired Argue to close his eyes and to consider the questions of how and where did he get food. The Chicken painting was launched!

As always, admission to WAM, 333 E River Road, is free of charge. This is a must see exhibit – jot it into your summer to-do list. There is a companion book, Doug Argue: Letters to the Future (Skira, 2020), edited by Claude Peck, containing more than 150 full-color plates of work spanning four decades of Argue’s career. Copies are available for purchase here.