The Guthrie's New Griots Festival Celebrates the Next Generation of Black Artists

CELEBRATING THE NEXT GENERATION
OF BLACK ARTISTS

July 6 - 16
Dowling Studio

The New Griots Festival aims to highlight, celebrate and advance the careers of emerging Black artists in the Twin Cities. The festival features the work of 10 local artists and free artist-taught community classes. Learn more.

Featuring improv by Blackout, a performance by dancer and vocalist Vie Boheme, music by Arthur "L.A." Buckner, work by playwright Antonio Duke, poetry by Keno Evol, poetry by April Gibson, work by writer Dame-Jasmine Hughes, work by painter Shaina McCoy, a performance by aerialist Miss Coco Nostal'jah and photography by Isaac Sundberg.

Tickets are $9; buy three or more performances and save! Artist-taught community classes are free, reservations encouraged. Click here for tickets, or call the Box Office at 612-377-2224.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage fund.

Restaurant Week Summer 2017: July 16-21

Mpls. St.Paul Magazine's Summer 2017 Restaurant Week is scheduled for July 16-21. It's a week's worth of fabulous food at unbeatable prices from some of the best restaurants in the Twin Cities. Participating restaurants will present specially priced meals (lunch, dinner, or both) that showcase their culinary offerings in the local dining scenes. Check out the website to find participating restaurants in our downtown and riverfront neighborhoods.

Kick off the X Games Minneapolis at Minneapolis Visitor Information on Nicollet’s First Thursday Event

Via a June 28 News Release from Meet Minneapolis:

Kick off the X Games Minneapolis at Minneapolis Visitor Information on Nicollet’s First Thursday event

Rivard Art student seminars and artist meet-and-greet are highlights

Minneapolis is the host of the 2017 summer X Games, taking place July 13-16. Minneapolis Visitor Information (MVI) on Nicollet is kicking off the fun on July 6 with an X Games-themed First Thursday, a monthly event at the visitor center, featuring local artist Mark Rivard’s skateboard artwork and a meet and greet reception with the artist from 4-6 p.m. Students will learn skateboard art from Rivard in two seminars earlier in the day and have that art displayed in MVI’s windows through the X Games.

This month’s promotions include a 10 percent discount* on purchases from Love From Minneapolis with a portion of proceeds going to City of Skate, Skate Park advocacy coalition. Also, guests can register for a chance to win two tickets to the X Games and a Mark Rivard gift pack.

Love From Minneapolis will be selling Rivard Art’s collection of skateboard decks, pints and shirts. Design-Your-Own Skateboard Kits and Rivard Art will also be for sale, including exclusive X Games-themed art on display in MVI.

High school students who registered to take part in the seminars will get a Mark Rivard skateboard art kit and a ticket to the X Games in Minneapolis. The seminars are sponsored by 21st Century Learners Center Grants.

Overview of events and promotions:
• Two Rivard Art seminars for 40 high school students in two sessions at 10 a.m. to noon and 2-4 p.m. (Cameras welcome!)
• Skateboard art on display made by local high school students
• 10 percent  storewide* discount
• Register to win two X Games tickets or a Mark Rivard gift pack
• Meet and greet with Mark Rivard from 4-6 p.m.
• Information on X Games

More information on the First Thursday event: http://www.minneapolis.org/things-to-do/visitor-information/events-at-minneapolis-visitor-information/ and specifics on the Rivard Art event: http://www.minneapolis.org/footer/blog/x-games-skateboard-art-with-mark-rivard/

*This promotion excludes transit passes and cannot be combined with other discounts.

Movie Nights at The Commons

Mark your calendar for these four move nights at The Commons, 425 Portland Avenue S. Bring a blanket and a picnic - or grab food at one of the featured food trucks - and settle in for an evening of open air film with friends and family.

2017 Movies (all 7pm - 10pm):

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial - Thursday, June 29
La La Land - Thursday, July 27
The Incredibles- Thursday, August 10
Casablanca - Thursday, August 24

For the first time you can bring your favorite beer or wine to The Commons. In 2017, these four movie events are the only "BYO" events in the city!

What's on Tap From the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul

Here's what the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul has queued up:

OPENING FRIDAY, JUNE 30:  THE HERO

OPENING FRIDAY, JULY 14 - ABACUS: SMALL ENOUGH TO JAIL

SCREENING JULY 21-27 - LUMIÈRES FRANÇAISES - A weeklong festival highlighting the brightest talent in French independent cinema

OPENING FRIDAY, AUGUST 4 - A GHOST STORY

OPENING FRIDAY, AUGUST 11 - AFTERIMAGE

Special Screenings:

SCIENCE ON SCREEN: THE MARTIAN - June 29 at 7pm

NTL: OBSESSION - July 3 at 7pm + July 5 at 1pm + July 8 at 1pm

MALI BLUES - Thursday, July 6 at 7pm - First Thursday Films @ the Capri. Showing at the Capri Theater,  2027 West Broadway

PALESTINE: WHY THE CAGED DOVE SINGS? - July 13 at 7pm

NTL: TWELFTH NIGHT - July 17 at 7pm + July 19 at 1pm + July 22 at 1pm

NTL: SALOMÉ - July 31 at 7pm + August 2 at 1pm + August 5 at 1pm

HIDDEN FIGURES - Thursday, August 3 at 7pm - First Thursday Films @ the Capri Theater, 2027 West Broadway

NTL: ANGELS IN AMERICA PART 1, MILLENNIUM APPROACHES - August 14 at 7pm + August 19 at 1pm

NTL: ANGELS IN AMERICA PART 2, PERESTROIKA - August 21 at 7pm + August 26 at 1pm

MAY IT LAST: A PORTRAIT OF THE AVETT BROTHERS - September 12 at 7pm 

Hennepin Avenue Construction Detours to Run June 27 - July 3

Hennepin Avenue will be closed from 8:00pm on Tuesday, June 27, until 3:00am on Monday, July 3.

During the closure, Hennepin Avenue buses will be detoured to Marquette and 2nd Avenues between Washington Ave and 6th St (eastbound) / 7th St. (westbound).

Where to board routes 4, 6, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 25, 59 and 61
(See map and list below)

Northbound/Eastbound Buses
Hennepin Ave at 7th St
Marquette Ave at 4th St*
Washington Ave at Nicollet Mall*
Hennepin Ave at 2nd St

Southbound/Westbound Buses
Washington Ave at Nicollet Mall*
2nd Ave at 4th St*
7th St at Nicollet Mall*
Hennepin Ave at 8th St

Scenes from the June 24 Mill City Farmers Market

Jenny Heck, Marketing and Events Manager for the Mill City Farmers Market

Northland Visions, a new Mill City Farmers Market vendor for 2017, debuted at the June 24 Market with an array of Native products ranging from wild rice to maize popcorn.  Look for a separate article on them later this week on our Farmers Market blog.

Greg Bellanger, Store Manager at Northland Visions, Native Art & Gifts of the Northlands

Last October, sisters Kylene and Mel Guse from GYST Fermanation Bar were guests at the Mill City Cooks demo, and they were back at the June 24 Market with a variety of their lacto fermented vegetables.

Nathan Patrick White of NPW Wood Works brought his one-of-a-kind turned wooden vessels and hand-carved spoons to the June 24 Market. The spoons are made from tree roots, which provides a natural curve and added strength. All the products are safe to use with food. Find more of Nathans work on Instagram.

Some good lookin' produce!

Some vendors showed their support for Pride weekend with either discounts or splashes of rainbow colors.

A common sight at the Market - people enjoying pizza fresh out of Northern Fires' wood-fired oven.

Stop by the Meet Your Vegetables booth to sample the featured vegetable of the day and take home a recipe. Thank you to Allina Health for sponsoring this service.

Staff of the Minneapolis Public Schools Food Truck handed out samples.

Milly the goat!

My North Series - 52 Minnesota Stories Leading up to the 2018 Super Bowl (Episodes 16-20)

Count down to Super Bowl 52 with this weekly video series of 52 love letters to Minnesota from notable Minnesotans. My North is an editorial video series created by Mpls.St.Paul Magazine and presented by Explore Minnesota. Hear from tastemakers and stylemakers. Artists and athletes. Authors and entertainers. These are their odes to the state they love. Below are episodes 16-20 - click here to see more! 

Tickets go on Sale June 27 for the 2017 Rails and Ales Light Rail Brewery Crawl

2017 Rails and Ales Light Rail Brewery Crawl

The 2017 Rails and Ales Light Rail Brewery Crawl is scheduled for Saturday, September 9, 11:00am to 6:00pm.  This event sells out quickly, so whether want to experience it for the first time - or again - you should register ASAP.

Your Crawl Ticket Includes:
- 2 Pints of Craft Beer
- 2017 Rails & Ales T-Shirt
- All-Access Metro Transit Light Rail Pass
- Access to All 16 Local Breweries Along the Green Line Light Rail
- Event Passport to Guide Your Route
- Rails & Ales Exclusive Beers just for Participants
- Special Discounts on Food, Beer, & Merchandise
- Food Trucks, Live Music, and Other Fun Activities
- Entry to Win Tons of Prizes & Giveaways
- Access to Discounted Room Rate at Local Hotel (Limited Quantities)

Friends of the Mill District Singers Update

Article by Claudia Kittock

The Friends of the Mill District Singers are on summer hiatus, but ended this session with a bang.  We performed at the Loring Park Music Fest on June 10th. If you remember, June 10th had a high temperature of 93, and we sang at 2:00 in the afternoon! Nothing could stop this group of friends and neighbors.

Our performance in the park, led by JD Steele and accompanied by Fred Steele, was filled with passion and fun. We sang songs of joy, of hope, and some that were filled with laughter. JD, in his inimitable style, had the audience singing along with us and moving to the music. I think it is safe to say that singers and audience alike had a great time.

The Singers are sponsored by the neighborhood charity, Friends of the Mill District, and a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC). We received a grant for the 2016-17 season and just received word that we have received another grant for the 2017-18 season. These grants are critical to the survival of our group. While the grant covers about 40% of the operating expenses for the group, we depend on the contribution of individuals to keep us going.

We performed in very different venues to very different audiences, ranging from the Guthrie Theater, the MacPhail Music Matters Luncheon, at the Concert Across American to End Violence, Winterfest on 2nd Street in the Mill District, to singing ‘Take Me out to the Ballgame’ during the 7^th Inning stretch at a Minnesota Twins game. It is difficult to imagine a more diverse range of venues, although we are determined to add audiences next year. Our goals were met in ways we couldn’t have imagined, and we far surpassed anything we were able to imagine.

We ended this season with 160 members on our roster. The average attendance at rehearsals seems to have ‘settled’ at 42-43 singers. We have carloads of men from Harbor Lights attending, people from Alliance Apartments and Emanuel Housing, as well as many members from the Mill District condominiums and from condos in the St. Anthony neighborhood. There is even a ‘friend’ who drives from North Branch to sing with us. While our outreach has been incredibly successful, we are just getting started!

If you are interested in making a contribution, please send a check to Friends of the Mill District, at 212 10th Avenue S, Unit 102, Minneapolis, MN 55415. Thank you!!

If you'd like to join the Singers when Saturday practices resume later this year, drop a line to claudia@millcitymedia.org for more info.

Minnesota State Pre-Fair Tickets Sold at Minneapolis Visitor Information in Downtown Minneapolis

Via a June 23 e-newsletter from Meet Minneapolis:

Minnesota State Pre-Fair Tickets Sold at Minneapolis Visitor Information in Downtown Minneapolis

While it may seem too early to think about the end of summer, it is always a good time to plan to attend the Minnesota State Fair. Now, Minneapolis residents and downtown workers have a convenient location where they can buy discounted state fair tickets. Starting June 25, Minneapolis Visitor Information, located conveniently downtown on Nicollet at 5^th Street across from the METRO Nicollet station, will be selling pre-fair tickets from June 25^tth to Aug. 23^rd for $11 (normally $14 at the gate).

While there, visitors may want to check out the locally inspired gifts from Love From Minneapolis, get transit passes and information from Move Minneapolis or inquire about great places to visit from Meet Minneapolis travel staff.

Minneapolis Visitor Information on Nicollet location: 505 Nicollet Mall Suite 100

Store Hours:
Sunday Noon–5 p.m.
Monday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Tuesday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Wednesday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Thursday 10 a.m.–6 p.m
Friday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Saturday noon–5 p.m.

Minneapolis Visitor Information is currently home to the Mary Tyler Moore statue, locally inspired gifts, and information for residents and visitors on the city of Minneapolis.

ABOUT THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR

Always 12 days of fun ending Labor Day, the Great Minnesota Get-Together welcomes 1.9 million guests annually to a world-class showcase of livestock, agriculture, horse, art, talent and creative activities competitions; 500 food items; 900 free entertainment shows; the Mighty Midway and Kidway; Grandstand concert series; 1,000 vendors; exhibits for kids and adults; a fireworks show each evening; and more! 

ABOUT MEET MINNEAPOLIS

Meet Minneapolis is a private, not-for-profit, member-based association. It actively promotes and sells the Minneapolis area as a destination for conventions and meetings, works to maximize the visitor experience and markets the city as a desirable tourist destination to maximize the economic benefit of the greater Minneapolis area. 

Meet Minneapolis is accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) of the Destination Marketing Association International. 

CONNECT WITH US!

Online: www.minneapolis.org and for deals & exclusive experiences: http://go.minneapolis.org

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/meetminneapolis?ref=ts

On Twitter: http://twitter.com/meetminneapolis

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meetminneapolis/

On Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/meetminneapolis/

#askMPLS: Use this hashtag to get answers to all your Minneapolis questions from our team! 

Have You Heard About the Minneapolis Water Taxi?

Experience the Mississippi River above the St. Anthony Falls with the Minneapolis Water Taxi.

The Taxi can pick up/drop off at Boom Island docks or The Sample Room dock between 11am and 8pm daily (reserve a time). Capacity is 6 people, and the cost is $10 per person for an approximately one-hour cruise. Riders are welcome to bring snacks and beverages. 

The Taxi cruises between downtown Minneapolis, the Lowry Avenue Bridge, and the blue heron rookery. They are licensed by the US Coast Guard and inspected by the Hennepin County Sheriff's Water Patrol.

The website offers suggestions on how to use this service, such as a River Pub Crawl and Private River Limo Cruise, and also welcomes your requests. For more information, email Free.cjp@gmail.com and visit Facebook.

New Candidate in Ward 3 City Council Race

Tim Bildsoe, President of the North Loop Neighborhood Association, has entered the 3rd Ward City Council race. Press Release below:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:
Contact Person: Bryan Hollaway
Committee Name: Tim for Ward 3
Phone: 239-209-1644
Email Address: TimforWard3@gmail.com

New Entrant to Minneapolis Ward 3 City Council Race Brings Proven Leadership and Results to Residents

Tim Bildsoe, community organizer, businessperson and North Loop resident, officially announces his candidacy for the open Ward 3 Minneapolis City Council seat.  Bildsoe is seeking to represent his community to improve the livability for all residents and the prosperity for local businesses.

As president of the North Loop Neighborhood Association, Tim Bildsoe has led initiatives to secure funding to repair crumbling roads, add green space and engage neighbors on important issues facing the community.

Bildsoe brings a wealth of experience to local government leadership. His public service resume includes 16 years of successful, collaborative work as a member of the Plymouth City Council. As a council member, he worked tirelessly on quality of life initiatives to improve the lives of his constituents. He brought about positive change in the areas of neighborhood safety, exceptional city services, well-maintained infrastructure and open space preservation. 

As a Minneapolis council member, Bildsoe is poised to hit the ground running as he continues to serve fellow Minneapolis Ward 3 residents.

“I’m very proud to live and work in Minneapolis and I look forward to serving all of the people of Ward 3.  We need proven leadership and experience as Minneapolis faces the real and growing challenges of affordability, development and neighborhood safety throughout the city,” said Bildsoe.  

Bildsoe’s top priorities include:

• Strategic economic development
• Improved communication from City Hall
• A safe Downtown that is a destination for residents, workers and visitors
• Improved pedestrian safety
• Mississippi Riverfront environment
• 21^st century transportation system
• A better value for city tax dollars

 “I understand how government works – and, as importantly, I bring a passion for Minneapolis. I want to help build on its success,” Bildsoe said.

On November 7, Ward 3 voters will have the opportunity to help shape a strong future for Minneapolis by electing Tim Bildsoe.

END

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Get Your Creative Juices Flowing for the 2017 Mississippi Minute Film Festival

The Mississippi Minute Film Festival returns for its fourth season this fall, so it's time to start thinking about your 60-second film entries now. This event is hosted by the Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership, and is scheduled for Monday, October 23, at the Mill City Museum.

Decades of Minneapolis Park History Now Available to Explore at the Central Library

Via a June 22 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

Decades of Minneapolis Park history now available to explore at Hennepin County-Minneapolis Central Library

Thousands of historic documents now available to public at Hennepin County-Minneapolis Central Library

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and Hennepin County Library (HCL) are excited to announce the successful transfer of a huge collection of MPRB proceedings, reports and other historic documents to Minneapolis Central Library.

Thousands of documents providing a detailed, fascinating record of Minneapolis park history are now open to the public at the James K. Hosmer Special Collections located on the fourth floor of Central Library. This collection holds archival material that shows the growth, improvement and programming of the Minneapolis park system from the early 1880s through the 1960s. It includes:

• Proposals and correspondences tracing the evolution of the Minneapolis park system as it grew to encompass 15% of the city’s land
• Reports and petitions illuminating significant park issues across different eras
• Official Board actions including agreements, policies and contracts

James K. Hosmer Special Collections is open to the public Monday-Thursday, 10 am-4:30 pm, as well as the first and third Saturdays of the month, 10 am-4:30 pm.

Discover the history of your neighborhood park or learn more about the development of iconic Minneapolis landmarks in the Minneapolis Parks Collection, now available at Central Library. 

D’Amico Catering Takes its Show on the Road with All-New Bushel & Peck Food Truck

Food truck will provide on-the-go lunch options in Downtown East area and support Minnesota Historical Society events and venues, D’Amico Catering and D’Amico restaurants

D’Amico Catering announced the roll-out of its Bushel & Peck food truck. Designed to complement the company’s Bushel & Peck café, which rolled out its updated décor and menu at Mill City Museum in April, the truck will operate at various on-street locations near the museum daily from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. through October, providing a fast and convenient option for area diners seeking lunch on-the-go. The Bushel & Peck food truck menu includes burgers, fries (plain or “loaded” options), a brisket sandwich, and a chili cheese dog.  A chicken, mango and avocado salad or a grain and vegetable bowl are available for diners seeking light and healthy fare.

The Bushel & Peck food truck will also serve at various Minnesota Historical Society evening events and venues throughout the summer, such as Nine Nights of Music at the Minnesota History Center on Tuesday nights in July and August and  Mill City Live at Mill City Museum on Wednesday nights in August, and it will be a mobile extension of D’Amico Catering and its new Bushel & Peck brand through its operations at other public and private events and locations around town. D’Amico & Partners restaurants also will use the truck for community events.

“D’Amico & Partners has been working with the Minnesota Historical Society for almost 15 years and we are excited to continue and grow this wonderful partnership. The Bushel & Peck food truck will supplement our café operations, not only at Mill City Museum, but also at the Minnesota History Center and potentially at other historical properties for their high-traffic needs,” said Larry D’Amico, D’Amico & Partners cofounder. “The food truck provides a quick, convenient and quality lunch option for Downtown East area residents, hotel guests, businesses, riverfront visitors, farmer’s market shoppers and others. It’s also an exciting new tool for D’Amico Catering that will provide our customers with another service option.” 

For more information on the new Bushel & Peck food truck, visit www.bushelandpeck.us/food-truck or follow Bushel & Peck on its social media handles: Facebook – Bushel & Peck at Mill City, Instagram – @bushelandpeckmillcity and Twitter - @bushelandpeckmc.

About D’Amico & Partners

D'Amico & Partners was founded in 1982 and owns and operates restaurants and catering companies in Minnesota and Naples, Florida. Minnesota operations include seven D'Amico & Sons restaurants, two D’Amico & Sons Italian Kitchen restaurants in Super Target stores, D'Amico Catering, Café & Bar Lurcat, Campiello, and Parma 8200. Florida operations include Campiello, The Continental, Café & Bar Lurcat, Fogg Café, D’Amico & Sons and Lurcat Catering. D'Amico & Partners is a multiple time James Beard Award nominee. For more information, visit www.damico.com.

Chicken, Mango and Avocado Salad

Loaded Fries, Chicken, Bacon, White Cheddar Cheese Sauce

How do you connect with nature in Minneapolis Parks? Take the Ecological System Plan survey!

The Ecological System Plan is centered around seven topics.

Help develop the Ecological System Plan, a vision for more environmentally friendly parks and public spaces

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) are working together to create the Ecological System Plan. This plan will set a vision for making parks and public lands more friendly to the environment.

Ecological System Plan topics include:
- Air Quality Issues
- Biodiversity and Habitat Quality
- Carbon Sequestration
- Habitat Connectivity
- Stormwater Runoff
- Sustainable Energy Generation
- Urban Heat Island Effect

As this plan develops, MPRB hopes to learn about how park users connect with nature in the parks and which ecological system plan topics are most important to them. Please take a short survey to share your perspective:

Share the survey with friends and family using this easy-to-remember link: www.surveymonkey.com/r/ecologicalsystemplan

For more information on the Ecological System Plan, please visit the online project page: Ecological System Plan project page

To learn more about this project and others, visit www.minneapolisparks.org/planning.

Public Hearing June 22 for Draft Municipal Minimum Wage Ordinance

Public hearing June 22 for draft municipal minimum wage ordinance 

WHAT:   The City Council’s Committee of the Whole will hold a public hearing on the draft municipal minimum wage ordinance.

WHEN:   3:30 p.m. Thursday, June 22

WHERE:   City Council Chamber, Room 317, City Hall, 350 S 5th Street

MORE:   The public will have the opportunity to weigh in on the proposed municipal minimum wage working its way through the City Council approval process. The council is considering a draft ordinance establishing a $15-an-hour minimum wage for employees in Minneapolis. Businesses would have until July 1, 2022 to reach the target wage. The final draft minimum wage ordinance will be presented to the council’s Committee of the Whole 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 28. Any final revisions or amendments could be entertained before a final copy is prepared and submitted to the full City Council. The full Council will vote on the final municipal minimum wage ordinance at its regular meeting 9:30 a.m. Friday, June 30.

Comments can also be submitted by email to MinWage@minneapolismn.gov. They must be received by Thursday, June 22 to be included in the public hearing record. For more information, visit minneapolismn.gov/minimumwage.

MPRB’s Annual Fourth of July Celebration Red, White and Boom

MPRB’s Annual Fourth of July Celebration Red, White and Boom

Celebrate the Fourth of July during Minneapolis Red, White and Boom, a two-day celebration hosted by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. The event, held along the downtown Minneapolis Riverfront, features live music, great food, fun activities for the whole family, and the grand finale – fireworks!
 
On Tuesday, July 4, Father Hennepin Bluff Park will offer FREE family activities in the Family Fun Zone, 6:00pm–9:30pm including balloon twisters, caricature artists, hair and  face painting,and a “Despicable Me 3” tattoo parlor, courtesy of event sponsor Universal Studios. Bands performing this year are as follows:
 
Father Hennepin Bluff Park
6–7:30 pm Sarah Morris
8-10 pm DJ to be announced
 
Mill Ruins Park
6–7:30 pm Jazz Ensemble: Acts of Persuasion
8–10:00 pm Tre Aaron
 
The Red, White and Boom Celebration closes with a spectacular fireworks display along the Riverfront at 10:00pm. 

If interested in being a sponsor or donating to the Minneapolis Fireworks Fund, please call 612-230-6400.

Pre-Fourth of July Celebration
Monday, July 3 - 7:00 pm - Nicollet Island
Enjoy free live music starting at 7 pm courtesy of Annie Mack, followed by the outdoor film “Captain America: Civil War.” Movie starts at dusk.

Minneapolis History: The Aerial Experience

Minneapolis celebrates its 150th birthday this summer. Go back on an aerial journey through time to experience the roots of the Mill City. Minneapolis experienced an economic boom in the last two decades of the 19th century carried by a thriving milling industry. For half a century, Minneapolis was the flour mill capital of the world. Just before the stock market crash of 1929, wealthy entrepreneurs including Wilbur B. Foshay were spending absurd amounts of money on real estate, specifically tall structures. Once the Great Depression hit, Minneapolis would go into a major period of recession and the city turned into a gathering place for unemployed men surrounded by flophouses and vacant buildings. In the early 1960's the city still never shook off the aftermath of the great depression. They received federal funding to demolish 40% of the city in just a few years. Many historic structures were lost in this large scale demolition for no apparent reason. Watch this historical drone-based documentary narrated by Bob Michaels and you will learn much more than they teach you in school.