52nd Annual Twin Cities Auto Show is April 11–13 and 16–19 at Minneapolis Convention Center

The 52nd Annual Twin Cities Auto Show presented by Kwik Trip will roll into the Minneapolis Convention Center, April 11–13 and 16–19. The event, the largest consumer show in the Upper Midwest, is produced by the Greater Metropolitan Automobile Association of Minnesota, Inc. (GMADA).

The Twin Cities Auto Show is the place to compare hundreds of new vehicles in every category all under one roof. Guests can check out compacts, SUVs, trucks, EVs, luxury cars - from domestic and imported brands - without driving to dealerships around town. The Twin Cities Auto Show is a non-selling show. 

Here are some of the popular features and attractions returning this year: 

• The Electric Vehicle Neighborhood allows you to meet EV experts and see for yourself how low-impact and convenient electric vehicle ownership can be for you. 

• Discover some of Minnesota’s most glamourous vehicles along Luxury Lane, a must-see for both automotive enthusiasts as well as casual car fans. 

• The popular Camp Jeep is back and will be ready to take guests on an obstacle course ride that covers over 30,000 square feet and brings riders up an 18’ tall indoor mountain! Professional drivers will bring you over true off-road situations that push the Trail Rated Jeep's capabilities. 

• Unique Classic Cars of Mankato will display a variety of meticulously restored vintage vehicles. Immerse yourself in automotive history!

• Great opportunities to not just look at the new rides on the show floor, but to truly experience them with test drives of standard and electric vehicles. 

• Subaru will be hosting a dog adoption exhibit with Midwest Animal Rescues and Services as part of their Subaru Loves Pets Campaign. 

• The 2025 Car of the Show is the Honda Passport. This powerful and trail-ready SUV will be on display near the main entrance of the show and within the Honda display. 

• Minnesota State Patrol Troopers will be on hand to talk about their mission to keep people safe on the roads. The troopers will have some of their squad cars on view, including a 1954 Ford and 1979 Dodge St. Regis.

* * Highlights of the 2025 Twin Cities Auto Show * *

Celebrity Appearance: Meet Jaime Hjelm from Netflix’s “TexMex Motors”

Saturday, April 12 and Sunday, April 13

Jaime Hjelm’s journey in the custom automotive scene began with a personal project—a 1962 Pontiac Bonneville, “The Chief.” This custom lowrider earned numerous trophies and titles at Lowrider Magazine Shows and World of Wheels Shows from 1997 to 2002.

As a trailblazer, Jaime has paved the way for women in automotive since the late 1990s, building a legacy of quality, style, and grit that continues to inspire.

Celebrity Appearance: Meet Constance Nunes of Netflix’s “Car Masters: Rust to Riches”

Friday, April 18 and Saturday, April 19

Constance Nunes – “A Glam Girl Wrenching in a Boy’s World” - has over 20 years of experience in the automotive industry. She is the CEO and lead mechanic, designer, and builder at CARS By Constance in Southern California.

Constance stars as the lead mechanic on the Netflix original series, “Car Master: Rust to Riches,” where she has helped the team at Gotham Garage build unique specialty cars.

Cars Against Crime Foundation™ – Display of Movie and TV Cars

Once again, the Twin Cities Auto Show will spotlight the works of the local nonprofit, Cars Against Crime Foundation™. 

The mission of this charitable organization is to use their fleet of iconic television and movie vehicles to raise funds for Police, Fire, First Responders, and Everyday Heroes.

On display will be more than a dozen classic rides as the Scooby Doo Mystery Machine and multi generations of the Batmobile. 

For more info or to donate, visit carsagainstcrime.org. GMADA is pleased to provide FREE admission to the Auto Show to police, fire fighters, EMTs with ID. 

Get Your Auto Show Tickets at Kwik Trip 

Kwik Trip will sell Twin Cities Auto Show tickets at select stores around the Twin Cities. Tickets sold at Kwik Trip stores for $11 each, that’s a $6 savings off the door price. Kwik Rewards members may have the chance for additional perks. 

Plus, attendees will be able to register onsite every day of the show to win FREE fuel for a year, compliments of Kwik Trip. No purchase necessary. 

Career in Cars Day – April 16 

The Minnesota Auto Dealers Association (MADA) is hosting a day to showcase the careers available in the retail auto industry for young adults and job seekers. 

Career in Cars Day is Wednesday, April 16 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

Those who register in advance will receive free admission to the Show, and a complimentary Auto Show t-shirt (while supplies last).

Dates / hours: 

Friday, April 11           10am – 8pm

Saturday, April 12      10am – 8pm

Sunday, April 13         10am – 5pm

Monday, April 14               Closed

Tuesday, April 15                Closed

Wednesday, April 16  10am – 8pm

Thursday, April 17       10am – 8pm

Friday, April 18             10am – 8pm

Saturday, April 19        10am – 8pm

.

Tickets:

Adults (16+)  $11 at participating Kwik Trip locations

                      $13 online at TwinCitiesAutoShow.com

                      $17 at the door

                      $10 on Wednesday and Thursday

Teens (11 – 15) $6 / Children 10 and under FREE

Police, Fire Fighters, and EMTs receive FREE admission at the door with ID.

Something for Everyone - April Events in Downtown Parks

April is packed with opportunities to explore, create, and connect at Downtown Parks! Whether you're dancing at the Pavilion, discovering local vendors, or diving into a great book, there’s something for everyone. Mark your calendar and make the most of this month’s exciting lineup.

Ziigwan Style: Painted Parfleche Elk Hide Earring Workshop
Sunday, April 6 | 2-4 pm
Water Works Park

We’re thrilled to host Mashkiki Studios for a unique hands-on experience! Create your own pair of elk hide earrings (parfleche) inspired by the Ojibwe spring season, drawn from plant medicines, animals, and landscapes. Learn painting techniques, how to seal your artwork, and how to assemble earring hardware while exploring stories of renewal and connection to the land.

What to expect:

• Paint elk hide with your own spring-inspired design

• Learn to seal your creation and assemble earring hardware

• Discover the teachings of Ziigwan (spring), traditional parfleche, and sacred plants

• Hear Ojibwe stories that root us in culture and creativity

Enjoy complimentary snacks and drinks, including cedar tea and refreshing pine needle soda. All materials are provided—no experience necessary! Register

Movies Made (right) Here:  Little Big League
Sunday, April 6 | Doors: 3 pm, Showtime: 3:30 pm
Nicollet Island Pavilion
Free Parking. Free Admission.

Step up to the plate for a screening of Little Big League, a classic baseball film shot right here in Minneapolis—within two miles of Nicollet Island Pavilion! When 12-year-old Billy Heywood unexpectedly inherits the Minnesota Twins, he takes on the challenge of managing the team himself. Featuring iconic local landmarks and a story full of humor, heart, and hometown pride, this feel-good favorite is a must-see for sports fans and film lovers alike.

Save your seat by registering here

Park Palette: Visible Mending
Monday, April 7 | 6:30-8:30 pm
Water Works Pavilion

Bring life and color back into your favorite clothes! Learn visible mending techniques for lightweight to medium fabrics. We will use patches on frayed edges and even darn small holes using needle and thread. Explore designs and learn how to fix and personalize your clothes. Each registration is for one participant, and space is limited—reserve your spot today!

Cost: $15 residents | $22.50 non-residents

Register for Visible Mending Here

Dancing in the Pavilion: Salsa with Erika
Sunday, April 13 | Doors: 2:45 pm, Lessons: 3 pm
Nicollet Island Pavilion

Get ready to spice up your Sunday with Salsa at the Pavilion! Join Erika for an exciting evening of Latin dance, where you'll learn the fundamentals of salsa in a fun and welcoming environment. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced dancer, this is the perfect opportunity to move your body and meet new people. No partner required—just bring your enthusiasm!

Sign up to Salsa

Park Palette: Decor-It-Yourself
Monday, April 14 | 6:30-8:30 pm
Water Works

Get crafty and creative with our Decor-It-Yourself workshop! Whether you're prepping for a house party or just want to add some personal flair to your space on a budget, this class will teach you how to repurpose common materials into custom decorations. We’ll cover practical and sustainable crafting techniques that fit your style. No experience required—just bring your enthusiasm!

Cost: $15 residents | $22.50 non-residents

Register to Decor!

Minnesota, A Literary Powerhouse: Spring Book Club
Monday, April 21 | 6:30-7:30 pm
Water Works

This month, we will be reading and reviewing Desolation Mountain by William Kent Krueger. To Stephen O’Connor, Hamlet’s dour observation is more than just words. All his life, he has had visions of tragedies to come. When he experiences the vision of a great bird shot from the sky, he knows something terrible is about to happen. The crash of a private plane on Desolation Mountain in a remote part of the Iron Lake Reservation, which kills a United States senator and most of her family, confirms Stephen’s worst fears.

Cost: $15 residents | $22.50 non-residents

Nicollet Island Spring Market
Sunday, April 27 | 10 am-4 pm
Nicollet Island

The Nicollet Island Spring Market returns! Shop from 50 unique vendors inside the historic Nicollet Island Pavilion, featuring a mix of new and returning makers. From child entrepreneurs showcasing their first creations to retirees sharing lifelong crafts, there’s something for everyone. Enjoy live music while you browse, and grab beverages and snacks available for purchase from Mintahoe. Don't miss this vibrant celebration of local creativity and community!

Park Palette: Kumihimo Braiding
Monday, April 28 | 6:30-8:30 pm
Water Works

Learn the art of braiding with a variety of materials! We’ll explore classic braiding styles you may already know and introduce you to the beautiful circular Kumihimo technique. Create bracelets, cords, and other accessories while mastering how to start and finish your projects. Materials like thread, yarn, and discs are provided—just bring your creativity!

Cost: $15 residents | $22.50 non-residents

Braiding Registration

We’re Hiring: Downtown Park Attendant - Seasonal 

Join our team as a Park Event Attendant and help support park activities, set up and tear down equipment for events like Music and Movies in the Park, park markets, sports leagues, and more. You’ll act as a friendly representative for Downtown Parks, assisting visitors with information while working outdoors in one of the premier park systems in the U.S. Whether you're into recreation, environmental education, maintenance, or customer service, we have a job for you! Apply today and gain new skills, meet new people, and contribute to a vibrant, community-driven environment.

Join Our Team!

Join us throughout April for a mix of movement, creativity, and community! Whether you're learning something new or simply enjoying time with friends, Downtown Parks is the place to be. See you there!

Downtown Minneapolis Parks

The Commons Park - 425 Portland Avenue South

Gateway Park - 1 1st Street South

Graco Park - 15 8th Ave Northeast

Nicollet Island Park - 40 Power Street

North Loop Park - 731 N 3rd St 

Water Works at Mill Ruins Park - 425 West River Parkway

Questions? Email Aisling Reynolds, areynolds@minneapolisparks.org.

Minneapolis Downtown Parks

Minneapolis Downtown Parks

It’s Film Festival Time!

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

44th Annual Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival

MSP Film Society is Minnesota’s foremost film exhibition organization, bringing the best international and independent films to us via the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF). Susan Smoluchowski, Executive Director, calls the Film Society "our community’s arthouse," and she’s right. This year’s festival – the 44th annual – has over 200 films, 55 languages represented, early career films and Oscar (and other awards) winning directors, documentaries, comedies, ancillary panels showcasing the best in the cinema industry, and two weeks of parties! Principals from the films will be available at the screenings, too. You may choose program tracks (Artful Visions, Breakthroughs, Dark Out, Documentaries, Films for Families and more) or Themes (BIPOC stories, Cine Latino, Images of Africa, MN Made and more). The festival runs April 2-13, with locations across the Twin Cities. Get tickets here.

We asked MSP Film Society insiders about their favorites in the upcoming festival:

Susan Smoluchowski - Smoluchowski has several top picks but selects Free Leonard Peltier, the Opening Night Film for special consideration. Directed by Jesse Short Bull and David France, Smoluchowski highlights the film’s message that reminds us all to be vigilant in the face of injustice. Peltier’s life sentence was commuted by President Joe Biden in the final hours of his presidency, allowing him to serve the remainder of his sentence under home confinement, rather than in prison. He has not yet been pardoned. The film will be shown on three screens on opening night, followed by the Opening Night Party at the A-Mill Artist Lofts. MSP Film is partnering with Owamni for the Opening Night Party. All those who attend the film are invited to the party.

Samalia in the Picture

Jesse Bishop, Programming Director – Bishop selects the world premiere of Somalia in the Picture for your attention. Somalia in the Picture traces a century of cinema in Mogadishu, where today gorgeous movie palaces lay in ruin. Director Mark Brecke will attend the showing. Following the screening on April 10, we’ll be able to meet the film makers for tea and treats at Pracna. 

Craig Rice, Senior Programmer – Rice notes that many films touch on local subjects. The People’s Way, focusing on the intersection of East 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis, George Floyd Square.  Three community organizers - Jeanelle Austin, Toshira Garraway, and Robin Wonsley - embark on interweaving journeys after George Floyd’s murder to care for their communities, find inner healing, and forge a path towards black liberation. Film makers and film participants will be in attendance. A special Capri Theater screening on April 10 includes a pay what you can option.

Kelly Nathe, Programmer and Publicity Director – Nathe highlights the incredible number of films with Minnesota ties and recommends Brooklyn, Minnesota. Writers/Directors Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen and some cast members will attend the screenings. The movie was filmed in the Twin Cities and around Lake Minnetonka. If you love seeing images of Minnesota on the big screen, this one is for you. 

Kathie Smith, Programmer, recommends DJ Ahmet. How many coming of age Macedonian films have you seen? The preview introduced us to Ahmet, a teenage shepherd from North Macedonia, a young man who loves music and is frustrated by his father’s short-sightedness and community’s limitations. It’s a gorgeous romance that is easy to recommend. The film won a Special Jury Prize and an Audience Award at the 2025 Sundance Festival.

This is just a very brief summary of festival favorites. Please check the Guidebook – pick a ticket package and get ready for the biggest film event of the year.

Collection in Focus: Banu Cennetoğlu at Walker Art Center

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos courtesy Walker Art Center, Kameron Herndon

A Discussion with Laurel Rand-Lewis, Curatorial Fellow, Visual Arts at Walker Art Center, regarding HOWBEIT, an exhibit by artist Banu Cennetoğlu

There’s a new exhibit at the Walker Art Center, Collection in Focus: Banu Cennetoğlu, featuring a major video work that contains media pulled from the artist’s cellphones, computers, and hard drives from 2006 to 2018.  It includes more than 127 hours of video and photographs that unfold chronologically. We talked to Laurel Rand-Lewis, Curatorial Fellow, about how the exhibit came to the Walker, how best to approach the work and why it resonates with Minneapolis audiences. HOWBEIT, is on display at the Walker Art Center, 725 Vineland Place, through May 25 – but go soon because you’ll probably want to see the exhibit more than once.

Laurel Rand-Lewis, photo by Kameron HerndonQ:  Can you give our readers some background information on Banu Cennetoğlu?

A:  Banu Cennetoğlu is an interdisciplinary artist based in Istanbul. Her practice examines the production, distribution, and collection of knowledge through photography, installation, video and other mediums. These works often dig into the politicization and access (or lack thereof) to certain forms of knowledge. Recent works also touch upon themes of loss, grief, and absence, exploring the ways we understand and give shape to these impossible experiences. 

Q:  What drew you and the Walker Art Center to curate Banu Cennetoğlu's work, HOWBEIT?

A:  The Walker co-acquired Cennetoğlu’s piece 1 January 1970 – 21 March 2018 · H O W B E I T · Guilty feet have got no rhythm · Keçiboynuzu · AS IS · MurMur · I measure every grief I meet · Taq u Raq · A piercing Comfort it affords · Stitch · Made in Fall · Yes. But. We had a golden heart. · One day soon I’m gonna tell the moon about the crying game (2018) with the Hammer Museum in 2019. Her work had been exhibited at the Walker previously in 2007-08 as part of Brave New Worlds, so there was already an institutional interest in her practice for some time before we were able to bring this work into the collection.

When we began developing our current Collection in Focus series, HOWBEIT immediately jumped out as an important work to highlight. The work has remained incredibly topical, particularly as advancements in technology make it increasingly easy to produce and store data. This is the first time HOWBEIT has been exhibited since its acquisition and it’s been very exciting to finally bring this work into the galleries.

Q:  How do you see the recurring themes in Cennetoğlu's work - such as memory, documentation, and displacement - resonating with local audiences?

A:  Minneapolis is home to many diasporic cultures, which makes dialogues around these topics already very commonplace. I think that helps to set a base level of connection to HOWBEIT, especially for viewers that may not commonly find their experiences represented within a museum. 

Banu Bennetoglu Photo, The GardianQ:  The Walker Art Center suggests that perhaps that we revisit the work – maybe several times – since it clocks it at over 127 hours of video imagery. How long do visitors typically spend viewing the exhibit? What kinds of reactions or discussions have her works sparked among viewers?

A:  It depends on the visitor – some spend only a few minutes, others several hours. The piece really sucks you in once you’re in the space. I’ve heard some visitors reflecting on what’s on their camera roll – what they’d want to delete before they’d be comfortable sharing it publicly. I think the lack of self-censorship on Cennetoğlu’s part really resonates – most people wouldn’t feel comfortable sharing their life like this. 

Q:  I read that Ms. Cennetoğlu does not consider The List (a catalog of those who had perished in attempting to make a new life immigrating to Europe) to be art. It is certainly relevant and evokes strong emotions about immigration issues. Do you believe it is art?

A:  I do not. The List is a document meant to recognize and record the incredible human cost of restrictive immigration and asylum policies in Europe. Ultimately, it is a tool for activists and policymakers to reference when working to create change. Cennetoğlu has facilitated several public displays of The List, leveraging her connections within the art world to increase attention and access to the information. She is a conduit through which the information reaches a wider audience but not the ‘author’ of the information, as she is for her artworks. 

Q:  Archival materials play a significant role in her work. How do you think her use of archives redefines the concept of collective memory?

A:  By giving the viewer access to her own personal archive, Cennetoğlu invites us to find the connections between her life and our own. As the years pass through the work, you find yourself watching major political issues play out in her photographs, events that have affected global history and the way we all live together. Her images act as a seed that allows for different branches to form, bringing together her experience with that of the viewer. One of the most fascinating parts of this piece to me is the ability for any image in this piece to resonate with the viewer. Though they may not necessarily connect with the exact location or scenario pictured, they have something in their own camera roll that is similar, something in their life that mirrors what Cennetoğlu is sharing.

Q:  How do you navigate presenting works that address heavy or politically charged topics? Are there strategies you use to make these works accessible without diluting their message?

A:  One of the most wonderful things about art is that it evokes a different response in every viewer. Not every work is going to resonate with or appeal to every viewer. Through my work I strive to foster discussions about art, particularly works that may be challenging to some viewers. I think the most important element of working with political art is understanding when to provide context and when to let the work speak on its own. In the case of HOWBEIT, it felt important to emphasize in the texts that accompany the piece some of the ways Cennetoğlu’s work connects to activism, as many viewers will not see the sections that explicitly depict protests or her facilitations of The List. Interpretive texts within exhibitions can help provide context or further emphasize artists’ critiques, but I always want to ensure they’re not simply explicating a work – there has to be room for a visitor to engage on their own with the work and walk away with thoughts or questions that largely came from connecting to the piece.

Q:  How may we follow Walker Art Center news?

A:  Visit walkerart.org for information about current and upcoming exhibitions, events, and programs. We always welcome new and returning visitors.

Through April 13, Save $5 off the Registration Fee for the April 19 Earth Day 5K Run/Walk

Bee the change! The Earth Day 5K Bee Run/Walk and River Cleanup is Saturday, April 19 at Boom Island Park, located in the only National Park offering scenic views of the Mississippi River! 

Before and after the 5K, learn about efforts to protect pollinators and their habitat with Earth Day festivities for the whole family. This is a family-friendly event, dogs are welcome and costumes are encouraged (prizes for the best!). Swarms encouraged - amass a team! Post-race, take part in an organized river cleanup. 

Avoid the lines on race day - pick up your race bib and swag Friday, April 18, 3-6pm at Mill City Running, 411 E Hennepin Ave. (Bonus - show your race bib and receive 20% off Mill City Running purchases Friday, April 18 - Sunday, April 20!)

.

Please help save our bees and their habitat by participating!

Pangea World Theater presents Rhinoceros at Southern Theater, April 4-19

Pangea World Theater is pleased to present Rhinoceros, by Eugène Ionesco, at The Southern Theater, April 4-19. Rhinoceros combines whimsical humor with unsettling tragedy to question human nature at the most fundamental level.

Over the course of three acts, the inhabitants of a small town turn into rhinoceroses; ultimately the only human who does not succumb to this mass metamorphosis is the central character, Berenger, a flustered figure who is initially criticized in the play for his drinking, tardiness, and slovenly lifestyle and then, later, for his increasing paranoia and obsession with the rhinoceroses.

Come experience how Rhinoceros dives into themes of conformity, fascism, social responsibility, mob mentality, philosophy, and morality.

“Ionesco is an iconic voice in the canons of literature. We are privileged to journey with this brilliant mind during this time. Ever so often, humanity is called upon to pause, analyze, embody and be in action. Rhinoceros, a provocative journey, asks us searing questions about our own humanity and integrity,” says Director Dipankar Mukherjee.

The Rhinoceros ensemble includes Ernest Briggs, Tyler Stamm, Bruce Abes, Nate Kay, Kirby Bennet, Sayli Khadilkar, Mallory K. Lewis, Julie Anne Nevill, Sudarsna Mukund, and Shruti Priti Ramesh. Director Dipankar Mukherjee’s artistic team features Assistant Director Sir Curtis Kirby III, lighting design by Brackley Frayer, set design by Orin Herfindal, costume design by Abigail Vaughan, sound design by Diego Vasquez Rios, music by Vladimir Garrido, and stage management by Suzanne Victoria Cross.

Tickets to Rhinoceros are $20 – 50 (sliding scale), student tickets are $15. They can be reserved at https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/rhinoceros

The Mill Yard at Stonebridge Announces Spring Show, Opening April 13

Opening Reception Sunday, April 13, 4:00 - 6:00PM

Stonebridge Lofts, 1120 S 2nd Street

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

Join the The Mill Yard in welcoming these artists to their Spring Show. Purchase original art, meet neighbors and enjoy complimentary beverages. The Brick Oven Bus Pizza Food Truck will be on site with pizzas for purchase. 

Local artists featured at this show:

The Other Harbor LightTom Dimock  Growing up, Tom Dimock lived across the US while his father was a dentist in the Navy. His mother was an artist and besides her influence his father’s cousin is a famous Seattle artist. After Tom served on the USS Henry B. Wilson he earned his BFA from the Art Center in Pasadena, California. He worked as a freelance illustrator while pursuing fine art, later earning an MFA from the University of Minnesota. An award-winning Minneapolis artist with international acclaim, he continues his career as a plein air impressionist, painting across the U.S. and Europe.

Superior Wave

Grist of the PastGreg Lecker  Greg Lecker is a dedicated visual artist and naturalist. Greg works from direct observation as well as from writing and photographic references to study the natural world. Working primarily in oil, his canvases illuminate with energy and color, motion and emotion through brushstrokes, color and light. “When a field painting session especially interests me; I explore the subject in the studio. I use my artistic practice as a way to understand the natural world and our connection to it.” Through multiple residencies Greg has studied the Mississippi & St. Croix Rivers and the Arctic Ocean (Svalbard, Norway). Greg’s work is also on view at the Northrup King Building #183.

Moon BowlJeanne Lukas  Jeanne Lukas is a ceramic sculptor. During her career in marketing she found clay her creative passion. Jeanne’s journey began at the University of Minnesota then continued at the Northern Clay Center in Minneapolis, Craft Alliance in St. Louis, and Anderson Ranch in Colorado. She is currently working full-time in her Northrup King studio. Jeanne’s pieces are hand-built, carved and textured in unique designs.  Her pieces range from functional to decorative.

Green Pitcher and BreadDan Petrov  Born in Serbia, Dan Petrov spent most of his University summers in northern Italy studying painting techniques of Renaissance and contemporary painters. After University his museum studies extended to France, England and Holland where he copied old masters. Combining Indirect and Direct Painting Methods Dan arrived at the techniques he uses today.  His studies of visual art continued in Canada from 1992 to 2006 when he relocated his studio to Minneapolis. From 2006 to 2010 Dan was the part of The Atelier comprehensive studio art program. “During the last four years I have been painting narrative portraits that treat different aspects of human condition. These works go beyond the model and likeness to deliver more universal aspects of individual or group, relations to tradition and culture and some stories that are fundamentally relevant for all of us.”

Through the RiverMary Sannerud  Mary Sannerud is a felt-maker. She creates home textiles through the process of wet-felting. She came to this work by great surprise, having grown up never using her hands to make beauty. She was taught traditional felt rug making in the U.S. by a family of felt-makers from Kyrgyzstan, then lived and worked with her mentors in  Kyrgyz Republic for 3 months. This time of learning deeply rooted her work and gave her a broader understanding of the importance of felt in the home. She is constantly creating from her love of the land where she lives on the North Shore of MN.

Mixed sapphire disc pendantAnne Waddell, Jewelry  Anne has always been an artist. After graduating with a BFA in Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design she enjoyed a successful career selling high-end jewelry, always creating her own in a garage studio. For over five years Anne has focused exclusively on her own brand, drawing inspiration from her life experiences and nature. She works with gold, silver and precious and semi-precious gemstones. She has numerous successful collections and curated partnerships which allowed her to open a new studio in Deephaven, MN.

MORE INFO/STAY CONNECTED: 

TheMillYard.Stonebridge@gmail.com,  Website, Facebook, Instagram

Five Renowned Artists to Transform Midtown Greenway into Nation’s Best Cultural Bikeway

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Melodee Strong is one of the 5 artists who will create murals along the Midtown Greenway.

A Discussion with Soren Jensen, Executive Director, Midtown Greenway Coalition

One of our favorite urban bike trails - The Midtown Greenway - is about to get even more vibrant with the additional of five cultural murals. The project will celebrate community, creativity, cultural diversity, and the power of public art to inspire and connect. We wanted to know more about this project and sat down with Soren Jensen, Executive Director of the Midtown Greenway Coalition to discuss the artists, selection process, funding and the many ways you can be involved. 

Soren JensenQ:  Please tell us more about the project to add murals to the Midtown Greenway.  

A:  We’ve received funding from the Minnesota Humanities Center to install five new murals in the Greenway this spring. Combined with our existing murals, we’ll have over a dozen murals along the Greenway, creating what we believe will arguably be the nation’s best Cultural Bikeway, celebrating the diverse cultures that live along the trail and creating an even more welcoming trail.

The murals will be completed by June 2025, thanks to the dedicated work of these remarkable artists:

Cadex Herrera Cadex is an internationally acclaimed artist known for his vibrant murals and social justice-themed artwork. Originally from Belize, Herrera gained worldwide recognition as one of the artists behind the iconic George Floyd mural in Minneapolis. His work often explores themes of identity, resilience, and community, making him a perfect fit for this project.

Geno Okok Geno is a Nigerian-born artist whose dynamic portraits and vibrant use of color capture the essence of his subjects. Okok’s work reflects his passion for storytelling and his commitment to uplifting underrepresented voices. His murals can be found across the Twin Cities, each one a testament to his artistic vision and cultural heritage.

Constanza Carballo Constanza is a multidisciplinary artist originally from Argentina, now based in Minneapolis. Her work often incorporates elements of nature and abstract design, blending organic forms with bold, geometric patterns. Carballo’s murals are celebrated for their ability to transform public spaces into immersive artistic experiences.

Melodee Strong Melodee is a Minneapolis-based artist and educator with a passion for empowering communities through art. Her murals often highlight themes of diversity, inclusion, and social justice. Strong’s bold, illustrative style brings a unique energy to her work, making her a standout in the Twin Cities art scene.

Natalie Shugailo Natalie is a greater Chicago-based artist specializing in intricate, nature-inspired designs that draw from her Ukrainian heritage. Her work often features detailed patterns and motifs that celebrate cultural traditions while embracing modern aesthetics. Shugailo’s murals are known for their meticulous craftsmanship and timeless beauty.

Q:  Will we be able to watch the muralists in action?

A:  Yes, the public will be invited to watch the murals being installed in the Greenway between May 24 and June 1. Sign up for our e-newsletter by emailing soren@midtowngreenway.org or watch for posts on Facebook, X, and Instagram. We also plan to have an unveiling celebration to recognize the completion of all the murals – it will happen in June, date and time to be determined.

Q:  Please tell us about the selection process for the five artists.

A:  Happy to report that we received over 80 applications! Most of them were from local artists, but we received several from other states. Of the artists we selected, four are local and one is from the Chicago area.

To review all of the applications, we convened a diverse panel of community volunteers, including several Midtown Greenway Coalition board members and local artists. They reviewed and scored each application, then met in person to keep narrowing the list down to five artists. It was very hard! The quality of the artists and applications were outstanding. The panel narrowed the list down to 8 artists, then online interviews were held to select the final five artists.

The new murals will join current murals such this one, created in partnership with MCAD, Little Earth of United Tribes, and artist Melodee Strong. Photo provided by the Midtown Greenway Coalition.

Q:  How did the partnership with the Minnesota Humanities Center come about?

A:  We received a grant. The Minnesota Humanities Center has grants made possible by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.  

Q:  Shifting gears a bit, what is your long-term vision for the Midtown Greenway, and how do you see it evolving over the next 5–10 years?

A:  Our mission is to protect and enhance the Midtown Greenway and keep it the nation's best urban bike trail. We will continue to work to keep the trail safe, clean, green, and full of public art.

In addition to our mural project that will create the nation's best cultural bikeway, we are also working to create the nation's best urban pollinator pathway. This summer we will be installing 15 new pollinator gardens for rusty-patched bumblebees and monarch butterflies, creating a 5-mile-long pollinator pathway.

We also have a new initiative called the East Phillips BikeMore Project, which will give out over 100 free bikes to youth in East Phillips and provide programming to teach them how to bike safely.

Our major arts event, the Greenway Glow Arts Festival, will be held on September 6th. The Glow is one of the longest running free arts festivals in Minneapolis. It features dozens of interactive displays and performances by local artists.

One of our most important efforts is to extend the Greenway over the river and through Saint Paul. We are making slow but steady progress! The Met Council is currently studying the bridge over the river, to determine how much it would cost to repair the bridge and extend the trail into Saint Paul. Once the report is finished this fall, we expect to be able to use it to encourage government leaders to get to work to extend the Greenway!

Q:  What are the primary sources of funding for the Greenway, and how do you address financial challenges?

A:  We are a nonprofit organization and receive no annual operating funds from the government. We raise all of our funds from individuals and organizations that love the Greenway and want to keep it the best urban bike trail in the nation.

Q:  OK, I hear you. How can the public support the Greenway’s initiatives - through advocacy, donations, or volunteering? How do we follow your news?

A:  Thank you! Tax-deductible donations can be made via GiveMN.org or through our website at www.midtowngreenway.org. We also welcome volunteers! The best way to find out about volunteer opportunities and how to support our work is to sign up for our e-newsletter by emailing Soren@midtowngreenway.org. We also post to our social media pages on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

Bridge 9 Improvement Project Update

Bridge No. 9 was constructed in 1922 by the Northern Pacific Railroad to carry freight over the Mississippi. The City of Minneapolis acquired this bridge in 1986 and converted the bridge to a pedestrian use bridge in 1999. The bridge currently provides a Mississippi River crossing for the Dinkytown Greenway bike trail.

Latest project news

2025 Construction Phase

Public Works has been working on this bridge in phases over the past few years, starting with the substructure work (piers and abutments). In 2025, the scope of work will focus on the superstructure, which includes removing and replacing the approach span decks, replacing the existing railing with a high-safety railing and rehabilitating the east side abutment.

To complete this work, the bridge will be closed from April 7, 2025, to December 2025.

Stay Connected!

For more details and to sign up for email updates please visit the project page:
www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/bridge-9/

For concerns or questions about the Bridge 9 project please contact:

Contact the project engineer: Petru Vizoli,
612-201-1905, or Petru.Vizoli@minneapolismn.gov.

Contact the engineer: Oscar Weber,
651-470-4790 or Oscar.Weber@minneapolismn.gov 

Contact the design team project manager: Rich Revering,
612-718-8412 or Richard.Revering@Bolton-Menk.com

The Dog That Howled at the Moon by Ric Rosow

Submitted by Ric Rosow

I was out before sunrise on March 16th taking photographs of the moon over downtown Minneapolis. Sunrise and Moonset were closer together than the days before, so I was able to get more detail in the foreground but at the same time the moon does not have as much detail because of the bright sky. As the moon descended it was making its way to land on top of Centre Village apartments. At the same time the smoke from the downtown steam energy plant was billowing in the wind. I was concerned it would hide the moon. In this image the wind blew the smoke into the shape of a dog looking directly up at the moon. In a photo a few shots later, the moon is on top of the "dogs" head. It almost looks like that famous dog created by cartonist and creator Charles Schulz. It was REALLY cold this morning and I almost called it quits before the moon totally set below Centre Village. I am glad I did not as I was able to snap a shot of the moon directly on top of that building.

You can see more of my work at ricrosowphotography.com and www.pricekrishnanartgallery.com. This photograph and others on my website are available for purchase either from my website or by contacting me directly.

Elsie’s - the Social Epicenter of NE Minneapolis

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

A Discussion with Dawn Swart, General Manager

We love Elsie’s restaurant and bowling alley in NE Minneapolis! We talked to General Manager Dawn Swart about the menu, neighborhood collaborations and bowling. But before we switch to Dawn for her responses, here's what Ward 3 Council Member Michael Rainville had to say about one of his favorite establishments:  “Elsie’s is named after, who else…Elsie. A proud Scottish woman who was widowed at an early age and ran the business by herself and her son. She was very feisty and was known to chase out the teenagers who bought cigarettes from the machine in the bowling alley. One warning and then Elsie hit you with her broom. For a small woman, she packed a punch. Today Mike and Tim Tuttle run Elsie’s, which is the social epicenter of NE Minneapolis. Not only is the roast beef sandwich a delight, Elsie’s features a hearty breakfast menu and a full luncheon menu. Elsie’s has two outdoor patios and there is not a better place to watch the sun set in the West than on the Marshall Street patio. When you stop in for breakfast or lunch, Patty and Chuck, the finest servers in North America, will take good care of you.”

Q:  What’s the history of Elsie’s, and what makes it unique to Northeast Minneapolis? 

A:  Elsie’s was established in 1956. The business was owned and operated by Elsie Nelson. In later years her son Bill Nelson took over the business. Tim and Mike Tuttle are the current owners and 4th generation bowling proprietors. Their passion and commitment to our customers, community, employees and the business have been the driving force behind Elsie’s success.

Dawn Swart with a happy crowd at Elsie's

I think when you walk through the doors there is a sense of nostalgia that greets you with a little modern flair. Elsie’s is a place where all generations may gather and enjoy time together. Perhaps you may have celebrated your child’s birthday here, bowled on a league, attended a wedding in our private banquet space or holiday party, maybe it was happy hour in the bar with friends or a reunion with old schoolmates in our restaurant. With so many unique places NE has to offer we are honored to be included among them. And we’ll gladly take the moniker offered by Michael Rainville as the "social epicenter of NE Minneapolis."

Q:  I agree with you about all generations being welcome at Elsie’s. I bowled there last month and every age group was on the lanes – and everyone was having fun. An article from September 2024 noted that Elsie’s may be an unsuspecting bowling alley, but that it serves some of the best food in the state - congratulations! Talk to us about the menu philosophy at Elsie’s. 

A:  Thank you! The article was a wonderful surprise. We offer a variety of American comfort food. Hearty portions with great flavor. Variety is the spice of life. Our menu is large covering breakfast, lunch and dinner options. Kung Pao Chicken, Cadillac Mac & Cheese, Prime rib, Walleye Sandwich, Aztec Salad, Irish Whiskey Burger or the Elsie Supreme Omelet are among some of our customers favorite selections.

Above, breakfast items, and below, some lunch options. Yum!

Q:  Are there happy hour deals on food or beverages? 

A:  Yes, we have happy hour beverages during the week, 3-6pm, on tap beer, rail drinks and domestic bottled beer.

Q:  What are your bowling rates – per hour or per game?

A:  Elsie’s offers both per game OR per hour rates during weekday open bowl. On the weekends we are strictly hourly to ensure all who enter our establishment have the opportunity to grab a lane and enjoy. Pricing varies. It is best to call ahead for current rates.

Q:  Elsie’s offers glow bowling – what is it and how can we get in on this?

A:  Cosmic bowling is when we turn on the disco balls, party lights, black lights and crank up the music. We have state-of-the-art sound and light systems. You may request cosmic bowl at any time with the exception of league play hours.

Q:  Please tell us more about league play and tournaments.

A:  We host several tournament fundraisers in the spring and early summer as we partner with the NE Lions Club, Midway YMCA and other local charities focused on our neighbors and our community. Leagues play begins just after Labor Day and wraps up in late April. Open bowl is year-round and open to all age groups!

Q:  Sounds like you’re quite involved with the community.

A:  Elsie’s partners with area schools, Kids Bowl Free summer program and local clubs throughout the year. Community has been our focus from the beginning. This is the foundation that has supported us since 1956!

Q:  How may we stay up to date with all your offerings? 

A:  We’re on all the social channels. Check our website, and even better, come down and visit with us at 729 Marshall Street NE.

Patio season is almost here!

The Moon and Capella by Ric Rosow

Submitted by Ric Rosow

The Moon and Capella 

It was a Full Moon this morning (March 14) under clear skies. I setup on a balcony facing downtown and started shooting immediately as the moon was getting very close to Capella. In fact this is the first photograph I took this morning. This image is one photograph that I processed twice. I created a duplicate layer and processed the original for the moon and the duplicate layer for the rest of the image. I then manually blended the two layers together. It did not take long for the moon to slip out sight behind Capella as it was making its way to set below the horizon. But to my delight, as the moon exited from behind Capella it was well above the Wells Fargo Building and in between Capella and the Wells Fargo Building.

You can see more of my work at ricrosowphotography.com and PriceKrishnanGallery. 

Lettice and Lovage opens at Theatre in the Round April 4

Lettice & Lovage runs April 4-27, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30p, Sundays at 2p

Theatre in the Round Players (TRP) is presenting Lettice and Lovage as the sixth production of their 73rd Season. Filled with larger-than-life characters, Peter Shaffer (Amadeus, Black Comedy, Equus) explores the value of truth and beauty in this witty and charming British comedy.

Originally written as a star vehicle for Dame Maggie Smith, this play famously features two actresses “of a certain age” in the leading roles. Lettice Duffet (an expert on Elizabethan cuisine, enthusiast of medieval weaponry and lover of history) serves as the ever flamboyant tour guide at Fustian House. Lotte Schoen (lover of rules and keeper of order) is the straightlaced inspector from the Preservation Trust. When Lettice theatrically “embellishes” the historical past of Fustian House, Schoen calls her into her office…which triggers an unlikely beginning to an unlikely friendship.

In a testament to friendship that spills from the stage to real life, this production is sponsored by Linda Sue Anderson in memory of Maggie Bearmon Pister. Pistner played “Lettice” in TRP’s 2001 production of this script, with Anderson playing opposite of her. Pistner was a prolific actor on Twin Cities stages and passed away in 2023.

Duck Washington directs the eight-member cast with stage management by Jessie Fanshaw, set design by Cory Skold, costumes by CJ Mantel, lighting by Mark Kieffer, props by Robert Smith, and sound design by Anita Kelling.

More info and Tickets. Audio-Described performance on

Theatre in the Round’s facilities are accessible for audience members using wheelchairs. Assisted listening and individual captioning devices are available for check-out. For questions about access services, please email tix@theatreintheround.org or call the box office at 612-333-3010.

Nicollet Island Inn Announces 2025 Bourbon Buyout, March 20

A Special Whiskey-Lovers Tasting Event!

The Bourbon Buyout returns to the Nicollet Island Inn March 20 at 5pm. The Inn will be shut down for the night to welcome whiskey-lovers for a tasting event including an impressive collection of rare and allocated whiskeys and bourbons.

More Info and Reservations

 

Guests will enjoy tasting pours from labels and vintages that aren’t available at any other Twin Cities venue, expertly paired with cuisine crafted to complement every delicious note and flavor accent.

 

Complimentary beer and wine will be available throughout the evening as well as run-of-the-bar selections to cleanse your palette between premium tastings. Throughout the evening there will be random drawings and giveaways of selected bottles and merchandise!

 

Worried about being in a room full of premium bourbon and then having to drive home? No problem - a limited number of guest rooms are available so you can celebrate with vigor until you fall into bed without ever having to leave the property. More details will be available in the confirmation email you will receive after tour purchase.

 

Tickets for this special are only available by advance-purchase and include:

 

• 12 1/2oz liquor pours, including 4 rare/allocated pours and 8 run-of-the-bar pours
• Chef’s buffet (unlimited); buffet service, dishes paired with whiskey selections
• Select beer and wine available through the evening (unlimited)

 

NOTE:  At checkout, a service charge (20%), SST fee (5%, to help cover sick and safe time for our staff) and applicable taxes and credit card processing fees will be applied. 

Garden Art Fling at the Flux Arts Building, April 5

Explore the vital role of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators through science education, art and connect with the community as we celebrate the beauty of blooms and nature.

Join the Garden Art Fling at The Flux on April 5th from 10a-6p at the Flux Arts Building and Art to Change the World (ACW) headquarters, 699 NE Lowry Avenue. This vibrant event will showcase a lively mix of music, story telling, and art vendors, including an art show featuring 8 x 8 artistic creations from ACW members, all available for purchase.

There will be several hands-on activities including mosaic stepping stones at Clay Squared to Infinity, “Butterfly Baths” at the Clay Squared Gallery and “Pollinator Palaces” at the ACW headquarters.

Pollinators are essential to the world’s food and flowers, and their importance reminds us of how we too are better together. This event is a powerful reminder of how nature and the arts come together to inspire! 

The event includes: 

• Scavenger Hunt (how many fairy doors, make laminated fairy bookmarks)
• Build You Own Bee Palace
• Pollinator Kiosk
• Photos with Butterfly wings made of bottle caps by Kelly Frankenberg
• Pollinator Mini Show (8 x 8 paintings) 

Meet Addie Gorlin-Han, a Twin Cities Theatrical Rising Star

Article by Becky Filliner, photo provided

In August 2024, American Theatre magazine featured Addie Gorlin-Han in their "6 Theatre Workers You Should Know" series, highlighting her as a notable figure in the theater community. Tracy Brigden, Senior Artistic Producer at the Guthrie, praised Gorlin-Han's leadership, noting her advocacy for local artists, diverse voices, and inclusive practices and that Addie is on track to “be a brilliant artistic director.” That predicted future appears to be now. We talked to Addie about current projects, including directing Fun Home at Theater Latté Da and what’s next in her flourishing career. 

Addie Gorlin-HanQ:  You’ve certainly been busy in the Twin Cities recently – directing The Root Beer Lady at the History Theater in February and slated to direct Fun Home at Theater Latté Da, starting in April. With all of the exciting projects you've taken on recently, does it feel like you've stepped into a new chapter in your career?

A:  I'm glad it seems that way! I've actually stepped into a new chapter of my life now that I have two kids, Owen (3.5) and Benny (1). I have my job at the Guthrie as Associate Producer and I'm dedicated to being present there so between that and kids, I actually spend a lot of emotional energy being selective about what I'm going to pursue, especially when rehearsals for projects happen during my kiddos' bedtime. It's a hard balance and I constantly feel like I should be doing more!

Q:  Fun Home is an intimate and deeply personal story - what is your vision for bringing it to life on the Theater Latté Da stage? How do you approach balancing the show’s humor with its heavier emotional moments? What do you hope audiences take away from this production of Fun Home?

A:  Yes, it's a deeply personal and beautifully intimate story for Alison Bechdal and many members of the audience alike. 

I find it productive to hinge the storytelling/world building on a single line from the play - one that I feel summarizes the action of the story. For this piece Alison and Bruce's lyrics: "I want to know what's true, dig deep into who, and what, and why, and when, until now gives way to then" immediately stuck out as the reason for the play and for the movement of the piece. At the very top of the show, Alison sits down with a notebook and opens a box from her father's past; she pulls out random relics (antiques, linens, etc.) which serve as catalysts connecting her to memories of her past that track across her relationship with her closeted dad, to get to the bottom of why he died, and to wrestle with memories of her own coming of age - as a young queer person and as an artist. 

Because of this, I loved the idea of her returning to a metaphorical warehouse, a big storage room of memories, where all her father's antiques are stored and which she hasn't encountered in the last 20 years until this very moment when she actively decides to dust off and uncover his "boxes of junk" in order to deal with this material head-on. As such, you'll see that scenically we've created a warehouse of memories - the side walls are shelves filled with objects, antiques, furniture that, when pulled from the back walls and onto the stage locate us in a specific memory or time in Alison's life.

Fun Home runs April 2 - May 4 at Theater Latté Da

What also strikes me about the play and the graphic novel, is that Alison could have worked through all of these memories with contempt, anger at her father, resentment and bitterness towards her family - and to be clear, she doesn't shy away from complicated, messy truths of it all. But she does so with an overwhelming sense of love. I appreciate that on a personal level because I grew up in the 2000s with a trans sibling and despite the challenges, I've experienced the very real and tender ways a family can be brought together through the journey. I think that's the key to balancing the humor with heavier moments - that it's all rooted in truth.

My sibling is also working as a consultant on this show - they're a caricature artist and work at Birchbark Books. They're coordinating an effort to bring in queer graphic artists from their book and caricature community to tech to draw moments from rehearsal; those drawings will then be on display and used to promote the show. I'm really excited about the partnerships they're working on – stay tuned for more details from Theater Latté Da. 

Q:  What is the casting process like for this production, especially with the three actors playing Alison at different ages?

A:  We did a big casting call based on Latté Da’s regional auditions and then had an additional casting session for the young folks. I wasn't actually concerned about finding three people who looked like one another; at the beginning of the process, I was ready to adjust a "concept" around whoever walked in and brought the most convincing portrayal of Alisons and we'd work from there, but it just so turns out that we have three talented actors who do have some striking resemblance.

Q:  Do you anticipate specific challenges in directing the younger actors, particularly Small Alison?

A:  Haha yes, people seem to come to me when there are children in shows (e.g. A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie) and I'm sure that has something to do with the fact that I have a K-12 teaching credential and sort of a camp counselor personality. So, it's actually one of my greatest joys. I try to treat them just like the adults, but I do generally have blocking a bit more spelled out. 

Q:  How early in a production do you start to work with the music director and the set and lighting directors?  I imagine Fun Home will have moments that lean heavily on music and the set to convey emotions and different time periods.

A:  The musical director, Jason Hansen, is the dad of one of my kid's friends, a husband of my dear work friend and colleague, and my musical directing partner on A Christmas Carol so I'm not sure when work officially began but we've been talking about it for quite a while. I guess since I was asked to do the show. Same thing with the choreographer - we've been chatting for a while and she's been a big part of helping with set design since how things move is so interconnected with the space. This is my first show with set designer is Eli Sherlock, and he has become a wonderful colleague who knows the Latté Da space well so I've leaned on him for his knowledge. The lighting designer is also a collaborator from the Guthrie, as is our costume designer, and sound designer a collaborator from Root Beer lady.

And yes, the set design as I spoke to earlier is maximalist in the surrounding, but minimalist in the utilization of the furniture. 

Q:  Are there other works you’d love to direct for us here in the Twin Cities?

A:  Yes, so many! I'm working on a new musical with two friends about the Princess Kay of the Milky Way competition at the state fair - I'd love to see that come to fruition. I'd love to tackle a classic. A new play featuring a lot of women. I have a list of dream shows on my website, which is an approach I credit to Lavina Jadhwani (director and adaptor of Christmas Carol at the Guthrie) but it's useful and I try to keep it up to date as I read plays throughout the year.

Q:  What’s next for you after Fun Home? How may we follow your news? 

A:  Root Beer Lady will be touring Minnesota this summer. I believe Christmas Carol next year...I'll be line producing the mainstage shows at the Guthrie. So, directing wise, nothing new new on the horizon but TBD! I always try not to get anxious this time of year. :) 

Gamut Gallery Announces Refracted Ecologies, Opening March 21

Refracted Ecologies is the curatorial debut of Gamut Gallery Co-Owner Kasi Aten

Free opening reception at Gamut Gallery on Friday, March 21, 7-10p, featuring music by DJ Butaca

Refracted Ecologies - Nature bends, light refracts, and perception warps in Refracted Ecologies, a group exhibition exploring the fluid boundaries between the tangible and the ephemeral. The curatorial debut of Gamut Gallery Co-Owner Kasi Aten, this show brings together 11 local artists working in painting, fiber arts, glass sculpture, and mixed media. Timed to infuse the season with a burst of color, play, and connection, Refracted Ecologies invites viewers to experience the beauty of distortion, abstraction, and organic transformation.

Featured Artists: Emily McBride, Gabrielle Raye Cordes, Jeff Sorensen, Kathryn Flora, Kelli Nelson, Lili Lennox, Lindsey Ries, Nick Motter, Sage Phillips, Sander Kolodziej, Sophie Sigel

At the heart of Refracted Ecologies is an exploration of how natural landscapes, organic structures, and sensory distortions shape our experience of the world. This exhibition blurs the line between reality and abstraction. Lindsey Ries’ pixelated landscapes break nature into fragmented color fields, while Sander Kolodziej’s biomorphic forms evoke the microscopic worlds hidden around us. Gabrielle Raye Cordes' fiber pieces weave together textures, creating tactile landscapes, while Jeff Sorensen’s sculptures will have you seeing the show from another angle - literally!

Curated by Gamut Gallery Co-Owner Kasi Aten, Refracted Ecologies showcases her distinct vision and curatorial debut. As a vital, creative and organizational force behind the gallery, Kasi brings her keen eye to the forefront, shaping an exhibition that is immersive and dynamic. The featured works highlight the delicate balance between structure and fluidity, inviting viewers to engage with the natural world in new and unexpected ways.

Timed intentionally for this season, the show offers a much-needed infusion of color, playfulness and connection.

*  *  *  *  *  Exhibition Details  *  *  *  *  * 

Public Opening Night - Friday, March 21, 7-10p, DJ Butaca, FREE 

Figure Drawing Class with Guest facilitator Patrizia Vignola - Saturday, April 5, 4-6p, $10 tickets for Members & $20 tickets for Non-members 

Exhibit Inspired Floral Art - Saturday, April 12, 2-4p, $50 tickets, 

Top Secret pop-up event - Saturday, April 19

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   * 

Visit for FREE during open hours: Thursday - Friday, 11a-6p; Saturday 11a-4p (Closed on exhibit opening.) day

Want to become a Gamut Gallery Member? As a Gamut Gallery member, you receive free admission to all exhibition openings, artist talks, and invitations to preview events, such as VIP access to Artists Preview Nights, the annual Raging Art On holiday marketplace. Gallery members are committed to the local art scene and we celebrate them bi-annually with a Spring Celebration and our black-tie Member’s Gala in the fall. Learn more about the year-long perks of gallery membership.

MSP Film Society Announce Lineup for the 44th Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF44), April 2-13

MSP Film Society has unveiled the lineup for the 44th Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF44), which returns April 2-13 to The Main Cinema, the Capri Theater, Landmark Center in St. Paul, and their newest venue, the Edina Mann Theatre. The MSPIFF44 lineup features more than 200 films from around the world!

One of the largest and longest-running film festivals in the country, MSPIFF44 presents a dynamic slate of international cinematic gems and deeply impactful films. It kicks off on April 2nd with the Opening Night Presentation: Free Leonard Peltier, which recently premiered at Sundance just seven days after Mr. Peltier was granted clemency after being imprisoned for nearly 50 years. MSP Film Society will host Director Jesse Short Bull and Producer Jhane Meyers for a special MSPIFF Opening Night, and partner with Owamni for the MSPIFF44 Opening Night Party that follows.

MSPIFF44 will welcome Director Ang Lee for the MILGROM TRIBUTE and to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Brokeback Mountain, produced by Minnesota’s own Bill Pohlad and River Road Productions. Events include a Filmmaker Conversation with Ang Lee and a special screening of Brokeback Mountain on Sunday, April 6.

MSPIFF44 will presents an array of parties, panels and tributes to celebrate visiting filmmakers and special guests, including a full day of film industry panels on April 5, presented with UMFO (Upper Midwest Film Office), additional panels throughout the fest to focus on everything from intimacy coordinators and festival skills and strategies, several live performances, and a special appearance by international opera star Frederica von Stade, subject of the film Flicka.

The MSPIFF44 lineup of films can now be viewed here. The MSPIFF44 Schedule will be unveiled mid-March with a a two-day presale window for MSP Film Members and MSPIFF Passholders. Tickets for the General Public will go on sale 2 days later. Become an MSP Film member or renew your MSP Film membership or buy an MSPIFF All Access Pass now to ensure your access to all the films and special events you want to see.

● Tickets to regular MSPIFF44 screenings - $11 for Members / $17 for General Public / $10 for Students

● MSPIFF43 All-Access Passes - $550 for Members / $800 for General Public / $75 for Students

● MSPIFF43 Six Packs* - $55 for Members / $85 for General Public / $30 for Students

*can be shared with family and friends!

MSPIFF is presented by the MSP Film Society, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to fostering a knowledgeable and vibrant appreciation of the art of film and its power to inform and transform individuals and communities. 

Miller Lite Continues to Sponsor Free Rides on St. Patrick’s Day

Visit the Metro Transit website to review transit routes and make plans for a free ride this St. Patrick’s Day weekend. 

For those celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in the Twin Cities, Molson Coors is once again partnering with Metro Transit to activate the Miller Lite Free Rides program. Minneapolitans will have access to fare-free public transportation from 6pm on Monday, March 17 until the end of regular service on all routes, as well as on all METRO bus and light rail, with extended service in the downtown area.

Miller Lite’s Free Rides program, which began in Milwaukee in 1988, has offered public transit to residents for almost four decades, underscoring Molson Coors’ commitment to promoting responsible celebrations and serving its hometown communities. Since its inception, more than 9 million rides have been provided nationwide.

St. Patrick’s Day Free Rides kicks off the 2025 program, which will extend nationwide during other major holidays and sporting events throughout the year. In 2024, Molson Coors partnered with local transit in 10 cities to provide fare-free rides on four different occasions. Last year, the program provided over 25,000 rides in the Twin Cities area alone.

To help increase access to free rides on St. Patrick’s Day, Metro Transit has also partnered with the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA), to provide transportation in the southern portion of the Twin Cities.

“For everyone celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in the Twin Cities, we are pleased to offer free rides again this year,” said Lesley Kandaras, general manager, Metro Transit. “Getting to your destination safely has never been easier. Simply hop on and enjoy a free ride courtesy of Miller Lite.”

Culinary Icons Share Stories & Recipes in Chef Gavin Kaysen's New Book, The Synergy Series

Copies of The Synergy Series can be pre-ordered on GavinKaysen.com starting on March 5. Books will begin shipping on April 29

James Beard Award-winning Chef Gavin Kaysen has announced the Spring 2025 release of his second self-published book, The Synergy Series, offering unprecedented access to a compilation of the personal stories, philosophies, and recipes of 25 of America's most influential chefs.

The book emerges from an innovative dinner series by the same name, which Kaysen launched in 2016 at Spoon and Stable. In the past 10 years, The Synergy Series events have raised over $300,000 for a variety of local and national charitable causes. Through stunning photography, intimate narratives, and distinctive recipes, the book aims to inspire culinary professionals and food enthusiasts while supporting the next generation of cooks in America. All proceeds from the sale of “The Synergy Series” book will benefit Ment'or, a nonprofit organization devoted to inspiring culinary excellence in young professionals.

Featured chefs include:

.

April Bloomfield, Christopher Kostow, Curtis Stone, Daniel Boulud, Daniel Humm, Daniela Soto-Innes, Dominique Crenn, Grant Achatz, James Kent, Jeremy Fox, John Shields, Jon Shook & Vinny Dotolo, Kristen Kish, Ludo Lefebvre, Marcus Samuelsson, Mei Lin, Michael Anthony, Michael Solomonov, Michael White, Missy Robbins, Nancy Silverton, Sean Brock, Thomas Keller, and Traci Des Jardins.

.

The 224-page book, with photography by renowned food photographer Bonjwing Lee and Libby Anderson, demonstrates how Minneapolis-based restaurant Spoon and Stable has become a hub for national influence outside traditional food capitals while establishing a successful model for chef collaboration and charitable giving. Each chapter is dedicated to one chef and combines three elements: stories of the chef's dinner at Spoon and Stable; a recipe from the chef; and either a letter from or about the chef. Some chapters include a transcript from "Dialogue," a companion event to The Synergy Series dinners in recent years. Born from the recognition that the most valuable conversations often happen after service, Dialogue has served as a forum for The Synergy Series chefs' most candid conversations. Moderated by leadership coach Alison Arth, and held for an intimate audience in Minneapolis, Dialogues have served as a forum for the participating chefs to share stories of their struggles, triumphs, and hopes for the future of their profession in ways rarely captured outside of the kitchen.

.

"Every day since I joined Daniel's team, he has demonstrated how life-changing it is to have a mentor like him by my side," Kaysen writes of his own mentor, Daniel Boulud. "I now know that both having a mentor and being a mentor should be a two-way street." This spirit of reciprocal mentorship threads throughout the book, as typically private industry leaders share their insights and journeys.

.

Select anecdotes from the book include:

.

Chef Daniel Humm reveals how reaching the pinnacle of success—having Eleven Madison Park named "Best Restaurant in the World"—led to deeper questions about purpose and meaning. 

Chef Nancy Silverton reflects on the importance of leadership saying, "In working with so many wonderful chefs, I got to observe and learn what makes a successful kitchen. I quickly discovered that a healthy culture, one of respect and one that nurtures growth, starts at the top."

Chef Grant Achatz reflects on the spirit of connection and collaboration: "When surrounded by a team of diverse talent, with each member bringing their unique skills and perspectives to the table, the potential for creativity and innovation is pretty boundless. [And,] in the exchange of ideas and the clash of creative energies, that's where magic happens." 

Chef Daniela Soto-Innes emphasizes the importance of maintaining perspective in the demanding world of restaurants: "I am convinced that if you aren't ok, you shouldn't act like you are. Ask for help and help others when they ask."

Chef Missy Robbins reflects on her evolution as a chef: "Initiative and self-motivation are important, but having good mentors along the way was essential to my development and progress as a chef."

Chef Daniel Boulud emphasizes the importance of generosity in the culinary world: "We've discussed the importance of generosity in the culinary world and the value of sharing knowledge and experience."

A letter from Kelly Kent, the principal partner of Kent Hospitality Group and wife of the late Chef James Kent, who reflects on the impact and legacy of James for his family and community. She shares, “Making people feel included was Jamal’s gift in life. [...] As you will doubtlessly discover by reading the other chapters of this book, the restaurant industry, at its best, is one big family. Everyone in it works hard to take care of others, and in return, when they need it, others work hard to take care of them.”