Churchwoman, suffragist, organizer, singer: The life of St. Paul’s Nellie Francis
Francis pressed the limits of what an African American woman was permitted to achieve in early twentieth-century Minnesota.
Arts & Culture
Covering Minnesota’s theater, music, dance, literature and visual arts.
Minnesota Orchestra Music Director Osmo Vänskä: ‘It’s going to be emotional’
Vänskä will be at Orchestra Hall tonight, baton in hand, when the Minnesota Orchestra performs its first indoor concert to a live audience since March 7, 2020, 461 days ago.
A play becomes a graphic novel; Broadway @ the Ordway returns
Alan Berks and Leah Cooper have adapted “In My Heart: The Adoption Play Project,” into a graphic novel. A virtual book launch on Friday will feature members of the original cast in a reading from “In My Heart.”
Guthrie, Minnesota Opera announce 2021-22 seasons
“I wanted to come back robustly,” said Guthrie Theater Artistic Director Joseph Haj.
Artist Reggie LeFlore’s solo show; the Ordway to reopen in September
ALSO: Chamber Music Society of Minnesota has announced plans for a 2021-22 season at Hamline’s Sundin Hall; and more.
How there came to be a statue of Leif Erikson on the grounds of the Minnesota Capitol
The memorial was part of the Scandinavian American community’s efforts to credit their ancestors — not Christopher Columbus — with the “discovery” of the Americas.
Poet Michael Kleber-Diggs: ‘I want to be understood by as many people as possible’
The St. Paul poet is the latest winner of the Max Ritvo Poetry Prize. His book, “Worldly Things,” will have its virtual launch on Tuesday, June 8.
Live, in-person concerts at Orchestra Hall; Train Days at Union Depot
ALSO: The SPCO at Mears Park and Como Pavilion; art and farmers market at Franconia Sculpture Park; and more.
Southern Theater reopens with BRKFST Dance; Choreographers’ Evening at the Walker
ALSO: Minneapolis Sculpture Garden summer tours begin; “5 Black Poets Call for Social Justice One Year After George Floyd’s Murder”; and more.
A brief overview of queer and trans history in Minnesota
There have always been people in Minnesota, as in the rest of the world, who have lived outside perceived norms of gender and sexuality; the words used to name them have changed over time.
A roundup of arts news; Minnesota Orchestra presents ‘Remembrance and Reflection’
ALSO: VocalEssence’s “Witness 2021” concert; An Opera Theatre’s “In the Midst of Things/In Medias Res”; and more.
First Avenue’s Dayna Frank on the founding of NIVA; Open Eye brings Paul Bunyan to the Bakken’s green roof
ALSO: Theater Mu’s New Eyes Festival 2021; the Minneapolis Music & Movies in the Parks Kick-Off; and more.
Schubert Club announces 2021-22 season of live and in-person concerts
International Artist Series performers will include pianist Víkingur Ólafsson and violinist Augustin Hadelich.
Pen Pals announces 25th season of prominent authors; TPT 2 to broadcast ‘Say His Name: Five Days for George Floyd’
ALSO: Movie theater news (and blues); Benjamin Percy “The Ninth Metal” book launch; and more.
Younger than that now: On Bob Dylan’s 80th birthday, Minnesota politicians weigh in on their favorite Dylan songs
We asked Minnesota elected officials what their favorite Dylan works are and why.
New Ulm’s Minnesota Music Hall of Fame museum focuses on mid-20th-century musicians
By midcentury, due to the popularity of 18 professional bands with local roots, New Ulm was referred to as the Polka Capital of the Nation.
Clara Osowski: ‘Singing to 20 people and 50 birds made a difference’
She has started performing again; she recently sang the role of Mrs. Herring in Minnesota Opera’s filmed version of Benjamin Britten’s “Albert Herring.”
More leadership changes; ‘Blackness Is …’ Arts Festival starts Friday
ALSO: Playwrights’ Center names core writers and McKnight winners; “Racism: In the Face of Hate We Resist” (63 quilts) is on display at the Textile Center; and more.
Support for Minnesota arts and artists from foundations and the NEA; ‘The Claw’ at MSPIFF
ALSO: Book launch for “Sparked: George Floyd, Racism and the Progressive Illusion”; Schubert Club presents “An Evening With Composer-in-Residence deVon Russell Gray”; and more.
Two filmmakers, two new Bush Fellows: Talking with E.G. Bailey and Naomi Ko
Both are committed to justice and equity, bringing more voices to the table and creating opportunities for people of color in the film and television industry.
