Origins and traditions of the Minnesota State Fair
In the 21st century, nearly 1.8 million people attend the 12-day event every year, making it the second-largest state fair in the nation.
Arts & Culture
Covering Minnesota’s theater, music, dance, literature and visual arts.
Former CEO takes in the Great Minnesota Get Together as a regular visitor for first time since 1969
Never one for job-hopping, Jerry Hammer worked at every State Fair since he was 15, starting with a position in the greenhouse and working his way up to the top job.
Weekend picks: ‘Craft and Conceptual Art,’ Bacon Brothers at State Fair, and Brave New Workshop ‘Cheaper than Hamilton’
Plus: On the One Music Festival in Bloomington; TV star Teresa Caputo at Mystic Lake, and readings by author Brian Duren.
You birthed a book and it’s being published. Now what?
Author Junauda Petrus learned quickly that she’d have to take the lead to do meaningful marketing with the communities she wanted to connect with for her book.
The Rochester Cyclone of Aug. 21, 1883
It killed dozens and injured hundreds, dropping people into cemeteries, scattering fish across the landscape, and plucking chickens bald.
Weekend picks: The Jayhawks at Lake Harriet, Rhythmically Speaking dance and the Japanese Obon Festival
Plus: new artwork by Janet Lobberecht; outdoor classical music by 10th Wave, and Jonatha Brooke at the Dakota.
From Osaka to Minneapolis, Nishiuchi nurtures her love of flamenco
The intimacy of Icehouse has fit the flamenco form nicely, Nishiuchi says. She performs there this Sunday with the Twin Cities Flamenco Collective and several guest artists.
The Children’s Preventorium of Ramsey County
As its name suggests, the purpose of the preventorium was to prevent disease — in this case, tuberculosis.
From Minnesota to Mexico and back: How Todd Clouser kept the Lakeside Guitar Festival alive
At this weekend’s festival, more than 15 acts offering a diverse range of styles, demographics and cultural backgrounds will grace three stages around the Pavilion free of charge, including headliners Charlie Parr on Friday and Marc Ribot on Saturday on the Pavilion stage.
Weekend Picks: Lakeside Guitar Festival, IndiaFest, and a folk opera
Plus: An evening of Sona Jobarteh on the kora; Steve Kenny Quintet Coltrane Show; and a new St. Paul art gallery.
At new expansion in Minneapolis’ Prospect Park, Modus Locus spreads its wings
For the opening, a DJ spun tunes, and couches and comfy chairs were assembled in different lounge areas, and quirky installations, including a vintage camper, made for photo-ready experiences.
Gedney Foods, the creator of the ‘Minnesota Pickle’
Founded in 1880, Gedney continues to grow one of the more successful pickle brands in the United States.
Weekend Picks: Adam Meckler, new SooVAC exhibits, and Wild Nights at the zoo
Plus: Kung Fu Zombies continues run; a free fire show at Powderhorn Park; Ifrah Mansour’s healing hut; and more.
Dessa embraces pop in new album, Minnesota Orchestra performance
The latest show comes at the heels of a new single and a music video Dessa dropped today from her forthcoming new album, “Bury the Lede,” which will be released on September 29.
Split Rock Lighthouse lit for the first time on July 31, 1910
By 1940, its picturesque North Shore setting had made it one of the most visited lighthouses in the United States.
Weekend Picks: Outdoor concerts, a block party, and Romeo and Juliet with a twist
Plus: Palmfest brings music to the West Bank; Kashmina releases new album; new performance art installation explores the synchronized flight of birds; and more.
Boys from the North Country: Exploring Bob Dylan’s time in Minnesota
Two new books explore Bob Dylan’s roots in Hibbing and Duluth, with fellow Iron Range songwriter Paul Metsa at the heart of both.
Potters from Minnesota and beyond to return for 12th Minnesota Pottery Festival
This year, more than 60 artists applied for the festival, with a jury selecting the participating artists with an eye toward representing a variety of mediums.
The creation of Minnesota’s Itasca State Park
Efforts to preserve Lake Itasca led to contention with the lumber industry, public interests, and the politics that weaved between them.
Weekend Picks: Shakespeare, cider, and playing with dirt
Plus: Leslie Vincent releases new album; a salsa dance party; a piano spectacular; and more.
