Sheila Regan is a Twin Cities-based arts journalist. She writes MinnPost’s twice-weekly Artscape column. She can be reached at sregan@minnpost.com.
Deeply engaged in social justice issues and advocating for the Latinx community, she often brings a political bent to her work— at times bringing elements of iconography and symbolism to her multidisciplinary practice.
Plus: A play from “Succession” actor Arian Moayed; Hmong Arts Festival; live music in Loring Park; and more.
The mighty Mississippi often gets overlooked. It’s something we pass over on a highway or a street, but often isn’t used as a place for recreation and rejuvenation. Here are some ways MinnPost readers might find ways to connect to the river this summer.
Plus: A “bring your own art” event; a night of groovy music at the Turf Club; and an open dialogue among emerging curators.
“I was struck by how aware these young people are about this issue– not only in their lives, but in the lives of folks they know,” said Bukata Hayes, vice president of racial and health equity and chief equity officer at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.
Plus: AAPI Generations Conference; Tammy Ortegon’s 30years Reflect Back/30years Inspired Forward exhibit.
The title references the notion of bread as a commodity (and it’s use in vernacular language as a synonym for money), breath, especially in the wake of the pandemic when the act of breathing was dangerous, and the breadth of work that needs to be done toward healing from racial injustice.
Plus: “Three Decembers,” an opera about family, chosen family and secrets; The Isles Ensemble explores the challenges of mental illness; Kaleena Miller’s “Quartet.”
“Driftless: Sam Amidon and the Winona Symphony Orchestra” takes place Saturday, May 20 at 7 p.m. at the Riverwalk Gardens of the Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona.
Plus: Bagatelles, Maksimal and Piano Quintet, emerging choreographers in Tapestries 7.0, “Emilia.”
“Light of Day,” and “In Plain Sight” both open May 6 and run through June 25, with a reception Friday, May 5.
Plus: Black Dance Improvisation Festival; “The Wanderers”; Russ White: Harder Not Smarter.
Pacita Abad is known for her signature trapunto technique, a process that involved stitching fabric onto canvas. The exhibition runs through Sept. 3 at the Walker Art Center.
Plus: The art of Cameron Patricia Downey; “Returning to Haifa”; Mayumi Amada; and more.
Set up in a giant red and yellow tent in the parking lot north of the Mall of America, the Royal Canadian International Circus boasts an international cast of performers defying gravity.
Plus: Bakken Ensemble season finale; In a Family Way and Intend at SooVAC; documentary-style dance with Li Chiao-Ping Dance Company.
The Avalon’s signature curved towers with neon light boxes that make up its facade have made the venue a landmark of Lake Street, where Heart of the Beast has been based for over 35 years.
Plus: Junauda Petrus in conversation with Valerie Castile; Melissa Borman’s [Re]collections & Earthly Artifacts; Tressa Sularz’s weaving; and more.
Minnesota-based filmmakers David Burton Morris and Victoria Wozniak recall filming in Mickey’s Diner, First Avenue (then Uncle Sam’s) and getting pulled over during a shoot on Interstate 35.
Plus: Swing Sisterhood Big Band with Tammy Robinson; New Arab American Theater Works: Playwright Showcase; the work of Elizabeth Erickson; and more.
