Sen. Al Franken, Brave New Workshop headline MinnPost’s Day at the State Fair

MinnPost is going back to the State Fair this year with an even-bigger day of events, including a featured interview with Sen. Al Franken.

We’re again teaming with Minnesota Rural Partners, and this time we’ve added an extra hour of programming. 

Activities will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29, at Carousel Park, one of the Great Minnesota Get-Together’s most popular gathering spots, located just in front of the Grandstand and just outside the Midway.

The day’s activities include music, comedy, spoken word, a celebration of Minnesota Community Pride and, of course, a big helping of political and public policy discussions.

During your visit, you can pick up a lawn sign (and a bumper sticker and button, too) for MinnPost’s new promotion campaign (details here).

One highlight will be our Washington correspondent Derek Wallbank’s 10:30 a.m. interview with Franken, who just wrapped up a busy first year with key votes on health care and federal stimulus legislation and committee action on two Supreme Court nominations.

Also, MinnPost’s Jay Weiner will interview Lorie Skjerven Gildea, the new chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, at 11:05 a.m.

Then, at 11:30, MinnPost’s Joe Kimball will lead a discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing Minnesota cities in a tough economy. Participating will be Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, Mayor Doug Anderson of Dayton, a Hennepin County city of about 5,000, and Minneapolis City Council Member Betsy Hodges, second vice president of the League of Minnesota Cities.

Another highlight is sure to be a 2 p.m. segment with the Brave New Workshop, the 52-year-old Twin Cities comedy institution that includes Franken among its long list of famous alumni. We’ll talk with BNW’s artistic director, Katy McEwen, and cast member Lauren Anderson. A short performance will follow.

Also, Hmong performance artist Tou Ger Xiong will deliver his powerful “River of Dreams” cultural tribute to his homeland and his adopted home of St. Paul with its riverfront heritage.

There will be plenty of music, too, including a rousing hootenanny session to open the day.

You can see the full day’s lineup below.

 MinnPost’s Second Annual Day at the State Fair

Sunday, Aug. 29, Carousel Park

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

10 a.m. — Welcome from MinnPost’s Roxane Battle and Minnesota Rural Partners’ Jane Leonard

               Minnesota Community Pride Showcase display tent opens (through 3 p.m.)

10:05 a.m. — Music from MinnPost contributing writer Jim Walsh’s Mad Ripple Hootenanny

10:30 a.m. — Sen. Al Franken interview with MinnPost’s Washington correspondent Derek Wallbank

10:55 a.m. — Remarks by MinnPost CEO and Editor Joel Kramer

11:05 a.m. — Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea interview with MinnPost’s Jay Weiner

11:30 a.m. — MinnPost’s Joe Kimball leads a panel discussion on the challenges facing Minnesota cities. Panelists are Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, Mayor Doug Anderson of Dayton, a Hennepin County city of about 5,000, and Minneapolis City Council Member Betsy Hodges, second vice president of the League of Minnesota Cities.

Noon — Music by singer-songwriter Charlie Maguire, the official “Centennial Troubadour” for Minnesota State Parks

12:25 p.m. — Introduction to Minnesota Community Pride event, hosted by Jane Leonard

12:30 p.m. — Community Pride Awards Ceremony

1:15 p.m. — Interview with Community Pride Award winners with MinnPost’s Sharon Schmickle

1: 40 p.m. — Music by folk rocker Fred Grittner

2 p.m. — Interview with Brave New Workshop artistic director Katy McEwen and cast member Lauren Anderson, followed by a short performance. The workshop this week opens its new satiric show, “Spilling Me Softly; or Once the Gulf Goes Black, It Never Goes Back.”

2:20 p.m. — Hmong performance artist Tou Ger Xiong — “River of Dreams” and other works

2:40 p.m. — Minnesota Community Pride Trivia Contest and event wrap-up.