April has sprouted two unique participatory events over the years. One is the world wide 30-Days-of-Biking phenomena, the other is the world renowned MayDay Parade, Ceremony, Festival in and around Powderhorn Park. The two combined have filled my Springs for the last four years. I have been biking MayDay a number of years longer. I offer this post as an encouragement to grab some of the life force that makes our Twin Cities metro (the North?) worth the occasional weather challenge. The flip (zen) side of sever weather, are days that you may see into tomorrow.
MayDay Sunday, May 5, 2013
We have much work to do to increase equality in our own neighborhood, cities, counties, and State. MayDay is one of the ways that ordinary citizens (artistically bent) join in and make noise and express an intent. The MayDay creators, participants, spectators, and supporters have a progressive, inclusive, and Liberal inclination. The message of MayDay, is expressed each year in the Parade theme depicted on the Storyboard in the Avalon Theatre’s foyer.
You may check-out the year’s theme with a staff artist explaining some of the thoughts and reasoning the theme is expressing. The theme for 2015 MayDay is based on Maya Angelou’s Still I Rise. A direct reflection of the Black Lives Matter movement, this year the parade states not only do Black Lives Matter, but MayDay affirms that Black Is Sacred.
A community of individuals gathering together in an eclectic concoction, making noise, music, costumes, visual statements, entertainment, and merry making. Affirming Black Is Sacred, and other positive vibes.
if you drive, on street parking is available too
- Bus Route 21 or 14;
- Easy access off of the Midtown Greenway; ramps at 18th Ave, 13th Ave, and the very best gradient assent from the trench — the Midtown Exchange, with a mellow ride along 29th to 15th Ave.
- Right off the Midtown Exchange ramp; 1-1/2 block South, a Nice Ride Bike Station, -five blocks West of the Avalon Theatre. A Nice Ride, a walk of a few blocks, a wild night of parade building, skipping back to the Bike Station, riding home in exhilaration.
The free MayDay Workshops offer 16 days of designation to go for those 30-days-of-biking. The workshops are free, but you may pay with your heart.
The Avalon Theatre on East Lake Street, a block west of the Bloomington / Lake Street intersection, fills during April with Parade building and Ceremony practice sessions. On MayDay, the First Sunday in May – always, May 3 in 2015, the Parade preforms their section’s story with bands and percussion, dancing and acting for 12 blocks until it fills the Powderhorn Park, with the Parade, for the Ceremony, during the Festival.
MayDay Parade 2013
Come and help build MayDay. Come and help affirm Black Is Sacred. Come and have fun. Come and check off another day’s ride. Your route will be similar On May 3, 2015 for MayDay.
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