West Bank legends to be inducted into Minnesota Blues Hall of Fame

By |

Four cornerstones of the local music scene will get their due on Sunday, Oct. 19, when Willie Murphy, “Spider” John Koerner, Tony “Little Sun” Glover and the late Dave “Snaker” Ray will be among those inducted into the Minnesota Blues Hall of Fame at an event at the Minneapolis Eagles Club, 2507 E. 25th St. Awards are given in five categories, including blues performer for Murphy, whom the Greater Twin Cities Blues Music Society (GTCBMS, which sponsors the hall of fame) rightly called “impossible to classify” as just a blues performer. “Whether he is conveying the pain of losing a lover with his voice, transporting listeners to the tropics with exotic rhythms on the keyboard, or mesmerizing his audience with a searing crescendo on his Parker guitar, Willie Murphy always delivers a soulful, honest performance,” stated the GTCBMS in its announcement of the awards. Correction 10/18: This article originally misstated the name and Web site of the Twin Cities Blues Music Society as the Twin Cities Blues Society. Continue Reading

Political vision: Always clearer in hindsight

By |

This month, as Americans vet the words of presidential candidates speaking at debates, town halls and interviews, an event and exhibit at the Weisman Art Museum will take a look back at the phraseology of past presidents. DuBois will be present and perform music with DJ Etones and U of M electronic music students at an Oct. 11 event titled “HearSIGHTED.” The event, 8 p.m.–midnight, features music, dancing, food and drink. Tickets are $5–$10, and reservations are encouraged. Call 612-625-4460 or email joinwam@umn.edu. Continue Reading

Suspect arrested in case of shooting death of Somali student

By |

One week after the murder of 20-year-old Augsburg student Ahmednur Ali, the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of a suspect in the case. According to MPD Public Information Officer Sgt. Jesse Garcia, a juvenile male is being held in the Juvenile Detention Center while the case is being reviewed by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. No charges were mentioned in the emailed statement from Garcia. On Monday, Sept. Continue Reading

First look at Franklin Avenue “vision” at Frankly 27th Open House-September 27

By |

Seward’s first chance to check out aspects of the new draft vision for Franklin Avenue will come on Sept. 27, when Seward Redesign will put some ideas to the street test with temporary chalk treatments on the pavement, more permanent landscaping and a doorframe at an intersection, where the sidewalk meets the street, intended to “create a human scale on sidewalk,” said Wergin. Frankly 27th open houseSaturday, Sept. 27, 2–5 p.m.East Franklin Avenue between 26th and 27th avenues
The demonstration projects coincide with Redesign’s open house for its “Frankly 27th” building, which will showcase Redesign and the other five business located in the newly renovated building. Highlights will include the grand opening of ArtiCulture, with a a clothesline art sale, family art activities, music and more; free spinal exams and neck and back consultations from Dr. Gary Miller, chiropractor, and Prime Meridian Acupuncture; an “Astrosatchel” trunk show at Fast and Furless; a prototype bike fix it station, information about a grassroots gardening project; new sidewalk benches; food and refreshments and balloons for the kids. Continue Reading

Feedback wanted on Franklin Avenue as new ‘vision’ takes focus

By |

As the end of the year approaches, a coalition of Seward-based organizations, residents and businesses is also nearing the completion of a new “vision” for Seward’s main artery, Franklin Avenue, between the light-rail transit (LRT) station and the Mississippi River. The work is funded by a $30,000 “Great Streets” grant from the City of Minneapolis, with other financial support from the McKnight Foundation and Phillips Family Foundation. Seward Redesign, Seward Neighborhood Group (SNG) and the Seward Civic and Commerce Association (SCCA) kicked off the “re-envisioning” process this past April with walking tours, which drew neighborhood residents and stakeholders out onto the street to photograph and comment on the avenue’s strengths and weaknesses, its strong points and area of need. Later that month, a community workshop used those images and comments to further study the issues and assets of the Franklin, and a task force met in the early summer to discuss “values and visions” that led to another round of public comment and, now, a “draft vision document.”
This year’s “re-envisioning” process builds upon past Franklin Avenue Planning events, studies and discussions, such as the Speak Out for Franklin Avenue event held in May 2007, said Emily Wergin, development project manager for Seward redesign. With the Draft Community Vision for Franklin Avenue now completed, partners are again looking for feedback that will inform the final working document. Continue Reading

U of M’s Nash gallery brings ‘voice to vision’

By |

This month, the Katherine E. Nash Gallery in the University of Minnesota’s West Bank Arts Quarter presents artworks created in collaboration with survivors of genocides from all over the world, dating back to the Holocaust. Voice to VisionSept. 2–Oct. 2Katherine E. Nash Gallery, Regis Center for Art405 21st Ave. S., Minneapolis

For the exhibit, called Voice to Vision, artist and U of M professor David Feinberg brought together artists and survivors of atrocities during the Holocaust and in Darfur, Rwanda, Laos and Tibet to create not only art reflecting their experiences, but films about the collaboration. Continue Reading

City, residents at odds over NRP

By |

Acting on legislation passed last session to provide a funding stream, the City of Minneapolis has announced a plan to extend the Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) — the backbone of grassroots community organization funding for the last 20 years — with Mayor R.T. Rybak “committing” $8 million a year, for 10 years, to support it. Still, opposition from a group of neighborhood organizations continues to be vehement. A coalition of residents from around the city called Neighbors4NRP presented an alternative proposal and has asked the City Council to postpone decision on what they see as a fatally flawed proposal that will spell the end of NRP. What is NRP? The Neighborhood Revitalization Program, now nearing the end of its second 10-year phase, funds neighborhood organizations’ administration (staffing, office space, etc.) and a wide range of projects and programs through revenue from development projects in tax-increment finance (TIF) districts. Continue Reading

Bridgeland makes the most of sidewalk season

By |

In Minnesota, we hold our summers precious. The long, Siberian-like winters mean we make the most of our temperate days, the likes of which So-Cal and Florida take for granted. Of course, those days are far fewer than the long winter, which gives rise to phenomena like shorts-and-flip-flops during the February thaw and the anxious wait for the opening of outdoor seating at area bars and restaurants. For some, it can never come soon enough. By August, the summer is in full swing and al fresco dining has taken over the city, from the humble chairs and table parked on the sidewalk outside the mini-market to the sprawling patios and unique spaces designed to pay homage to the fleeting sunlit days and breeze-cooled nights of summer. Continue Reading

Freedom rides during the RNC—and beyond

By |

This September, Minneapolis and St. Paul will boast the largest public bike-sharing program in the nation — for four days. Could the convention’s free bikes be a preview of public bicycle-sharing in the Twin Cities? Concurrent with the Republican National Convention, September 1–4, health insurance company Humana and the bicycle advocacy non-profit Bikes Belong will make 1,000 bicycles available to the public as part of their “Freewheelin’” program. The groups will do the same for the Democratic National Convention, Aug. Continue Reading

Seward neighborhood to act as ‘gallery’ for ‘UnConvention’ lawn sign project

By |

While the Seward neighborhood residents and businesses are known to sometimes wear their politics on their sleeves, some will be putting the message on their lawns and in their windows during this convention and campaign season. Seward will act as a “gallery” neighborhood for the “My Yard, Our Message” campaign, sponsored by the Walker Art Center and mnartists.org. This summer, artists submitted designs for the politically themed yard signs, 50 of which were chosen as finalists. Three of these winning designs — including the top two vote-getters — were created by Seward resident Teri Kwant. On Saturday, Aug. Continue Reading