Another fun-filled weekend is upon us, with a diverse and invigorating lineup of cultural, community and humanitarian festivities taking place in the Twin Cities. Let the fun begin — scroll down to see what’s on tap!Let us know how you will spend the weekend by sending your photos or comments to tcweekend@tcdailyplanet.net or tag them with name of the event or the hashtag #tcdpic, and we’ll add them to the Storify over the weekend. You can also send us a tip about an upcoming event at the email above or upload it yourself with our easy-to-use event calendar.Powderhorn 24, August 15 – 16It’s all about bikes this weekend in the Powderhorn neighborhood, as residents and friends bike for 24 hours straight. The event is in celebration of the Powderhorn neighborhood and surrounding south Minneapolis area, and sponsored by neighborhood businesses and community organizations. The event pits local bikers against one another in friendly competition to see who can do the most laps in a 24 hour span, while also highlighting the neighborhood. Continue Reading
Updated 7/5/2014 3:45 pm If you’re not one of the estimated 41 million Americans planning on hitting the road this Fourth of July weekend, you’ll find an exciting and eclectic mix of events in Twin Cities to help you ring in the holiday and savor the weekend. Pant-less bike rides, war reenactments, patriotic concerts, family-friendly festivals in the parks – this weekend runs the gamut. See the lineup below, and check Where to see Fourth of July fireworks in the Twin Cities: Hot spots, fun facts. Red, White and Boom!, July 4 This annual two-day festival began July 3 with a Hot Damn 5K run, which served as a benefit for the firework fund and celebrations. On July 4 the real fun begins with the TC Half Marathon in the morning, followed by live music and a free Family Fun Zone. The evening ends with a BOOM — the dazzling fireworks display, one of the biggest in the state.6:30 am – TC Half Marathon6 pm – 10 pm: Live music, movies, food, and family activitiesMill Ruins Park and Father Hennepin Bluffs Park10pm – Fireworks Celebrating Our Independence at Powderhorn Park, July 4There may not be fireworks this year, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had at Powderhorn Park with local musicians, food vendors, family activities like face painting, bouncy castle and more. Continue Reading
We’ve endured puddles, potholes, puddles in potholes and chilly April showers — now it’s time for some May flowers! This weekend’s forecast calls for a bit more sun (crossing fingers), perfect for getting out to Art in Bloom, the Summer Flower Show, and the many festivals in the Twin Cities. Details below:Art in Bloom, May 1-4 Take time to smell the roses and delight your eyes with timeless art at Minneapolis Institute of Arts’ 31st Annual Art in Bloom. On display will be 150 floral arrangements designed to reflect art from MIA’s permanent collection. Minneapolis Institute of Arts2400 Third Ave. S., Minneapolis, MNGeneral admission is free; price for ticketed events vary Go here for more info. Festival of Nations, May 1-4 Get a glimpse of the globe in one colorful setting at Festival of Nations, an annual festival presented by the Internatinal Institute of Minnesota. Continue Reading
I’m not one to cry. Truth is, I rarely cry, but during a visit to Dick’s Resort in the Mall of America I was literally reduced to tears! The bartender was abusive, abrasive, and mean as HELL. I wasn’t sure why he was in a bad mood, but later found out that it is their “niche” to be mean as spitfire. Were they really trained to treat people like this, to the point of harassment? Continue Reading
The Big E, confessing to Minnesita Progressive Project (MPP) readers and contributers, recently wrote that his heart no longer pines to hose down right wing sparkle ponies like Michele Bachmann or even review books by the likes of a Keith Ellison. The Big E (known to his Minneapolis neighbors as Eric Pusey), is the founding scold of the MPP lefty sentry post and appears on the current edition of Democratic Visions as he retires from political blogging. After a moment of posing as a weary blogosphere elder (as if blogging was old enough to earn elders), the smart, liberal confederate, prompted by an actual DFL elder, Tim O’Brien, shines with bemused and bewildered takes on the current state of the Minnesota Republican Party and its clownish, hopeful State and Congressional candidates. Mr. Pusey, who has splashed gleefully in the rushing stream of blogs, Tweets, Facebook twerking and probably Skype, does quite well in the “legacy” medium of television where I operate. Fox Nine News knew that and for a while put him on from time-to-time. But the Fox 9 News producers didn’t have the cojones to make him a regular pundit. Too bad. Mr. Pusey has good chemistry. This ten-minute Eric and Tim segment is yours to consider. Its “tagged” (the TV producer’s sense of the word) with an homage to the late, great, populist troubadour Pete Seeger and Twin Cities activism thanks to the air guitar wonders -The Junk Yard Democrats, a peoples’ anthem, and creative editing. Enjoy! Enjoy! Democratic Visions February Segments Ex-blogger Eric Pusey and Tim O’Brien on senate and gubernatorial hopefuls.Jon Spayde as a clinically depressed motivational speaker with advice for Republican hopefuls.I report on the DFL 48 Precinct Caucuses and present an award winning short film making change. Democratic Visions is handcrafted by Eden Prairie, Edina and Minnetonka volunteer Democrats at the Bloomington Community Access Television studio by arrangement with the Southwest Suburban Cable Commission. Democratic Visions Cable ScheduleMinneapolis – MTN Channel 16 – Sundays at 8:30 p.m.; Mondays 3:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. Hopkins, Minnetonka, Edina, Richfield and Eden Prairie – Comcast Channel 15 – Sundays at 9 p.m., Mondays at 10:00 p.m. and Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. Bloomington – BCAT Cable Channel 16 – Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.; Fridays at 9:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. The entire Feburary program and 183 archived Dem Vis segments can be seen on the Democratic Visions Channel on YouTube. Democratic Visions has become the liveliest political issues show in Minnesota. I know. I produce the darned thing. Continue Reading
The Christmas tree, lights, and tinsel may be put away, but Jack Frost is here to stay…for a while. The early arrival of frigid sub-zero temperatures this season have made parts of December feel a lot like January. But no, we’ve only just begun, folks.Maybe the old saying, if you can’t beat it, join it is the best mindset to adopt when battling winter blues and cabin fever. Why not add a bit of outdoor winter fun to your fitness and social routine? Bundle up and try something new!Below we’ve compiled a few outdoor winter activities in the Twin Cities (and beyond), from cross-country skiing and ice skating, to winter festivals and sled rallies, that provide an incentive to get out in natural light and engage the snowy landscape. Continue Reading
This weekend should be a real treat for art and book lovers — there are a number of wonderful art shows and book readings and discussions on deck. There are also a ton of Halloween events taking place, given that this is the last weekend before the holiday. A few Halloween events are highlighted in this weekend’s round-up, but please visit our Halloween article for a more comprehensive list (go here for general fall events).Also, if you snap fall-themed pictures while out enjoying the weekend, tag your pictures with #tcdpic on Twitter, Instagram, or Flickr, (or email them to editor@tcdailyplanet.net), to enter our Fall Photo Challenge and a chance to win a $15 gift certificate to a local coffee shop! FRIDAYFOUND Opening Reception, Friday, October 25 All My Relations Art Gallery1414 E. Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis 5 pm – 8pm 6:30 pm – Artist talk with C. Maxx Stevens As advertised:“Come and see the work of C. Maxx Stevens and Henry Payer–both Native American contemporary artists who use found objects and re-appropriated materials in their art. These artists draw upon the history of the found objects and their own personal life experiences to create fresh, thought-provoking expressions. Their works reflect contemporary art movements, while remaining fundamentally rooted in a dialog that embraces each of their personal stories as American Indian.” A Taste of Phillips Art Festival, Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26 St. Paul’s Lutheran Church2742 15th Avenue, MinneapolisFriday: Open microphone – poetry, spoken word, music, performance art!Saturday: Mural dedication at Lake Street and Bloomington with music at St Paul’s afterward.Information from the Facebook page:“The annual Taste of Phillips Art Festival will be bigger than ever! Continue Reading
Five of Ward Nine’s six candidates participated in a forum last Saturday, September 21, at the Midtown Farmer’s Market. (Greg McDonald was absent). The forum, moderated by Pam Telleen, was sponsored by the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization, Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association, and Central Area Neighborhood Development Organization. Participating candidates were Abdi Abdulle, Alondra Cano, Charles Curtis, Pat Fleetham, and Ty Moore,After a one-minute introduction and opening statement from each candidate, they answered questions on a variety of topics from both the sponsoring organizations and audience members.One of the questions from the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization asked how the candidates would attempt to make housing safer and more accessible to the residents of Ward Nine. All of the candidates agreed that there needs to be an expansion of affordable housing. Ty Moore pointed out that many residents pay [MU1] more than 50 percent of their income toward housing, and stated that he would work to make sure housing cost no more than 25 percent of people’s income. Pat Fleetham advocated more meaningful inspection and enforcement of laws, as well as the incorporation of multilingual interpreters in this process to make sure that landlords were not taking advantage of non-English speakers.The Central Area Neighborhood Development Organization asked how the candidates would work to make the city of Minneapolis competitive with other progressive cities such as Portland and Seattle. Abdi Abdulle, who is a resident of Central Neighborhood, said that competition should not be our first priority, asking, “How can we compete with other cities when we are not doing well in our own backyard?”A member of the audience asked the candidates whether or not they supported municpalizing Minneapolis’s energy through Minneapolis Energy Options, and how they planned to hold Xcel and Centerpoint Energy accountable for the agreements they made in recent months. Charles Curtis said that he does not support municipal energy. Curtis said that he believes Minneapolis needs to focus its resources on doing a better job at the things the city is already responsible for rather than taking on a new expensive project, though he does support holding Xcel and Centerpoint accountable and shortening their contracts.Candidates were asked whether or not they supported the use of eminent domain to fight foreclosure. While Alondra Cano, Moore, and Abdulle thought that eminent domain could be used in a positive way, Curtis and Fleetham were doubtful of the city’s ability to finance it. They explained that because foreclosed homes belong to the banks, the city would have to pay just compensation to the banks in order to use eminent domain.When asked about how to close the achievement gap in Minneapolis public schools, Moore emphasized the need to put more teachers in public schools to lower class sizes, and Cano added that the city should put more emphasis on hiring teachers of color. Curtis also brought up that providing more stable housing and demanding living wages for parents will help children succeed in school.An audience member asked the candidates how they would ensure the safety of children in Ward Nine in the wake of Terrance Franklin’s death. Pat Fleetham stated that there is a, “Cultural racism in the police force that the current chief is not addressing.” He also added that he would like to see more police on foot and bike in the neighborhoods. Moore stated that he would like to see an elected civilian board created to hold police accountable, and Cano said that she supports residency requirements for police officers so that residents know their police officers more. Related articles — see Ward 9 election coverage. If you’d like to pose questions to the candidates, click here. This is one of a number of articles produced by student interns at the TC Daily Planet. Continue Reading
Graffiti reading “Kill the hippies,” which appeared on a wall in Minneapolis’ diverse (and admittedly lefty) Powderhorn Park neighborhood last month, recently got buffed and re-tagged, this time in response to the first. Continue Reading
