Archives For on the beat

Here is another fine event for music lovers, particularly those who enjoy the world of jazz.  Jazz has long been recognized as America’s original musical art form. However, predating jazz, there was another form of music rooted in this land – the music of the Native Americans.

Sundin Music Hall, located on the Hamline University Saint Paul campus, is recognized as one of the most intimate and best-sounding performance spaces in the Twin Cities. Literally, there is not a bad seat in the house.

Jazz88 presents a new project that serves to intertwine both musical styles. A Weaving of Traditions, an evening of Native American music and interpretation, takes place on Saturday, June 8, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. at Hamline University’s Sundin Music Hall in St. Paul, Minnesota.

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War Horse PS 1

Appearing at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota from June 12 – 23, 2013.

Theatrical creativity at its best will be on display at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota when War Horse (the play) is presented on stage June 12 – 23, 2013.

At the heart of the production are astonishing life-sized puppets created by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, who bring breathing, galloping, charging horses to life on the stage.

Note:  Although War Horse is based on a children’s book, it includes scenes depicting some war violence and is recommended for ages 10 and up. All patrons regardless of age must have a ticket.

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Off-leash AreaYou will have to look hard and long to find a stage production as original as this!  If you attend, do not expect to hear a lot of dialogue from the performers.

The Ivey and Sage Award Winning Off-Leash Area pulls out all the creative stops to tell a universal and poignant story about love and loss in Psst! – all of this with only one word being uttered, that being “Psst!”

Psst! will be appearing at the Cowles Center for Dance & the Performing Arts in Minneapolis, Minnesota on June 21 and June 22 at 7:30 p.m., and on June 23, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.

Enjoy a sneak peek by viewing this video:  Psst! at the Cowles Center

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Landmark Center tootle on over 3Have you been paying attention to the public tours and programs that are offered at the historic Landmark Center in St. Paul, Minnesota?

Tours on the schedule require RSVP’s – it pays to keep watch and take advantage of these educational and interesting programs.  The Great River Tour is back – this tour sold out in its first year offered.

On the Landmark Center schedule in May, 2013 from their website:

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What fun this promises to be!  The third annual Northern Spark will be held on Saturday (into Sunday morning), June 8, 2013 from 9:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., in Saint Paul, Minnesota’s Lowertown. Northern Spark is the only all-night arts festival in the Midwest—a free, public, dusk-to-dawn nuit blanche that ignites the Twin Cities in an explosion of urban art.

Calling all Twin Cities’ residents and visitors – a fun all-nighter is on the way!

Performances, visual arts, projected images, interactive media, and participatory events bring together a multitude of artists who create art projects in partnership with numerous arts organizations at multiple venues.

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Minneapolis parks 4Spring is busting out all over – our Minneapolis parks are no exception to that.  With the ice disappearing from the lakes, spring and summer water activities will soon begin in earnest.  Walking, jogging and running events will also once again be popular with Twin Cities’ residents, as will picnics and family-related activities.

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Coming to The Lab Theater in June:  Two Minnesota artists have collaborated to present Destination Twin Cities in a new look at the area’s history.

Jazz88 Destination TC

The LAB Theater is a 6,000 square-foot warehouse located in the stylish Warehouse District/North Loop neighborhood of downtown Minneapolis. It is a perfect venue for audiences seeking bold new theatre and dynamic sightlines, seating and comfort.

Destination Twin Cities features Grammy Award winning jazz pianist Burch Thompson and choreographer Sarah LaRose-Holland’s dynamically engaging dance company Kinetic Evolutions.  Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 14 and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 15, 2013 at The Lab Theater in Minneapolis’ warehouse district.

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Picture you and your family participating in these memorable events:  guided kayak trips; nature hikes; camping complete with campfires in the beautiful northwoods of Minnesota, and the enjoyment of two days of music by original singer songwriters!  This interactive experience could be yours if you attend Storyhill Fest 2013 at Clearwater Forest Camp in the Brainerd Lakes area.

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Northern Minnesota is well known for its scenic areas for camping and recreational activities. (Photo credit and copyright – R.C. Johnson)

Storyhill, the Red House Records acoustic duo made up of Chris Cunningham and John Hermanson, has announced the lineup for Storyhill Fest 2013.  John Gorka and Raina Rose will be joining Storyhill as the headline artists for this year’s festival which will take place at the Clearwater Forest Camp in Deerwood, Minnesota on August 31 and September 1, 2013.  There will also be camping available on August 30th for those who want to make a full weekend of it.

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Step to It 1 copyIf you need some motivation to get moving again after too much sitting during the recent winter, the “Step To It Challenge” program might be just the ticket for you.  Registration begins on April 1st – steps will be recorded from May 1 – 28, 2013.

The Minnesota Twins and Kare 11 are joining Hennepin County and participating communities as proud sponsors of the 2013 Step To It Challenge. Winning participants from each community will be recognized during a Twins game this summer.

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Volunteers are needed to help spruce up Minneapolis.  “Earth Day Clean Up” is a collaborative effort between the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board and City of Minneapolis Solid Waste and Recycling.  The 19th annual Minneapolis Earth Day Clean Up will take place on Saturday, April 20, 2013 from 9:30 a.m. – Noon.  It is easy to get involved – no pre-registration is required.

The 2013 event will be held on April 20th – volunteers are needed to make this day a huge success.

The goal of Earth Day is to provide a volunteer experience and environmental education to Minneapolis residents and park users. This annual event involves cleaning major watersheds and water bodies in the City of Minneapolis including: the Chain of Lakes, Lake Nokomis, Lake Hiawatha, Powderhorn Lake, Diamond Lake, Shingle Creek, Minnehaha Creek, Bassett’s Creek and the Mississippi River.

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