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| |  | The Prince mural in downtown Minneapolis, where the 10-year celebration of life will take place. (Molly Mulvehill Steinke for Nemer Fieger) |
| Minneapolis to become epicenter of Prince celebrations | On June 6, Prince fans will flock to downtown Minneapolis for a block party to celebrate The Purple One’s birthday. Notably, the party will feature a public sing-along with a “mass choir” led by musical director Sanford Moore. “It’s like singing in the shower,” Moore told City Cast Twin Cities. “I might even be doing air guitar. We will be embracing those moments.” Teaser: Moore said they’ve come up with a “unique” way to wish Prince a happy birthday. [🎧City Cast Twin Cities] | - The week: Celebrations run from June 3-7. The block party is free, but there’s also a smattering of ticketed events around the city. Chaka Khan will kick off celebrations at First Avenue, followed by a jam session celebrating Prince’s legendary Club 3121 residency, and then a concert at the Armory featuring Members of NPG & The Revolution. Bootsy Collins, Jimmy Jam, and Terry Lewis will make appearances throughout the week. [Prince Celebration 2026]
- Community impact: Organizers also encourage people to patronize Eat Street, where businesses were hit hard by Operation Metro Surge. The itinerary also includes visits to the memorials for George Floyd, Alex Pretti, and Renee Good. [Press release]
- Worth a visit: Prince’s love and bond with Minneapolis were palpable throughout his life and it’s worth remembering his connections to the area. Our host Sean recommends taking a seat at Prince’s table at the Dakota, retracing Prince’s 12-hour takeover of downtown from 2007 and seeing the gold star outside of First Avenue next weekend.
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| What the Cities Are Talking About |
| Red, White & BOOM: Fireworks in St. Paul? It could happen — if the St. Paul Rotary Club can rustle up $83,000. The club president is confident they can reach that goal, meaning July 4 could mark the return of the city’s free fireworks display after eight years. Apparently, they even found a descendant of a Declaration of Independence signer to design the shirts. [Pioneer Press] | | ICE trash: The Minnesota Reformer’s Peyton Haug cataloged the detritus left behind by immigration agents, and there’s a lot: abandoned vehicles, used up smoke and flash grenades, tires, and more. Haug writes about holding a rifle magazine, with live bullets inside, left behind by then-Commander Greg Bovino and agents at Mueller Park. Shout out to the Reformer for their amazing public records work. [Minnesota Reformer] | |  | A wall of bag charms at the toy store Kinoko Kids. (Tiffany Bui / City Cast Twin Cities) |
| Palate cleanser: If you’re a bag charm connoisseur like I am, you should definitely check out Kinoko Kids in South Minneapolis. I spotted this display of crocheted keychains while checking out their collection of tufted wall art. | | In this economy?: Xcel’s gas rates are going up by 4.9 percent, but that’s less than the 8.2 percent the company originally requested. If the Public Utilities Commission approves the rate hike, customers who have been paying the interim increase of 6.8 percent will get a refund. Annie Levenson-Falk of the Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota called this a “fair outcome.” She gave us an even-handed analysis of this increase back in April. [MPR News] | | Good news: As hospitals are struggling nationwide due to Medicaid cuts, a community clinic is doubling in size. Sahan Journal’s Katrina Pross reports the Community-University Health Care Center serves immigrants, refugees, and all patients regardless of their ability to pay. The center made home visits, switched to telehealth, and delivered patients food during Operation Metro Surge. [Sahan Journal] |
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| | | The show that set Broadway back 1,000 years... returns! The musical comedy lovingly ripped off from the film classic, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, has everything that makes a great knight at the theater, from flying cows to killer rabbits, British royalty to French taunters, dancing girls, rubbery shrubbery, and of course, the Lady of the Lake. At the Ordway in Saint Paul, June 10 - 14. Get your tickets today. |
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| | Thursday, May 28 | | | Friday, May 29 | | | |
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This estate sale in Hastings is titled: “Absolutely PACKED Kitschy Vintage Time Capsule.” If this piques your interest like it did mine, take a whirl through these photos of Christmas figurines, a Humpty Dumpty magazine, retro lawn chairs, and perfectly preserved Beanie Babies. |
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