Friday, May 2
Floral Arrangement
WHAT: Art in Bloom 2014
WHERE: Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis
WHEN: 10 a.m.
April showers bring May flowers to the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Each year (this is the 31st), artists choose a piece from the MIA’s permanent collection—think Monet, van Gogh, O’Keeffe—and interpret it through flowers. Check out the key speakers and demonstrations, pop in the Pop-up Shop, or walk through the gallery of over 150 blooming arrangements. Head to new.artsmia.org for a full schedule.
Peace Among the People
WHAT: Festival of Nations
WHERE: RiverCentre, Saint Paul
WHEN: 4:30 p.m.
Love adventure? Travel the world under one roof this weekend at the Festival of Nations. Stroll through 40 cultural exhibits, enjoy international music and dance, or eat your way around the globe with food and drink from more than 30 different cultures. If you’re feeling crafty, check out the demonstrations of folk art like German porcelain painting and Native American beadwork. Bring the kids for a fun and enlightening experience. Head to festivalofnations.com for more information.
Saturday, May 3
Philanthropic Fashion
WHAT: RISE the Fashion Show
WHERE: Rapson Hall, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
WHEN: 7 p.m.
Spend your night at a luxe fashion show and support two great causes: Dress for Success Twin Cities—an organization that provides professional attire to disadvantaged women—and up-and-coming student fashion designers. Produced by Fashion & Business, a student-run organization, RISE will feature of-the-moment trends created by six University of Minnesota apparel designers. Check out fabmn.com for details and ticket information.
Soul Cycle
WHAT: Leon Russell
WHERE: The Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis
WHEN: 7 p.m.
Leon Russell, the Master of Space and Time, is back on the soul train. After a slip in popularity, this crooner received a pick-me-up from a collaboration with Sir Elton John in 2010. While he gives a nod to the past with song selections from Duke Ellington and Billy Joel, Russell has no problem moving forward with original music from his new album, Life Journey. Go to thecedar.org for ticket information.
Sunday, May 4
Spring Fever
WHAT: MayDay Celebration
WHERE: Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis
WHEN: 12 p.m.
For its 40th year, the MayDay celebration—put on by In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre—will kick off with a walking theatrical performance (a pumped-up parade) on Bloomington Avenue into Powderhorn. Afterwards, enjoy the Tree of Life Ceremony, and a festival filled with music, dancing, food, and more. Come out and celebrate spring—and art—with tens of thousands of annual visitors. Visit hobt.org for more details.
Dancing in the Fire
WHAT: James Sewell Ballet: Inferno
WHERE: The Cowles Center, Minneapolis
WHEN: 2 p.m.
Dancer and choreographer James Sewell gives the Inferno—a 14th century poem from Dante’s Divine Comedy—a modern twist. Complete with video and discussion, this ballet is sure to intrigue. If that’s not enough to grab your attention, you’ll want to call a babysitter and make it a date night: Inferno is R-rated. Check out thecowlescenter.org for ticket information.
