Join us this Sunday, August 25th for Open Streets Franklin! Open Streets Minneapolis events are free events that temporarily close major thoroughfares to car traffic, opening them up for people walking, biking, rolling, and playing. Check out the Open Streets Franklin Facebook page or the event webpage for more details. Here are the things that I am most excited to see at Open Streets Franklin!
1. Hope Community, Inc.
Location: E Franklin Ave and Portland Ave
Hope Community will have several exciting activities taking place during Open Streets Franklin:
- Take a seat and relax with the Shaah Iyo Sheeko group (means tea and conversation in Somali). The concept of Shaah Iyo Sheeko is people coming together to get to know one another and build a community through a guided conversation inspired by a topic. Everyone is welcome no matter their heritage, religion, sexual orientation, preferred pronoun, or political affiliation. The Shaah Iyo Sheeko group is a multi-generational, diverse group of people who have chosen to build community with each other.
- “Hope ‘n Streets” Stage: Live music, dance and performances throughout the day, featuring a multicultural, and multi-generational lineup of acts from the Phillips Community and beyond.
- Fill up with food from their vendors – delicious food, pastries, and tea for sale from local businesses Moroccan Flavors and A&A Snacks.
2. Boneshaker Books
Location: E Franklin Ave and 23rd Ave S
Boneshaker Books is a community supported, collectively organized, and volunteer run bookstore. Play an interactive card game of AUTHORS with Boneshaker at Open Streets Franklin! Pick up your starting hand at the Boneshaker Books booth, trade author cards at various booths on Franklin until you have a full set of one author. Come back to collect your prize!
3. Seward Community Co-op
Location: E Franklin Ave and 26th Ave S
Stop by the Seward Community Co-op Creamery Cafe for Live music, $5 sandwich specials, Fair State beer, ice cream, kombucha and samples from local producers. Additionally, there will be an artist pop-up with Springboard for the Arts, kids activities with Midwest Food Connection, the opportunity to chat with the co-op Board, and more!
4. UnHoly Tour & TiWakan
Location: E Franklin Ave and 11th Ave S
Walk with artists and storytellers who have lived “The Avenue” for an interactive experience. They perform live music, spoken word, and storytelling on walking tours of Franklin Avenue. The inspiration of the tours are 2 poems by Tom LaBlanc, “Unholy” (2016) and “Walking Down Franklin Avenue” written in the 70’s about police brutality and the conditions of Native life that created the emergence of the American Indian Movement Interpretive Center, or AIM. UnHoly Tours make it clear this is a story still alive today. Stop by to get a tour and listen to TiWakan, an Indian Fusion band.
5. Mini East African Street Festival with SCCA
Location: E Franklin Ave and 25th Ave S
The popular East African Street Festival returns with the Somali Museum Dance Troupe, East African food, and more! Sponsored by the Seward Civic & Commerce Association, join them for a celebration of East African culture from 11am - 5pm during Open Streets Franklin! Stop by to enjoy dancing & music by: Somali Museum of Minnesota, UM Ethiopian Student Association, UM Oromo Student Union, and Abdulkadir Said Argos – Classic Somali oud/guitar.
6. American Indian Cultural Corridor
Location: E Franklin Ave between 14th Ave S and S 15th Ave
The American Indian Cultural Corridor’s name and conceptual identity is the work of the Minneapolis-based Native American Community Development Institute. The goal is to re-brand the traditional heart of the city's Native American community as a place where both Indians and tourists can enjoy Native American food, art, and culture on Franklin Avenue and in the Phillips Neighborhood of Minneapolis.
The American Indian Cultural Corridor will highlight a few of the organizations that serve the local community. There will be music from KFAI radio, food from Pow Wow Grounds and the Four Sisters Farmers Market, stories and performances from the Franklin Library, and many more delights!
7. Laune Bread
Location: E Franklin Ave and 22nd Ave S
Laune Bread is a subscription and pop-up bakery dedicated to seasonality, simplifying life, and bringing small town vibes to Minneapolis. Their offerings include European-inspired naturally leavened breads and sweet/savory pastries that reflect their commitment to reducing waste and sourcing ingredients from Minnesota farmers and producers. Stop by, say hi, and check out their offerings!
