Join us this Sunday July 21st for Open Streets Lake + Minnehaha! 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 Lake + Minnehaha Facebook page or the event webpage for more details. Here are the things that I am most excited to see at Open Streets Lake + Minnehaha!
1. Mid-Continent Oceanographic Institute (MOI)
Location: E Lake St and S 19th Ave
Time to swim by the Mid-Continent Oceanographic Institute (MOI) tent and learn about this organization dedicated to empower underserved K–12 students to think creatively, write effectively, and succeed academically alongside a community of caring volunteers. Catch a wave to their tent to see what books the young authors of the Twin Cities published this year and to learn more about their FREE programming for youth in grades K-12. MOI’s crew will be selling their young authors’ newest publications, Indigenous Originated: Walking in Two Worlds and Like a Forest Growing, along with other oceanographer merch!
2. East Lake Aikido
Location: Minnehaha Ave between E 33rd St and E 34th St
Learn about Aikido by watching a LIVE class at Open Streets Lake + Minnehaha. Aikido is a Japanese martial art, a path for polishing the spirit, nourishing the body and developing the whole person. We offer youth and adult classes, weapons and zazen. East Lake Aikido will be awaiting!
3. Playable Artworks
Location: Minnehaha Ave between E 36th St and E 37th St
Scavenger hunt at Open Streets Minneapolis? YES! Noodle the dog lost his human. The human left clues to where she went, but Noodle needs some help to collect the clues and find her. Help this poor pup by using a smartphone app to visit destinations along Minnehaha Avenue and collect clues to solve the puzzle. You’re Noodle’s only hope! Off Leash takes you on an exciting adventure to solve a mystery. Wear comfy shoes, bring your charged cell phone, and dress for the weather, because it’s time for Open Streets Lake + Minnehaha! Come play, and explore your community while looking for Noodle!
4. 98.9 FM - KRSM Radio
Location: E Lake St between 10th Ave S and 11th Ave S
Listen up, event goers, KRSM will have a booth at Open Streets Lake + Minnehaha were you will be able to learn about this hyper-local community radio station based out of South Minneapolis, broadcasting music, stories, and discussions that amplify the voices of under-represented communities. For example, their schedule features shows in 6 different languages (English, Spanish, Somali, Ojibwe, Hmong, and Haitian Creole), and they air 10 hours of programming each week by Indigenous hosts. KRSM is located at the Waite House Community Center, and it is part of Pillsbury United Communities’ media initiative which aims to provide a platform for raising up stories of the community.
5. Firehouse Performing Arts Center - The Hook and Ladder + Mission Room
Location: Minnehaha Ave between E Lake St and 27th Ave S
Open Streets, Open House, Open Hook features live music from Duala Soul Collective , Papa Blu and the Fistbump Congress Brass Messengers, and Woodblind. There will be free sample tasting from Bent Paddle Brewing and a very special, inaugural, pop-up, Southside Vintage Flea Market, featuring local vintage dealers showcasing high-quality items, including: housewares, clothing, records, electronics, collectibles, jewelry and more! Stop by for a great time!
6. Visit Lake Street
Location: Minnehaha Ave between E Lake St and 27th Ave S
Feeling a little overwhelmed by the endless possibilities along the route? Stop by Visit Lake Street to get some guidance! Lake Street has *way* too much to see in one day. Come spin the wheel for Lake Street swag and pick up some free guides to Lake Street's great destinations and hidden gems. Visit Lake Street is an initiative of the Lake Street Council, a business association for the Lake Street corridor. The goal of the Visit Lake Street initiative is to promote the corridor as a vibrant destination for visitors and residents alike.
7. In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre
Location: E Lake St and S 15th Ave
Given HOBT's January announcement that 2019 would be the last year they could produce MayDay on their own, their priority this summer is to invest in a robust community engagement process to listen deeply to the communities they work with and folks who care about MayDay’s future. Visit the Imagine MayDay tent so they can hear directly from you about what is most important and how we might work together to re-imagine MayDay. Keep your eye out for wandering Puppets & get your picture taken at their photo booth!
