May is here and that means it’s time to get outside and do some yard work. Minnesota winters can be pretty rough on the lawn so there’s probably a fair amount of work ahead for this weekend. That’s okay, it’s supposed to be warm and sunny, perfect for a backyard BBQ with friends and family after all that hard work.
May is also a great time to get out and experience Minnesota. In addition to our many lakes we have some great activities and events happening during the month of May. From a very special exhibit at the History Museum in St. Paul to Opening Day at the new CHS baseball stadium (Go Saints!) there’s plenty of family friendly fun to be had. Get out and enjoy this beautiful state before the mosquitoes and heat show up.
We Are Hmong Minnesota
When: Now through November 29th, 2015
Where: Minnesota History Center
345 W Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55102November 2015 marks the 40th anniversary of the Hmong migration to Minnesota following the war in Southeast Asia. Today, the Twin Cities metro area is home to 66,000 Hmong, the largest urban Hmong population in the United States. Developed in partnership with the Hmong community, this exhibit will commemorate the anniversary and celebrate the significant political, social and economic contributions the Hmong have made to Minnesota and the nation.
Big Bridges
When: Now through December 6, 2015
Where: Weisman Art Museum 333 East River Road, Minneapolis
They are emblems of achievement and passage to the other side. Big bridges have been making their mark on cityscapes through the ages. In the Twin Cities, our unique location on the gorge of the Mississippi River makes our bridges as majestic as they are vital. Whether supported from below or suspended from above, they are important elements in our visual world and integral to our livelihood. And yet our bridges are wearing out and in need of attention.
The Target Studio for Creative Collaboration will address the challenge of maintaining the structural—and sculptural—quality of our big bridges in exhibitions and programs. Big Bridges invites artists, designers, engineers, and the University and larger community to engage in a creative dialogue establishing the expectations, possibilities, and aspirations for the preservation and replacement of our Mississippi River bridges.
From the Roman viaducts to our own Stone Arch Bridge, many historic bridges still stand as a sign of their times. Bridges have been on the leading edge of invention and the application of new materials. Many have been risky experiments, like the Brooklyn Bridge, which was the first suspension bridge to use steel cables (1883). Big Bridges will take us back to marvel at the artistic expression in historic bridges and look to the future of bridge design in the Twin Cities. Join us as Target Studio becomes a laboratory for the creation of innovative vision for big bridges in the twenty-first century.
St. Paul Craftstravaganza
When: Saturday May 9th, 2015
Where: Minnesota State Fair Grounds, Eco Experience Building 10am – 5pm
Craftstravaganza is a one-day art market for handmade goods. The 2015 St. Paul Craftstravaganza will be held in the Minnesota State Fairgrounds Eco Experience Building (a.k.a. the Progress Center) on May 9, 2015. This year is our 10th annual St. Paul event, a cause for celebration! The Craftstravaganza is hosted by Scuttlebug, LLC.
Stanley’s Craft Beer and Bacon Fest
When: Saturday May 16th, 2015 2pm-5pm
Where: Northeast Minneapolis the Arts and Riverfront District
We’re stopping traffic, AGAIN! Join us on Saturday, May 16th, for the 2nd Annual Stanley’s Craft Beer and Bacon Fest, taking place in Northeast Minneapolis the Arts and Riverfront District! Bacon samples, music, bacon, great craft beer and bacon!!
MSP Comicon
When: May 16-17th, 2015 10am – 5pm
Where: Minnesota State Fairgrounds
100,000 square feet of extreme comic book fun for the whole family! Hundreds of dealers, and over 250 comic book creators from across the US. Door prizes, grab bags and much more!! Some of the exhibitors include: North Star Roller Girls, Twinlug Legos, Devil’s Due Studio. Custume contest and much more!
Eco Arts Festival
When: Nay 16th, 2015 10am – 3pm
Where: Harriet Island Grounds and Pavilion, St. Paul
ArtStart’s EcoArts Fest is a one-day, outdoor arts, environmental and cultural celebration. A free, family-friendly event, the EcoArts Fest is first and foremost a celebration honoring our ties to one another and to Mother Earth. It is pageantry with a purpose. The EcoArts Fest activities are initiated with residencies, workshops, and other programming in the community with artists and naturalists months in advance of the celebration. The day is a culmination of these activities and showcases the art, music, dance and dramatic productions of youth and adults in response to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the natural world and our place in it. Overall, the EcoArts Fest focuses on delivering engaging activities and experiences that provide knowledge about an environmental issue through art making and demonstrate ways individuals can take positive actions to make change. Join us for a day at the river to remember!
Saint Paul Saints Opening Day at CHS Field
When: May 21st, 2015 7:05pm
Where: CHS Field Lowertown, St. Paul
Join in the fun as the Saint Paul Saints toss out the first ball of the season on Opening Day at their new stadium in Lowertown of St. Paul. All the fun and excitement of a Saint’s game but in a brand new beautiful stadium.
Waterfest
When: Saturday May 30th, 2015 11am – 4pm
Where: Lake Phalen, St. Paul
WaterFest is a free celebration of our clean lakes and offers outdoor fun and opportunities for hands-on learning about the water quality, wildlife, and special ecological features of our beautiful watershed.See the Farnsworth School Marching Band, enjoy boat rides, fishing lessons for the kids and fishing contests for all ages. Activities, games and swimming! Fun for the whole family.