Pride fest to take over Twin Cities
Twin Cities Pride
June is LGBT Pride month, and this means the Twin Cities Pride Festival is right around the corner. The annual fest is set to take over Loring Park and Hennepin Avenue the weekend of June 25-26. Here’s all the information you need to know to enjoy a weekend full of pride.
Twin Cities Pride Festival
The 44th annual Twin Cities Pride Festival will bring hundreds of thousands to Loring Park near downtown Minneapolis. The weekend of festivities will kick off with Pride in Concert featuring performances from The Pointer Sisters, Adore Delano and The Phoenix Philosophy in the park on Saturday at 6-10 p.m. The festival itself is teeming with events, booths and shops giving guests a ton to explore.
Where: Loring Park, 1382 Willow St.
When: June 25-26 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Info: tcpride.org
Ashley Rukes GLBT Pride Parade
The Twin Cities Pride Parade, the quintessential pride event, is considered one of the largest in the country, bringing thousands to Hennepin Avenue and lining the street for block and blocks. Join grand marshals Roxanne Anderson and D Rojas for an afternoon of pride — and don’t forget the shades and sunscreen.
Where: 3rd Street & Hennepin Avenue
When: Sunday, June 26 at 11 a.m.
Cost: Free
Info: tcpride.org
Rainbow Run
Before Sunday’s parade runners will take to Boom Island and Hennepin Avenue for a rainbow-colored fun run. The Rainbow Run takes participants downtown along the parade route just in time for the festivities, and your bib can even be turned in for a free mimosa or Bloody Mary at Mason’s (528 Hennepin Ave.) while you watch the parade. Runners are invited to dress in their best rainbow colors, and the best dressed will even get prizes.
Where: Boom Island Park, 724 Sibley St. NE
When: Sunday, June 26 from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Cost: $20-$40
Info: tcpride.org
Pride Presents: Kathy Griffin
Comedienne Kathy Griffin will help kick of Pride festivities at Orchestra Hall. The award-winning comic promises to have a lot of new jokes for Minneapolis fans. “I’ve played Minneapolis many times. Minneapolis has been very good to me and I want your readers to know that it’s going to be all new — two hours of new material,” she said in a recent interview. “In this election year, I want your readers to know — no matter what side of the aisle you’re on — I have Donald Trump personal stories that are jaw droppers.”
Where: Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall
When: June 23, 6–10 p.m.
Cost: Tickets start at $45
Info: tcpride.org
Go Outside with Hennepin County
Hennepin County and the Minneapolis Downtown Council are hosting a summer of free programming downtown, from movies and music to fitness and games. At the Hennepin County Government Center’s South Plaza (300 S. 6th St.) there will be outdoor piano performances on Tuesdays from 12-1 p.m., food trucks and a craft cart on Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and, of course, the farmers market on Thursdays from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. this summer. At Target Field Station (335 N. 5th St.), there are Monday movie nights at 7 p.m. in June, Wednesday night trivia at 6 p.m. and Sunday family days on June 26 from 4-6 p.m. and Aug. 7 from 12-4 p.m.
Where: Hennepin County Government Center South Plaza & Target Field Station
When: June 1 through Aug. 31
Cost: Free
Info: downtownmpls.com/gooutside
Realm of the Unknown
“Realm of the Unknown,” the latest exhibition at Form + Content Gallery, explores the less tangible aspects of life through moments of wonder, strangeness and absence. Artists Caitlin David, Kathryn Flora, Greta Kotz and Shannon Smith — all past and present gallery interns — examine how concepts like auras can be explored and expressed in the tangible world through paintings, portraits and more. Form + Content gallery is free and open to the public Thursday through Saturday from 12-6 p.m.
Where: Form + Content Gallery, 210 N. 2nd
When: June 30 through Aug. 6
Cost: Free
Info: formandcontent.org
South Pacific
The Guthrie Theater’s artistic director Joseph Haj will get his first fully produced production debut with “South Pacific.” The production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, adapted from James A. Michener’s “Tales of the South Pacific,” will also be the first time the classic makes its way to the Guthrie’s Wurtele Thrust Stage. The musical tells the story of two couples, a U.S. Navy nurse and a French planter, and a Marine and a young local girl, during a time of war and prejudice.
Where: Guthrie Theater, 818 S. 2nd St.
When: June 24 through Aug. 28
Cost: $39-$74
Info: guthrietheater.org
Caffeine Crawl
There are all kinds of pub crawls, brewery tours and wine tastings, but, for the past few years, coffee has finally gotten its own event. The Caffeine Crawl puts together several guided tours for serious coffee drinkers. Across six different routes, crawlers can enjoy drink and chocolate samples across Twin Cities cafes and shops, from Five Watt Coffee to Blackeye Roasting Co. and dozens more. Routes, which are either driving or bike-friendly routes, also include educational presentations from shops and can include some caffeine-free options — occasionally even alcohol-based options.
Where: Various coffee shops
When: June 24-25
Cost: $29-$32
Info: caffeinecrawl.com
Greenway Glow
The Midtown Greenway Coalition is putting on a night of three Greenway Glow events, with an arts fest, a 10-mile bike ride and a nighttime fun run across the Midtown Greenway. The community arts festival (7 p.m.-1 a.m., $10 donation requested) features more than two dozen art installations and performances from local artists. Teams of cyclists will bike down the greenway during the 10-mile Glow Ride ($25-$30, plus $75 in pledges/donations) donning glowing attire. And for walkers and runners a 5K Glow Run/Walk (also $25-$30, plus $75 in pledges/donations) will have them heading down the greenway in a glow-in-the-dark T-shirt and glowing necklace. Register for the event at greenwayglow.kintera.org.
Where: Midtown Greenway
When: June 18-19 from 7 p.m.-1 a.m.
Cost: Free and ticketed events, donations requested
Info: midtowngreenway.org
Uptown Food Truck Festival
Nothing quite says that summer has arrived like a lineup of food trucks, and the Uptown Food Truck Festival boasts one of the city’s largest. More than 50 food trucks will come together for one delicious summer celebration with every cuisine you could think of, from Foxy Falafel’s falafel sandwiches, tacos from R Taco and grilled Japanese fare from Hibachi Daruma. The family-friendly, pet-friendly fest will also feature craft beers from North Loop BrewCo (formerly Lucid Brewing), games and live music across two stages.
Where: Hennepin between Lake and 31st
When: Saturday, June 26 from 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Info: uptownfoodtruckfestival.com
Midsommar
The American Swedish Institute will welcome music, dancing and singing to its campus for its summer tradition, the Swedish Midsommar celebration. The traditional summer festival features a family-friendly day of performances and, of course, the raising of the Midsommarastang or Midsummer-pole. ASI will also have flower wreath making, face painting, storytelling, outdoor games and craft demonstrations. ASI’s restaurant, FIKA, will also be serving up its own Midsommar fare.
Where: American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave.
When: June 18 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: $10, $5 for ages 6-18, free for ASI members
Info: asimn.org
Sarah McKenzie contributed to this report