For Immediate Release

Minneapolis (March 9, 2020) – While many are spring-break bound, Minneapolis proves you don’t have to head south to have fun. Enjoy the upcoming spring with events, exhibits and eats found in this Meet Minneapolis leisure travel round-up.

Attractions and Event News

• First Avenue Celebrates 50 Years
  The legendary First Avenue announced its golden anniversary kick-off weekend, April 2 – 5, with a series of concerts. It’s one of the longest running, independently owned and operated music venues in the United States. More events and shows will be announced throughout the anniversary year at the club made famous by Prince. first-avenue.com/
  
  
• Gavin Kaysen’s Synergy Series Chef Dialogues at American Swedish Institute (ASI)
  The Dialogue portion of the Synergy Chef Series will be held at ASI, highlighting renowned chef’s stories in an intimate conversation with audience Q&A. Chefs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo speak on April 23 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Additional talks: Chefs Michael Solomonov on July 16, Thomas Keller, Sept. 24 and Missy Robbins on Dec. 3. Tickets are free, but seating is limited. Dinner tickets for separate evening events with visiting chefs at Spoon & Stable, as well as the Bar & Lounge Experience, benefit the World Central Kitchen. thesynergyseries.com/
  
  
• Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) is First U.S. Museum to Present ‘Safe Passage’ in New Exhibit
  Ai Weiwei’s eye-catching installation, “Safe Passage,” where thousands of refugees’ lifejackets encircle the columns on the front of the museum, will draw you into Mia’s marbled walls where you will want to stay to experience special exhibit, “When Home Won’t Let You Stay,” through May 24, highlighting art and migration in stories of home and the difficult journey of migrants. new.artsmia.org/when-home-wont-let-you-stay-art-and-migration/
  
  
• Sauna Village in Tangletown Neighborhood
  The corner of Nicollet and 47th has become the south Minneapolis neighborhood’s center for wood-fired rejuvenation, ice bath chasers, connection and quite respite. A collection of varying sizes of wood-fired saunas are available for 90-minute sessions. Reservations and bathing suits required. stokeyard.com/saunavillage
  
  
• In the Land of Prince, Murals Abound
  If you cannot get enough of the Purple One, or likenesses of him, Minneapolis will not disappoint. A new, 16-by-24-foot Prince mural is towering over the tram level of Terminal 1 at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport through January 2021. Titled, “I Would Die 4 U,” the mural was previously seen at Weisman Art Museum in Minneapolis and the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle. More here

Dining News

• New: Unleashed: Hounds and Hops is Minneapolis, and Minnesota’s First Dog Bar
  Two-thirds off-leash play area, one-third bar and eating area where you and your best friend can watch the fun from behind sound-proof glass. This bar that’s gone to the dogs requires you to register your pup, and serves beer, wine and (of course) hotdogs. unleashedhoundsandhops.com/
  
  
• Minneapolis/Saint Paul Restaurants, Chefs Named James Beard Foundation Awards Semi-finalists
  Numerous nominations again place area chefs and dining in the top tier of the food world. Finalists and winners will be named later this spring. jamesbeard.org/blog/the-2020-james-beard-award-semifinalists
  • Best New Restaurant: Demi
  • Outstanding Bar Program: Colita
  • Outstanding Restaurant: Restaurant Alma
  • Outstanding Chef: Gavin Kaysen, Spoon and Stable
  • Outstanding Pastry Chef: Diane Moua, Spoon and Stable
  • Rising Star Chef of the Year: Rikki Giambruno, Hyacinth (Saint Paul)
  • Best Chef (Midwest): Hai Truong, Ngon Vietnamese Bistro, Saint Paul; Steven Brown, Tilia, Minneapolis; Daniel del Prado, Martina, Minneapolis; Jamie Malone, Grand Café, Minneapolis; and Christina Nguyen, Hai Hai, Minneapolis

• New: Mill Valley Market at Theodore Wirth Park’s Trailhead
  Owners of Mill Valley Kitchen (St. Louis Park) and downtown Minneapolis’ Mercy will open the new counter-service spot serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with grab and go options for the skiers, fat tire bikers and all others at this popular regional park in mid-March. loppet.org/stories/2020/02/mill-valley-market-to-open-at-the-trailhead-soon/
  
  
• New - Vegan: Reverie Café + Bar in Powderhorn Park Neighborhood
  This cozy, vegan spot is open in a new neighborhood after closing in their previous location in 2017. Offering entirely scratch-made, plant-based food, there’s also a full coffee bar, 20 tap lines serving local brews, ciders, kombucha and switchel, and a carefully curated wine list. reveriempls.com/

Taproom and Bar News

• New: The Cocktail Room at 18th & Central - Now Serving MSP International Airport
  The latest spot at MSP that gives travelers a taste of Minneapolis is showcasing exclusive spirits, liqueurs and cocktails from must-visit local distillery, Tattersall, accompanied by small bites and surprises on tap. If you simply cannot leave the airport to explore the city, be sure to sample a taste of Northeast Minneapolis. mspairport.com/airport/eat-shop-relax/cocktail-room-18th-and-central
  
  
• Popular Girl Scout Cookie Drink Pairings at Urban Forage The Lake Street bar known for cider, wine and mead made with foraged fruits pairs its beverages with the season’s biggest charitable food item: Girl Scout Cookies. Lemonades, Shortbreads, Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies and Caramel DeLites are for sale with the naturally gluten-free beverages in the kid-friendly tap room (cookies not gluten free, naturally). urbanforagewinery.com

For more information about what to see, do and eat in Minneapolis, visit www.minneapolis.org.

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