Ode To Walt Whitman
Through June 8
Open Eye Theatre
506 E 24th Street
$15 – $30
Created & Performed by Bart Buch, Ode To Walt Whitman is a tender, silent puppet poem – a dialogue between Walt Whitman and Federico Garcia Lorca that contrasts Whitman’s America, a nation full of lovers and comrades, with what Garcia Lorca sees, an America inundated with machines and tears. For tickets, visit openeyetheatre.org/ode-to-walt-whitman.
Creation.Story
Through July 26
All My Relations Arts
1414 E Franklin Avenue
Free
Creation.Story is a group exhibit featuring artists who invoke the oral traditions and creative expressions in their Očhéthi Šakówiŋ heritage, and as such continue this thriving tradition. Artists featured are Jhon Goes In Center, James Star Comes Out, Mikayla Patton, Randilynn Boucher-Giago, Dwayne Wilcox, Dyani White Hawk, Marlena Myles, Talon Ducheneaux, Keith BraveHeart, Jaida Grey Eagle, Kylee Wanatee-Thunderhawk, Angela Babby, Destiny Big Crow, and Billy Janis. For gallery hours and additional programming, visit allmyrelationsarts.org.
Four Sisters Farmers Market
Thursdays through October
11 AM – 3 PM
1414 E Franklin Avenue
Free
Enjoy local food, handcrafts, and community at the Four Sisters Farmers Market every Thursday from June 5th through October 30th. Four Sisters is an Indigenous-focused farmers market that celebrates Indigenous pride, health, and well-being. SNAP/EBT benefits, Market Bucks, Gus Produce Market Bucks, cash, and cards are welcome. In partnership with Hunger Solutions, Four Sisters can match up to $10 of SNAP/EBT benefits (visit market manager table to learn more). Follow the Four Sisters Farmers Market facebook page for more information and details on weekly programming, including art making, music, food demos, and more!
Pioneers & Soldiers Cemetery Underground Railroad Dedication Ceremony
Saturday, June 7
1 – 2:30 PM
Cedar Avenue & Lake Street
(Enter on Cedar)
Free
Pioneers & Soldiers Cemetery, the oldest cemetery in Minneapolis, has been designated by the National Park Service as a site on the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. This dedication ceremony will gather supporters and public officials to celebrate this achievement and honor the four people who are buried here who make this designation possible. Tours of the cemetery will be offered after the program.
Visit nps.gov/orgs/1205 or.nps.gov/subjects/undergroundrailroad to learn more about the underground railroad and the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.
Bach Tage (Bach Day) Music at Mount Olive
June 7 and 8
4 PM
Mount Olive Lutheran Church
3045 Chicago Avenue S
Free
For its eighteenth annual “Bach Tage,” or Bach Day programming, Mount Olive Music and Fine Arts will be featuring two public musical performances. On Saturday evening, June 7, The Mirandola Ensemble will offer musical leadership for a service celebrating the Vigil of Pentecost, and on Sunday, June 8, Bach’s Cantata BWV 74 will be incorporated into the service of Evening Prayer. Both services begin at 4pm and are free and open to the public Visit mountolivechurch.org for program details or to learn more about Mount Olive Music and Fine Arts.
Elliot Park Summer Kick-Off Cookout
Friday June 13
4 – 8 PM
Elliot Park
1000 E 14th Street
Free
Launch summer with neighbors at the Elliot Park Summer Kick-Off Cookout! This event will feature activities for all ages, including outdoor games, music, face paint, water games.
Peavey Park Juneteenth
Celebration
Saturday, June 14
11 AM – 4 PM
Peavey Park
730 E 22nd Street
Free
Celebrate Black history, culture, and community with neighbors at Peavey Park. Planned for the day are activities to inspire reflection and joy, including spoken word performances, storytelling, flag football, soccer games, T-shirt making, and delicious food for all to enjoy.
Jump Up! Greenway-Lake Street Cultural Caravan Living History Event
Saturday, June 14
11 AM – 1 PM
Midtown Greenway @ 10th Ave
Free
Black Americans’ fight for emancipation is the focus of this living history edition of the Greenway Cultural Caravan, co-hosted by the Cultural Wellness Center. The historical drama begins on the Greenway with a reenactment of Major General Gordon Granger and his troops arriving in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. Participants will then walk to the Midtown Global Market in a procession symbolizing the journey from slavery to freedom, resilience, and progress. Once at the Market, history will come alive again with a theatrical conversation between Harriet and Dred Scott, whose fight for freedom in the courts played a pivotal role in American history.
Juneteenth Story Reading, Poetry and Art Exhibition
Elliot Park
Wednesday, June 18
2 – 4 PM; 6 – 8 PM
Elliot Park
1000 E 14th Street
Free
To observe Juneteenth, Elliot Park will host two events on June 18th. The first is a live reading of “The Juneteenth Story” by Alliah Agostini at 2pm, followed by a family-friendly conversation about slavery, freedom, and advocacy, and a community craft project. Come back again at 6pm for an evening of visual art, poetry, and spoken word. Reading will begin at 6:30pm, and light refreshments will be served.
Soul of the Southside Festival
Thursday, June 19
Intersection of Minnehaha Avenue & Lake Street
Noon – 8 PM
Free
The Soul of the Southside Juneteenth Festival is packed with powerful experiences celebrating Black culture, creativity, and community. From immersive art and music to wellness and education, this celebratory gathering is meant to inspire, connect, and uplift. The theme of this year’s festival is “Family: A Revolutionary Force.” To see festival programming and learn more about Soul of the Southside, visit soulofthesouthside.com.
Shine a Light on Mama Parade
Celebrating the Power of Mamas
Saturday, June 21
8 AM
The Coliseum Building
2700 E Lake St
Free
Join S.H.A.K.E., a Black and women-owned coworking and event space, and Bus Stop Mamas, a woman-founded employment agency, for the very first “Mama Parade” — a vibrant, one-mile walk that celebrates and honors the essential contributions of mothers and caregivers in our communities. Starting and ending at the Historic Coliseum Building, the walk will take a loop along East Lake Street, spotlighting local businesses and mama leaders. Everyone is welcome to join in and celebrate the multicultural, multigenerational village of mamas who uplift our neighborhoods and lead the way toward stronger, more inclusive communities.
Rhythms in the North Kick-Off
Saturday, June 21
10 AM – 2 PM
Midtown Global Market
920 E Lake Street
Free
Rhythms in the North is Minnesota’s version of Fête de la Musique, also known as World Music Day, an annual global celebration of all musical expression that is held on the longest day of the year. To kick off the celebration, Midtown Global Market will host special performances by local musicians. Details on programming and participating venues will be posted at rhythmsinthenorth.com.
Krewe Du Nord
Saturday, June 21
The Coliseum Building Parking Lot
2700 E Lake Street
2 – 9 PM
Free
Krewe Du Nord, now in its second year, is a free, all-ages festival celebrating the vibrant cultures of New Orleans and Minneapolis through food, music, and community. A new tradition, the goal of KDN is to provide community connection for those living along the Lake Street corridor and attract people from around the Twin Cities to experience Lake Street. and reconnect with its businesses and cultural vibrancy. Learn more at dunordfoundation.org/krewedunord.
Poetry And Jazz In The Holy Ground
Saturday, June 21
2 – 3:30 PM
Pioneers and Soldiers Cemetery
Lake Street and Cedar Avenue (Enter on Cedar Avenue)
Free
The 5th Annual Poetry and Jazz in the Sacred Ground brings together award-winning poets Dralandra Larkins, Donna Isaac and Patrick Cabello Hansel with jazz duo Larry McDonough and Richard Terrill in the historic Pioneers and Soldiers Cemetery in south Minneapolis. It is a beautiful place to wander, listen to music and poetry and reflect on one’s own ancestors. Free and family friendly. Refreshments served.
Salad Hilowle: Inscriptions
June 21 – October 26
American Swedish Institute
2600 Park Avenue
$8 – $15
Free: Thursdays 3 – 8 PM
Experience moving image, sound, and sculpture by internationally acclaimed Swedish artist Salad Hilowle as a poetic exploration of belonging, spectatorship, and the visibility of the African experience in Sweden over time. Hilowle’s first major solo exhibition outside of Sweden is a collaboration between the American Swedish Institute and The Somali Museum and is curated by Berlin-based curator Sagal Farah. Visit asimn.org/exhibition/salad-hilowle-inscriptions for more on the exhibit.
Teaching in Disabled and Neurodivergent Spaces
Tuesday, June 24
6 – 9 PM
The Avalon Theatre
1500 E Lake Street
Free – Registration Required
Join artist Lys Akerman-Frank and staff Elina Kotlyar in a learning conversation about successfully teaching in Disabled and Neurodivergent spaces.
The goal of the meet up is to start an ongoing conversation and share ideas and experiences on how to reduce barriers to art participation and create a supportive and joyful environment for all. Register at hobt.org/events/teaching-in-disabled-and-neurodivergent-spaces.
Harmonizing Identities: The True Story of a Transgender Nyckelharpist in 1700s Sweden
Thursday, Jun 26
6 – 7 PM
American Swedish Institute
2600 Park Avenue
Free – Registration Required
Learn about musician Maria Johansdotter, who left Åland for Stockholm in the 1700s, where she later transitioned and lived authentically as Magnus Johansson. This presentation by nyckelharpist, gender studies researcher, and ally Renee Vaughan offers a snapshot of Magnus’ story and contributes to the ongoing dialogue about gender expression in Swedish folk traditions. Register at: asimn.org/event/harmonizing-identities-the-true-story-of-a-transgender-nyckelharpist-in-1700s-sweden/.
Somali Week Festival
Saturday June 28th
Lake Street at Blaisdell Avenue and beyond
All Day!
Free
Minneapolis’ annual celebration of Somali culture, community, and pride is a legendary and joyful event. Bring family and friends to enjoy live music, delicious food, traditional art and fashion, spoken word, storytelling, family fun, and more. All are welcome and encouraged to participate!
