Coliseum Reopens
A New Chapter for an Iconic Neighborhood Building
The Coliseum Building, located at the intersection of Lake Street and Minnehaha Avenue, has opened its doors once again following a 3 1/2 year community-focused redevelopment initiative centering BIPOC voices. After sustaining heavy damage during the unrest in response to the murder of George Floyd in 2020, the historic building finally reopened to the public during the Soul of the Southside block party celebrating Juneteenth on June 19th. A destination for community commerce since 1917, the newly renovated, move-in-ready building at 2708 E Lake Street has been redeveloped as a beacon for BIPOC entrepreneurs and small businesses through a project led by the nonprofit community development corporation, Redesign, Inc. The new space offers commercial/retail/office space, incubator space for local BIPOC professionals and BIPOC-led firms, an event center, and an on-site restaurant & bar.
Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Coliseum Building has long been a beacon for local businesses and BIPOC entrepreneurs. The redeveloped building will continue to serve as a retail and commercial hub for the East Lake Street community and help catalyze future adjacent development.… Read the rest “Coliseum Reopens”
Light-emitting Sculpture Gets Green Light
“New Dawn” Sculpture and a New Bridge
By TIM SPRINGER
Coming Soon, relatively! In 2026, Heather Doyle’s brilliant, light-emitting sculpture — ‘New Dawn’ —(see alleynews.org/archive/may2022/newdawn also see below*) “will invite users to connect more deeply with our urban environment” as it becomes a beacon alongside the NEW 18th Avenue Bridge over the Midtown Greenway!
The Advisory Team for the proposed Midtown Greenway Light-emitting Sculpture has exciting news. The Minneapolis Arts Commission voted to approve the sculpture contingent upon subsequent approval by Minneapolis Public Works. For those new to this project, the sculpture is a project of the Midtown Greenway Coalition. It will sit at the top of the Greenway’s 18th Avenue entrance ramp. The sculpture will provide light and beauty, and serve as a memorable marker to help people find their way on and off the Greenway.
scottie hall, Advisory Team member, shared zir excitement “I love public art because it engages the community and, in this case, will embellish East Phillips with joy and enchantment. The Light-emitting Sculpture project will invite the East Phillips community and Midtown Greenway users to connect more deeply with our urban environment!”… Read the rest “Light-emitting Sculpture Gets Green Light”
Banel & Adama
from the series Movie Corner
4 out of 5 Stars
Kino Lorber, Compliments of the Minneapolis St. Paul International Festival
Drama/Romance
Ramata-Toulaye Sy, screenwriter and director of her debut film Banel & Adama premiered the film at the 76th Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2023.
Early in Banel & Adama, Banel (Khady Mane) in a soft voice, says, “Banel and Adama, Banel and Adama, Banel and Adama”, reminding herself of her love for Adama. The couple live in a small Senegalese village.
Banel and Adama (Mamadou Diallo) have an objective which is to dig out two houses buried in the heavy sands for themselves. They want to live some distance from the village as they want some independence from the village.
There are expectations in the village for the young married couple. First, the Muslim villagers hold that Banel had to marry Adama’s older brother, Yero, who later drowned in a well. The requirement then is for her to marry the younger brother Banel. This was hardly a problem for them as they loved each other since they were kids. Second, Adama is required to become chief of the village. He refuses the position as he wants to commit to his wife’s wishes by moving away.… Read the rest “Banel & Adama”
