News & Views of Phillips Since 1976
Friday December 19th 2025
A Chinese Lunar New Year celebration at the Midtown Global Market
By J. MARIE FIEGER & MEGAN BENEDICT
This Lunar New Year Celebration on Saturday, January 18. 2020 was a free public event featuring live music, a traditional Chinese Lion dance by Ha-Family Entertainment, Chinese Heritage Foundation activities, a free kid”™s craft table making dragons, specially staged, decorative photographs and performance by the Minnesota Chinese Opera.
The Lunar New Year is the largest and most important holiday in Chinese culture. During this 15-day celebration, families and friends unite to decorate their homes, watch fireworks and spend time together.
In the Chinese Zodiac, 2020 is the Year of the Rat. Those born in the Year of the Rat are said to be instinctive, alert in nature, sophisticated and filled with spirit, wit, vitality and flexibility.
Trung Pham and his family, owners of Pham”™s Rice Bowl at the Midtown Global Market, were sponsors of this annual community event.
As the Ha Family Chinese Dragon danced its way through the aisles of Midtown Global Market some shoppers had their names written in Chinese and heard their fortunes while they and others were enjoying a performance by the Minnesota Chinese Opera on the Midtown stage. Some children also chose dragon-making and many had family photos taken within an elaborate picture frame to help remember the kick-off to this festive fifteen-day holiday.
Manhood rites of passage ceremony celebrates 15 Black male initiates
By ELDER ATUM AZZAHIR AND MINKARA TEZET, CULTURAL WELLNESS CENTER
Manhood Rites of Passage Initiates: Jamal Williams, Christian McCleary, Corey Byrd, Jamir Williams, DJ Brooks, Trea Edwards, Sha-suAdili, Jaleel Simpson, Monte Moldonada, Jaron Major, Darrin Lofton, Quadree Drakeford
On Dec. 11, 2019, the Council for Black Male Success and the Cultural Wellness Center held a Manhood Rites of Passage ceremony at the Minnesota Historical Society. The men, who ranged from 11 to 27 years old, completed an 11-week cultural self-study curriculum designed by the Cultural Wellness Center. The curriculum and the Rites of Passage ceremony stem from the Cultural Wellness Center”™s research into African people, traditions and rituals since ancient times.
“In order for black men to move ahead and become leaders””to become the backbone of their community””they need to recover the culturally grounded manhood that was lost during enslavement,” said Elder Atum Azzahir, executive director of the Cultural Wellness Center. “Black male culture has become reactionary to life experiences under the dominant system, instead of one grounded in our cultural practices.”
After 11 weeks of sessions, the Council for Black Male Success and the Cultural Wellness Center presented the young men, the “initiates,” to the community. According to Azzahir, the initiates went from “feeling empty of culture and history” to sharing a “full representation of themselves as historical human beings,” ready to create their future.… Read the rest “Manhood rites of passage ceremony celebrates 15 Black male initiates”
What’s up at your community libraries
By Lindsey Fenner
Franklin Library Events
The Franklin Av Library is CLOSED for renovations but events below at other places:Â
LitKnit (for all ages)
Mondays, 3:30-4:30pm
Waite House, 2323 11th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Do you want to learn to knit and get to know your neighbors? Or, do you know how to knit and want to work on your project while getting to know your neighbors? Come to Franklin Library”™s LitKnit circle. LitKnit circles are inter-generational spaces where neighbors spend time together learning a craft and sharing stories. Improve your craft skills, get to know your neighbors and find connection within your community.
Coffee & Conversations (for adults)
Tuesday, February 4, 10am-12pm
Minneapolis American Indian Center, 1530 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Join Franklin staff for free coffee and doughnuts.
Vinyl Revival: A Song is Born
Saturday, February 15, 2-3:30pm
Minneapolis American Indian Center, 1530 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Learn about hip-hop songwriting with Vinyl Revival Artist-in-Residence KITTO. Catch a sneak peek inside his creative process, discover how to compose hip-hop music using samples and loops, and enjoy a special performance by KITTO of a brand-new hip-hop song. KITTO is a Dakȟóta and Anishinaabe hip-hop artist, lyricist and composer.… Read the rest “What’s up at your community libraries”
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