News & Views of Phillips Since 1976
Saturday December 20th 2025
April ’25 Events
Puppet Story Time
Saturday, April 5
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
The Avalon Theater
1500 E Lake Street
Free
Kids and families: head to the Avalon the first Saturday of every month to sing, dance and play… in other words, to catch another mesmerizing puppetry storytelling session with In Heart of the Beast’s own puppet librarian, Chelly! No registration required!
Close to Home
April 10 – 27
Pillsbury House + Theatre
3501 Chicago Avenue S
$5 – $30
This play by Director Sharifa Yazmeen traces three southerners: Zara, a sharp-witted and determined Trans teen, Colt, a rugged yet compassionate construction worker, and Kaysar, a devoted and steadfast Muslim immigrant, each on their own journey as they discover transformative connections in this vibrant and deeply human comedic drama about belonging and second chances.
For showtimes and tickets, go to pillsburyhouseandtheatre.org/close-to-home.
HerStory Book Fair
Saturday, April 12
Noon – 3 PM
Midtown Global Market
920 E Lake Street
Free
This month the Midtown Global Market will hold its first HerStory Book Fair, celebrating the literary contributions of Minnesota women authors from all backgrounds. Expect storytelling, book signings, and interactive sessions, and of course, authors showcasing and selling their work! Don’t miss this chance to discover your next favorite author at Midtown Global Market.… Read the rest “April ’25 Events”
Three South Students Forge a Unique and Passionate Community Through Art
By OLIVER STRICHERZ
Reprinted with permission from The Southerner.
Close your eyes and think about art. Picture the process, the skill, the medium, everything from concept to completion. We may envision this all as something singular, the product of one, yet the creative spirit isn’t powered by that of a lone soul, but rather a community. Creation is nurtured in the hands of community – it takes its final form after the processes of inspiration and construction, both charged by the existence of those around us. Ms. Berger’s first hour painting class is a small, but passionate example of a creative community in action.
Near the door of Ms. Berger’s first hour class sit three students in Painting 2: Junior Elisa Tamay, Junior Merrick Golden, and Senior exchange student Tamara Genart. Through different experiences and connections to art the three students help each other out, share their opinions, and create a collective space to produce works they feel proud of. When reflecting on this group, Golden added “Having a small group away from the big group helps us get more in the zone for painting, to relax and put our ideas on the paper.”… Read the rest “Three South Students Forge a Unique and Passionate Community Through Art”
Throne’s Eye View: Part III, The South Bench
The city has announced it is dismantling Touchstone Plaza at Peavey Park due to deterioration and safety concerns. Also known as “The Thrones,” the Phillips landmark sits at the northeast corner of the park, at the intersection of Franklin and Chicago. The sculptures were the product of a multi-year collaboration between the late artist Rafala Green, community members, and more than 80 local youth employed by the project in the 1990s. “Thrones” is a reference to a poem by Louis Alemayehu mounted on a plaque near the entrance.
As a goodbye, the alley is featuring photos of each of the Plaza’s sculptural elements every month through June.
All photos by Laura Hulscher
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