News & Views of Phillips Since 1976
Tuesday December 23rd 2025
Minneapolis Monarch Festival
The Minneapolis Monarch Festivalâ„¢ returns to Lake Nokomis on Saturday, September 7, with a fresh line up of performers and art activities, food from Minnesota, Mexico and beyond, games for kids, monarchs and habitat education. The Festival celebrates the migration of the monarchs from Minnesota to the mountains of Central Mexico, and promotes habitat conservation to restore the alarmingly low migrating population. The Festival is expected to draw 8,000–10,000 people.
The Minnesota – Mexico connection is highlighted with music, dance, food and art.  The all-day stage will open with Silva Sol at 10am, followed by Machinery Hill at 11am. At noon, the hugely popular Ketzal Coatilcue Aztec Dance group will perform. The afternoon lineup starts with RAMM, and its distinctive repertoire of R&B, Rock, Funk, Motown, and Blues.  The sound will become more Caribbean when Charanga Tropical takes the stage with its flute, violins, and Latin rhythm section. The day ends with Salsa del Soul”'s high energy Bachata, Plena and Salsa music.
Up to 200 children are expected to participate in the Kids Butterfly Fun Run. The runs are short, untimed races for children 1-12 years old. Prizes are awarded to the top finishers, and the best monarch wings and best monarch costume.… Read the rest “Minneapolis Monarch Festival”
PHILLIPS AVENUE OF THE ARTS TO OPEN IN OCTOBER”¦
Avenues of the Arts have theaters, art galleries, open mikes and studios, as well as access to award-winning restaurants and other cultural attractions. Which makes Phillips an ideal location for the newest one in Minnesota! Phillips is more culturally diverse than any community in Minnesota. It has more murals than any other neighborhood. It is home to the world-renowned In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theater, All Nations Gallery and restaurants from all over the world.
St. Paul”'s Lutheran is working with partners in the neighborhood to build the Phillips Avenue of the Arts, an outgrowth of their Semilla Program. “Semilla means seed in Spanish,” Artist-in-Residence Greta McLain says, “we have been planting seeds of hope through our mosaic planters and murals throughout Phillips as a way to re-brand our community as a community of beauty, creativity and hope.”
St. Paul”'s Semilla Program has taught mosaics to over 1750 people in Phillips and throughout the metro area. They have taken the project to over 20 different groups and organizations””from Phillips to the suburbs and outstate””with a special emphasis on reaching those who do not usually receive quality arts learning opportunities. These include the Autism Spectrum Program at Hans Christian Andersen School, the Multiple Sclerosis Achievement Center in St.… Read the rest “PHILLIPS AVENUE OF THE ARTS TO OPEN IN OCTOBER”¦”
Sep 8, 1-6:30pm: “Shenanigrins and Bridging Festival” returns to Phillips West
Kick-off 1PM on Whittier side of 24th St. Ped. Bridge over 35W
Then to Phillips West side for:
➢ musicians Sarah Burk, Scott Fultz, Benjamin Kelly, Tim O”'Keefe and Shai Hayo, Rebecca Abas,and
➢ dancers from 4 Seasons Dance Studio
➢ live world music by Siama Matuzungidi
➢ Lance Pollonaise and friends
➢ a parade
➢ potato sack races
➢ limbo contest
➢ hula hoops
➢ Buddy Goodfellow”'s Musical Carpet Ride
➢ a neighborhood skit in honor of dearly-departed Muriel Simmons
➢ art-making
➢ a disco party on the bridge
➢ a house music dance class
➢ face painting, Simmons family snow cones
➢ pizza
5 PM Blue Lady”'s Global Musical Spectacle: DANCE” at the Open Eye Figure Theatre.
For more information about the artists behind the event, check out artistsinstorefronts.com, bridgingminneapolis.wordpress.com, blueladyperformance.bpt.me or fourseasonsdance.com.
Sep 8, 1-6:30pm: “Shenanigrins and Bridging Festival” returns to Phillips West
Artists in Storefronts partners with Bridging Minneapolis to present a very kid-friendly community arts event dedicated to our dear neighbor, Muriel Simmons.
Join us Sunday, Sept 8 from 1-5pm for an arts-inspired community festival, beginning on the Whittier side of the 24th Street pedestrian bridge in S Mpls and blossoming into an afternoon of creative fun on the Phillips West side.… Read the rest “Sep 8, 1-6:30pm: “Shenanigrins and Bridging Festival” returns to Phillips West”
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