Minneapolis Public Schools

NOTE: New Date & Time: Saturday, Feb 15 from 5-7:30 pm LOVE TAKES CENTER STAGE WITH "BROADWAY IN LOVE". Are you ready for a special night of Romance and Broadway Magic? BROADWAY IN LOVE will take your audience on a journey through the ups and downs of relationships, as told through the iconic songs of Broadway's greatest musicals. This Award-Winning Series is more than a concert. It’s an enchanting blend of storytelling and musical performances that sweeps an audience off its feet. After the show, we will have a Meet & Greet with our featured Artists James A. Rocco - Broadway Recording Artist and Raymond Berg - Award-Winning Pianist and Special Guest Vocalists. Event takes place at Park Square Theater located at 20 W 7th Pl, St Paul, MN 55102 If the event is sold out, please add your name to the waitlist. We will contact you if tickets become available.

Step into the vibrant world of Toni Stone, the first woman to play in the Negro Baseball League. Inspired by her childhood in St. Paul’s Rondo Neighborhood in the 1930’s, this heartwarming and important story explores the origins, impact, and legacy of Toni Stone’s groundbreaking, barrier-shattering baseball career that opened the door for women in professional baseball. By Laura Mann Hill The Conn Theatre is located at 1900 Nicollet Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55403 After Feb 1st you can transfer your tickets but no refunds or cancelations are available. If event is sold out, please add your name to our waitlist. We will contact you if tickets become available.

Rev up your engines and join us at Chanhassen Dinner Theater for the matinee performance of Grease! Greased-back hair and leather jackets, ponytails and poodle skirts, fast cars and rock’n’roll, Experience the nostalgia of high school in the ‘50s – peer pressure, love, and teenage life set against the campy backdrop of Rydell High! Discover the drama, comedy, and pop-culture satire that has made Grease one of the most popular productions of all time! Don’t forget the music, with songs like “Summer Nights,” “We Go Together,” “Greased Lightnin’,” “Beauty School Dropout” and so many others, including the hits you love from the movie. Have fun as you groove and bop along! Your ticket includes Sit-Down Lunch, Show, Tax & Gratuity. Appetizers and drinks available to purchase at the table directly with your wait staff. Lunch Seating begins at 11:00 am. Grease Performance begins at 1:00 pm Meet Minneapolis Community Ed Staff at Will Call to pick up your tickets. Location: The Chanhassen Dinner Theater is located at 501 W 78th St, Chanhassen, MN 55317 NOTE: After May 7th you can transfer your tickets but no refunds or cancelations are available. If event is full, please enroll for the waitlist. We will contact you if a space becomes available.

Come and hear about how the City of Lakes grew up around the Mississippi River! Stories abound on this fascinating walking tour about when the Twins were really Triplets. You’ll hear stories of how Fort St. Anthony shaped the economy in what was to become downtown Minneapolis. We’ll also learn how the earliest nations viewed the majestic falls long before the arrival of Father Hennepin and how many are still working today to reshape how we view the river and live in harmony with it in the years to come. Wear comfortable shoes! Tour length: 90 Minutes and about a mile in distance. Meet at Mill City Ruins Park located at 102 Portland Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55401. If tour is sold out, please add your name to the waitlist. We will contact you if a tickets becomes available.

Dominique Morisseau’s Paradise Blue Black community in a fight for its future. Directed by Lou Bellamy Welcome to the Paradise Club, home to a makeshift family of musicians living out their lives in a fast-changing section of Detroit. After a bewitching stranger arrives with ready cash and a secretive agenda, the future of these friendships and the club itself fall into doubt. Morriseau’s noir-inflected musical drama captures people yearning to find their song in a community on the brink. Performance held at Penumbra Theater located at 270 N Kent St, St Paul, MN 55102. Only transfer of registrations after Feb 1st. Transportation is on your own. If event is full, please enroll for the waitlist. We will contact you if a space becomes available.

Picture yourself in a cozy Italian cafe, with a warm ambiance and that’s Caffe Biaggio. Experience the magic of "Dreamy Songs in Romantic Settings" performed by award-winning pianist Raymond Berg and Broadway recording artist James A. Rocco, along with special guest vocalists. Imagine an evening where homestyle Italian dinners meet the timeless classics of Michael Bublé, Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Dean Martin, and Ella Fitzgerald. It’s not just a concert—it's the soundtrack of your life, brought to life by some of the Twin Cities' finest musicians. You'll hear favorites like: • The More I See You • “One for My Baby and One More for the Road • Volare • Sway • Fever • They Can’t Take That Away From Me • That’s Life” • Domani • Arrivederci Roma • And many more! Don’t miss out on this unique musical experience! Come and enjoy as the soundtrack of your life comes alive. We can’t wait to see you there. Italian dinner included. Where: Caffe Biaggio, 2356 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55114 | cafebiaggio.com Only transfer of registration after March 27th. If the event is sold out, please add your name to the waitlist. We will contact you is tickets become available.

Get ready to be transported to musical bliss with "Up Up and Away" where the magic of Jimmy Webb, Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, Burt Bacharach, Cat Stevens, The Carpenters, The 5th Dimension, Rita Coolidge, Sergio Mendez and Brazil 66 and more will come alive. These performers have created some of the most iconic music of our time,” states Rocco. “We are so excited to bring their timeless songs alive with passionate performances that pay tribute to their incredible work. Featured Artists James A. Rocco - Broadway Recording Artist Raymond Berg - Award-Winning Pianist Special Guest Vocalists. Event takes place at New Branches located at 5011 S 31st Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417. If the event is sold out, please add your name to the waitlist. We will contact you if tickets become available.

NOTE: The Artist Talk will now be held on Thursday, February 20th, from 6-8 pm Join us at the Gamut Gallery for the newly-opened solo show by Jonathan Thunder: "Sovereignty of Joy". Jonathan will be with us at the gallery to meet us and present an Artist Talk. If event is sold out, please add your name to our waitlist. We will contact you if tickets become available.

Do you know how many gallons of sap it takes to make a gallon of pure maple syrup? Only Mother Nature can answer that question, but Amy Perkins of the Come On Over Sugar Bush can share her experiences setting up and running her own backyard maple syruping operation. Learn the basics of making your own maple syrup from tree to table. Class held at Southwest High School located at 3414 W. 47th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55410. NOTE: Sign up separately for for Backyard Maple Syruping Open House on March 16th.

Do you know how many gallons of sap it takes to make a gallon of pure maple syrup? Only Mother Nature can answer that question, but Amy Perkins of the Come On Over SugarBush can share her experiences setting up and running her own backyard maple syruping operation. Join us for a backyard visit to see Amy's evaporator operation in full swing. NOTE: Date may be adjusted due to weather and sap flow. Amy's Backyard Sugar Bush is located in Roseville.. Sign up separately for Backyard Maple Syruping How-To class on Feb 8th. If event is full, please add your name to the waitlist.

This educational tour is completely different from any other trip you may 4 seen to Chicago. Small intimate neighborhoods, rich in culture and history will be emphasized. Learn about Chicago’s world-class architecture, it’s famous landmarks and parks. On our trip to Chicago we will make a stop in Madison, Wisconsin and tour the city and have some free time on the famous State Street. Some of the sites we will be touring in Chicago: * Pullman Neighborhood-an acclaimed model neighborhood that George Pullman establish to house his manufacturing company and its workers. * Dreyfus Museum, one of the grandest residential buildings in 19th century Chicago from the Gilded Age. * Frank Lloyd Wright Studio and Home in Oak Park. * Robie House one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s best examples of prairie school architecture on the campus of Chicago University * Historic churches of Chicago will be visited including Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church, the oldest church in Chicago * Historic and ethnic restaurants are included. * Walking tour of downtown Chicago, including the magical Millennial Park, the oldest skyscraper in the world the Monadnock Building, the famous Louis Sullivan Rookery. * Architectural cruise along the Chicago River between monumental skyscrapers, and interesting riverfront buildings with an architectural historian. * The ethnic neighborhoods of Wicker Park, Pilsen, Old Town plus many more. * See the home of Al Capone, Emmett Till and Barack Obama, and other famous Chicago people. -We will tour one of the great art museums of the world, the Chicago Art Museum, and also spend time in Chicago’s famous Mexican American Museum. After 3 1/2 days of exploring Chicago, we will leave in late afternoon from the historic Chicago, Union Station and travel to Saint Paul’s Union Station on the Empire builder. The trip will be a wonderful ride pass cities and beautiful scenic areas such as the Wisconsin Dells area and the Mississippi River Valley to bring us back to Saint Paul. When we arrive in Saint Paul at approximately 11 PM, we will have our motorcoach bus waiting for us to take us back to our cars. Cost includes three dinners, three breakfasts, two bakery stops, Motorcoach Bus, Amtrak tickets, Boat Ride,, and all Chicago admissions to museums. TIME: Thursday, Oct 16: @ 7:45 am Board Bus @ 8:00 am Bus Departs Southwest High School Oct 19: @ 1:00 am (Midnight) Return to Southwest High School from Union Depot in St. Paul Pick-Up & Drop Off Location: Southwest High School - 3414 W. 47th Street, Mpls, MN 55410 Note: Deposit of $400 due with registration. NOTE: Final payment due July 16th. Only transfer of registration available after August 16th. If tour is full, please enroll for the waitlist. we will let you know if space becomes available.

In the spring of 1861, writer/philosopher/poet/naturalist Henry David Thoreau traveled to Minnesota for the first and only time. Seven years prior, Thoreau published his landmark book “Walden,” which championed nature, the woods, and the act of staring at a body of water for internal and spiritual self-awareness. The next year, Thoreau would die from his lifelong bout with tuberculosis, at 44 years old. Other than botanical notes, Thoreau never had a chance to write about his Minnesota visit. What would he have had to say about our great lakes and big river? Thoreau fan and writer/songwriter/author Jim Walsh has long wondered as much; now in the spring of 2024, join Walsh as he leads a tour of Twin Cities landmarks visited by naturalist/writer/poet Henry David Thoreau during his trek to Minnesota in the spring of 1861. Stops include Nicollet and Hennepin Islands and Bde Maka Ska. 12:45 pm Board Coach Bus 1:00 pm Bus Departs 4:00 pm Return to Southwest High School PICK UP LOCATION: Southwest High School - 3414 W. 47th Street, Mpls, MN 55410 Park & meet in the Chowen Ave. lot on the West side of the school between 46th & 47th Streets. If tour is full, please enroll for the waitlist. We will let you know if space becomes available.

Travel along the winter wonderland of the Mississippi heading toward Wabasha and our National Eagle Center, located at the convergence of the Chippewa and Mississippi Rivers. Winter is the best time of year for spotting eagles! You will have time to explore the many interactive exhibits, meet the eagles close up, spot them through their high-powered telescopes and attend our private Eagle Program. Then... Grab your buffalo plaid flannel and take in Wabasha's 32nd annual Grumpy Old Men Festival. This annual celebration of the 1993 movie Grumpy Old Men, will be in full swing, so check out these events: Live music Food trucks Hot dish luncheon Beer Gardens Busch Curling Fest Horse-drawn wagon rides S'mores and hot chocolate Raghetti Lunch at Historic Anderson House Hotel Beer Belly Sports LIVE Cribbage tournament Bingo & Lunch at St. Felix's Best-dressed contest Movie screening of "Grumpy Old Men" Option to take our bus to the Lark Toy Store (8 miles south of Wabasha) to shop and ride their historic carrousel. Price includes transportation, admission to National Eagle Center, coffee and rolls on the bus. Ages 16+. NOTE: Purchases at the festival are on your own Our coach bus will leave from Southwest High School's Chowen Ave. parking lot located at 3414 Wl 47th Street, Mpls, MN 55410 BOARD COACH BUS: 8:00 am BUS DEPARTS: 8:15 am APPROX. RETURN: 6:30 pm. If event is sold out, please add your names to the waitlist. We will let you know if tickets become available. Thank you!

St. Valentine’s Day has long been considered one of the most romantic days on the holiday calendar. But for some during the prohibition era, the day was marked by much more than chocolate and roses! Come and hear stories and lore about gangsters and mobsters who observed the day in their own inimitable fashion. Discover the connections between Chicago outfit and St. Paul’s own Little Italy in this special bus tour that includes an opportunity to break bread at DeGidio’s on West 7th. A perfect gift for your special Valentine, (roses not included)!! Whether you are flying solo or are connected at the hip, you’ll enjoy this novel take on Valentine's Day! Join Marie “Mickey” Comforti, on a brief respite from her usual post in purgatory, as she shares her favorite “last supper” stories. Board Coach bus at DeGidio's Restaurant & Bar located at 425 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102. Enjoy DeGidio's Italian buffet lunch following the bus tour. Please enroll on the waitlist if the tour is full. We will contact you if a space becomes available.

Hundreds of skilled artists and architects have created the Saint Paul cityscape. In the 1880s, new buildings and art flourished in the growing city. Join us, along with historian Dave Bredemus, to learn about Saint Paul’s most acclaimed artists and architects and a sample of those lesser known. View historical buildings and parks, see famous architectural styles, and detailed interiors made of marble, granite, onyx, and steel. Paintings, murals, stained glass, and interior designs will be the emphasis of our day. Learn about architects who left their mark on St. Paul: Clarence Wigington, Charles Hausler, Leroy Buffington, Edward Basswood, Cass Gilbert, Emmanuel Masqueray, Clarence Johnston, and many others. See the work of artists who brighten our urban landscape. Learn about the WPA, the State Capitol Mall sculptures, public art, and those who created bold new sculpture park locations, from Haupers, Eastman, Brewer, and Capecchi to the much more recent Charles Schultz, Gordon Parks, and Anthony Caponi. Walking will be @ one block in length at a couple stops. NOTE: Includes Motorcoach Bus, Guide on the Bus and Bakery stop. Lunch will be on your own. TIME: 9:45 am Board Bus 10:00 am Bus Departs Southwest High School 4:00 pm @ Return to Southwest High School Pick-Up & Drop Off Location: Southwest High School - 3414 W. 47th Street, Mpls, MN 55410 NOTE: Only transfer of registration available after March 26th. If tour is sold out, please add your names to the waitlist. We will let you know if space becomes available.

Join veteran Minneapolis Community Ed cooking instructors, Xiaohong Chen and Joseph Lin, as we travel to Asian markets across the Twin Cities. Our expert guides will share recipes, shopping list, tricks, and tips for navigating through an oftentimes confusing array of stalls, vendors, produce, meat, spices and more. Send in your questions about ingredients and recipes ahead of time. NOTE: Lunch is on your own at Hmong Village. TIME: 9:45 am Board Bus 10:00 am Bus Departs Southwest High School 4:00 pm @ Return to Southwest High School PICK UP LOCATION: Southwest High School - 3414 W. 47th Street, Mpls, MN 55410 NOTE: Only transfer of registration available after April 18th. No refunds. If tour is full, please enroll for the waitlist. We will notify you is a spot becomes available.

NOTE: New Date is Saturday, April 5th. Join Kao Lee Thao, Christina Vang & Xee Reiter, local Hmong artists, for a tour of murals around the Twin Cities. Listen to the inspirations and motivations behind these stunning community-building works of art. 2:45 pm Board Motorcoach at Southwest High School located at 3414 W. 47th Street, Mpls, MN 55410. 3:00 pm Bus Departs 6:00 pm @ Return to Southwest High School If the tour is full, please add your name to the waitlist.

Step back in time and explore the vibrant history and cultural richness of Rondo, St. Paul's historic African American neighborhood, on our immersive bus tour. Led by Dr. Artika R. Tyner (award-winning author, civil rights attorney, and Rondo native), this tour takes you on a journey through the heart of Rondo, where you'll learn about its history as a bustling community filled with thriving businesses, arts, culture, and close-knit families. As we wind through the streets, you'll hear captivating stories of resilience, creativity, and community engagement, from the challenges faced during the construction of Interstate 94 to the vibrant cultural scene that once flourished here. Alongside its rich history, Rondo was also a hub of arts and culture, nurturing talented musicians, artists, and writers who left an indelible mark on the city's cultural landscape. You'll visit significant landmarks, including historic churches, schools, and businesses, each with its own fascinating tale to tell. Along the way, you'll also have the opportunity to meet local residents and community leaders, gaining insight into the ongoing efforts to preserve Rondo's legacy and build a brighter future. Whether you're a history buff, a cultural enthusiast, or simply curious about this important chapter in St. Paul's past, our Rondo bus tour offers a unique and memorable experience for all. Join us as we celebrate the past, present, and future of this beloved neighborhood, steeped in history, creativity, and community. - 9:45 am Board Motorcoach at Hallie Q Brown Community Center located at 270 N Kent St, St Paul, MN 55102 - 10:00 am Bus Departs - 1:00 pm @ Return to Hallie Q Brown OPTION: Support the "Planting People Growing Justice" Literacy Program by ordering a copy of Dr. Tyner’s book “Joey and Grandpa Johnson’s Day in Rondo". Fee includes coach bus, guides & light refreshments, A portion of tour proceeds will support participating Rondo businesses. Note: Only transfer of registration after April 17th. No refunds. If the tour is full, please add your name to the waitist. We will let you know if spots become available.

We will follow the route of world-famous composer Antonin Dvorak, who, in 1893, spent the summer in the beautiful Spillville, Iowa area composing music and visiting Saint Paul. Dvorak started life as a son of a peasant in the provinces of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and ended it as one of the most renowned musicians in the world. Spend the day retracing his steps and see what might have inspired him to write so prolifically about America. The local Czech community greeted Dvorak in St. Paul at the Czech and Slovak Sokol Hall on West Seventh Street. We will learn about the early Czechs of Saint Paul and see the very same CSPS Hall. We will also tour Saint Stanislaus Catholic Church, originally a Czech church. Then, we will travel through many beautiful small towns to Spillville, in Northeast Iowa. We will visit historical and cultural sites in this heavily Czech-influenced town, including Saint Wenceslas Church and Cemetery, the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Bandstand, and the Bily Clock Museum & Antonin Dvorak Exhibit. The Bily Clock Museum has some of the most beautiful carved clocks in the world and is a virtual treasure chest full of Spillville and Dvorak history items. Includes Motorcoach, Bakery stop, museum and church admissions. Lunch is on your own. TIME:- 8:30 am Board Bus 8:45 am Bus Departs Southwest High School 7:30 pm @ Return to Southwest High School Pick-Up & Drop Off Location: Southwest High School - 3414 W. 47th Street, Mpls, MN 55410 NOTE: Only transfer of registration available after May 7th. No refunds. If tour is sold out, please add your names to the waitlist. We will let you know if tickets become available.

Join historian Frank M White on this fascinating journey through the early years of St. Paul's Rondo neighborhood. From the beginning, Rondo was a haven for people of color and immigrants. Learn of the neighborhood's immigrant namesake who faced discrimination due to his wife’s mixed white and indigenous heritage. French Canadians, German, Russian, Irish, and Jewish families all followed his lead in the late 19th century and found homes there. Beginning in the 1910s and 1920s, Rondo experienced a social and cultural boom. Music and theater flourished. African American newspapers such as the Appeal, the Northwestern Bulletin, and the St. Paul Recorder represented Rondo’s interests and needs. In 1913, St. Paul established its chapter of the NAACP, making it a center for civil rights activity. One member of the chapter, Rondo resident Roy Wilkins, later led the national NAACP. Frank grew up in Rondo. He will share stories from his extensive research as well as personal stories living in the neighborhood. Meet the Motorcoach Bus at Hallie Q. Brown Community Center located at 270 N Kent St, St Paul, MN 55102. 9:45 am Board Motorcoach Bus 10:00 am Bus Departs Fee includes coach bus, guides, and light refreshments. Note: Only transfer of registration after April 3, 2025. If the tour is full, please add your name to the waitist. We will let you know if spots become available.