Arts | Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

Midway resident DJ Traudt said,“We have talked about stopping, but then we never do. We just enjoy it too much. These guys are like my brothers.”

“The longevity of a band is really contingent on loving the people that you’re making music with and being able to get along in the long run. It’s just like being married, except … more

By Jan Willms | 3/13/24

Loon sculpture to land soon

A massive loon taking flight – the emblem of the Minnesota United soccer team – will soon land at the corner of University and Snelling avenues in St. Paul. The loon statue, a … more

By Jane McClure | 1/10/24 | 1 comment

This Hamline graduate has used music to explore what is happening in life around him. Next up is a new stage name for Terrell Woods.

Carnage the Executioner transitioning to Terrell X

Terrell Woods, who goes by the stage name of Carnage the Executioner, took some time recently to reflect on his career as a beat box artist and rapper. The Saint Paul musician has built a … more

By Jan Willms | 12/7/23

Arnée Martin credits the guranteed income program for giving her more confidence to pursue her art.

Guaranteed income for artists

Arnée Martin wanted 100 rejections. “The worst they can say is no,” Martin said. As an artist applying for grants and scholarships, the TikTok trend of … more

By Talia McWright | 11/26/23

In Progress

A brick building sits sedately along a quiet street in Saint Paul. Along the side of the building, plants are growing in small garden beds. Lawn chairs rest on the patio and there is a table with … more

By Jan Willms | 9/15/23

On Sunday, July 2, 2023, community members explored the area of Little Mekong along University with artist Katie Ka Vang. The walking tour was part of Mixed Blood Theater’s 12x12 series.

Little Mekong through eyes of artist Katie Ka Vang

Community members smiled as they tasted different dishes and snacks from local businesses of the Little Mekong cultural district on University Avenue on Sunday, July 2, 2023. The event was artist … more

By Talia McWright | 9/15/23

Dj Al Metro plays music during The Uprising krump battle on Saturday, June 10, at the Indigenous Roots Cultural Arts Center in Saint Paul.

The SOTA Movement

Simone Hall aka Athena, had the crowd in an uproar. The audience surrounded her, cheering louder than the music Texas based Dj, Al Metro was playing from the overhead speakers. The 20-year-old had … more

By Talia McWright | 7/14/23

Attendees of St. Paul Pride event stop by resource booths on Saturday, June 10.

First St. Paul Pride Festival

Kyle Rucker, of Ruck B Media , organized his first ever St. Paul Pride event at Rice Park, on June 10, 2023. His goal was to provide opportunities for young Black and BIPOC entrepreneurs and … more

By Talia McWright | 7/13/23

The Victoria Theater was built as a silent movie house in 1915.

Victoria Theater Arts Center to finally open in January 2024

Frogtown’s historic Victoria Theater could be in the spotlight in 2024, as the long-awaited community arts center opens its doors. The theater leadership earlier this fall accepted $1 million … more

By Jane McClure | 12/12/22

Shaunie Grisby hopes to create a place like The Den from the television series “Moesha”– a place that is a community hangout. Flava Coffee and Cafe at 623 University Ave. West serves beverages, breakfast and lunch. “I wanted to create a space like that where people loved being,” said Grisby. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

One latte at a time

Frogtown has a coffee shop again.Over three years of planning culminated with the official opening of Flava Coffee and Cafe on Aug. 27, 2022 in the newly built Neighborhood Development Center at the … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 11/9/22 | 1 comment

He began in praise and worship, transitioned to pop rock, and finally found his home in hip hop music as Nur-D.

NUR-D PERFORMS BENEFIT SHOW OCT. 28

Catch a Nur-D show and support local radio on Friday, Oct. 28, 5-9 p.m. at Urban Growler Brewing (2325 Endicott St.).“I love Nur-D’s energy and stage presence!” said WFNU co-founder … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 10/12/22

Neighbor Sylvie Wolfson is pictured reading with George.

Midway signs inspire children’s book

By JAN WILLMS When children’s book author Ioana Stoian started taking her two and a half-year-old son, George, on walks to the Hamline-Midway Library, he would stop and point at the … more

7/13/22

The city plans to demolish the historic Hamline Midway Library and build a new one, as shown by this rendering.

Hamline-Midway library to be demolished

By Jane McClure The Hamline Midway Library will be demolished and replaced with a new structure for $5.8 million. St. Paul Public Library administration announced the decision May 26, 2022. Social … more

By Jane McClure | 6/26/22

Como resident Charlotte Tracy (above) is a part of the city’s only professional ballet company and school, the Ballet Co.Laboratory, as are her sisters, Isabelle and Hazel. (Photo by Alexis Lund)

Sisters who dance

As the school year draws to a close, most high school students are focused on final exams, proms, and preparations for graduation. Como resident Charlotte Tracy, a trainee dancer with Ballet … more

6/26/22

View of Katherine Kierland Herberger Gallery / Community Commons / Gallery 110 with objects installed for the exhibition "Racism as a Public Health Crisis: Youth and Professional Artists Respond" at Minneapolis Institute of Art.

Exploring ‘Racism as a Public Health Crisis’

As an art teacher at St. Paul’s Como Park High School, Sydney Willcox seeks to connect student creations with their own lived experiences.A recent collaboration with local artists allowed that … more

By ERIC ERICKSON | 3/17/22