Arts | Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

St. Paul Pride

St.Paul held Pride June 10 from 10am to 8pm at Rice Park. Families, friends and couples gathered in the park to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community in Minnesota. Music performances encouraged the crowd … more

By Talia McWright | 6/14/23

Brad Curoe plays Young Sam in the upcoming production of “Ending True” at Dreamland Arts (677 Hamline Ave. N.)

Applause Theater’s latest show, ‘Ending True’ opens May 18

Applause Theater explores the power of family stories in its latest show, “Ending True,” which runs May 18-21 at Dreamland Arts (677 Hamline Ave. N.). “The play is about the power … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 5/10/23

Rondo resident Celeste Finn published a children’s book aimed at nurturing safe, fender-affirming communities. The book is titled, “As I Am,” and includes a 24-page guide to help caregivers navigate conversations.

Book with purpose

Rondo resident Celeste Finn has written “As I Am,” a children’s picture book notable for being one of the only children’s picture books with a nonbinary protagonist. It was … more

5/10/23

‘Minnesota Mean’

By Jan Willms Minnesota documentary filmmaker Dawn Mikkelson has managed to capture both the strength and the vulnerability of the roller derby skaters whose story she tells in her film … more

by Jan Willms | 4/14/23

10 guidelines for a strong, long and happy life

Some time ago, after suffering the shocking and unexpected loss of my still young husband, Martijn, while we were living in Europe, I experienced what is called traumatic grief. In addition to a year … more

By Susan Schaefer | 3/9/23

Under the Hood columnist, Susan Schaefer, shares her spectacular view of the Mississippi River. (Photo by Susan Schaefer)

Gifts of season give reason to reflect

HyggeCertainly, the long, cold, dark Minnesota winters can spark a melancholia for some. Yet frigid temperatures and spare daytime hours can also create the mood to hibernate, as other creatures of … more

By Susan Schaefer | 1/16/23

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

An Austin Film Festival Winner and Catalyst Story Institute Winner, Lillie Gardner was raised in the St. Paul before she studied writing and music at New York University. Her work is focused on women defying expectations in both contemporary and historical settings.

Sisters collaborate on animated show to highlight unknown female composers

Hamline-Midway resident Dr. Lillie Gardner took her animated kids TV show about women composers to Austin Film Festival in October. A piano instructor and screenwriter born and raised in St. Paul, … more

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

Como resident William Kent Krueger said, “I try to challenge myself in some way with every book. I want to be engaged. If I am engaged, the reader will be engaged.”

19 books into Cork series, and author says he’s still growing

There are some notable differences in William Kent Krueger’s latest book in the Cork O’Connor series, “Fox Creek.”His readers are familiar with Cork, the Irish-Anishinabe … more

By JAN WILLMS | 11/9/22

The audience pays rapt attention at ACLUMN breakfast. (Photo by Susan Schaefer)

Upholding civil liberties, civil rights across the Twin Cities

When in the course of human events...* Sometimes coincidence sparks a column. During the second week of October my volunteer work with the ACLU and attending a Guthrie Theater play coincided with … more

By SUSAN SCHAEFER | 11/9/22

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

St. Paul resident, Robin Warshaw, enjoys the soundscape of "A Picture Gallery of the Soul" exhibit at the Katherine E. Nash Gallery on the University of Minnesota Campus West Bank. It runs through Dec. 10 and is free. (Photo by Susan Schaefer)

The soul behind the images

A showstopper exhibitionWhen cooler temps and shorter days signal the Fall Arts Season in the metro area, there are many cultural activities competing for attention. As always, this column strives to … more

By SUSAN SCHAEFER | 10/12/22

Dan Hornsby does much of his writing at Milkweed coffee shop on East Lake Street near where he lives. He is a visting professor teaching creative writing at Macalester College. (Photo by Terry Faust

A priest named Dan

It is an exciting moment when a writer’s first novel is published. But when that first novel is also turned into a movie, the feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction can be intense. Dan … more

By JAN WILLMS | 9/18/22

Local author and illustrator team Allison Wood (right) and Samuel Waddle have just released their first children’s picture book, “Sprinkles.” (Photo submitted)

EXPO elementary teacher releases ‘Sprinkles’

Local author and illustrator team Allison Wood and Samuel Waddle have released their first children’s picture book, “Sprinkles.” Wood, an elementary English Learner teacher at St. … more

8/12/22

Writers and editors celebrate the launch of “We Are Meant To Rise: Voices of Justice from Minneapolis to the World.” Left to right: Tess Montgomery, Samantha Sencer-Mura, Carolyn Holbrook, David Mura, Anika Fajardo, and Suleiman Adan. (Photo by Terry Faust)

Twin Cities diversity highlighted in anthology

Carolyn Holbrook loves to bring people together to discuss difficult issues. As an educator, author and advocate for the healing power of the arts, she has spent much of her life doing just that. … more

By JAN WILLMS | 8/12/22

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

Making St. Paul even more awesome

What do a Makerspace teacher at Randolph Heights Elementary School, the owner of a St. Paul Frogtown-based non-profit that provides medical supplies to Bolivians, and a library media specialist at … more

7/13/22

8 tips to help children become readers and leaders

Summertime is the perfect time for enjoying reading. It can be an opportunity to inspire the reluctant reader by introducing a new book genre like science fiction. Alternatively, it can provide the … more

By Dr. Artika Tyner, dr.artikatyner@gmail.com | 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