Here are the MSR editors’ top picks of free (and low-cost) events, arts and activities to enjoy throughout the Twin Cities and greater metro area.
September 21-29
Saturday, September 22
Girl Time – All About Girls and Engineering
9am-4pm @ The Works Museum, 9740 Grand Ave. S., Mpls. $12. Members free
Hands-on activities and demonstrations designed to increase girls’ interest in STEM. Connect with women working in, or studying, engineering to learn more about their work and fields of study.
Info: www.theworks.org
NAMI Walks
11:30am-3pm @ Minnehaha Park, 4801 S. Minnehaha Dr., Mpls. $20
Join more than 4,000 people for this 5K walk to raise awareness about mental health in support of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Live music, picnics, food trucks, speakers, resource tables, a kids’ tent, a tree of hope, a T-shirt contest and more.
Info: www.namiwalks.org
African Immigrants Professional Development Conference
8 am-4 pm @ North Hennepin Community College, 7411 85th Ave. N., Brooklyn Park. Free
The daylong event provides skills and resources for African immigrant professionals and students to attain professional success.
Info: www.aipdc.org
Runway Africa
5-8:30 pm @ MOXY, 1121 West Lake St., Mpls. $20
Fashion show featuring African designers as part of Black Fashion Week MN. The event celebrates the Twin Cities’ top and emerging Black fashion designers and beauty movers and shakers.
Info: http://blackfashionweekmn.com
Sunday, September 23
Open Streets – Nicollet
11am-5pm @ Nicollet Ave. from W. Lake St. to 46th St. W., Mpls. Free
Bike, walk, play and shop at this free street festival featuring local businesses, artisans, music and fun.
Info: www.openstreetsmpls.org
North Star Blues Exchange presents Cornbread Harris
1-4pm @ Can Can Wonderland, 755 Prior Ave. N., St. Paul. Free
Join Twin Cities legend James Samuel “Cornbread” Harris Sr. for an afternoon of jazz, funk and everything in between.
Info: www.cancanwonderland.com
Monday, September 24
BIPOC Activist Conference: A Healing and Communal Movement
8:30am-4:30 pm @ American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave., Mpls. Free
Daylong workshop designed and tailored to support Black, Indigenous and other People of Color (BIPOC) activists in Minneapolis and surrounding communities. The group will also explore the necessity of activists developing rituals and self-care practices to support their individual and communal health.
Info: www.kentecircle.com
Break Bread Free Lunch At Cafe Racer Kitchen!
11am-2pm @ Cafe Racer, 2929 E. 25th St., Mpls. Free
Connect with community at this monthly gathering providing free lunch and conversation. Menu includes vegetarian, carnivorous, vegan and gluten-free options.
Info: www.caferacermn.com
Chai & Chill — A Different Kind of Poetry Reading
8-10pm @ Bordertown Coffee, 315 16th Ave. SE., Mpls. Free
Open mic centered on Black poetry with a sign-up sheet exclusively for Black writers. Open to the public.
Info: www.blacktablearts.com
Tuesday, September 25
HWMR Presents Fashion Week MN – Leaders of The New Skool
6:30-9 pm @ HWMR, 1500 44th Ave. N., Mpls. Free.
HWMR celebrates 10 years of business with an evening of fashion, celebrating Black Excellence in the Minneapolis fashion scene. The event includes an outdoor fashion show, produced by Richard Moody, featuring the designs of HWMR.
Info: http://bit.ly/2xDDmo2
Wednesday, September 26
Transforming Trauma – How To Do This Work And Sustain It
9am-1pm @ Minneapolis American Indian Center, 1530 E. Franklin Ave., Mpls. Free.
Led by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky, author of Trauma Stewardship, the ReCAST training will help attendees explore ways to increase awareness of vicarious and secondary trauma and deepen ability to individually and collectively sustain themselves.
Info: https://bit.ly/2NjhWHn
Thursday, September 27
Assata Speaks
5:30-8pm @ The Brave New Workshop Comedy Theatre, 824 Hennepin Ave., Mpls. $10
Monthly forum, billed as a swagged-out version of TED Talks aimed at countering false narratives of the African American community. The #CommunityLove Edition features Roxxanne O’Brien, Teto Wilson and Shvonne L. Johnson.
Info: www.blackpearlmn.com/assata-speaks
CENTERPLAY: an Immersive Dance Theater Experience
7:30 pm @ Southern Theatre, 1420 S. Washington Ave., Mpls. $20
Presented by Vie Boheme, CENTERPLAY weaves song, dance, spoken word poetry, and monologues with dynamic and athletic dancing for an immersive twist on her signature theatrical dance experience. Runs Sept. 27-30.
Info: https://southerntheater.org/centerplay
Have an event you’d like to submit for consideration? Add it for free to our calendar @ spokesman-recorder.com/calendar.
