FilmNorth’s new media center opens in St. Paul on July 19, offering education, production space, and accessible resources for diverse artists and creators.
Arts + Culture
A space for local and national arts and entertainment stories, with an emphasis on stories pertaining to the African American experience.
Posted inMovies
Hurry Up Tomorrow
Is The Weeknd’s new film Hurry Up Tomorrow a bold success or a vanity project? Read our full review of this music-driven psychological drama.
Posted inBooks
Black author Sings raises awareness of bullying
R&B artist and community advocate Chantel Sings has released “Billy Likes to Bully,” a children’s book tackling bullying with cultural relevance and heart.
Posted inMusic
New releases and rising voices
Jazz columnist Robin James spotlights Brandon Woody’s debut album “For the Love of It All,” plus new Blue Note releases, jazz radio favorites, and more.
Posted inArtists
Walker’s ‘Surface’ exhibition invites deep reflection
Walker Art Center presents A Surface by Kandis Williams—an immersive exhibition that blends collage, video, and critical theory to confront systems of power.
Posted inMovies
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
If this is the final mission, Tom Cruise makes it unforgettable. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two defies limits with action, emotion, and epic scope.
Posted inFinance
Metro Black business growth among nation’s fastest
Dr. Andre Perry joined Twin Cities leaders to launch Black Power Scorecard, highlighting data-driven strategies to boost Black wealth, homeownership, and life expectancy.
Posted inArts + Culture
In 2020, Minnesota youth changed the world
The new documentary 612: Darkness in the Land of Nice by Diem Van Groth explores Minnesota’s youth-led uprising, racial justice, and grassroots solutions. Premieres May 23.
Posted inEvents
Hennepin Fest to spotlight women artists
Hennepin Fest on May 31 will showcase Minnesota women musicians and poets at Washburn Fair Oaks Park, promoting unity, creativity, and cultural resistance.
Posted inMovies
Black Tea gets its NYC premiere at the 2025 New York African Film Festival
Though Black Tea dazzles with visuals and cultural insights, director Abderrahmane Sissako’s latest film struggles under too many characters and subplots.
Posted inSister Spokesman Highlights
Sister Spokesman fashion show celebrated culture, creativity and legacy
The Threads of Impact fashion show celebrated Black beauty, creativity, and generational legacy with a lineup of designers, local vendors, and an award for lifetime service presented to Shirlee Callender.
Posted inMovies
Thunderbolts*
Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts* starts off slow but eventually finds its footing with a heartfelt final act, as a group of misfits and outcasts come together to save the day and prove their worth in the Marvel Universe.
Posted inBooks
New Poetry Collection Sweetgrass and Soul Food Explores Afro-Indigenous Identity and Resilience
Afro-Indigenous poet and educator Marique Moss will release her debut poetry collection, “Sweetgrass and Soul Food: A Memoir in Poems,” on Juneteenth, followed by print and hardcover editions on the Summer Solstice, and a companion journal on the same dates.
Posted inArts + Culture
Walker|West celebrates its new Rondo home
A new era has begun for Walker|West Music Academy. On a sunny spring afternoon last week, the beloved Rondo-based institution opened its doors to the public for a ribbon-cutting and celebration at its brand-new home, located at 650 Marshall Avenue in St. Paul. The grand opening event drew students, alumni, community members, and local leaders […]
Posted inPhoto Galleries
Celebrating 50 Years of MayDay Magic in South Minneapolis
The MayDay Parade in South Minneapolis, a vibrant tradition of creativity and community, continues to thrive after 50 years with stunning puppets and performances crafted by residents and artists across the city.
Posted inArts + Culture
‘Selma 70’ exhibit honors civil rights legacy
The Ramsey County Historical Society has opened a new exhibit, “Selma 70,” at the Landmark Center, honoring the 70 Minnesota residents who traveled to Selma, Alabama in 2015 to mark the 50th anniversary of the historic Selma to Montgomery marches, highlighting their experience through interviews and imagery.
Posted inMusic
Jazz Appreciation Month: Festivals, rising stars, and living legends
International Jazz Day 2025 will be held in Abu Dhabi and observed in 190 countries, with a concert led by Grammy-winning pianist Herbie Hancock and featuring artists such as Cécile McLorin Salvant and Wynton Marsalis.
Posted inTheater
Ojibwe Love Story Premieres at 825 Arts: Mni Giizhik Theatre Ensemble Presents Niizh
Mni Giizhik Theatre Ensemble is presenting the U.S. premiere of Lenna Little, a new play by Ojibwe playwright Joelle Peters, which is a coming-of-age tale steeped in Ojibwe life and storytelling.
Posted inEvents
Art for the Resilient Heart: Fundraiser and Silent Art Auction to Support Immigrant and Refugee Women
Art for the Resilient Heart is a fundraiser and silent art auction organized by Women of WISE that uplifts the use of art as a powerful tool for healing and learning, with a goal of raising $20,000 to support immigrant and refugee women and girls.
Posted inArts + Culture
Viewing Art Can Boost Mental Well-Being, Study Finds
A new study published in The Journal of Positive Psychology reveals that viewing visual art, whether in a museum, hospital, or online, can significantly enhance a person’s sense of well-being by fostering meaning in life and promoting personal growth.