Arts | Southwest Connector

Ang Lee of ‘Brokeback Mountain’ honored at MSPIFF 44

Award-winning director Ang Lee spoke to a full house of film enthusiasts April 6, 2025 as he received the Al Milgrom Tribute award at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF.) In … more

By Jan Willms | 4/18/25

Artists and community members join together to celebrate E. Lake St. during a weekend Skate and Sauna event in March, part of the Lake Street Lift project. At the events, neighbors were asked what they want to see at 2800 E. Lake St. where the US Bank building formerly was. (Photo by Bruce Silcox)

Lifting up Lake Street

“I’m thrilled to see Lake Street back and thriving, and there’s more to come,” said Hennepin County Commissioner Angela Conley during an event at the former US Bank site at … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 3/28/25

The opening film of the festival is “Free Leonard Peltier,” a documentary about the struggle to free Peltier, who was charged with murder in a shootout with FBI agents.

Ang Lee kicks off MSPIFF

Highlighting the 44th Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF) this year is a conversation with Ang Lee, the award-winning director of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” … more

By Jan Willms | 3/28/25

“I like to use the phrase ‘give the gift of warmth,’” said Barb Melom. “When people ask, is it OK if I knit a scarf instead of a hat, I tell them ‘give the gift of warmth.’ You just do a better job knitting things that you like.”

She gives the gift of warmth

When temperatures fell below zero one Sunday morning this past winter, Barb Melom had a thought. Her husband, a former social worker, had told her that many patients at Hennepin County Medical Center … more

By Allie Johnson | 3/21/25

‘The Dance is Not Over: The Patrick Scully Story’

The most challenging part of making a movie about Patrick Scully was editing it down to 93 minutes, according to director Mark Wojahn. Scully is an internationally known dancer, choreographer, … more

By Jan Willms | 3/21/25

A 'Peace of my Mind' lands in St. Paul

Photographer and storyteller John Noltner has settled into his new work space at 550 Vandalia Street, suite #170, in Hamline-Midway’s Creative Enterprise Zone. He shares the multi-use … more

By Margie O’Loughlin | 3/21/25

Former Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Ryback buying signs during the Minneapolis Craft Fair at Sunnyside Gardens in 2016. Credit: Photo by Jaime Chismar

As Trump’s second act begins, a Minnesota symbol of inclusivity takes a break

*This story was originally published by MinnPost. Shortly after the 2016 presidential election, rainbow lawn signs inscribed with a heart and the message “All Are Welcome Here” began … more

3/10/25

Eileen Anderson (former Southwest resident), along with daughter Claire Anderson and friend Savanna Lockovitch, are welcomed to “Where Do Pigeons Go in the Winter?” by pigeon performers (left to right) Josh Conroy, Patty Gille, and Kayla Nussbaum. The puppet performance aimed to challenge the notion that pigeons are pests by showing their importance throughout history and what truly amazing birds they are.

Where Do Pigeons Go in the Winter?

Photos by Terry Faust | 2/19/25

Paperback Exchange, Terzo, and Sparrow Cafe closed indefinitely following water main break damage

The businesses on the southwest corner of 50th and Penn, Paperback Exchange ( 2227 W 50th St.) Terzo (2221 W 50th St.) and Sparrow Cafe (5001 Penn Ave S) are closed indefinely following a water main … more

2/18/25

For a few days each January, John Njoes, exchanges his Sotheby’s Realtor’s vest for a thick parka as the St. Paul Winter Carnival Ice Carving Contest unfolds.

Neighborhood realtor carves his own niche

You may have seen John Njoes around the neighborhood. He’s lived in the 55406 zip code nearly all of his life, and has been a Longfellow resident since 1984. After more than 15 years of donning … more

By Margie O’Loughlin | 1/31/25

Minneapolis announces new poet laureate

Junauda Petrus is the city’s new poet laureate for 2025-2026. Petrus succeeds Heid E. Erdrich in this prominent literary role. A multidisciplinary artist, Petrus spans stage, screen and page in … more

1/30/25

LOVE MPLS PARKS

Nearly 20 years ago, Dan Woychick learned Minneapolis’ perennially acclaimed parks were in a precarious position. Woychick, then a board member for his East Harriet neighborhood’s … more

By Justin Melander | 1/22/25

“Unholy Communion” leads include (left to right) Laura Robards, Vincent Kartheiser, Adam Bartley, and Irena Flury. Bartley, an Eden Prairie High School graduate, plays Washington County investigator Chris Majek. Bartley is best known for his role as Ferg in the Netflix series “Longmire.” Kartheiser, Minneapolis native who played Pete Campbell in AMC’s “Mad Men” series, also stars as a close friend of the investigator. (Photo submitted)

‘Unholy Communion’ seeks accountability

When Thomas Rumreich was a freshman at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn., he was sexually abused by a priest at the men’s college. The year was 1960, but the incident greatly … more

By Jan Willms | 12/11/24

Director Patrick Coyle and cinematographer Greg Stiever consult over a scene in “Unholy Communion,” a murder mystery adaption by a novel by the same name written by Thomas Rumreich. (Photo submitted)

Adaption pushes local filmmaker in new ways

Twin Cities filmmaker Patrick Coyle has just completed his fourth film “Unholy Communion,” based on the book by the same title written by Scandia author Thomas Rumreich. The film about a … more

By Jan Willms | 12/11/24

Trace created the large painting on the side of the Seven Points mall parking garage. He opened a gallery space, Speshel Project, inside the mall. (Photos by Trace and Brian Gabrial)

Challenging the art status quo

When I met Trace at Speshel Project, L.L.C., his gallery at Seven Points mall, it was the day before Thanksgiving and on the eve of a straight, 30-hour drive to Miami Beach where he planned to show … more

By Brian Gabrial | 12/11/24

WACSO: Picnic.

Picnic. The newest food spot in Linden Hills buzzes on a Thursday night. (Illustration by WACSO) more

12/11/24

Aaron Blaser, owner of the Curioso Coffee Bar in Seven Points mall, said he has a “guarded optimism” about Uptown’s future. He believes in its potential “to be a real point of interest,” and thinks that having street construction wrap up will make a big difference.

Uptown: Reimagined

With significant street construction coming to an end along Hennepin Avenue from 31st to 28th Streets, Uptown is ready for a renaissance – French for rebirth. “I think we’re on the … more

By Brian Gabrial | 11/20/24

Lucinda Holshue plays Fiona – a part that was written for her. Holshue worked for 20 years as the resident vocal coach at the Guthrie and is still a professor at the U of M. (Photo submitted by Brad Hildebrandt)

Fulton house set for resident’s first film

Neighbors of Brad Hildebrandt must have wondered what was going on this summer at his house in the Fulton area. Bright lights, cameras, people coming and going, and the smell of lasagna wafting … more

By Jan Willms | 11/20/24

GreenRoom fellows practice dancing and performing together at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts on Friday, July 19, 2024.

Maia Maiden leads Ordway theater fellowship for budding artists

Tears streamed down 62-year-old Myra Curry’s face as she sat in a circle receiving praise from her cohort fellows. One after the other, people took turns telling Curry how proud, and inspired … more

By Talia McWright | 9/18/24

Hennepin History Museum’s staff welcome all visitors: (Left to right) executive director John Crippen, archivist Michele Pollard, and curator Alyssa Thiede. (Photo submitted)

Masks, puppets and plenty of free parking

Propped up alongside Sky, Prairie, Moon and Woods and with arms extended, River’s giant, blue face stares down at passersby, perhaps hoping one stops and hears stories about the Mississippi … more

By Brian Gabrial | 9/18/24