Recent content from Marci Schmitt
An evening designed for fun
The new Cocktails by Design series, hosted by the University of Minnesota's Goldstein Museum of Design, offers partygoers an opportunity to sample craft food and drink and connect with folks in the Twin Cities creative community, all while supporting the museum's work. Each event also features designs by a U student. "Let's Pop for Summer" was held at creative agency Knock Inc. in Minneapolis. The museum is named for sisters Harriet and Vetta Goldstein, who taught students to appreciate the beauty around them.
Morning forecast: 41, mix of sun and clouds
It'll be chilly Saturday and Sunday, with a chance of mixed precipitation late Sunday, but there's a warmup on the way.
Afternoon forecast: 32, chance of flurries
There's a chance of light snow or flurries early this afternoon, with clearing later today that may give us a glimpse of tonight's partial lunar eclipse.
Photos: Americans remember 9/11
Americans commemorated 9/11 as the coronavirus pandemic reconfigured anniversary ceremonies and a presidential campaign carved a path through the observances.
Biden visits Wisconsin
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden began a visit to the battleground state of Wisconsin on Thursday by meeting with the family of Jacob Blake.
Powerful storm leaves devastation across Midwest
Hundreds of thousands across the Midwest remained without power on Tuesday after a powerful storm packing 100 mph winds battered the region a day earlier.
Rep. John Lewis mourned, celebrated at Atlanta funeral
John Lewis was mourned, revered and celebrated on Thursday at Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church, a sacred place for many of those who helped to shape civil rights history.
Violent protests in downtown Madison, Wis.
Gov. Tony Evers said Wednesday he was prepared to activate the National Guard to protect state properties after protesters outside the Wisconsin Capitol tore down statues commemorating an abolitionist and women's rights and threw a Molotov cocktail into a government building during a night of violence that also included an attack on a state senator.
Trump supporters rally in Tulsa
Supporters of President Donald Trump were ready Saturday to welcome him back to the campaign trail in Tulsa, Okla. Protests also were planned.
George Floyd laid to rest in Houston
George Floyd's body arrived at a Houston church Tuesday for a private funeral, to be followed by burial, capping six days of mourning for the black man whose death inspired a global reckoning over police brutality and racial injustice.
Community members gather to honor George Floyd, demands justice
Hundreds of people gathered Wednesday at the site where George Floyd was detained by Minneapolis police on Memorial Day. He died in police custody.
Minnesota National Guard defends home: 'We're not going to maintain this kind of riot purgatory'
This is life for Minnesota's citizen-soldiers and citizen-airmen: Long days and tense nights as they continue the Minnesota National Guard's largest domestic deployment in its 164-year history.
Striking winners of the prestigious World Press Photo awards
Protests and grief in Africa were strongly represented among news winners of the prestigious World Press Photo award.
See quilts at Dakota County exhibit celebrating women's right to vote
Women once used quilts to champion causes. A new exhibit in Dakota County honors 100 years of women's right to vote.
Take a look inside the remodeled Arvonne Fraser Library in Minneapolis
A 1960s Dinkytown library — by Minnesota Modernist architect Ralph Rapson — gleams anew after an $11.6 million restoration.
The copycat buildings of Minneapolis
Many of the buildings in Minneapolis have relatives in other cities — sometimes distant cousins, sometimes siblings, sometimes twins.
Top Minnesota home design trends for 2020
Colorful kitchen islands, mudrooms reconceived as "family entrances" and "shopping" your closets for home decor — those are some of the predictions that Twin Cities interior designers are making for 2020.
A look at the revamped Christopher & Banks
Christopher & Banks has a long history of serving older, value-conscious women. Here's how the Minnesota retailer is reconnecting with its core customer.
Peek inside the luxurious new Life Time club at Southdale
Twenty-seven years after he founded Life Time, CEO Bahram Akradi says he wants his new club to make Edina's Southdale "the place people want to be."
Take a peek inside Minnehaha Academy
Two years after a fatal explosion, the design for the rejuvenated campus has links to the past but reaches toward the future.
Cowles Center gala goes Hollywood
The Cowles Center paid homage to the silver screen at its annual Gotta Dance gala. The evening was filled with performances inspired by the likes of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The Silver Screen Soirée and TechniColor Me Bad After Party began with a red-carpet entry at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center and ended with, of course, a dance. Funds raised at the gala will support the Cowles Center's partnership with ProAct/New Options, providing programming to differently abled adults in the Twin Cities.
Bookmark: Packing up books was itself a moving experience
What do you do with your books when you move: Do you pare down or just pack up?
African-American museum celebrates first anniversary
Westminster Presbyterian Church in downtown Minneapolis was the backdrop for the Northern Lights Gala sponsored by the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery. The evening, a celebration of the Minneapolis museum's first anniversary, included a rousing mix of music, singing and dancing. The museum was created to preserve and display the experiences and contributions of African-Americans in Minnesota. Funds raised at the event will go toward its history, art and education programs.
Hunger Bash offers inspiration
Guests at the eighth annual Hunger Bash, held at the McNamara Alumni Center on the University of Minnesota campus, were treated to an evening of fine food, live music and inspiring stories from the Food Group, formerly the Emergency Foodshelf Network.
Having a ball at the 2019 Curtain Call Ball
The 2019 Curtain Call Ball, Children's Theatre Company's annual fundraiser, was a mystical experience. For the Mystical Menagerie themed event, steampunk costumed characters entertained guests.
Take a peek inside the White House
Melania Trump will have a few new touches to showcase Friday when guests visit the White House for only the second state dinner of the Trump presidency.
Puppy love abounds at Bone Appetit gala
Guests at Secondhand Hounds' Bone Appetit were treated to traditional fundraiser fare — high-profile hosts, music, a live auction and tasty treats (by the likes of Cafe Lurcat, Revival and Coalition). But partygoers at the Depot in Minneapolis were also able to get a smack on the cheek at the puppy-kissing booth. Funds raised at the event will help Secondhand Hounds rescue and rehabilitate animals and facilitate their adoptions. The organization also provides veterinary and hospice care to animals in its program.
Beauty Bash for AngelHair helps women battling cancer
Calhoun Beach Club in Minneapolis hosted the 2019 AngelHair Beauty Bash, which brought together patrons young and old to help support women battling cancer. The event included a cocktail reception, plated dinner and dessert bar as well as silent and live auctions. Proceeds from the Beauty Bash help AngelHair provide custom, natural wigs for women going through cancer treatment.
Making merry at the Renaissance Festival
The Minnesota Renaissance Festival once again drew merrymakers of all ages to Shakopee. Some even dressed for the occasion in medieval-inspired costumes. The fair runs through Sept. 29.
Kicking up their heels at Meals on Heels
Meals on Heels at the Nicollet Island Pavilion in Minneapolis featured food and drink, a silent auction and a "swank soles" contest. Proceeds help to fund the mission of Meals on Wheels.
Summerbration offers taste of cabin life
Guests at the Summerbration at the Cabin fundraiser at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove enjoyed North Woods activities — ax throwing, rock climbing and s'more making — then sampled gourmet cuisine and beverages from local restaurants. Funds raised at the annual event help the Three Rivers Park Foundation administer adaptive services programs to make the outdoors accessible to more Minnesotans. The foundation sponsors adaptive kayaking, mountain biking, archery, skiing and more.
See work by three pioneering black Twin Cities builders
An exhibit at Mill City Museum showcases the work of architect Clarence "Cap" Wigington, stoneworker Casiville Bullard and architect/stained-glass artist William Hazel.
Ragamala Mela offers a taste of India
The annual fundraiser for Ragamala Dance Company, held at the Paikka event space in St. Paul, featured food trucks, drinks and silent and live auctions, plus a sneak peek of a new work, "Fires of Varanasi," expected to premiere during the 2020-21 season. Ragamala, a nationally known dance company, features creative choreography, colorful costumes and music that combines traditional Indian and modern dance. Proceeds from Ragamala Mela will help defray the costs of production.
Tastes and toasts at the Arboretum
At the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum's Taste & Toast, guests meandered through picture-perfect gardens, sampling savory and sweet treats and sipping drinks from 40 vendors, including Schram Vineyards Winery & Brewery, Red Sauce Rebellion, Birchwood Cafe and Edwards Dessert Kitchen. Featured chef Jamie Malone delighted guests with a roast cod spread on crackers with French pickles, fresh chervil and fennel oil. The annual party raises funds to maintain the gardens and for educational programs.
Full STEAM ahead at Matheatre gala
The steampunk-themed fundraiser for Matheatre was full of surprises, from creative snow cones to elemental bingo. Founded in Minneapolis, the touring company promotes science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM). It started with "Calculus: The Musical" at the 2006 Minnesota Fringe Festival. Matheatre has produced "Curie Me Away," about Marie Curie, and "Tesla Ex Machina," about Nikola Tesla. Matheatre has performed for more than 13,000 students in schools around the U.S. and in Southeast Asia.
Books for Africa fundraiser is one for the books
Books for Africa's "Reading Is Believing" fundraising luncheon at the Town and Country Club in St. Paul featured Ambassador Ngosa Simbyakula of the Republic of Zambia. Started in 1988 by retired businessman/philanthropist Tom Warth, St. Paul-based Books for Africa is the largest shipper of donated text and library books to the African continent. It also supplies computers, e-readers, and educational materials to African schools, libraries, universities and nonprofit organizations.
Dreaming of Success
Project Success celebrated 25 years of connecting students to their purpose at the seventh annual Dreams to Action breakfast at the Metropolitan Ballroom in Golden Valley. More than 550 people attended the event, which opened with Marcy Open School students singing a number from the musical "Dear Edwina." The mission of Project Success is to inspire young people to dream about the future and give them the tools they need to achieve their goals. It serves students in Minneapolis public middle and high schools.
'Rockin' the Boat' at the Guthrie gala
"Rockin' the Boat" was the theme for the annual black-tie gala at the Guthrie Theater in downtown Minneapolis. Guests gathered for cocktails and a silent auction. After a gourmet dinner served in the scene shop, they were treated to a performance of the musical "Guys and Dolls," which contains the showstopper "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat." The evening wrapped up with an after-party. Funds raised from the event support the Guthrie's education and access programs, which allow students to attend a show.
Party animals at the Minnesota Zoo's Beastly Bash
With a theme of "Wild North," guests at the Minnesota Zoo's annual Beastly Bash enjoyed animal encounters, cocktails and food and a program emceed by Laura Schara of KARE 11's "Minnesota Bound." The party animals also boogied to the New Power Generation and DJ Shannon Blowtorch. Funds raised support the zoo's programs, including ZooUnlimited outreach.
A symphony of fun at Minnesota Orchestra ball
Guests at the 63rd annual Symphony Ball enjoyed dinner, an auction and a concert with proceeds benefiting the Minnesota Orchestra's educational programs. Chastity Brown and Synergy also performed.
Cocktails and DJs at Minneapolis Institute of Art gala
For the 2019 Mia Gala, guests were escorted up red-carpeted stairs to the columned entrance of the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Over cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, guests explored the galleries, where they were treated to DJ sets by Spinderella of Salt-N-Pepa, Mina Moore and Lenka Paris and were entertained by "live" statues. Proceeds from the event support the museum's free admission as well as several upcoming special exhibits, including "Hearts of Our People: Native Women Artists."
A smashing good time at Bash4Guild
Guests at the sixth annual Bash4Guild enjoyed cocktails and appetizers at International Market Square in downtown Minneapolis, co-hosted by co-founders Nik Larsen and Matt Bollero. The evening also included a silent auction, photo booths, party games and live music. Through its Equilibrium Youth Serivces, the nonprofit Guild Inc. helps young people with mental illness transition to adulthood. It also offers a variety of mental health services including residential mental health treatment facilities in the Twin Cities.
Recovery and hope at Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge gala
The Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge gala, held this year at the Hilton in downtown Minneapolis, was a celebration of hope, led by the stories and songs of the Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge choir. The evening, which included dinner, was emceed by WCCO-TV's Kim Johnson with special musical guests Sanctus Real. Funds raised at the event support the Challenge, a Christian-based addiction rehab and recovery program.
Beach Boys and more at PACER Center benefit
Guests at the PACER Center's annual benefit grooved to the sounds of the Beach Boys at the Minneapolis Convention Center, hosted by Frank Vascellaro and Andrew Zimmern. Some patrons got into the beachy vibe by sporting tropical apparel. There were also live and silent auctions, a raffle and a "wine pull," with numbered corks bought for $25 corresponding to bottles of wine valued up to $200. Proceeds from the event support PACER's programs for children with disabilities and their families and PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center.
Party animals in their natural Habitat at Hard Hat gala
Guests at the 20th anniversary Hard Hat and Black Tie gala, held at the Hilton in downtown Minneapolis, wore construction-inspired accents with their formalwear to help raise funds for Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. The nonprofit works to bring affordable housing to area families by building, repairing and financing homes and providing advice. President and CEO and former St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman invited his successor, Melvin Carter, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to help in the fundraising effort.
Ireland's Hope Angel Heart Gala
The attendees at the Ireland's Hope annual Angel Heart Gala were treated to appetizers, silent and live auctions, a dinner and a photo booth at the Profile Event Center in Minneapolis. The nonprofit raises awareness for pediatric organ donations. It also supports Midwestern families — emotionally and financially — whose children are going through the transplant process
Touring Minneapolis with Minnesota's biggest fans
Ashlea Halpern and Andrew Parks are globe-trotting writers. Since moving to Minneapolis last year, they're finding all our top sites and sharing the love on social media.
Minneapolis welcomes 'Hello, Dolly!'
The Tony-winning Broadway revival of "Hello, Dolly!" is playing at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis through April 28. Cast members including star Betty Buckley attended the opening night party.
See Lizzo and other stars on stage at Coachella
This year's Coachella roster conspicuously favored electronic-generated pop, hip-hop and dance music over guitar-rock. Minneapolis-buoyed hip-hop/R&B star Lizzo gave one of the hardest-rocking, most viscerally energized performances of the weekend.
AIA Minnesota and the Star Tribune celebrate design
"Your Home, Your Way," sponsored by the American Institute of Architects Minnesota and the Star Tribune, brings together architects, homeowners and design enthusiasts to talk about remodeling, building and trends. It's also where Home of the Month winners are recognized. Architects and designers were on hand to answer questions and offer consultations. The annual event was held at the American Swedish Institute, in the 20th-century Turnblad Mansion in south Minneapolis — the perfect spot to celebrate architecture of the 21st century.
Some key works by architect James Dayton
James Dayton was among the Twin Cities' most sought-after architects. His firm's best-known local projects include the MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis' Mill District, the Minnetonka Center for the Arts, and ebullient, modern addition to the historic Westminster Presbyterian Church on Nicollet Mall.
Ordway's Spring Fête offers a visit to '42nd Street'
The 2019 Ordway Center for the Performing Arts Spring Fête featured a 1930s-inspired salute to New York City as a nod to the beloved musical "42nd Street," opening at the Ordway in downtown St. Paul in July. Guests took a leisurely walk down a virtual street while enjoying delicacies, games and performances. Proceeds from the event help fund Ordway Arts Education initiatives, a program introducing live theater experiences to more than 60,000 students each year.
History Theatre gala celebrates 'HERstory'
The History Theatre in St. Paul is known for producing works that explore Minnesota's past, exposing audiences to the personalities and events that shaped — and continue to shape — our state. The theater's 2019 gala, with the theme "HERstory: Celebrating Women in Theatre," was held April 6 at the St. Paul Hotel. Guests enjoyed cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, a silent auction, dinner and performances by History Theatre's female artists. Funds raised help carry on the theater's mission of creating work that brings history to life.
Spring Mischief at Park Square
Guests at Park Square Theatre's Spring Mischief Gala were treated to dinner, dessert, dancing, auctions and a show sampling some of the theater's productions, hosted by artistic director Flordelino Lagundino. Performers included Jamecia Bennett from last year's hit "Marie and Rosetta." Proceeds go to Park Square's education program, which provides a theater experience for thousands of students a year.
Minnesota architectural historians have the Wright stuff
Frank Lloyd Wright's legacy in Japan was celebrated at the annual meeting of the Minnesota chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians at the Minnesota Humanities Center in St. Paul.
Shining on at St. David's Center gala
Guests at the Make Them Shine gala for St. David's Center for Child and Family Development enjoyed live and silent auctions, dinner and an inspirational program at the University of Minnesota's McNamara Alumni Center in Minneapolis. The event, which featured Frank Vascellaro as auctioneer and Rena Sarigianopoulos as emcee, helped raise funds for the Minnetonka center's early childhood education, early intervention and treatment, and life-phase services.
Fairy tales come to life at Wishes & More gala
Guests at the Wishes & More winter gala at the Marriott City Center in downtown Minneapolis were transported to a fantastical land where princes and princesses as well as heroes and villains brought the "Storybook Ball" theme to life. Funds raised by the event help the Minnesota-based nonprofit grant experiences to children who are battling terminal or life-threatening conditions, and provide support to their families, in Minnesota and bordering states.
Getting their kicks at Sanneh Foundation's Gala4Goals
Guests at Gala4Goals in St. Paul gathered to support former professional soccer player and St. Paul native Tony Sanneh's Sanneh Foundation.
Celebrating service and youth in northeast Minneapolis
Guests enjoyed drinks, dinner and bingo at Jax Cafe to support the East Minneapolis Exchange Club, a volunteer service organization. Proceeds help to fund charities serving Northeast with a focus on youth. The club is one of 700 chapters throughout the U.S.
Inspiration and celebration at Wiggle Your Toes party
For the past decade, Wiggle Your Toes and its founder, Aaron Holm, have been helping amputees to keep looking and moving forward. The Minnesota nonprofit was started from his hospital bed while Holm was recovering after he was hit by a car in 2007 while changing a friend's tire, resulting in the loss of his legs. Hundreds packed the Metropolitan Event Center in Golden Valley to celebrate the work of Wiggle Your Toes and raise funds. The event featured a silent and live auction, raffle, special guests and live music.
Night of Impact gala
Guests at the PrairieCare Child and Family Fund's gala perused silent auction items while enjoying hors d'oeuvres at the Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, the Depot, in downtown Minneapolis. Special guests for the Night of Impact gala included Kwame Anderson, a Twin Cities man who helped prevent a suicide in St. Paul in August, and Miss Minnesota United States 2018 Mandy Peterson. Established in 2016, the PrairieCare Child and Family Fund fosters mental health and well-being among youth and families.
See Twins stars off the diamond at Diamond Awards
For the 14th annual Diamond Awards, the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota Twins and the Twin Cities chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America put on an all-star event at the Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, the Depot. In addition to a silent auction, raffle and dinner, special guests were on deck, including former Twins player Jack Morris and manager Rocco Baldelli. The event is held to benefit research and care for brain, nerve and muscle disorders at the University of Minnesota.
Stories of hope and healing at MLK breakfast
The annual MLK breakfast, held at the Armory in Minneapolis, brought a sold-out crowd to honor the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Keynote speaker Don Lemon, host of "CNN Tonight," and others shared stories of hope and healing. Minnesota businesses sponsored several tables, allowing dozens of high school students to attend. All proceeds benefit the UNCF MLK Legacy Scholarship for students of color.
One Minnesota party welcomes thousands of guests
Roughly 3,000 supporters of new Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, along with a handful of protesters, packed into a ballroom at the Minneapolis Convention Center for the One Minnesota Inaugural Celebration.
Best of the Best showcases Minnesota's dance team talent
The University of Minnesota Dance Team travels across the U.S. to compete against other college teams. But before leaving, it hosts the Best of the Best dance show to raise funds for the trip and to thank fans for their support. Attendees crowded into Williams Arena in Minneapolis on Jan. 4, where they were treated to dozens of performances by college and high school teams from Minnesota and several other states. The all-for-fun event (it's not an official competition) gives the teams a chance to put their best feet forward.
American Refugee Committee celebrates with Changemakers Ball
Minneapolis-based American Refugee Committee (ARC) threw out all the stops for its Changemakers Ball. The event, held at the refurbished Armory, was a music- and video-packed gala celebrating the best of humanity and spark breakthrough humanitarian change, said ARC President and CEO Daniel Wordsworth. ARC works with partners and constituents to help refugees and displaced people survive conflict and crisis and rebuild lives of dignity, health, security and self-sufficiency in Africa, the Middle East and elsewhere.
Minneapolis artisan crafts one-of-a-kind custom furniture
Willie Willette majored in English literature and never took a woodworking class in his life. Yet he improbably became a masterful maker of one-of-a-kind custom wood furniture. Willette designs, builds and crafts arresting yet functional pieces for homes and businesses in his sprawling studio, Willie Willette Works, in Minneapolis.