December 4, 2006 - St. Paul's Citywide Book Club will focus exclusively on Minnesota authors this year. It's a way to mark the 150th anniversary of the St. Paul Public Schools. The schools, together with the the City of St. Paul and the St Paul Public Library, announced seven selections today, including "The Things They Carried," Tim O'Brien's collection of short stories about the Vietnam war. St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman says he's proud of this selection because it can give Minnesotans perspective on what's happening in Iraq.
December 4, 2006 - A new foundation has awarded three Minnesota artists with substantial grants. United States Artists is a new organization dedicated to supporting America's finest living artists. Starting this year it plans to award 50 grants of 50-thousand dollars each. Minnesota recipients include theater director Dominique Serrand, and writers Susan Power and Sandra Benitez . Benitez says she's thrilled that there's a new foundation directly supporting artists.
November 23, 2006 - Two twin cities churches have joined forces to provide free clothing to those in need. God's Closet is an East St. Paul charity that gives away bags of clothing to its neighbors. Minnesota Public Radio's Marianne Combs reports the church charity is transforming the lives of both the clients and the volunteers.
October 4, 2006 - The Penumbra Theatre Company in St. Paul kicked off its 30th anniversary season by announcing a multi-year August Wilson project.
September 26, 2006 - Last night marked the second annual Ivey Awards for Twin Cities theater. The awards recognize talent and creativity in 63 different participating theaters. This year's Lifetime Achievement Award went to Jack Reuler, who founded Mixed Blood Theater 30 years ago.
September 7, 2006 - "Minnesotans" and "tango" are not two words people often use in the same sentence. But this weekend marks the first-ever Tango Festival in Minnesota. Minnesota Public Radio's Marianne Combs reports that cold winters and hot moves may just be a match made in heaven.
August 9, 2006 - The University of Minnesota Libraries have acquired the archive of Penumbra Theatre Company in St. Paul.
August 4, 2006 - Each year the Minnesota Fringe Festival brings together thousands of Minnesotans to see new theater, dance and art. The eleven-day event is a complex logistical feat; it requires a leader who can balance creative artistry and good business sense, all while keeping calm amid sometimes-chaotic activity. Executive Director Leah Cooper will be stepping down after this year's festival.
June 15, 2006 - The recent opening of the Minneapolis Public Library drew a lot of attention to the new look of libraries, with state of the art technology, cafes and comfy chairs. But libraries aren't just changing physically. MPR's Marianne Combs reports on how libraries are becoming less about books, and more about people.
May 31, 2006 - The needs of the poor go beyond food and shelter. Their spirits require nourishment as much as their bodies. Acting on that belief, several Twin Cities theater companies are working in various ways to make drama accessible to everyone. In part two of a three-part series, reporter Marianne Combs follows a theater company that reaches its audiences by meeting them where they live, and by showing them respect.