Mr. James Morrison, everyone. More photos from his show on Thursday night at the Fitzgerald Theater here. Photos by Patrick Dunn.
It’s not often that we venture outside of the Twin Cities in our pages. May is the exception to that rule. That’s because this month marks the return of our annual Food Road Trip issue, in which our writers fill up their gas tanks, and their bellies, in pursuit of great meals found further afield.
This year, writers directed their vehicles in the direction of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Lindstrom, Minn.; the Brainerd Lakes Region, St. Louis, Mo., and Iowa. On their travels, they found pasties, burgers, pie shakes and a few upscale dishes such as marsala-braised rabbit.
But of course, we were eager to get back, and to write about what we found when we did. To that end, writers delivered stories on:
+ The one-year anniversary of the tornado, and how North Minneapolis’ history complicated the response to the natural disaster.
+ A look at the growing world of female body builders (we promise, there’s nothing to be intimidated about).
+ What it takes to raise chickens in the Twin Cities (legally, financially and ethically, that is).
+ Columns from Spazz Dad on what it means to be a man in need of a friend, and from Mo Perry on what it means to be a woman without a child.
+ A look at an Edina home that seeks to bring the outdoors indoors.
+ Some essential – and nearly forgotten – records from Secret Stash’s Will Gilbert and Eric Foss.
+ A ride about town from Minnesota’s one and only Segway rental and tour company, Mobile Entertainment.
+ An interview with Ted Leo, who will be performing at Wits on June 1.
+ Nine full pages of coffee, coffee, and more coffee.
All of May’s stories can be found in one location here. Like what you see? Support our work and subscribe today.
Minnesota is known for many things, most notably its lakes, strong musical tradition and some guy named Paul. A lesser known—but equally important—source of pride are the state’s museums. Nearly 600 sit within the state’s boundaries (that’s 1 for every 9,000 residents, twice the national average). Large, small, educational, shamelessly weird, we love them all.
So, it’s no surprise that, for our beloved state, May is now officially Minnesota Museums Month. The event will feature a host of events and special promotions, and is expected to become an annual affair.
To find out how Minnesota came to love its museums so much, METRO sat down with Ford W. Bell, a Minnesota native and president of the American Association of Museums on Monday. Bell was in town for the 2012 annual meeting of the American Association of Museum (the 106th annual convention served to showcase new technologies for museum and, yes, there was a dinosaur skeleton rigged to a Playstation controller).
Read the full interview here.
METRO staffers have spent a fair share of time investigating the Twin Cities’ nooks and crannies in search of hidden gems worth exploring. We’ve discovered quite a few spots we think you’ll love along the way.
But as we prepare to release the latest incarnation of our annual Hole-in-the-Wall Guide, our sixth for those counting at home, we want to engage readers who have a favorite hidden destination all their own. So here’s the deal: if you know a place that’s flying under the radar and deserves it’s due, tell us about it.
We’re looking for dive bars, specialty shops, art galleries, comic stores –- anything heavy on treasures and light on publicity. Take a look at our five earlier guides to give you an idea of what we’re looking for. Tell us what makes it special, how you stumbled upon it, and anything you can about the folks behind it (an address wouldn’t hurt either).
Send us your ideas by commenting on our Facebook page, via Twitter (@metromag) or by e-mailing us at letters@metromag.com.
Ideas will help inform our “Readers Choice” section of the latest Hole In The Wall Guide, out in June.
When designers at Big Table Studio moved into St. Paul’s Jax Building in 2009, they had few visitors and even less visibility. But seven months ago, this creative collective relocated to a bright and airy studio in the Lawson Commons, a large, high-visibility space adjacent to the Amsterdam Bar & Hall and Eclipse Records.
They’re getting a bit more attention these days. One reason: their intimate relationship with ARTCRANK. Read their story here.
Scenes from the new Common Good Books location, at 38 S. Snelling Ave. in St. Paul. Read more about the new space here.
While April has been designated the month for “30 Days of Biking,” we see no reason to let our tires go flat come May. Our rundown of the Twin Cities best biking events of the summer will keep you in the saddle all summer long.
(Photo courtesy Peter and Emmet Kowler)
Our March print calendar didn’t make it into the magazine (blame Bob Dylan). But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth sharing. Have a great month.
