Minneapolis, MN
Capri Theatre hosts 'Tales from the Northside' fundraiser for Minneapolis Sound Museum | Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
The Capri Theatre in North Minneapolis buzzed with anticipation as the carpet rolled out for the 2nd annual “Tales from the Northside” event. This year’s gathering featured two distinguished panels of Twin Cities musical royalty: The first panel consisted of members of Flyt Tyme, although not all were original members. The panel included Jellybean Johnson, Cynthia Johnson, David Eiland, Anton Johnson, Robert Martin, Tom Lund, Monte Moir, Jimmie Anderson, Jawanza Everett, Gary McCray, David Wright, and Quinton Speers.
The second panel included David “TC” Ellis, Willie Adams, Terry Esau, Eric (DJ Nevermind) Rogers, Emmanuel Duncan, Sarah Lanier, and Heidi Vader, who focused on youth music development in the Twin Cities.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey welcomed the crowd by speaking affirmatively about the cause, the neighborhood, and the event. Notable absentees from the night included Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, and Alexander O’Neal; however, their contributions loomed large over this night of celebration and nostalgia.
The evening’s context quickly became clear — the event served as a fundraiser for the proposed Minneapolis Sound Museum, a nonprofit dedicated to introducing next-generation talent in the Twin Cities and preserving the rich legacy of the iconic Minneapolis Sound.
As the panelists took the stage, they shared stories and insights reminiscent of those formative years. David “Batman” Eiland captivated the audience, reiterating Prince’s indelible mark on the music world, attributing the patented Minneapolis Sound directly to the Purple One.
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The palpable excitement only intensified with performances from Purple Playground, a group showcasing young, local talent. But the truest magic sparked when Jellybean Johnson and Monique Blakey performed an electrifying duet. Jellybean, renowned not only for his drumming skills but also his exceptional guitar work, along with band members, then delivered a stunning rendition of Prince’s “I Wanna Be Your Lover.”
The execution was so precise that, with eyes closed, fans could almost believe Prince himself was on stage, affirming Jellybean’s standing as one of the world’s finest guitarists. Playing drums and providing vocals was KeAndre’ Mack; on keyboards was Christopher Troy, and on bass guitar was Art Haynes.
Other performers on the night included acts like Zay Starr, Dale, and TY Prophecy, all of whom added flair to the celebration. Event moderators Andrea Swenson and Bianca Rhodes, under the graceful guidance of host Wes Smooth, ensured that the program ran smoothly, with Eric Rodgers seamlessly spinning tracks that anchored the night’s nostalgic yet forward-looking spirit.
As Jellybean concluded his captivating four-song set, an enthusiastic audience demanded more, chanting, “One more!” The call for an encore underscored the music’s profound connection with its fans and the lingering desire for live performances that carry such rich historical significance.
The grand vision for the Minneapolis Sound Museum includes providing an interactive, inclusive space that allows visitors to explore and engage with the extensive legacy of musicians and bands integral to the Minneapolis Sound. This initiative specifically aims to amplify and celebrate the beloved North Side community, highlighting the area’s irreplaceable contributions to music history. The proposed museum aims to educate, inspire, and serve as a transformative cultural hub that celebrates and perpetuates the community’s deep-rooted musical traditions.
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As the night came to a close, the sheer volume of talent paraded on stage underscored the enduring vitality of the Minneapolis Sound. The hometown musicians’ talents have not only continued to strike chords within the Twin Cities but have resonated globally, further testament to the irrefutable legacy created all those decades ago. Prince, a towering figure in this lineage, would undoubtedly beam with pride to see the musical seeds he planted flourish.
The 2nd annual “Tales from the Northside” was more than a fundraiser; it was a poignant testament to the ongoing legacy and the vibrant future of the Minneapolis Sound. Through storytelling, electrifying performances, and community engagement, the event exemplified the enduring power of this unique musical style — proof that the spirit of the Northside and the sound it birthed are alive and as influential as ever.
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A shooting in north Minneapolis injured two men on Friday night.
Minneapolis police said officers responded around 9:30 p.m. Friday after multiple reports of gunfire near Lowry Avenue North and North Logan Avenue.Police said they found two men with gunshot wounds outside a home.
Officers said both men were outside when the gunfire started and a nearby hospital treated both men for non-life-threatening injuries.
Police are still investigating. Officers said no arrests have been made.
This is a developing story; check back for updates.
A 19-year-old man is injured after a shooting in north Minneapolis on Friday, according to police.
Officers responded to the incident on the 2600 block of North Humboldt Avenue at 5:03 p.m. Officials said they found the man inside a home with apparent gunshot wounds that were not life-threatening.
The officers provided medical aid before the man was taken to the hospital, police said.
According to investigators, the man was outside the home when shots were fired and ran inside after he was injured.
Police said Friday night that no arrests had been made and that they were working to learn what led to the shooting.
The Blueprint
A team led by Lupe Development Partners and Wall Cos. wants to bring more than 100 units of affordable senior housing to a triangular parking area near the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, the latest version of a yearslong effort to redevelop the site.
On Thursday, the Minneapolis Planning Commission Committee of the Whole reviewed plans for the five-story, 104-unit building at 600 Main St. SE. The project would require a comprehensive plan amendment, rezoning and other approvals.
Jess Olstad, a city spokesperson, said in an email that the committee took no formal action.
“The next step for the project team will be to conduct public engagement around their potential comprehensive plan amendment, and to prepare their land use applications for submittal,” Olstad said.
Steve Minn, vice president and chief financial manager of Lupe Development, said Friday that the project received “very positive feedback” from the committee.
“We’re just going to proceed with the rest of our application, which will be in the next week or so,” said Minn, who added that the proposed location is a “perfect site for housing” and that “senior housing is a need.”
A comprehensive plan amendment would require Metropolitan Council review. If the approval process goes well and financing comes together next year, the project could break ground in 2028, Minn said.
A 58-space “principal parking facility” currently occupies the 37,401-square-foot development site, which is framed by Sixth Avenue Southeast, Main Street Southeast, and a railroad property, according to a city staff report.
The project would primarily offer one-bedroom units, though the mix would also include some two-bedroom dwellings and efficiencies. Thirty-nine stalls of underground parking are also planned.
Located near the Stone Arch Bridge trailhead in the Mississippi River Critical Area Overlay District, the project would be “compatible with the surrounding neighborhood architecture,” according to a narrative submitted on behalf of the developer.
The plan includes site improvements such as structured parking and pedestrian spaces, and a new public trail, which would connect to existing Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board trails in Father Hennepin Bluffs Park.
According to the developer’s narrative, the project “represents a reinvestment in a privately owned, undeveloped parcel that is not used for park purposes and is not planned for acquisition.”
The project would align the property’s “land use, built form, and Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area Overlay District designations with the surrounding urban context and applicable regulatory framework,” the narrative states.
Wall Cos. and Lupe Development Partners, doing business as Bluff Street Development, have long wanted to redevelop 600 Main St. SE. In 2023, the developers pitched a plan for 80 affordable housing units on the site.
The developers’ history with the site goes back as far as 2009, when they proposed separate plans for a 98-unit and a 79-unit apartment project, as previously reported. In 2010, Bluff Street sued the city after the City Council rejected the plans. The lawsuit was dismissed in 2011.
When development efforts first started, the Mississippi River Critical Corridor Area rules and regulations had not been defined, and “there was a lot of angst in the community” about what those regulations would be, Minn said.
Those regulations are now “well defined,” clearing the way for development, he said.
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