Paul Tazewell designed costumes at The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis for over 10 productions.
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS interviewed Tazewell in 2022 when he became the first Black male Oscar nominee for costume design.
At the beginning of March, he made history again.
Tazewell’s talents were recognized at the Oscars, winning Best Costume Design for his work in “Wicked.” He also made history as the first Black man to receive the honor.
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“I was sent up in a rocket on the night, and I continue to circle the Earth,” Tazewell said. “It’s really, really quite a wonderful feeling to have that acknowledgment, and I’m so appreciative.”
His former Minneapolis Guthrie Theater colleague and friend, DJ Gramann II, was in the audience cheering him on when he won the prestigious award.
“I started in the world of theater and live performance. Much of that work was created at amazing theater companies like the Guthrie Theater,” Tazewell said. “It’s been maybe 20 years since I’ve designed anything at the Guthrie, but now I can design in a very confident way having all the experience that I really honed when I was in Minneapolis.”
Starting in 1995, Tazewell showcased his talents in Minneapolis as his sketches came to life on stage in over a dozen productions.
“With DJ, having that friendship and camaraderie, being able to toss around ideas with him as to how to approach certain techniques,” Tazewell said. “All of that [experience] is invaluable and to my family at the Guthrie, you know that experience has been invaluable with how I now walk through life as a designer.”
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Tazewell is well-known for his creative process and clear vision to enhance storytelling through costume design, but he’s also praised for his approach to working in stressful environments.
“It’s important for me and as a priority for me to lead with engagement and kindness and how to draw the best out of other people,” he said. “The making of costumes, the designing of costumes, it can be challenging and stressful just because there is always a deadline.”
Through decades of growth and persistence, Tazewell explained he wants his story to be an inspiration for aspiring costume designers.
“I always tell especially younger people that are interested in going into costume design or going into any field of the entertainment industry to hold on to your passion,” he said. “With passion and patience, you know there is a payoff.”
Tazewell is currently working on his second film with Steven Spielberg. His first was West Side Story. He believes the current movie that features his costume designs will be seen in theaters in 2026.
The lineup has been announced for the 2026 edition of Snow & Flurry, set for October 10th and 11th at Underground Music Cafe in Minneapolis, MN. Judge, Merauder, and Arkangel will headline the two-day event also featuring 25+ more acts in total.
Weekend passes are available now, with single-day tickets and daily lineups to be announced later.
Passes are available here.
Line up in order of flyer:
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Judge Merauder Arkangel The Killer Nehemiah Another Enemy Awaiting Eschiel Basic Needs Blistered Spirit Blood Stained Concrete Cudgel Direct Order Dose Enemy Of Man Enervate Ethic Eyes Of Sorrow Fleshless Body Lead Spirit Madman Meantime Neolithic Passion Self Interest Shits Creek Sin Sufrir Skewed What Counts Withdrawal Wrath Of Sanity Velocity
After spending months helping immigrant families weather the economic fallout of federal immigration enforcement operations in the Twin Cities, Smitten Kitten is asking the community for help sustaining itself.
The adult retail store in Minneapolis’ Lyn-Lake neighborhood issued a public plea for community financial support.
The strain comes after months of directing staff and volunteer time, resources and fundraising efforts toward mutual aid work that supported immigrants during Operation Metro Surge.
The store became one of the most visible community aid hubs after the federal operation began. Following the killing of Renee Good, Smitten Kitten began collecting groceries, diapers, toilet paper and other essentials.
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“Nothing is going to change unless we’re going to do something,” said Anne Lehman, Smitten Kitten social media manager and mutual aid advisor.
The store also helped direct efforts toward rent relief for immigrants facing heightened uncertainty and economic hardship.
“People had been hiding out since October. They’re going to need things like diapers, toilet paper and water.” Lehman said. “We ended up opening our store as a donation drop-off stop.”
Community support quickly exceeded expectations.
“It felt like every fifteen minutes someone was pulling up in an SUV that just came from Costco,” Lehman said. “As soon as we got it, it would be gone because of how great the need was.”
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Lehman said that the attention also created safety concerns for staff and visitors.
“We had to move where our stuff was because U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had caught on to what we were doing and tried to intimidate us,” said Lehman.
In response, the store decided to move its operations elsewhere and began to focus on raising money for necessities. According to Lehman, the establishment raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for various needs.
The operation, in part, ended by mid-February, and federal presence in Minnesota diminished. As things began to wind down, so did cash flow at Smitten Kitten.
“There were a lot of weeks where we were cutting it close on payroll,” said Lehman.
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In a social media post, Lehman asked the community to come help support the store by asking for donations, asking people to shop at their store or online.
“We are asking for help, but also all of these things that we’re pouring all of our energy into is not going away,” said Lehman. “If we want to continue doing mutual aid, we have to have a solid foundation of our business as well.”
MINNEAPOLIS — Real Capital Solutions (RCS) has acquired 3701 Wayzata Boulevard, a 308,681-square-foot office property in the Urban West End neighborhood of Minneapolis, for $34 million. Situated on 25.8 acres overlooking Brownie and Cedar lakes, the nine-story asset is 99 percent leased and serves as the headquarters location for several companies such as Tactile Medical, SRF Consulting Group, Regis Corp. and MOBE.
Originally developed as a corporate headquarters campus for Prudential and later occupied by Target Corp., the property underwent a comprehensive renovation and repositioning in 2019. Amenities today include a fitness center, conference facilities, a golf simulator, onsite café, outdoor gathering spaces, a rooftop patio, bike storage and direct access to regional trail systems.
