It's a Prince trifecta with his return to First Avenue

By Jon Bream, Star Tribune

Last update: July 6, 2007 - 10:42 AM

Prince's musical marathon on Saturday is turning into an ultramarathon. He has added a third show -- an after-party at First Avenue.

After playing a 4 p.m. mini-show at Macy's (to promote his perfume, 3121) and an 8:30 p.m. concert at Target Center, he has scheduled "Return 2 First Avenue: Prince Live." The landmark club expects to open the doors about 11 p.m. but Prince will start whenever he's ready.

Club officials said liquor sales will stop at 2 a.m. but the show can run later.

Tickets for the late-night performance will go on sale at 3 p.m. Saturday at First Avenue. Of course, they will cost $31.21; there is a limit of one ticket per purchase. The club can accommodate about 1,500 people.

Prince and First Avenue have been synonymous since his 1984 movie "Purple Rain" was shot there. He performed there from time to time, beginning in the early 1980s. His last gig there was an unadvertised one in March 1987, which was arranged on 24 hours' notice.

On Tuesday, his people contacted First Avenue officials about a return engagement.