Recent content from Jenna Ross
With new magazine, Minnesota writer curates stories for global Somali diaspora
Safy-Hallan Farah launches a platform for young Somali writers and artists.
Artist marks Mpls. homecoming with DIY exhibit of WWI photography
Matthew Bakkom marks his Minneapolis homecoming with an exhibit featuring hundreds of archival discoveries.
Minnesota artists remember World War I's 'enormous sacrifice'
With plays and music, Minnesota arts groups reanimate World War I 100 years after the armistice.
8 Minnesota music lovers reveal favorite movie scores, soundtracks
What are the undercelebrated triumphs in nearly 100 years of musical movie moments?
Todd Bol, creator of the Little Free Library movement, dies at 62
Todd Bol hammered together the first Little Free Library. Then he built a movement around it. Bol believed the now-ubiquitous little boxes of books —…
After terminal cancer diagnosis, Little Free Library founder feels like 'most successful person I know'
Todd Bol reflects on the movement he sparked, and the seeds he planted in neighborhoods across America — and beyond.
Rochester sauna evangelists say steamy Finnish tradition saved their marriage
The couple started a website and a Facebook group to share their obsession.
Feminist author Rebecca Traister talks 'female rage' ahead of St. Paul appearance
Her new book praises the revolutionary force of female anger.
Former St. Paul beer master tells hidden history of old Schmidt Brewery
As Schmidt Brewery is being restored to its former glory, one man never lost sight of the building's ancestry, and he gladly shares its secrets.
Legendary set designer for Guthrie, Dayton's, Holidazzle reveals lifetime of paintings
After decades designing sets for the Guthrie, Children's Theatre, Holidazzle and Dayton's eighth-floor auditorium, Jack Barkla is putting on his first gallery show.
Wetterling family expresses sorrow on eve of release of investigative files
Stearns County sheriff will release thousands of pages pertaining to the 1989 abduction and murder.
Minnesota hip-hop star Dessa breaks into NYC publishing with new memoir
Known primarily as a hip-hop artist, Dessa's latest release comes from a New York City book publisher.
After record attendance on Lake Harriet, Art Shanty Projects won't return this winter
The organization is running a shortfall after missing out on a major Minnesota State Arts Board grant.
Why autumn is the best time for a trip to the Boundary Waters
Autumn visitors to the wilderness area find fewer bugs, less campsite competition and a new season of beauty.
A young South African symphony takes its cue from the Minnesota Orchestra
After a 2014 visit, Osmo Vänskä had promised to return. He and his musicians gave the South African National Youth Orchestra a week of intense training — and a lot of confidence-building.
Concert in anti-apartheid Soweto church is an ode to joy — in many languages
The performance brought the crowd packed into the historic Regina Mundi Catholic Church to its feet, singing, stepping and clapping.
An extended goodbye in Johannesburg as the trip wraps up with an emotional finale
Powerful lessons learned, the musicians look back and look forward. But next stop: home.
In teaching young South African talents, Minn. Orchestra musicians find their own inspiration
While encouraging young South African talents, Minnesota Orchestra musicians are finding inspiration of their own.
Meet the orchestra's new CEO: 'The Minnesota model really resonates with me'
Incoming CEO Michelle Miller Burns vows to continue open, collaborative leadership at Minnesota Orchestra.
South African gospel choir brings 'healing' post-apartheid message to Orchestra Hall
Touring the Midwest this summer, the 29:11 choir found an unlikely partner in Minnesota Orchestra.
Musicians make a grim pilgrimage to Mandela's prison cell: 'I know I don't have that strength'
A former prisoner led the grim trek through Robben Island, where South Africa's future president spent 18 years.
Touring involves a 1,000-mile, high-stakes truck ride with precious cargo
Some of the instruments also need their own kind of visas to travel.
Minnesota Chorale joins voices with South African singers: 'It's magic all the way'
Minnesota Chorale loosens up, while the South Africans get a lesson in German.
At a historic concert in Cape Town, music echoes the words of Nelson Mandela
During a rousing, sold-out start for the Minnesota Orchestra in South Africa, the former president's words were sung by a soaring soprano.
'Music became a weapon against apartheid,' Mandela's daughter says as orchestra previews its program
"We're not in Kansas anymore, are we?" joked the evening's host, Brian Newhouse of Classical MPR, after the drums had quieted and the applause died down.
'It's not just a tour': Orchestra announces another first
The organization will perform in five cities, playing classical works and a new Mandela-inspired piece.
Trip to South Africa is the flowering of 'a new way' for Vänskä and his veterans
The orchestra embarks for South Africa this week, realizing "a big dream" for its players and partners.
Minnesota's 'Bachelorette' brings friends together for 'guilty pleasure' viewing parties
With tongues in cheeks, savvy Minnesotans gather with friends for weekly "Bachelorette" viewing parties.
Project Diva founder bolsters black girls with intensive, immersive mentorship
Neda Kellogg is "being who she needed at the time when she was young."
Collection of old European paintings and contemporary art hangs in Northwoods of Minnesota
What's a collection of old European paintings and vibrant contemporary art doing in the Northwoods? Go find out.
Hip-hop artist, educator Toki Wright says goodbye to Minneapolis: 'It's pushing me to make decisions'
Hip-hop luminary Toki Wright is leaving for Boston, but first comes a going-away concert packed with favorite artists and friends.
Philando Castile exhibit at Minneapolis Institute of Art embraces beauty and trauma
Bringing Castile's story into the Minneapolis Institute of Art gives it weight, artists say about "Art and Healing: In the Moment," which opened this weekend.
Heights Theater lands rare Minnesota screening of feel-good musical from East Germany
1968 film "Hot Summer" is the centerpiece of a rock 'n' roll film fest at the Heights Theater.
Springboard to turn ex-auto dealership into St. Paul arts hub
Springboard for the Arts purchased an old auto dealership in St. Paul.
10 years later, Minnesota's Legacy Amendment fueling small town arts
The impact is clearest, leaders and artists say, in outstate Minnesota, where grants have boosted artists' projects and rooted fledgling organizations.
HBO shows seek to 'normalize' full-frontal male nudity
Notorious for baring women, the network now leads the way in putting naked men on-screen.
Minnesota's Becca Kufrin gets another shot at love on 'The Bachelorette'
After a big breakup last season on "The Bachelor," the Prior Lake native returns as the star of "The Bachelorette."
Jason Lewis holds town halls, in person this time
Empty seats inside the ticketed event rankle protesters outside.
Eaux neaux! Justin Vernon keeping Wisconsin music fest lineup a secret
The Bon Iver ringleader wants to "disrupt normality" by keeping names under wraps at Eaux Claires' fourth annual installment.
How this superfan sees 64 movies in 17 days at Minnesota's largest film festival
An aficionado camps out for maximum moviegoing at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival.
Minnesota Orchestra unanimous in CEO pick: 'We were startled and pleased'
Michelle Miller Burns impressed board, musicians as a collaborator.
Bon Iver and TU Dance offer a 'moving' mix of music and dance
Bon Iver and TU Dance see past "very challenging times" with their new show, premiering Thursday at St. Paul's Palace Theatre.
Too Close for comfort? Museums face questions about works of accused artists
Since the National Gallery of Art announced in January that it would indefinitely postpone its Close exhibition, museums have been debating how to handle works by artists accused of harassment.
Minnesota Orchestra champions women composers in new season
The Minnesota Orchestra will kick off its next season with something still rare for symphony orchestras — a piece written by a woman. At a…
Minnesota music scene finally amplifying women composers: 'It's past time'
With small ensembles taking the lead, change is finally coming to the state's largest music institutions.
Why the Oscars red carpet needs more feminism: 'This is not the year to talk fashion'
Protests on the Golden Globes red carpet were refreshing. Here's why Hollywood should take the feminist cause even further.
Women-only co-working spaces on the rise in Twin Cities
Minnesota's newest co-working spaces are designed to be a sexism-free hubs for professional women.
From Nye's to 3M: Mpls. design studio paints town with bright, graphic murals
Murals are a new focus for the creative studio Burlesque of North America.
Theater legend brings dramatic eye to new Chinese show at Minneapolis Institute of Art
Robert Wilson re-imagines what a museum show can be.
Fridley school apologizes for altering photo of student's shirt
The words 'Deport racists' were removed from a photo of the award-winning students.
Is art an answer to divided nation? Mpls. museum will test it
Minneapolis Institute of Art received $750,000 grant to study whether gazing at art can boost your empathy.
Artist Arlene Burke-Morgan created 'circles of light' inspired by God's love
Arlene, a prolific artist who painted "circles of light" as a reflection of her deep faith, died in the couple's Minneapolis home on Dec. 16, days after their 47th wedding anniversary. She was 67.
Alan Page and family showcase haunting array of African-American artifacts
Page and his wife, Diane, will exhibit their personal collection at the downtown Minneapolis library.
Minnesota Opera commissions kid-friendly opera based on Kate DiCamillo bestseller
"The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane" will also be the company's first new work composed by a woman.
St. Paul Chamber Orchestra quadruples young concertgoers in 2017 with help of free tickets
Ticket revenue was steady during the past fiscal year, but the orchestra recorded impressive results from a program designed to lure young people.
For 100 years, public sauna has drawn Minnesotans to Ely — birthday suits optional
One of the oldest public saunas in the state boasts hot steam, cold showers and good conversation.
Duluth's Lincoln Park neighborhood transformed by artisans, brewers, chefs
The business district has experienced a makeover at the hands of makers.
Minnesota Orchestra board announces search for new CEO
Kevin Smith, leaving in August, announced third balanced budget in a row.
What will Olga Viso's legacy be? Her final year at the Walker was telling
Her decade as director culminated in a momentous way, with shows on Cunningham and Cuba, the Sculpture Garden reopening — and "Scaffold," of course.
Amy Tan on new memoir: 'I want to know why I got damaged and why I'm glad'
While writing her new memoir, the author uncovered dark family secrets. She also found the source of her need to write.
In regal portraits, Mpls. photographer portrays beauty, power of black lives
Bobby Rogers' first solo show nods to the Harlem Renaissance and a hit song by rap superstar Kendrick Lamar.
Russ Ringsak, longtime truck driver for 'Prairie Home Companion,' dies at 81
Garrison Keillor introduced Russ Ringsak to audiences as "our truck driver."
A negative-decibel chamber, the 'quietest place on Earth,' is in south Minneapolis
A lab dubbed the "quietest place on Earth" finds a purpose beyond testing products: healing humans.
Minnesotan makes cross-country trek to meet America's isolated rural artists
Her goal: to better understand the disconnect, made clear by polls and voting maps, between folks in urban and rural areas.
Fergus Falls aims to be national model with thriving arts scene
The creative economy there attracts national grant money and shows a novel method for reinventing a city.
Top American Indian stylemaker's home base: a tiny N.D. town, pop. 29
Jessica Metcalfe is one of the nation's most influential purveyors of American Indian fashion. And she does it all from a small Midwestern town.
Why this Minneapolis record shop owner stockpiles forgotten music
This Minneapolis shop owner has three-quarters of a million records — and he's not done collecting yet.
Minnesota arts groups adapt to an unexpected dip in state funding
Some of Minnesota's largest arts groups adapt to unexpected cuts in state funding.
As arts funding shifts, Twin Cities groups get creative to woo sponsors
As funding shifts, companies' marketing dollars are increasingly important to art institutions' bottom lines.
Minnesota Orchestra extends Osmo Vänskä's contract through 2022
His current contract expires at the end of the 2018-19 season.
Artcrank peddled bike posters around world – now it marks 10 years in Mpls.
Artcrank's founder celebrates the 10th anniversary of his bike-inspired art show.
Rural Midwestern artists on cultural divide: 'We can save this world'
At the Rural Arts and Culture Summit, creatives explored their role as cultural translators.
Celebration prevails at Sculpture Garden opening, with nod to controversy
All day, a steady stream of visitors celebrated the Sculpture Garden, a partnership between the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, with 17 new works from a new generation of artists, as well as old favorites in new spots. But a sculpture removed from the garden cast a shadow over Saturday's event.
Date and location set for Dakota elders to decide fate of 'Scaffold' wood
Meeting of elders will be June 25 in Sisseton, S.D.
Walker director admits to pain of 'learning in public'
Sculpture may not be burned after all, Olga Viso says in one of her first interviews since the controversy erupted.
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