MacPhail's opening note

Jim Gehrz, Star Tribune

A translucent walkway on the second floor of the new MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis provided a mysterious and graphic image to those below during the center's grand opening celebration. Activities for the weeklong event include performances, musical storytelling, opportunities to explore various instruments and more.

Last update: January 5, 2008 - 10:50 PM

Trumpets blared and drums rolled Saturday at the grand opening of the new MacPhail Center for Music building in downtown Minneapolis. The $25 million complex was built after MacPhail outgrew its 85-year-old building at 1128 LaSalle Av.

Activities continue through the week at the complex at 501 S. 2nd St., near the Guthrie Theater and the Mississippi River. From noon until 6 p.m. today there will be a music marathon in the entrance hall -- on Saturday the marathoners started at 11 a.m. and continued for 12 hours.

From noon until 2 p.m. today, students and faculty members will present a piano extravaganza in the 225-seat concert hall. High school rockers will compete in a Battle of the Bands from 2 to 6 p.m.

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