Thursday's noontime groundbreaking for the Minnesota Shubert Center in downtown Minneapolis drew a crowd, and a platform loaded with politicians from the city, Hennepin County and the state. A letter from U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar also was read, and a "shovel dance" was performed.

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, center. Others on the speakers platform included: Artspace president Kelly Lindquist, far left, former Minneapolis City Council President Jackie Cherryhomes, seated, red lapels, State Sen. Linda Higgins, seated next to Cherryhomes, Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, standing behind Cherryhomes, State Rep. Kurt Zellers, Minneapolis City Council President Barbara Johnson, white jacket. Former head of the Minneapolis Community Development Agency Rebecca Yanisch, in red coat, is in front of former Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton. / Photo by Claude Peck

A scene from the "Shovel Dance," part of Thursday's groundbreaking for the Minnesota Shubert Center. / Photo by Claude Peck

Linda Mack of the Heritage Preservation Commission, speaking. Also, from left, former Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton, Minneapolis City Council Member Gary Schiff, former City Council President Jackie Cherryhomes, Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, State Sen. Linda Higgins, Minnesota House Speaker Margaret Kelliher, City Council Member Ralph Remington and State Rep. Kurt Zellers. / Photo by Claude Peck