The Big Blue is going to go purple for Prince.
To mark the second anniversary of the death of the Minneapolis superstar — who used to watch Guthrie Theater shows from the production booth — the theater will celebrate his life and legacy with "A Purple Celebration."
The free, non-ticketed "happening," which combines poetry, music and reflections with a dance party, will take place April 16 from 8-11 p.m. throughout the Guthrie's first and fourth-floor lobbies.
The event will feature Prince tributes and performances by Guthrie artists and staff. Special guests include singer-songwriter J.D. Steele, pianist Fred Steele and the Mill City Choir, while DJ Jake Rudh will spin dance grooves.
The Guthrie, whose interactive celebration is part of a wider Twin Cities effort to celebrate Prince's life and legacy, will have a black vinyl-coated chain-link fence, like the one at Prince's Paisley Park estate that Prince fans have made into a shrine.
People can express themselves at a crafting station or transform their hairstyles at a Fabulous Purple Hair Booth, run by stylists from Curl Power Salon in Minneapolis.
The Guthrie even intends to honor Prince's palate. "Prince's favorite snacks including popcorn, pancakes and Tootsie Pops will be available throughout the celebration," the theater said.
The Prince celebration is the latest in a series of "happenings" that have included events around young dreamers, gun violence, and a celebration of water.
