Recent content from Jenna Ross
Can the puppets from Minneapolis' May Day Parade be saved?
Beset by financial woes, In the Heart of the Beast Puppet Theatre is vacating its longtime storage space.
Craving 'a world without men,' author Lauren Groff found one in 12th-century England
Talking Volumes guest Lauren Groff explores the lives of medieval nuns in "Matrix."
Treasures of Twin Cities film scene, musical duo Dreamland Faces returns after studio fire
Minneapolis duo Dreamland Faces create distinctive soundtracks for films that have none.
Greenwood fire 14% contained after rainfall slows spread
Hundreds of workers stretching around the fire's perimeter are now working to fortify the rest of the line in Superior National Forest.
The pandemic has opened up access to the performing arts. But will it continue?
Streaming shows opened up access to the arts world for those with mobility and other issues.
Carol Ericson, schools superintendent, dies at 88
When Carol Ericson interviewed to become superintendent of the Chaska School District in 1984, a local newspaper headline asked: "Can a woman do the job?…
Minneapolis' MayDay Parade puppets lose their home, warehouse to downsizing
Heart of the Beast selling its longtime home and warehouse to downsize.
She reinvented Rosedale, now she'll be Minnesota's No. 1 arts advocate
Sarah Fossen named to lead Minnesota Citizens for the Arts.
Unique Minnesota residency offers Deaf artists a place to create and connect
Together, they might shape Deaf art's future.
In Winona, it's Shakespeare like Will himself did it – outdoors, rain or shine
This year's Great River Shakespeare Festival takes the show to a great riverside park.
10 best things our critics are watching this week
Meet the most adventurous orphans since Harry Potter. Plus KISS, Bob Dylan, Jackie Collins and more.
'We're so glad you're here!' Orchestra signals a cautious return for Minnesota's arts scene
Joy and awkwardness mix in equal measure as Orchestra Hall welcomes audiences once again.
She brought a Minnesota man's 250-year-old family Bible back to life
How a book conservator breathed new life into an ancient family heirloom.
Minnesota Orchestra thinks bigger as it plans its summer schedule
Full-scale orchestral works and larger audiences are in store at Orchestra Hall in July and August.
Among the worst hit by COVID, vocalists are cautiously starting to sing again
When it comes to COVID, classical singers have struggled like no others.
'Friends' reunion and 9 other things our critics are watching right now
From the "Friends" reunion to pop superstar Pink, here's what we're tuning into.
David Dovenberg, Twin Cities businessman who celebrated each day, dies at 76
A cancer survivor and CEO, mentor and volunteer, Dovenberg died May 10 after a stroke.
10 arts groups serving communities of color to split $7M in funding
At least $500,000 each for "cultural treasures" linked to communities of color.
10 best things our critics are watching this week
From Amazon's epic "The Underground Railroad" to comic Erica Rhodes, here's what we're tuning into.
Emotional skaters say farewell to St. Louis Park roller rink
After a half-century, Twin Cities skaters bid a bittersweet farewell to the Roller Garden.
Minnesota performers gear up for pandemic comeback: 'My hustle has changed'
Performers are beginning to book gigs and banter with audiences again. But they're rethinking what they do and why they do it.
10 best things our critics are watching this week
From John Stamos' new Disney series to a Dolly Parton tribute, here's what we're tuning into.
Minnesota music scene faces a #MeToo reckoning led by sexual assault survivors
Survivors are leading the way as the Twin Cities music scene confronts long-standing issues of sexual assault and harassment.
Pioneering program will pay St. Paul artists a guaranteed monthly income
25 artists will receive $500 a month under the privately funded effort launched by Springboard for the Arts.
Har Mar Superstar faces further accusations, fallout from supporters
Another woman said singer Sean Tillmann assaulted her at his home as Minnesota companies cut ties with him.
After hiatus, Northern Spark festival will make a cautious return this summer
The two-week June fest will be online (and by mail), but organizers aren't ruling out in-person events.
Accused of misconduct by women, Minneapolis singer Har Mar Superstar offers 'deep apology'
Sean Tillmann was accused by several women of sexual assault and harassment.
Born on Instagram, Minneapolis artist's daily COVID posters get a museum show
All 225 of Piotr Szyhalski's drawings are on display at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
Volunteers keep St. Paul's model train museum on track
A group of "engineers" works to ensure museumgoers have a magical experience.
Minnesota teacher Michelle Young will become 'The Bachelorette'
The season finale aired Monday amid controversy over the show's handling of race.
Minnesota Orchestra to resume indoor concerts in June
In-person, indoor concerts will resume in June at about 20% of Orchestra Hall's capacity.
Minnesota teacher Michelle Young poised to become "The Bachelorette"
Former students and their parents root for Young.
Attuned to the Earth's moods, revered Native writer N. Scott Momaday sounds an alarm
"The Earth is getting angry with us," says the Pulitzer winner, part of a special Talking Volumes series on race in America.
St. Paul Chamber Orchestra musicians sign an early contract extension with no pay cut
Nailing that down is seen as crucial to the orchestra's pandemic recovery plan.
10 best things our critics are watching this week
From Oprah's 'Delilah' to Aubrey Plaza's 'Black Bear,' here's what we're tuning into right now.
With a grand opening this week, Black Table Arts, a hub for artists, celebrates a permanent home
With a grand opening this week, Black Table Arts celebrates its first permanent home.
Duluth woman debunks conspiracies, promotes facts on viral Instagram account, CNN, the 'Daily Show'
With plain language and silly accents, Sharon McMahon has become Instagram's civics teacher.
'The Bachelor' meets Minnesotan Michelle Young's students, parents
Star Matt James said he'd be "open" to moving to Minnesota, should the pair work out.
Minnesotan Michelle Young makes final four on 'The Bachelor'
Finalists nabbed roses during episode that aired amid controversy over host Chris Harrison's comments in interview.
Minnesota Orchestra plays with tigers and bears for its first TV children's concert
The Minnesota Orchestra enlisted new on-camera talent for its first-ever televised children's concert.
Minnesota Orchestra reports $11.7 million loss, its largest ever
The deficit is the largest yet reported by a Minnesota arts institution. The financial results for fiscal year 2020 capture the first few months of the pandemic, which shuttered theaters and concert halls across the country.
Amelia Brown, Minneapolis arts activist who saw artists as emergency responders, died at 41
After the killing of George Floyd, Amelia Brown started a petition to declare racism a public health emergency. She also seeded art.In just six days,…
One of the two Minnesotans has been booted from 'The Bachelor' after spreading rumor
Anna Redman, one of two Minnesotans on this season of the ABC reality show, left the show on Monday.
Minnesota elementary school teacher stands out on 'The Bachelor'
Michelle Young, an Edina resident looking to change the world, was once a Woodbury High School basketball star.
With the Great Northern fest, Minnesota winters just got a little cooler
Great Northern Festival expands its reach, even in a pandemic year.
Minnesotans discover that art can offer a cure for loneliness in the pandemic
Minnesotans combat the pain of isolation with projects big and small.
A force behind Minnesota's Legacy Fund, arts advocate Sheila Smith retires after a quarter-century
Sheila Smith championed state funding for cultural programs.
Despite COVID-19, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra reports $74K surplus for 2020
Cancellations cut its season short, but the real test will come next year.
Minnesota Orchestra to continue livestreaming concerts through March
The pandemic forced another round of cancellations of in-person concerts.
KARE anchor Julie Nelson off the air after testing positive for coronavirus
She thought it was just "a nasty cold."
Richard Cisek, who helped put the Minnesota Orchestra in the big leagues, dies at 92
Cisek oversaw the construction of Orchestra Hall, the creation of Sommerfest and the hiring of sought-after guest conductors.
Minneapolis artist documents the pandemic with brush and ink
Every day, from March to November, a local artist responded to the pandemic with brush and ink.
St. Paul Chamber Orchestra suspends livestream concerts due to 'rampaging' COVID
The move comes two weeks after the nonprofit canceled a performance after someone directly involved with the livestream tested positive for the virus.
This CSA box will contain art, not veggies, as St. Paul nonprofit revives pioneering program
Springboard for the Arts revives pioneering artist-share program.
For famed Minneapolis artist Alec Soth, the mail delivered an unlikely friendship
A correspondence with a prison inmate yields a book, and much more.
People's Laundry volunteers wash and mend clothes for people living in Minneapolis encampments
For months, the People's Laundry has had a simple aim: to wash clothes for folks who could use the help.
Meet the artist behind an iconic George Floyd mural and Prince's gold star
George Floyd's death reframed the life of longtime Minneapolis artist Peyton Scott Russell.
In Minnesota study, U's engineers try to orchestrate a return to concerts
The University of Minnesota is working with the Minnesota Orchestra to study aerosols, with hopes of getting musicians back on stage.
Author Sarah M. Broom made childhood home into something much bigger in 'The Yellow House'
Talking Volumes guest rebuilt "The Yellow House" as a metaphor of America.
Minnesota Orchestra musicians agree to 2-year contract extension, 25% pay cut
Two-year contract extension reverses cuts after a year if whole orchestra begins performing for a full audience.
Ramsey County jail inmate died of apparent natural causes
Nurses and correctional officers tried lifesaving measures, but paramedics pronounced the 38-year-old dead.
Minnesota artists rise to meet a daunting challenge
Facing the uncertainties of the pandemic and mounting demands for social justice, artists are finding novel ways to connect with audiences.
These 143 historic boathouses offer a peek into Minnesota's past
A collection of boathouses on Lake Vermilion, built by miners, hint at the area's work-hard, play-hard past.
![Protesers marched past First Avenue Saturday night. ] aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com The 10k March for a “Free North” began outside US Bank Stadiu](https://chorus.stimg.co/21873811/ows_4eff89af_c208_40bf_ae12_00cb0af016dc.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
These 5 civil rights leaders changed Minnesota — but not as much as they hoped
For decades, these leaders marched and protested, rallied and fought against injustice.
Black MPR classical music host says he was fired after switching up playlist
Radio execs say he was warned several times about copyright concerns in changing playlists.
Staff shakeup at Walker Art Center aims to raise its 'public voice'
In a staff shakeup, the Minneapolis art center tries to refocus on "what matters to people."
Minnesota woman builds elaborate mini State Fair in her backyard
Some devoted State Fair lovers are crafting backyard homages, with classic booths and foods.
Even without a State Fair, Minnesota's crop artists are in full flower
There will be a virtual version of the beloved contest, with no winners declared. But these artists don't do it for the blue ribbon, anyway.
As Minnesota arts groups struggle during COVID, controversy brews over Legacy money
Artists and arts leaders are calling for broader changes, saying the State Arts Board has focused too much of its funding on big institutions.
St. Paul Chamber Orchestra cancels all concerts for the rest of the year
Orchestra had planned to start a scaled-back season in September.
Hothouse festival in northeast Minneapolis this weekend is all about poets and filmmakers of color
Saturday's Hothouse celebrates poets and filmmakers of color.
U of M's Northrop plans a return to live dance concerts in February
Fall season will mainly focus on virtual events.
Federal dollars help keep Minnesota arts groups afloat during pandemic
But the crisis is far from over, and many organizations say they may not survive.
Grand Rapids arts center brings people together with drive-ins, boat-ins and 'polka pods'
A Minnesota arts center finds ways to gather people in the pandemic — with drive-ins, boat-ins and "polka pods."
Minnesota Orchestra swaps big concerts for free summer shows
In August, the orchestra will play 24 free chamber music shows outside on Peavey Plaza for concertgoers with tickets to the nixed indoor concerts.
