West metro news briefs: Bloomington gets $100,000 federal grant

The National Endowment for the Arts has awarded a $100,000 "Our Town" grant to the city and the Bloomington Theatre and Art Center to develop a "creative placemaking" plan and commission public art projects in the neighborhood around the Mall of America.

Over the next 20 years, the 2,300-acre South Loop neighborhood will add new streets, apartments, offices, retail and green space. A $100,000 match will be raised to develop the plan and create four to six art projects.

Other partners for the South Loop project include the Mall of America, Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau, and McGough Development, among others.

More information about the South Loop and Bloomington's vision for its development can be found at: http://ow.ly/n1SyK.

The Bloomington Civic Theatre will present "Singin' in the Rain" Aug. 16-Sept. 15.

The lighthearted romantic comedy focuses on two movie actors and how they deal with the transition from silent pictures to the early days of ­talkies.

Michael Matthew Ferrell will direct the musical, which will be presented at the Bloomington Center for the Arts, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Road.

The Edina Film Festival Committee, in association with the Edina Art Center, is calling for entries in a poster contest for the third annual Edina Film Festival to be held Nov. 7-9 at Landmark's Edina Cinema at 50th & France.

The poster contest is open to Minnesota artists who use a cinema theme and include festival dates and locations. The winning entry will be awarded a $250 prize and will be featured in publicity, promotional materials and the program guide. Book author and illustrator Nancy Carlson will judge the contest.

Artists must be age 16 or older. Entries are limited to one per artist and must be accompanied by a registration form and $10 fee. Submissions are due at the Edina Art Center, 4701 W. 64th St., Edina 55435, by 7 p.m. Aug. 5. For entry forms, guidelines and contest details, visit www.Edi naFilmFestival.com. The winning entry will be announced Aug. 19.

The Edina Film Festival benefits the Edina Art Center, 4701 W. 64th St. For more information about the poster contest, contact Arts & Culture Commissioner Kitty O'Dea at kodea.mn@gmail.com or 952-922-1165.

The Maple Grove Farmers Market will host a special event Thursday for kids to buy their favorite fruit or vegetable.

The market, which is in its 10th year, features 50 vendors and is open every Thursday afternoon until Oct. 23. Hours are 3-7 p.m. through September and 3-6 p.m. in October. It's located outside the Maple Grove Community Center at 12951 Weaver Lake Road.

For more information, go to www.maplegrovefarmersmar ket.com.

The cities of New Hope, Crystal, and Robbinsdale and the West Metro Fire District will host "Wet and Wild Water Day" on Friday, Aug. 2.

The event, geared for kids ages 15 and under, includes three giant water slides, a kiddie slide and sprinkler fun provided by the West Metro's aerial truck. It will take place from 12:30-3 p.m. at Lions Valley Park, 6822 32nd Av. N.

A $4 wristband is required and can be bought at the event. For more information, call Robbinsdale Recreation at 763-531-1278.

Families can attend, dress in a favorite costume, play an instrument, decorate bikes, create a float and bring the family pet on a leash. Prizes will be awarded for the largest pet, smallest pet, best costume, best decorated bike and best overall decoration/unit.