The massive three-day Art-a-Whirl festival opens the doors to studios and galleries across northeast Minneapolis this weekend, and this year, the Mnisota Native Arts Alliance is hosting its second annual Native Arts Market connecting visitors with Indigenous artists.
Other arts events this weekend include a vibrant Afro-Caribbean music festival in Golden Valley celebrating Haitian Flag Day, and an African-inspired contemporary dance piece at the Walker.
And don’t miss photographer Pao Houa Her’s book launch and video exhibit exploring stories and songs of the Hmong diaspora.
Discover Native Art at Art-A-Whirl
The Mnisota Native Artists Alliance is hosting the second annual Native Art Market during this weekend’s Art-a-Whirl, a three-day event showcasing Indigenous art, music, and food.
The opening ceremony on Friday will feature a prayer and song, followed by performances by the Red Earth singers and Danielle George’s dance ensemble. Market vendors will offer gourmet cookies, books written and illustrated by Native authors, art prints, beadwork and textiles that blend traditional Dakota art with modern techniques, and more.
Additionally, Iktomi Tattoo, an eco-friendly Indigenous-owned shop, will offer tattoos. City Mischief Murals, a BIPOC artist collective, will demonstrate live mural and aerosol painting techniques. Presentations by the Native Youth Arts Collective, photography by Nedahness Greene and Billy Hawk, and live DJ sets by Micah Prairie Chicken are also scheduled throughout the weekend.
Date: Friday, May 17 to Sunday, May 19.
Time: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Location: Northrup King Building Sculpture Garden, 1500 Jackson St. N.E., Minneapolis
Cost: Free
For more information: Visit mninativeartists.org.
Festival brings Haitian music, dance, and food to Minnesota
Every May 18, Haitians around the world celebrate Haitian Flag Day, a day of national pride and cultural resilience. In Minnesota, the nonprofit Haitian performance arts company Afoutayi celebrates the event at the annual Haitian Flag Day Festival.
The festival, which Djenane Saint Juste, alongside her mother Florencia Pierre, began organizing in 2017, draws attendees from across the Upper Midwest and even international visitors seeking a place to reconnect with their heritage.
This year’s festivities feature Kompa dance performances blending African rhythms with jazz and salsa influences, Liberian drumming tutorials, and African and reggae music. Attendees can also taste Haitian cuisine with dishes like diri kole ak pwa (bean and rice), poul nan sós (chicken in sauce), pikliz (pickled vegetable relish), and bannan peze (fried plantains).
Date: Saturday, May 18
Time: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: Afouyati Dance Studio, 2525 Nevada Ave. N., Golden Valley
Cost: Tickets start at $5 for children ages 6 to 12, and $10 for those 13 and older.
For more information: Visit afoutayidmaco.com.
Hmong photographer captures myths, memory, and the Hmong diaspora
Hmong American artist Pao Houa Her celebrates the release of her first major monograph, “My grandfather turned into a tiger…and other illusions,” with a book launch and conversation at Midway Contemporary Art Gallery. Meanwhile, her solo exhibit, “Nim Ye”, opens at Bockley Gallery on Thursday.
The monograph explores themes of home, belonging, and the complexities of identity within the Hmong diaspora. Published by Aperture, the book features photographs from four of Her’s major series, including the title work, which reimagines her family’s history in Laos.
The book launch features a conversation between Her and writer May Lee-Yang, delving into the publication and Her’s artistic practice. Copies of the book will be available for purchase.
Over at Bockley Gallery, “Nim Ye” marks Her’s debut video installation. It focuses on kwv txhiaj, a form of Hmong song poetry that serves as a vessel for cultural memory. These songs often express longing for departed loved ones, a lost homeland, or a fractured family. Her will offer a guided walkthrough of the exhibit at Thursday’s opening reception at 4 p.m.
Date: Thursday, May 16 to June 22.
Time: Opening reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday. Regular gallery hours are 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Location: Bockley Gallery, 2123 W. 21st St., Minneapolis
Cost: Free
For more information: Visit bockleygallery.com and midwayart.org.
‘Radioactive Practice’ pushes dancers’ physical limits
Senegalese dancer Momar Ndiaye joins choreographer Abby Zbikowski and her company, Abby Z and the New Utility, for “Radioactive Practice,” a rigorous and physically demanding contemporary dance work.
Zibikowski, who founded her company in 2012, draws inspiration from African and Afro-diasporic dance forms. Her collaboration with Ndiaye challenges nine dancers to their limits, blending postmodern dance, street dance, contemporary African forms, synchronized swimming, soccer, and martial arts.
The performance will be held at the Walker’s McGuire Theater. A post-show discussion will be held after Friday’s performance.
Date: Thursday, May 16 to Saturday, May 18
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: McGuire Theater, 725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis
Cost: Tickets start at $28 for Walker members, $35 for general admission.
For more information: Visit walkerart.org.
