Minnesota Blogger Sharing What to Do and How to Save

Independent Bookstore Day

April 24, 2018 by Kristi Leave a Comment

This Saturday, April 28th is Independent Bookstore Day. Not an official holiday by any means but it might as well be at our house. We love Independent Bookstore’s, both of our girls almost always have a book close by.

Lucky for us Minnesota has several bookstores for us to browse and find unique books. If you get near Red Wing, stop by Fair Trade Books and pick up a copy of the Midwest Indie Bookstore Map. The map is a way for you to explore bookstores all over the state on your own time, not just on Saturday.

For some extra fun on Independent Bookstore Day you can pick up a passport at any of the 18 participating 18 metro bookstores. A chance to check out a store or two you may have not heard of, win some prizes, find some great books and do some exploring. You can find out more information here.

The Star Tribune has an article listing several special events happening during the day as well. You can find the article here.

Filed Under: Events

Gluten-Free Food Allergy Fest Minneapolis – Half Price Discount Tickets

April 23, 2018 by Chrysa Leave a Comment

The Gluten-Free Food Allergy Fest is coming to the Minneapolis Convention Center May 19-20, 2018. At the event, you can sample a wide assortment of free food samples from over 90 exhibitors and check out the ongoing presentations and lectures from celiac and nutrition experts, as well as cooking demos from world-class chefs with a gluten-free diet in mind.

The show is all about helping consumers make living gluten-free easier. Whether you’re thinking about going gluten-free or you’re a gluten-free pro looking for new products and ideas, the Gluten-Free Food Allergy Fest has something for everyone.

Tickets are regularly $15 each, but right now you can 2-for-1 tickets HERE. Plus, use the coupon code SALE3 through 4/24 to drop the price to just $12 ($6 per person). Child admission is $5 up to age 12, so for kids you’re better off buying full-price tickets.

Order discount Gluten-Free Food Allergy Fest tickets HERE.

Filed Under: Events, Great Deals

MIA Art in Bloom 2018

April 23, 2018 by Kristi Leave a Comment

The annual “Art in Bloom” is this weekend at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Beginning Thursday and going through Sunday, a chance to see fresh floral creations and the artworks that inspired them. If you’ve not heard of this event, it’s one we try to attend each and every spring. We’ve had such a long winter, and spring is finally here so an event with real flowers will be a much needed boost to say goodbye to the winter blahs.

View fresh floral creations and the artworks that inspired them. Enter a world of timeless art and fresh flowers during the 35th annual Art in Bloom—a FREE four-day festival of fresh floral arrangements and fine art, presented by the Friends of the Institute at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Delight in 165 floral designs that interpret objects from Mia’s collection. A Twin Cities rite of spring!

Art in Bloom raises funds to support Mia projects, including education and transportation for school children, exhibitions, art acquisition, education, and programs throughout the community.

More information about programs, events, talks, workshops and demonstrations during Art in Bloom at Mia can be found here.

Filed Under: Attractions, Events, Minneapolis

Twisted Deaths from Uprising Theatre Company

April 22, 2018 by Chrysa Leave a Comment

The world premiere of a new work by Shannon TL Kearns, Twisted Deaths, is now playing at the Phoenix Theater through April 28th. It features Anthony Neuman, Holly Windle, Jamila Joiner, Kendra Alaura, Julia Alvarez and Jeff Miller.

About the play:

Ryan is a transgender man with his whole life ahead of him. Pam is a spunky conservative woman with an estranged daughter. The lives of these two cancer patients collide when a chance meeting causes their journey through illness to intersect in ways that neither of them could have ever imagined.

This world premiere of a new work explores questions of identity, relationships, our health care system, and who has control over your body and life.

I had a chance to catch a preview performance this week and encourage you to see the show. It approaches many difficult topics all within the course of the two hour and twenty minute play, but does so in an engaging way that only ads to the story, rather than detracting or seeming like an effort to “hit all the issues”. The acting is good all around with an extra strong shout out to both Jamila Joiner, as Ryan’s wife Melissa, and Holly Windle, as Pam.

After the show, the audience is invited to stick around for a “talkback”, which gives you a chance to discuss the work and the issues expressed in the performance. It’s a chance to both process your thoughts about the performance and further engage.

Twisted Deaths is at the Phoenix Theater through April 28. For tickets visit www.uprisingtheatreco.com/tickets.

Filed Under: Theater

Woodbury’s Central Park Indoor Amphitheater Performances

April 21, 2018 by Kristi Leave a Comment

Many of our communities offer some fabulous free or inexpensive entertainment options. Some are geared towards kids while other events are more for adults. Woodbury’s Central Park Indoor Amphitheater Performances offer something for everyone. Check out the upcoming calendar here on their website.

April 22nd 2pm: Joe Meyer Smooth Sensation
May 6th 2pm: So. Wash. Co Community Band
May 10th 7pm: Saint Ambrose Varsity Band
May 20th 2pm: The Zingray’s

Do you have a favorite community venue you would to share with others? We enjoy checking out what other towns in MN have to offer as well as share with our readers. Please let us know so we can pass on the information. Supporting our communities makes them thrive.

Filed Under: Concerts, Events

50% Off Discount Tickets to A Wrinkle in Time at Lyric Arts in Anoka

April 20, 2018 by Laura W Leave a Comment

A Wrinkle in Time has been on our minds lately due to the recent movie release. Now you and your family can see the stage version at Lyric Arts Main Street Stage in Anoka! Tickets are normally $22, but when you order through Goldstar you can get them for just $11 (plus fees).

Before it became a Hollywood blockbuster, A Wrinkle in Time was a classic YA novel about three kids who teleport across space in search of their scientist father. Now, Madeleine L’Engle’s Newbery Medal-winning tale comes to the stage in a new play from Lyric Arts in Anoka. Join Meg, Charles and Calvin as they set off with Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which to rescue their father from The IT, an evil being trying to take over the universe! Together they’ll prove that love can overcome evil. Don’t miss this imaginative family adventure as it comes to life on stage.

Please note: A Wrinkle in Time is recommended for ages 8 and up. As a courtesy to other patrons, children under age 5 will not be admitted. This is a one act play running 75-80 minutes with no intermission.

Available dates and times include:

Friday, May 4 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, May 5 at 2 pm
Saturday, May 5 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, May 12 at 11 am
Saturday, May 12 at 2 pm
Sunday, May 13 at 2 pm
Friday, May 18 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, May 19 at 11 am
Saturday, May 19 at 2 pm

Get your tickets HERE!

Filed Under: Great Deals, Theater

Great Wolf Lodge (Bloomington) – As Low As $99/Night + Extra 10% Off!

April 20, 2018 by Chrysa Leave a Comment

Yay! I’m so excited to share with you that the new Great Wolf Lodge in Bloomington is now available on Groupon for discounted stays! With the Groupon, you and your family will be able to stay overnight with daily water park passes for as low as $99 per night!

Options include:

$119+/night – Deluxe Bunk Bed Suite
$99+/night – Deluxe Bunk Bed Suite (2 night minimum; includes $25 dining credit)
$129+/night – Family Suite
$189+/night – Queen Cabin Suite
$169+/night – Queen Cabin Suite (2 night minimum; includes $25 dining credit)

Note that these are the starting prices; your price may vary depending on which night you choose. Select dates are available from April 11th to July 5th.

Plus, you can save an extra 10% off these prices with coupon code SALE3 through April 20th! Note that there is a $50 maximum discount with the extra 10% off code.

The heart and soul of Great Wolf Lodge Bloomington is its 75,000-square-foot indoor water park. Splashy rides such as River Canyon Run—a four-story raft water slide—and a zero-depth-entry wave pool with 3-foot swells surround the park’s iconic hub: a four-story treehouse with a 1,000-gallon tipping bucket. Younger kids will have a blast with the gentle spray features of Cub Paw Pool.

The water park, which hovers around 84 degrees all year long, isn’t the resort’s only family-friendly activity. You’ll also find an arcade with more than 100 games and Scooops Boutique, where visitors can get fun nail polish and glitter tattoos.

Extended and exclusive water park access: You can enter the water park at 1 pm on the day you check in and stay until close on the day you check out (essentially 2 days’ water park admission). And since there are no day passes for outside visitors, resort guests have exclusive access and won’t get stuck in long lines.

Family-friendly fun: The resort has games and activities for kids of all ages. Explore options by age group here.

Hands-on crafts and activities such as face painting and balloon twisting during the Lunch Time Lineup can keep kids entertained when they want a break from the water park action.

Roomy suites comfortably sleep up to six guests. Some suites offer extra privacy with enclosed bunk beds.

Fuel up with food and drinks at eight restaurants and snack bars.

Add a Paw Pass or Pup Pass to your stay to enjoy kid-friendly activities and sweets at Creation Station, Oliver’s Mining Co., and more at a discounted rate. See everything that’s included—as well as other available packages—here (additional fees apply).

Safety first: Complimentary life jackets in multiple sizes and trained lifeguards help keep families safe and secure.

Distance from Minneapolis: 10 miles

Great Wolf Adventure Park

Besides the water park, don’t forget that there is plenty of dry fun, too! Great Wolf Adventure Park is filled with activities and experiences that are fun for the whole family. There are lots of active experiences to work off that never-ending kid energy and ways for them to put their thinking caps on, too. Check out our crew’s experience with Great Wolf Adventure Park in Bloomington to see what they have to offer!

This offer is only available for a limited time, so get your Groupon HERE!

Filed Under: Attractions, Great Deals

Hastings Story Walk on the RiverWalk this Weekend!

April 20, 2018 by Kristi Leave a Comment

It might not be shorts and flip flop weather just yet but it will be SPRING this weekend. I am sooo hopeful that we will see this snow melt before our eyes! Either way, with 50’s in the forecast it’s time to enjoy the outdoors and celebrate the warmth.

To celebrate Spring and Earth Day head to Hastings and enjoy the Story Walk on the RiverWalk this Weekend! You can enjoy this free event either Saturday or Sunday from 8am-7pm.

Plan a trip down to the Hastings RiverWalk with your kids or grandkids for a self-guided story. Start at Levee Park or Jaycee Park, and enjoy some fresh spring air while you read the book “Call Me Tree” in honor of Earth Day. Back and forth distance is just one mile.

Filed Under: Attractions, Events

FREE Reusable Bag at Lunds & Byerlys with $10 Purchase

April 19, 2018 by Laura W Leave a Comment

Make a $10 or more purchase on your next shopping trip to Lunds & Byerlys and receive a FREE reusable bag. Print the coupon HERE and use it by 4/25/18. I love Lunds & Byerlys bags because they fold up nicely and snap closed, plus they’re pretty durable. (And yes, I take them to Aldi – no shame!)

Sales this week include:

Driscoll’s Raspberries (6 oz) – $2.50
Large Ripe Avocados – Buy 1, Get 1 Free (2/$2)
Earthbound Farm Organic Salads (5-7 oz) – Buy 1, Get 1 Free (2/$3.99)
Simply Orange Juices (52 oz) – $3
Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream (16 oz) – $3
and more!

Filed Under: Great Deals

The Moline Open House — Tour Building And Meet Tractor Experts

April 19, 2018 by Kristi Leave a Comment

Perhaps you may have heard of the Minneapolis Moline? It’s been several years but the tractors and machinery were made locally here in the Twin Cities metro area of Minnesota.

This Saturday, (April 21) you have a chance to see seven recently restored tractors at special open house event. No tickets or reservations are needed and this is a free event to attend, taking place from 1-4. This would be a great event for the history buff or tractor fan.

About the Minneapolis Moline Event:

Join Hennepin History for this special off-site open house in collaboration with Doran Companies. See seven recently restored vintage tractors that fill an exhibition space off the Moline apartment building’s lobby. The building, which opened last fall, is located on the former site of Minneapolis Moline. Agricultural artifacts and modern murals fill the public spaces and document the company’s history. Meet Minneapolis Moline historians, learn about Hopkins history, tour the building’s creative shared spaces, and enjoy complimentary snacks and beverages. Free.

Meet Hennepin History representatives in the building’s lobby at 100 8th Avenue South, Hopkins. No reservations necessary.