Minneapolis Archives - Thrifty Minnesota

MacPhail Free Family Music Series: The Bazillions – Saturday, January 19th

January 16, 2019 by Kristi Leave a Comment

There is a great free event that is taking place on Saturday. It is indoors, so you don’t have to bundle up too much. 🙂 The MacPhail Free Family Music Series: The Bazillions takes place at 10:15 am and 11:15 am on Saturday the 19th.

No tickets are required, and the concerts are free and open to the public. This event is held at the MacPhail campus in Minneapolis; find directions and more information here.

Jam with The Bazillions, a kid-friendly indie rock band. The Bazillions are the creation of Twin Cities’ parents/educators/singer-songwriters Adam and Kristin Marshall. A free, family event for music-loving families and those who want to explore music for the first time! The centerpiece of this series is a live concert. Before and after each concert, the musicians will give free sample lessons to kids and adults on the instruments featured in the concert. Sing Play Learn with MacPhail® staff will also be on site to engage families in a music-themed art project. Light refreshments will follow the concert.

Filed Under: Concerts, Events, Minneapolis

Lake Harriet Winter Kite Festival

January 16, 2019 by Kristi Leave a Comment

Coming up on January 26th is the 18th Annual Lake Harriet Winter Kite Festival. It takes place on the north end of the lake from noon-4. You can choose to participate or just observe all the fun kites flying above. Back again, just for one day this year will be the Art Shanty Projects! Mark your calendar, this is one of our favorite events!

This is a free event, no admission required. Other fun family activities at the festival include:

Horse Drawn Wagon Rides
ART Shanty Projects!
Snowshoeing
Marshmallow Roast
Ice Fishing
Plus kite viewing of all shapes and sizes

The 18th Annual Lake Harriet Winter Kite Festival will take place on the north end of Lake Harriet near the Lake Harriet Band Shell. Kites of all shapes, sizes, colors and themes will fly over frozen Lake Harriet.

Minnesota Kite Society experts will demonstrate their skills maneuvering spectacular kites throughout the day, and offer their expertise to kite flying enthusiasts and to those who are new to the pastime. Bring your own kite, or buy an inexpensive one at the lake.

Tips Outdoors will teach kids ice fishing skills and safety tips. Equipment and permits for children will be provided.

Filed Under: Attractions, Events, Minneapolis

Powderhorn Art Sled Rally

January 8, 2019 by Kristi Leave a Comment

Perhaps you’ve heard of the famous May Day parade that takes place in Minneapolis? Well the Powderhorn Art Sled Rally is held in the same area. It too is full of fabulous art but is obviously held in the winter and not May. We happened upon this event last year when we were nearby. It was so fun to watch!

This year the Powderhorn Art Sled Rally takes place January 26th from 2-4pm.

Perhaps you have some hidden creativity and want to enter your sled? There are a few things you need to know to make that happen. Click here to learn the process. You have a few makes to create that awesome sled or just mark the date on your calendar so you can be there to watch others.

Filed Under: Events, Minneapolis, Parks

Bunny Cuddle at the Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center

January 7, 2019 by Kristi Leave a Comment

Who doesn’t love bunnies? So soft and adorable! They are even more lovable when we can pay to cuddle them and the money goes to a great cause! The Bunny Cuddle at Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center takes place this Thursday, January 10th at their downtown Minneapolis location.

If you can’t make it to this event, they will be hosting a puppy cuddle event on Valentines Day. Also be sure to check out the Minnesota Makers area, one of my favorite stores that shares a space with the Visitors Center.

** It’s a $5 donation for 3 minutes and both events take place from 11-4. You can cuddle cute critters with 100% of donations going towards Bunny Besties and Midwest Animal Rescue!

Filed Under: Events, Minneapolis

Free First Saturday: Sharing Stories – Saturday, January 5th

January 4, 2019 by Laura W Leave a Comment

Winter weather doesn’t mean you have to stay cooped up at home. This Saturday, January 5th is Free First Saturday at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, and this month’s theme is Sharing Stories.

Free First Saturdays feature free gallery admission on the first Saturday of every month, plus performances, games, art-making, and kids’ films from 10 am to 3 pm. Family friendly food options are available, or bring something from home to snack on in the museum’s public spaces.

Brighten up the winter months with a colorful day of learning and creativity. Join artists Jason Fulford and Tamara Shopsin (authors of Find Colors and This Equals That) for fun activities exploring colors and the stories they tell. Plus, local author Bao Phi reads his award-winning A Different Pond.

Art-Making: Glasses Galore
10 am–3 pm
People always talk about rose-colored glasses … but what does that really look like? Build your own using collage techniques and hole punchers in fun shapes—and see the world in a whole new light.

Story Time and Signing: ROYGBIV
11 am
Does the color magenta remind you of something? What about mint green? Chartreuse? Colors tell stories. Jason Fulford and Tamara Shopsin share personal memories associated with the colors of the rainbow. Following the presentation, the artists will sign their books, which can be purchased in the Walker Shop.

Short Films in the Bentson Mediatheque
10 am–3 pm
These colorful short films will mesmerize and entertain. Stay tuned for a list of films, coming soon!

Experience: Projector Playtime
10 am–3 pm
What’s an overhead projector, you ask? Find out by layering colorful shapes and objects on the machine and see them dazzle onscreen.

Music: Douala Soul Collective
10 am–3 pm
If you could put the rainbow in DJ form, it would be the Douala Soul Collective. DJs Sankara and Dumont will be spinning funk, Afro, and international beats all day. Come dance!

Storytime: A Different Pond
1 pm
Kirkus Reviews calls Bao Phi’s 2018 Caldecott Honor Book “a must-read for our times.” A Different Pond is a beautifully illustrated and vividly spun tale about a father and son fishing for their dinner in Minneapolis. Following the reading, Phi will sign books.

Filed Under: Events, Kids, Minneapolis

Escape The Room Minneapolis – As Low As $21/Person

January 3, 2019 by Laura W Leave a Comment

Need a fun idea for an outing with friends or a group date night? Why not try an escape room? Right now you can get discount admission to Escape The Room Minneapolis with a Groupon offer! Choose from 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 people and Sunday-Thursday or Friday-Saturday. Prices start as low as $21/person, which is at least 25% off what you’ll pay when you book online.

After you purchase your Groupon, you’ll need to make your reservation online. Please note that reservations cannot be rescheduled or canceled. There is a limit of 2 per person.

Escape room game: You and your group may join other players to solve puzzles and escape the room.
Available rooms: The Agency, The Apartment, and The Dig.
Age restrictions: The rooms are designed for adult minds, but all ages are welcomed. If any member is 14 or younger, there must be at least 1 adult accompanying. If any member is 10 or younger, customers have to book a private game.
Average length of game: up to 60 minutes

Get your Groupon HERE!

Filed Under: Great Deals, Minneapolis

Physics Force Public Shows

January 2, 2019 by Kristi Leave a Comment

If you haven’t attended one of the Physics Force shows before, I can tell you it’s one of our favorite science events. Advance tickets are suggested and at only $3 per person it’s a great thrifty event. Some of the shows are specifically for school groups, however both events on January 19th are for the general public. The shows take place at the University of Minnesota’s Northrop Carlson Family Stage. This is something you don’t want to miss. You can register here on their website.

Physics Force will perform two free public shows at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at the University of Minnesota’s Northrop Carlson Family Stage. Tickets are free, but reservations are required. Join us to experience how physics is interesting, understandable and fun!

Filed Under: Attractions, Events, Minneapolis

Purcell Cutts Home Tour

December 27, 2018 by Kristi Leave a Comment

Do you enjoy architecture tours? The Purcell-Cutts home is located in Minneapolis and open for tours by appointment only. A Prairie School-Style home, and the tour is about 45 minutes. The Purcell Cutts Tour is geared more for adults or kids that are a little older. During the winter months they offer special holiday tours, otherwise typically the home is open to the public the second weekend of each month. There will be tours this weekend and there are still time slots available. There is a small fee but at only $5 a person it’s a thrifty price.

**Note- Winterlights visitors must meet at the 3rd Ave entrance of Mia for transportation to the Purcell-Cutts house. The shuttle leaves Mia 15 minutes before scheduled tour times at the house.

Winterlights tours of the Purcell-Cutts House are given on weekends November 24–December 30th. Reserve at Mia’s Visitor Services desks, by calling 612.870.3000, or online.

Designed by William Purcell and George Elmslie in 1913, the Prairie School-style Purcell-Cutts House will be decorated for the holidays to reflect the upper-middle-class, “progressive” lifestyle of the Purcells around 1915. Forty-five minute tours led by costumed docents will emphasize the gifts, toys, food, and social traditions of the period that the Purcells might have enjoyed. For example, many people had begun to reject Victorian knickknacks in favor of useful gifts that reflected modern aesthetic values of simplicity and function. Decorations include a Christmas tree decorated mainly with handmade paper ornaments, some in the Japanese style.

Filed Under: Attractions, Minneapolis

Christmas at the Riverview

December 17, 2018 by Kristi Leave a Comment

Are you in the mood for a good Christmas movie? Well you can enjoy seeing some on the big screen, Christmas at the Riverview The fabulous Riverview is located in Minneapolis and we’ve mentioned it a few times but it’s on our list of favorite thrifty places!

Join us this Holiday Season as we continue our annual tradition by presenting three classic Christmas films!

December 20th – 23rd, 2018

Admission is just $2 per feature OR $1 with a non-perishable food donation!

Home Alone at 4:15pm

A Christmas Story at 6:30pm

It’s A Wonderful Life at 8:30pm

Help support your local food shelf this holiday season, a portion of all ticket sales will be donated to the Minnehaha food shelf!

Filed Under: Events, Minneapolis, Movies

City Pages Cocktailian Discount Tickets

December 4, 2018 by Laura W Leave a Comment

I just love festive holiday events, especially when I get the chance to go on a much-needed date with my husband. If you’re looking for an opportunity to get out and enjoy some fun and flavor, one option is the local City Pages Cocktailian event. It takes place at Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel this Thursday, December 6th at 7 pm. Grab your discount tickets via Goldstar to save 50% on admission.

It’s an evening full of festivity, fun and flavor, as City Pages Cocktailian returns for another year of craft cocktails, fine spirits and tantalizing tastes from local restaurants. Local and national distilleries and wineries will have examples of their best products and you’ll have the opportunity to indulge in 20+ premium samples from the Twin Cities and beyond. Educational demos by local mixologists, restaurant sampling and a live music performance will round out the experience. Party season is starting, and this is a great way to kick off the festivities and discover the best spirits to stock up your bar, or stuff the stockings of any cocktail enthusiasts in your life.

Filed Under: Events, Great Deals, Minneapolis