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News Releases
Live Shot Opportunities During the Republican National Convention
20 August 2008
Arts + Culture Theater Museums Music Attractions Events Sports Lakes Parks Green Restaurants Local Farms Family GLBT RNC Downtown Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – (July 15, 2008) – The Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 host committee today announced various morning media live shot opportunities before and during the Republican National Convention. Outlined below, the list of opportunities will be located at www.mspnewsroom.com, where new details and additional opportunities will be added as they arise.
FRIDAY, AUG. 29
6 a.m. CivicFest, A Very Minnesota Celebration
Open for early morning live shots. Location: Minneapolis Convention Center, Halls A, B & C
6 a.m. Trash Mountain at Minnesota State Fair
Location: Saint Paul, Eco Experience at the Progress Center
Take a hike through Trash Mountain at the Eco Experience. Experts will speak about the waste we create and what choices and actions can help the environment, create jobs and save money. Trash Mountain visually illustrates backyard composting opportunities, recycling options and ways to reduce our landfill contributions.
A first of its kind, The Eco Experience is a 25,000 square foot indoor and outdoor green space with lush rain gardens, an eco home, a live stage and cutting-edge displays on renewable energy, new fuels and vehicles, climate change and local, organic food. Presented by the Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, it is the largest environmental event of its kind in the country in the last two decades with 350,000 visitors in both 2006 and 2007. For more information, visit www.ecoexperience.org.
- Numerous opportunities are available for taped pieces at the Fair.
9 a.m. Civic Engagement: Opening Day News Conference for CivicFest
Location: Minneapolis Convention Center, entrance to CivicFest
9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. CivicFest open for business
Media welcome for live shots and taped stories.
8 p.m. A Prairie Home Companion broadcast from the Minnesota State Fair
Location: Saint Paul
Produced by Saint Paul-based American Public Media, Garrison Keillor’s show is heard by more than four million listeners on over 580 stations across the country. Hear the “News from Lake Wobegon” live in front of an enthusiastic local audience.
SATURDAY, AUG. 30
6 a.m. CivicFest, A Very Minnesota Celebration
Open for early morning live shots. See end of document for story ideas.
Location: Minneapolis Convention Center, Halls A, B & C
6 a.m. Wacky foods on a stick at the Minnesota State Fair
Location: Saint Paul, State Fair’s Front Gates
Sample some of the Minnesota State Fair’s newest and wackiest foods. Talk with the creators of spaghetti and meatballs on-a-stick, deep-fried s’mores on-a-stick, Pig Lickers, Big Fat Bacon, hotdish on-a-stick, Norwegian-style cheese curds, Leprechaun Legs and fried fruit on-a-stick. Food is the number one reason visitors say they attend the Minnesota State Fair! In 2008, over 450 different foods are available, including more than 60 foods on-a-stick.
- Numerous opportunities are available for taped pieces at the Fair. Visit www.mspnewsroom.com for details.
6 a.m. Farmer’s Markets
Mill City Farmers’ Market
Location: Minneapolis Riverfront District, downtown Minneapolis
Minnesota boasts more than 500 organic farms and some of the earliest pioneers of the natural food movement. Lauded by publications like Food + Wine and USA Today, the Mill City Farmers Market is the first farmers’ market in Minneapolis Saint Paul to focus on locally grown, seasonal foods and products from the region’s finest sustainable and organic family farmers and small businesses.
As the cost of food rises, consumers are shifting – buying from producers closer to home. Nowhere is this truer than in Minneapolis Saint Paul. Hear the stories of these local farmers – from cheese makers and apple growers to organic produce producers and those who raise free-range hens – as they move in and set up for the market that gets ready to open at 8 a.m. This day at the Market will feature a pie contest at 10 a.m.
Saint Paul Farmer’s Market
Location: downtown Saint Paul
Minnesota is home to the world’s largest Hmong population outside Laos. As natural farmers in their homeland, many have altered their skills to produce food here. The Saint Paul Farmer’s Market offers a glimpse into this Southeast Asian culture – one-third of the vendors are Hmong.
9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. CivicFest open for business
Media welcome for live shots and taped stories.
5 p.m. - midnight spark24
Location: downtown Minneapolis
spark24 is a 24-hour event that will showcase Minneapolis Saint Paul’s acclaimed arts and entertainment community – including its live theater, dance, music, fashion and visual arts scene. Peavey Plaza, Orchestra Hall, and over 60 additional downtown Minneapolis venues will be programmed with live entertainment throughout the evening, night and day. In addition, the IDS Center is hosting a complimentary media center for you during the entire 24 hours.
5-10 p.m. spark24 kick-off celebration on Peavey Plaza
Location: downtown Minneapolis
The opening celebration of this all-night party will include:
- A stunning opening featuring the Minnesota Orchestra brass quartet
- Jody Briskey from the History Theatre singing songs Minnesotan Judy Garland made famous
- Dance performances by Zenon Dance Company and Fuego Flamenco
- Musical Numbers from Saint Paul icon Ordway Theatre, the Minnesota Opera, and VocalEssence, a world-renowned chorus in its 40th year with over 60 members performing.
7 p.m. Minnesota Lynx WNBA basketball game at Target Center
Location: downtown Minneapolis
SUNDAY, AUG. 31
2-6 a.m. Minneapolis Saint Paul live music scene
Location: Orchestra Hall, downtown Minneapolis
Prince. Bob Dylan. Atmosphere.The Minnesota music scene has produced some of the most memorable – and varied – songs and musicians. Let us take you to Funkytown; discover a new era of Minnesota music with performances by five critically acclaimed bands–including Cloud Cult, White Light Riot and the Alarmists (Best New Group/Artist of the Year, Minnesota Music Awards).
6-9 a.m. Sunrise breakfast at spark24
Location: Peavey Plaza, downtown Minneapolis
Rise and shine with a complimentary breakfast filling Peavey Plaza in downtown Minneapolis. Performing are gospel groups James Grear and Company, and ten65, featuring St. Paul City Council Member Melvin Carter. Also performing are two representatives of Minnesota’s internationally-known chorale tradition: the 50 member One Voice Mixed Chorus, celebrating 20 years of performing, and the 60 member award-winning Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus.
6 a.m. Butter carving at Minnesota State Fair
Location: Saint Paul, Butter Sculpture Cooler in the Dairy Building
Carve your favorite celebrity, political candidate or fellow news anchor in a mini block of butter at the Dairy Building. Meanwhile, Princess Kay of the Milky Way, or a member of her court, will have her likeness sculpted into a 90-pound block of butter.
Princess Kay candidates are daughters of dairy farmers, employees of dairy farms or daughters of dairy farm employees. On opening day of the State Fair, the newly crowned Princess Kay spends six to eight hours in the 38 degree, refrigerated and rotating butter sculpture booth, having her likeness carved in a 90-pound block of butter. This procedure takes place each day of the fair with the 11 other Princess Kay candidates. This year will be artist Linda Christensen’s 37th year of creating butter sculptures.
- Numerous opportunities are available for taped pieces at the Fair. Visit www.mspnewsroom.com for details.
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. spark24 performances
Location: Peavey Plaza, downtown Minneapolis
Entertainment includes:
- Brave New Workshop, celebrating its 50th anniversary, doing skits from its current hit “The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe, or is McCain Able?”
- Troupe America singing songs from the hit ‘Church Basement Ladies’ where the Minnesota hotdish is celebrated.
- Songs and excerpts from the Children’s Theatre Company’s best hits. The Tony Award-winning Children’s Theatre Company is the leading multigenerational theater in the country
- Taiko drumming from Mu Performing Arts, a nationally recognized company that creates taiko and theater from the heart of the Asian American experience.
9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. CivicFest open for business
Media welcome for live shots and taped stories.
Until 8 p.m. spark24 performances
Location: Nicollet Mall, downtown Minneapolis
MONDAY, SEPT 1
5-9 a.m. Join the audience during MSNBC’s Morning Joe live from Keys Café on Robert Street in Saint Paul.
6:30 a.m. More to Tri: Lifetime Fitness Mayors’ Fitness Challenge – Run
The first three mornings of convention week (Sept. 1, 2 and 3), the Minneapolis mayor will lead a fitness challenge. Called the “Most Fit Mayor” by Men’s Fitness magazine, Mayor R.T. Rybak invites delegates, media, other convention visitors and residents to participate in a different triathlon activity. We promise a colorful backdrop: our urban green forest, participants in bright shirts, banners flying.
Day 1: A 5K run along the Mississippi River, winding down Minnehaha Creek and ending at Minnehaha Falls
6 a.m. Breakfast with the three bears at Russia’s Grizzly Coast at the Minnesota Zoo
Location: Apple Valley, a southern suburb
Journey to one of the last true wilderness areas in the world – without leaving Minneapolis Saint Paul. This $24 million exhibit (which opened on June 7) is the first of its kind recreate the actual region, landscapes, and animal combinations of the Russian Far East. Enjoy breakfast with zoo director Lee Ehmke (former designer of the Bronx Zoo) while watching the bears fish for trout just two inches of glass away.
Afterwards, capture some dramatic shots during a guided tour. Cameras will get up close and personal with:
- Grizzly bears, sea otters, armur leopards, wild boars and armur tigers
- A sea cave where you’ll actually feel the “ocean” spray
- Geysers, steam vents and mud-pots
- Russia’s Grizzly Coast is also available as a taped segment opportunity.
6 a.m. Extreme adventure at Minnesota State Fair
Spin 360 degrees and soar nearly 165 feet into the air on 2Xtreme in Adventure Park. Four extreme thrill rides and a rock-climbing wall take riders to new heights in Adventure Park, one of three main attraction areas at the Minnesota State Fair. The Great Minnesota Get-Together is also home to: Mighty Midway, featuring more than 30 carnival rides from around the world and 50 games of skill; and Kidway, which offers 35 kiddie rides for pint-sized fair visitors.
- Numerous opportunities are available for taped pieces at the Fair. Visit www.mspnewsroom.com for details. 9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. CivicFest open for business Media welcome for live shots and taped stories.
4 p.m. Join Chris Matthews for MSNBC’s Hardball in Saint Paul’s Rice Park.
TUESDAY, SEPT 2
5-9 a.m. Join the audience during MSNBC’s Morning Joe live from Keys Café on Robert Street in Saint Paul.
6:30 a.m. More to Tri: Lifetime Fitness Mayors’ Fitness Challenge – Bike
The first three mornings of convention week (Sept. 1, 2 and 3), the Minneapolis mayor will lead a fitness challenge. Called the “Most Fit Mayor” by Men’s Fitness magazine, Mayor R.T. Rybak invites delegates, media, other convention visitors and residents to participate in a different triathlon activity. We promise a colorful backdrop: our urban green forest, participants in bright shirts, banners flying.
Day 2: Bike through downtown Minneapolis parks and across the Stone Arch Bridge over the Mississippi River
6:30 a.m. Sidewalk chalk art installation outside Chambers Hotel
Details TBA
6 a.m. Dudley Riggs & Brave New Workshop
Location: Brave New Workshop, Uptown
Ever wondered what it would be like to be in a comedy show? Join the hilarious cast of the Brave New Workshop – the country’s oldest satirical theater, celebrating its 50th Anniversary this summer – for an improv session. Alums of the theatre include Al Franken, Louie Anderson, Melissa Peterman (Fargo, Reba) and Pat Proft (Airplane, Naked Gun).
- Caleb McEwen, artistic director and world class knife thrower, will throw knives at your reporter…and promises not to hit him or her! Dudley Riggs, founder and former circus performer, can discuss the origin of "instant theatre” and how it came to Minneapolis Saint Paul.
- Cast will perform several acts from political shows, with downtown workers and your anchors as part of the cast:
- Survey sketch from Electile Dysfunction where an "audience member" is the anchor.
- "You Suck" from Dull Man Running – a debate where the candidates act like children.
- Ear Prompter, a scene from the current show (The Lion, the Witch and the War Hero, or is McCain Able?) which is a pun on George Bush misunderstanding an ear prompter.
- 3rd Party Speed Dating from The Left, The Right, and the Ugly.
8 a.m. – noon Fashion Day at Mall of America
Nordstrom Court Mall of America trend and wardrobe specialist Sara Rogers will be available to show the latest and greatest in back-to-school trends and fall fashion. Rogers will also show how to tackle the nation’s largest shopping and entertainment complex including a guided media tour of the locally owned and Minnesota specialty stores from 10 a.m. - Noon. Rogers is also available by appointment for special interviews and segments. Find out more at www.mallofamerica.com/about_moa_experts.aspx
9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. CivicFest open for business
Media welcome for live shots and taped stories.
4 p.m. Join Chris Matthews for MSNBC’s Hardball in Saint Paul’s Rice Park.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT 3
5-9 a.m. Join the audience during MSNBC’s Morning Joe live from Keys Café on Robert Street in Saint Paul.
6 a.m. - noon Experience Nickelodeon Universe Day at Mall of America
Here’s your chance to ride Avatar Airbender, one of the new thrill roller coasters at Nickelodeon Universe before the amusement park even opens. During this time media are welcome to do any live shots, hang out with Nickelodeon characters and interview the Nickelodeon Universe marketing director, the only Nickelodeon-themed park in the world. From 10 a.m. to noon you can experience all rides.
6:30 a.m. More to Tri: Lifetime Fitness Mayors’ Fitness Challenge – Swim, Kayak, Canoe
The first three mornings of convention week (Sept. 1, 2 and 3), the Minneapolis mayor will lead a fitness challenge. Called the “Most Fit Mayor” by Men’s Fitness magazine, Mayor R.T. Rybak invites delegates, media, other convention visitors and residents to participate in a different triathlon activity. We promise a colorful backdrop: our urban green forest, participants in bright shirts, banners flying.
Day 3: Swim, canoe or kayak on Lake Calhoun – part of the Chain of Lakes in South Minneapolis
7 a.m. Fisherman’s breakfast on the shore of Lake Calhoun
Location: Tin Fish on Lake Calhoun
Enjoy a lakeside breakfast with Chef Rick Kimmes of Minneapolis-based Oceanaire Seafood Room cooking up some morning fare with Minnesota ingredients. Minnesota is a state full of anglers, boasting more fishing licenses per capita than anywhere in the country. In Fishing, a growing Minnesota-based magazine, will feature many of the fishing products invented here.
9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. CivicFest open for business
Media welcome for live shots and taped stories.
10-11 a.m. Kids Stump the Delegate Game show West Market Square, Mall of America
It’s a battle of the generations – a contest of wills - testing their knowledge on politics, the United States government and our nation’s history, six local fifth and sixth graders will take on six RNC delegates in this exciting, action-packed game show.
4 p.m. Join Chris Matthews for MSNBC’s Hardball in Saint Paul’s Rice Park.
THURSDAY, SEPT 4
5-9 a.m. Join the audience during MSNBC’s Morning Joe live from Keys Café on Robert Street in Saint Paul.
6-11 a.m. Swim or SCUBA with Sharks Day at Mall of America
Underwater Adventures Aquarium
Reporters are invited to try our newest EXTREME adventure - swimming with the fishes in our Rainbow Reef exhibit! This is an adventure-filled surface snorkeling experience. Get close to over 60 types of tropical fish, including puffers, stingrays, and even sharks! No special certifications required! Underwater Adventures Aquarium will also feature the grand opening of The Glass Sharks Exhibit containing 56 Glass Sharks that represent the 56 states and territories with U.S. delegates.
6:30 a.m. Minneapolis Mayor takes on art museum directors in a round of artist-designed mini golf
Minneapolis Saint Paul is an arts Mecca boasting nearly 60 museums – only Washington, D.C. and Chicago have more. Friendly competition ensues when Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak tees off for a round of artist-designed mini golf with the female artistic leaders of the area’s largest museums: Olga Viso, Walker Art Center; Kaywin Feldman, Minneapolis Institute of Arts; and Lyndel King, Weisman Art Museum.
Celebrating its 20th Anniversary, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is one of the largest in the country. As a part of summer long festivities, the Walker Art Center presents Walker on the Green: Artist-Designed Mini Golf, two seven-hole courses with green-themed holes designed by area artists, architects and design collectives.
Other available shots:
- Spoonbridge & Cherry: The 1200-pound cherry on a spoon is the garden’s signature piece and a Minneapolis icon. Our stunning skyline frames the shot.
- An interview with the three directors from atop the Walker terrace with the skyline as a background.
- The much-photographed Herzog & de Meuron expansion: a shimmering cube of crinkled aluminum mesh that changes constantly with the sky.
9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. CivicFest open for business
Media welcome for live shots and taped stories.
4 p.m. Join Chris Matthews for MSNBC’s Hardball in Saint Paul’s Rice Park.
