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News Releases

WHAT’S HOT + NEW IN MINNEAPOLIS SAINT PAUL

29 August 2008

Arts + Culture Museums Theater Architecture Attractions Events Convention industry Travel industry International cuisine Restaurants Family RNC Downtown Minneapolis Hot hotels

MINNEAPOLIS SAINT PAUL, MINN. (Aug. 29, 2008) From locally-grown shows to nationally touring exhibits, there’s so much to do in Minneapolis Saint Paul that’s hot and new. With hip hotels, amazing productions, new arts buildings and more, this area is ever-evolving and improving – providing endless opportunities for fun and entertainment.

Guthrie Theater
Designed by Pritzger Prize-winning French Architect Jean Nouvel, the Guthrie Theater was hailed by GQ magazine as "a jaw-dropping feat of engineering and architectural chutzpah." Opened in 2006 beside the rolling Mississippi River, the theater features dramatic views and a spectacular endless bridge in one of the area’s most exciting neighborhoods—the Minneapolis Riverfront District.

Now Showing: Little House on the Prairie
The theater currently features the world premier of the musical, “Little House on the Prairie.” Based on the beloved books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, the play follows the pioneer life of teenager Laura and her family through the American plains. Mellissa Gilbert returns to her Little House roots as "Ma" on the stage.

Walker Art Center
In 2005, the Walker (considered one of the best contemporary art museums in the country) unveiled an extensive addition designed by Herzog & de Meuron.This internationally-acclaimed museum now features new galleries, rooftop terraces and one of the hottest restaurants in the upper Midwest, 20.21 by Wolfgang Puck. Minneapolis Sculpture Garden’s 20th Anniversary The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, an 11-acre outdoor public art exhibit adjoining the Walker Art Center, celebrates 20 years. The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is home to more than 40 large-scale works, including the iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry. To commemorate this monumental year, the Sculpture Garden features a special artist-designed mini golf course, Walker on the Green, through Sept. 7.

Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA)
In 2006, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts increased its exhibit space by 40 percent to display an expansive collection of 100,000 worldly artifacts spanning 5,000 years. Designed by Michael Graves, the expansion includes a whopping 34 new galleries.

Hail to the Chief
In conjunction with the 2008 Republican National Convention, the MIA proudly presents Hail to the Chief, an exhibit that includes paintings, prints, sculpture, photographs and decorative arts representing America's presidency from George Washington to George W. Bush. Through Sept. 21.

Arts Explosion
The Minneapolis cultural landscape – already rich with museums, theater and other cultural offerings – experienced an arts explosion driven by several critically acclaimed arts organizations. Recently, these institutions commissioned internationally-recognized architects and collectively added a half-billion dollars in new arts infrastructure to Minneapolis in just two years. Buildings include the new Guthrie Theater, the expansion of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, an addition to the Walker Art Center, the Minneapolis Central Library and the Children’s Theatre Company.

Hot Hotels: Historic Buildings Repurposed
Adaptive reuse. Repurposing. Recycling. Regardless of what they call it, hotels are becoming increasingly creative in transforming old buildings into revitalized luxury properties. In the last several months, several historic buildings in Minneapolis have been transformed into unique hotels. Developers are utilizing the existing infrastructure of these classic buildings to create a hybrid of classic and historic hotel design.

• W Hotel at the Foshay: W Minneapolis at the Foshay infuses the city's historical architecture with modern culture and a fashionable attitude. Located in one of the most prominent obelisk-shaped skyscrapers in the world, this art-deco hotel just opened in August.
• Westin Minneapolis: The Westin Minneapolis, restored from the historic Farmers Mechanics Bank Building, opened in 2007 and features 214 rooms in an art-deco laden ambiance.
• Ivy Hotel: Ivy Hotel, one of only 25 Starwood Luxury Properties in the world, surrounds the 10-story historic landmark Ivy Tower. The hotel features 136 guest rooms and suites, two restaurants, a 17,000 square-foot resort-quality spa and upscale retail space.
• Chambers Minneapolis: The only sister to its New York counterpart, Chambers, the Luxury Art Hotel, offers 60 guest rooms on five floors of two landmark revival buildings in one of Minneapolis' most alluring neighborhoods—the Hennepin Theatre District. Another historical hotel property worth noting – The Saint Paul Hotel – a four-diamond landmark in the confluence of downtown Saint Paul, celebrates its 100-year anniversary in 2010.

Brave New Workshop
The Brave New Workshop, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, is the longest running satirical comedy theatre in the United States and has presented 261 original shows in its history. Conceived as a blend of vaudeville, circus acts and interactive comedy, this theater provides entertainment as well as incessant laughter on controversial and modern-day issues. Famous alums include Louie Anderson, Al Franken, Melissa Peterman and Pat Proft. In the spirit of the Republican National Convention, the 2008 Presidential election and the company’s 50th anniversary, the theater presents a side-splitting look at America's campaigns, elections, voters and politicians.

Science Museum of Minnesota
The Science Museum of Minnesota, founded in 1907, is a large regional science museum located on the banks of the Mississippi River in downtown Saint Paul. The museum is known worldwide for its interactive exhibits and dynamic traveling exhibitions, including:

Stars Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination, an enormously popular touring exhibition that features costumes, models and props from all six Star Wars films. Visitors can play with concepts like magnetic levitation, artificial intelligence and medical technology.
CSI: Opening October 15. This hands-on exhibit allows visitors to play the role of crime scene investigator, learning scientific principles and real investigative techniques.

MN150
Minnesota History Center proudly presents “MN150,” launching the 2008 celebration of 150 years of Minnesota statehood by exploring changes – those wrought by powerful people and by ordinary citizens – that have shaken up Minnesota and rocked the world. Open now through December 31, this exhibit explores everything Minnesotan from Spam to the State Capitol.

Mall of America’s Nickelodeon Universe
The Mall of America recently re-opened its sprawling seven-acre amusement park as Nickelodeon Universe, the only Nick-themed amusement park in the country. The $25 million makeover features upgraded rides, games and assorted fun laden with Nickelodeon characters such as Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob Squarepants and Boots the Monkey.

Russia’s Grizzly Coast at Minnesota Zoo
The Minnesota Zoo recently opened a $30 million exhibit featuring wild animals from Russia’s east coast. The exhibit features a variety of animals—many of which are endangered—including grizzly bears, sea otters, Armur leopards and wild boars in simulated natural habitats. The zoo will play an important role in educating and promoting conservation of this little-known area of the world through this interactive exhibit.

James Beard-nominated chefs
Applauded for its inventive, unpretentious and mouthwatering culinary scene, Minneapolis Saint Paul produces some of the best chefs in America. Three Minneapolis chefs were recently nominated for the prestigious James Beard Foundation awards, the culinary equivalent of an Oscar. Out of the five chefs nominated for the Best Midwest Chef, three were from Minneapolis: Isaac Becker of 112 Eatery, Tim McKee of La Belle Vie and Alex Roberts of Restaurant Alma.

About The Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee
The Minneapolis Saint Paul 2008 Host Committee is a non-partisan, 501c3 nonprofit charged with promoting the commerce, image and prestige of Minneapolis, Saint Paul and the entire region in preparation for the 2008 Republican National Convention. The Host Committee is made up of community leaders who are committed to educating people and businesses to come to Minnesota to work, live, play, visit and invest. For more information, visit www.msp2008.com.