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News Releases
spark24: Live Performances from Acclaimed Arts Community
05 May 2008
Event features 24 hours of live performances on multiple stages
Minneapolis Saint Paul, MN – Minneapolis Saint Paul’s highly acclaimed arts community will take center stage on the weekend leading up to the Republican National Convention in the Fall of 2008. Guests and media will get an exciting view of Minneapolis St. Paul’s world class arts scene when "spark24" delivers 24 hours of non-stop unexpected performances and entertainment through downtown Minneapolis.
The event will kick-off 8 p.m. Saturday August 30 and continue until 8 p.m. of Sunday August 31. Downtown Minneapolis will become a marathon of free entertainment offering a total immersion into the Minneapolis Saint Paul arts experience featuring theatre, music and dance.
Nicollet Mall, which is the main corridor of downtown retail, will be filled with theater, music and dance performances as well as one-of-a kind experiences taking place on multiple stages throughout the Mall. Other entertainment and retail venues throughout downtown Minneapolis will also be featuring live entertainment during the 24-hour period. The entertainment, free to visitors and the local community, will have offerings geared to both adults and families.
"Minnesota’s arts terrain is full of well-known names and emerging national entertainers such as Bob Dylan, Prince, Bobby McFerrin, Tapes n’ tapes, Laura Osnes, Soul Asylum, T.R. Knight, and Oscar winner Diablo Cody. We want to show the entire world that it is no mistake that such talent gets generated from here," said Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. "Art is woven into the fabric of our community and we are excited to showcase it for the world."
With 75 professional theatres calling the Minneapolis Saint Paul home, there are more theatre seats per capita than any other U.S. city but New York. The nationally recognized Guthrie Theater, Children’s Theatre and Theater de la Jeune Lune are all recent Tony Award winners. The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra is the nation’s only full-time professional chamber orchestra and is known as one of the best in the world. The Chanhassen Dinner Theatre is the longest running dinner theatre in the U.S.
Quietly trumpeted in the past, Minneapolis Saint Paul is also now proudly featuring its talent in newly remodeled or rebuilt venues such as The Guthrie Theater, The Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Children’s Theatre and MacPhail Center for Music. In the span of two years, the community has added nearly a half-billion dollars in new arts infrastructure that enhanced the already dynamic offerings.
"Whether it is an a cappella choir, a children’s theatre performance, the newest indie band, or innovative dance choreography, Minneapolis Saint Paul is an incredibly vibrant and creative arts community," said Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak. "We are excited to share our excitement for the arts with the world."
Spark24, founded by Scott Mayer, is a newly formed organization comprised of members of arts organizations, business representatives, and the hospitality industry. The organization is committed to showcasing the award winning Minneapolis Saint Paul arts scene to a global audience.
If you would like more information or to schedule an interview with event organizers and/or local officials, please call Jen Guarino at 612-802-1333 or email jehniferg@yahoo.com. A full schedule of performances and showings will be available by mid-summer.
