Cocktails at the Castle: A Different Way of Seeing—

at the American Swedish Institute,

Friday, September 16, 2016

MINNEAPOLIS—Cocktails at the Castle: A Different Way of Seeing at the American Swedish Institute (ASI) on Friday, Sept. 16, 7–11 p.m., is a community celebration filled with non-stop art, immersive music, award-winning food and specialty cocktails in the outdoor Courtyard, coupled with exploration of exhibitions and the historic Turnblad Mansion. Advance tickets go on sale at noon, Friday, August 12, and are $17 for ASI members, $20 for non-members. Purchase at ASImn.org or call 612-871-4907. ASI is located at 2600 Park Avenue in Minneapolis. Special thanks to Media Sponsor: The Current, 89.3 FM Radio. Listen for ticket giveaways leading up to the Cocktails event.

Cocktails at the Castle: A Different Way of Seeing offers a new view of the ASI curated by special guest Tricia Heuring, co-founder of the trend-setting Public Functionary art gallery, an event project partner. One of the Twin Cities’ hottest tickets, this fall’s Cocktails party is inspired by the ASI’s new exhibition, A Different Way of Seeing, which highlights more than 100 years of transformative Swedish art. The evening’s exciting diversions feature James Everest’s immersive iNMiGRATiON performance experience, mixing a live score by the all-star improvisational music collective Sans Le Systeme with spontaneous poetry, multi-layered video projections and the Free Range Orchestra and Choir. The site-specific exploration ranges throughout ASI's signature spaces, fostering fertile opportunities for unexpected collaborations and an energized environment that anyone can tap into.

And there’s more! The night highlights grooving tunes by ZULUZULUU, pop-up performances by DaNCEBUMS, musician Sebastian Bergstrom playing mini-sets in the Mansion, art installations throughout the gardens by visual artist Jennifer Davis and a dance party with DJ Sarah White to wrap it up. Don’t forget the delicious craft cocktails and food by FIKA. It’s truly “A museum party done right” (VitaMN).

The VIP Pre-VIEW: Get ready for a special pre-party, around-the-town adventure. This new VIP experience offers guests the chance to see Minneapolis in A Different Way through a ride on a vintage 1950s metro bus provided by the Minnesota Transportation Museum, and includes two cocktails. The bus leaves ASI at 5 p.m. for Prohibition Bar in the Foshay Tower and then proceeds to the Guthrie Theater’s Endless Bridge. Guests return in time for the 7 p.m. start of the ASI event. Begin your night early with a stylish change of pace. Leave the driving to us!

TICKETS: Cocktails at the Castle regularly sells out, so plan ahead. Advance Tickets: $17 for ASI members, $20 general admission. The $55 VIP ticket includes the pre-VIEW bus adventure to Prohibition Bar and the Guthrie Theater, two cocktails, admission to the ASI event and a separate entrance to skip the lines. If space is still available, general admission tickets may be purchased for $25 at the door. ASI loves bikes. Get a drink discount when you bike to the event and check your helmet. This event is limited to those age 21 or older with i.d. ASI is located at 2600 Park Ave., Mpls., MN 55407.

THE AMERICAN SWEDISH INSTITUTE is a vibrant arts and culture organization, historic mansion and museum founded in 1929 by Swedish immigrant newspaper publisher Swan J. Turnblad. ASI is a gathering place for all people to share experiences around themes of culture, migration, the environment and the arts, informed by enduring ties to Sweden. ASI was named Minnesota’s “Best Surprise” by Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine. The Wall Street Journal called ASI “[a] model of how a small institution can draw visitors through exciting programming.” For more information, visit ASImn.org.

ASI MUSEUM HOURS: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, noon–5 p.m.; Wednesday, noon-8 p.m.; Saturday. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, Noon-5 p.m., closed Monday. Museum Admission: $10 adults, $7 ages 62 +, $5 ages 6–18 and full-time students with ID. Free for ASI members and kids ages 5 and under.

FIKA, ASI’s award winning café, is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 8:30 a.m. –5 p.m.; Wednesday, 8:30 a.m.–8 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

The ASI MUSEUM STORE is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 10 a.m. –5 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m. –8 p.m. Sunday, noon-5 p.m.

Press Contact:

Karen R. Dear Media Friend - Nelson

Karen.N@ASIMN.org, 612-870-3373