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Free outdoor movies, trivia, pianos and more return to downtown mpls this June

May 28, 2019

Logos for "mpls downtown council" and "Downtown Improvement District Minneapolis" side by side on a bright white background.

MINNEAPOLIS (May 28, 2019) — A summer filled with free programming in downtown mpls kicks off the first week of June, the mpls downtown council (mdc) announced today.

Go Outside with Hennepin County and Pianos on Parade, two initiative that provide free and inclusive outdoor programming for all ages and abilities during the summer months, will begin their full schedule starting next week.

“Activity is a key ingredient in having a thriving, vibrant downtown,” said Leah Wong, vice president of external relations for the mpls downtown council. “We invite everyone who lives and works here daily or visits for special occasions to join us for free activities this summer that provide opportunities for all ages to enjoy.”

Share your gift of music with Pianos on Parade
Beginning June 1, Pianos on Parade returns to downtown mpls. The mpls downtown council and the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association, in partnership with Keys 4/4 Kids, will again place 25 pianos throughout downtown that are available for anyone to play. Scheduled performances on Thursdays at 12 pm will offer the gift of music throughout downtown in June.

Pianos are painted by local artists to fit a downtown mpls theme. The Pianos on Parade program has become a celebrated part of the summer, serving as a reminder of the variety of talented musicians in the area. For more information, visit www.mplsdowntown.com/pianos.

Join us June 6 for a special Pianos on Parade performance by Keri Noble
To help us kick off Pianos on Parade, Keri Noble will be performing to help kick off this year’s Pianos on Parade in downtown Minneapolis! Join us on Thursday, June 6 outside IDS Center from 12-1 pm to hear Keri perform live just steps away from the Nicollet Farmers Market.

Keri is a piano-driven singer/songwriter. Her 2009 album, “Keri Noble”, included the song “Emily” used on the show “Grey’s Anatomy” and an appearance on CBS’s Early Show. Kelly Clarkson recorded her song “If No One Will Listen” and included it on her Grammy-nominated album “All I Ever Wanted.” Keri co-hosted “Oake and Keri in the Morning” and “Keri and Greg in the Morning” on Cities 97 from 2012-2018. She gives voice lessons, which rekindled her passion for creating and performing music, and on the same day she left Cities 97 she released her latest collection of music, “Hurricane”.

Free activities all summer at Target Field Station and Hennepin County Government Center South Plaza
Go Outside with Hennepin County’s full summer lineup returns from June through August. The Go Outside program, produced by mdc and Hennepin County, offers free programming at both Hennepin County Government Center South Plaza (300 S. 6th Street) and Target Field Station (335 N. 5th Street). Government Center South Plaza will again feature a farmers market on Tuesdays, lawn games and activities on Wednesdays and piano performances on Thursdays. Target Field Station will feature outdoor movie nights, trivia nights, fitness nights and The Most Epic Family Day. This year’s Go Outside schedule includes:

Hennepin County Government Center South Plaza

Tuesdays through October: Downtown Farmers Market | 10 am-1 pm
Wednesdays, June through August: Lawn games & activities | 11:30 am-1:30 pm
Thursdays, June through August: Piano performances | 12 pm-1 pm

For more information on Go Outside, visit www.mplsdowntown.com/gooutside.

Part of the Aquatennial line up
This year’s 2019 Aquatennial will include Go Outside with Hennepin County and Pianos on Parade programming in its schedule, which takes place July 24-27. Look for more information on approximately 30 free events during Aquatennial’s four-day schedule at www.aquatennial.com.

Find Pianos on Parade or Go Outside with Hennepin County info on social media by following @mplsdowntown on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and using the hashtags #mymplsdt.

About the mpls downtown council
Founded in 1955, and one of the most historic central business associations in the nation, the mpls downtown council (mdc) is a membership-based entity that works to create an extraordinary downtown. The mdc’s collaborative developments of Intersections: The Downtown 2025 Plan was designed to help downtown businesses, community leaders and citizens build on downtown assets and implement future goals. For more information, please visit mplsdowntown.com.

About Go Outside with Hennepin County
Go Outside with Hennepin County is a series of free outdoor activities and events for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy throughout the summer in downtown Minneapolis. A partnership between Hennepin County and the mpls downtown council, Go Outside began in 2015 and has since provided programming including music, trivia, movies, lawn games, and the Downtown Farmers Market. Go Outside with Hennepin County programming takes place at Target Field Station (335 N. 5th Street) and Hennepin County Government Center South Plaza (300 S. 6th Street). For more information, visit www.mplsdowntown.com/gooutside.

About Pianos on Parade
Pianos On Parade is an initiative produced by the mpls downtown council and The Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association in partnership with Keys 4/4 Kids. The program includes 25 pianos painted by local artists depicting “The Spirit of Minneapolis”. The initiative runs from June 1-June 30. The public is welcome to play these pianos seven days a week during designated hours and to share their experience through photos or videos on social media using the hashtags #pianosonparade and #mymplsdt. For more information, visit http://www.mplsdowntown.com/pianos or follow @mplsdowntown on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About the Minneapolis Aquatennial
The Minneapolis Aquatennial is the Official Civic Celebration of the City of Minneapolis and offers outstanding entertainment and activities in the City of Lakes for all ages. It is managed and produced by the mpls downtown council. For more information, please visit aquatennial.com or call (612) 376-7669.