On December 11, 2023 a dedicated Hmong-American activist and leader, Tou Ger Xiong, was kidnapped and killed in Colombia. Tou Ger Xiong has dedicated his life to building bridges across cultures, speaking out against injustices to marginalized communities, advocating for active civic engagement among communities of color, and bringing people together through laughter. This grant aims to provide a space for the community to come together to collectively mourn the loss of Tou Ger Xiong.
This project will work with Ananya Chatterjea, Ananya Dance Theatre artists, Asian American puppeteers, and actors in a series of workshops to collaboratively devise a shared movement vocabulary and choreography rooted in non-Western movement traditions for the world premiere of FIFTY BOXES OF EARTH by Ankita Raturi in Theater Mu's 2024-25 season.
Since 2011, Appetite For Change has been facilitating connections and celebration for community members and the rich history and traditions of food in North Minneapolis. North Minneapolis is known as being one of the most economically distressed communities in Minnesota, with 46.5% of people living below the poverty line and a median household income of $38,226 in 2021 (compared to the state average of $117,800) (FFIEC, 2021). Though, these statistics don't capture the true essence of the community that makes up North Minneapolis.
Funding for Balkanicus, a free public concert featuring contemporary Balkan chamber music. The concert will take place at the University of Minnesota Lloyd Ultan Recital Hall in April 2011.
Funding for two large-ensemble Baroque chamber music programs, including Tobias Hume, Mercenary Composer, and Monteverdi’s Fifth Book of Madrigals. Each program will be presented at The Baroque Room in Lowertown, St. Paul, and The Rogue Buddha Gallery in
Funding to host bi-weekly open mic nights and monthly spoken word workshops for residents of North Minneapolis’ Heritage Park Neighborhood. The open mic nights and workshops will take place between April and December 2011.
Funding for two variety shows featuring adults with developmental disabilities. Performances will take place at Edina’s Edinborough Park indoor amphitheater in December 2011 and May 2012.
Funding to produce and stage Shakespeare’s All’s Well That Ends Well. Performances will take place in May 2011 at Walker Community Church in Minneapolis.
Funding for The Moon’s Desire, a contemporary flamenco theater production exploring the life and poetry of Federico Garcia Lorca. Four performances will take place at Intermedia Arts in April 2011.
Funding for the third annual Italian Film Festival, consisting of seven recently produced feature films to be shown at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. The project, which includes discussions with local film critics and historians, will take pla
Funding for the 2011 National Asian/Pacific Islander American Spoken Word Summit. The four-day event will bring together local and national APIA artists to perform and participate in workshops and panel discussions. The summit will take place at The Loft
Funding for Twin Cities Refugee Day, a cultural festival featuring more than 50 local organizations serving refugees. The festival will take place in June 2011 at Minnehaha Falls Park in Minneapolis.
Funding to stage and perform the musical Oliver! as their sixth annual summer community theater production. Performances will take place at Stillwater Area High School in July 2011.
Funding for THR3E x THR3E, a modern retelling of The Three Little Pigs, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and The Three Billy Goats Gruff. Performances will take place in spring 2011 at Open Eye Figure Theatre in Minneapolis.
