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The Current celebrates Prince: programs and events schedule

Prince performs onstage at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on June 1, 2007.
Prince performs onstage at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on June 1, 2007.Kevin Winter/Getty Images for NCLR

April 18, 2017

The Current is celebrating the life and legacy of Prince through music. As we approach one year since we lost the local legend, we will honor his musical contributions with a weekend packed with purple. Jump to full schedule

On-air on Friday, April 21, the one-year anniversary, we are playing Prince all day with hour-long dives into his best guitar solos, chart hits, family tree and more. We'll also have live check-ins from Paisley Park, where The Current's Andrea Swensson, Jim McGuinn, Brian Oake, Jill Riley and Mark Wheat, along with MPR News' Tom Weber, will be taking part in panels and commemorations at Prince's creative headquarters.

On Saturday, April 22, we are counting down the Top 89 Prince songs, as chosen by you. Then, starting at 5 p.m., we're taking the party live and to the streets as The Current Presents a Memorial Street Party at First Avenue featuring music and entertainment.

FRIDAY, APRIL 21

On-air: Nonstop Prince music with one-hour "deep dive" playlists, including:
Prince's Best Duets - Hosted by Brian and Jill
Prince's Chart Hits - Hosted by Mark Wheat
Prince's B-Sides - Hosted by Mary Lucia
Prince's Greatest Guitar Solos - Hosted by Jim McGuinn
Prince's Influences - Hosted by Andrea Swensson
Prince's Sexiest Songs - Hosted by Jade and Har Mar Superstar
Tonal Recall - 90s Prince Hosted by Jade
Plus, at 4 p.m., The Revolution take over the airwaves in a special Theft of the Dial

Live Broadcasts from Paisley Park – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (on the odd hours)
11 a.m. The Current and MPR News simulcast hosted by Jim McGuinn, Andrea Swensson and Tom Weber; guests: André Cymone and 3rdeyegirl's Donna Grantis.
Check-ins from Paisley Park:
1 p.m. Oake and Riley
3 p.m. Mark Wheat
5 p.m. Mark Wheat

Live Programming
9 p.m. to 4 a.m. First Avenue: Late Night Dance Party featuring DJ Espada, Lenka Paris, DJ Jake Rudh, and DJ Smitty

SATURDAY, APRIL 22

On-air Programming
8 - 10 a.m. Teenage Kicks - all '80s Prince; hosted by Jim McGuinn
12 - 7:30 p.m. Top 89 Prince Songs (as voted by listeners)
7:30 - 10 p.m. All-request Prince music
10 p.m. - 12 a.m. DJ Shannon Blowtorch's Prince tribute

Live Programming
The Current Presents a Memorial Street Party at First Avenue
5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on 7th Street in downtown Minneapolis
Free and ticketed by First Avenue; RSVP, first come, first served.
10 p.m. to 4 a.m. First Avenue: Late Night Dance Party featuring DJ Keezy, DJ Verb X, Shannon Blowtorch, and Cloud

SUNDAY, APRIL 23
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. First Avenue: I Would Dance 4 U: A Kids Dance Party

Resources

Paisley Park - official site

First Avenue - official site