Aside from the State Fair, the State Capitol Grand Opening Celebration this August may be the most Minnesotan celebration of the summer — featuring a Prince dance party and performances by Lizzo and Poliça. Several dozen government employees, journalists and visitors gathered Tuesday afternoon at a press conference in the Capitol’s lobby, held to announce the celebration. State officials…

Musicians share condolences one year later One year after Orlando’s Pulse nightclub became the site of the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, the arts community used Twitter to express their condolences and remembrances. Elsewhere in the #loveisloveislove hashtag, LGBTQ+ people and allies wished each other happy Pride celebrations; offline, Florida’s Orange County government building…

Mayte Garcia recently published a book titled The Most Beautiful, detailing the intense relationship that she had with Prince. (The two were married from 1996 to 2000.) Mayte has a special importance for Prince fans. She was close to him throughout some of his most prolific years, sharing a rare intimacy, especially given his enigmatic nature. When she…

It was the briefest of scenes, but it was long enough to let Twin Peaks fans know their dreams had come true: for the first time in the history of the franchise, we got a look at Diane Evans, the assistant Agent Cooper dictated his notes to for the first two seasons. And she’s played by —…

Dan Wilson makes many things for many people. He fronts Semisonic, the Minnesota-based band that scored ’90s fandom with “Closing Time.” He has written songs with dozens of musicians, from edgy pop artists (Phantogram, K.Flay) to country greats (Dixie Chicks, Chris Stapleton) to mainstreamers whose albums your mom tracked down at Target (Adele, Taylor Swift). He’s a producer and a…

Donna Grantis, well-known as a member of Prince’s band 3RDEYEGIRL, has announced a new project. The guitarist will be performing with her new local band for the first time with two shows on Aug. 4 at the Dakota Jazz Club. The group features JT Bates on drums, Bryan Nichols on keys, Cody McKinney on bass, and…

The Cactus Blossoms, “Mississippi” Fresh off their performance on Showtime’s new season of Twin Peaks, Minnesotan brothers the Cactus Blossoms float in the velvety, cold waters of the Mississippi. Directed by Sarah Jean Shervin. Nobody Kid, “First Transmission” Chris Koza’s new project Nobody Kid sees him exploring synthpop territory, prying bouncy hooks into truly clever songs. Kate Casanova, a…

I just kept thinking: Prince would love this. Not only was he a huge fan of Finding Nemo — a regular attraction on the screens at Paisley Park, and infamously once a replacement for Questlove — but Prince was a fastidious studio whiz. The musical genius made sure that every last detail of his songs came out…

June 7, 2017 marks what would have been Prince’s 59th birthday. But as a Jehovah’s Witness, Prince didn’t celebrate birthdays for the last portion of his life. So instead of focusing on his years, let’s take a look at his people: 59 friends, mentors, and collaborators who helped make him who he was. Each link leads to a feature or…

After teasing a “big surprise” and sharing many never-before-seen family photos on her social media accounts, Tyka Nelson is marking the 59th anniversary of the birth of her brother, Prince Rogers Nelson, today by releasing a new song and video in tribute to him. Titled “End of the Road,” the song takes the listener through…