Community Reporter

Joyful Noise
2025-04-25 19:30 - 2025-05-10 22:00 (America/Chicago) | Art House North Theater
April 25-May 10. Art House North Theater. Pay as you are able – $50.
Bucket Brigade presents the regional premiere of the play, Joyful Noise, by Tim Slover– the unbelievably true tale of the unlikely origin of Handel’s Messiah–– an enduring piece of music that almost didn’t get written. This exquisitely crafted piece of theater– fraught with drama, giddy with humor, and filled with gorgeous music– explores the heights and depths we will go to pursue what we’re most passionate about. Tickets and more info at bucketbrigadetheater.com.

Summer Choice Fair
2025-04-27 12:00 - 15:00 | Oxford Community Center
April 27, 12:00-3:00 p.m. Oxford Community Center.
Families are invited to the Summer Choice Fair, your one-stop-shop to learn about exciting summer programs offered by organizations all across St. Paul. With representatives from various programs all at one place, families can explore their options, choose programs they are interested in, and sign-up right on site, with many of the confirmed vendors offering free programs or scholarships. In addition to providing information about summer activities, the Summer Choice Fair will also feature fun activities for children and families. This event is free to attend, and attendees can stop by Oxford Community Center anytime between 12 – 3 p.m. All are welcome. Learn more at stpaul.gov/news/summer-choice-fair.

Face to Face Day Celebration
2025-04-28 17:30 - 19:30 | Face to Face
April 28, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Face to Face. Free.
Stop by the Clinic or SafeZone (or both) for a tour, refreshments, and a celebration of giving at this annual event. Last year’s youth panel left our whole community uplifted and inspired. Mark your calendar and email friends@face2face.org to support the event. Learn more at face2face.org/face-to-face-day.

West 7th/Fort Road Federation Annual Meeting
2025-04-29 18:00 - 20:30 | Summit Brewing
April 29, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Summit Brewing.
Join us on Tuesday, April 29th at Summit Brewing (910 Montreal Circle) for our Annual Meeting. This event is an opportunity to learn about projects in the neighborhood and meet candidates running in the Federation Board Member Election. In addition to connecting with neighbors and candidates, connect with community organizations and hear from representatives from city, county and state-led projects in our neighborhood. Food will be provided (we’re seeking donations from local restaurants) and beverages will be available for purchase. Agenda to follow. Learn more at fortroadfed.org/annual-meeting.

Ward 2 Annual Meeting
2025-05-01 17:00 - 19:00 | Wellstone Center
May 1, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Wellstone Center.
This event offers constituents the opportunity to learn about upcoming projects and volunteer opportunities in the Ward, celebrate the past year’s achievements, and connect with neighbors and city staff. Light refreshments from El Burrito Mercado will be provided, along with activity packs for children. Everyone is welcome!
More info at stpaul.gov/department/city-council/ward-2.

West Side Cinco de Mayo
2025-05-02 17:00 - 2025-05-03 18:00 | Cesar Chavez St.
May 2-3, Fri. 5:00-9:00 p.m., Sat. 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Cesar Chavez Blvd. Free.
Get ready for the Westside Cinco de Mayo Celebration, Minnesota’s premier festival celebrating Mexican culture and community! The amazing Pepe Marquez will grace the stage with his unforgettable performance! Plus, enjoy local and regional acts, Mariachi bands, and traditional Folklórico dancers! Taste the best of Mexican cuisine with tacos, tamales, elotes, and sweet treats like churros and raspados! Shop for beautiful handmade creations and support talented local artisans. Fun for all ages with cultural exhibits, games, and kids’ activities. Kick off the day with our vibrant parade at 10:00 AM, showcasing floats, performers, and community pride!
Learn more at stpaulwestsidefiestas.com.

Neighborhood Clean Up
2025-05-04 00:00
May 31, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.773 S Chatsworth St,
Join us on Saturday, May 31st from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at 773 S Chatsworth Street for a community cleanup! We’ll provide all the supplies – just bring yourself, or even better – bring a friend! Enjoy coffee and treats while we work together to keep our streets looking great. Bonus if you can BYO cup/thermos!
We’d love to see you there! Meet us at 773 S Chatsworth St (the triangle by the Dabbler Depot right off West 7th Street). Learn more at fortroadfed.org.

Circus Juventas Community Day
2025-05-04 17:00 - 19:30 | Circus Juventas
May 4, 5:00-7:30 p.m. Circus Juventas. Pay as you can.
Circus Juventas welcomes guests of all ages to its annual Community Day celebration on Sunday, May 4 from 5 – 7:30 p.m. This spring event at the St. Paul big top is filled with wonder, excitement, and jaw-dropping performances by the coaches and professional students at Circus Juventas. Community Day is a way of opening the doors for all to explore what the circus arts are, be inspired, and encourage Minnesota youth to start their journey of performance by experiencing the magic of Circus Juventas. Visitors can expect a fun evening of breathtaking performances, live music, interactive activities, and food trucks. With a joy-based ticketing model, guests get to choose the ticket price that feels right for them.
Learn more and tickets at circusjuventas.org/CommunityDay.

Savor
2025-05-06 18:00 - 21:00 | Minnesota Museum of American Art
May 6, 6:00 p.m. Minnesota Museum of American Art. $500.
Please join us for SAVOR—a unique opportunity to dine in the M’s New Wing under the sparklingly restored stained glass arcade. This experience features award-winning Chef Yia Vang and the team from Union Hmong Kitchen, bringing together flavors and stories, surrounded by the M’s permanent collection artworks in HERE, NOW, all at one shared table.
SAVOR supports the M’s vision to inspire understanding and our common humanity through art and community engagement, always aiming to make the museum a vital space for bold exhibitions, engaging programs, and a welcoming space for everyone.
Learn more and purchase tickets at mmaa.org/savor.

Rollerskating FUN Night
2025-05-07 18:00 - 20:00 | El Rio Vista Recreation Center
May 7, 6-8 p.m. El Rio Vista Rec. Center.
Kids & Families – Dust of those skates & head on down to El Rio Vista to have some fun with the oldie but goodie activity. Most all roller rinks are closed these days, so let’s make this the new spot. If enough interest, we may do it more often. You are encouraged to bring your own roller-skates or inline skates if they have them. There will be some select sizes to borrow. Concessions for sale.
stpaul.gov/news/spring-celebrations-events.

Courtroom Concert: PaviElle French, vocalist & composer
2025-05-08 12:00 - 13:00 | Landmark Center
May 8, 12:00-1:00 p.m. Landmark Center. Free.
Hosted by composer Abbie Betinis, our popular Courtroom Concerts take place at noon most Thursdays in the Landmark Center in downtown St. Paul. This series features accomplished musicians and composers from the Twin Cities and surrounding area, as well as occasional musical newcomers to the area. These one-hour concerts are free and open to the public. schubert.org.

2025 Police Civilian Internal Affairs Review Commission (PCIARC) Annual Summit
2025-05-08 18:00 - 19:30 | Rondo Community Library
May 8, 6-7:30p.m. Rondo Community Library.
Please join us to learn more about the civilian oversight of St. Paul Police Department and how community members are involved in the filing and review of complaints regarding misconduct of sworn officers of the St. Paul Police Department. Learn more at stpaul.gov/calendar/2025-pciarc-annual-summit.

Ramsey After Dark: Mental Illness and the Victorian Mind
2025-05-09 17:30 - 20:45, 2025-05-23 17:30 - 20:45 | Alexander Ramsey House
May 9 & 23, 5:30-6:45 p.m. & 7:30-8:45 p.m. Alexander Ramsey House. $18-$20.
Mental illness was misunderstood and often feared by Victorian society. Families had to make difficult decisions about how to handle their loved ones’ struggles in an era where health issues were not discussed in public and treatment options were limited or experimental. Alexander Ramsey’s brother, Justus, and son-in-law, Charles, suffered from mental illness which impacted the entire family. In this tour, hear excerpts from newspaper accounts and family letters and journals to discover how an influential family handled a very human reality. This program is recommended for ages 18 and up.
Learn more and get tickets at mnhs.org/events/3375.

Saturday Science Club
2025-05-10 13:00 - 14:00 | Crosby Farm Regional Park
May 10, 1:00-2:00 p.m. Crosby Farm Park. Ages 14+. Free
Let’s get outside together and explore the world around us! Saturday Science Club is a monthly meetup for folks to get outside, explore, and learn about our incredible urban ecosystem. Each month we’ll look for wildlife and complete a mini bioblitz of life in the park. We’ll document what we find on iNaturalist and track changes in the world around us as the seasons change. Try to come every month to see what the entire year has to offer us. Have you wanted to participate in a community science project? This is it!
This program takes place outside. Please dress for the weather.
A smartphone with the iNaturalist app is encouraged, but certainly not required. Register at: bit.ly/saturdaysciencecrosby.

Early 19th Century Social Dance and Live Music
2025-05-10 18:30 - 20:30 | Fort Snelling
May 10, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Historic Fort Snelling. $24
Bring your eagerness to learn and enthusiasm for dance to an unforgettable evening at Historic Fort Snelling! Join us for an evening of socializing and learning a longways country dance called the Mad Robin similar to those common at early 19th century social gatherings. We’ll also try a dance called Mr. Beveridge’s Maggot (but no actual maggots here)! Dancers will be accompanied by members of the Historic Fort Snelling Fifes and Drums.
Learn more and get tickets at mnhs.org/events/3388.

Camp Savage and the Birth of US Military Language Intelligence: One Soldier's Story at Sibley
2025-05-16 18:00 - 19:00 | Sibley Historic Site
May 16, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Sibley Historic Site. $20.
Dr. Karen Lucas gives a fascinating presentation about Minnesota’s key role in the early development of US Military Language Intelligence during WWII. Dr. Lucas will share the experiences of her father, Walter Tanaka, as part of the first class at Camp Savage, where 6,000 Japanese linguists were trained, many of whom were Americans of Japanese descent.
Learn more at mnhs.org/events/3278.

The Great Plant Sale
2025-05-17 09:00 - 12:00 | St. Luke Lutheran Church
May 17, 9:00 a.m.-Noon. St. Luke Lutheran Church. Free Admission.
Rain or Shine – St. Luke Lutheran Church 1807 Field Ave St. Paul, MN 55116
Nursery and member grown perennials, natives, and annuals. Heirloom tomatoes, vegetables houseplants, gently used garden tools, books, pots and misc. gardening accessories. Cash, Check or Charge accepted. ramseygardeners.org

Ramsey County Master Gardeners Annual Plant Sale
2025-05-17 09:00 - 14:00 | Aldrich Arena
May 17, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Aldrich Arena. Free Entry.
The sale includes a large selection of native plants, vegetables, favorite and unique varieties of tomatoes, herbs, annual and perennial flowers, houseplants, quality garden gloves, and other great items to get your garden growing strong. Funds raised support Master Gardener community and youth education programs in Ramsey County. Cash, checks and credit cards accepted.
For more information, visit RamseyMasterGardeners.org/plantsale.

West End Garage Sale
2025-05-17 09:00 - 2025-05-18 15:00
May 17-18, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Various locations.
A Weekend of Fun. Join us for our West End Garage Sale! This will be a neighborhood-wide sale. Last day to register: May 3. Interested in participating? Fill out the form below. Your sale will be added to a map and advertised. Register your garage sale. Learn more at fortroadfed.org/west-end-garage-sale.

Nine Lives Expansion Celebration
2025-05-17 16:00 - 20:00 | Nine Lives Thrift
May 17, 4:00-8:00 p.m. Nine Lives Thrift. Free.
We knocked a wall down in March, and have expanded into the vacant space next to us at 1169 West 7th Street. That made space for a second dressing room, access to a bathroom and space to add a mending lounge and a whole lot of breathing room! We NEED to celebrate, with bubbles, and fun! We are especially excited to welcome Scout Cosmetics and her darling flash tattoos to the event…keep and eye out for an appointment link and flash options! We are thrilled to host Abby Chu Designs and her beautiful new trailer, Juliette, for their ribbon cutting! Come get a beautiful custom permanent bracelet, or scoop out her other delightful pieces!! Joy of Sunshine Services will be selling plants from 4 to 6!
More info at ninelivesthrift.org.

Whoa, Nellie! The Outlaw King Of The Wild Middle West
2025-05-17 19:30 - 2025-06-08 21:30 | History Theatre
May 17-June 8. History Theatre. $15-$74.
This spring, History Theatre proudly presents the world premiere of “Whoa, Nellie! Outlaw King of the Wild Middle West.” This rip-roaring musical tale of Nellie King, the “wily and scandalous female cowboy detective” whose countless criminal exploits and penchant for male attire made her an 1800s Minnesota media icon. “Whoa Nellie!” is directed by Laura Leffler and runs May 17-June 8, 2025- tickets on sale now!
For tickets and more info, visit www.historytheatre.com

St. Paul Soap Box Derby
2025-05-22 16:00 - 19:00 | Hidden Falls Regional Park
May 22, 4:00-7:00 p.m. Hidden Falls Regional Park. Free.
Cheer on youth from across the city at this year’s Soap Box Derby. Young people compete in derby cars they built over six weeks at local rec centers. This year the race will be on Thursday, May 22nd from 4-7pm at Hidden Falls Regional Park. Learn more at facebook.com/stpaulparks.

Jewish Girlhood in Minnesota Conversation
2025-05-22 18:00 - 19:00 | Minnesota History Center
May 22, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Minnesota History Center. Free.
Robin Doroshow of the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest and Kate Dietrick of the Upper Midwest Jewish Archives at the University of Minnesota Libraries hold a conversation about the history of Jewish sororities, exploring both the necessity and the social fun they provide.
Learn more at mnhs.org/events/3268.

Flint Hills Family Festival
2025-05-30 08:00 - 2025-05-31 17:00 | Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
May 30-31. Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. Free/$8.
The Flint Hills Family Festival, produced by the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, is celebrating 25 years of kicking off summer in downtown Saint Paul. The 2025 festival – happening May 30-31 in Rice Park and Landmark Center – will feature a star-studded lineup of family friendly headliners including 360 All Stars and Ada Twist, Scientist. All outdoor activities at the festival are free, and tickets for indoor performances start at $8. Tickets and more at ordway.org/festival.

Book Event: Enmity and Empathy
2025-05-31 13:30 - 14:30 | Fort Snelling
May 31, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Historic Fort Snelling. Free with Admission.
Celebrate the release of Enmity and Empathy: Japanese Americans in Minnesota During World War II with a panel discussion featuring author Ka Wong, Ms. Sally Sudo, and Dr. Karen Tanaka Lucas, followed by an audience Q&A. Dr. Wong’s book, drawing on personal interviews and archival research, explores the struggles and triumphs of Japanese Americans who relocated to Minnesota during WWII. Join us at the event to learn more about these remarkable individuals and the history of Fort Snelling, where many of them trained, with copies of the book available for purchase and signing.
Learn more at mnhs.org/events/3245.

Grand Old Day
2025-06-01 08:00 - 18:00 | Grand Avenue
June 1, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Grand Ave. Free.
Read our full preview of Grand Old Day 2025.
The official Kickoff to summer is back! Since 1973, the Grand Avenue Business Association has put on Grand Old Day and it is truly a family-friendly event for all ages. Over 200,000 people converge along 30 blocks of St. Paul’s iconic Grand Avenue, from Dale Street to Fairview Avenue, to celebrate the arrival of summer at the largest one-day festival in the upper Midwest. What is it that draws in such a crowd? Over 150 food vendors, a family fun area, art district, festival gardens with live music, a parade and much more.
Learn more at grandave.com/events/grandoldday.

Music on the Patio
2025-06-03 19:00 - 21:00 | Skinner’s Pub
Tuesdays through September 23. 7:00-9:00 p.m. Skinner’s Pub & Eatery. Free.
Skinner’s Pub is hosting live music on the patio every Tuesday all summer long, rain or shine, from 7-9 p.m. This month’s schedule includes GB Laeighton June 3, Croix Boys June 10, Michael Handler June 17 and Josh and Rose June 24.
More at facebook.com/skinnerspub.

St. Paul Walking Tours
2025-06-04 10:00 - 11:00 | Landmark Center
Wednesdays through August, 10 a.m.Various Locations. Free (reservation required)
St. Paul Walking Tours are back! Appreciate the rich history, architecture, and nature of downtown on four different tours: Heart of the City Walking Tour (the 1st Wednesday of the month in June and August only), It Happened Right Here: St. Paul’s Origins Walking Tour (2nd Wednesdays of the month), Great River Walking Tour (3rd Wednesdays of the month), Rice Park Walking Tour (4th Wednesdays of the month)!
All tours are free but reservations are required. June tour date reservations will open on May 5. July tour date reservations will open on June 2, and August tour date reservations will open on July 7. For more information, call 651.292.3063 or visit landmarkcenter.org/saint-paul-walking-tours.

Climb to the Top (North Tower)
2025-06-04 11:00 | Landmark Center
June 4, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Landmark Center. Free.
Enjoy a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes exploration of Landmark Center’s North Tower. Get a bird’s eye view of downtown St. Paul by climbing the steps and walking through a secret door to get to the top. This is the one rooftop you don’t want to miss this summer. Don’t forget your camera!
Free, Self-guided, No reservations required.
Summer 2025 Climb To The Top dates:

Wednesday, June 4th: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Wednesday, July 2nd: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Wednesday, August 6th: 11:00am – 1:00 pm

The North Tower is accessible only via stairs, 61 steps total from the 6th floor landing to the top. Or skip the elevator all together and climb the 198 stairs from the first floor.
Learn more at landmarkcenter.org/climb-to-the-top-north-tower.
