It's the first weekend of the 2024 Minnesota Fringe Festival, the Midwest's largest celebration of the performing arts! Over 500 performances are happening in Minneapolis through August 11, 2024. Though I'm a long-time fan of #MNFringe, this festival has been happening long before I came onto the theater scene (for 31 years!) and I want to thank everyone who helped build this amazing community arts festival into the dynamic experience that it has grown to become!

I'm actually on the board of directors for the Minnesota Fringe Festival. I am serving my third year on the governance committee, where I work to keep the festival on track for future generations to explore adventurous art! Hit me up if you are interested in learning more about board service; I'm happy to talk with you about my experiences and what nonprofit board service has been like for someone who hasn't done anything like that before.

I attended four shows at all four time-slots yesterday, volunteer ushered for the first time in a long time, and helped run the social media for the Twin Cities Theater Bloggers. A lot is happening and I want to take a moment to invite you to join in the fun and adventure! There are lots of ways to participate in the Minnesota Fringe but the best way is to experience it for yourself. Grab a friend and head to a theater. Check out minnesotafringe.org and reach out to the staff or volunteers if you have any questions! Hope to see you at the theater.

Artfully,

Kendra

Single show tickets are $20. More Ticket Information available on their site.
2024 Collectible Minnesota Fringe Festival Buttons are $5. Every attendee needs a button to enter.
The theater venues are in various Minneapolis neighborhoods. Minnesota Fringe has lots of venue Information, so I recommend taking a look to see theater near you.

After more than three years, Frank Theatre has made a brilliant return to Twin Cities theater with the world premiere of Trista Baldwin's new play, FETAL. I've always been a fan of Frank Theatre's audacious and socially relevant theater. Their comeback (after three challenging years) exemplifies why ongoing support for small local theater companies is crucial. Theater serves as a communal space for us to collectively explore significant issues and narratives. I walked away from the show grateful for the reminder that we are not alone during difficult social challenges. Tickets are very limited for these mostly sold-out performances.

FETAL unfolds in a Texas abortion clinic on the day Roe v. Wade was overturned by the United States Supreme Court. The intimate theater immersed me in the very realistic set (by Rick Polenek) and I felt like I was in a doctor's waiting room with the actors. Baldwin's script weaves the stories of Lucy (Carolyn Pool), a corporate mother; Cass (Julia Valen), a graduate student exploring her sexuality; Liv (Elena Yazzie), a conflicted teenage girl; and Anne (Kate Beahen), a clinic worker. As the Dobbs decision looms, their choices are scrutinized, revealing the complexity of their decisions to terminate pregnancies.

Playwright Trista Baldwin, a former resident of the Twin Cities and now based in Seattle, describes FETAL as a love song to the body and a howl for freedom amid diminishing reproductive rights. The play delves into overlooked childbirth risks as Anne's story emerges, adding depth.

The climax reveals the court's decision, erasing the notion of choice. Baldwin's storytelling guides a collective realization—the only choice left is for the women to unite in adversity.

Baldwin, a Jerome Fellowships recipient, McKnight Advancement Grant awardee has a distinguished career. FETAL serves as a poignant commentary on reproductive freedom, shedding light on the complexities of women's choices. Learn more at tristabaldwin.com.

Frank Theatre's next show hasn't been announced yet, but it will be at the Gremlin Theatre in January of 2024. Get your tickets early -- before they have another sell out!

Frank Theatre
Ivy Building for the Arts
2637 27th Ave S #208
​Minneapolis, MN 55406, USA

Cherry and Spoon: "Fetal" at Frank Theatre

Read more at Cherry and Spoon

Play Off The Page:  Review of H.M.S. Pinafore

Read more at Play Off the Page

Minnesota acoustic artist Tyler Herwig will take the stage of Arts + Rec this week, but before he plays his music live in Uptown on March 14, I had the chance to learn more about his creative process and the  journey he has taken as an artist. Tyler has also been known to play at Troubadour Wine  Bar -- one of my favorite Uptown spots to hear music -- and lots of other local venues. If you haven't had the pleasure of hearing Tyler before this, his music has been praised for its authenticity and raw emotion, which is a reflection of his personal experiences and personal struggles (read more below.) If you are interested in local independent music, songwriting, and using art to express complex emotions then this exclusive interview is for you! And if you are an artist or aspiring artist Tyler has some words of wisdom about where "the magic happens" so enjoy this artist Q&A and sign-up for Artfully Engaging email updates for more inspiring words from local creative entrepreneurs.

As an acoustic pop artist, how do you keep your performances fresh and unique for your audience?

Collaboration is often an important aspect of creativity. Have you collaborated with any other artists in the past, and if so, how did that influence your music?
Yes! I love collaborations and am currently exploring more and more of them with different artists all over the area. Collaborations help me expand my views of the possibilities and diversity of music. The different interpretations have allowed me to create my own songs and perfect them in a way that wouldn't have been possible without sharing talents with other artists.

What can audiences expect from your upcoming shows, and do you have any exciting events or performances coming up?
I'm looking forward to performing at new venues all over the Twin Cities area this summer. Not only have I added new venues, but I'm also in the process of adding new, original music to my sets because I am working on the release of a new album this year. Keep watching close!

Your social media pages feature a lot of original music. What inspires you to keep creating new songs and sharing them with others?
My history with a drug and alcohol addiction keeps me writing original music because it's how I share my story best with others. I know people experience things like loss and heart ache and, if they're anything like me, it can be hard to handle emotions like that. During my use, I struggled with expressing my emotions properly and music became the only outlet that allowed me to do so; I want to be relatable on that level with others going through a similar struggle. I want them to know that they aren't alone with their emotions and writing my own music to touch them keeps me inspired. 

How has your involvement with organizations like the Midwest Country Music Association (CMO) and the International Singer-Songwriters Association (ISSA) impacted your career as a musician?
The support from local music organizations is unparalleled. It can be daunting trying to start a career as an artist, but being involved with the Midwest CMO and ISSA makes the intimidating world of music less so. I feel the organizations give artists the support and backing they need for their career to flourish with connections to other musicians, mentors, and so much more.

What advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are just starting out in their careers?
I would encourage them to say "yes" to all opportunities that come their way. You never know which venue or gig might change the course of your entire career or where you might perform for that one person who really needs to hear your work. Keep the grind and seek support from others in the area. Bouncing ideas off other artists is what keeps things fresh in your performance, and it will never hurt to take an opportunity regardless of how "small" it may seem in the moment. In my experience, it's where the magic happens.

Finally, how can fans support your work and stay up-to-date with your music and performances?
Following me on social media is the best way to keep up! I'm on everything: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and everything in between @tylerherwigmusic. You can also check out any new music, check my tour schedule, and let me know where you'd like to see me next on my website: tylerherwigmusic.com. I look forward to connecting with fans and getting to know each of them even better!

Tyler Herwig @ Arts + Rec Uptown
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Thanks to Arts + Rec for sponsoring this post! If you have upcoming events to promote, local Twin Cities businesses to advertise, or want to support these conversations please reach out.

​I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Leslie Vincent, an incredibly talented jazz singer and performer who is gearing up to celebrate Women's History Month with a special concert series at Arts + Rec in Uptown, Minneapolis. Leslie's upcoming Sunday afternoon concerts will showcase the music of women in three emotional states: "Women in Love," "Women Who Folk," and "Women on the Edge." I was curious to learn more about what inspired Leslie to put together this exciting celebration of women in music, as well as to hear about her own creative process and upcoming projects.

In our interview, Leslie shared her influences, gave us a sneak peek into her upcoming album, and offered some advice for aspiring artists. Keep reading to learn more about Leslie's work and where you can catch her upcoming performances. Enjoy!

Artfully, 

P.S. Stay up to date on Minneapolis creative events, ticket deals, and artist features with Artfully Engaging Emails.

You mentioned you are currently recording your second solo album, can you give us a sneak peek into what we can expect from it?
Leslie: I don’t want to say too much, but it’s jazzy with some musical theatre essences sprinkled in. It’s my love letter to dark times and how we get through them. It’s joy and heartache and everything in between.

How has your music evolved over the years and what changes can listeners expect to hear in your new album?
Leslie: Oh, I’ve grown so much since I released my debut album [in 2020]. I went into this recording process with the goal to arrange each song specifically. The result is cool.

What message do you hope your music conveys to your listeners, and how do you hope it impacts them?
Leslie: Every single time I perform, I do it with the intention of inviting people in. I want them to enjoy themselves, have a laugh, and soak up beautiful music. Life is hard—we deserve time to appreciate any art and music around us whenever we get the chance. That’s what I try to provide with my limited time on Earth. ​

Leslie Vincent & Ted Godbout live music celebrating Women's History Month:

Leslie Vincent and Ted Godbout bring you Sunday afternoons full of women-inspired music from 1pm to 330 pm. 

March 12th - Women in Love: jazz-inspired songs about being in and out of love, featuring songs from the Great American Songbook. 

March 19th - Women Who Folk featuring the warm vibes of Carole King, Carly Simon, Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift, Linda Rondstadt, Patsy Cline.

March 26th - Women on the Edge featuring the songs of Amy Winehouse, Adele, Alanis Morisette, Meredith Brooks, Natalie Imbruglia, and The Indigo Girls. 

Boosting your digital audience engagement, including increasing clicks on your links and having others re-share your content, starts with identifying other businesses and individuals who are thought-leaders in your field. How do you find the experts in what you do? Hopefully, you've already visited your favorite search engine for some basic searches on who to follow in your field. Once you have looked up professional organizations, blogs and podcast creators, and relevant hash tags (#socialmedia, #mplsactors, #websitecreation, #smallbiz, #audiencedevelopment, etc.) you can start to find lots of potential "digital friends."  I recommend building lists on your Twitter account to keep track of these superstars. But also sign up for their email lists, check out their websites and resources, follow them on Instagram and Facebook. Explore what they do and examine what is working well for them and keep in mind your common ground.

Who could you follow on social media?

• First, find your current collaborators, project partners and clients on social media.
• Second, learn who your main competition follows and who is following them.
  
• Finally, identify your ideal clients or collaborators for the medium- and long-term.
  

Expand from there. You will attract like-minded people by keeping your social media posts relevant to your audience and directly linked to your mission and goals.

Connect with your online friends by asking questions, congratulating successes, and re-sharing their posts and content that is relevant to both of you.

Finally, keep in touch with your digital buddies. Watch out for opportunities they might appreciate and help them to expand their online reach. Reciprocity is the name of the game when it comes to social media and engaging your stakeholders online.