Minnesota Public Radio to Celebrate 50th Anniversary Throughout Greater Minnesota

Jun 13, 2017

Minnesota Public Radio continues its 50th anniversary celebration with several events throughout the state this summer and early fall. The schedule of events includes four open houses at MPR's bureaus in Duluth, Rochester, Bemidji and Moorhead, MPR Days in Ely and Moorhead, a Policy & A Pint event in Rochester, live broadcasts from MPR News, The Current and Classical MPR and a traveling 50th Anniversary photo exhibit titled "Faces of Minnesota."

"We are delighted to have the opportunity to thank our Greater Minnesota listeners in person for their support over these last five decades," said Kristi Booth, Minnesota Public Radio regional director. "We're thrilled to open our doors in each of the bureaus and give folks a behind-the-scenes look at what happens in their community to make MPR happen every day."

MPR Days featuring live broadcasts and daylong programming from MPR News, Classical MPR and The Current are scheduled in Ely and Moorhead and the annual MPR Connects events are set for the fall in Bemidji, Duluth, St. Cloud and Rochester.

Since its beginning as a college radio station at Saint John's University, MPR has grown to a 45-station regional network of three distinct services - MPR News, Classical MPR and The Current - as well as a national producer and distributor of radio programs, podcasts and streaming services, serving 1 million Minnesotans and more than 20 million listeners a week nationwide.

More information about MPR Day and other MPR 50 events may be found at mpr50.org.

Calendar of Greater Minnesota events by location:

ROCHESTER
Rochester Bureau Open House
Saturday, June 17, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
1530 Greenview Dr. SW, Ste. 215, Rochester Meet and greet Rochester bureau staff including MPR News' Catharine Richert and The Current's Mark Wheat and tour the bureau. Tech experts will be on hand to help listeners navigate their devices to more easily access MPR's digital services. There will be live performances by Pat Egan and members of the Rochester Symphony Orchestra Chorale. Minnesota Children's Museum Rochester will provide interactive activities for all ages and the Rochester Symphony Orchestra will host an instrument petting zoo.

Faces of Minnesota photo exhibit
Saturday, June 17- Saturday, July 1
Forager Brewing, 1005 6th St NW, Rochester
Minnesota Public Radio presents "Faces of Minnesota," a collection of 50 images from the last decade that document our state and the people who live here, in celebration of MPR's 50th anniversary. The pictures come from the work of news and music services award-winning photographers and regional freelancers, and tell the story of what makes Minnesota special.

Faces of Minnesota reception, "A Chat With MPR News Photojournalists"
Friday, June 23, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Forger Brewing Company, 1005 6th St NW, Rochester

Policy & A Pint
Thursday, June 29, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
The Bleu Duck, 14 4th St SW, Rochester
While salary may initially beat location when it comes to considering a new job opportunity, workers are in fact searching for a place to live that offers a good combination of career opportunities AND housing that they can afford. Many workers are finding that their options aren't always obvious. Rochester--while not quite a New York or San Francisco--offers high-paying jobs, but rents and home prices have shot up beyond the reach of most workers. Locations like Rochester with high salaries will continue to lose talent because sky-high rents are outpacing paychecks, so how should the city create workforce-priced housing to attract and retain talent? Should it be left to market forces? When is government intervention appropriate? Join this discussion as we ask these and other questions (and take yours!) at our next Policy and a Pint with MPR host, Steve Seel. Co-presented by The Current and the Citizens League.
Tickets: $10 general public; $5 students with ID
Tickets available at Eventbrite.

MPR Connects! Featuring Brains On (MPR's science podcast for kids)
Saturday, November 11, 10 a.m.
The Kahler Apache Event Center, 1517 16th St SW, Rochester

BEMIDJI
Bemidji Bureau Open House
Friday, July 7, 3- 6 p.m.
405 Beltrami Ave, Bemidji

Faces of Minnesota photo exhibit
Friday, July 7- Saturday, August 1
Watermark Art Gallery, 516 Beltrami Ave
Dunn Brothers, 501 Paul Bunyan Dr S
Minnesota Public Radio presents "Faces of Minnesota," a collection of 50 images from the last decade that document our state and the people who live here, in celebration of MPR's 50th anniversary. The pictures come from the work of news and music services award-winning photographers and regional freelancers, and tell the story of what makes Minnesota special.

MPR Connects! Featuring Brains On (MPR's science podcast for kids)
Friday, September 22, 5:30 p.m.
Boys and Girls Club, 1600 Minnesota Ave NW

DULUTH
Duluth Bureau Open House
Wednesday, July 12, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.
306 West Superior Street, Suite 500
Meet and greet Duluth bureau staff including MPR News' Dan Kraker and The Current's Mike Novitzki and tour the bureau. Merchandise will be available for purchase and tech experts will be on hand to help listeners navigate their devices to more easily access MPR's digital services. The open house includes live performances by Jerree Small from Southwire, Toby Thomas Churchill and violinist Wilson to name a few. Duluth Superior Symphony Youth Orchestra will host an instrument petting zoo. Duluth is celebrating Downtown Sidewalk Sale Days at the same time. The Current van will be parked in front of the building and attendees will have the opportunity to meet and chat with Duluth Local Show host Mike Novitzki. The Duluth Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting at 4:30 p.m.

The Current Goes to Duluth
Friday, July 28-Sunday, July 30
Oake and Riley in the Morning continue their afternoon summer shenanigans with a live broadcast from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Duluth Coffee Company's new Roasteria. They'll be joined by musical guests, Monica LaPlante and Glitteratti; Hoops Brewing's Dave Hoops and Melissa Rainville; The Current's Duluth Local Show host Mike Novitzki; Glensheen Mansion Director Dan Hartman, and Duluth Coffee Co. owner Eric Faust. Stop on by for live radio, music, gourmet coffee from around the world and of course...beer. Following the live broadcast, The Current hosts a free show at The Red Herring Lounge featuring DJ Keezy, The Latelys, BB Gun, Monica LaPlante and Red Mountain. Doors at 7pm, music at 8pm. The Current's Jade, Jill Riley and Brian Oake will be on hand at All Pints North on Saturday, June 29, welcoming 4onthefloor and Viva Knievel (an all-Bauhaus Brew Labs band) to the stage.

MPR Connects! Featuring Brains On (MPR's science podcast for kids)
Saturday, September 23, 9:30 a.m.
Great Lakes Aquarium, 353 Harbor Drive, Duluth

ELY
MPR Day
Thursday, July 13, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Whiteside Park, 721 E Sheridan St
The daylong event will feature live broadcasts of all three MPR regional services: MPR News, Classical MPR and The Current, as well as live performances and guest interviews.

MOORHEAD
MPR Day
Thursday, September 28
The Rourke Art Gallery and Museum
521 Main Avenue, Moorhead
Details TBA

Faces of Minnesota photo exhibit
Friday, September 8- Friday, Oct. 13
Hjemkomst Center, 202 1st Avenue North, Moorhead
Minnesota Public Radio presents "Faces of Minnesota," a collection of 50 images from the last decade that document our state and the people who live here, in celebration of MPR's 50th anniversary. The pictures come from the work of news and music services award-winning photographers and regional freelancers, and tell the story of what makes Minnesota special.

Moorhead Bureau Open House
Thursday, October 12
1118 8th Street South, Moorhead

ST. CLOUD
MPR Connects! Featuring Brains On (MPR's science podcast for kids)
Saturday, October 28, 10 a.m.
The Tuscan Event Center, 3333 W Division St #116

WINONA
Classical MPR live broadcasts from the Minnesota Beethoven Festival
July 11-18
Classical MPR will broadcast four concerts from the Beethoven Festival in Winona. The concerts will air on all Classical MPR stations across the state.

Tuesday, July 11: Cellist David Finckel and pianist Wu Han - often called "The Power Couple of Chamber Music" - make their MN Beethoven Festival debut with a recital of Beethoven, Brahms, and Mendelssohn, presented from the stage of the Page Theatre on the campus of St. Mary's University. Julie Amacher hosts this live broadcast, which starts at 7:30pm.

Thursday, July 13: Known for their incredibly visual performances (and wildly creative music videos), the Anderson & Roe Piano Duo present a diverse recital program, including selections by Leonard Cohen, John Adams, and Beethoven. This live broadcast, which begins at 7:30pm and takes place in the Page Theatre on the campus of St. Mary's University, is hosted by Julie Amacher.

Sunday, July 16: For more than six decades, composer and conductor Dale Warland has been an integral part of the international choral scene. This summer marks his final appearance with his "Festival Chorale" at the Minnesota Beethoven Festival with a program that includes music by Benjamin Britten and Gustav Holst. Brian Newhouse hosts this live broadcast, which takes place at the Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels, and starts at 3pm.

Tuesday, July 18: Recently dubbed by The New Yorker as "the young American string quartet of the moment," the Dover Quartet takes the stage of Page Theatre on the campus of Saint Mary's University to share music by Mozart and Beethoven. Alison Young hosts this live broadcast, which begins at 7:30pm.