Table of Contents 1
Art as resistance
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Summertime cocktails
3
Sip sip hooray: breweries
4
Summer festivals guide
5 - 6 Spring into style 7
Your summer reading list
8
Twin Cities summer playlist
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Art as resistance: A Q&A with Visual Black Justice
A&E spoke with the president and founder of Visual Black Justice to learn about what justice looks like. By Nina Raemont nraemont@mndaily.com
A&E spoke with Athena Papagiannopoulos and Tay Elhindi of Visual Black Justice, an organization that seeks justice and amplifies Black voices in creative and visual ways, about their activist group, how art can be a form of resistance and what justice looks like after the Derek Chauvin trial ends. So Athena, as the founder of Visual Black Justice, why did you decide to create this organization? Athena: So, back during [the police killing of] Philando Castile, I had originally started a group called AR-14, which meant awareness and resistance and there were 14 people that started organizing with me. It wasn’t until about eight months ago that I wanted to take a new direction with how I wanted to do organizing and continue activism. I wanted this to be, like, way more art incorporated. What inspired you to center art in Visual Black Justice’s mission? Athena: Well I’m an artist, and in the beginning I didn’t see that as activism. It wasn’t until I grew more into the activist community and continued doing what I was doing that I did realize that art is resistance. So Tay, as the president of Visual Black Justice, when and why did you decide to join and lead the organization? Tay: I moved to the [Twin] Cities in 2017 and got a little bit more into activism. And then, after we saw the [uprising following
Visual Black Justice President Tay Elhindi and Founder Athena Papagiannopoulos pose for a portrait in Minneapolis on Saturday, April 17. Visual Black Justice works to amplify Black voices and show that art can also be a form of activism. (Jasmine Webber / Minnesota Daily) the police killing of] George Floyd, I was like, “Yeah, I need to really start being more engaged.” I was really upset, and I was really pissed off, and I had all this energy that just needed to go somewhere. So I was volunteering with the 10k Foundation when I met Athena. And when we met, it was just kind of this alpha female, visionary artist click, like synergy. So one of the projects you did with Visual Black Justice is the Reflect project that got a lot of attention during the beginning of the Chauvin trial. Where did that idea come from? Tay: We met Leesa Kelly from Memorialize the Movement over the summer, and she came to us with the idea to bring plywood boards with George Floyd’s face on them to the trial. So we were like, “That’s dope, how can we make this bigger?” And a big theme of these boards is to have everybody who’s there to reflect on what happened. We kept
using the word “reflect.” So then Athena was like, “We should bring mirrors.” So on the back of the mirrors we painted these messages of hope and these messages of solidarity, so, as the family walks in, we’ll hold up the sign that says, “We got your back,” “We’re with you every step of the way,” that kind of stuff. And if Derek Chauvin walked past, we’d flip the mirrors around with the fake blood and the words “Reflect” on them. We didn’t get to see Chauvin, but we still wanted to use “Reflect.” Because it’s not just about Chauvin; it’s about the entire system. Everybody has a role in what white supremacy is. We knew the mirrors were gonna get taken down, but we decided to do it regardless because we wanted all of those officers, and all the National Guard and like the jury and the judge and everybody who got to see it, to ask themselves, “What is my role in all of this?” Athena: A big thing with us and with our
visuals, we want people to continue the conversation. If you’ve seen it on the street, you’re going to take a Snapchat or send it to a friend and talk about what it means. So, once this trial is over, and whether or not Chauvin is convicted, what does justice look like to Visual Black Justice? Tay: I think a conviction is necessary because that’s accountability. That’s not the only piece of it: Part of justice is ending qualified immunity. What are we going to do at the foundation of our legal system and our justice system that prevents this from happening in the future? Can we still get Emmett Till justice and all those people who didn’t get a national uprising? Athena: We need justice for George Floyd, but we need justice for the past so we can keep getting justice for the future. This interview has been edited for length, grammar and clarity.
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College Kitchen: Summertime cocktails Pour one out for the end of the semester. By Nina Raemont nraemont@mndaily.com
H
ey, you. Yeah, you. You deserve a drink. With the end of the semester soon approaching, a countrywide rollout of vaccinations and the thought that, soon enough, we’ll be able to safely gather with friends and family — that’s reason enough for celebration. Here are three summer drinks to get you in a convivial spirit, ready for the summertime. Berry Bliss 1 egg white (for a vegan option, use 1 ounce aquafaba, the liquid from garbanzo beans) 1 ounce lemon juice 1 ounce berry simple syrup (blackberry or raspberry preferred) 2 ounces gin 1. In a cocktail shaker that does not have ice in it, add your egg white or aquafaba, lemon juice, berry simple syrup and gin. Shake without ice for 30 seconds. Once the mixture has a foamy top, add a few ice cubes and shake again. Once the shaker is significantly colder to the touch — another 20-30 seconds — your cocktail is ready. 2. Pour into a glass of your choice and garnish with a berry and lemon slice. Enjoy! Sweet & Smoky Escape 1 ounce Liber & Co. Tropical Passionfruit Syrup (can be found at Surdyk’s Liquor & Cheese Shop in northeast Minneapolis)
1 ounce citrus juice (orange or lemon preferred) 1 ounce triple sec or another orange liqueur 1 ½ ounces mezcal or tequila Tonic or seltzer water for topping Tajín for garnish 1. Run a lemon or orange wedge around the rim of your glass, then coat the rim with Tajín. Set the glass aside. 2. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, passionfruit syrup, citrus juice, orange liqueur and your choice of mezcal or tequila. Shake for 30 seconds. 3. Place a few ice cubes into your glass. Pour the drink in the glass, and enjoy. Frozen Berry Margarita 1 cup margarita mix 4 ounces tequila (if margarita mix doesn’t come with tequila) 1 cup frozen berries ½ cup ice 1 tablespoon sugar ¼ cup lime juice Coarse salt for rim of glass 1. In a blender, add your margarita mix, tequila, berries, ice and lime juice. Blend until smooth. 2. Run a lime wedge around the rim of a glass. Coat your glass with salt. Pour your mixture into the glass, and enjoy Summer Drink Edition of College Kitchen, featuring a sweet berry bliss and a tropical sweet & smoky escape, the Daily documented the making of these tasty drinks on Friday, April 17. (Liam Armstrong / Minnesota Daily)
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Sip sip hooray: Breweries near the U A&E rounded up some of our favorite local breweries open for socially distanced, in-person seating. By Frankie Carlson fcarlson@mndaily.com Looking for a cold brew in a great atmosphere this summer? Here are A&E’s top 10 local breweries that are sure to please. 612 Brew: 945 Broadway St. NE, Minneapolis Enjoy a quality beer in a fun-loving environment. Sit in the taproom or heated patio or go in for one of the many games available — giant jenga anyone? No reservation required; parties are limited to six or fewer. The Freehouse: 701 N. Washington Ave. #101, Minneapolis Serving food from breakfast to bar close, it’s hard to decide what’s better: the food or the beer. Stay and enjoy a meal on the patio, order food to go or go for one of the family meal options. From the menu to the taproom, this brewpub serves nothing but the best. Fulton Brewing Taproom: 414 6th Ave. N., Minneapolis From beers to hard seltzers, Fulton knows what its doing. The patio and taproom are both open for seating with reservations required. Inbound BrewCo: 701 N. 5th St., Minneapolis With the indoor seating officially reopened, Inbound is ready to rock for the summer. Complete with a patio, Inbound has plenty of open space to enjoy the sun and get some fresh air while social distancing. Home to some of the best beers in Minneapolis, Inbound is top tier. Insight Brewing & Taproom: 2821 E.
La Doña Cervecería, a latin-influenced craft brewery located on Freemont Ave North, is a short nine minute drive from the University of Minnesota campus. (Audrey Rauth / Minnesota Daily) Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis Whether you want IPAs, stouts, lagers, ciders or sours, Insight has what you’re looking for and then some. With a plethora of delicious options, a spacious taproom and good energy all around, you can’t go wrong with Insight. No reservations required; tables are first come, first serve. La Doña Cervecería: 241 Fremont Ave. N., Minneapolis La Doña is a Latin-influenced craft brewery with both the taproom and patio currently open for seating. With beautiful decor, a friendly atmosphere and a miniature soccer field for 3v3 matches, a night at La Doña is a guaranteed good time. LynLake Brewery: 2934 Lyndale Ave. S.,
Minneapolis While the rooftop patio is temporarily closed, the taproom is open for seating. Come for the beer, stay for the food; the Burger Joint serves up some of the top burgers and sandwiches in the area.
Not on the IPA wave? Looking for something light and sweet? Head over to Sociable Cider Werks where there’s always something new to try. With picnic tables outside, a cold drink in the sun might be just what the doctor ordered.
Pryes Brewing Co.: 1401 West River Rd. N., Minneapolis With outstanding IPAs and delicious food from Cason Italian Eatery, Pryes’ taproom is a quality spot. Using compostable materials, including cups, Pryes does its best to strive for sustainability. With the taproom and beer garden open, all tables are separated for socially distanced seating.
Urban Growler Brewing Co.: 2325 Endicott St., St. Paul The first woman-owned microbrewery in Minnesota, Urban Growler is a place for great beer and amazing food. The self-serve tap garden is a lovely place to enjoy a beer in the shade; leashed dogs are always welcome. Limited indoor dining is now available with a reservation.
Sociable Cider Werks: 1500 Fillmore St. NE, Minneapolis
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Add these Twin Cities Festivals to your summer bucket list A&E is giving you a timeline of all the best festivals to attend this summer. By Grace Davis gdavis@mndaily.com
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estivals have laid dormant since the pandemic started, but as things start to open up and the weather is getting better, there’s more opportunity to attend all your favorite festivals that make the Twin Cities the best place to be in the summer. April/May Fashion Week MN (April 28 - May 1): Fashion Week MN is a biannual event full of runway shows, presentations, panels and shopping events highlighting the most recent collections of Minnesota-based designers, brands and retailers. Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival (May 13 - May 23): The 40th annual international film festival will take on a hybrid format with an array of virtual and outdoor screenings in both Minneapolis and St. Paul. The full line up and ticketing will be announced April 22. Student all-access passes are currently at the discounted price of $19.99. June Stone Arch Bridge Festival (June 19 - June 20): The Stone Arch Bridge Festival is a Father’s Day weekend tradition that has been going on for over 25 years on the Minneapolis riverfront. Over 200 visual artists, 40 musical acts and countless food vendors can be seen at the festival. Keep an eye out for the vintage and vinyl market — along with the art of the car show! Twin Cities Pride Festival (June 26 - June 27): All LGBTQ people and allies are welcome for the premier celebration of the LGBTQ community in downtown Minneapolis! The festival is currently reviewing options for this year’s pride celebration. Twin Cities Pride
doesn’t believe it will be able to host the large festival at Loring Park like in past years, but it is looking at alternatives like a series of smaller gatherings. July Basilica Block Party (July 9 - July 10): Come ye sinners and worship at the best party ever held at a church. Back in 1995, the Basilica Block Party began as a fundraiser to help pay for the structural restoration of the Basilica of Saint Mary. Now, 26 years later, it’s one of the best summertime events in the Twin Cities with an incredible lineup of indie rock. Loring Park Art Festival (July 31 - August 1): Loring Park Art Festival consists of 140 visual artists selling their original work in 12-by-12foot booths, strolling musicians, scheduled stage performances, children’s activities and exceptional food. The art work presented will be from a variety of different media, including painting, photography, printmaking, wood, jewelry, clay, sculpture, fiber and glass.
August Uptown Art Fair (August 6 - August 8): The Uptown Art Fair, produced by the Uptown Association, is a fine arts festival known as one of the most exceptional art fairs in the United States. The Uptown Art Fair showcases a variety of unique art for everyone. Edina Art Fair (August 20 - August 22): The fair is held annually in the streets of 50th and France in Edina. The neighborhood is a hot shopping destination in the Twin Cities, known for all the luxury and lifestyle boutiques.
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Street Style: Students stunt in spring looks
Katie Johnson
Kirstin Knudsen
With warm weather approaching, University of Minnesota students in Dinkytown are showing off what they are wearing this spring. Story Grace Davis Photos by Lexa Lewis
A&E hit the streets of Dinkytown to find the most fitted up students; here’s what’s in style for spring 2021.
Denim on denim Who knew the Canadian tuxedo look would make its way back into the streets? Good denim is a must in anyone’s wardrobe. A good pair of jeans can really make or break an outfit, and these ladies found just that with these outfits. Kirstin Knudsen, a second-year student, is wearing The Ragged Priest jeans and a thrifted top. She is sporting a printed denim with a different denim on top, which is a good way to not wash out the outfit and give a little more attention to the printed jeans. Katie Johnson, a first-year student, is wearing an all thrifted outfit, giving off a “‘70s chic meets ‘90s chill” vibe with the added headband hairpiece.
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Leather jackets With a Minnesota spring, you never know what to expect. Having a couple of jackets on hand — to put over an outfit and pull it all together rather than wash it out — is essential. These leather jackets add an edge to these softer looks.
Max Fleming
The oversized look that Emma Kostecki, a first-year student, is wearing is one that has been very in with the recent wave of ‘90s trends hitting the streets again. This style can be fun to add to looks that might be a little more fitted. Holly Fjeldstad, a second-year student, adds a leather jacket with fur lining, giving more of a Y2K look that is not only fun and funky but also practically warm for those cooler nights walking around campus.
Left, Sony Kika. Right, Alexus Songa
Holly Fjeldstad
Collared and vintage tees The casual sneakers paired with jeans keeps the outfit neutral and adding a top with a little statement really brings these looks to life. Firstyear students Sony Kika and Alexus Songa juxtaposed their casualness on the bottom by adding short-sleeved collared shirts, elevating the look.
Emma Kostecki
Max Fleming, a fourth-year student, took the vintage graphic tee route with a top from Electric Fetus. Sporting vintage tees can be a fun way to give an outfit some extra character.
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2021 summer reading guide: booktok edition
Looking for your next read? Check out these recommendations straight from Booktok. By Megan Phillips mphillips@mndaily.com
There’s nothing like settling into a good book, especially when it’s not for class. If you’ve been craving a fictional escape, check out these gems TikTok has been raving about. Whether you’re a diehard fantasy reader or a mystery lover, you’re sure to find a book that will make you forget about the stress of the spring semester. “They Both Die at the End” by Adam Silvera: Although the title spoils the ending, this is worth the read. Told over the course of a single day, the story follows two people as they deal with hope, loss and friendship. “The Song of Achilles” by Madeline Miller: A retelling of the Greek legend of Achilles from “The Iliad,” this book tells the love story between Achilles and Patroclus. For Greek mythology nerds, Miller’s rendition shouldn’t be missed. Warning: You’ll need a lot of tissues for this one. “The Priory of the Orange Tree” by Samantha Shannon: At 848 pages Shannon’s masterpiece is intimidating, but rest assured that once you pick this book up, it’ll be hard to put down. The epic fantasy imagines an unwed queen trying to find an heir to the throne before she’s assassinated. “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by
Books that have gained popularity on TikTok are on display at Barnes & Noble near Uptown on Friday, April 16. The store manager said TikTok has increased sales in the store. (Emily Pofahl / Minnesota Daily) V.E. Schwab: If you could make a bargain to live forever, would you? Addie LaRue did, and now she’s cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets — until 300 years later when she meets a young man in a bookstore who knows her name.
Enter the world of Alina Starkov, a soldier training with her country’s military elite as she learns magic and fights evil in the exciting first book of the Grisha trilogy. Read it before the Netflix original series is released on April 23.
“Red, White & Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston: Summer wouldn’t be complete without some romance. Follow the story of Alex, America’s first son, and Henry, Prince of Wales, as they hash out diplomatic issues after the paparazzi catch them together.
“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid: Immerse yourself in the glamorous life of Old Hollywood movie star Evelyn Hugo as she recounts the twists and turns of her acting career, including her seven different marriages and her secret forbidden love.
“Shadow and Bone” by Leigh Bardugo:
“The Cruel Prince” by Holly Black:
Book one in Black’s “The Folk of Air” series, this fantasy tale follows a mortal girl who becomes involved with the Court of Faerie as they near a deadly civil war. “We Were Liars” by E. Lockhart: A group of four friends — the Liars — uncover secrets and lies in this suspenseful contemporary novel set on a private island. If anyone asks how the story ends, just lie. “Honey Girl” by Morgan Rogers: After completing her Ph.D. in astronomy, Grace Porter goes on a girls’ trip to Vegas where she drunkenly marries a woman whose name she doesn’t know. Deciding against
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Today’s top hits: Twin Cities edition Soundtrack your summer with these hot jams from local artists. By Megan Phillips mphillips@mndaily.com
A
s sunny weather begins to warm the Twin Cities from the brutal Minnesota winter, the opportunity to explore everything the Cities have to offer comes with it. Whether you’re taking a stroll through Dinkytown, checking out thrift stores in Uptown or cruising on one of the state’s 10,000 lakes, A&E has you covered with a summer playlist featuring some of the best local artists.
“Forgive Me” by Keep For Cheap: This 2020 single by the prairie rock band is perfect for driving with your windows down on the freeway, featuring flowery, indie vibes that make you want to run through fields. It was also the winner of the 2021 record of the year at the Loring Awards. “Asymmetrical” by Creeping Charlie: Released in 2020, this indie EP focuses on growing up, offering a mix of mellow and upbeat tracks to accompany late-night bonfires or lazy lake days. “Everything but the Kitchen Sink’’ by Colby Hansen: Hansen’s latest album combines alternative R&B with indie-pop to create this funky, foot tap-inducing album. You’ll find it hard to keep still when these jazzy tracks are playing. “Chicago Avenue” by Nur-D: Inspired by the police killing of George Floyd in 2020, this album encompasses Nur-D’s reflections on police brutality, civil unrest and Black excellence, creating an honest, eye-opening project about events leading up to and surrounding Floyd’s death. “Write Back” by Mack OC: Featuring the catchiest of beats, Mack OC’s 2020 album provides a stellar selection of songs to amp up any summer day. OC’s killer lines will level up any workout or morning routine.
“Or Die” by VIAL: Feeling more punk than rap? VIAL has your back with this 2020 single to satisfy your punk music needs. Listen in preparation for their upcoming summer album release. “Not That Deep” by DAGR, Dizzy Fae and Jerome Farah: This hypnotic single features alternative indie artists Dizzy Fae and Jerome Farah combining their musical talents to produce an addictingly smooth record for carefree summer days. “Let Me Feel Low” by Cavetown (featuring Miloe): London-based Cavetown collaborated with Minneapolis artist Miloe on this 2020 single about wallowing in darker feelings and not caring. If you’re not feeling called to cheery anthems, this song will keep your lowness company. “4/9” by Dad Bod: Nostalgia, regret and longing mix together on the band’s most recent single to go alongside any other songs in your music library about lost romances. Summertime sadness, anyone? “Prodigal Gun” by Partition: If your playlist needs more alternative rock, look no further than Partition’s high-energy 2020 album release. Finish your to-do list or hype yourself up before work with these fun punk tracks.