MinneCulture, Author at KFAI | Minneapolis & Saint Paul

MinneCulture | Good Vibrations: Annie Fitzgerald brings vibrational healing to Saint Mark’s Cathedral

Sound is powerful tool. Throughout human history, it’s has been used to boost morale during war, to help people work more efficiently and to ward off evil spirits. The concept of using sound to heal goes back to ancient Greece.

Sound vibrations in and of themselves contain resonance that have a powerful effect on our bodies and minds. Research shows us that sound healing can slow down our brain waves and put our bodies in a very relaxed, dreamlike state. It may also be able to help with certain physical and mental health conditions.

KFAI's MinneCulture · Good Vibrations: Sound Journeys bring vibrational healing to St. Mark's Cathedral

A Sound Journey – or Sound Bath – is a guided meditation that harnesses this power for therapeutic and restorative effect. During a session, a participant lies down in a comfortable setting with closed eyes and allows the sound from a myriad of instruments like chimes, singing bowls, gongs and drums to wash over them. The relaxing resonance acts like concentric rings, building on itself and helping to release blockages, expand awareness and inspire.

Sound Practitioner and Singer/Songwriter Annie Fitzgerald leads a one-hour group Sound Journey in numerous locations throughout Minnesota including Saint Mark’s Cathedral every other Thursday. Everyone is welcome!

Support for MinneCulture on KFAI has been provided by the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

MinneCulture | 24 musicians, 6 bands, and 48 hours of brand new music

On a beautiful mid-August weekend on Palmer’s patio, 24 musicians signed up to perform in the 48 Hour Band Contestival — the first Contestival in 8 years. The six bands of four were randomly put together regardless of their skill level or instrument. Over a mere 48 hours, they met up to produce, practice and perform 2 -3 songs on the patio of Palmer’s Bar to a large audience and a panel of celebrity judges.

The Contestival began nearly 20 years ago, in the 7th Street Entry. Grant Hart of Hüsker Dü was one of the judges. It was continued at the Hexagon for years, with musician and booker Luc Parker at the helm.

KFAI's MinneCulture · 24 musicians, 6 bands, and 48 hours of brand new music

The Contestival brings community together, forging new friendships and sometimes, the formation of new bands. One was Wet Denim, whose members Claire Zach Swenson and Billy Luetzen were emcees this year. Wet Denim performed the sign-up night, with Butter Boys and stand-up comedian, DeVon Bland.

This year’s 48 hours Band Contestival culminated in some wildly surprising performances. The Contestival drew a large crowd — many returning fans, and many who had never experienced it.

KFAI’s Cyn Collins attended the event and spoke with organizer Luc Parker, and some of the participants and attendees.

Support for MinneCulture on KFAI has been provided by the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

MinneCulture | Dewey Goodwin reflects on his long history — and hopeful future — of making art

Duane “Dewey” Goodwin is a Minnesota artist and sculptor who lives near Bemidji. A member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, Goodwin is a sculptor who primarily works in stone. He’s worked for over 50 years as an artist, including as art teacher in Bemidji. In 2012, Goodwin was a Community Spirit Award Honoree with the First Peoples Fund, which honors people for their commitment to sustaining the cultural values of Native people.

KFAI's MinneCulture · Dewey Goodwin reflects on his long history — and hopeful future — of making art

Goodwin’s sculptures can be found across Minnesota, including along the banks of the Mississippi River and on college campuses. The sculptures portray the reality of life for Indigenous people in Minnesota, a mixture of embracing their culture and a remembrance of pain inflicted through colonization. Health issues have made it challenging for Goodwin to make art in recent years, and KFAI’s Joe Friedrichs spoke with the artist to find out if he is still planning to work and make art in the years ahead.

Support for MinneCulture on KFAI has been provided by the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

MinneCulture | Mesmerized by the Aurora Borealis

Throughout the spring and summer, Minnesotans across the state have had the unique opportunity to view the Northern Lights. The Northern Lights, which are rarely visible this far south, are caused by the sun emitting a series of solar flares.

KFAI's MinneCulture · Mesmerized by the Aurora Borealis

KFAI producer Rmay Rivard shares what she calls a “Minnesota Moment” from the woodlands around Sandstone, MN, where she and other curiosity seekers awaited the arrival of the infamous Aurora Borealis in May.

Support for MinneCulture on KFAI has been provided by the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

MinneCulture | The Domed (and Doomed) Minnesota Experimental City

In 1973, Athlestan Spilhaus, a scientist and the former Dean of Technology at the University of Minnesota, envisioned a 21st century. His grand scheme included a self-sufficient domed city. He raised a million dollars in seed money from investors to lay the groundwork for the Minnesota Experimental City (MXC).

KFAI's MinneCulture · The Domed (and Doomed) Minnesota Experimental City

Unfortunately, no one ever asked the people of Aitkin and Cass counties, whose homes would be sacrificed to build the MXC, if they wanted a city dropped on top of them.

Britt Aamodt has the story of the Spilhaus and his ultimately flawed vision for a domed city in the Minnesota wilderness.

Support for MinneCulture on KFAI has been provided by the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

MinneCulture | After more than a decade of trying to publish ‘Annika Rose,’ Minnesota author finally breaks through

As a promising young writer, Cheri Johnson won a series of big awards like the Bush Fellowship and the McKnight Fellowship, which gave her the funding to focus on finishing her first book. But she took a wrong turn with that book and struggled for years to write a new novel and find a publisher.

KFAI's MinneCulture · After more than a decade of trying to publish 'Annika Rose,' Minnesota author finally breaks through

After more than a decade, she’s finally published that book: “Anika Rose,” based loosely on “Rosemary’s Baby,” but set in Lake of the Woods County where she grew up. She tells KFAI’s Rob McGinley Myers what she’s learned through that process about why she writes.

Support for MinneCulture on KFAI has been provided by the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

MinneCulture | The Minnesotan Who Invented the Paper Bag (with Handles)

Some things are so ubiquitous that it’s hard to imagine anyone ever inventing them. But even the most simple items got their start somewhere.

In the early 1900s a grocer in St Paul had his own eureka moment: he realized he could put handles on paper bags. And voilà! The modern shopping bag was born. What followed was business success, wealth, and a second life as a conservative pundit and business icon.

KFAI's MinneCulture · The Minnesotan Who Invented the Paper Bag (with handles)

KFAI’s Matthew Schneeman tells this story of Minnesota grocer Walter Deubener.

Support for MinneCulture on KFAI has been provided by the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

MinneCulture | We Are Family: The Steeles mentor fellow family band Nunnabove

The Steele siblings helped shape the Minnesota sound, singing with icons like Prince and Mavis Staples and performing all over the world. Now Jevetta Steele is mentoring another family group called Nunnabove. The Nunn siblings appeared on the show America’s Got Talent and went on to play at Paisley Park and open for Chaka Khan.

KFAI's MinneCulture · All in the Family

KFAI’s Michelle Bruch joined both families as they rehearsed for the Minnesota Soul concert at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Support for MinneCulture on KFAI has been provided by the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.