It's Time for Art-A-Whirl!

NEMAA's 21st Annual Art-A-Whirl is Friday, May 20 - Sunday, May 22. Here are some details to ensure your visit goes smoothly:

Plan your visit with the help of the free Artist Directory & Guide. Pick up your free copy of the Artist Directory and Guide at the information booths during Art-A-Whirl, or beginning mid April at the California Building, Casket Arts Building, Keg House Arts Building, Northrup King Building, or Thorp Building in Northeast Minneapolis.

Vote for Art! During Art-A-Whirl, NEMAA artists will be handing out "I Bought Art" stickers to visitors who purchase original artwork. Please wear your sticker proudly to show your support of local artists and encourage others to do the same! In addition, some local businesses will offer discounts to anyone wearing this sticker during Art-A-Whirl weekend.Download the Art-A-Whirl App to view a list of discounts. Or - Read more and view the discounts here.

Ride To Art-A-Whirl With Metro Transit for FREE! Metro Transit Bus passes will be available for download beginning in May. Click here to access a link to a FREE Metro Transit pass for easy access to and around Art-A-Whirl.

Volunteer for Art-A-Whirl

Have you ever wanted to be a part of Art-A-Whirl? NEMAA is looking for volunteers to fill shifts at the information booths, support the Art-A-Whirl Art Silent Auction fundraiser, ride along with the trolley as a Guide, and more. A variety of shifts are open leading up to the event in April and throughout the weekend of Art-A-Whirl, May 20-22. For more information about this opportunity, visit http://nemaa.org/, email volunteer@nemaa.org or phone 612-249-1883.

18th Annual Art-A-Whirl

This year’s Art-A-Whirl, which takes place May 17-19, features some exciting innovations. Thanks to a new partnership, visitors can ride to Art-A-Whirl with Metro Transit for free. Just go to http://nemaa.org/art-a-whirl/metrotransitpass for information about downloading your pass, which can be used to ride for free on:

Sat, May 18, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sun, May 19, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Art-A-Whirl Passport crowd-count project will also be launched this year. If you pick up a Passport and get it stamped at at least three designated locations, you can enter a drawing for a chance to win $200 towards an artwork purchase from a NEMAA member. The passport project will allow NEMAA to estimate the number of visitors to Art-A-Whirl, important data that will contribute to future funding efforts. Go to http://nemaa.org/art-a-whirl/passportcrowd-count for a list of locations to pick up a passport and stamps. Maps and more details about Art-A-Whirl are available at http://nemaa.org/art-a-whirl.

Save the Date:

“Little Shop of Horrors” Thursday, March 7 – Friday, March 8, 7 p.m., & Saturday, March 9, 2 p.m., Edison High School, 700 22nd Ave NE.  Edison theater production of a comedy/horror rock musical about an alien plant that tries to take over the world. A benefit for the upcoming Senior Lock-In Party, sponsored by the Tommie Boosters/Edison Parent Group, will follow the Saturday matinee. Gardening Matters 9th Annual Community Garden Resource Fair Saturday, March 9, noon – 5 p.m., Metropolitan State University, St. Paul. The Gardening Matters Resource Fair offers opportunities to learn about the many resources available to home and community gardeners. For further information and to register for the resource fair, go to www.gardeningmatters.org. NE Mpls Royalty Sock Hop Saturday, March 9, 6 – 9 p.m., East Side Neighborhood Services, 1700 2nd St. NE.  Come dressed in 50’s wear for food, music and games. $5 admission includes dinner and dancing. New socks are being collected for Sharing and Caring Hands. NE Network Thursday, March 14, 7:30 – 8:45 a.m., Eastside Food Co-op’s Community Room, 2551 Central Ave NE. This month’s topic is “Affording Healthcare”. RSVP to nenetwork@eastsidefood.coop. Waite Park Spring Gala Saturday, March 16, 7 – 11 p.m., Cedars Hall at St. Maron Church, 602 University Ave NE. This PTA-sponsored event benefits Waite Park School and includes local food, beverages and a silent auction.  Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Visit Waiteparkpta.blogspot.com for tickets and information. 9th Annual Hotdish Revolution Sunday, April 21, 4 – 7 p.m., Cedars Hall at St. Maron Church, 602 University Ave NE. www.facebook.com/HotdishRevolution Metro Blooms Raingarden Workshop Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.,  Audubon Park Recreation Center, 1320 29th Ave NE. This City of Minneapolis sponsored workshop will explore the latest in healthy yard care practices and raingarden design. Cost is $15. To register, visit www.metroblooms.org or call 612-699-2426. Spring WingDing Saturday, April 27, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Audubon Park Recreation Center, 1320 29th Ave NE. This annual Audubon Park neighborhood celebration will include games, activities, food, arts-and-crafts demonstrations and more. Art-A-Whirl Friday, May 17 – Sunday, May 19. http://nemaa.org/art-a-whirl