Entertainment

Allen Christian’s House of Balls

For more than 33 years, carved bowling balls have set Allen Christian apart. He subtracts the resin, revealing a face or full body within. He creates surprising, weird, breathtaking spaces and invites the world in. He believes we all possess the creative impulse—and owe ourselves the balls to express it.

1504 7th Street

Barbara Barker Center for Dance

A primary mission at the University of Minnesota is to educate students and audiences about the performing arts and about the social issues and human emotions the arts speak to so powerfully. Committed to creating producing and studying works of theatre and dance and performing them publicly for diverse audiences drawn from both the University and the community at large.

500 21st Avenue S

Cedar Cultural Center

Renowned for hosting some of the best acts in folk, blues, jazz, indie rock, and world music in an intimate space—The Cedar is a largely volunteer-driven non-profit organization committed to artistic excellence, integrity, and diversity of programming support for emerging artists. Their state-of-the-art sound system provides excellent sound quality anywhere within the 465-seat capacity hall. Most concerts offer general admission concert-style seating in comfortable padded chairs with space for dancers around the perimeter. They promote inter-cultural appreciation and understanding through the presentation of global music and dance.

416 Cedar Avenue S

The Comedy Corner Underground

“The open mic that was so awesome it turned into an entire club.“

1501 Washington Avenue

Katherine E. Nash Gallery

The Nash Gallery facilitates numerous artistic and cultural events and is an integral part of the artistic community at the University of Minnesota. Exhibiting works of art in various media by diverse artists from Minnesota as well as regional national and international artists this teaching gallery provides students and faculty with a public venue to learn about all aspects of exhibition and audience engagement.

*Temporarily closed due to COVID-19 pandemic.

405 21st Avenue S

KFAI Fresh Air Radio

KFAI offers unique arts talk and cultural programming throughout the week: community affairs, health, artist interviews, literary discussions, radio drama, and documentaries. You can also find shows for the Twin Cities Hmong, Somali, Ethiopian, Eritrean, Oromo, Filipino, Cambodian, Vietnamese, South Indian, and Native American communities—and much more! Radio without boundaries at FM 90.3 in Minneapolis and 106.7 in St. Paul.

1808 Riverside Avenue

Mixed Blood Theatre

Housed in a turn-of-the-century brick firehouse, the Mixed Blood Theatre Company is a nationally recognized professional multi-racial theatre promoting cultural pluralism and individual equality through artistic excellence. Using theater as a vehicle for artistry, entertainment, education, and social change—Mixed Blood Theatre addresses the artificial barriers that keep people from succeeding in American society. They are well-known for their eclectic, cutting-edge work.

1501 4th Street S

Radio K (KUOM)

Radio K is the award-winning student-run radio station of the University of Minnesota, playing an eclectic variety of independent music both old and new. Radio K educates students, breaks ground in musical programming, and provides cutting-edge cultural coverage through our specialty shows and Real College Podcast.

330 21st Avenue S, 610 Rarig Center

Rarig Center

Home to the University of Minnesota’s Department of Theatre Arts and Dance, Rarig Center is at the heart of the West Bank Arts Quarter. The center features four performance spaces—each accessed from a unique four-story lobby and associated production shops, offices, and classrooms. Designed by original Guthrie Theater architect Ralph Rapson, the building is a hub for University theater and dance programs.

330 21st Avenue S

The Southern Theater

The Southern Theater’s mission is to foster a community of exceptional artists. Built in 1910 as a cultural center and vaudeville theater for the burgeoning Scandinavian community centered around Cedar Avenue, The Southern has been re-established as a center for contemporary performing arts over the past quarter-century. A distinctive proscenium arch frames the well-preserved brick walls perfect for presenting dance and theater. Now hosting micro weddings!

1420 Washington Avenue S

Ted Mann Concert Hall

Poised atop the bluffs of the Mississippi River the magnificent Ted Mann Concert Hall plays perfect host to a wide variety of cultural corporate and educational events. The world-class concert auditorium, dedicated in 1993, seats 1,126 people and offers a full concert programming schedule that includes performances by School of Music ensembles, faculty, and guest artists. A separate programming schedule includes performances or master classes by such notables as the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Joe Henderson Trio, the Martha Graham Dance Company, Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Dale Warland Singers, Bobby McFerrin, Chanticleer, and the Schubert Club.

2128 4th Street S

Theater in the Round

After 50 years on Cedar Avenue, Theatre in the Round Players has established itself as one of the longest-running businesses in the West Bank, helping support local bars and restaurants, shops, and other theatres in bringing thousands of audience and artists to the home of the oldest theatre in Minneapolis.

245 Cedar Avenue S