Meridel LeSueur was a writer and activist whose influence has long shaped the Twin Cities’ populist movements. Although the McCarthy era blacklist attempted to squash her distinctive, creative voice, she was later embraced by the countercultural wave of the 1960s and 70s, particularly the feminist movement.
LeSueur’s anti-establishment ethos was passed on to generations after her, and her work continues to have an impact. KFAI’s Sheila Regan talks to LeSueur’s family, those inspired by her, and scholars to explore the significance of the 20th century rabble rouser.
Support for MinneCulture on KFAI has been provided by the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
Slacklining is an extreme sport that Minnesotans practice a few feet off the ground between trees at Kenwood Park — and 200 feet in the air between cliffs at Tettegouche State Park. It can take months to master standing on a highline, years to walk without falling, and hundreds of tries to land a trick. It’s a sport best tackled with friends. That’s where Slackline Minnesota steps in, a three-year-old nonprofit that saw a surge in interest during the pandemic. The group meets at Twin Cities parks every week, sharing Rubbermaid tubs full of gear and posting details at slacklineminnesota.org and the facebook group MINNSLACK.
The longest slackline in Minnesota, more than 1,000 feet long, crosses a decommissioned mine pit near Chisholm. A favorite destination is the North Shore, where slackliners camp together and walk the lines until sundown. KFAI’s Michelle Bruch spent time with slackliners near the Mississippi River in St. Paul to learn more about the sport.
Support for MinneCulture on KFAI has been provided by the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
From about 2006 to 2013, the moose population in northeastern Minnesota dropped dramatically, from almost 9,000 animals to about 2,700. And no one knew why.
Dr. Seth Moore began searching for answers, working with a team at the Grand Portage Trust Lands Agency. They started collaring moose, tracking them to find their killers. And they discovered that among all predators, one loomed largest: climate change.
Researchers hope as more people learn about moose, they’ll be motivated to protect them — before it’s too late. KFAI’s Emily Haavik follows researchers and documentarians working to save this iconic species. Listen on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Photo by Katie Mumm.
Support for MinneCulture on KFAI has been provided by the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
When you think about the industrial revolution you may think of trains, factories, and assembly lines. The image of billowing smoke and giant machines cranking away may pop into your head. But the industrial revolution was not confined to just factories and trolleys, it seeped out into all areas of life during the early 1900s. And none were as visible and flashy as the amusement parks of the day.
Two of Minnesota’s amusement parks tell the story of the second industrial revolution, Wildwood out in White Bear Lake and Wonderland smack dab in the middle of South Minneapolis. Reporter Matthew Schneeman looked into how Minnesotans ran towards — and away from — the future over one hundred years ago. Listen on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts
Support for MinneCulture on KFAI has been provided by the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
The MinneCulture Podcast is BACK! In season 6, we’ll be riding long-lost roller coasters, meeting a feminist activist, learning about efforts to protect Minnesota’s wilderness, sampling local cheese, and more. The first two episodes drop Thursday May 26 with new episodes every Thursday. Listen on Apple podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, wherever else you get your podcasts, or right here on kfai.org/minneculture.
Minnesota and indoor shopping malls have a high-profile history, with the Mall of America getting all the love. But some slightly smaller spots, such as Northtown Mall in Blaine, are still finding their way in a world of online orders. That includes one mall near Minneapolis that’s bringing together BIPOC business owners and a more diverse customer base.
“We felt like it was more our speed versus going to a bigger mall,” said Donna Green, owner of Northtown Mall’s Dreams and Diamonds. “We felt like it was very diverse. That’s another reason why we wanted to come here
Support for MinneCulture on KFAI has been provided by the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
Photo credit: Mike Moen.
The 2022 MSP International Film Festival (MSPIFF) returns May 5-19 —the first time in-person since 2020. This festival also marks the launch of MSP Film’s newest endeavor: taking over the St. Anthony Main Theater for good. They’ll relaunch as MSP Film at the Main.
“The experience that the film festival has, and the energy that it creates with our audiences…is something that we want to be bringing on a daily basis here,” said MSP Film Programming Director Jesse Bishop.
To get ready for MSPIFF, MSP Film will host an open house on Saturday April 30 .They’ll show people around the theatre, feature trailers on the screens, and have concessions available, All staff and board members will be there to answer questions.
For more information about MSPIFF or the expansion of MSP Film at the Main, visit MSP Film’s website is MSPfilm.org.
Architectural drawing courtesy of the project architect, Marcelo Valdes.
Support for MinneCulture on KFAI has been provided by the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
Less than ten yards from an onramp onto Highway 36 lies a small plot of land that serves as the final resting place for thousands of beloved pets. It’s the Memorial Pet Cemetery and has been there since at least 1924. It looks like a conventional cemetery but with slightly smaller tombstones and much more open hearted epitaphs. ‘Snuggles: Who Really Lived up to his Name…’.
The cemetery was started by Dr Arnold Feist, a veterinarian, in the 1920’s and was later donated to the Animal Humane society.
You could be guilty of thinking that our forebears were less sentiment, that our love for our pets nowadays is a byproduct of modern luxury, but if you take a walk through the small cemetery on 694 Cope St you’ll find that though how we take care of animals has changed, our love for them certainly has not. KFAI’s Matthew Schneeman reports.
Support for MinneCulture on KFAI has been provided by the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
WE NEED YOU!
It's FUNKRAISER TIME!
The inaugural #Funkraiser is on KFAI! You can make an even bigger impact with your gift by donating to KFAI through GiveMN’s “Give to the Max Day” website. KFAI still receives the full amount of your pledge – plus your gift makes KFAI eligible for additional funds.
