WHTW 01.04.18

5 indoor events in the Twin Cities January 5 – 7

by with No Comment randoMNess

I was on KSTP-TV’s Twin Cities Live with five indoor events worth checking out this weekend! Take a look. Tune in every Thursday afternoon for my roundup of What’s Happening This Weekend.

Plus, save some money at Target this weekend! Spend $40 on home essentials and receive $10 off. This deal runs through Saturday, January 6 and it’s valid online, too! Click the link below to stock up.

Yes, it’s true. I make money when you click this link. So what are you waiting for?
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40 Ways to Holiday, Day 25: December 17

by with 2 Comments randoMNess

In 2017, there are exactly 40 days from Thanksgiving Day to New Years Day. And with the elimination of the eighth floor display at Macy’s in downtown Minneapolis and Holiday Lights in the Park in Saint Paul, along with the disappointing change from tradition at Holidazzle, more people than ever are looking for new holiday activities. Enter “40 Ways to Holiday.” Each day between November 23 and January 1 will have at least one event worth checking out, along with plenty of giveaways along the way! Find the full list of days here.

Day 25: Sunday, December 17

Featured pick: Story Time with Santa

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Minnesota’s biggest hotel, The Hilton Minneapolis, went through a major remodel and is celebrating the holiday season with a visit from Santa along with crafts and snacks.

Santa is taking time of his busy schedule making toys to meet good little boys and girls! It’s happening today from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the newly renovated Hilton Minneapolis. In addition to story time, kiddos can enjoy holiday cookies, warm cider and hot cocoa. Plus, there’s craft time! Each child will create their very own holiday-themed picture frame which will feature a photo of them with Santa. And for $5 for kids ages 5 to 12 years old, this is a great event!

If you’re seeing this before December 9th, you’re in luck! I’m giving away an overnight stay to the Hilton Minneapolis! Click here to enter.

Story Time with Santa
Sunday, December 17 (also Sunday, December 10)
2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Hilton Minneapolis
$10 ages 12 and over, $5 ages 5 to 12, under 5 free

Other happenings

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The Minnesota Boychoir performing in front of hundreds in Basilica de Sagrada Familia in June 2017.
  • The 150 young men which make up the Minnesota Boychoir will perform a free holiday concert tonight at 7:00 p.m. at Ted Mann Concert Hall on the University of Minnesota campus. I serve on the Boychoir’s Board of Directors, so I might be a bit biased, but this choir has something special. Over its 56 year history, the choir has headlined a concert in the Sydney Opera House, performed in St. Peter’s Basilica at The Vatican, and sang on “A Prairie Home Companion” on National Public Radio.
  • If you stretched out the lights used on The Winery at Sovereign Estate’s Spirit of Winter display, it would go for over eight miles. The Waconia vineyard decorates 10 acres with animated displays set to synchronized music. Make sure to buy tickets in advance online. Learn more.
  • Today’s your last chance to see the 30th annual production of The Classic Nutcracker by Ballet Minnesota at The O’Shaughnessy on the St. Catherine University campus. Learn more.
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You’ll find Santa skiing at Afton Alps today from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Read below to find out how you can join him for free! Photo credit: Afton Alps
  • You can ski with Santa at Afton Alps! He’s taking a break from making toys to race down the hill with you from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Specialty hot toddies and cocktails will be served inside.
    • GIVEAWAY: Receive two lift tickets to attend Ski with Santa along with a $25 gift card to spend on lunch! It’s a one-day contest you don’t want to miss — check my Facebook page on Tuesday, December 12.
  • Former NFL player and Hastings native Ben Utecht performs the hits of Andy Williams with a 60-piece orchestra today at the Ames Center in Burnsville. Believe it. The concert begins at 4:00 p.m.
  • Hear the great-great grandson of the man behind “A Christmas Carol,” Charles Dickens, perform it in an intimate setting tonight in Minneapolis. Gerald Dickens stars in an one-man show at the Aster Cafe in Minneapolis. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. and tickets are only $25. Learn more.

 

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40 Ways to Holiday, Day 17: December 9

by with No Comment randoMNess

In 2017, there are exactly 40 days from Thanksgiving Day to New Years Day. And with the elimination of the eighth floor display at Macy’s in downtown Minneapolis and Holiday Lights in the Park in Saint Paul, along with the disappointing change from tradition at Holidazzle, more people than ever are looking for new holiday activities. Enter “40 Ways to Holiday.” Each day between November 23 and January 1 will have at least one event worth checking out, along with plenty of giveaways along the way! Find the full list of days here.

Day 17: Saturday, December 9

Featured pick: Family photo hours in the Sunken Garden at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory

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The Sunken Garden in the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Park Zoo is open for professional family photos today. Photo credit: Como Park Zoo and Conservatory

You can use the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Park Zoo in Saint Paul as the perfect backdrop for your family’s holiday photo! Bring your own camera and explore the North Garden or the ever-popular Sunken Garden to find a spot. And it’s all indoors, so those bulky jackets won’t be seen! Typically, Como requires a photography application and permit for posed pictures taken inside the Conservatory. That’ll set you back $25. Their policy also has a maximum of two people per photograph. Today, those rules are thrown out, although there will be a $5 charge per person. Family photo hours are held throughout the holiday season. Check Como Park Zoo’s event calendar to find a date that works with your family.

Artist, Photographer and Family Photo Hours in the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory
Saturday, December 9
Starting at 8:00 a.m.
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory
Saint Paul
$5 per person

Other happenings

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Th Minnesota Boychoir performing in Nice, France, June 2017.
Excelsior
Take a horse drawn wagon ride through Downtown Excelsior today from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. Photo credit: Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Chamber of Commerce
  • Downtown Excelsior is celebrating Christmas the first three Saturdays in December. Festivities include horse drawn wagon rides, cocoa with Santa and carolers. Festivities run from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
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The men of Celtic Thunder will sing holiday tunes with a full symphony orchestra tonight at the State Theatre. Photo credit: Celtic Thunder/Hennepin Theatre Trust
  • The good looking men making up Celtic Thunder will perform holiday tunes with a full symphony orchestra tonight at the State Theatre in Downtown Minneapolis. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.
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The Lucia Celebration at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis include the youthful voices of their Lucia Choir. Photo credit: American Swedish Institute
  • Listen to traditional Swedish holiday music at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. Tickets are $15 and include admission to the museum on-site. Performances are at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
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3 weekend events to help you beat the heat in the Twin Cities

by with One Comment randoMNess

 

 

I was on KSTP-TV with three events either taking place at night or inside to help you beat the heat in Minnesota this weekend!

Thanks to Chris Egert for surprising me with the cover of Lavender Magazine! Click here for links to the cover, the Editor’s note about the cover and my article featuring Provincetown, Massachusetts.

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