I am making a list of all the events I am aware of durning the RNC. I will update this list as I learn of more events. If you know of something and its not listed here, please let me know.
- Now – Thursday September 4th, Leaning Tower of Pizza $3 off large Pizza for Democrats
Leaning Tower of Pizza locations in Stadium Village (2501 University Ave S.E) and Uptown (2324 Lyndale Ave S. will offer $3 off large pizzas for thos Democrates and full price for Republicans
- High Noon, Saturday August 30th, 2008 22nd Annual Tea Party and Hempfest, State Capitol
Rally at the capitol at high noon and then March to Xcel Center. Music by The Lost Marbles, The Limns, and Black Magic. Sponsored by MN abNORML.
- 5pm Saturday August 30th- 5pm Sunday August 31st, Peavey Plaza Spark24
spark24, founded by Scott Mayer, is a newly formed organization comprised of members of arts organizations, business representatives, and the hospitality industry. The organization is committed to showcasing the award winning Minneapolis Saint Paul arts scene to a global audience.
A non-stop marathon of free entertainment called “spark24” will kick off at 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 30, 2008 and will continue until 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 31 (the days just preceding the start of the Republican National Convention).
Peavey Plaza and Orchestra Hall on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis will be filled with theater, music and dance performances. Plus, over 60 venues, ranging from restaurants and bars to hotels and retail stores, will also feature live entertainment during the 24-hour period. The festivities, offered free to both visitors and local residents, offers something perfect for adults and families.
The IDS center will be reserved during the entire event for visiting media and credentialed VIPs. Globe University is hosting a media center in the IDS Center to facilitate communication for members of the press.
- Sunday August 31st – Wednesday September 3rd Amnesty International Guantanamo Cell Tour
In St Paul September 1- 3, at 7th Street West and Walnut Street. Opening event with Larry Cox, Executive Director of Amnesty International USA on Sunday August 31st at 5 pm, and the cell will be open Monday – Wednesday from 10:30am – 7:30pm
- Sunday, August 31st-Tuesday September 2nd Black Dog Block Party
The Coup, Ill Chesmistry (Carnage, Desdemona), Los Nativos, M.anifest, Kill the Vultures, Aviette, Anthony Cox,Dean Magraw & Friends, Big Quarters,Junkyard Empire, The Rude Mechanical Orchestra, Back Street Boogie Band,Soul Tree, The Brass Messengers, Pocket of Resistance…
- 1pm Sunday, August 31st Liberty Parade down Nicollet Mall to Loring Park. Parade begins at 4th and Nicollet. Following the parade there will be music and activities in the park Dillinger Four
Retribution Gospel Choir
Happy Apple
STNNNG
The Brass Messengers
Mama Digdowns Brass Band
- September 1st -4th, Various downtown St. Paul locations Takin’ it to the Streets
The McNally Smith initiative, “Takin it To The Streets”, will feature musicians from the college who will perform live on six strategically located street corners throughout Downtown St. Paul. The street musicians will showcase their musical talents to entertain an estimated 45,000 delegates, party officials, members of the media, as well as the general public who will gather in the Twin Cities for the RNC.
In addition to the “Takin It To The Streets” initiative, McNally Smith College of Music and the History Theatre will host Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart during the show’s coverage of the Republican National Convention, broadcasting live September 2-5, 2008. During the week, the school will also host an outside venue for the public to congregate and relax while listening to live music and enjoying` food and beverages. Food vendors include BBQ from Famous Dave’s (NASDAQ: DAVE); Gyros from Dino’s (The Greek Place); Dunn Bros Coffee, and hotdogs, desserts and assorted beverages will also be available.
Over 200 musicians from the McNally College of Music are expected to participate in the celebration. The musicians will perform daily at six key locations throughout the week: World Trade Center (Wabasha Street at Seventh Place); Seventh Place; Lawson Commons (St. Peter Street and Fifth Street); Ecolab Plaza (Fifth Street and Wabasha Street); City Hall (Wabasha Street and Kellogg Boulevard) and at the McNally Smith campus (Exchange Street and Cedar Street). All of the locations and performances are listed below, as well as Google Map directions and the performers’ MySpace pages.
- September 1st -4th, Rice Park MSNBC Live Taping
- Monday Sept 1, 3:30pm-4:30pm Revolutionary Love 2: I’m Your Best Fantasy, Minnesota State Capitol
“Conflating grassroots political activism, performance art, queer theory, and national politics, New York–based artist Sharon Hayes is staging two large-scale, public performances at both the 2008 Democratic and Republican National Conventions as part of Creative Time’s summer-long, national program Democracy in America: The National Campaign. Hayes is collaborating with 75-100 citizens in each city to recite in unison, a text written by Hayes that addresses the relationship between political desire and romantic desire. The speakers, will recite the 1 -minute texts approximately 3 times over the course of an hour.
Revolutionary Love 2 is presented by Creative Time with the Walker Art Center and The UnConvention.
Hayes’ performance is intended to be a spectacle, and is designed to mirror the spectacular nature of the National Conventions. Reacting against the tendency of groups to polarize feelings about homosexuality for political gain, Hayes describes these performances as personal addresses to the power structure, or a group of people speaking their hearts as one.”
To Sign Up and Participate:
http://www.creativetime.org/rnc/
- 11am-2pm, Monday September 1st U of M campus, Church St and Washington Ave C-SPAN Election 2008 Campaign Bus
C-SPAN’S Road to the White House Tour is visiting communities, schools, and political events around the country to inform voters, empower teachers and enrich civics education.
- Monday Sept 1, 12pm-7pm Take Back Labor Day Festival
Hip Hop acts Atmosphere and Lupe Fiasco, actor/ musician Mos Def and British rocker Billy Bragg are joining the line-up at the Service Employees International Union’s (SEIU) Take Back Labor Day Festival at the foot of the Republican National Convention.
On Sept. 1 from noon to 7 p.m. at Harriet Island Regional Park in St. Paul, Minn., the musicians will share the stage with already-announced performing artists Steve Earle, Allison Moorer, and Tom Morello & friends. The Take Back Labor Day Festival, sponsored by SEIU, will include a concert, a You Tube station, a children’s area, and a large audience-participation art project. Joining the performers will be SEIU leaders Andy Stern and Anna Burger and other special guests.
The festival will both celebrate workers’ achievements and promote a New Vision for the 21st Century that includes:
- Affordable, quality healthcare for everyone;
- Wages that can support families;
- Freedom to join unions without intimidation;
- Retirement security.
Tickets:
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/060040EA9CE35653?artistid=1241315&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=1
Tickets also available @:
Fifth Element
2411 Hennepin Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55405
http://www.fifthelementonline.com
- Tuesday Sept 2nd-Thursday Sept 4th 2:30pm-7:pm each day Rock the Vote, Electric Fetus
From Sept. 2-4, during the Republican National Convention, the Minneapolis Electric Fetus will be acting like the Electorate Fetus, with the help of the LMV Mpls (League of Women Voters) and Rock the Vote. From 3-6 p.m. on those days, it will register 1,000 new voters. It will be made easy with the help of Rock the Vote and the LMV Mpls, who will have staff on-hand to register new voters and help all voters find out more about their polling places. Even if you are already registered to vote there are plenty of reasons to stop by and see your friends at the Fetus.
* Staging a Movement: A variety of bands will be playing special in-store performances to support The Electorate Fetus Political Happy Hour events. The shows will take place Tuesday through Thursday. Check HERE for the schedule of bands.
* Sound(off) Check: The Fetus is offering an open mic to anyone interested – including the candidates, who have been invited – in discussing the importance of voting. The forums will take place between band sets. Political candidates or their representatives will have microphone priority and certain restrictions apply (obviously). Bring your guitar, a beat, or just yourself and be heard.
* Rocking Refreshments: The Fetus will be offering cookies and juice to anyone who stops by to take part in The Electorate Fetus events.
* Political Records: During the three-day span, the Fetus will be naming ten important political albums and will feature them at 20% off, with a portion of each sale going to support the Rock the Vote movement.
- 12pm-2pm Tuesday September 2nd, U of M Northrop Mall CNN Election Express Yourself
Election Express Yourself will allow citizens to express their own political views through “shout out” video portraits, on-line interaction and numerous on-site activities, including political trivia and the chance to design personalized election memorabilia
- Tuesday September 2nd 12:30pm-7pm State Capitol Lawn (Ripple Effect)Day Festival
FEATURING: MICHAEL FRANTI, ANTI-FLAG, DEAD PREZ, WOOKIEFOOT w/MATISYAHU, I SELF DEVINE, INDIGO, THE SUSTAINABLE LIVING ROADSHOW, WINONA LADUKE (indigenous rights and environmental activist), MEDEA BENJAMIN (co-founder of CODEPINK & Global Exchange) WILL STEGER (polar explorer and global warming activist) and many more to be announced! 7-10,000 people will gather at the state capitol lawn to engage in trainings, educational workshops, community building activities, music, and art in the name of positive social and environmental change. Ripple Effect
As the Republican National Convention takes place across town, the Current and Citinzens League will ask how young people today are changing politics, elections, and public discourse.
- 7pm, Tuesday September 2nd, Fitzgerald Theatre Provention Concert
The Republican National Convention is coming to the Twin Cities in September, and wouldn’t it be a shame if there was no one to play some deafening power chords in celebration? Our line-up will offer relief from the constant trumpeting and stampedes of agitated elephants. Maybe you should come down and do some trumpeting yourself! Provention
Nellie McKay
Dan Wilson
The Honeydogs
The New Standards
Haley Bonar
Matt Wilson and John Munson are “The Twilight Hours”
Jeremy Messersmith
Warning! This roster is subject to the addition of super-secret guests!
- Thursday September 4th, 4pm MN State Capitol No Peace for the War-Makers Protest
Rally at the MN Ste Capitol followed by a march to the Xcel Center
- doors 1pm Thursday September 4th, Station 4 Concert for Change
Free, non-partisan event at Station 4 in St Paul. 18+. Entertainment: Drift Effect, 3 Pill Morning, Black Days Down, Far From Falling, Between Two Skies, Through the Static, Undone, Tepetricy, Sika, and more to be scheduled. Station 4
Information Access Avenger 