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Where to celebrate Prince’s birthday in the Twin Cities

by Cecilia Johnson

June 03, 2016

Prince would've had his 58th birthday on June 7 of this year, and although he might not have celebrated that date as a Jehovah's Witness, it's one of the most centralizing days for the world to honor him. The Twin Cities will be a gathering place this weekend for fans and friends of Prince; like Chicago, Denver, and Brooklyn, this area has several events lined up in his honor.

Friday, June 3

The Parkway Theater will host three concert/dance nights — titled "This Thing Called Life" — on June 3, June 4, and June 8. Original New Power Generation members Michael Bland, Sonny Thompson and Tommy Barbarella will join other talented musicians in memorializing Prince. The first two shows, priced at $45 and restricted to 21+, sold out so fast that another was just added for Wednesday. “This is just the best way we know how to go through the grieving process,” Bland told the Star Tribune this week.

Jayanthi Kyle, Sarah White, and PaviElle are three fantastic musicians who owe a lot to Prince. Tonight, they carry on Prince's legacy by performing a show at the Fitzgerald Theater. Tickets range from $10 to $30.

Saturday, June 4

After spinning Prince records at the all-night dance party on April 21, DJ Jake Rudh returns to First Avenue to host Let's Go Crazy, a Transmission tribute to Prince. The show has been sold out for weeks, as has its sequel, Let's Go Crazy II, but tickets still remain for July 16th's Let's Go Crazy III. The show will go annual after that point, according to Rudh. Proceeds go to Harvest Network of Schools.

This Thing Called Life - NPG show (see above)

Tuesday, June 7

At 7:00 p.m., WXYZ Bar at Aloft Minneapolis will screen the Sign 'O' the Times movie, and DJ Lenka Paris will follow that up with a funky dance party. All the details are available here.

The Hard Rock Cafe at the Mall of America invites fans to visit any time from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Positioning itself as a gathering place for Prince fans, it has three of his outfits on display — including, they write, "the orange suit with 'Minneapolis' sewn on the left sleeve that he wore on the 'Sign of the Times' tour."

From 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the University of Minnesota's UROC (Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center) Gallery will hold a exhibit opening/literary event dedicated to Prince. Titled "Where Purple Reigns: Minnesota Artists On Prince," it will spotlight visual artists' work, the beauty of Prince's lyrics, and original literary work that Prince inspired.

WaconiaVille Tours has a special route planned for Prince's birthday (and several summer dates after that). For $89 and the time it takes to meet the tour group in Waconia, fans can visit Paisley Park, First Avenue, the Capri Theatre, the Electric Fetus, and more Prince-related sights along with the rest of the group. The tour also includes a First Avenue T-shirt; hopefully, it's the purple one. For more information, click here.

Wednesday, June 8

This Thing Called Life - NPG show (see above)

If these events sell out, you can always take the time to visit the Electric Fetus or the Dakota Jazz Club, two of Prince's favorite spots. If you know of any more Prince tributes or events planned for this weekend, please share them via social media or the comments section.

Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment
This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.