Episodes

Despite the sizable Somali community in Minneapolis, Somali art hasn’t broken through to the mainstream. Known as a “nation of poets,” those who seek out the oral traditions of Somalia through poetry and music are greatly rewarded. Meet Nimo Farah, a Somali poet and activist, who is working to keep Somali oral traditions alive in America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Somali poets—in both English and Somali. We also bring you the music Dalmar Yare, a big deal musician in the Somali community...

Despite the sizable Somali community in Minneapolis, Somali art hasn’t broken through to the mainstream. Known as a “nation of poets,” those who seek out the oral traditions of Somalia through poetry and music are greatly rewarded. Meet Nimo Farah, a Somali poet and activist, who is working to keep Somali oral traditions alive in America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Somali poets—in both English and Somali. We also bring you the music Dalmar Yare, a big deal musician in the Somali community...

Despite the sizable Somali community in Minneapolis, Somali art hasn’t broken through to the mainstream. Known as a “nation of poets,” those who seek out the oral traditions of Somalia through poetry and music are greatly rewarded. Meet Nimo Farah, a Somali poet and activist, who is working to keep Somali oral traditions alive in America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Somali poets—in both English and Somali. We also bring you the music Dalmar Yare, a big deal musician in the Somali community...

Forget the Spoonbridge and Cherry—these are landmarks that have secrets to tell, even when they’re gone. In this episode, we explore one that fell to the forces of urban renewal; one that closed because of the owner’s health issues; and one that is stuck between a rock and a hard place of history and gentrification. Host Jumondeh Tweh checks out Minneapolis’ nearly forgotten Skid Row, the recent loss of Arnellia’s (“the Apollo of St. Paul”), and Al’s Breakfast, a Twin Cities landmark withstandin...

Forget the Spoonbridge and Cherry—these are landmarks that have secrets to tell, even when they’re gone. In this episode, we explore one that fell to the forces of urban renewal; one that closed because of the owner’s health issues; and one that is stuck between a rock and a hard place of history and gentrification. Host Jumondeh Tweh checks out Minneapolis’ nearly forgotten Skid Row, the recent loss of Arnellia’s (“the Apollo of St. Paul”), and Al’s Breakfast, a Twin Cities landmark withstandin...

Forget the Spoonbridge and Cherry—these are landmarks that have secrets to tell, even when they’re gone. In this episode, we explore one that fell to the forces of urban renewal; one that closed because of the owner’s health issues; and one that is stuck between a rock and a hard place of history and gentrification. Host Jumondeh Tweh checks out Minneapolis’ nearly forgotten Skid Row, the recent loss of Arnellia’s (“the Apollo of St. Paul”), and Al’s Breakfast, a Twin Cities landmark withstandin...

What does it mean to “break the mold”? A hard-boiled lesbian detective breaks through the lavender ceiling, a Sudanese model refuses to lighten her skin to fit in and an Ojibwe rapper wants to be the spark that ignites the fire in his people. Nyakim Gatwech is the “queen of dark,” a Sudanese model in Minnesota with unapologetically dark skin. She has a major Instagram following, too. Ellen Hart is the author of a series of (24!) mystery novels about lesbian detective Jane Lawless. Her work on th...

What does it mean to “break the mold”? A hard-boiled lesbian detective breaks through the lavender ceiling, a Sudanese model refuses to lighten her skin to fit in and an Ojibwe rapper wants to be the spark that ignites the fire in his people. Nyakim Gatwech is the “queen of dark,” a Sudanese model in Minnesota with unapologetically dark skin. She has a major Instagram following, too. Ellen Hart is the author of a series of (24!) mystery novels about lesbian detective Jane Lawless. Her work on th...

What does it mean to “break the mold”? A hard-boiled lesbian detective breaks through the lavender ceiling, a Sudanese model refuses to lighten her skin to fit in and an Ojibwe rapper wants to be the spark that ignites the fire in his people. Nyakim Gatwech is the “queen of dark,” a Sudanese model in Minnesota with unapologetically dark skin. She has a major Instagram following, too. Ellen Hart is the author of a series of (24!) mystery novels about lesbian detective Jane Lawless. Her work on th...

How has immigration, migration, and connection to the rest of the world shaped the sights and sounds of Minnesota? Meet Siama Matuzungidi, a Congolese soukous musician. He moved to Minnesota in the late 90s after having a prosperous career in Congo, Uganda, and Kenya. His life and music flow like his native Congo River, and today, the Mighty Mississippi. Doug Little and his band Charanga Tropical bring the traditional music of Cuba to Minnesota. Charanga orchestras are mainly popular in Florida,...

How has immigration, migration, and connection to the rest of the world shaped the sights and sounds of Minnesota? Meet Siama Matuzungidi, a Congolese soukous musician. He moved to Minnesota in the late 90s after having a prosperous career in Congo, Uganda, and Kenya. His life and music flow like his native Congo River, and today, the Mighty Mississippi. Doug Little and his band Charanga Tropical bring the traditional music of Cuba to Minnesota. Charanga orchestras are mainly popular in Florida,...

How has immigration, migration, and connection to the rest of the world shaped the sights and sounds of Minnesota? Meet Siama Matuzungidi, a Congolese soukous musician. He moved to Minnesota in the late 90s after having a prosperous career in Congo, Uganda, and Kenya. His life and music flow like his native Congo River, and today, the Mighty Mississippi. Doug Little and his band Charanga Tropical bring the traditional music of Cuba to Minnesota. Charanga orchestras are mainly popular in Florida,...

Andrew Moore’s front yard used to host an enormous political art installation. His front yard installation was steeped in political turmoil and showed images of poverty, police brutality, and racism. But it cost him over $38,000 in city fines, his renter’s license, and eventually, his home. But he’s he didn’t let it strip him of his artistic identity; now he wears it. Moore’s installation work may be lost forever, but he continues to express himself and his views through clothing he makes from i...

Andrew Moore’s front yard used to host an enormous political art installation. His front yard installation was steeped in political turmoil and showed images of poverty, police brutality, and racism. But it cost him over $38,000 in city fines, his renter’s license, and eventually, his home. But he’s he didn’t let it strip him of his artistic identity; now he wears it. Moore’s installation work may be lost forever, but he continues to express himself and his views through clothing he makes from i...

Andrew Moore’s front yard used to host an enormous political art installation. His front yard installation was steeped in political turmoil and showed images of poverty, police brutality, and racism. But it cost him over $38,000 in city fines, his renter’s license, and eventually, his home. But he’s he didn’t let it strip him of his artistic identity; now he wears it. Moore’s installation work may be lost forever, but he continues to express himself and his views through clothing he makes from i...

Why do people dress a certain way? What does dress say about who we are, and what connects us? People pick their uniforms for various reasons, but often it’s to fit in to a group. For the Minnesota Dandies—a group of sharply dressed black men—it means dressing for success and respect. For one Minnesotan women during the Civil War, it meant disguising herself as men in order to serve her country. Host Jumondeh Tweh looks at why uniforms matter—and what it says about how we express ourselves.

Why do people dress a certain way? What does dress say about who we are, and what connects us? People pick their uniforms for various reasons, but often it’s to fit in to a group. For the Minnesota Dandies—a group of sharply dressed black men—it means dressing for success and respect. For one Minnesotan women during the Civil War, it meant disguising herself as men in order to serve her country. Host Jumondeh Tweh looks at why uniforms matter—and what it says about how we express ourselves.

Why do people dress a certain way? What does dress say about who we are, and what connects us? People pick their uniforms for various reasons, but often it’s to fit in to a group. For the Minnesota Dandies—a group of sharply dressed black men—it means dressing for success and respect. For one Minnesotan women during the Civil War, it meant disguising herself as men in order to serve her country. Host Jumondeh Tweh looks at why uniforms matter—and what it says about how we express ourselves.

When is love an art form in and of itself? Like art, true love comes in many forms. A Congolese couple, separated by the ocean, sing to each other over the phone to stay connected. An all-grrrl punk band sing through a telephone (repurposed as a microphone) to the community that supports them. Corrie Harrigan (drums), Laura Larson (bass), and Liz Elton (vocals), are Kitten Forever. The three-piece punk band blazes minimalist dance punk in their underwear, trade off on instruments frequently, and...

When is love an art form in and of itself? Like art, true love comes in many forms. A Congolese couple, separated by the ocean, sing to each other over the phone to stay connected. An all-grrrl punk band sing through a telephone (repurposed as a microphone) to the community that supports them. Corrie Harrigan (drums), Laura Larson (bass), and Liz Elton (vocals), are Kitten Forever. The three-piece punk band blazes minimalist dance punk in their underwear, trade off on instruments frequently, and...

When is love an art form in and of itself? Like art, true love comes in many forms. A Congolese couple, separated by the ocean, sing to each other over the phone to stay connected. An all-grrrl punk band sing through a telephone (repurposed as a microphone) to the community that supports them. Corrie Harrigan (drums), Laura Larson (bass), and Liz Elton (vocals), are Kitten Forever. The three-piece punk band blazes minimalist dance punk in their underwear, trade off on instruments frequently, and...

Backyard chicken coops are on the rise. But setting up your first egg operation isn’t without its challenges. Our producer Xan Holston found this out the hard way. Plus, a vigilante bike-law enforcer has taken to the Twin Cities streets and he’s causing quite a stir. Theme music by Javier Santiago. Support for Minneculture is made possible by a grant from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Backyard chicken coops are on the rise. But setting up your first egg operation isn’t without its challenges. Our producer Xan Holston found this out the hard way. Plus, a vigilante bike-law enforcer has taken to the Twin Cities streets and he’s causing quite a stir. Theme music by Javier Santiago. Support for Minneculture is made possible by a grant from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Backyard chicken coops are on the rise. But setting up your first egg operation isn’t without its challenges. Our producer Xan Holston found this out the hard way. Plus, a vigilante bike-law enforcer has taken to the Twin Cities streets and he’s causing quite a stir. Theme music by Javier Santiago. Support for Minneculture is made possible by a grant from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.