August 23, 2007
The Fon of Barfut at the MIA
I heard from inside sources that the King of Cameroon visited the Minneapolis Institute of Arts on Wedesday. His title is actually the Fon of Bafut, which is really "fon" to say. (Sorry.)
Apparently, after his visit, he switched into civilian clothes and made a bee line for the Mall of America.
YouTube video by Jay.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 12:57 AM | Comments (2)
August 21, 2007
PZ Myers Interview
"What is life?"
University of Minnesota biology professor PZ Myers talks with Michael Koppelman about the big questions facing biology, evolution, atheism, and most importantly: How the heck do you pronounce the name of Myers' blog, Pharyngula?
Myers is making unfortunate news this week. An author is suing Myers for libel over his unfavorable book review. Surely an act of desperation, or at least pure dickishness.
Here's an MP3 of the entire interview from the lolife.com podcast.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 12:53 AM | Comments (0)
August 07, 2007
Stephanie talks about the bridge
stephanie4567 says we shouldn't be pointing fingers right now, and "My thoughts and prayers go out to the families affected by this tragedy."
However, if you'd like to make a full-on finger-pointing video, send it to story@mnstories.com.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 04:14 AM | Comments (5)
April 16, 2007
Helping the Maasai
You may know Duluth native Hans Johnson as the drummer for Minneapolis funk sensation Dance Band (video). His music, and his life's mission, is intertwined with a people and a place far from here: The Maasai of Southern Kenya.
Hans set out to record the music of the Maasai and became part of their community. With a lot of help from Low's Alan Sparhawk, Hans used proceeds from Maasai cd sales to help build a school. He's also formed a foundation to help the Maasai with other needs, such as AIDS education and building wells for clean water.
The school is now built, but Hans still pays for two teacher salaries himself. Every cd sold goes directly to the Maasai. Visit laleyio.com to learn more about the Maasai, their culture and music, or to make a donation.
READ MORE COMMENTS ABOUT THIS VIDEO ON ROCKETBOOM
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 02:18 AM | Comments (3)
February 15, 2007
Chase Korte: 1982 - 2007
Kevin from Video Haiku writes:
My good friend Chase Korte died in a car accident last weekend, in Los Angeles. He was 24.
I was lucky to know him, lucky to work with him, and lucky to have all this super-8 footage of him still on my hard drive, from a short film I shot for him last summer.
So, even though he was the writer, director and producer of that film, I took the creative liberty of appropriating his footage and cutting together something of my own, to hold onto and remember him by.
Hope he doesn't mind.
RELATED LINK:
MN Daily: U theater alumnus killed in accident
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 08:10 AM | Comments (12)
February 01, 2007
Pakou Hang
Pakou Hang is a Hmong woman who worked for Paul Wellstone, and now teaches and inspires children with Paul's message.
This short is from THE MAGIC GREEN SCHOOL BUS. Its a documentary portrait of Paul made by kids at Lake Country School in Minneapolis with their teacher Malinda Holte and the artist Media Mike Hazard.
It airs on Sunday February 4 at 6pm on The Minnesota Channel, TPT-17. Check local listings. It is a trip for people of every age.
RELATED LINK:
Pakou Hang for Saint Paul City Council
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 10:19 AM | Comments (1)
December 22, 2006
St. Johns: Heidi Trutwin's Horses
A short film by St. John's documentary student Ryan Pekarek.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 06:07 AM | Comments (0)
December 21, 2006
St. Johns: Father Bryan Hayes
A short film by St. John's documentary student Michael Burtzel.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 05:57 PM | Comments (0)
December 20, 2006
St Johns: Jay Vavra
A short film by St. John's documentary student Andrew Vavra.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 06:01 PM | Comments (0)
December 19, 2006
St Johns: Tom Herges
A short film by St. John's documentary student Paul Bivens.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 06:06 PM | Comments (0)
December 18, 2006
St Johns: Kyle Schneider
A short film by St. John's documentary student Russel L. Younglao.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 06:08 PM | Comments (0)
December 07, 2006
My Brother Junior
CELEBRATING YOUNG PEOPLE MAKING MEDIA
On December 7, 2006, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Phillips Community Television (in partnership with KFAI and the Midtown Global Market) will be holding a video screening and celebration event at the Riverview Theater in Minneapolis to celebrate over thirteen years of youth journalism and filmmaking.
“How has PCTV impacted my life? It taught me a lot about cameras and all the other stuff we do here. It kept me out of trouble and I never really realized that until I found out the hard way. When people say that being in community programs help you I never believed them. Now I know it does.” - A 15-year-old girl in the PCTV after school program.
There will be guest speakers from the local media community sharing the stage with young people from the PCTV youth media program.
The highlight of the evening will be a three-part presentation of excerpts from many of PCTV’s award winning work.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 01:20 AM | Comments (4)
November 15, 2006
Jim Smoked Pot... Now His Voice Is Shot!
Don't let it happen to you! A well-told story of overindulgence from Duane Kuss from DigElog ROCORI.
By the way, I'm been remiss in announcing here that Minnesota Stories won two awards at The Vloggies in San Francisco! We won for Favorite Community Vlog and People's Choice for Community Vlog. I'll post video from the awards sometime soon. They played Duane's Team Milking Contest video after announcing the winner, which really underscores that these awards truly belong to everyone who has contributed a Minnesota story. Hooray for us!
WELCOME MPR LISTENERS! Click here to watch the mnartists video profile of Jonathan Nelson.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 06:00 AM | Comments (0)
October 17, 2006
Hair Death
On MySpace, she's Velvet Rat. Her blog explains this video:
Monday, May 15, 2006
12:15 PM - Death
Current mood: Ready to KILL KILL KILL!!!
I'm going to fuck cancer up the ass! So fuck you cancer, get ready to die!
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
9:26 AM - Thee Tumor in Me Gut
Current mood: awake
I had a CT Scan last week and my two-inch tumor has shrunk to half it's size. The evil chemo appears to be working!
I am now halfway through my treatment. 3 more to go, I should be finished on August 11, just on time to attend my little brother's wedding in Kalamazoo on August 26. It will indeed be a great celebration.
Having cancer has been a blessing to me. I've gotten my shit together, snapped out of my depression, quit smoking "cigarettes", stopped drinking, eat a vegan diet, and appreciate all my lovely friends and family, who have supported me so well through this experience.
If facing death is what it takes to finally live, I'd do it all over again.
Uzza bless you!
Saturday, October 14, 2006
2:53 PM - Farewell Old Enemy
Current mood: calm
At this moment I am cancer free!
I want to thank all the wonderful friends out there who have helped me through this rough time! Uzza bless them...
Now I must get my band back together and start writing again.
333
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 07:37 AM | Comments (3)
October 13, 2006
MSP: Joynoëlle
Fashion designer Joy Teiken shows us her Minneapolis show room and takes us through the creative process of making a jacket for her clothing line, Joynoëlle.
I'm happy to announce that you can now see "Minnesota Stories-style" videos on the newly-relaunched mspmag.com. See for yourself in their multimedia section.
Don't worry, we're not getting taken over the The Man (or The Woman). Minnesota Stories is people-powered, just like soylent green. Send in your videos!
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 11:05 AM | Comments (2)
March 23, 2006
Bruce Sterling
Join me in a short conversation with Bruce Sterling: science-fiction writer, Wired magazine blogger, environmentalist, and noted critic of technology and culture. All of this, and what do we talk about? Shoes. Don't worry - Bruce can start with shoes and end up in a tagged reality that saves us from the next Hurricane Katrina.
EVENT: Rirkrit Tiravanija and Bruce Sterling, free @ Walker Art Center
RELATED LINKS:
Wikipedia: Spime
Off Center: How to read a shoe.
PHOTO CREDIT: Modern Cafe photo by ericka bailie-byrne [aka surlygrrrl]
Special thanks to Paul Schmelzer for hooking this up. Paul blogs for the Walker's Off Center and his own excellent Eyeteeth.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 04:39 AM | Comments (9)
March 21, 2006
Collecting Kirby
From Duane in Cold Spring: In this story you'll meet Ken who has collected over 2500 unique Kirby Puckett baseball cards. From mugs to bobble-heads, Ken has most of what has ever been produced representing the baseball career of Hall of Fame Kirby Puckett.
I have to say, I really love Ken's Minnesota accent and his accidental obsession with all things Kirby.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 01:11 AM | Comments (2)
March 10, 2006
VoxPop: Why Do You Live Here?
Our previous VoxPop asked, "Why is Bush so awesome?. Our question this time is less loaded. Simple, but seldom asked: Why do you live here?
This video is especially exciting because it's not just me out there asking the question - it's you, with your cameras. Welcome to statewide collaborative videoblogging. I hope we can do this more often, and create a way for you guys to suggest themes and really participate. Woohoo!
CITIZEN VLOGGERS: Minneapolis (Chuck), Duluth (Starfire), Mall of America (Alexis/Girl Friday), Cold Spring (Duan Kuss/DigElogROCORI), Maplewood (Deborah Vajda and her Korean adopted son, Gus)
THANK YOU for picking up a camera and not being afraid to ask questions. This is powerful mojo, and these are baby steps.
IN OTHER NEWS, I will be at South By Southwest festival in Austin, TX through next week. Get your video fix at SXSW Vlog and elsewhere.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 02:17 AM | Comments (10)
March 09, 2006
Hook
Hook is the story of a Michael "The Hook" Deutsch, a hip blues pianist with one very unlikely handicap. You can probably guess - but I won't give it away here. Has anyone seen him play down at the Malt Shop? This great story by Jesse Roesler is playing on Current.TV - cool! Watch for more amazing stuff from Jesse in the near future...
ALSO: Check out a short piece from Chuck on today's Rocketboom about the upcoming Geek Prom.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 01:42 AM | Comments (1)
March 08, 2006
Gordon Parks
This is a sad week, isn't it? Gordon Parks has deep roots in St. Paul. My great respect for him stems from working on Twin Cities Public Television's Literature & Life documentary, produced by Daniel Bergen. Watching this interview footage, learning how he overcame his obstacles and was empowered by his camera - who could not be moved? The notion that a camera is a weapon is powerful and irrisistable. I like to believe his spirit provides fuel for the videoblogging movement:
"You don't need the gun, the knife, to do it. You can do it with your pen or your computer, you can do it with a paint brush and so forth. You can be heard, and heard a lot longer and a lot stronger, if you use the right weapons. And those are the weapons that I have chosen."
This bit of interview details how he came to photograph Ella Watson for his famous photograph, American Gothic.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 02:59 AM | Comments (3)
March 07, 2006
Kirby Puckett in '91
I've never been into sports, but growing up in Minnesota imprints you with an almost genetic love of Kirby Puckett and the Minnesota Twins. My Homer Hankies are still in my mom's basement, along with some newspapers and maybe a Wheaties box. Minneapolis erupted with glee after the Twins won the 1987 and 1991 World Series. The proof is in this video, culled from live coverage of the 1991 mayhem and preserved on glorious VHS. A jovial interview with Kirby from KSTP's Joe Schmidt reveals a mind-boggling surprise -- Kirby Puckett was in M.C. Hammer's "Too Legit to Quit" music video?!
MORE LINKS: MNspeak, Strib, Bat Girl, Shot in the Dark
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 04:55 AM | Comments (5)
February 28, 2006
Rex's Farewell Party
I first met Rex at one of Nora Paul's new media soirées, where I blabbered on about this blog documentary I was making. Rex introduced himself and said, somewhat bemused, "I have a blog. It's called Fimoculous." Never heard of it. I had much to learn.
I'm going to resist the temptation to write an exhaustive biography about Rex. Suffice to say, the guy is a genius. He has inspired and influenced lots of people, including me. And his parties? The stuff of legend. Now that Rex is moving on, it's only fitting that he leave ear-to-ear Minneapolis smiles in his wake. (Get your mind out of the gutter!) Raise a glass, and taste the Kenwood. We'll miss you too, brother.
MUSIC: "Good Night Goodbye" by Mark Mallman (with permission)
PHOTOS: Matt Porath [Rex party gallery]
VIDEO FOOTAGE: WCCO and Rocketboom
ALSO STARRING: Ciaran from The Idle Hands
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 02:33 AM | Comments (9)
February 24, 2006
Post Office V2
Michael McIntee, personal historian and filmmaker behind the amazing "Family" video, brings us more first-hand Minnesota history:
It's a story about how my Grandfather, Nat B. Fish, came up with the crazy idea of dragging the post office down the main street to save it from demolition in the middle of the depression. The relocated building was then used as City Hall until it was sadly torn down in the 80's. This is a short segment from a half hour documentary I did on my mother's family.
CONTRIBUTOR: Michael McIntee, Inside Minnesota Politics podcast
RELATED: Do you have stories or memorabilia from relatives that grew up during the Depression? Check out the Minnesota Historical Society's Minnesota's Greatest Generation web site to learn about preserving your family's history. Have a personal history video? Drop a note to story@mnstories.com... whether you grew up in the 1930's or the 1980's.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 01:19 AM | Comments (3)
January 30, 2006
Neighbors
You might know Hans Eisenbeis as Editor-in-Chief of the much-loved Rake magazine. Some weirdness in his neighborhood prompted him to pick up a camera and wrassle with iMovie, all for you, dear viewer.
The final shot is a boarded up townhouse down the street from Hans. That's where the murder took place.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 02:55 AM | Comments (6)
January 24, 2006
Remembering McCarthy
Senator Eugene McCarthy, poetic politician and moral beacon, is remembered today at the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas (more info). He is also remembered in the work of "Media Mike" Hazard, whose documentary Eugene McCarthy: I'm Sorry I was Right will be available for free at the memorial service. You can also watch it online.
Today we're lucky to have three powerful and sad short poems told by Sen. McCarthy, brought to new visual life by Media Mike: "Vietnam Poems" and "The Maple Tree."
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 02:37 AM | Comments (2)
November 28, 2005
Minnesota Fats
What could be more exciting then playing Minnesota Fats (real name Rudolf Wanderone) in a game of video game billiards? Yeah, just about anything.
SOURCE: Internet Archive
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 06:37 AM | Comments (1)
November 23, 2005
Family
This personal history video is one of the best I've ever seen, and it speaks for itself. Happy Thanksgiving, and if you have a camera - turn it on and talk to your family. You'll be glad you did.
CONTRIBUTOR: Michael McIntee, Inside Minnesota Politics podcast
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 04:05 AM | Comments (5)
October 24, 2005
The Great Brodini
You believe in magic, right? Meet the Great Brodini, spellbinding kids of all ages at the Selby JazzFest.
CONTRIBUTOR: Allison Herrera, Everybody's Broke
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 03:45 AM | Comments (1)
September 30, 2005
I'm Still Dancin'
You've probably seen it shimmering in the rush hour morning light. The Peace House mosaic wall is hard to miss, perhaps to compensate for our blindness to the homeless people it serves. The Peace House is coming up on it's 20th anniversary on October 16. Here's a little piece of Peace House's past. Meet Iceman.
CONTRIBUTOR: "Media Mike" Hazard, The Center for International Education
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 08:07 AM | Comments (5)
September 16, 2005
7 Days in New Orleans
"The whole 7-day deployment changed me forever." Starfire's brother Jim is a paramedic. Here's his first-hand account of life and death in New Orleans. Some harrowing stuff, but also... the Bush girls. This is a must-see.
CONTRIBUTOR: Starfire, Starfire.tv (where you can listen to several podcasts of Jim in New orleans via phone.)
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 06:53 AM | Comments (3)
September 06, 2005
Reaction to Hurricane Relief
"What do you think of the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts?" That's what I asked passersby on the final day of the Minnesota State Fair. Everyone who answered is included in this video.
RELATED LINKS:
Star Tribune: Minnesota's Camp Ripley in line for 3,000 evacuees
Starfire.tv: Katrina bound. A wonderful audioblog post from Starfire's brother, a medic en route to Baton Rouge, LA.
MinnesotaHelpers.com is helping evacuees find available housing in Minnesota.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 04:06 AM | Comments (3)
August 24, 2005
Crystal's Cab
You belong to the city. Crystal belongs to the northern suburbs – or at least she did, during her short stint as a Suburban cab driver. It's not easy to make a living driving a cab, so tip generously and absolutely no stabbing.
MUSIC: Unknown musicians playing in Powderhorn Park.
Posted by Minnesota Stories at 09:28 AM | Comments (15)