Kickin into the Championships

Several weeks ago, the Target Center played host to the Minnesota State Dance Championships. I spent the second half of the weekend there during the High Kick championship. Here are some of the best...

Members of the Sartell-St. Stephen High Kicks dance team compete at the state tournament Saturday, Feb. 18 at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

Members of the Sartell-St. Stephen High Kicks dance team compete at the state tournament Saturday, Feb. 18 at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

Members of the St. Cloud Cathedral dance team compete in the Class AA High Kicks state tournament Saturday, Feb. 18 at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

Members of the St. Cloud Cathedral dance team compete in the Class AA High Kicks state tournament Saturday, Feb. 18 at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

Members of the Sauk Rapids-Rice dance team compete in the Class AA High Kicks state tournament Saturday, Feb. 18 at the Target Center in Minneapolis. 

Members of the St. Cloud Cathedral dance team celebrate as they are announced third place finalists in the state dance tournament Saturday, Feb. 18 at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

Members of the Sartell-St. Stephen dance team celebrate as they are announced second place finalists in the state dance tournament Saturday, Feb. 18 at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

Some audio slide shows for your personal viewing pleasure...

I've noticed I've been posting just images to this blog...
For those of you that haven't ventured over to my website, one: do so now and two: you probably haven't seen some of the stuff that I really enjoy; this stuff being setting an audio track (usually an interview) to images.
And because I find it very sad that you may have not seen these, I show you now!! :]
(Let them buffer before playing them!)

Here's one of my first shots at this sort of thing. It was a promo for a friend's (then) band, Era of Terror.



This one gets me all warm and fuzzy. While I nearly dispise winter, listening to it makes me wish for the holiday season already!



This last one has a much different tone. A good friend of mine lost her mother several years ago. While I knew the story all too well before interviewing her, I found myself with tears in my eyes multiple times throughout our conversation.

Sunny on a Dreary Day

Instead of stopping at Starbucks or Caribou or Dunn Bros for overpriced coffee and pastry, you should really think about switching to a local business for your caffeine and sugar fix.
For one, it's cheaper.
For two, it's better. Better quality. Better environment. Better everything.

Sunstreet Breads definitely follows suit. Baguettes are $3! The bakery doubles as a coffee shop with gorgeous hard wood floors, with their logo branded on almost any surface. But not in a cheesy, over-done way.

I am willing to stand as a voice to prove that their scones and biscuits are better than those of other chain coffee shops. If my statement and images aren't enough to convince you, get your butt over to 4600 Nicollet Ave S and see (and taste) for yourself!

Raspberry Cream Scone

Ham & Swisscuit

Raspberry Cream Scone

In the spirit of the NE Art Scene...

I had the pleasure of spending some time with Nick and Rosie Heille in northeast Minneapolis while they talked about their passion for art and the NE scene. Nick and Rosie are enthusiastic art buyers, but also give tours of the NE art scene. Now, they are gearing up for NE's Art-A-Whirl.

Posters from Art-A-Whirl 2007 (the first year posters were used) and 2005 (10th Anniversary of Art-A-Whirl)

More than just caffeine: Jack's Restaurant and Coffee Shop

Jack's opened late last year and has the cozy, comfortable atmosphere that would seem that it's been there much longer. Right on 46th and Bryant in south Minneapolis, it's convenient and has plenty of space and color to keep you coming back even if you don't have work to get done or need wifi.

The extra bonus? The serve real food- not the overpriced pastries and pre-packaged salads cafe visitors have grown to expect.

What's considered real food? 

Tilapia with rice pilaf

Tilapia with rice pilaf

Flank Steak 

Flank Steak 

Orange Panna Cotta

Yeah, I thought you'd be drooling. 

Free Peep Show!

Finally, it's catching on-- using Peeps as still actors instead of eating them. I was able to photograph Peep dioramas that are on display at what will be Wild Roast (coming in June) on St. Anthony Main in Minneapolis.
All these displays were made by 5th graders! I wish adults still had this kind of creativity...

Jurassic Peep

Invasion of the Peeps

Invasion of the Peeps

The Peepover: Boys Spy on Girls

The Peepover: Boys Spy on Girls

Peep Lanes

Justin Peeper