Today, April 21, has been declared Prince Day throughout Minnesota.
Marking the first anniversary of the funk rocker's death, Governor Mark Dayton announced,
"Prince and his phenomenal talents led an era of music and showcased Minnesota to the world. This day, we honor a magnificent artist, celebrate his great legacy, and thank him for always making Minnesota his home."
One aspect of the tribute will be lighting the I-35 Bridge in Minneapolis in purple.
And a four-day multi-event celebration began last night at Paisley Park.
(MNN)
Paisley Park
The Celebration kicked off last night at 11 a.m. and lasts through Sunday with performances, discussion panels and tours each day until about 11 p.m.
Only a limited number of the $549-$999 tickets remained at press time.
OfficialPaisleyPark.com, 7801 Audubon Rd., Chanhassen
First Avenue
Minneapolis’ most famous nightclub — where Prince filmed “Purple Rain” and regularly performed and hung out from 1981-1987 — is offering a much more low-cost alternative for local fans, including two late night dance parties on Friday and Saturday.
Featuring in-demand local DJs such as Jake Rudh, Shannon Blowtorch, Lenka Paris and Keezy.
10 p.m., $10, First-Avenue.com, 701 1st Av. N., Mpls.
The Dakota
On Saturday, Andy Allo from his “Art Official Age” album will open for former Broadway star Morgan James, whose cover of “Call My Name” was a recent hit (7 and 9:30 p.m., $25-$35).
DakotaCooks.com, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls.
Bunker’s
Bunker’s will host former Time guitarist and recent D’Angelo backer Jesse Johnson with “special guests” over three nights, Thursday-Saturday (7 p.m., $30-$125).
Ticketfly.com. 761 Washington Av. N., Mpls.
The Metropolitan
Prince’s siblings are throwing their own Celebration after-party at the ballroom on Saturday with an array of guests including his earliest bandmates André Cymone and Dez Dickerson, Apollonia and “1999”-era co-vocalist Jill Jones. (10:30 p.m., $43-$125).
PRNfamily.com, 5418 Wayzata Blvd., Golden Valley.
Other tributes: Funk-rock vets Jaybee & the Routine will host the “Purple Love Experience” party Friday at the Minnesota Music Cafe (499 Payne Av., St. Paul).
And one of the better Prince soundalikes in town, G-Sharp, performs a tribute with his band the Bizne$$ at Lee’s Liquor Lounge on Sunday (9:30 p.m., $10-$20).
One of Prince’s “Purple Rain” outfits and some other related items will be on display at the Minnesota Historical Society from Tuesday through Sunday
345 Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul; MNHS.org
The Textile Center has a new quilt exhibit, “Commemorating His Purple Reign,” up through April 29
3000 University Av. SE, Mpls.; TextileCenterMN.org