Around (down)town: The Flint Hills Family Festival returns to downtown, what's new at the Ordway and more

Friends, this week I'm handing our newsletter over to someone who's not only the leader of one of our most celebrated downtown entertainment venues, but also one of our newest board members at the Alliance. Read on to get to know Chris Harrington and check out what's coming soon to the Ordway. Enjoy the holiday weekend ahead! — Joe

Saying hello to summer in Saint Paul with immense gratitude

As my first season leading the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts comes to a close, I am overcome with gratitude. Gratitude for our guests who, in the face of a difficult pandemic and drawn-out winter, loyally filled our spaces week after week. Gratitude to our staff and partners who made the Ordway’s recent 2022-2023 season announcement possible, and launched a new musical theater fellowship created by and for artists who are Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC). And gratitude for you – our neighbors – for making this community a great place to live, work and play. I’m proud to call myself a downtown resident.

I can’t wait to experience my first summer downtown and all the events happening (like the Twin Cities Jazz Fest!). Here at the Ordway, we have two upcoming events to help you celebrate the start of summer: the Flint Hills Family Festival (June 3-4) and Black Violin (June 17). Our team at the Ordway staunchly believes that the arts should be accessible, meaningful and, above all else, fun. These upcoming events certainly check off all three.

Thank you for the warm welcome to Saint Paul. I hope to see you out and about downtown!

— Chris Harrington

Chris Harrington is the president and CEO of the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts and proudly serves on the Saint Paul Downtown Alliance Board of Directors.

Celebrate and enjoy the arts at the Flint Hills Family Festival: June 3-4

The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts’ annual Flint Hills Family Festival returns to downtown Saint Paul next week, June 3-4. Bring the whole family for dozens of free outdoor performances and art-making activities, plus low-cost indoor entertainment, from more than 300 artists. 🎪 🎶 🎨💃

As an exclusive perk, festival attendees will also get early access to purchase tickets to the Ordway’s holiday production of Beauty and the Beast (Nov. 30-Dec. 31) on sale at the Ordway Box Office.

The parks surrounding the Ordway come to life with outdoor performances and activities throughout the Festival, all presented for free.

Squonk Opera's "Hand to Hand" creates joyful, boisterous outdoor spectacles by fusing fantastical visual design, playful staging and high-energy original music. They'll be performing in Rice Park throughout the Festival.

Learn more and plan your trip!

Black Violin returns to the Ordway June 17

Known for blending classical and hip-hop influences, the Grammy-nominated duo Black Violin will return by popular demand to the Ordway on Friday, June 17. Black Violin is composed of violist Wil B and violinist Kev Marcus, who combine their classical training and hip-hop influences to create a distinctive multi-genre sound often described as “classical boom.” Tickets start at $45 and are available for purchase online at Ordway.org or by phone at 651-224-4222.

Get tickets

Saint Paul's business climate is bouncing back, says chamber's B Kyle

"It took a while, but the vibrancy is back."

B Kyle, president and CEO of the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce, was featured in this week's Star Tribune "Eye On St. Paul" Q&A talking about the business landscape in Saint Paul and how the Chamber of Commerce sees the post-pandemic future.