A few ways to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. (from pups and hot dogs at Canterbury Park to light shows in Northfield), the geekiest of science fiction conventions, a summer road trip film series, a new exhibition at All My Relations Gallery and more in this week’s MN Shortlist.
‘CONvergence: The Geek in the Machine’ in Minneapolis — Through July 5
Nothing says semiquincentennial like the celebration of robots, cyborgs and androids that is the 27th annual sci-fi and fantasy convention, “CONvergence: The Geek in the Machine,” at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis. To channel Bill Hader’s SNL character “Stefon,” this convention has everything: robot fighting, art competitions, a “Traumatized by Disney” panel looking at the films that scarred our childhoods, water aerobics, a screening of the “Funniest Japanese Commercials,” cosplay lipsync battles, a post-mortem presentation on the "disastrous" 1989 NASA Galileo Mission to Jupiter, a masquerade runway and a reading called “Y’all Wanna Bang a Demon? Adventures in Afrofutureism & Romantasy.”
Believe it or not, the CONvergence has something for all age groups, including the kiddos, from a Star Trek 60th anniversary talk to the panel “Guardians and Kids Talk About What Kids Find Scary.”
There will also be meet-and-greets and events with “Guests of Honor” including the queer Minnesota speculative fiction authors J.R. Dawson and Naomi Kritzer, actor and puppeteer Christine D. Galey who appears in Season 1 of “The Mandalorian” and Minneapolis hip-hop star (and lover of Dungeons and Dragons – he’s a dungeon master) NUR-D, who also performs Saturday night.
And for those who truly want to immerse in the 250th anniversary of the U.S., see “A Revolution Highly Favorable: To Dissolve the Political Bands,” which is a performance that adapted the words of 18th-century combat medic, historian and POW David Ramsay. (Alex V. Cipolle)
Canterbury Park Independence Day Celebration in Shakopee — July 4
Wiener dogs, face paint and hot dogs? Sounds like a good way to spend America’s 250th anniversary. Canterbury Park in Shakopee is marking the Fourth of July with its usual horse races, along with wiener dog races in between the main event. There will also be a hot dog-eating contest (the event is sponsored by Hormel after all), and opportunities for kids to get their faces painted and ride ponies. If hot daytime temperatures aren’t your thing, Canterbury Park is also putting on a “fireworks spectacular” after the last race on July 3. (Jacob Aloi)
Light show and community party at Northfield Arts Guild — July 4
The Northfield Arts Guild is doing a different kind of light show for Fourth of July (or what they are calling “Miss America’s 250th birthday”) — projecting art visuals on the historic downtown guild’s exterior walls along the Cannon River. The party, filled with live music, art activities and food, goes from 5 p.m. to midnight. Stick around to see the guild’s dual exhibition “Unquiet Landscapes” by artists Andrew and Amelia Wykes and, starting July 10, the guild’s 2026 Shakespeare in the Park production, “Much Ado About Nothing.” (Alex V. Cipolle)
Raise the Torch for Liberty at The Commons in Minneapolis — July 4
For those looking to mark the Fourth of July with something more collective than fireworks, artist Christopher Lutter-Gardella is inviting Twin Cities residents to become part of a 1,000-person living artwork at The Commons in downtown Minneapolis. At noon on July 4, participants will gather to form an aerial image of the Statue of Liberty. The large-scale public art action is meant to affirm solidarity with immigrants, asylum seekers and marginalized communities.
Lutter-Gardella, whose February project “Kaleidoscope of Love” drew hundreds to Powderhorn Park, calls the event a reminder that “liberty and justice for all” should apply to everyone. After the human installation, the gathering continues with music, poetry and community performances, including songs from Singing Resistance. (Annie Russell)
‘Taking the Scenic Route’ series at Trylon Cinema in Minneapolis — July 5-Sept. 27
We’re hitting peak summer (and peak time to be inside air-conditioned movie theaters) and Trylon Cinema is just in time with their summer film series, “Taking the Scenic Route.” The 14-film series of “detours, pit stops and the open road” begins July 5 with “Vanishing Point,” a 1971 British-American cult classic action flick about a car delivery driver who bets he can get a white Dodge Challenger from Denver to San Francisco in 15 hours (for reference, Google Maps says the route takes 20 hours without pit stops). Other great on-the-road films included in the series are “Y Tu Mamá También” (July 19), “The Muppet Movie” (Aug. 2) and “My Own Private Idaho” (Aug. 23). (Alex V. Cipolle)
‘Sakowin Synergy’ opening reception – July 9
“Sakowin Synergy” is a group exhibition which shares the works of four contemporary Lakota artists. The exhibition, described as “woven together with deep respect for tradition and a bold embrace of modernity,” is curated by mixed-media artist Ray Janis.
The exhibition’s title pays homage to the Oceti Šakówiŋ, which translates to “The Seven Council Fires” and refers to the historic alliance of the Dakota, Lakota and Nakota people. “Synergy” describes the artists’ collaborative energy and inspirations for the project.
All My Relations Arts and the Native American Community Development Institute will hold an opening reception of “Sakowin Synergy” on July 9 beginning at 6 p.m.
The exhibition will be on view at All My Relations Arts Gallery in Minneapolis through Sept. 5. (Chandra Colvin)
