Events - August 2024

Manny González and his sister Victoria González

Posted Wednesday, July 24, 2024 9:08 pm

25th anniversary of Manny's Tortas

Midtown Global Market is proud to honor one of its original restaurants, Manny’s Tortas, and its incredible owners, Manny González and his sister Victoria González, as they celebrate 25 years on Saturday, July 27 from noon to 4 p.m.

Originally from Mexico City, Manny moved to the United States 42 years ago after finishing culinary school. He worked for many years as a chef at a handful of Twin Cities restaurants before opening Manny’s at Mercado Central in 1999, and Midtown Global Market in 2006.

Victoria has a background in hospitality management and business consulting. She maintains the financial stability of the business and the growth strategy to keep the restaurant inside the market. Both would also like to thank the employees who have been a fundamental part of the success and permanence of Manny’s Tortas for 25 years.

During the anniversary celebration, guests can experience great food, beer and margaritas, music, mariachi, folk dances, and fun activities and games. Event specials include free torta bites and carnitas tacos. Plus, to celebrate 25 years, Manny’s Tortas July special is a limited-edition

sandwich, the chicken mole torta.

Kickball Tournament JULY 28
The Nokomis East Neighborood Association Great Southside Kickball Tournament & Fundraiser is on Saturday, July 27, 2024 (Rain date: Sunday, July 28, 2024. Games start at 8 a.m. at Keewaydin Park, 3030 E. 53rd Street. Food trucks will be on-site during games. The tournament raises money for the Renter Support Fund project, which offers direct financial assistance to renters living in Minneapolis.

VEGAN FEST
Of the 26 restaurants showcasing all-new plant-based dishes this August as part of the 6th annual Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge, about half are in south Minneapolis. Among them are Herbie Butcher’s Fried Chicken, Himalayan Restaurant, The Howe Daily Kitchen & Bar, Barbette, Book Club, Gigi’s Cafe, Hi Flora!, Lulu EthioVegan, Namaste Cafe, Pat’s Tap, Pinoli, and Trio Plant-Based. The competition, organized by local non-profit Compassionate Action for Animals, invites food lovers of all dietary preferences to explore vegan cuisine and rate the dishes online for a chance to win prizes.
The champion of the month-long competition will be crowned at Twin Cities Veg Fest in Harriet Island Regional Park on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024.
Diners this year can expect original creations like the mango spring roll from Duke’S on 7 in Minnetonka, as well as tasty plant-based twists on familiar comfort foods, like a fried mac and cheese sandwich from Herbie Butcher’s Fried Chicken and a vegan salmon bowl from The Howe Daily Kitchen & Bar, both in Minneapolis.

Plant-Based Bike Crawl JULY 28
The second annual plant-based bike crawl takes off from Reverie Cafe + Bar at 10 am on Sunday, July 28. Riders can choose between riding a 12-mile or 30-mile route. The ride includes food samples from plant-based restaurants Francis Burger Joint (for long-route riders), Herbie Butcher’s Fried Chicken, Reverie Cafe + Bar, and Trio Plant-Based. Tickets are $75 for general admission and $150 for VIP. Compassionate Action for Animals is the local nonprofit that organizes both the ride and Twin Cities Veg Fest.

LAKE STREET MURAL DAY AUG. 17
The first ever Lake Street Mural Day is August 17, 2024 from 3-6 p.m. This three-hour free family-friendly event will feature a festive sidewalk atmosphere filled with art, food, music, and activities. Individuals will have access to food and entertainment along Lake Street between 15th and 17th Ave, with a “check-in” area at 16th Ave and Lake Street. Mural tours will be held every 45 minutes or individuals can do a self-guided mural tour with a printed map.
Participation is free but the first 200 tickets get free food samples throughout the mural tour route.

Black Entrepreneur State Fair AUG. 25-31
The fifth annual Black Entrepreneur State Fair runs Aug. 25-21 at Midtown Global Market. Founded by sisters Destinee and Keandrea Shelby, the Black State Fair aims to empower, celebrate and promote "the talents, achievements, and economic growth of Black entrepreneurs."

WHAT MAKES ME HAPPY ART DISPLAY
Photographs by members of Highland Friendship Club, a St. Paul-based nonprofit that provides social and learning opportunities for teens and adults with disabilities, will be showcased at Fletchers Ice Cream (306 E Hennepin Ave.) in Northeast Minneapolis from Aug. 9 – Sept. 3. For the fourth year, HFC offered a phone photography program led by Minneapolis photographer Eric Mueller. This summer’s class asked members to consider the question, “What Makes Me Happy?” Through a combination of classroom time, group activities, and field trips around the Twin Cities, HFC members explored how happiness can be represented in photography. Their photos show the breadth of the human experience as it relates to one of our most basic emotions.

George Floyd Square Community Visioning
Community-led visioning meetings for George Floyd Square will be on Aug. 17 (third Saturdays), 10 a.m.-noon, 3901 Chicago Ave., in the community room of the Calvary building. Meetings are open to the public. No reservations are needed, but people can email cct.georgefloydsquare@gmail.com to request agendas and updates. Online participation may be possible for those who cannot attend in person.
POLICE BAND LOOKING FOR MEMBERS
The Minneapolis Police Band is looking for more members. The Minneapolis Police Band is a community band as all citizen musicians in the greater Twin Cities are welcome to join. Rehearsals are Thursday nights in the community room of the 5th precinct, a short drive from anywhere in south Minneapolis, at 31st Street and Nicollet Ave. The Minneapolis Police Band plays at a variety of locations. Email mpls.police.band@gmail.com.

RIVER GORGE FESTIVAL SEPT. 8
The Longfellow River Gorge festival is one of Longfellow Community Council’s longest running annual events. Each fall we honor and celebrate the Mississippi River, its history, and its vital ongoing importance to humans and wildlife. The festival educates community about the River’s functions and ecology in a fun and approachable way focusing on restoration and conservation. This year's event is on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, 34th – 36th Streets along West River Parkway, 12 to 4 p.m. There will be guided nature walks, music, activities, ice cream, face-painting, boat rides through Minneapolis Rowing Club, and canoe rides through Wilderness Inquiry.