PeopleFest!

When: Friday, July 30, 2021 from 6:00 PM-7:00 PM

Where: Staring Lake Amphitheatre Plaza, 14800 Pioneer Trail

Details: Free, no registration required. 

Learn about the significance of masks from around the world and the cultures they come from with artist, Geno Okok. Visitors view examples of tribal masks and are guided through the process of designing their own to take home. First come, first served, while supplies last.

A performance by Native Pride Dancers will follow the Arts Activity.

When: Friday, July 30, 2021 from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM 

Where: Staring Lake Amphitheatre, 14800 Pioneer Trail

Details: Free, no registration required

Come enjoy traditional Native American dance! Prior to the performance, the Eden Prairie Human Rights and Diversity Commission will begin with a Land Acknowledgement. Celebrate the spirit and beauty of Indigenous peoples as we honor the uniqueness and history of First Nations Peoples including the Meskwaki Nation, Lakota, Ojibwe, Dakota, Nakota, Menominee, Cree, Ho-Chunk, Navajo, and other tribes.

Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Food and refreshments are available for purchase, debit card/credit card only.

Arrive early to enjoy the Arts Activity- Geno Okok, Faces of Nations, which starts at 6:00 PM on the Amphitheatre Plaza.

When: Saturday, July 31, 2021 from 1:00-3:00 PM

Where: Cummins-Phipps-Grill House, 13600 Pioneer Trail

Details: Free, no registration required

Stop by the beautifully restored Cummins-Phipps-Grill House to learn about the people of Eden Prairie's past and pick up a guidebook for this year's PeopleFest! 2021 celebration.
 

When: Sunday, August 1, 2021 from 4:00 PM-5:15 PM

Where: Staring Lake Amphitheatre Plaza, 14800 Pioneer Trail

Details: Free, no registration required. 

Visitors learn about an important cultural symbol of Argentina, el mate, through dialogue with artist Victoria Eidelsztein and free take home mate kits.

Celebrate different body types with handmade ceramic pieces made by the artist, Matt Litwin. Visitors may take home one of the figures, which includes a story from a person who has shared their body image fears, overcoming moments, funny stories or what best honors their experience.

Using the Hmong story cloth, paj ntaub, as inspiration guests learn from artist Third Daughter, Restless Daughter to tell their own story using cross stitch techniques on site or as a take home kit.

Performances by Kalakriti School of Arts and Snoti will follow the Arts Activities.

When: Sunday, August 1, 2021 

Kalakrithi School of Arts will perform at 5:15 PM

Snoti will perform 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM 

Where: Staring Lake Amphitheatre, 14800 Pioneer Trail

Details: Free, no registration required

Kalakrithi School of Arts youth students will perform Bharatanatyam dance as the opening act for the Starring at Staring concert.

Snoti is a Liberian musician-songwriter whose musical style combines the soulfulness of R&B, the fluidity I’d pop and the authentic rhythms of afro pop music.

Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Food and refreshments are available for purchase, debit card/credit card only.

Arrive early to enjoy the Arts Activities with Victoria Eidelsztein, Matt Litwin and Wone Vang, which start at 4:00 PM on the Amphitheatre Plaza.

When: Monday, August 2 - Thursday, August 5, 2021 from 9:00 AM - Noon

Where: Cedar Ridge Elementary

For youth entering grades 2-6. Join us as we learn about various world cultures! As part of PeopleFest!, this camp will feature different guest speakers who will share about their own cultures. Students will engage in a wide variety of fun, cultural activities and explore what makes these cultures unique. 

When: Monday, August 2, 2021 from 6:30-8:00 PM

Where: Online via Zoom

Details: Registration is now closed. 

This presentation covers Islamic teachings about the different roles of Muslim women in society, including cultural differences. The speaker will talk about common misconceptions regarding Muslim women and explain gender equity in the spiritual, social, and economic aspect of life. Muslim women and culture/diversity will also be discussed. The presentation is concluded with examples of Muslim women and their role in history and modern life. This class will take place on Zoom and is being offered free of charge by the Islamic Resource Group in collaboration with the 2021 PeopleFest! Community Celebration of Culture.

When: Evening of Tuesday, August 3, 2021

Where: Your Neighborhood!

Details: Every year citizens across the country celebrate Night to Unite on the first Tuesday of August.  This year’s Eden Prairie Night to Unite will be August 3rd. This is an opportunity to come together, meet your neighbors, get to know them better and grow the sense of community we have here in Eden Prairie. 

Click here to learn more

When: Wednesday, August 4, 2021 from 10:00 - 11:00 AM

Where: Little Eagles Early Childhood & Preschool Lower Campus Playground: 8100 School Road

Details: Free, no registration required

Join us for an outdoor children's story hour to help our youngest community members celebrate the spirit of PeopleFest! This event will be led by Karen Linscott, licensed Parent Educator with Eden Prairie Schools' Early Childhood Program and will feature Hooray for You! by Marianne R. Richmond. Meet near the playground, bring a lawn chair or blanket, and pack a snack and refreshments.

When: Thursday, August 5, 2021 from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM 

Where: Staring Lake Amphitheatre, 14800 Pioneer Trail

Details: Free, no registration required

Ring of Kerry is a bursting-with-energy Irish music group that captures the hearts of listeners. The group takes its name from a beautiful craggy drive in southwestern County Kerry, Ireland. Its Celtic music, however, is played with a heart much closer to its American home.

Bring a lawn chair or blanket, and pack a snack and refreshments. Concessions are not available on-site, debit card/credit card only.

When: Friday, August 6, 2021 from 5:30-8:00 PM  

Where: Nesbitt Park, 8641 Center Way

Details: Free, no registration required

Experience one of the world’s most popular sports! Bring a lawn chair and settle in for an evening of entertainment.

When: Friday, August 6, 2021 from 7:30-10:30 PM

DJ Performance with COMPAS Teaching Artist DJ Kool Akiem starts at 7:30

Trolls World Tour will start at 9:00 PM

Where: Staring Lake Amphitheatre, 14800 Pioneer Trail

Details: Free, no registration required

DJ Kool Akiem is a renowned DJ of 20 years, as well as a music producer and pioneer of the Twin Cities Hip-Hop community. As DJ and producer for the legendary Micranots, as well as DJ for MF DOOM, Kool Akiem has toured nationally and internationally, sharing stages with artists like Atmosphere, Public Enemy, KRS One, De La Soul, The Roots, Hieroglyphics, Grandmaster Flash, Jazzy Jeff, Mos Def, and many more. Creating ornate and electric samples over rugged drum hits and 808 kicks, Kool Akiem’s productions have a signature feeling which provides musical excitement that doesn’t distract from the lyrics. Constantly reinventing his production and style, he has become a master of his genre.

Enjoy watching the hit movie Trolls World Tour (rated PG) under the stars featuring six diverse genres of music representing six different tribes of trolls.

Bring a lawn chair or blanket, and pack a snack and refreshments. Concessions are not available on-site, debit card/credit card only.

When: Saturday, August 7, 2021 at 11:00 AM  

Where: Hindu Temple of Minnesota: 10530 Troy Lane North, Maple Grove, MN 55311

Journey with us and explore the worship spaces of the local Hindu and Jain faith communities. The Hindu Temple of Minnesota is partnering with Community Education to offer this FREE tour as part of PeopleFest!, a community-wide celebration of culture. Community members are invited to drive themselves to the temple in Maple Grove, where they will be greeted by a member of the PeopleFest! Planning Committee and the Temple Manager, who will provide the group with a tour and briefly share a bit about the religion (tours are educational in nature). This is a unique opportunity to learn about other religions first-hand, in a friendly and inclusive environment. People of all ages and backgrounds are welcome. Come with questions; respectful inquiry is encouraged!

When: Tuesday, August 10, 6:00-8:00 PM

Where: Eden Prairie High School, 17185 Valley View Road

Make a delicious gluten-free, vegan Indian meal with very simple ingredients! Explore the tastes of India as you learn how to make a tangy, savory potato curry (aloo dum) and flatbread (paratha). This course is being offered for free in celebration of PeopleFest! on behalf of Eden Prairie Community Education and Indian cooking instructor, blogger, and author Mish Sen. A $5 ingredient fee will be collected by the instructor during class. 

When: Friday, August 13 from 6:30-8:00 PM

Where: Staring Lake Park Plaza: 14800 Pioneer Trail

Details: Free, no registration required

Artist Shruti Aiyar shares Warli painting from the tribal community based in Maharashtra, India. Visitors learn about the process and are able to make their own version on site with guidance from the artist.

When: Saturday, August 14, 2021 from 10:40 AM - 3:30 PM

Where: Bus leaves from SW Station in Eden Prairie, event is located at the State Capitol Grounds in St. Paul

Join us for a FREE field trip to IndiaFest in St. Paul! SouthWest Transit is partnering with PeopleFest! to offer a free round-trip ride to the India Association of Minnesota’s (IAM) annual festival held at the Minnesota State Capitol grounds on Saturday, August 14. 

IndiaFest celebrates the rich heritage, traditions, diversity, and culture of India. The event is open to every Minnesotan and will feature performances by Indian dance groups, delectable Indian cuisine from local restaurants, foot-tapping live Bollywood music, exhibits, a parade, cultural displays, an Indian bazaar, and activities for people of all ages!

When: Saturday, August 21 at 4:00 PM (original event on August 8 was canceled due to poor weather conditions)

Where: Purgatory Creek Park

Details: Free, no registration required

Cadex Herrera presents "First Person Plural," a collection of interviews, photos, and video of immigrants in Eden Prairie. A group of large-scale portraits have been installed at Purgatory Creek Park for public view. Join us on August 21st to hear from Cadex and project participants about the process and personal stories.

Please note this event coincides with the City of Eden Prairie's Arts in the Park event, which is scheduled from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM that day.  

Explore The Big Umbrella, by Amy June Bates at this story stroll at the Eden Prairie Library (565 Prairie Center Dr) in the new outdoor gathering space on the west side of the building. Drop by anytime to visit the story stroll from Sunday, August 8 to Thursday, August 12, weather permitting.

What: Art & Social Justice (ages 9-11)

When: July 26-30 from 1:00 - 4:00 PM

Where: Edenvale Park

 

What: Family Fun at the Art Center: Make Your Own Book — Windows and Mirrors (ages 7+ with adult)

When: July 31 from 2:00 - 5:00 PM

Where: Eden Prairie Art Center

 

What: Family Fun at the Art Center: Craftism--Woven Wall Handing (ages 7+ with adult)

When: August 7 from 2:00 - 5:00 PM

Where: Eden Prairie Art Center

 

What: Art & Social Justice (ages 13-16)

When: August 9-13 from 1:00 - 4:00 PM

Where: Eden Prairie Art Center

 

What: Kids Night Out: Making a Statement--Printmaking (ages 7-11)

When: August 14 from 6:30 - 8:30 PM

Where: Eden Prairie Art Center

 

Prices vary (sliding fee scale and discounts available). Registration required. 

Learn More & Register on the City of Eden Prairie's Registration Site

 

Eden Prairie’s PeopleFest!: A Community Celebration of Culture is a series of educational events that reflect the range of traditions, backgrounds, abilities and expressions of our community through literature, music, dance, visual art, food and education offerings.

The purpose of PeopleFest! is to bring residents together in celebration and awareness of the many cultures that make Eden Prairie great. Our community-wide celebration is presented in collaboration by the City of Eden Prairie, Eden Prairie Schools Community Education, Eden Prairie Community Foundation, Interfaith Circle, Academy for Young Leaders, Eden Prairie Human Rights and Diversity Commission, Eden Prairie Chinese Association, India Association of MN, Eden Prairie TreeHouse and others. PeopleFest! is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

To learn more, watch the video above or contact Molly Patil, Director of Adult & Community Engagement Programs, at mpatil@edenpr.org or 952-975-6942.

When the PeopleFest! Planning Committee began to meet to develop this year's schedule of events, members decided that our 2021 celebration would not feature the large PeopleFest! Party, but instead should consist of a variety of  smaller in-person events, as well as virtual and asynchronous opportunities. 

The PeopleFest! Planning Committee has worked hard over the past 6 months to develop a wide variety of opportunities to explore and celebrate culture between July 30-August 14, 2021. We look forward to celebrating with you in whatever format you are comfortable with this summer.