Written by Mike Mullen
“Sometimes it snows in April.” That’s what we learned from Prince, an icon of Capri lore, and it’s true enough if you live in Minnesota. We can’t predict that just yet, but we can forecast with 100 percent certainty that the Capri has a rich lineup of entertainment, enrichment, and community building events for your cultural consideration.
That begins with Legends @ the Capri, and the chance to be transported about 1,000 miles east and 100 years into the past. Revisit the glory days of the Harlem Renaissance and the Jazz Age with “Thrown to the Wolves,” starring the Wolverines Jazz Trio and featuring vocalists Judi Vinar and Dennis Spears. Think Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington and Louie Armstrong, among other titans of the era. Showtime is 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, followed by a 3 p.m. matinee Sunday, April 6. Tickets are $20 for groups of 10+, $25 for others, and $30 at the door, available at capri.simpletix.com.
For the 10th year, the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF) will screen several notable films at the Capri, beginning with Acts of Reparation on Thursday, April 3. This documentary tells the story of two filmmakers, one white and one Black, who head south together to explore their roots and the insidious legacy of slavery. Both of those filmmakers, Selina Lewis Davidson and Macky Alston, will be at the Capri in person for this event! This film is also the First Thursday Films entry for April and as such tickets are free to Northsiders (be ready to provide your zip code at the front desk); $11 to MSP Film Society members, $10 for students, and $19 for general admission.
On April 10, MSPIFF @ the Capri features a Minnesota documentary The People’s Way, a hyperlocal exploration of the aftermath and search for meaning at George Floyd Square in South Minneapolis. The film follows the work of three activists, including Robin Wonsley, now a member of the Minneapolis City Council. Directors Ashley and William Tyner will be in attendance. Ticket prices include a pay-what-you-can option; for others, $11 to MSP Film Society members, $10 for students and $19 for general admission.
Next on the MSPIFF @ the Capri lineup comes Ricky, the narrative account of a Black man navigating freedom after years of incarceration. Director Rashad Frett, who’ll be attending, took home the Directing Award in U.S. Drama at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival. Showtime is 7 p.m. on April 11; tickets are $11 to MSP Film Society members, $10 for students and $19 for general admission.
At 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, MSPIFF @ the Capri features Seeds, an intimate documentary detailing the plight of Black farmers in the American South. The debut film for director Brittany Shine won the Grand Jury Prize for U.S. Documentary at Sundance. Tickets are $11 for MSP Film Society members, $10 for students and $19 for general admission.
The last show of this film series at the Capri, The Village Next to Paradise, tells the story of a family trying to make its way against the odds in the war-torn Somali countryside. This debut project from director Mo Harawe, who will be attending the screening, was the first Somali film to become an official selection at Sundance. Showtime is 7 p.m. on April 12. Tickets are $11 to MSP Film Society members, $10 for students and $19 for general admission.
MSPIFF runs April 2-13 at the Main Cinema and other Twin Cities locations. More info at mspfilm.org.
The final program of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra’s ’24-’25 Northside Series takes place on April 4 with performances of works by Beethoven, Lalo Schifrin and SPCO’s Sandbox Composer-in-Residence, Valerie Coleman. Tickets are free for Northsiders (reservations required at thespco.org – enter your zipcode as the promo code) and children; reserved seating tickets $16-$36 for non-Northside adults. More info at thespco.org.
Looking for a fun way to give back to the community and make some new friends? We’re looking for volunteers — 81 of them, to be exact! — to assist with the 3rd Annual PCYC Gala @ the Capri. Join us May 8, 9, 10 or 12 to help bring together one of the Northside’s premier social and community events of the season; time commitment varies by position.
The Gala itself takes place on Saturday, May 10, and features an evening of stories, celebration, entertainment and community building. Aside from volunteering, there are many other ways to “Connect” to PCYC and its mission: Become a Gala sponsor, make a donation, purchase tickets, or donate items for the silent or live auction. More info at pcyc-mpls.org/gala2025/.
In upcoming rentals, on April 26 the “Excellence Festival” showcases African American creativity, skill and entrepreneurship across a variety of skill sets, including music, fashion, health and wellness, and social justice work. Organized by Rebound Inc., this event features opportunities for education, networking, mentorship and more. The Excellence Festival runs all day, from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., with concerts, fashion shows, seminars and workshops on the schedule, and vendor booths open throughout. The Community Festival, from 1 to 4 p.m., is free. Tickets are $50 for a gospel brunch (9-11:30) and $100 for the festival concert (5-7:30), and can be found at Eventbrite through thecapri.org.
And on May 3 (4-5:30 p.m.), experience the harmonies of the Kaleidoscope Quartet, one of the Twin Cities’ finest a capella groups. In their “Cerulean” concert, these vocalists will offer their spin on ‘70s and ‘80s classics, folk songs and brand-new local tunes. Tickets for this rental event are $30 for adults, $25 for 65-and-up, and free for 12-and-under.
The Capri is located at 2027 W. Broadway. For details and ticket information, visit thecapri.org.