Schedule:

Thursday, January 25, 2024

Founding Partner Event: Saint Paul Winter Carnival
The Saint Paul Winter Carnival presents various events across Saint Paul including ice carving competitions, family-friendly artistic and educational activities, and much more.

Chill Out: The Great Northern Launch Party   
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Bundle up and join us at The Great Northern’s kick off party featuring live music and warming food and beverages.

Aya Ogawa: The Nosebleed
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Innovative playwright and director Aya Ogawa's hit show irreverently and boldly delves into what it takes to forgive through a series of absurd autobiographical vignettes.

Friday, January 26, 2024

Ariana Kim and Steve Heitzeg: light/see, dark/hear   
10:15 AM - 11:45 AM   
Composer Steve Heitzeg and violinist/improviser Ariana Kim offer a multi-movement, immersive work for solo violin and other instruments inspired by contemporary visual works at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

Ariana Kim and Steve Heitzeg: light/see, dark/hear   
2:15 PM - 3:45 PM   
Composer Steve Heitzeg and violinist/improviser Ariana Kim offer a multi-movement, immersive work for solo violin and other instruments inspired by contemporary visual works at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

The Great Northern Ice Bar   
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM   
The Great Northern joins forces with Minnesota Ice to craft a bespoke 100-plus foot ice bar inspired by Minnesota’s natural beauty and expansive community of mixologists, breweries, and distilleries.

Seven Stories   
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM   
An outdoor, communal dinner of five courses inspired by special winter memories from the dream team lineup of Chefs Erik Anderson, Sean Sherman, Karyn Tomlinson, Sameh Wadi, Zoë François, Andrew Zimmern, and Steven Brown.

Aya Ogawa: The Nosebleed   
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM   
Innovative playwright and director Aya Ogawa's hit show irreverently and boldly delves into what it takes to forgive through a series of absurd autobiographical vignettes.

January 27, 2024

Birds and the Changing Climate: Lessons From Across the Western Hemisphere   
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM   
What can we learn about climate change and bird species from their migratory patterns? Join us as international representatives of the National Audubon Society delve into the migratory patterns of several bird species.

Dance Church   
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM   
Get together, get moving, and build some midwinter heat with this all-abilities movement class offering a fun and inclusive approach to dancing.

Ariana Kim and Steve Heitzeg: light/see, dark/hear   
10:15 AM - 11:45 AM   
Composer Steve Heitzeg and violinist/improviser Ariana Kim offer a multi-movement, immersive work for solo violin and other instruments inspired by contemporary visual works at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

BIPOC Community Steam (90-mins) at The Great Northern Sauna Village   
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM     

Curating Climate Change   
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM   
Explore climate-focused curatorial positions in contemporary art institutions with John Kenneth Paranada (Sainsbury Centre Curator of Art and Climate Change), Soren Brothers (Allan and Helaine Shiff Curator of Climate Change at the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto), and Miranda Massie (Founder and Director, Climate Museum in New York).

Trend Alert: How the Fashion Act Could Change the Fashion Industry   
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM   
Join fashion law and policy expert Betina Baumgarten and award-winning writer and editor Kate Nelson to explore how The Fashion Act can serve as a regulatory and legislative framework for driving systemic change in the fashion industry.

The Great Northern Ice Bar   
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM   
The Great Northern joins forces with Minnesota Ice to craft a bespoke 100-plus foot ice bar inspired by Minnesota’s natural beauty and expansive community of mixologists, breweries, and distilleries.

Ariana Kim and Steve Heitzeg: light/see, dark/hear   
2:15 PM - 3:45 PM   
Composer Steve Heitzeg and violinist/improviser Ariana Kim offer a multi-movement, immersive work for solo violin and other instruments inspired by contemporary visual works at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

Minnesota Climate Leadership   
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM   
Visionary state leaders will speak on the profound implications of historic new environmental legislation and policy changes in Minnesota.

Emerging Careers in Climate   
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM   
Join us for a series of "spark talks"—short presentations by experts in their field—that highlight a wide range of climate-related career options.

Gloria Walton: Solidarity Philanthropy, For the Love of Humanity   
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM   
Hear from Gloria Walton (President and CEO of The Solutions Project) as she shares her insights on the importance of community-led climate justice solutions, what it means to be in solidarity with frontline communities, and her ceaseless commitment to creating a more sustainable future.

Morgan Thorson: Untitled Night   
5:30 PM - 6:00 PM   
A 30-minute outdoor nocturnal dance event on Silver Lake—drawing inspiration from night skies and the dynamic winter of the Upper Midwest featuring a collective body of queer interdisciplinary collaborators.

Morgan Thorson: Untitled Night   
7:00 PM - 7:30 PM   
A 30-minute outdoor nocturnal dance event on Silver Lake—drawing inspiration from night skies and the dynamic winter of the Upper Midwest featuring a collective body of queer interdisciplinary collaborators.

MSP Film Series: Smoke Sauna Sisterhood   
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM   
Cleansing their bodies and baring their souls, women embrace the healing power of sisterhood inside an Estonian smoke sauna.

Aya Ogawa: The Nosebleed   
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM   
Innovative playwright and director Aya Ogawa's hit show irreverently and boldly delves into what it takes to forgive through a series of absurd autobiographical vignettes.

BIPOC Community Steam (90-mins) at The Great Northern Sauna Village   
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM

January 28, 2024

Frozen Footgolf Snow Sculpting   
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM   
Grab your friends and shovels and join in a day of play in the snow! Alongside teams of professional artists, creatively design and sculpt a hole to be part of a collaborative frozen footgolf course.

Ariana Kim and Steve Heitzeg: light/see, dark/hear   
10:15 AM - 11:45 AM   
Composer Steve Heitzeg and violinist/improviser Ariana Kim offer a multi-movement, immersive work for solo violin and other instruments inspired by contemporary visual works at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

Sustainability in Northern Design   
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM   
Halifax-based award winning architect Omar Gandhi will join MCAD President Sanjit Sethi for a conversation about environmental inspiration and sustainable design in Northern climates.

Family Day Steam Sessions (90-mins) at The Great Northern Sauna Village   
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM     

The Great Northern Ice Bar   
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM   
The Great Northern joins forces with Minnesota Ice to craft a bespoke 100-plus foot ice bar inspired by Minnesota’s natural beauty and expansive community of mixologists, breweries, and distilleries.

Andrew Zimmern and Sam Kass: 2 Degrees   
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM   
Former Obama White House chef and political advisor Sam Kass and Minnesota-based, James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Zimmern will discuss food systems and cutting edge climate solutions.

Learning from Place: Bdote   
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM   
An immersive experience that invites participants to visit, inhabit, and expand their understanding of Twin Cities sites with deep significance to Dakota people.

Sustainability at the Intersection of Growth and Impact: How Companies Are Addressing Climate   
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM   
A panel discussion on corporate sustainability initiatives that create positive impact and progress for business, people, and planet.

Ariana Kim and Steve Heitzeg: light/see, dark/hear   
2:15 PM - 3:45 PM   
Composer Steve Heitzeg and violinist/improviser Ariana Kim offer a multi-movement, immersive work for solo violin and other instruments inspired by contemporary visual works at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

Building Community and Connection Through Winter Sports   
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM   
Explore the opportunity of the outdoors and how winter sports in Minnesota and beyond are impacted by climate change with professional climber Graham Zimmerman and Melanin in Motion founder Anthony Taylor.

Pattie Gonia: How We Can Learn from Nature to Be Better Advocates for Our Planet   
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM   
Critically acclaimed drag queen, environmentalist, and Outdoorist Oath co-founder Pattie Gonia will share how we can advocate for inclusivity and diversity and highlight ways in which we can learn from nature to be an ally to our planet and the environmental justice movement.

Project Drawdown: Storytelling as a Climate Solution   
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM   
This immersive, multidisciplinary event will feature live storytelling, artistic performances, and video clips of everyday Minnesotans sharing reflections of climate change and climate solutions, demonstrating the tremendous impact of addressing climate change through personal narrative.

Sam Kass: The Last Supper   
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM   
A last-in-a-lifetime dining event exploring the intersection of food, place, agriculture, and climate. With Chefs Sam Kass, Andrew Zimmern, and Marque Collins.

January 29, 2024

Winter Roast: Comedy from the North   
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM   
An evening of comedy bringing the heat we crave with belly laughs courtesy of Midwest-born comics Khadijah Cooper, Ali Sultan, Mary Mack, and Jenny Zigrino.

January 30, 2024

Art Speaks: Celebrating the 2023 McKnight Fellows in Fiber Art   
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM   
An engaging conversation celebrating the work and vision of 2023 McKnight Fiber Art Fellows Marjorie Fedyszyn and Delina White.

K'óoben pop-up   
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM   
Join us for a pop-up experience with food collective K’óoben featuring chefs who will explore what it means to be crafting and cooking in the middle of winter in Minnesota.

Víkingur Ólafsson: Goldberg Variations   
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM   
Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson, the "new superstar of classical piano" (The Daily Telegraph), makes his Great Northern debut with an intimate midwinter performance of J.S. Bach’s iconic Goldberg Variations.

January 31, 2024

Víkingur Ólafsson: Goldberg Variations   
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM   
Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson, the "new superstar of classical piano" (The Daily Telegraph), makes his Great Northern debut with an intimate midwinter performance of J.S. Bach’s iconic Goldberg Variations.

The Great Northern Ice Bar   
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM   
The Great Northern joins forces with Minnesota Ice to craft a bespoke 100-plus foot ice bar inspired by Minnesota’s natural beauty and expansive community of mixologists, breweries, and distilleries.

MSP Film Series: The Electric Indian   
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM   
A feature documentary profiling hockey legend Henry Boucha’s outstanding life and hockey career.

American Composers Forum’s McKnight Composer Fellows Concert: Mychal "MMYYKK" Fisher, deVon Russell Gray, LaAerial, and Troy Rogers (aka Robot Rickshaw)   
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM   
A showcase of American Composer Forum’s most recent cohort of McKnight Composer Fellows: Mychal "MMYYKK" Fisher, deVon Russell Gray, LaAerial, and Troy Rogers (aka Robot Rickshaw).

February 1, 2024

Minnesota Orchestra and Sphinx Virtuosi   
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM   
The Sphinx Virtuosi shares the stage with the Minnesota Orchestra in a program featuring Michael Abels’ Global Warming, Astor Piazzolla’s Winter and Summer, Carlos Simon’s meditative Breathe, and Angelica Negrón’s immersive Marejada.

The Great Northern Ice Bar   
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM   
The Great Northern joins forces with Minnesota Ice to craft a bespoke 100-plus foot ice bar inspired by Minnesota’s natural beauty and expansive community of mixologists, breweries, and distilleries.

A Winter’s Table   
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM   
Award-winning local chef and restaurateur Gavin Kaysen and his Mara staff collaborate with celebrated Swedish chef and Team USA culinary director Sebastian Gibrand on a Scandinavian menu and interactive culinary experience.

Walker Art Center: Festival of Snow   
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM   
Celebrate winter and the Walker Art Center’s collection by joining us for an evening of cold weather adventure creativity.

Broken Ice: Indigenous Sonic Salve from the North   
7:00 PM - 9:30 PM   
Broken Ice: Indigenous Sonic Salve from the North brings northern Indigenous bands to the First Avenue’s main stage—featuring Ya Tseen, Bizhiki, and Aku Matu.

February 2, 2024

The Great Northern Ice Bar   
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM   
The Great Northern joins forces with Minnesota Ice to craft a bespoke 100-plus foot ice bar inspired by Minnesota’s natural beauty and expansive community of mixologists, breweries, and distilleries.

Wintering Well Series: Restore, BIPOC Bathing Session   
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM   
This bathing session for the BIPOC community and facilitated by Maji ya Chai Land Sanctuary’s Rebeka Ndosi invites participants to soak, steam, and sauna for a restorative experience.

First Look: Arctic Highways   
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM   
Be the first to experience exhibitions Arctic Highways: Unbounded Indigenous People and Mygration at this evening preview party featuring Indigenous music, live reindeer, make-and-take crafts, and more.

Midwinter Melt   
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM   
Break out of your winter routine and join The Great Northern, Silverwood Park, Melanin in Motion, and Target for an evening of spectacular shadows, mesmerizing lights, and outdoor fun on a frozen Silver Lake.

Steam Session (90-mins) at The Great Northern Sauna Village   
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM   
A social and therapeutic experience hosted at Malcolm Yards where visitors can immerse themselves in sauna culture by interacting with various thermaculture traditions firsthand during the full run of the festival.

Minnesota Orchestra and Sphinx Virtuosi   
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM   
The Sphinx Virtuosi shares the stage with the Minnesota Orchestra in a program featuring Michael Abels’ Global Warming, Astor Piazzolla’s Winter and Summer, Carlos Simon’s meditative Breathe, and Angelica Negrón’s immersive Marejada.

February 3, 2024

Founding Partner Event: City of Lakes Loppet        
The Great Northern founding partner The Loppet Foundation’s City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival encompasses a variety of unique outdoor activities in and around Theodore Wirth Park and Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis.

Wintering Well Series: Heal, Wellness, Rest and Healing: Lessons from the Northwoods   
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM   
Wintertime can be a sacred time to align with nature and invite us to rest deeply. Join Rebeka Ndosi (Founder, Maji ya Chai Land Sanctuary) for a mindful conversation about radical self-care, rest, healing, and wellness/wholeness in the North.

Walk and Talk: North Mississippi Regional Park   
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM   
Explore the serene trails of North Mississippi Regional park on a small-group guided walk led by a local park expert.

Walker Art Center: First Free Saturday Festival of Snow   
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM   
Celebrate the season of snow with wintry outdoor activities and cozy indoor fun for all ages.

The Great Northern Ice Bar   
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM   
The Great Northern joins forces with Minnesota Ice to craft a bespoke 100-plus foot ice bar inspired by Minnesota’s natural beauty and expansive community of mixologists, breweries, and distilleries.

Dreaming Our Futures: Ojibwe and Ochethi Sakówi? Artists and Knowledge Keepers Exhibition Opening Reception   
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM   
Celebrate the opening of The Katherine E. Nash Gallery’s exhibition Dreaming Our Futures: Ojibwe and O?hethi Šakówi? Artists and Knowledge Keepers, presented during The Great Northern 2024.

Minnesota Orchestra and Sphinx Virtuosi   
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM   
The Sphinx Virtuosi shares the stage with the Minnesota Orchestra in a program featuring Michael Abels’ Global Warming, Astor Piazzolla’s Winter and Summer, Carlos Simon’s meditative Breathe, and Angelica Negrón’s immersive Marejada.

February 4, 2024

Wintering Well: Thrive, Wintering Well Morning Flow Yoga, Wellness Workshop   
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM   
This 90-minute session will begin with a grounding and inspired all-levels yoga class led by Heidi Zimmer (Founder, Wild Rice Retreat) and breathwork and meditation by Rebeka Ndosi (Founder, Maji ya Chai Land Sanctuary).

The Great Northern Ice Bar   
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM   
The Great Northern joins forces with Minnesota Ice to craft a bespoke 100-plus foot ice bar inspired by Minnesota’s natural beauty and expansive community of mixologists, breweries, and distilleries.

Learning from Place: Bdote   
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM   
An immersive experience that invites participants to visit, inhabit, and expand their understanding of Twin Cities sites with deep significance to Dakota people.

Date: January 18 - February 4, 2024

Location: Various Venues in Minneapolis, MN 55417

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