Arts and Culture

The executive pastry chef at Café Cerés and Rustica is one of five finalists from around the country for best pastry chef from the James Beard Foundation.

Steve Solkela is a master multitasker. He started playing accordion in high school and then kept adding instruments to his repertoire, including a bass drum and a trumpet. Solkela talked with MPR News host Cathy Wurzer about playing in sub zero temperatures and writing songs about home.

Administrators at Heyer Elementary School in Waukesha stopped a class from performing a Miley Cyrus-Dolly Parton duet promoting LGBTQ acceptance because the song "could be perceived as controversial."

This Friday on Big Books and Bold Ideas, author Diana Abu-Jaber returns to talk about her latest novel, “Fencing with the King,” which was just released in paperback. To get you in the mood, enjoy one of host Kerri Miller’s last conversations with Abu-Jaber — this one from 2011, about her book, "Birds of Paradise."

St. Paul playwright Katie Ka Vang said the musical is, to her knowledge, “the first professional musical production by a Hmong-American playwright.”

Actor Jeremy Renner was helping a family member retrieve their vehicle from the snow when the accident occurred on New Year's Day.

The nonprofit, which has a mission to provide "universal access to all knowledge," says it will appeal the ruling.

"You Be Mommy" is a children’s book where moms can see their own journey reflected.

A police search of the rapper's Ohio home didn't lead to charges, but spawned music videos, merchandise, theft accusations and an invasion of privacy lawsuit. Afroman tells NPR he plans to countersue.

Arts advocates gathered Tuesday at the state Capitol to rally for a bill to fund the rehiring of jobs lost in the creative sector during the pandemic; the Central Minnesota Arts Board announced the winners of its Individual Artists Awards; and the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival runs April 13-27 and will host a slate of films made in Minnesota.