The Mill City Singers are back and the fun is about to begin again!  For those of you who are new, buckle up!  There will be great music, so much laughter, and an incredible community.  You WILL leave feeling better than you did when you arrived.

The 2025-26 season will be filled with rehearsals, performances, and the chance to participate in many exciting community events.  There are no auditions and no fees.  Just come!  Can't make every rehearsal, very few of us can.  Any time you can come is a plus for all of us.

Mark your calendars now!

September 13, 20, 27
October 4, 11, 18, 21 (Concert at the Capri) and 25
November 1, 8, 15
December 6, 13, 20

January 17, 24, 31
February 7, 14, 21, 28
March 7, 14, 21, 28
April 11, 18, 25
May 2, 9, 16, 20 
June 6, 13, 20

Nietzche said, "Without music, life would be a mistake."

Join us!!

It's difficult to believe that Saturday ends our summer session, but that is the reality.  We will be meeting in Gold Medal Park at 9 a.m. one last time in 2025 and plan to return in 2026.  The forecast is for a high of 76 and partly sunny.  Can't beat that.

Join us!

FINALLY . . .a great weather forecast for Saturday, 70 degrees, sunny, and a 0% chance of rain.  It is about time!!  Please join us on Saturday, August 23rd at 9 am in Gold Medal Park for a wonderful hour of yoga together.  There are only 2 sessions left, so join us while the sun is shining!!

The Mill City Singers are starting again soon, and the 2025-26 season looks better than ever, and that is saying a lot!  We rehearse 30 Saturdays, 2:00-3:30 on the 8th floor of the Guthrie (thank you, Guthrie!!). It's as simple as you can imagine to be part of this incredible group . . . .show up!  There are no auditions and no fees, just fantastic music and a wonderful group of singers.  The schedule for the season is as follows:

September 13, 20, 27
October 4, 11, 16 (concert at MacPhail), 21 (concert at the Capri), 25
November 1, 8, 15 
December 6, 13, 20 
January 17, 24, 31
February 7, 14, 21, 28
March 7, 14, 21, 28
April 11, 18, 25
May 2, 9, 16, 20 
June 6, 13, 20

Please read weekly emails as schedules do change due to unforeseen circumstances.  You can also check on the schedule at www.bethatneighbor.org and https://www.facebook.com/BeThatNeighbor.  Please 'like' us on Facebook.

We are so grateful for everything you do to make Be That Neighbor special.

JD, Jan, Susan, Chuck, Jennifer, Mimi, and Claudia

Good morning, neighbors!  We have many wonderful events to share with you.

Saturday, August 16th at 9 a.m. we will hosting Yoga in Gold Medal Park.  Bring a mat, a bottle of water, and a friend.  It would be difficult to find a more beautiful setting or a better community.  You will want to be part of it.

At 11 a.m. on the 16th, we will be hosting a short concert by 2 of the recipients of the Sallie Steele Birdsong scholarship.  Cameron Foster and Genet Gessert will be singing in Gold Medal Park and you won't want to miss these talented young people.  Bring a chair or a blanket and be ready to be dazzled.  We are so proud of these 2 young people and are anxious to share their talents with you.

On Sunday, August 17th, Cedar Riverside is hosting Open Streets from 11-5 pm.  It IS the best party in town and a really short walk!  Grab a friend and neighbor and go.

We have finalized the rehearsal schedule for the 2025-26 season of the Mill City Singers.  As always, there will be additions and subtractions, so make sure you are reading your emails.  The schedule will also be posted on https://www.facebook.com/BeThatNeighbor/ and on https://www.bethatneighbor.org.  

Mill City Singer Rehearsal Schedule for the rest of 2025 

September 13, 20, 27
October 4, 11, 16 (concert at MacPhail), and 25
November 1, 8, 15
December 6, 13, 20

We are so grateful to each and every one of you that make Be That Neighbor the vibrant organization it is. As Paul Wellstone said, 'We all do better when we all do better.'

Thank you---Jan, Susan, Mimi, Chuck, JD, Claudia, and Jennifer

     ANOTHER rainy Saturday!!  We will need to cancel today, unfortunately.  Even if it isn't raining at 9, the ground is soaked.  We will hope that the next 3 times will bring perfect weather so that you can join us for yoga in Gold Medal Park.  We will see you on Saturday, August 16th at 9 a.m.  All you need is a mat and  a bottle of water.  No fees, just show up and be part of our community of neighbors that practice in the park during the summer.

Can't wait!

There are only 4 more times to join us for yoga in the Gold Medal Park this summer.  Come on Saturday, August 9th at 9 a.m.  All you need is a mat and water.  No fees, just show up and be part of our community of neighbors that practice in the park during the summer.

Can't wait!

We are so very sad to share the news of the death of Mike Seaman, board member for Be That Neighbor and long time tenor in Mill City Singers.  He died unexpectedly while at home. Mike was a kind and gentle spirit, always ready to help, no matter what needed doing. While we grapple with this loss, let's take time to hug the people we love and to appreciate every moment. We will not forget you, Mike.  You made us better and stronger.

Good morning, neighbors!  It's a wonderful week for Be That Neighbor, and it is filled with summer fun.  Make sure you have all of these on your calendar.

Today at 7:00 pm the wonderful aerialist that performed in Gold Medal Park will be back, and performing in Curry Park, across from the Mixed Blood Theater and right next to Brian Coyle Community Center, 420-15th Avenue South.  You won't want to miss it.

We had the biggest yoga crowd of the season last Saturday, and had a wonderful shared practice.  Please join us this Saturday, August 2nd at 9 a.m by the Gold Medal Park letters.  All you need to do is bring a mat, some water, and a friend.

Missing the Mill City Singers?  Me too!  The final schedule is being worked on and will be out very soon.  Mark September 13th as the beginning of our 2025-26 season at 2:00-3:30.  There are so many reasons to join us and all of them begin and end with joy!

Be THAT Neighbor

Good morning neighbors.  It was a very good week for Be That Neighbor and the week ahead looks good too.

Thank you to everyone who supported the staged reading of Hope 612.  We had a wonderful and enthusiastic audience and our actors performed so very well.  Watch the newsletter for announcements of what comes next for this amazing project.

The Mill City Singers are on summer hiatus and plan to return on September 6th at 2:00 on the 8th floor of the Guthrie.  We have exciting plans for the 2025-26 season and you will want to be part of all of those plans.

Open Eye Puppet Theater is returning to Gold Medal Park on August 2nd at 1:00.  It's a delightful play.  Bring a blanket, some water, and both your own inner child and children that you know.  Don't miss it!

Thank you for all you do to make this community so strong!

Claudia, JD, Jan, Susan, Chuck, Michael, Mimi, and Jennifer

Sahan Journal publishes real news about communities of color—the kind of stories you won’t find anywhere else. We want it to be free for you and everyone else.

‘This is about hope’: Youth-driven play tells stories of racism, drug abuse, homelessness in Minneapolis

“Hope 612,” which will have a staged reading this weekend, grew out of a theater collaboration between young adults in the Cedar-Riverside area and formerly homeless youth.

by Ava Grace

Actor and writer Sam Karpeh hasn’t had an easy journey since arriving in Minneapolis. 

Originally from Liberia, he arrived in Minnesota as a teenager, then navigated homelessness and lost friends to drug addiction while trying to find his footing. A theater program centered in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood helped him find a voice — and hold onto his optimism.

He’s part of “Hope 612”, a staged reading at Theatre in the Round this Saturday. Written and performed by formerly homeless teens and first generation East African and Liberian immigrants — including Karpeh, Mahad Ahmed, Anthony Anderson, Mahamed Salad, and Miske Salad — the show unpacks life in Minneapolis through real accounts of racism, fentanyl abuse and police brutality. 

The play grew from the nonprofit Be That Neighbor’s theater program for homeless youth and youth from the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood in Minneapolis. 

Karpeh has been involved with Be That Neighbor for eight years after meeting co-founder Claudia Kittock through Youthlink, a Minneapolis nonprofit organization that serves homeless young people ages 16 to 24. 

He wrote the characters Miah and Junior, based on his friend Miah who he met while homeless and died from an overdose two years ago.

“Miah was a dear friend of mine that OD’d,” Karpeh said. “And as much as I tried to save her, she didn’t make it. So it kind of stuck with me.”

Karpeh said he had no interest in theater until meeting Kittock. Since then he has written two poetry books titled “Mirror” and “Untitled.” Karpeh said the development of the play was delayed greatly due to COVID-19 and social distancing.

“We all have the same type of wish, which is not to see other people go through [homelessness] and things like that,” Karpeh said. “So, I’m going to call the group ‘Hope 612.’ It’s about Minneapolis, what’s going on in Minneapolis that’s not been looked at as a real issue. Then it becomes a pandemic, corona and fentanyl.”

Sam Karpeh helped write “Hope 612,” which will receive a staged reading at Theatre in the Round on Saturday, July 19, 2025. Credit: Aaron Nesheim | Sahan Journal

The staged reading features nine first-time actors from Cedar-Riverside and includes a community discussion ahead of a full production next year.

Clement Lee, 23, is from south Minneapolis and plays the character Abdi, a basketball coach for Washburn High School who is passionate about his community. 

Lee was drawn to acting while studying sociology at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. He said he admires his character, who learns to advocate for himself due to the harassment and mistreatment from police officers he faces while chaperoning his basketball team. 

He said it is important for community members to attend the reading on July 19 because the stories being told bring light to situations and focus on how community is built. 

“I’m really hopeful towards receiving honest feedback and hopefully answering a lot of the audience’s questions after the performance,” Lee said.

Kittock, a retired professor of education and child psychology, said theater opens doors for youth who have trauma or have not received support from schools because it allows them to use their voice through characters. 

“Hundreds of kids every year say they don’t like to read, and I constantly come back with the right book and you know what happens when you find the right book? They like to read,” Kittock said. “That’s what theater does and all of a sudden they’re reading better and motivated to learn this part.”

South High student Ridwan Ibrahim was raised in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. Ibrahim plays Junior, a teen who holds onto his optimism, even as he faces homelessness.

“Junior has … been through a lot,” Ibrahim said. “Been homeless, you know, been through it. And [he finds the] funniest way to get back on his feet and being optimistic just keeps him going and always saying ‘Tomorrow’s a better day.’”

The hope Karpeh holds in his characters Miah and Junior is the hope that neighbors and community members will show up for one another and have humanity.

“The hope is that if there’s a person who knows a person going through that situation [addiction] that hopefully, they can get there in time before it’s too late to help that person,” Karpeh said. “You know they’re going through something and they’re scared to come to somebody, so that’s where they go to run away from their feelings.”

Ibrahim hopes that outside communities will attend the reading and understand that they are not performing a fictional story, but a community’s true story.

Students participate in a staged reading of “Hope 612” in spring 2025. Credit: Provided

Amira Salad, 15, got involved in the production around three years ago through Jennifer Weber, Amira’s coach and director of Cedar Riverside Athletics and Enrichment. Amira plays the role of Miah, a character she describes as charismatic and best friend to Junior, Ibrahim’s character.

Amira said she grew up with Weber, who opened opportunities to community engagement and activity. She said acting helps her express herself without having to use her own words, and she sees her own emotional struggles through Miah’s character.

“I can express myself in a way through a character, her anger and frustration and [her inability] to open up easily,” Amira said. 

Aisha Salad, a sibling of the playwrights, plays two characters, a train passenger and police officer. She said she wants to become an actor in order to bring her sister Miske Salad’s story to life.

“Most people see Cedar [Riverside] as a gangster community with lots of violence and stuff but it’s not really like that,” Aisha said. “It’s actually such a caring community and just a really great place and people don’t see it that way.”

Minneapolis Public Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette and Mayor Jacob Frey were expected to attend Saturday’s performance and community talkback. 

Karpeh said having people attend the reading will “send him off to the moon” as he wants to see the community share space and allow for conversations that might not be easy to have. His biggest hopes are towards the young actors performing and the hope that their motivations will create a domino effect in the community.

“I’m hopeful for a lot of things, that’s the beauty of it,” Karpeh said. 

Myah Goff contributed to this report.

Date: Saturday, July 19

Time: 7 p.m. 

Location: Theatre in the Round Players, 245 Cedar Ave., Minneapolis

Cost: Pay-what-you-can tickets. 

For more information: Visit bethatneighbor.org/programs/youththeater

Ava Grace is currently interning at the Sahan Journal covering underrepresented communities through the University of Minnesota Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

So . . . .Yoga in the Park on Saturdays at 9 a.m.  The rain at that time and day has been incredible and not very conducive to the practice.  We are ALWAYS going to try again, so will be having yoga this Saturday, July 12th at 9 a.m. At this moment, the forecast is for 80 degrees with only a 24% chance of rain.  Let's hope we get the 76% chance of NO rain.

It's a great hour and we will plan to be there and practice with this community.  Thank you for hanging in there!!

Good morning, all. Rain, rain, go away! !  The weather has decided to once again, not cooperate. Yoga is cancelled with the hope of a better forecast for enxt Saturday.  Thank you for your patience with these Saturday showers.
Let's hope for next week.

Good morning all!  

Yoga in the Park will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 28th.  Bring your mat, some water, and a friend and join the community for a glorious hour of yoga.

We have a wonderful week of activities to close out the 2024-25 season of the Mill City Singers.  You won't want to miss any of it.  On Friday, June 27th, the Singers will be performing in Kelley Park in Apple Valley.  Bring a lawn chair and be ready for a fun filled evening of music and community. If you want to practice 'Joy' go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8jt219p_ME. Please plan to be there by 6 pm.

On Saturday, the 28th, Barb and Eben Gillespie will be leading a sing-a-long in Gold Medal Park at 11 a.m.  They will sings songs from the 60s and 70s, so be sure it is on your calendar.  Bring a lawn chair and get ready for a fun-filled time.

At 2:00-3:30 on the 28th, we will celebrate our wonderful season with a potluck in the community room at the Legacy Condos, 1240 South 2nd St.  Bring a dish to share and your beverage.  It's a wonderful way to end what has been yet another season of joy and community.

Be That Neighbor is so grateful for this community of artists. "Community is the spirit that draws people together" (anonymous) Join us!

JD, Mimi, Chuck, Michael, Jan, Jennifer, Susan and Claudia

Good morning all!  The weather forecast for Saturday is much better and, hopefully, rain free.

Yoga in the Park will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 21st.  Bring your mat, some water, and a friend and join the community for a glorious hour of yoga.

The Mill City Singers will be joined by the MacPhail Community Youth Choir at the Twins game.at 1:10.   We will be leading the singing of 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame' during the 7th inning stretch.  This is always a wonderful outing and we can't wait!

Next week on June 27th, the Singers will be performing in Kelley Park in Apple Valley.  Bring a lawn chair and be ready for a fun filled evening of music and community. If you want to practice 'Joy' go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8jt219p_ME.

Be That Neighbor is so grateful for this community of artists. "Community is the spirit that draws people together" (anonymous) Join us!

JD, Mimi, Chuck, Michael, Jan, Jennifer, Susan and Claudia

     Barb and Eben’s performance has been rescheduled for June 28th at 11 .m.

Yoga in the Park is cancelled for today, June 14th.  After this week of rain, the park is muddy and squishy, and the grass is incredibly wet . . .oh, and, the forecast is for a temperature of 59 at 9 a.m.
     We hope to see you next week!

Good morning, all.  We have a wonderful Saturday planned for June 14th.  Please remember to check https://www.facebook.com/BeThatNeighbor or bethatneighbor.org for changes due to rain.  We hope that doesn't happen, but . . . .we DO live in Minnesota.

Yoga in the Park will meet at 9 a.m.  Bring a mat, some water, and a friend and join us for a wonderful hour of yoga, practiced with this vibrant community.

Barb and Eben Gillespie will be leading a sing-a-long at 11 a.m. in the park.  They are wonderful singers and even better souls.  Most of the songs will be from the 60s, 70s, 80s or there abouts.  Bring a lawn chair and come sing with your community.

The Mill City Singers will be rehearsing at 2:00-3:30 on the 8th floor of the Guthrie.  This will be our last in person rehearsal of the season.  Next week, we will lead the singing of 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame' at the Twins game.  We will be performing in Apple Valley on the 27th and will celebrate a great season on June 28 with a potluck lunch, 2:00-3:30 at the Legacy Condos.

SO much fun!!!

Hope to see you all soon---Jan, JD, Susan, Chuck, Mike, Mimi, Jennifer, and Claudia

  Yoga has returned to Gold Medal Park and we are so happy to invite you to join us.   It can't be easier.  Grab a mat, water, and a friend and neighbor.  Just come and practice yoga with your community every Saturday at 9 a.m. Meet us in one of the most beautiful settings in Minneapolis.  There are no fees, just show up.
     This is the 8th year of our yoga program sponsored by Be That Neighbor. It has become one of our centerpiece programs and only happens because of our donors.  Thank you to each and every one of you who helps us make this and all of our other programs a reality.  We welcome any and all donations. As an all volunteer board, we donate our time and our efforts so that all of your donations go directly to the professionals who lead our programs.  If you would like to help, please go to https://www.bethatneighbor.org/
     See you in a few short days . . .and it is supposed to be a beautiful day. 

Singers---We will be meeting at the Capri on Saturday, May 31st at 2:00 pm.  JD and Fred will be leading an outdoor sing-a-long and we will be singing with our usual enthusiasm and fun.  How do you participate?  Come!  It is as easy and as fun as it sounds!

The schedule for the rest of the 2024-25 season is as follows:
June 7--rehearsal on the 8th floor of the Guthrie, 2:00
June 14--rehearsal on the 8th floor of the Guthrie, 2:00
June 21--Leading the singing of Take Me Out to the Ballgame at the Twins game, 1:10
June 27--Concert at Kelley Park in Apple Valley, be there by 6:00
June 28--Potluck celebration at the Legacy condos, 2:00-4:00

Please read your weekly emails as things may and will change as the year progresses. Stay tuned!!

Claudia, Jan, Mimi, Susan, Jennifer, JD, Chuck, and Mike