Category: Programs
Home / News /
Writing Workshop hits the sauce

Ok.  So it’s not as bad as it sounds– because to some, it doesn’t sound good.  Last Tuesday, a few of the kids that frequent Sunday’s Writing Workshop, the W.W. coordinator Olivia Frey, and myself, as well as one unlucky parent chaperon traveled to Kieran’s Irish Pub in scenic downtown Minneapolis.

Why? Why would we take underage kids to a bar?

Because we’re good role models.  No.  Just kidding.  For an ALL AGES open mic night, of course!

Hosted by Rockstar Storytellers, this open mic happens on the first Tuesday of every month.  They also host poetry slams, and a plethora of other writing events in the cities.

The open mic was a great experience to hear a wide variety of works from Twin Cities area performers.  It also was an opportunity for a few of the kids from The Key to spit their own hot fire.  Andi Sison dropped some knowledge with a spoken word piece about how authority has a problem with him, and Maisie Ebert wowed the audience with a piece about….well….darker subject matter.

I also rocked the mic right and read a piece about losing my mind while living in Dubuque, IA.

Good times.  Good times.

Here are some photos from the evening’s festivities:

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v647/30/36/76500183/n76500183_30355149_8842.jpg http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v647/30/36/76500183/n76500183_30355151_9271.jpg

Key’s Writing Workshop goes On the Road

The Key’s Writing Workshop program, guided by program instructor Olivia Frey, recently went on a field trip to Chicago’s Columbia College to view Jack Kerouac’s original manuscript scroll of On the Road.

On the Road was written in 1951 and published in 1957 and is largely based on the experiences of Kerouac and his friends during numerous road adventures during the late 40s and early 50s. Many critics and fans consider On the Road the defining work of the Beat Generation which sprang up in the aftermath of World War II.

Seven youth and two chaperones made the trek to Chicago, traveling by Megabus and staying overnight in a hostel in Greektown in central Chicago. Participants explored many different districts of Chicago including Chinatown, Greektown, The Loop, the Pier, and other areas via foot, subway and “the L.” Participants even came across a Gay Pride Parade at the Federal Building on the way to Columbia College.



More photos here.

Find the Skateboards and Win $50

The Northfield Skateboard Coalition and the Northfield News are teaming up for a city-wide contest that is available to anyone who enters. The competition is simple: find 6 of the painted skateboards by November 20 and you can enter to win a drawing for $50 in Northfield Chamber bucks. Simply email the location of six boards to Jaci Smith at the Northfield News (jsmith@northfieldnews.com) or drop off the completed form below to the Northfield News office (115 W. 5th Street). But hurry now! Time is running out! All skateboards are visible in certain Northfield downtown businesses.

All of the skateboards are for sale. Money raised from their sale will be used to buy skateboards to give out to low-income children as part of the Community Action Center’s Christmas Sharing program. If you see a skateboard hanging in downtown Northfield that you’d like to own, call 664-3524.

Silk screening t-shirts at The Key

The lost art of silk screen has made its way back to The Key. This Art Project was done on an almost monthly basis years ago, but has hidden by the wayside as of late. Glad to see it is back. If it wasn’t for Art Projects of the past I wouldn’t have my “two weeks” shirt, my “Free Cat Sevens” shirt and a friend wouldn’t have his “I hate every ape I see, from Chimpan A to Chimpan Z” shirt.

Hip Hop Night

Every Saturday at 7pm, the Key hosts Hip-Hop Night. Each week we will focus on a different aspect of Hip-Hop (MC’ing, DJ’ing, Break Dancing, Graff Writing, Beat Boxing, etc). This week is the official kick-off of Hip-Hop night, and we are hosting a rap battle!

Anyone, and I mean ANYONE may participate. If you wish to rap, we ask that you contact us ahead of time, so we can gauge how many people will be there. Walk-ins are welcome though.

This is a FREESTYLE battle! No pre-written rhymes! Anyone who is caught using pre-writtens WILL be disqualified.

Everyone is welcome to come and watch, and crowd participation is a must!

For questions, call 507-663-0715

We Are Now Available In iTunes


Somehow, through the series of magic tubes that make up the world wide interweb, Dan “The Man” Zenner has not only obtained a podcast site for the KeYMN radio program, but you can subscribe to it in the iTunes store– FOR FREE!

Just search “keymn” when you are perusing the iTunes store, and you will find our humble radio program.

Big thanks again to 1080AM in Northfield for letting us broadcast from their station every Saturday morning, and thanks to Dan “The Man” for understanding how the internet works.  Because I sure don’t.

Turn On Your Radio

Check out the following link to listen to The Key’s radio show, broadcasted on 1080AM in Northfield.

The radio page will be updated with new shows available for download, so keep your eyes peeled.

Key does Hemp Jewelry for AP – next up: Collages

On Tuesday the 14th, the Key’s Art Project, under the direction of the phenomenal Grayce Forsythe, made hemp necklaces and bracelets. This coming Tuesday the 21st, Art Project will take on the underappreciated world of the collage. Make it political, make if funny, make it stupid. Whatever. Promises to be a good time. We carve pumpkins on the 28th. Get ready!

Josh