Rondo Commemorative Plaza
820 Concordia Avenue, St. Paul
In 2013, a two-story commercial building at the corner of Concordia Avenue and Fisk Street in St. Paul, overlooking I-94, went up in flames. Architecturally, the structure was unremarkable. But to many members of St. Paul’s African American community, the building, which had functioned over the decades as a restaurant, coffee shop, dance parlor, and VFW hall, was a cultural landmark: It was the last vestige of the old Rondo neighborhood, a community decimated by freeway construction in the 1960s.
After five years of inspiring fundraising and work the Rondo Community the Rondo Commemorative Plaza debuted in August 2018. The space memorializes a neighborhood destroyed by interstate construction and celebrates the community and creativity that remains and thrives a half century later.
Arlington Hills Community Center
1200 Payne Avenue, St. Paul
When Arlington Hills Community Center was conceived in 2008 there were 32 vacant storefronts on Payne Avenue from Maryland avenue to Case street. After years of securing funding and developing its design, the Arlington Hills Community Center opened in 2015. Since then it has served as an anchor for the surrounding community. In addition to art and athletic programming for youth, there are adult education classes, information for recent immigrants and new citizens, and an expansive public library.
Jazz Access presents concerts under the walkway at the south entrance of the building which connects the center to its plaza, parking lot, and surrounding neighborhood. The lettering above the walkway reads, ‘We Belong Together.’ The use of the walkway as a performance space creates an intimate jazz club feel in a unique outdoor setting.
Capri Theater Plaza
2027 W Broadway, Minneapolis
The Capri Theater is a historic venue located on West Broadway in North Minneapolis. Built in 1927, it was originally called The Paradise Theater and was primarily used as a movie theater. In 1967, it was renamed The Capri. Over the years it has been adapted to feature live theater, dance, and music performances. In 1979 the venue presented Prince in his first solo show ever.
A major renovation completed in 2021 created expanded spaces for performance including an expansive plaza that connects the Capri to its community. In 2023 Jazz Access presented its first shows on the Plaza.
