Minnesota Public Radio Invites the Public to its 50th Anniversary Open House on May 6

Apr 17, 2017

Media contact: Jen Keavy
651-290-1271

In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Minnesota Public Radio is opening its doors and inviting the public to tour its headquarters in downtown St. Paul on Saturday, May 6, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. The event takes place at MPR's broadcast home--- now known as The Kling Media Center--located at 480 Cedar Street in St. Paul.

Guests will have the opportunity to meet MPR News hosts Cathy Wurzer and Tom Weber, chief meteorologist Paul Huttner and economics correspondent Chris Farrell, as well as "Terrible, Thanks for Asking" podcast host Nora McInerny and "Hilarious World of Depression" host John Moe. NPR White House Correspondent Tamara Keith will also be on hand to meet fans. A tour of MPR's newsroom and studios will be led by "All Things Considered" host Tom Crann and newscasters Perry Finelli, Phil Picardi and Steven John.

Hosts from the kids' science podcast "Brains On!" will demo the science of sound and award-winning APM Reports journalist Madeleine Baran will be on hand to answer questions about her hit podcast "In the Dark," alongside MPR News Managing Editor Laura McCallum.

"We are thrilled to welcome the community to our broadcast home, connect with our audiences in person and say a big thank you to the many people who helped make this remarkable facility and our public service a reality," said Ali Lozoff, director of MPR's 50th Anniversary. "We have a wide range of activities planned for the day, including many opportunities for listeners to engage with hosts and staff, and see inside the studios they hear their favorite personalities and artists broadcast from."

The event also will offer musical activities with Classical MPR and The Current, including tours of the music library, an "audio petting zoo" inside the Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser studio. Kids and their parents who love The Current will want to check out the "Rock the Cradle" Pop-Up outdoor activities and dance with The Current Van sound system. Hands-on activities provided by ReadyGo artists include a giant letterpress and a community ping-pong game. Classical MPR hosts John Birge, Steve Seel, Steve Staruch, Mindy Ratner, Lynne Warfel and Elena See and Current hosts Brian Oake, Jill Riley, Mark Wheat, Jade and writers Andrea Swensson and Jay Gabler will be on hand to chat with fans and show them the broadcast studios.

Other activities include giveaways, a Snap Yourself photo booth, an opportunity to record your anniversary wish for Minnesota Public Radio in the language of your choice, an interactive MPR Membership Timeline and a peek into MPR's Archive. Complimentary cookies, coffee and tea will be available to attendees. Limited edition 50th anniversary merchandise will be available for sale along with merchandise from all three regional stations and books by MPR hosts.

A special MPR Members-only celebration will be held at The Fitzgerald Theater, located around the corner from MPR at 10 E. Exchange Street. Members will enjoy a family friendly afternoon cocktail party with Rico Gagliano and Brendan Francis Newnam, hosts of "The Dinner Party Download" and live music by Chastity Brown and The Laurels String Quartet. Complimentary beverages and special 50th Anniversary delights from Glam Doll Donuts will be available.

Since its beginning as a college radio station at Saint John's University, MPR has grown to a 45-station regional network of three distinct services - MPR News, Classical MPR and The Current - as well as a national producer and distributor of radio programs, podcasts and streaming services, serving 1 million Minnesotans and more than 20 million listeners a week nationwide.

More information about the MPR Open House and other MPR 50th Anniversary events may be found at mpr50.org.