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☘️Shamrocks, Syrup & Fried Cod
Plus: MN's 2026 Broadway Lineup
Joe Carmack
March 17, 2026
Did we call it, or did we call it? Fool’s Spring showed up with warm temps, lied to everyone, and then dumped snow. Fortunately, we’re in luck —Spring of Deception looks to be making it’s appearance in this weekend. Enjoy, for all who celebrate!
-Joe & Haley
Your Weekend Forecast
Maple Fest 2026
3/21
Warm pancakes and real-deal Minnesota maple syrup tend to steal the spotlight at the Arboretum, but there’s more going on than just breakfast. You’ll see how sap gets tapped and boiled down, catch a few low-key demos, and keep kids busy with hands-on activities that don’t feel like a lesson. It’s part food, part curiosity, and a decent excuse to be outside while winter still hasn’t quite made up its mind.
 Old St. Anthony Spring Market3/22Two full floors packed with handmade goods, set inside the Machine Shop’s industrial space, so there’s plenty to wander without feeling cramped. A DJ keeps things moving while the bar stays open for beer, wine, or cocktails. Entry is free, but you’ll need a ticket to get in.
|  Dinosaur World LiveongoingLife-size dinosaurs roam the stage in this interactive family show built for curious kids and nostalgic adults. Expect realistic puppetry, plenty of prehistoric facts, and a little gentle chaos as raptors and T-Rex make their appearances. It’s part science lesson, part adventure story, and surprisingly funny throughout.
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 Storytime with Engineer PaulMondays & FridaysA train-themed story time led by Engineer Paul, filled with stories, songs, and a few playful jokes that kids will love. It all takes place inside a longtime local train shop, with a play area and working layouts that give kids plenty to explore before or after.
|  Lady Gaga4/9-10It’s a pop concert from a multi-award-winning artist blending theatrical production with her chart-spanning catalog, from dramatic new tracks to career-defining hits like “Poker Face” and “Born This Way.” The show unfolds with bold staging, costume shifts, and songs drawn from a wide musical range. |
 | A date night that starts with dinner at Mad Cow means settling into a spot that’s casually lively without trying too hard. Locals rave about creative twists on classic pub fare, from juicy burgers and flatbreads to playful starters like bavarian pretzel bites, cheese curds, or even their more unconventional pizza-burger mashups. The mix of good beer, plenty of TVs and a laid-back space makes dinner here feel like you’re grabbing comfort food that’s a cut above typical bar fare. |
 | After dinner, hitting up Chip's Pickleball Club keeps the energy up without turning it into a stuffy evening. It’s a popular local spot where you can play a few rounds of pickleball on well-maintained courts, whether you’re competitive or just looking to laugh at how badly you both miss a serve. Expect music, a friendly crowd and enough room to keep the fun going past dinner without it feeling like a chore. |
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From Les Misérables and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child rolling through the Orpheum to big touring favorites like Wicked, plus gems at the Ordway like Kimberly Akimbo and Mrs. Doubtfire, there’s something onstage for everyone in 2026.
🎭Minnesota’s 2026 Broadway Show Lineup🎬
Suffs is the Tony Award–winning musical journey of the fierce, funny, brilliant women who battled for the right to vote. Written and scored by Shaina Taub, this thrilling and deeply human show mixes humor, heartbreak, and powerful music to illuminate the triumphs and tensions of the suffrage movement — history with heart and energy you’ll remember. April 7-12
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a spellbinding stage play that picks up the Wizarding World story nearly two decades after the last book. Written by Jack Thorne from an original idea with J.K. Rowling and John Tiffany, it follows Harry, his son Albus, and an unforgettable cast of witches, wizards, time-twisting magic and jaw-dropping theatrical effects in a truly immersive theatrical spectacle. April 25 - May 17
The Great Gatsby is a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical that brings F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic Jazz Age tale to life with glittering spectacle and a jazz- and pop-infused score. Follow the enigmatic Jay Gatsby and narrator Nick Carraway through a world of wealth, longing, love and illusion as the Roaring Twenties roar on stage. Expect dazzling choreography, lush production design, music that makes your toe tap and the timeless allure of the American Dream. June 2 - 7
Wicked is the Broadway phenomenon that tells the untold story of the Witches of Oz from a completely different angle. Long before Dorothy shows up, fiery, brilliant Elphaba (with emerald-green skin) and bubbly, beautiful Glinda start as rivals, grow into unlikely friends and end up on very different paths. With unforgettable songs, dazzling staging and heart-pounding storytelling, it’s one of the most immersive musical experiences around. July 8 - Aug 9
The Sound of Music is the beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein musical about spirited Maria, a young postulant sent to be governess to the von Trapp children in pre-WWII Austria. Her love of music and joy transform a strict household into a family, and she finds her own path and love along the way. With iconic songs, charming characters and timeless themes of hope and courage, it’s a classic theatrical experience. Oct 20-25
Maybe Happy Ending is a Tony Award-winning original musical about two obsolete humanoid “helperbots” who cross paths in a near-future world and spark an unexpected connection. What starts as an awkward meeting turns into friendship, adventure and even love as they grapple with what it means to feel and belong. Tender, inventive and deeply human (even when it stars robots), it’s a story about connection and hope. Nov 17-22
Buena Vista Social Club is a vibrant musical inspired by the Grammy-winning album and the legendary Cuban musicians who made it iconic. Blending infectious rhythms, soulful vocals and rich storytelling, the show follows a celebrated singer as she reconnects with her past and the heart of Havana’s music scene. With an international cast and live band, it’s a joyous celebration of music, memory and cultural spirit. Dec 29-Jan 3
That’s the lineup. Classics, newcomers, wizards, nuns, witches, and Cuban rhythms all on Minnesota stages. Not bad for a place better known for plows than playbills. ✨
-Joe & Haley
PS: If your 2026 plans include buying or selling a home around the Twin Cites… 🙋♂️😃
 |  Joe & Haley Carmack |