Dear all,

I’m making my first trip to Minneapolis next week Aug 5-14 to pay my respects to Prince and visit the sites of his life and do some filming for a simple video. I would love to meet some local people, as well as anyone else who might be visiting at the same time (don't worry, just to meet up with, not to film!). *

I’ve been visiting the org several times a day since Prince died. I’m so grateful to find you all, as it’s been an epic, intense, life changing 3 months and I have felt so connected to and comforted by this community.

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In addition to the personal aspect of this trip, I’m working on my PhD. This focuses on the spiritual role of the artist in contemporary society, seeking to understand how artists shape and change our world. I've been working in the arts all my life and these questions arise out of my many years working with artists and in art schools everywhere, always seeking to understand and tap into the deepest purpose of what we do in the arts and why art can be so profoundly moving and transformative and vital in people's lives. Since Prince’s death, which struck me to the core, I realized I needed to focus my research entirely on Prince, as he is the perfect manifestation of the romantic, spiritual artist who has touched and transformed the lives of so many people. I'm exploring my questions through a deep study of the effects of his life, death and work, as his spiritual impact on the world has been so profound through these 3 aspects.

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I’m very interested to meet up with people to talk about the role Prince has played in your life. Right now this is not part of a formal research process, it’s more exploratory. It would be wonderful to meet up for coffee in Minneapolis and discuss Prince! If you happen to be interested in the deeper aspects of the spiritual side, that’s great, but I’m very open to hearing about however he touched your life. If you’re a local who might be interested in sharing some of your favorite Prince sites around the area, that would be wonderful!

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In my trip I’m hoping to gather a sense of the place and context where he lived his life. I’ve done plenty of research on sites I will visit, this but welcome your suggestions of any special places beyond the obvious spots to visit, or even places that are personally special to you in relation to Prince.

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I would of course love to meet/connect with people from all over. I plan to make another posting about my research and invite participation soon. I figured I should start with Minneapolis. I’m also planning to go to the Oct 13 Tribute so hopefully that will be a good chance to meet up with people coming in from everywhere.

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About me: I’m Australian, based in NYC at present. Prince has been a very special and constant presence in my life since I was 12, when 1999 came out! I was a young, intense, lonely romantic stuck in the middle of nowhere in the countryside in Victoria, Australia, and Prince was so vital to me as a kindred spirit. He has been an inspiring, formative presence in my life from that early point onwards, though it was only upon his death that I realised, in gratitude and shock, what a deep force he has been in my life, and in the lives of so many others. I’ve been in the arts all my life, as filmmaker, dancer, writer, arts manager, curator, and currently I teach arts management at a university. My PhD is in the interdisciplinary arts, and will include film and curatorial elements. I’ll be happy to share more on my project as it develops.

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I’d love to hear from you,

Emma

Sounds fascinating! I need to check my schedule (I will be in Rochester, MN) but may be able to meet. I will org. note you when I know for sure. Marie

I live in Minneapolis and would love to meet up for a P discussion.

It was great to meet you! A true Prince fan!

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I hope you enjoy the rest of your visit.

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Best wishes!

bigtimefan said:

It was great to meet you! A true Prince fan!

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I hope you enjoy the rest of your visit.

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Best wishes!

Thanks so much for meeting up with me and sharing your experiences with/about Prince- it was great to meet you. It's been a great trip so far and I'm seeing many Prince-related sites each day! Very inspiring.

I'd love to meet others too- I'm around till Friday so hopefully will hear from some more fans from the org for coffee and Prince conversations!

kaine said:

Hey I'm going for my 1st trip on Thursday 9/1 for The Revolution show. If you can possibly just throw out some highlights of your trip that would be awesome. I'll only be there for 2 days but I'm hoping to see as much of town as possible [Edited 8/8/16 13:26pm] [Edited 8/8/16 13:26pm]

hi- I'm in the middle of my trip and have seen a lot already! It depends on your focus- music, his life etc, but this website has been amazing as has a long list of Prince-related locations to visit and basically covers most things!

http://www.minneapolis.or...nneapolis/

I've done just about everything. Recommendations for you for a short stay- of course- first ave and Paisley Park. Also Electric fetus is essential! The only place so far where I could feel a sort of Prince-energy- I could imagine Prince in there browsing for records... whereas PP just felt empty- he feels long gone.. For me it's been important to go around areas where he grew up and lived, but this is more obscure for most. Also the schidmt music mural which is downtown is great -where Prince did those classic early photos. happy to answer any questions if I can help. Today Im heading back out to Chanhassen to visit sites of his old houses, but that's specific to my research and then Im heading over to the historical society to check their archives on various Prince-related topics.. have a good trip!

The trip sounds amazing.

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Funnily enough, in Feb/march, I was saying to my wife that "you do realise I (we) need to visit minneapolis soon to see prince's hangouts/paisley park/frist avenue etc..." - she's not a fan but she appreciates my love for P, so as long as she can shop in NYC, she'll go to MPLS.. haha.

lunabelle said: