Please join us to watch a movie, eat a little popcorn and participate in a conversation about how movies are made and why they tell the stories they tell.

BIG FISH  (2003), directed by Tim Burton, is a visually rich, whimsical drama that blends magical realism with heartfelt storytelling. The film follows Edward Bloom, a charismatic storyteller whose larger-than-life tales blur the line between fact and fiction, as his estranged son tries to uncover the truth behind them. Through its dreamlike imagery and emotional core, Big Fish explores themes of memory, myth, and the complicated bonds between fathers and sons.

IP artist Sai Thao Team will host the screening.

To RSVP for one of our Movie Nights screening please complete the form at the link at the top of the page.

You may also address any questions you may have by emailing us at info@in-progress.org

Please join us Saturday, August 30th as we embark on a heartfelt story sharing series honoring the experiences of African immigrants living in Minnesota. 

This session is will serve as a “kitchen table” talk with a light meal and deep felt conversation about wnat it means to navigate shifting societal norms within immigrant communities. IP artist Raina Otoun will facilitate the conversation with support from our Conversations coordinator Robin Perez.

We expect stories to touch on immigration, the stressors immigrants face, and the connected bonds that still exist between Africa and life in the United States. Please note, we may audio record this session for archival and possibly public sharing.

We invite you to join us at 5:30PM for a little food, and good conversation before we begin our formal presentation at 6PM.  

This event is free but please RSVP at the link below so we know how many to expect.  The audience is limited to 30, so priority seating will be given to those that RSVP.

IP artist Kristine Sorensen will meet with local production crews on the Leech Lake Reservation to review 5 videos that are in production about elders and the knowledge they are holding and sharing with younger generations. Sorensen will travel between Cass Lake, Bena and Inger to work with a young crew of artists.

To find out more about the Waterers Program, please send an email to: info@in-progress.org

IP artist Kristine Sorensen will meet with local production crews on the Leech Lake Reservation to review 5 videos that are in production about elders and the knowledge they are holding and sharing with younger generations. Sorensen will travel between Cass Lake, Bena and Inger to work with a young crew of artists.

To find out more about the Waterers Program, please send an email to: info@in-progress.org

IP artist Kristine Sorensen will meet with local production crews on the Bois Forte Reservation towork on a production about elders and the knowledge they are holding and sharing with younger generations. Sorensen will travel between Cass Lake, Bena and Inger to work with a young crew of artists.

To find out more about the Waterers Program, please send an email to: info@in-progress.org

IP artist Kristine Sorensen will meet with local production crews on the Bois Forte Reservation towork on a production about elders and the knowledge they are holding and sharing with younger generations. Sorensen will travel between Cass Lake, Bena and Inger to work with a young crew of artists.

To find out more about the Waterers Program, please send an email to: info@in-progress.org

FEAST

connecting through food and conversation

Feast provides a space for sharing and visiting through cooking and meaningful conversations. Sharing of meals and conversations take place from 2-4pm. Folks are also welcome to bring their favorite dish, drink and or dessert from home to share as well.

Our summer feast will feature an outdoor barbecue - chicken, burgers and hot dogs. Hosted by IP board member Jacylynn Jones and IP artist Anna Jenkins

Please feel free to bring side dishes and deserts to compliment the feast!

Please RSVP at the link above to save your spot in this unique event. You can also send us an email at: info@in-progress.org 

Girls Day Out

An Activity of Modern Modern Hmong Girls

What is Girls Day Out? Exactly how it sounds! It’s a fun-filled day dedicated to making new friends, bonding, and being unapologetically you. Whether you’re looking to meet new people, catch up with old friends, or simply enjoy a night of laughter and good vibes, GDO is the perfect way to unwind and have a great time. Come for the fun, stay for the memories!

What’s included?
♡ Appetizers/finger food
♡ Beverages: Mocktails!
♡ Elf Lip Balm keychain activity

We are so excited to host our very first event! Since our launch, we’ve been wanting to show you our appreciation and gratitude by getting to know you and spending memorable moments with you all! Thank you for all your support, love and kindness.

LOCATION

Activities will take place at In Progress - 213 Front Avenue, Saint Paul, MN

Please note - this is a community partner event, for which a small fee will be charged in order to cover costs.

For more information or to find out more about registering for the event, please send an email to: modernhmonggirl@gmail.com

Joy of Being will be gathering to share and record audio stories around joy, family acceptance and the acts of resistance in unwelcoming societal times.. This activity will be led by our Joy of Being Artist Team of TJ Lor, Mary Richardson and Xee Reiter.

To join this activity please send an email at info@in-progress.org.

The Waterers Team led by IP artists Deka Ali and Kristine Sorensen will be working with families from East Grand Forks to honor elder stories through the art of video and photography. Ten youth will work to develop storytelling skills, learn digital technology and plan stories about elders in their community.

For more information please send an email to info@in-progress.org

The Waterers Team led by IP artists Deka Ali and Kristine Sorensen will be working with families from East Grand Forks to honor elder stories through the art of video and photography. Ten youth will work to develop storytelling skills, learn digital technology and plan stories about elders in their community.

For more information please send an email to info@in-progress.org

Casting A Light is a deeply personal and communal artwork created by muralist Xee Reiter in collaboration with parents Sai Thao and Jim Vue. The mural borders a garden lovingly built in memory of their daughter, Ghia Nah Vue, and reflects stories of loss, love, and healing from across the In Progress community.

This event will include:

• A guided tour of the mural and a collective exhibit that honor the memories we hold of loved ones.

• Opportunities to meet the artists and families involved

• Light meal

• A space to reflect and connect with others

Join us as we honor the lives of those we've lost and celebrate the strength found in shared remembrance.

For more information you can send an email to: info@in-progress.org or you can rsvp at the link below:

Date: Saturday, June 14, 2025
Time: 3:00–6:00 PM
Location: In Progress
213 Front Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55117

The Waterers Team led by IP artists Esther Humphrey and Kristine Sorensen will be working with families from Leech Lake Reservations to honor elder stories through the art of video and photography. Five young women have been working to develop their digital arts skills and will be interviewing elders about an array of topics from traditional storytelling practices, to the role of drum keeps and traditional Ojibwe values. Project creation will take place in Cass Lake, Bena and Inger.

For more information please send an email to info@in-progress.org

The Waterers Team led by IP artists Esther Humphrey and Kristine Sorensen will be working with families from Leech Lake Reservations to honor elder stories through the art of video and photography. Five young women have been working to develop their digital arts skills and will be interviewing elders about an array of topics from traditional storytelling practices, to the role of drum keeps and traditional Ojibwe values. Project creation will take place in Cass Lake, Bena and Inger.

For more information please send an email to info@in-progress.org

Please join us in congratulating IP artist Dhoua Vue, whose film "Bored" will be presented at the Walker Art Center Thursday, May 22nd at 7PM. Dhoua made this film in 2021 during the height of pandemic. It is a beautiful story of grief, loneliness and resiliency. The event is free so please come and help us celebrate Dhoua and the many other IP affiliated artists whose work will be honored!

The event is free and open to the public.

Please join us Saturday, April 26th as we embark on a heartfelt storytelling series honoring the experiences of African immigrants living in Minnesota. 

Our first session is designed to evoke the comforting spirit of village gatherings during times of conflict—where elders would share stories, drums would echo through the night, and younger generations would find peace and strength in the wisdom passed down.”

The stories touch on immigration, the stressors immigrants often face, and the connected bonds that still exist between Africa and life in the United States.

Our first guest speakers are Ifrah Mansour and Melissa Simpson. 

Ifrah Mansour is an award-winning Somali refugee. Her work explores trauma through the eyes of children, highlighting the resilience of Black, Muslim, and refugee communities. Her work has been featured by Middle East Eye, BBC, Star Tribune, and City Pages. 

Melissa Simpson is a seasoned Mental Health professional and currently works as a consultant for other mental health professionals and agencies. 

We invite you to join us at 5:30PM for a little food, and good conversation before we begin our formal presentation at 6PM.  

This event is free but please RSVP at the link below so we know how many to expect.  The audience is limited to 30, so priority seating will be given to those that RSVP.

Conversations is led by IP artists Raina Outun and Teku Nijtka with support from Robin Perez. 

Please join us!

For more information please send an email to info@in-progress.org

Plase join us for an Audio Show & Tell!

Bring a short audio snippet (3 minutes or less) to share—something that moves, surprises, or delights you. Together, we'll listen, reflect, discuss, and marvel at the sounds that shape our world.

Come be part of the conversation! We can't wait to hear what you bring! 🎶🔊

You can also let us know you are coming by sending an email to: ngoc.bui95@gmail.com

ORANGO - Featured movie

Please join us to watch a movie, eat a little popcorn and participate in a conversation about how movies are made and why they tell the stories they tell.

Eny, a painter in Berlin, and his sister Titina, embark on a journey through West Africa after 17 years of exile from Guinea-Bissau following their mother's passing, exploring their ancestral homeland.

IP artist Mickies Kiros will host the screening.

To RSVP for one of our Movie Nights screening please complete the form at the link at the top of the page.

You may also address any questions you may have by emailing us at info@in-progress.org

Lead Artist

• Mickies Kiros is a developing filmmaker with a keen interest in film centering in Middle Eastern culture.

Location

All activity will take place at In Progress - Studio 213 / 213 Front Avenue Saint Paul MN. 55117

CEDDO - Featured movie

Please join us to watch a movie, eat a little popcorn and participate in a conversation about how movies are made and why they tell the stories they tell.

Banned in Senegal on an absurd technicality, Ceddo, Sembene’s most ambitious film, uses the story of a beautiful princess’s kidnapping to examine the confrontation between opposing cultural forces: Muslim expansion, Christianity, and the slave trade. The “Ceddo”—or feudal class of common people—cling desperately to their customs and their fetishistic religion amidst the impending changes. Nominally set in the nineteenth century, Ceddo ranges far and wide to include philosophy, fantasy, militant politics, and a couple of electrifying leaps across the centuries to evoke the whole of the African experience.

IP artist Mickies Kiros will host the screening.

To RSVP for one of our Movie Nights screening please complete the form at the link at the top of the page.

You may also address any questions you may have by emailing us at info@in-progress.org

Lead Artist

• Mickies Kiros is a developing filmmaker with a keen interest in film centering in Middle Eastern culture.

Location

All activity will take place at In Progress - Studio 213 / 213 Front Avenue Saint Paul MN. 55117

open mics

COLLABORATION, IMPROVISATION & performance FOR MUSIC ARTISTS

Open Mics provide a safe space to perform works created or works in progress. We aim to host a positive environment for our artist community to be vulnerable and share art. Please come share your talent and/or enjoy the performances! All are welcome to join.

LOCATION

213 Front Avenue Saint Paul MN. 55117

DATES - Saturdays 2-6PM

• February 22

• June 28

• October 18

Artists & Performances

Performances will be open to all, with each artist getting 5 minutes to shine. No sign-up required—just step up and share your talent!

lead artists

Open Mics are led by In Progress artists Simmia Nelson and SharieMarie Gebre-Epps. Both are accomplished musicians and known for their work organizing events in the Twin Cities.

MORE INFORMATION

If you have further questions please send us an email at: info@in-progress.org 

mother of george - Featured movie

Please join us to watch a movie, eat a little popcorn and participate in a conversation about how movies are made and why they tell the stories they tell.

This screening will feature Mother of George, a 2013 drama film directed by Andrew Dosunmu[1] and tells the story of a newly married Nigerian couple in Brooklyn who own and manage a small restaurant while struggling with fertility issues. The film was produced by Patrick S. Cunningham[1] and Rhea Scott.[2]

IP artist Mickies Kiros will host the screening.

To RSVP for one of our Movie Nights screening please complete the form at the link at the top of the page.

You may also address any questions you may have by emailing us at info@in-progress.org

Lead Artist

• Mickies Kiros is a developing filmmaker with a keen interest in film centering in Middle Eastern culture.

Location

All activity will take place at In Progress - Studio 213 / 213 Front Avenue Saint Paul MN. 55117

Plase join us for an Audio Show & Tell!

Bring a short audio snippet (3 minutes or less) to share—something that moves, surprises, or delights you. Together, we'll listen, reflect, discuss, and marvel at the sounds that shape our world.

Come be part of the conversation! We can't wait to hear what you bring! 🎶🔊

You can also let us know you are coming by sending an email to: ngoc.bui95@gmail.com