MINNEAPOLIS— Downtown Minneapolis will be closed after rush hour on Friday evening as thousands of people are expected to celebrate Prince and the 40th anniversary of “Purple Rain.”
First Avenue North, from the nightclub’s front doors to Hawthorne Avenue and North Ninth Street, between Ramp A and Hennepin Avenue, will be closed for the celebration.
For most, it’s like a family reunion, as Prince always said he didn’t have fans, just family who enjoyed his music.
While many took photos and explored where Prince performed, others rushed to Prince’s favorite music store, The Electric Fetus, to add to their collection of all things Prince.
Roseann Warren came from London to connect with people who love Prince and his music.
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“He connected me with so many different people and thanks to his music they are all best friends now,” Warren said.
“Coming here is literally a spiritual experience, to the point where you come to the mecca of your musical peak, so I love it. I love coming here,” said Simon Stone, who flew in from Atlanta. “To be at First Avenue tonight to see the Revolution together is not only a dream come true, it’s a bucket list and it’s probably going to be an exciting moment for me in my adult life. I mean, it’s just going to be amazing, I just can’t wait.”
For these fans, they never tire of the music or the movie.
“It’s so iconic. It’s just an experience that we feel we need to continue to relive,” Warren said.
Downtown will jump and it will Paisley Parkeverything in honor of Prince Rogers Nelson and his music.
Fans from all over the world are here Friday and Saturday nights for the celebration at Paisley Park. The Revolution performs Friday evening at First Avenue. And Morris Day and The New Power Generation will perform at the Staatstheater on Saturday.
Reg Chapman
