Watch Minnesota comic Louie Anderson mock Wisconsin. See retired judge/Minnesota Viking Alan Page collect and boil sap for syrup. Hear renown photographer Alec Soth share his impressions of Minnesota culture and the spot he favors for a good steak.
These artsy, contemplative musings aren't typically associated with the NFL or the Super Bowl. But they are this year. The Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee is posting videos of Minnesotans weekly leading up to the game at U.S. Bank Stadium in February 2018. In all, there will be 52.
The episodes run just over two minutes and are created and produced by Minneapolis-St. Paul Magazine and Explore Minnesota, the state's tourism agency.
So far, 13 videos have been posted and they're surpringly fun and candid looks at accomplished residents, some of whom are natives and others newcomers.
This week's post video got my attention because Soth, a Twin Cities native, was the subject. He's a nationally renown photographer. I'm a longtime fan. His work has been featured in shows across the country and in Europe. He talked about being "hungry" for home when he's away.
He described Minnesota culture as "sophisticated but understanding." Although he lives in Minneapolis, Soth listed as a favorite spot The Best Steak House on University Avenue in St. Paul.
Page's video was shot in the snowy woods near his cabin Up North. The former Purple People Eater said he couldn't fully describe the satisfaction he finds in gathering and boiling sap for syrup at the family cabin. He speaks while sitting in an aptly named outbuilding called the "Sugar Shack" as steam wafts from giant pots of boiling liquid.
Anderson, of course, makes you laugh as he describes the biggest ball of twine as a "no-brainer" for a visit then notes the preponderance of Minnesota "know-it-alls," then sneers at Wisconsin.
Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Tyus Jones, who grew up in Apple Valley, talked about eating as much as he could at the State Fair, marking summer's end.. So did Kylie Bunbury, the star of the just-canceled "Pitch" on Fox.
Bunbury says her work eithic and kindness come from her roots. When she visits, Bunbury said she immediately feels peace when she steps off the airplane.
Caribbean native and novelist Marlon James and Minnesota Orchestra music director Osmo Vanska, a native of Finland are relative newcomers.
James talked about lacing up his shoes in St. Paul and running to Minneapolis in his early days here to soak up the area.
Vanska sounded smitten with the ever-changing energy of the Mississippi River, which he can see from his home and which he follows down to Winona on long motorcycle rides.
Check out the videos, sign up to get notifications when new ones are posted and/or register to volunteer on the host committee's website: www.mnsuperbowl.com
