ROYAL REMEMBRANCES ONE YEAR AFTER PRINCE’S DEATH
Today’s the one-year of anniversary of Prince’s death, and there’s no shortage of eclectic tributes. Written appreciations are all over the Internet, particularly on Twitter, where fans are remembering him with the hashtag #RIPPrince.
Events are also planned throughout the country this weekend. Most notably, Minneapolis is devoting the next three days to their native son–including lighting up most of the city in purple during the evening. The biggest bash is a weekend-long celebration at Prince’s home/studio Paisley Park, which was opened to the public after his death. Called Celebration 2017, it features performances by The Revolution, Morris Day and the Time, New Power Generation and others. In addition to the live music, Celebration 2017 features panel discussions and other Prince-related ephemera.
First Avenue, the downtown Minneapolis club featured prominently in the 1984 film Purple Rain, will hold late-night dance parties 4/21 and 4/22, while a street memorial happens outside the club. Also, the Minnesota History Centre in St. Paul shows Prince’s Purple Rain costume through 4/23. The soundtrack for the weekend is provided by Minnesota Public Radio’s The Current, which is offering wall-to-wall Prince coverage over the weekend. See the schedule here.
While Prince tribute bands will be busy this weekend, there are plenty of other unusual happenings devoted to His Purple Badness. San Francisco’s Church of 8 Wheels presents a Prince Roller Disco Tribute 4/21 and a Rolligious Memorial 4/22.
In Long Beach, CA, Harvelle’s hosts a Purple Rain Peepshow: A Prince Tribute Burlesque Show 4/21 at 8 and 10pm, while Chicago’s Lux Wellness Studio will have a Prince tribute yoga class: Beats and Flow: Prince Flow, 4/22 4-5pm CDT.
Prince’s film legacy is also getting the royal treatment. In Ft. Lauderdale, FL, the African American Film Critics Association is Celebrating the Cinematic Legacy of Prince Rogers Nelson, a look at his career in the movies. 4/29 4pm EDT at the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center.
