Madeline Cisneros
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Articles by Madeline Cisneros
Your No-Cram Guide to College Admissions
Studio MSP writers. While some of our advertisers were sourced, no advertiser paid to be included. Freshmen Starting high school can be daunting for some. If throwing college prep into the mix feels overwhelming, don’t fret. Treat this as a year of self-discovery. Can’t stop talking to your friends about the latest trends in technology? Look into robotics clubs. Ready to take your concerts from the car to the stage? Join a choir.
Enhance Your Smile with Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry isn’t just about teeth. Restoring confidence is what drives the practice. Dr. Gesica Horn of Serene Oaks Dental in North Oaks knows how insecurities can affect everyday life. She’s often told by patients that they avoid smiling in photos, cover their mouth when they laugh, or don’t feel like their smile reflects who they are. “One of the most common things I hear from patients is, ‘I just don’t like my smile,’” adds Dr. Renee Camara, a periodontist at Wayzata Endodontics.
Feasts Good for the Soul
Made up of inspiring Minnesota women in agriculture, CommonGround Minnesota ignites conversations around food and farming. Get a chance to chat up farmers and meet fellow foodies at the organization’s farm dinner, hosted by Jocelyn Schlichting of Prairie Farm Company. Enjoy baked Brie, crackers, and fruit at social hour, but be sure to save room for the main event. Dinner features apple wild rice–stuffed chicken, chef-carved whiskey-glazed ham, mashed potatoes, artisan rolls, and sweet corn.
Skin Care Through the Ages
This feature was written by Studio MSP writers. While some of our advertisers were sourced, no advertiser paid to be included. In Your 20s and 30s Prevention is the name of the game in your 20s and 30s. By taking good care of your skin now, you’re securing your confidence and saving your wallet from potentially pricey treatments in the future.
Your 2026 Minnesota Schools Guide
This feature was written by Studio MSP writers. While some of our advertisers were sourced, no advertiser paid to be included. Twin Cities Private Schools Academy of Holy Angels Richfield, 612-798-2600, academyofholyangels.org Annual tuition range: $18,595 In a nutshell: A strong focus on college prep gets 9th–12th graders ready for the next steps in their academic careers.
Sippin’ Pretty
Rising mercury calls for a twist on your classic carbonation, and Dirty Sota Pop delivers soda with a home-state spin, complete with names like You Betcha and For Pete’s Sake. For that extra pep in your pop, the dirty energy drinks include Red Bull and Alani Nu. Keep your straws out for a second location, coming to Blaine in early June.
Big Screen, Bigger Sky
In the heart of the Red River Valley, nestled next to the North Dakota line, Sky-Vu Drive-In has maintained the authentic drive-in experience for more than 50 years. Think blankets in the truck bed, radio tuned, and popcorn, nachos, and cotton candy on hand. Warren, 218-201-0329, skyvumovies.com Celebrating its 70th anniversary this summer, The Long Drive-In Theater rolls double-headers all summer. Turn your theater experience into a sleepover with an RV or tent reservation.
A Summer for the Senses
10 Bright Birds to Spot This Summer Collectively, these Minnesota birds span the entire ROYGBIV spectrum. Here’s a rundown of our avian rainbow, from most common to most rare. How many will you see? Read more » Sippin’ Pretty Beat the heat—and the humidity!—with refreshing bevvies, from spins on soda and homebrewed ‘buch to liquid-gold glasses. Read more » Petal Pushers Stop and smell the fragrant blooms awaiting at gardens and plant workshops.
Petal Pushers
Through June, Grey Rabbit Gardens hosts a variety of classes and events that’ll grow your green know-how. Specializing in annuals, herbaceous perennials, herbs, and vegetables, classes include deep dives on why peonies thrive in our chilly climate and using invasive species to dye wool yarn. Plus, check the nursery’s calendar for artist pop-ups and food trucks throughout the season.
Good Sports
On Sundays throughout the summer, the fast and furriest take to the track with breed-specific dog races between horse races at Canterbury Park. Pups run for a spot in the Best in Show Championship, during Labor Day weekend. Hopefully no contestants get the yips. Sundays May–Sept. Shakopee, 952-445-7223, canterburypark.com It’s all horsing around at Running Aces, where equines are the entertainment three nights a week through September.
Love at First Sniff
Don’t sleep on the Gouda at the 90th annual Pine Island Cheese Festival, celebrating the town’s early immigrants, who were often dairy producers from western Europe. The four-day extrava-gorgonzola includes a carnival, cheese market, beer garden, parade, fireworks, and more. Hunt for the golden nugget via clues revealed on the festival’s website and Facebook page. June 4–7.
A New Backer for the Arts
RBC Wealth Management is stepping into downtown Minneapolis’s theater scene as the Official Wealth Management Partner of Hennepin Arts, with naming rights at the Orpheum, State, and Pantages. “It’s an honor for RBC Wealth Management to have a visible presence at historic theaters like the Orpheum, State, and Pantages that have staged so many great performances,” says Angie O'Leary, head of wealth strategies and solutions at RBC Wealth Management.
Creative Occupancy
Downtown Minneapolis is still finding its footing in the wake of the pandemic, as shifts in how—and where—people work continue to reshape the landscape. Now, efforts like Zero Empty Spaces are bringing new energy to the core, starting with an artist studio space on Nicollet Mall. By transforming vacant commercial spaces into creative hubs, Zero Empty Spaces helps increase foot traffic, support local economies, and create welcoming third spaces.
Flex Your Fitness in Edina This Summer
Rare Perfect Summer Days This one’s for those once-in-a-blue-sky days where the weather is just right. Savor the ideal temp and barely-there breeze at 50th & France. Dip into your downward dog while getting your tan on at Nolan Mains’s outdoor yoga classes on Sundays throughout the summer. Fill your shopping bags and call it weight training: Biker shorts from Lululemon, activewear onesies from FP Movement, and breathable basics from Faherty.
Inside Scoop: Our Staff’s Favorite Group Fitness Classes
If your anti-social, headphones-on gym sessions aren’t cutting it anymore, it might be time for a workout refresh. Group classes are a great way to boost motivation and build a community. Luckily, our editors, writers, and sales and marketing fitness fanatics have some stellar recs for you. And if you have the gym jitters, take advantage of exclusive offers for new faces. What is your favorite group fitness class and why?
Brushing Away Misconceptions About Dental Health
This feature was written by Studio MSP writers. While some of our advertisers were sourced, no advertiser paid to be included. Are my bleeding gums normal? Am I in the clear because my pain has suddenly disappeared? Should I invest in a water flosser? Chewing through information these days can be tough. And when it comes to your smile, you don’t want to have any doubts. Luckily, dental specialists across Minnesota spend their days separating science from speculation.
The 14 best PG-13 movies on Netflix
'Glass Onion'; 'Always Be My Maybe'; 'Tick, Tick... Boom!' Credit: Courtesy of Netflix; Doane Gregory / Netflix; Courtesy of Netflix Netflix has a wealth of movie options available to subscribers, with relatively easy separation of kid-friendly titles and more mature fare. But what happens when you want something in between — a movie with a little edge but not fully indulging in sex, violence, or adult language?
The 14 best PG-13 movies on Netflix Original
Ahead, we're singling out 15 of the best PG-13 movies streaming on Netflix. Among Netflix's PG-13 titles are charming rom-coms like Always Be My Maybe (2019), coming-of-age gems like The Half of It (2020), and crowd-pleasing monster thrillers like Godzilla Minus One (2023). This is where the PG-13 rating comes into play, designated for films geared toward those 13 and up. Netflix doesn't have a set tab for movies with this rating, but, hey, that's where we come in.
5 Questions with Harry Potter Actor Nick Dillenburg
Actor Nick Dillenburg is no stranger to stepping into a big role. Before portraying the man with the lightning bolt scar, he played a correctional officer in the Netflix hit series Orange Is the New Black and astronaut Neil Armstrong in the 2024 rom-com Fly Me to the Moon. Throughout his career, he’s taken on roles in TV, film, and theater, but his love for acting began right here in Minnesota.
Green Power: Local Parks to Add to Your Summer Agenda
This feature was written by Studio MSP writers. While some of our advertisers were sourced, no advertiser paid to be included. It’s no secret that Minnesotans love to be outside. As the temperature spikes and the sun revitalizes us like nature’s best medicine, we flock to the state’s breathtaking parks and trails. And we’re not biased. In 2025, the Trust for Public Land ranked the Twin Cities in the country’s top five park systems.
Where is “The Hunger Games” cast now? See Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson nearly 15 years later
Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen and Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark in 'The Hunger Games' Credit: Murray Close/Lionsgate The Hunger Games was one of many YA franchises dominating the 2010s, but one of the few that have really stuck. Based on Suzanne Collins' best-selling book series, the movie adaptations follow Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), a brave, bow-and-arrow-wielding teen who fights back against the corrupt Capitol.
History Is Ours: Meet Minesota's Past
From Northwoods to Native American cultures, Bob Dylan to rock art, and pucks to pipes, these historical landmarks showcase our state’s history, environment, and legacy (ahem, Spam!). Read more » Who needs a DeLorean? At these immersive historic experiences and festivals, discover the events and people that have shaped our state. Read more » No cabin? No problem.
Beam Me Up
At the tippy-top of Minnesota's chimney, Flag Island Lighthouse isn't a legit beacon, but was built by the island's owner Joe Laurin for observing the stars. Laurin's boat tours of the Northwest Angle include his 50-foot-tall, four-story nautical residence, and if he's home when visitors stop by, he might just give an impromptu tour. Angle Township, 763-350-4700, lakeofthewoodsmn.com Grand Marais Lighthouse was built in 1885 at the end of the town's eastern harbor breakwater.
Reading Between the Lines
The very first American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1930 was born in Sauk Centre. After growing up in the Sinclair Lewis Boyhood Home, Lewis went on to critique small-town life in his 1920 breakout novel, Main Street. Tours of his historic house are available Memorial Day to Labor Day. Sauk Centre, 320-429-5216, sinclairlewisfoundation.org Explore the neighborhood that The Great Gatsby author F.
Travel Through Time
Take a self-guided tour of Forestville, a time capsule of late-19th-century life. Visit the Meighen General Store, built by Felix Meighen and Robert Foster in 1857. Plus, see the sites where the gristmill, distillery, cemetery, and schoolhouses used to stand. Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park surrounds the historic town, home to the longest cave in Minnesota (stalactites and stalagmites galore!).
Timber This Way!
At Forest History Center, go back in time to December 1900 and get a glimpse of the “golden era” of lumbering in Minnesota. The center’s re-creation of a medium-size logging camp would have had about 24 horses and 80 men back in the day. Make the most of your trip and take the short walk to a replica of a moored river “wanigan,” a floating cook shack and bunkhouse used by river drivers when transporting logs downriver to sawmills.
5 Questions with a Water for Elephants Acrobat
When Sam Kellar-Long’s parents decided to sign him up for his first class at Circus Juventas, they had no idea that performing would become his life’s passion. For 14 years he spent all of his free time at the St. Paul circus school, then continued his training at San Diego Circus Center and the National Circus School of Montreal. After graduating from the Quebec school just last year, he now brings circus thrills to audiences all over the country on tour. The next stop: his home state.
Reflecting the Magic of Light
When Michelle Kondos was a senior at Bennington College in Vermont, her advisor told her something no aspiring artist ever wants to hear. “I had a bad experience toward the end of college with my main advisor there, who told me that I had zero talent and no hope of ever earning a living as an artist,” Kondos says. “When I left school, I was so discouraged by this that I didn’t paint for about four years.” Kondos’ academic career was full of ups and downs.
What We’re Wearing to Get Our Sweat On in 2026
Whether you have resolutions to get back to the gym, an itch to finally try hot yoga, or a new PR goal for the new year, feeling confident in your workout attire can do wonders to boost motivation. As you begin your health journey, get the scoop on fitness fits from these Twin Cities pros. Spoiler alert: 2026 is the year of comfort, community, and gorgeous earth tones. Hybrid Hottie Going into the new year, we’re taking the term “couch to 5K” quite literally. Hybrid pieces are totally in.
Basking in the Glow
Jennifer Wendt’s first loves were farm in northeast Kansas, she was her father’s little helper. Together they’d ride tractors and combines as they tended to crops, and she’d follow him around as he checked and fed their cows. She spent her weekends with her siblings “baking” mud pies full of sticks, acorns, and fallen fruit, and riding around on her make-believe horse, also known as her bike.
The Magic of the Desert
Canyons erupting from the earth. Cotton candy clouds looming over sunbaked cacti. Cowboys defying gravity, their weathered hands gripping the reins as their horses catapult them into the air. To landscape artist Josh Gibson, the desert Southwest is a powerful place. “It seems like, in terms of the geological formations and the kind of weather, there just aren’t other places that have that sort of thing going on,” he says. “The sunsets every day are a 10 out of 10.
Harlow Is Just Getting Started
Less than three years after musician Samuel Ketcham started Harlow, the folk-rock band performed at First Avenue’s Main Room as part of the iconic music venue’s Best New Bands of 2022. Harlow performed for a packed crowd, getting a taste of the spotlight, a glimpse into what the future could hold. “I think it kind of just felt like, I don’t know about a big break, but it felt like, Oh, just keep your head down, keep playing shows, keep writing and releasing music, and things come,” Ketcham says.
Flavor World Headquarters Opens in Downtown Minneapolis
Downtown Minneapolis just got more flavorful. At the end of April, the creative brand Flavor World hosted its grand opening at their new headquarters located in the Harmon Place historic district, near Loring Park. The new storefront serves as a community art space for local creatives to connect. Drew Kinkade founded Flavor World, which began as a clothing brand, while attending college in 2018.
Porch Light Is Shining Bright
It’s been one hell of a year for Porch Light. Since forming in the summer of 2024, the indie-rock band played in New York, headlined a sold-out show at 7th St Entry, performed at First Avenue’s Best New Bands of 2024, and released their first EP. With their viral success striking like lightning, it’s clear they’re currently one of the buzziest bands in the Twin Cities. So how did this whirlwind begin?
Crop Art Comes to the Minneapolis Courthouse
Can’t wait until the Minnesota State Fair to get your crop art fix? Head over to the Diane E. Murphy U.S. Courthouse to check out the Seeds of Justice crop art exhibit. On display until July 31, the collection showcases each artist’s interpretation of justice using seeds as their medium.
Danez Smith Finds Healing Through Playwriting
Have you ever wished you could go back in time to have an important conversation with a loved one? To air out truths, ask hard questions, and lay everything out on the table? In Danez Smith’s new play 2015, they do just that. Last month, the local poet and recent Pulitzer Prize finalist presented a staged reading of Act 1 of their project at the Pillsbury House and Theatre.
Helping Turtles Cross the Road
When Kelly Olson moved into a new home with her husband in 2021, she had no idea that the house sat on the intersection of two large wetland areas. Soon enough, little reptile friends popped up to say hello. “I kid you not, in the summer months, I cannot go outside without finding a turtle,” Olson says. “Like, I wasn’t sure, am I just putting out this big turtle energy? What’s going on?” It wasn’t long before she witnessed a tragedy.
Stories of Ukrainians in Minnesota Told in New Exhibit
On Friday, May 23, the Minneapolis-based nonprofit Green Card Voices is celebrating the grand opening of its new exhibit Ukrainian Voices of Minnesota at the Ukrainian American Community Center (UACC). Featuring personal stories from 22 Ukrainians that now call Minnesota their home, the exhibit showcases their journeys to the United States. In February of 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine.
Nina Luna Comes Home
For singer-songwriter Nina Luna, music runs in the family. Her mom, local musician Courtney Yasmineh, exposed her to creatives in the music scene from a young age, and when she realized she wanted to pursue music as a career, her parents were naturally supportive. “It was never really a decision,” Luna says. “More and more I was just like, This is my calling. This is what I want to do.
Theater Latté Da Announces 2025-2026 Season
Theater Latté Da has a lot to celebrate in the coming year. The music theater company’s 2025-2026 season includes its 100th production, the 100th anniversary of their home at the Ritz Theater, and a musical world premiere. “We look forward to sharing this celebratory season with our artists and audiences–one that promises to honor our past, revel in our present, and boldly imagine our future,” says artistic director Justin Lucero in a press release.
5 Questions with Whoa, Nellie! Actor Em Adam Rosenberg
You don’t need a time machine to transport back to the 1890s. Just attend the History Theatre’s new production Whoa, Nellie! The Outlaw King of the Wild Middle West. Running through June 8, the musical follows Nellie King, a scandalous cowgirl who wreaked havoc across Minnesota, the Dakotas, and northern Wisconsin. Minnesota-based actor Em Adam Rosenberg makes their History Theatre debut playing Nellie King.
Grand Old Day Announces Music Lineup
The Grand Old Day festival is coming back to St. Paul on June 1. Gather along the 30 blocks of St. Paul’s Grand Avenue for a day of summer fun, from a 5K to a parade to a classic car show to wiener dog races. And of course, there’s spectacular live music. With six different stages of entertainment and a variety of genres, you’re sure to find music that fits your vibe.
History Theatre Announces 2025-2026 Season
The History Theatre in St. Paul has announced its 2025–2026 season, which is full of music, comedy, and of course history. The upcoming year features a world premiere about Minneapolis jazz singer Doris Hines, a new musical set at the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, and a production exploring local Civil War history.
A Survey Reveals the Economics of Being a Local Musician
Last spring, the city of Minneapolis conducted the most extensive music survey to date in the city, led by Sound Music Cities in partnership with the Arts and Cultural Affairs Department and local public and private organizations.
Lowertown Sounds Announces Concert Lineup
The free Lowertown Sounds outdoor concert series is coming back to Mears Park in St. Paul this summer, running June 12–August 14 on Thursday nights from 6-10 p.m. “We’re very proud of what we’ve built at Lowertown Sounds and are incredibly excited to hear from people who make the trek from around the metro to take in our events,” says Clint Roberts, founder and director of Lowertown Sounds, in a press release.
Uncover the History of Minneapolis Architecture at Doors Open
More than 70 different venues across Minneapolis open their doors on May 17 and 18 for Doors Open Minneapolis. From 10 a.m.–5 p.m. that weekend, building owners and caretakers will guide you through the many stories of the city’s unique buildings and spaces. The event’s history goes beyond Minnesota; it started in Minneapolis in 2019. (When will we finally get Doors Open St. Paul, hm?) The first documented Doors Open experience took place in Paris in the 1980s.
Where to Shop in the Twin Cities for Record Store Day 2025
Get up bright and early and head over to your favorite independent record shop for Record Store Day on Saturday, April 12. Hundreds of artists and bands are releasing exclusive vinyl available for one day only. This special holiday for vinyl enthusiasts began in 2008 as a way for independent record stores to come together and celebrate the role they play in the music community. You can find RSD releases in a variety of genres for both indie and mainstream artists.
Haven Watch Co. Releases First Avenue Timepiece
It’s a big year for First Avenue, and Haven Watch Co. is getting in on the action. To celebrate the Minneapolis music venue’s 55th anniversary, the Midwest-based watch brand is releasing the Haven x First Ave watch in a limited run of 55, the newest addition to their Legendary Independent Venue Edition Series.
5 Questions with the Directors of Brooklyn, Minnesota
Minnesota has a hold on writers and directors Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen. Jensen, who was born and raised in Detroit Lakes, and Blank, who attended college at Macalester and the University of Minnesota, are now based in Brooklyn. The two have amassed an impressive repertoire of work throughout their career so far (does The Exonerated sound familiar?), with projects in film, TV, and theater. When they got the opportunity to make a movie based in Minnesota, they took it and ran with it.
Venue Guide: Let's Get This Party Started
This feature was written by Studio MSP writers. Paid advertisers are denoted by horizontal rules throughout the list and feature an enhanced description. Jump to: | | Calling all party people! In a state brimming with event spaces, narrowing down your list of favorites can be the hardest task. To help you find The One that checks all your boxes, this guide offers a glimpse of the size, locale, and ambience of venues across the metro and beyond.
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