PRINCE CELEBRATION 2026 The official Prince social media account updated details of the Celebration 2026. Announcing the 10th Year Anniversary Celebration of Life Lineup — First Artists Revealed (Round 1) Prince Celebration 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most unforgettable yet! Join us at Paisley Park and across downtown Minneapolis for five days of live music, special guests, and once-in-a-lifetime moments honoring Prince’s legacy. FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER — Members of NPG & The Revolution unite on one stage!! Featuring: Bobby Z, Lisa Coleman, Morris Hayes, Tony M., Levi Seacer Jr., Sonny T., Cora Coleman, Cassandra O’Neal, Greg Boyer, Kenni Holman Special Guest Performers: Chaka Khan • Morris Day • Miguel • Tevin Campbell • Bilal • Kat Graham • Sounds of Blackness • The New Artist Showcase + MORE TO COME!! Special Guests: Bootsy Collins • Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis • The Twinz • AND MORE TO COME… GET YOUR VIP & GA TIX NOW: paisleypark.com/celebration2026 Single concert tickets on sale April 22 (Earth Day) FULL SCHEDULE AND DETAILS DROP MAY 5th This is just the beginning… stay tuned for more artist and experience announcements!

Prince Celebration 2026: Tickets Now On Sale for the 10‑Year Celebration of Life 📅 Posted April 9, 2026 – 5:40 PM Paisley Park has officially opened ticket sales for Prince Celebration 2026, marking a historic milestone — the 10‑Year Celebration of Life. Fans from around the world will gather once again to honor Prince’s music, artistry, and enduring legacy. Early Bird tickets sold out rapidly, and the Estate extended its appreciation to fans for their patience as ticketing questions were resolved. With demand continuing to rise, both General Admission and VIP tickets are now available while supplies last. 🎟️ Tickets: http://paisleypark.com/celebration2026 💜 A Milestone Year: 10 Years of Celebration This year marks a powerful moment — a decade since the global Prince community first united to celebrate his life and creative spirit. Prince envisioned Paisley Park as a place to gather, innovate, and express freely. Celebration 2026 carries that vision forward, expanding beyond Paisley Park into Minneapolis and St. Paul, uplifting the cities that shaped him and creating meaningful connections across the Twin Cities. 🎤 Featured Eras for 2026: • Parade • Emancipation • Chaos and Disorder • The Rainbow Children • 3121 Early Bird tickets opened on February 27, 2026, offering fans a limited‑time reduced rate ahead of the general release. This 10‑year milestone reaffirms that Prince’s legacy remains vibrant, evolving, and carried forward by every fan, musician, and creative spirit he inspired. ✨ Let’s celebrate the life. Let’s celebrate the legacy. Let’s celebrate the music. 🗓️ Event Timeline 📌 Prince Celebration Sweepstakes Closes Friday, April 10, 2026 📌 Prince Celebration Program Announcement Tuesday, April 14, 2026 📌 Outdoor Block Party, Singalong & Press Conference Thursday, April 16, 2026 📌 Program Updates & Additional Details Released Tuesday, May 5, 2026 📌 Tickets Available Now 🎫 Ticket Options 🌟 VIP — $1,400 Includes: • 🎤 Exclusive Guided Group Tour at Paisley Park • 🎧 Kick‑off DJ Dance Party • 🎬 Exclusive Unreleased Prince Concert Footage • 🎶 Live Music Concerts • 🎥 Under the Cherry Moon Screening • 🏙️ Celebration Events in Minneapolis & St. Paul • 🎙️ Panel Discussions • 📁 The Vault Conversation Part II • 🌟 New Artist Showcase • 🎉 Block Party at the Prince Mural • ✨ Drone Show • 🎟️ VIP Preferred Seating • 🏢 VIP Hospitality Suite • 🎧 Exclusive Listening Session • 🛍️ Exclusive VIP Merchandise • 🛒 First Access to Celebration Merchandise • 🍽️ Exclusive VIP Lunch • 🍇 VIP Gospel Brunch Enhance Your Experience: 🛥️ Optional Lake Minnetonka Boat Cruise — Sunday, June 7 • Must match your ticket type (GA or VIP) • No shuttle service available Purchase VIP Tickets [Insert link] 🎟️ General Admission (GA) — $900 Includes: • 🏛️ Walkthrough Tour at Paisley Park • 🎧 Kick‑off DJ Dance Party • 🎬 Exclusive Unreleased Prince Concert Footage • 🎶 Live Music Concerts • 🎥 Under the Cherry Moon Screening • 🏙️ Celebration Events in Minneapolis & St. Paul • 🎙️ Panel Discussions • 📁 The Vault Conversation Part II • 🌟 New Artist Showcase • 🎉 Block Party at the Prince Mural • ✨ Drone Show Enhance Your Experience: 🛥️ Optional Lake Minnetonka Boat Cruise — Sunday, June 7 • Must match your ticket type • No shuttle service available Purchase GA Tickets [Insert link] 🏨 Partner Hotels Book your stay at one of the official Prince Celebration 2026 partner hotels: 🏨 Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington 3900 American Blvd W, Bloomington, MN 55437 🏨 The Lofton Hotel – Tapestry Collection by Hilton 601 N 1st Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403 🏨 Hampton Inn & Suites Minneapolis/Downtown 19 North 8th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55403 Phone: (612) 641‑3333 (Option 1) 🏨 W Minneapolis – The Foshay 821 S Marquette Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55402 🚌 Shuttle & Parking Information Paisley Park has released preliminary transportation details for Celebration 2026. Full schedules will be included in attendee credential packets. Shuttle Hubs 📍 Minneapolis, MN 📍 Chanhassen / Chaska (Exact locations vary by date; details forthcoming.) Parking • 🅿️ Free parking at the Chanhassen/Chaska shuttle hub • ♿ Handicap‑accessible parking at Paisley Park • 🚗 Follow on‑site signage and staff instructions Additional Notes • Arrive early to allow time for parking and shuttle transport • Carpooling encouraged • Rideshare drop‑off zones available near the main entrance A Celebration of Life, Legacy, and Music Prince Celebration 2026 honors a decade of remembrance, creativity, and community. It is a moment to reflect, reconnect, and celebrate the enduring spirit of Prince Rogers Nelson.

NEWS REPORT Zendaya turned heads at the Los Angeles afterparty for her new film The Drama on Tuesday night, stepping out in a custom white lace outfit inspired by one of Prince’s most iconic Purple Rain Tour looks. The 29‑year‑old actress wore a sheer, high‑collared lace top tied with a ribbon and paired it with tailored, high‑waisted white trousers — a modern reinterpretation of the ornate lace ensembles Prince famously wore during his 1984–85 tour. The look was designed by Harris Reed and styled by Zendaya’s longtime collaborator Law Roach. The appearance continued Zendaya’s recent streak of bridal‑white fashion moments. Earlier in the evening, she attended the film’s premiere in the same Vivienne Westwood gown she wore to the 2015 Academy Awards, a choice Roach described as “something old” in a social media post. The gown, paired with what appeared to be a wedding band, fueled ongoing speculation that Zendaya and her partner Tom Holland have secretly married. Roach added to the rumors earlier this month at the 2026 Actor Awards, telling Access Hollywood that “the wedding has already happened,” though neither Zendaya nor Holland has confirmed the claim. During a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Zendaya joked about the internet frenzy, saying she hadn’t seen the rumors and noting that many fans had been fooled by AI‑generated “wedding” images circulating online. Zendaya and Holland, both 29, confirmed their engagement in January. The couple, who first acknowledged their relationship in 2021, have remained largely private despite ongoing public interest. The Drama, which stars Zendaya and Robert Pattinson as an engaged couple whose relationship unravels during their wedding week, opens in theaters April 3.

The Minneapolis Sound was never created by one person alone. Prince built a universe of musicians, collaborators, protégés, writers, dancers, and creative partners who shaped his world as much as he shaped theirs. This category is dedicated to their stories. Associated Artists is the home for profiles, histories, and personal encounters with the people who helped define Prince’s music, tours, films, and creative legacy. From band members and protégés to studio collaborators and on‑screen partners, this archive celebrates the wider family that made the purple universe so rich, innovative, and alive. Here you’ll find: Biographical profiles of key musicians and collaborators Deep‑dive histories of their work with Prince Connections across eras, albums, tours, and films Post‑Prince careers and creative evolution Personal encounters and memories that bring humanity to the history This category grows alongside the Glam Slam Chronicles, expanding the archive into a fuller, more interconnected portrait of the Minneapolis Sound. Each entry is crafted with care, accuracy, and emotional resonance — honoring the artists who helped shape one of the most influential musical worlds of our time. The first profile in this category is Miko Weaver, whose guitar work defined Prince’s late‑80s live sound and whose kindness left a lasting impression on fans. Explore, discover, and celebrate the artists who made the purple universe possible. Miko Weaver: Weaver first entered Prince’s universe through Sheila E.’s band, where his playing caught Prince’s attention. He contributed to the extended jam version of “I Would Die 4 U”, later released as a 12" single. Prince then placed him in The Family, the short‑lived R&B project that produced the original version of “Nothing Compares 2 U.” Michael Bland: Bland joined Prince’s band in 1989, just as Prince was transitioning into a new era of funk‑rock intensity. His arrival coincided with the formation of the New Power Generation (NPG) — a band that would become one of Prince’s most enduring and musically versatile ensembles. Renn Woods: Renn Woods is an American actress and vocalist best known for Roots and Hair, and for recording “I Don’t Wanna Stop,” the first Prince‑written song released without his musical involvement. Sheila Escovedo — known worldwide as Sheila E. — is a percussionist, singer, songwriter, bandleader, and one of the most electrifying performers of her generation. Born into a legendary musical family, she became one of Prince’s closest collaborators, creative foils, and onstage equals. Her blend of Latin percussion, funk precision, and pop charisma made her a defining force in the Minneapolis sound.

From Dirty Mind to 1999: Intimate, iconic images from Prince’s most electric era, as seen through the lens of his trusted Minneapolis collaborator Photographer Allen Beaulieu worked with Prince from the late ’70s into the early ’80s, capturing the musician’s progression from being a rising star to his ultimate purple superstardom. Always at Prince’s side, with a camera in hand, Beaulieu helped Prince carry forward his vision with legendary album cover images and promotional photos during the groundbreaking Dirty Mind, Controversy, and 1999 eras while also capturing live performances on tour with Prince. Many of these photographs are candid and raw. You can be a witness to lots of behind-the-scenes events and actions. Al also work with the Time, and Vanity 6. “Working with Al was very natural; it flowed. The magic of how Al worked - and I think it’s the thing that really appealed to Prince - he had a way of conducting things along without being overbearing or reducing people to action figures or something. It was very organic, and he managed to pull something out of this disparate set of human beings.” - Dez Dickerson Allen Beaulieu is a Minneapolis-based photographer renowned for his close collaboration with Prince during the musician's formative years in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He served as Prince's primary photographer, capturing iconic album covers for Dirty Mind (1980), Controversy (1981), and 1999 (inner sleeves) (1982), as well as promotional photos and candid shots. Beaulieu toured extensively with Prince, documenting live performances and behind-the-scenes moments, providing a raw and intimate portrayal of Prince's rise from a rising star to superstardom. His work highlights Prince's edgy, creative phase on the cusp of mega-fame, including events like a 1980 Rolling Stones concert where Prince faced backlash from the audience. In 2018, Beaulieu released the book Prince: Before the Rain, published by the Minnesota Historical Society Press. This 224-page hardcover features never-before-seen candid and casual photographs from that era, including intimate portraits, backstage moments, and album session shots. The book includes Beaulieu's personal recollections of his professional and friendly relationship with Prince, along with contributions from former bandmates such as Bobby Z., Dez Dickerson, and André Cymone. It has received high praise, with a 4.8 out of 5-star rating from 529 global reviews on Amazon, and is considered a must-have for Prince fans due to its stunning photography and high-quality printing. Beaulieu's work has been exhibited, including at the Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota. In 2022, he was involved in a years-long legal dispute over rights to an abandoned Prince photobook project, as reported by The Art Newspaper. Al currently (2026) has an online store where some of Prince's iconic images can be purchased. Reference Links Amazon book page for Prince: Before the Rain: https://www.amazon.com/Prince-Before-Rain-Allen-Beaulieu/dp/1681341212 Goodreads entry for Prince: Before the Rain: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/39799299-prince YouTube interview with Allen Beaulieu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLO7DNNHJno The Art Newspaper article on legal dispute: https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2022/07/11/abandoned-prince-photobook-lawsuit Minnesota Historical Society shop page: https://shop.mnhs.org/products/prince Weisman Art Museum exhibition info: https://wam.umn.edu/allen-beaulieu

Prince’s late‑period studio experiment HitnRun Phase One finally arrives on vinyl for the first time — a decade after its digital debut and years after gaining cult status. RELEASE / PUBLICATION DETAILS Artist: Prince Title: HitnRun Phase One Date: January 30, 2026 (10 Year Anniversary Vinyl) Label: NPG Records / Sony Music Format / Type: 2LP Vinyl Country: Worldwide Catalogue: 19658730191 TRACK LIST Side One • Million $ Show (feat. Judith Hill) • Shut This Down (feat. Rita Ora) • Ain’t About 2 Stop (feat. Rita Ora) • Like a Mack (feat. Curly Fryz) • This Could B Us Side Two • Fallinlove2nite • X’s Face • Hardrocklover • Mr. Nelson (feat. Lianne La Havas) • 1000 X’s & O’s • June THE STORY HitnRun Phase One was originally released exclusively on Tidal on September 7, 2015, followed by a CD release on September 15, 2015 via NPG Records. On January 30, 2026, it received its first-ever vinyl release as a 10 Year Anniversary edition, bringing Prince’s bold, experimental late-period work to the format for the first time. CONTEXT & NOTES The album blends funk, pop, and EDM textures with guest appearances and reworked Prince classics. It features contributions from 3RDEYEGIRL, Judith Hill, Rita Ora, Lianne La Havas, and others. Initial critical reception was mixed (Metacritic 53), but it has since been appreciated as a snapshot of Prince’s restless creativity in his final years. PERSONNEL Prince – vocals, guitars, keyboards, production Judith Hill – vocals (Million $ Show) Rita Ora – vocals (Shut This Down, Ain’t About 2 Stop) Curly Fryz – vocals (Like a Mack) Lianne La Havas – vocals (Mr. Nelson) 3RDEYEGIRL, The Hornheads, NPG Hornz, Stringenius – additional musicians CHARTS Weekly Charts Billboard 200: Peak #40 (posthumous re-entry) PACKAGING / ARTWORK HIGHLIGHTS Iconic afro / triple sunglasses illustration by Martin Homent 10 Year Anniversary sticker on shrinkwrap Slio Sleeve and full-color inner sleeves with complete lyrics Picture disc labels featuring the Prince WHAT THE SLEEVE SHOWS The front cover displays a striking stylized illustration of Prince with a large afro and iconic triple sunglasses against a blue, white, and brown background with bold “PRINCE” and “HITnRUN phase one” typography. The back cover features the full tracklist in two columns. Inner sleeves contain complete lyrics. The vinyl labels replicate the face design on Side One and the chain motif on Side Two. RELATED MATERIAL See tags at foot of page. SOURCES Official release images, Discogs, Wikipedia, Label archives. and sleevographia2. All album artwork, photographs, labels, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.

Prince’s soulful, organic late‑period masterpiece HitnRun Phase Two finally arrives on vinyl (and CD) worldwide — a decade after its digital debut and months after its cult status solidified. RELEASE / PUBLICATION DETAILS Artist: Prince Title: HitnRun Phase Two Date: January 30, 2026 (Worldwide 2LP & CD) Label: NPG Records / Legacy Recordings Format / Type: 2LP Vinyl & CD Country: Worldwide TRACK LIST Side A • Baltimore • Rocknroll Loveaffair • 2 Y. 2 D. Side B • Look At Me, Look At U • Stare • Xtraloveable Side C • Groovy Potential • When She Comes • Screwdriver Side D • Black Muse • Revelation • Big City THE STORY HitnRun Phase Two was originally released exclusively on Tidal on December 12, 2015. It received limited CD distribution at Paisley Park shows in early 2016 and a worldwide CD release on May 6, 2016. On January 30, 2026, the album received its first-ever vinyl release alongside a new CD edition, completing the long-awaited physical rollout of Prince’s final studio album.ollout of Prince’s final studio album. CONTEXT & NOTES Featuring a warmer, more organic sound with prominent brass from the NPG Hornz and contributions from Booker T. Jones, the album is widely regarded as one of Prince’s strongest late-career works. It includes the emotionally powerful “Baltimore,” written in response to the death of Freddie Gray. The album earned generally positive reviews and strong commercial performance, particularly after Prince’s passing. PERSONNEL Prince – vocals, guitars, keyboards, production Eryn Allen Kane – vocals (Baltimore) Ledisi – vocals (Big City) NPG Hornz (Adrian Crutchfield, Marcus Anderson, Philip Lassiter, etc.) Booker T. Jones – engineering contributions Michael Nelson, Marcus Anderson, others – string & horn arrangements PRODUCTION Produced by Prince Horn & string arrangements by Michael Nelson, Adrian Crutchfield, Marcus Anderson, Lynn Grisset, Philip Lassiter CHARTS Weekly Charts US Billboard 200: Peak #40 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Peak #5 US Top R&B Albums: Peak #3 (May 21, 2016) PACKAGING / ARTWORK HIGHLIGHTS First-ever vinyl release (2LP) Simultaneous 2026 CD reissue Double LP format for vinyl RELATED MATERIAL See tags at foot of page. SOURCES Wikipedia, Discogs, Sleevographia2 All album artwork, photographs, labels, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. Tags: Prince, HitnRun Phase Two, 2026 Release, NPG Records, HitnRun Era, Baltimore, Prince Vinyl, Late Career Prince

Paint a perfect picture / Bring 2 life the vision in one's mind. 1) Minneapolis Airport “I Would Die 4 U” was designed by the Bloomington-based muralist Rock ‘Cyfi’ Martinez it measured 16 ft by 24 and was located on the tram level of Terminal 1 throughout 2020 as part of the airport’s arts program. 1) Minneapolis Airport “I Would Die 4 U” was designed by the Bloomington-based muralist Rock ‘Cyfi’ Martinez it measured 16 ft by 24 and was located on the tram level of Terminal 1 throughout 2020 as part of the airport’s arts program. 2) Floyd’s 99 Barbershop Find this mural based on an image of Prince during his Purple Rain Tour in Long Beach, California in 1985 by Los Angeles artist Jonas Never on the side of the 424 building on Washington Avenue in the North Loop neighbourhood of downtown Minneapolis 3) 518 E Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55414 Good food, good atmosphere GREAT decoration! 4) Midtown Greenway Minneapolis Under the Aldrich Avenue bridge this mural arrived in 2019 It was by the street art crew Kamp Seedorf who travelled from Almere in the Netherlands. Unfortunately, being paper based this mural was only temporary. 5) Baby I’m a Star Mural 928 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis Painted by Greg Gossel, 6) Chanhassen Cinema 570 Market St, Chanhassen Painted by Mr G Hoete in 2016 on the back of the cinema 7) 2546 Hennepin Ave S Minneapolis Another mural by Rock ‘Cyfi’ Martinez, painted in 2016 and located behind the Sencha Tea building 8) Schmitt Music Mural 94 S 10th St, Minneapolis, MN 55403 Painted in 1972, in 1977 Robert Whitman took some of the first professional pictures of Prince with this now famous Minneapolis landmark. Rumour has it that the adjacent parking lot may soon be built on, so see this while you can! 9) Purple Raindrop Esther Osayande’s 15ft tall Purple Raindrop sculpture arrived in 2018 and can be found at the 26th Avenue at the entrance to Theodore Wirth Park 10) Little Red Corvette Mural – Henderson, MN, Painted artist Moises Suriel on the side of 522 Main St Henderson is about 45 minutes outside of Minneapolis and served as the filming location for Prince & Apollonia’s ‘Lake Minnetonka’ scenes in Purple Rain. The bench and statue also located here have now been moved to a local store “Heart Of Henderson” 11) The W Hotel 21 S Marquette Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55402 (also home to the Foshay Tower Museum & Observation Deck, well worth a visit)

Big white mansion Top of the road Latest fashion Happy, don't you know? 1) 5539 N Newton Ave Minneapolis, MN 55405 Purchased by Prince’s father in 1972 when Prince was 14. John L. Nelson lived here until the mid 80s — In later life Prince brought the property himself and it was lived in by his sister Tyka 2) 2620 8th Ave. N Minneapolis MN 55411 Purchased by his parents in 1965 when he was seven 7 years old, the 8th Ave house would be Prince’s home until 1970. 3) 518 E Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55414 Good food, good atmosphere GREAT decoration! 4) 9401 Kiowa Trail Chanhassen, MN 55317 The site of Prince’s Purple House, his home from 1981 to 1985 when he gave the house to his father who lived there until he passed away in 2001 Prince recorded Controversy and 1999, here, as well as portions of Sign O’ The Times. Prince had the house demolished in 2003 and the land was sold after his passing. The current owners built a new property but Prince’s gated entrance remains When visiting any of these locations please remember that these are homes belonging to real people, you are there representing the Purple Family, make us proud.

I know life is much to drink, I was there I know right now it's hard to think, I don't care But it's time for you and me to wonder, why we are here Maybe we should roll to the rock and rumble Calhoun Square Let's roll 1) CALHOUN SQUARE “Meet me there, If you dare, Calhoun Square!” 3001 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408 Now rebranded as Seven Points, Calhoun Square was a shopping centre close to the original NPG Store. It featured as a destination in the song of the same name on 1998’s Crystal Ball album. Before it’s name change it featured a tribute to Prince with a beautiful painted piano which sadly has now been removed. 2) UPTOWN “Everybody’s going Uptown; that’s where I wanna be Uptown, set your mind free” 2962 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55408 One of the oldest cinemas in the Twin Cities the Uptown Theatre first opened in 1916. The 60-foot tower once featured a revolving beam of light marking the Uptown area of Minneapolis and could be seen for miles around. The Uptown screened mostly foreign and art films, running cult films at midnight screenings. It ran The Rocky Horror Picture Show from May 19, 1978 through 1997. Sadly the venue closed during the Covid -19 pandemic. 3) GLAM SLAM 110 North 5th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55403 Prince opened the Minneapolis Glam Slam nightclub in 1989, in 1992 the alley way behind the venue was used to film the My Name Is Prince video. 4) BUNKERS 761 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401 A great live music venue, Prince occasionally guested with the ‘house band’ Dr. Mambo’s Combo who play every Sunday. Thursday nights currently feature Funk at the Bunk with The Time’s Jellybean Johnson (check out the venue website for confirmation) 5) NPG STORE UPTOWN MINNEAPOLIS 1408 W Lake St Minneapolis, MN 55408 Prince opened the New Power Generation store on August 3, 1993, sadly nothing is left to remind you of Days Of Wild 6) “Rock ‘n’ roll will never die like the Minnehaha flow” Minnehaha Park 4801 S Minnehaha Drive Minneapolis, MN 55417 A beautiful spot to visit in any season, Minnehaha Falls feature in Prince’s 1995 Rock ‘N’ Roll Is Alive! (And It Lives In Minneapolis) which he recorded as a direct response to Lenny Kravitz’s song Rock And Roll Is Dead. The Sea Salt Eatery by the falls is highly recommended for great sea food (with vegetarian options) 7) THE DAKOTA 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403 Prince performed here for 7 performances in January 2013 and often attended other gigs at this wonderful intimate venue. 8) ELECTRIC FETUS 2000 4th Ave. S Minneapolis, MN 55404 Prince’s favourite Wrecka Stow, ’nuff said 9) THE ORPHEUM 910 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403 Built in 1921 to host vaudeville acts, The Orpheum was later converted into a movie theater. Minnesota native Bob Dylan purchased the shuttered theater in 1979, and repurposed it into a performance space. This is where Prince first headlined a major downtown venue on February 9, 1980. It also served as a filming location for the film Purple Rain, all of the backstage scenes from the movie were filmed here as the backstage are at First Avenue was too small. 10) TARGET CENTER 600 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55403 Prince played The Target Center four times December 10th and 11th 1997, August 25th 1997 and July 7th 2007. These pictures are a current display in the arena (which is open to the public) 11) THE CAPRI THEATRE 2027 W Broadway Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55411 The site of Prince’s first-ever concerts as a solo artist on January 5 and 6 1979. Backed by André Cymone, Bobby Z., Matt (Dr) Fink, Gayle Chapman, and Dez Dickerson Prince performed to an audience including members of the music press and executives from Warner Bros. Records. In his review of the first show, the Star Tribune‘s Jon Bream wrote that Prince “strutted across the stage with grand Mick Jagger-like moves and gestures. He was cool, he was cocky, and he was sexy.”

1) First Avenue. First Avenue and 7th St Entry are iconic music venues located in a renowned building in the heart of downtown Minneapolis. The nightclub is positioned at the intersection of First Avenue North and 7th Street North, which inspired their names. Locally, they are affectionately known as The Mainroom and The Entry. Constructed in 1937, the building served as the Minneapolis depot for Greyhound Lines for 31 years. In 1970, Allan Fingerhut bought the property and transformed it into a nightclub. Throughout the 1980s, First Avenue thrived, becoming a pivotal landmark in the music and entertainment scene. It played a crucial role in pioneering the '80s funk rock subgenre through the Minneapolis sound and was the main venue for local icon Prince. Since gaining prominence in the 1980s, First Avenue has welcomed numerous celebrated local and national music acts. The venue's exterior is adorned with over 400 large stars, honoring these artists and other significant figures to the city. The historical and cultural importance of the venue has garnered recognition both locally and nationally. Journalist David Carr, in The New York Times, noted that the cultural significance and history of First Avenue is paralleled by only a handful of clubs in the United States, such as CBGB, Maxwell's, Metro Chicago, and the 9:30 Club. Additionally, it was among the first clubs to feature Black artists in the predominantly segregated music scene of Minneapolis. Discrimination had erected a racial barrier within the Minneapolis music scene. Encouraged by Dunlap to compose their own songs, Jimmy Jam and the 11-member band Mind & Matter managed to overcome this obstacle with engagements secured by McClellan in the mid-1970s. After initially booking Black acts like the one-hit wonder Lipps, Inc., featuring lead singer Cynthia Johnson, McClellan made the pivotal decision to book Prince in 1981 for $2,500, in addition to a portion of the ticket sales. "Purple Rain" was recorded live in 1983 by a Record Plant truck at an August show and later became the title for the film Purple Rain. Prince's management offered First Avenue $100,000 to film in the main room from late November to December 1983, ensuring the Entry stayed open. Many club employees appeared as extras in the movie. The production contributed a patch panel and dimmer packs to the club. While McClellan worried that the audience shifted from true music enthusiasts to tourists, he and Meyers appreciated the increase in revenue. In 2000, First Avenue & 7th St Entry released a promotional book titled "First Avenue & 7th Street Entry: Your Downtown 'Danceteria' Since 1970," authored, edited, and designed by Rebecca Noran. The book chronicles the club's history. Additionally, the club briefly issued a magazine called "First Avenue In House" from September 1998 to August 2000. 2) First Ave, Depot. The Depot Tavern opened in 2010 next door to the 7th St Entry. The bar and restaurant has live video feeds from both the Mainroom and the Entry. 3) The Crystal Court within The IDS Centre 80 South 8th Street, Minneapolis Built in 1972 The IDS Centre soars 792 feet into the Minneapolis skyline. The lobby and shopping area at the bottom of the tower is known as The Crystal Court and the skyway level was the location used for the scenes between Prince and Apollonia outside the guitar store. The area still looks very similar and is open to the public seven days a week. (Sadly, there are no shops selling white cloud guitars now) 4) The Kid’s’ House (Exterior) 3420 Snelling Ave Minneapolis, MN 55406, USA An easy walk from the Minneapolis Blue Line Light Rail stop at 38th Street this was the house used for the exterior of ‘The Kid’s’ troubled family home in Purple Rain. Prince’s NPG Music Publishing purchased the property in 2015.

A major retrospective article in The Log Cabin Democrat (June 28, 2025) examining famous music projects that were planned, recorded, or completed but ultimately scrapped or shelved, with prominent coverage of Prince’s legendary “The Black Album” as a central example of a finished work that was deliberately withheld. Publication: The Log Cabin Democrat Date: June 28, 2025 Country: United States Section: Entertainment / Music History THE STORY WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS The feature explores the phenomenon of ambitious albums that were fully realized but never officially released due to creative decisions, label issues, or personal circumstances. Prince’s “The Black Album” — recorded in 1987 as a dark, funk-heavy project — is highlighted as a prime case: it was pulled at the last minute, with promo copies leaking and becoming highly collectible. The article also discusses other notable lost projects by The Beach Boys, Dr. Dre, Jimi Hendrix, and more. Large headline “The lost albums” with a striking live photo of Prince performing. Dense, multi-column text by David Bauder (AP) covering several artists’ unreleased works. Classic newspaper layout with prominent Prince imagery and detailed historical analysis. CONTEXT AND NOTES FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS Published on June 28, 2025, this piece reflects on the hidden side of music history — projects that were abandoned or suppressed — using Prince’s “The Black Album” as a key example of a finished record that was intentionally held back, later influencing bootleg culture and his official catalog. Event: Music history retrospective on unreleased / scrapped albums Era: 2025 reflection on 1960s–2000s lost projects Tone: Analytical, historical, engaging Photography: Dynamic live image of Prince in performance RELATED MATERIAL: For other related posts, see the tags at the foot of the page. All magazine scans, photographs, and original text excerpts referenced in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.