Gov. Mark Dayton, Sen. Al Franken and Vikings punter Chris Kluwe don’t often appear in the same sentence, but they’re all scheduled to appear in MinnRoast 2013.
Dayton is returning for his third performance as governor, and Franken for his third as senator, at MinnRoast, MinnPost’s annual event gently skewering politicians, journalists and people in the news. This year’s date is Friday evening, April 26.
Kluwe is scheduled to make his first appearance. Salon’s No. 1 sexiest man of 2012, Kluwe was covered by MinnPost and other media for his vigorous arguments against the marriage amendment.
Other well-known cast members include Mayors RT Rybak of Minneapolis, Chris Coleman of St. Paul and Don Ness of Duluth, former gubernatorial candidates Tom Emmer and Tom Horner, and Governor Dayton’s press secretary Katharine Tinucci.
Journalists and media personalities to date include Brian ‘BT’ Turner, CyndyBrucato, Al Sicherman, Joe Kimball, Lee Lynch and Joel Kramer.
The show will start at 7:30 pm at the Pantages Theatre in downtown Minneapolis. A pre-show reception next door at SEVEN will feature heavy hors d’oeuvres, welcome cocktails and a cash bar. A post-roast party for cast members, event sponsors and their guests will follow the show.
Like the Gridiron Dinner in Washington, MinnRoast makes fun of both journalists and politicians -- and we do it gently, Minnesota-style. Many people who come tell us it is the best event they go to all year.
Starting with 400 attendees in 2008, MinnRoast more than doubled in size to about 900 by 2012. The core audience includes newsmakers and news junkies -- community leaders, politicians, print and broadcast media, and philanthropic Minnesotans who appreciate MinnPost’s thoughtful approach to news.
Sponsorships and ticket purchases support the important work done by MinnPost journalists.