Announcing The Great Northern’s Inaugural Festival Producer Incubator
The Great Northern’s Festival Producer Incubator is a five-month intensive program designed to equip individuals with the skills, resources, and mentorship needed to successfully produce high-quality festivals. Through a comprehensive curriculum covering fundraising, staffing, programming, production, marketing, and community engagement, participants will gain hands-on experience and industry insights essential for executing impactful events.
About the program:
Supporting the arts and cultural organizations that are shaping the future of East Lake Street
Lake Street Lift and The Great Northern have partnered to support East Lake Street organizations, artists, and cultural leaders through the Festival Producer Incubator, as part of a shared commitment to community. This program provides grants and mentorship to local festival organizers, delivering financial and operational resources for six Lake Street festivals taking place from May to July 2026.
This investment fosters a stronger, more connected Lake Street. We’re proud to support participating organizations as they bring the community together through meaningful programming and public celebrations.
Festival Participants
Krewe Du Nord (KDN), presented by the Du Nord Foundation, is a free, all-ages festival held in June 2025 celebrating the vibrant cultures of New Orleans and Minneapolis through food, music, and community. KDN is more than a festival—it's a new tradition. The festival is a free to access event because providing community connection for those living along the Lake Street corridor and attract people from around the Twin Cities to experience Lake St. and reconnect with its businesses and cultural vibrancy.
Lake Street Roots, Rock, & Deep-Blues Festival, presented by Hook and Ladder Theatre & Firehouse Performing Arts Center, is an award-winning Twin Cities music/arts festival with over 10 years of history. It will be a day-long celebration of uniquely American Music & Art across 5 performance stages at 4 unique locations, featuring an eclectic mix of 20+ local, regional and national groups, with dance, story-telling, community arts engagements, artisans, food-trucks and a wide variety of musical genres represented. Learn more at thehookmpls.com/
Midtown Arts & Music Festival, presented by The Midtown Global Market, is a vibrant three-day arts and music festival in Spring 2025. The event will be packed with performances, workshops, and immersive activities, all celebrating the diverse cultures represented in the Market's community. Learn more at MidtownGlobalMarket.org
Semilla Center for Healing and the Arts is a local arts nonprofit serving the Phillips neighborhood. The Center is producing the 2025 Mayday Ceremony and Festival, a 50 year tradition that celebrates the power of community and community art in South Minneapolis. This year's Mayday will be on Sunday, May 4. More info to come soon at maydaympls.org!
Somali Museum Dance Festival A vibrant outdoor celebration featuring traditional dance workshops, cultural exhibits, live music, and family-friendly activities. Showcasting Somali heritage, the event will foster cultural pride, engage, diverse audiences, and boost economic vitality on Lake Street. Learn more at somalimuseum.org.
The Soul of the Southside ignites the spirit of Juneteenth and Black Liberation by celebrating the richness of Black culture. The Soul of the Southside Festival is a free annual Juneteenth celebration centering Black culture, creativity, and community. This year’s theme, "Family: A Revolutionary Force," highlights the power of intergenerational connections to inspire change. The festival features live music, immersive art, storytelling, wellness activities, a Black-owned business marketplace, family activities, educational programming, and more. Learn more at soulofthesouthside.com
About the mentors:
Lillie Benowitz (she/they)
is an experienced event producer, relationship weaver, and spiritual tender with a background in program management and creative process. Lillie is the Climate + Family Programs Producer at The Great Northern, namely cultivating the Climate Solutions Series since 2023. She has worked for social healing and spirituality organizations, including The On Being Project and At The Well, doing community engagement and spiritual accompaniment work. They are also the Founder of Sustain Studio, a creative facilitation and intentional convening hub dedicated to tending ways of being together that sustain life. Lillie is based on Dakota Land in Minneapolis, MN.
Mike Bishop
Director of Operations & Lead Producer at Public Functionary
Esther Callahan
is an independent curator, art producer and feminist scholar with roots in Minnesota. Esther has 20+ years of experience in creating and organizing indoor and outdoor arts events around the Twin Cities and beyond. She is committed to the growth of opportunities for local and emerging artists in both for and non-profit spaces. With degrees from Minneapolis College and the University of Minnesota, she uses a research-based practice to explore innovative ways to achieve successful arts engagement that make an impact.
Michaella Holden’s
experience producing events spans over 25 years and has brought her across the States from New York to L.A., and home to Minneapolis. She cut her teeth at Barcelona’s Universal Forum of Cultures and has since produced countless events, concerts, festivals, and marketing activations for thousands of people. As a skilled “experience creator” she has served local arts and civic organizations as well as nationally recognized clients such as the New York Public Library, Cartier, Target, and JDRF. Notable events include opening night galas for Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Opera, a gameday celebration at US Bank Stadium for Super Bowl 52, and the North Loop Fest. As founder of Lucent Blue Events + Design based in Minneapolis, Michaella leads an award-winning team serving nonprofit, corporate, and individual clients on events and festivals in the Twin Cities and across the US. She holds a BA from Barnard College at Columbia University, an MPA from New York University, and a Certificate in Festival Management from the European Festivals Association.
Chris Mode
is a producer and arts administrator who has worked in various capacities to support the creation and performance of new interdisciplinary work in both New York City and the Twin Cities. He was a member of the General Management team at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, executing programming including festivals, site specific work, and special events. As a producer, Chris has worked with the Liquid Music Series, The Great Northern Festival, and Beth Morrison Projects, and has toured internationally with world premiere productions. In the Twin Cities, Chris has held administrative positions with the Guthrie Theater and American Composers Forum. He is thrilled to contribute and learn as a part of this dynamic cohort
Lake Street is the place to be this summer!
From live music performances, dance, and art pop-ups to community celebrations, summer on East Lake Street is full of events that celebrate the talent and spirit of the community, we can’t wait to see you there!
The Great Northern Festival Incubator Program is made possible by funding from DEED and the City of Minneapolis.
Lake Street Lift projects were made possible by funding from DEED and the City of Minneapolis.
