In August 2011 it was exactly 30 years since the debut ‘Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash’ by American rock band The Replacements saw the light of day. It is a point of reference in musical history that AB makes good use of to present a number of concerts, film screenings, exhibitions and readings in the 2011-2012 season, all under the title ‘Minneapolis, Mon Amour’.
 
That homebase Minneapolis now appears to have been a free port for idiosyncratic musical developments, far away from hip cultural hubs like New York and San Francisco. Aside from indie-rock (the already mentioned Replacements, Soul Asylum, Hüsker Dü), hip-hop is also a highlight there. Labels like Twin/Tone and Rhymesayers and concert hall First Avenue (just call it the local AB) all play an important role in this unique tale.

What's more, AB also presents 3 exhibitions as part of Minneapolis, Mon Amour (on the TV-screens at the entrance to the Main Hall):
 
16/10 – 31/10: Twin/Tone Records (selection of album artwork).
This label is a common factor throughout Minneapolis' musical history. Active in the punk- and rock scene from 1977 to 1994, the label was responsible for the (inter)national breakthrough of local performers like The Replacements, The Jayhawks, Babes In Toyland and Soul Asylum.
www.twintone.com
 
1/11 – 30/11: Seven Years with Atmosphere & Rhymesayers (photography by Dan Monick).
Photographer Dan Monick tailed the scene around hip-hop label Rhymesayers for 7 years long and compiled countless photos in the book ‘Seven Years with Atmosphere & Rhymesayers’.
www.dmonick.com
 
1/12 – 23/12: A visual history of First Avenue (photography by Daniel Corrigan).
Active for years now, Daniel Corrigan is pretty much the main photographer of the Minneapolis music scene. As such, he was also in the front row for all sorts of concerts in First Avenue. AB presents a selection of his work.
www.danielcorrigan.com
 
Competition
In collaboration with Meet Minneapolis and Radio 1, AB is giving away an exclusive entertainment package containing:
 
•    Duo tickets to all Minneapolis, Mon Amour concerts in AB.
•    A city-trip for 2 to Minneapolis that includes flights, 3 nights accommodation, access to concerts in the First Avenue concert hall (just call it the local AB), access to museums, a theatre show and a sightseeing tour.
 
What do you have to do? As off October 10th go to the Radio 1 website , listen to the Sonar radioshow and take part in the Minneapolis, Mon Amour music quiz.
 
The date of departure for the city-trip will be arranged with the winner. What's more, the winner is to write a report (with photos) of their Minneapolis trip for the AB website.