Mixed Blood Theatre to Hold 40th Anniversary Gala at Paisley Park, 5/14

Mixed Blood Theatre mourns, along with the world, the loss of Minnesota's own Prince. The Minnesota-based theatre company will celebrate its 40th anniversary by hosting a gala, as previously scheduled, on May 14 at Paisley Park Studios.

Paisley Park staff has assured us that "Prince wanted this event to happen." With that in mind, Mixed Blood looks forward with humility and delight to celebrating 40 years of art and social justice at Paisley Park on May 14th.

The gala after-party, held following the main event, will take place at Paisley Park from 9:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m. It will be comprised of a dance party celebrating Mixed Blood's 40 years, and will include a Prince music tribute spun by DJ Breakbeat Lou (co-creator of Ultimate Breaks and Beats).

Mixed Blood Managing Director Amanda White Thietje noted, "Mixed Blood announced its 40th anniversary gala at Paisley Park in March, and since Prince's tragic loss, the team has struggled with how to respectfully proceed. After working closely with the team at Paisley Park, it is clear to all parties that the event supports the ideals of both Mixed Blood and Prince: a commitment to illuminating and celebrating pluralism, the pursuit of social justice and equity where it cannot be found, and the lifting up of Minnesota artists of color. Mixed Blood is honored to celebrate turning 40 at Paisley Park."

Mixed Blood Theatre invites all to join in the celebration at Paisley Park on May 14. Gala tickets start at $175 and are available until May 6. After-party tickets are just $40 and are on sale until May 9. There are a limited number available, so prospective attendees are encouraged to act now. Tickets can be purchased online at www.mixedblood.com/gala, by phone at 612-338-7106 or via email at whitney@mixedblood.com. Donations to Mixed Blood Theatre in honor of its 40th Anniversary can also be directed to the email and phone number previously listed.

ABOUT MIXED BLOOD THEATRE

Mixed Blood Theatre has invited the global village into its audience and onto its stage for its unique brand of provocative, inclusive, and predictably unpredictable theater since 1976. With programming in its historic firehouse in Minneapolis, in satellite venues throughout the Upper Midwest, and in the national workplace, Mixed Blood leads audiences to a much larger world, using relevant and entertaining theater to spawn a ripple effect of social change. Winner of numerous awards for its human rights and artistic accomplishments, Mixed Blood pays positive attention to differences and champions access. The company annually serves 75,000 people through its mainstage season of new plays, a regional tour of 5-7 shows, and a series of customized productions addressing workplace inclusion. In 2011, Mixed Blood launched Radical Hospitality, providing no-cost access to mainstage productions.