Mayor RT Rybak's office

The adventures of the fifth grade class of Green Central Elementary School will be chronicled in an exhibition of photos titled “History Comes Alive” at the Minneapolis City Hall office of Mayor R.T. Rybak. The show runs from March 7 through April 30. A reception will launch the show on Friday, March 7 from 5 PM until 7 PM in the mayor’s office (350 South 5th Street, Room 333).

Dawn Vogel, owner of Luminous Concepts Photography, captured the images when she accompanied the group on a trip to the Black Hills of South Dakota last June. The journey, a first for the students of Green Central, was made possible through the vision of 5th-grade teacher Ceola McClure Lazo who wanted to go beyond the traditional curriculum and “make history real” for her students.

What started as a history module grew to include lessons in goal-setting, overcoming obstacles, and sales as the children set out to raise money for the trip. The excitement of their success was contagious, inspiring Mayor Rybak and adults from throughout the community to get involved. The result of the combined efforts was a four-day bus trip to the Black Hills of South Dakota for forty students and fifteen adult chaperones. Many of the adults were so moved by the experience, they were determined to help fund similar opportunities for fifth-graders in 2009.

Vogel’s photos will also be featured at a fashion show fund-raiser in support of the Green Central program. The show, titled Fashioning a Dream, is the culmination of the efforts of a group of independent business owners on both sides of the river in downtown Minneapolis and Northeast.

Fashioning a Dream will be held on April 12 from 3PM until 5 PM at Picosa (65 Main St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414). Emceed by Patrick Scully of Patrick’s Cabaret, Key North and gh2 will anchor the fashions, with Decor-Ation providing the jewelry. Level Salon will design hair and makeup, and students from Green Central School will entertain under the direction of choreographer Zoe Sealy. Appetizers, coffee, and tea will be served and validated parking provided in the Riverplace ramp at SE Bank Street and 2nd Street SE.

Tickets, priced at $50 and $150 (Sponsor-a-Child), go on sale February 20 at these locations: Key North, 515 1st Avenue NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413, 612.455.6666, and Level Salon, 903 Washington Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55415, 612.659.8212