Art Hounds: Queer Muslim friendship, children’s literature and front-porch jams

From MPR News, Art Hounds are members of the Minnesota arts community who look beyond their own work to highlight what’s exciting in local art. Their recommendations are lightly edited from the audio heard in the player above. 

Want to be an Art Hound? Submit here.

Queer Muslim coming-of-age on stage

Anita Chikkatur of Minneapolis is an educator and theater enthusiast. She’s excited for Theater Mu’s production of “Maybe You Could Love Me,” a new play by Samah Meghjee.

The story follows the evolving friendship between two queer Muslim women across three stages of life — childhood, adolescence and adulthood — all portrayed by the same pair of actors. Directed by Katie Bradley, the play opens Theater Mu’s 2025–26 season.

“Maybe You Could Love Me” runs through Sept. 28 at Mixed Blood Theatre in Minneapolis, with previews beginning today.

Anita says: One of the things that I love about Theatre Mu is that it showcases the very diverse experiences of the Asian American communities in the United States

We need to kind of understand how diverse Asian Americans are across sort of cultures, nationalities, religion, sexuality, immigration status and so on.

— Anita Chikkatur

A celebration of children’s literature in Red Wing

Children’s book author Peter Pearson of Minneapolis is looking forward to the Minnesota Children’s Book Festival at the Anderson Center in Red Wing.

The event gathers a wide range of Minnesota writers and illustrators to speak, sign books, and lead activities for children and families. Attendees can explore the estate's Art Barn, sculpture garden, and grounds.

The events has a strong lineup this year, including Art Coulson, Justice Alan Page, Cristina Oxtra, Chris Monroe, Pete Hautman and Molly Beth Griffin.

The Minnesota Children’s Book Festival takes place Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Anderson Center in Red Wing.

Peter says: It’s just really wonderful. They have a really good lineup this year.

Just a lot of really good folks, picture book all the way up to YA stuff. So there’s really something for everyone.

— Peter Pearson

Music on every block at Rochester Porchfest

Ken Simurdiak of Rochester recalls the first time he and his wife stumbled upon Porchfest, a grassroots neighborhood music event in the Kutzky Park area.

Local bands perform on porches across the neighborhood while audiences stroll, bike, or bring lawn chairs to enjoy the performances. With four bands playing each hour, attendees can hear a wide variety of styles, including blues, rock and folk.

Porchfest takes place Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Rochester’s Kutzky Park neighborhood.

Ken remembers: Every hour, four bands would play, all located at different houses. And so we walked around looking for music that we liked, and there’s a variety, everything from blues to rock to folk.

And after that, we were hooked, and we have been attending ever since

— Ken Simurdiak