Maura Ryan | Party Pictures and our Party Patrol bloggers take on the party scene in Minneapolis and St. Paul from mspmag.com

Midway Contemporary Art’s The Judgment of Paris

By Maura Ryan | Photos by Maura Ryan | Event Date: Friday, April 29, 2011
Posted on May 6, 2011 | Categories: Arts Scene, Benefits + Fundraisers

Who: A trifecta of artists, curators, and art collectors

What: The 7th annual benefit for Midway Contemporary Art

Where: Jeune Lune, Minneapolis

When: Friday, April 29, 2011

Why: To raise funds for a gallery that sees itself as a place “for what’s new on the artistic horizon.”

The artsy crowd packed the party space du jour—Jeune Lune—for Midway Contemporary Art’s 7th annual benefit art auction, this year deemed The Judgment of Paris, which we heard was a nod to Greek mythology, and the art representing the “hot or not” contest among Hera, Aphrodite, and Athena.

CommonBond Communties’ 2011 Grande Gala

By Maura Ryan | Photos by Photos by Maura Ryan | Event Date: April 8, 2011
Posted on April 14, 2011 | Categories: Benefits + Fundraisers, Galas, VIPs

Who: Partners and patrons of the affordable housing nonprofit

What: CommonBond Communties’ 2011 Grande Gala

Where: Saint Paul River Centre

When: April 8, 2011

Why: To help those in need with affordable housing and services

When 900 people raised $550,000 for CommonBond Communities at their annual Grande Gala 2011, the night’s theme “There’s no place like home” couldn’t be more true.

The Sanneh Foundation’s Gala 4 Goals

By Maura Ryan | Photos by Photos by Maura Ryan | Event Date: Saturday, March 12, 2011
Posted on March 16, 2011 | Categories: Athletes, Benefits + Fundraisers, Galas

Who: Soccer moms, players, coaches and lots of friends of Tony Sanneh’s foundation

What: Drinks, apps, a silent auction, awards, dancing, and mingling with soccer hot shots

Where: TCF Bank Stadium

When: Saturday, March 12, 2011

Why: The first annual gala raised funds for the foundation and shined a light on leaders in the field

On Saturday, the Who’s Who of the Twin Cities soccer scene kicked off the first annual Gala 4 Goals, a fundraiser for The Sanneh Foundation at the TCF Bank Stadium. The Sanneh Foundation, founded by former soccer pro Tony Sanneh—you know, that guy who provided an assist to Brian McBride to score a winning goal in the 2002 World Cup game against Portugal—supports programs that help urban youth succeed.

Mpls.St.Paul Magazine's Best of the Best Party 2011

By Maura Ryan | Photos by Kurt Moses | Event Date: February 21, 2011
Posted on February 28, 2011 | Categories: Benefits + Fundraisers, Foodies, Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, Restaurateurs, Special Events

Who: Friends and family of Mpls.St.Paul Magazine

What: Best of the Best Party 2011

When: February 21, 2011

Where: Windows on Minnesota

Why: Our annual bash celebrating great food and drink

Despite the snowy outcast this past President’s Day, more than 800 people were game for Mpls.St.Paul Magazine’s annual Best of the Best Party at Windows on Minnesota, which offered a vast view of the Minneapolis skyline.

The Minnesota Zoo’s Azul Launch Party “Warm Up in the Wild”

By Maura Ryan | Photos by Photos by Maura Ryan | Event Date: Saturday, February 19, 2011
Posted on February 25, 2011 | Categories: Special Events

Who: People passionate about animals and their habitats

What: Warm Up in the Wild, the launch party for Azul

Where: The Minnesota Zoo at the Tropics Trail

When: Saturday, February 19, 2011

Why: To get adults excited about the zoo, conservation, and sustainability

If you’re not lucky enough to escape the wrath of winter 2011—a balmy oasis in Apple Valley awaits you with more the 500 species of animals to appreciate. On Saturday, about 165 people made the trek to the Minnesota Zoo for the launch party for Azul, a group of young professionals who care about conservation.