MinneCulture

Author: KFAI

MinneCulture is KFAIs award-winning audio storytelling program, exploring Minnesotas art, culture, and history. We tell stories about musical sensations, small town heroes, cultural icons, local lore, and everything in between. We highlight the diverse experiences and lives of the place we all call home. Support for MinneCulture on KFAI is provided by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
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Genres: Arts, Performing Arts, Visual Arts

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10K Fresh Voices | 140 Years Ago Mexican Musicians Made their Minneapolis Mark
Thursday, 3 September, 2026

In the 19th century, the Minneapolis Industrial Expo, an event intended to rival the Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul, made an impact on the history of Mexicans in the state. In 1886, the festival hosted 56 musicians from Mexico as headliners, and at least one of those musicians — Luis Garzon — ended up staying and becoming a community leader here. Meanwhile, Luis’s brother, Gabriel Garzon, and band leader Juan Macias, wrote tunes for the band that would be published as piano sheet music, the first published material by Mexican artists in the state. KFAI’s Sheila Regan tells us about this historic visit and efforts to preserve and share the story of Latinos in Minnesota. This story was written and produced by Sheila Regan. Erika Janik is the managing editor of MinneCulture. Support for MinneCulture comes from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.