POPS News

Watch this page for the latest news about the POPS committee and its activity.

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POPS POST Volume 2 Number 1

March 2024

Hello POPS enthusiasts!

The POPS Committee is thrilled to announce the POPS Gala II featuring Mollie B and Squeezebox with Ted Lange. This fundraiser dance/concert will be held October 4th at the Park Ballroom. Click on the image on the left or the link below to read more in this edition of our POPS POST newsletter.

Click here or on the image on the left to read the full newsletter.

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POPS POST Volume 1 Number 9

January 2024

Special Edition

Hello POPS enthusiasts!

The New Prague City Council voted Jan. 16 to provide a public space for the Praha Outdoor Performance Stage (POPS) facility at City Center on the west end of downtown. Click on the image on the left or the link below to read more in this Special Edition of our POPS POST newsletter.

Click here or on the image on the left to read the full newsletter.

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POPS POST Volume 1 Number 8

December 2023

What we have in common with Paul Revere and the Raiders

Hello POPS enthusiasts!

You know, there’s a revolution coming to New Prague. And it’s a good one. Check out our newsletter for more information on this revolution!

This issue includes an update on our activities and great news regarding our fundraising goal.

There's also information on why the arts are important to our country, our state, our community and us as individuals.

Click here or on the image on the left to read the full newsletter.

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POPS POST Volume 1 Number 7

October 2023

Joe Maddon and the Beatles Got it Right – ‘It’s Time!’

Hello POPS enthusiasts!

Somebody called me an “outlier” the other day. I wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or a criticism. Then I remembered reading Malcolm Gladwell’s book “Outliers.” (Read more)

Park Board Moves Site Selection Process for POPS on to the City Council

Fundraising Subcommittee Nears $600,000 in Three-Year Pledges in Year 1

POPS Offers New App for Support in Fundraising Efforts

Click here or on the image on the left to read the full newsletter.

POPS COMMITTEE APPLAUDS PARK BOARD DECISION ON SITE SELECTION

The Praha Outdoor Performance Stage (POPS) Committee is pleased the New Prague Park Board has taken the next step in securing a location for the outdoor venue and moving the site selection to the New Prague City Council for possible action.

“We applaud the efforts of the Park Board to approve a motion to accept the Bolton & Menk study conducted on the three possible sites for the Praha Outdoor Performance Stage (POPS) project in New Prague and forward it to the New Prague City Council,” Den Gardner, chair of the POPS Committee said. “Secondly, the Park Board’s consensus to the city council that the City Center site was its preferred location is also a step in the right direction.”

It is expected to take time for the city to review the Bolton & Menk study, plus review the recommendation regarding the site. The three sites the city has offered as possible locations for the POPS building are Memorial Park, City Center and the Sliding Hill Skate Park. All are city-owned properties.

As has been noted often in recent months, the POPS Committee mission is: “To build a multi-purpose outdoor performance facility to celebrate the arts and other community gatherings from music to theatre to dance to visual arts and much more.”

Gardner said the committee has always felt, regardless of the rankings in the Bolton & Menk site study, that it was the role of the city in making the location decision. “The city has been gracious in providing the land – we understand its role in picking the spot in the city. The recommendation by the Park Board is the next step and we are eager for the city to take the necessary steps to review these motions and recommendations.”

The Bolton & Menk study had ranked Memorial Park as the number one site for POPS, with the Sliding Hill Skate Park and City Center ranking about the same. However, the study pointed out that all three sites could work for building the facility.

The POPS Committee leadership and a representative of Bolton & Menk will likely present its findings to the city council at the Nov. 20 meeting. It is unknown regarding the timeframe of the city council for action on the site selection.

The POPS project has raised nearly $600,000 in year one, working toward a $1 million in private funding by the end of 2025. “We will continue to be diligent in reaching out to businesses and individuals the rest of this year and 2024 to meet our goals,” Gardner said. “The people of New Prague have made it clear they want this facility to celebrate the arts and families. We are eager to raise the money to make this happen.”

It is expected that the facility will host summer concerts, dance recitals, theatre productions, church services, visual art events, private group outings and much more. For more information, contact Den Gardner, chair of POPS, at: 612/325-3981. Or email dengardner@gandgcomm.com. The POPS web site is: www.nppops.org.

POPS GALA October 28, 2023

Celebrate Good Times -- It's Time!

Hello POPS enthusiasts!

Who can say it better than Kool and the Gang? “Celebrate Good Times, Come On!” Nobody folks. If you’re reading this and don’t live in a cave, you know that the Praha Outdoor Performance Stage (POPS) Committee and its Leadership Team are taking a brief moment to “celebrate.”

Put 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 28, at the Park Ballroom on your calendars for our celebration of all we've accomplished so far. Read this edition of our newsletter for more information on this FREE event!

Click here for more information

KCHK radio spot for
POPS Gala

NP POPS FundraiserKCHK Radio

00:00 / 00:51

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POPS POST Volume 1 Number 6

September 2023

Celebrate Good Times -- It's Time!

Hello POPS enthusiasts!

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Click here or on the image above to view the full report

Site Feasibility Study report as discussed

at the special Public Meeting

Click on the image on the left or the link below to view the full site feasibility study prepared by Bolton and Menk and discussed at the special public meeting held Wednesday, July 26 at 6:00 pm at Giesenbrau.

Click here or on the image on the left to read the full report.

Click here or on the image above to view the full flyer

Special Public Meeting

We will be presenting the results of the site evaluation review done by Bolton & Menk.

Hello POPS enthusiasts!

Put 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 26, at Giesenbrau Bier Co. on your calendars for our important meeting to learn from Bolton & Menk and the POPS Committee about the priority ranking of the three sites for the POPS venue. This is your time to provide your comments on the project, where it might be built and all other questions surrounding this historic effort in New Prague to build a venue supporting the arts and providing the community with great family entertainment outdoors during the beautiful parts of the year here in Minnesota.

Click here or on the image on the left to read the full flyer.

Click on the image above to view the full flyer

100 for $100K

Be Part of the Praha Outdoor Performance Stage (POPS) Building Project

Hello POPS enthusiasts!

Be one of “100 for $100K” – and pledge $1,000 between now and the end of 2025 (that’s ONLY $30/month or $333/year) during this special summer of ‘23 Music at the Broz fundraising program for POPS!

Click here or on the image on the left to read the full flyer.

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POPS POST Volume 1 Number 4

May 2023

POPS Post is the newsletter of the Praha Outdoor Performance Stage (POPS) Committee.

Hello POPS enthusiasts!

As the Praha Outdoor Performance Stage (POPS) group passes six months in its three-year quest to raise $1 million to build an outdoor performance venue, one should be optimistic. Why?

• We’ve raised $412,000 in three-year pledges (our goal for 2023 is $500,000; it had been $250,000).
• We’ve made 20+ presentations to businesses, individuals, and even one local church explaining, the VAST majority of which have been overwhelmingly supportive.
• We’re having a FREE gala event for the public Oct. 28 featuring two bands (and lots of food/drink and other prizes available) at the Park Ballroom to celebrate year one of our effort.
• We are going to give away a vehicle valued at $20,000 (donated by Palmer and Sue Welcome). Your $20 ticket or three tickets for $50 will support the POPS building effort.

Read the full newsletter for more information ...

Click here or on the image on the left to read the full newsletter.

POPS Update - May, 2023

We have a new radio spot on KCHK Radio. Listen to it here:
Our two fundraising status banners are up downtown. The first one is on the wall adjacent to the new park. A second banner is placed on the east end of town, north side of the road, by Minnwest Bank. Thanks to Eddie Shimota for getting this done.
Bolton & Menk has been chosen to analyze the three city-owned sites to prioritize locations for the POPS building.
The POPS Committee is giving away a vehicle valued at $20,000 (donated by Palmer/Susan Welcome) Oct. 28 at the Park Ballroom. Tickets will be on sale soon for just $20 each as a fundraiser for the POPS Committee.
The Forward New Prague Foundation is the new home of the POPS Committee. Donations should now be payable to: The Forward New Prague Foundation, 305 Columbus Ave. South, New Prague, MN, 55372.

POPS Spring 2023 Radio Spot

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POPS POST Volume 1 Number 3

March 2023

POPS Post is the newsletter of the Praha Outdoor Performance Stage (POPS) Committee of the New Prague Area Arts Council.

Our plan is for this to be a monthly newsletter used to keep the public up to date on what's going on with our effort to raise $1 million to build an outdoor performance facility in New Prague.

Hello, POPS enthusiasts! The great comedian Robin Williams once said: “Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s Party!’”

So, I suggest “Let’s Party” because “It’s Time!”

As spring approaches in just a few weeks (after a long and nasty winter), I thought it time to bring all of you involved in some way or another in the Praha Outdoor Performance Stage (POPS) project an update. You ALL serve a great role in our historic project to get this outdoor performance facility built in New Prague.

Click on the image on the left to read the full newsletter.

POPS Update - January 17, 2023

Our fundraising status banner is up downtown. It is on the wall adjacent to the new park. This is a great addition to our efforts. Thanks to Eddie Shimota for getting this done.

The POPS fundraising committee has released the fundraising proposal for the POPS project. Click here to view the proposal.

We will start running weekly radio spots on KCHK Radio. KCHK is a Bronze sponsor of POPS through this trade for radio spots and quarterly interviews about POPS with community leaders on the building effort.

KCHK Radio Spot

00:00 / 00:45

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POPS POST Volume 1 Number 2

January 2023

POPS Post is the newsletter of the Praha Outdoor Performance Stage (POPS) Committee of the New Prague Area Arts Council.

Our plan is for this to be a monthly newsletter used to keep the public up to date on what's going on with our effort to raise $1 million to build an outdoor performance facility in New Prague.

The new year always brings optimism to me. Well, some would say I’m always optimistic. Heck, I’m 71 and mostly retired. Who wouldn’t be optimistic?! I look at it this way:

“Let’s get excited about the future. I honestly don’t think the past will care!”

The Praha Outdoor Performance Stage (POPS) Leadership Team AND residents of New Prague should be excited about 2023.

Click on the image on the left to read the full newsletter and find out why.

Click on the image above to view the newsletter

POPS POST Volume 1 Number 1

December 2022

POPS Post is the newsletter of the Praha Outdoor Performance Stage (POPS) Committee of the New Prague Area Arts Council.

Our plan is for this to be a monthly newsletter used to keep the public up to date on what's going on with our effort to raise $1 million to build an outdoor performance facility in New Prague.

This first issue talks about our plans and our committee structure. it gives a brief description of each of the sub-committees and their current status. Our financial goals and the three potential sites that have been identified are also discussed.

Click on the image on the left to read the full newsletter.

POPS Donation Reaches $180,000 in pledges with MinnWest Bank contribution

The Praha Outdoor Performance Stage (POPS) Committee of the New Prague Area Arts Council, which announced its building effort recently for New Prague, has received a $75,000 pledge from MinnWest Bank—New Prague. Pictured here are, from left, Tyler Denn, branch sales manager; Den Gardner, chair, POPS Committee; James Eriksrud, market president; and Shannon Brusseau, POPS Fundraising Subcommittee chair. The POPS Committee is working to raise $1 million and are 18% of the way there, with pledged contributions of $180,000 thus far. And 20 other businesses, individuals and community organizations have committed to a donation, the amount to-be-determined.

POPS News

Watch this page for the latest news about the POPS committee and its activity.

KCHK radio spot for POPS Gala

KCHK radio spot for
POPS Gala