31 January 2024
The St. Paul Winter Carnival is partnering with the Rondo Roundtable on Thursday night to celebrate the first day of Black History Month with the carnival’s second annual Rondo Night.
The downtown St. Paul event will be emceed by Rondo native and Emmy award winner T. Mychael Rambo and include local musical performances, small business booths, entertainment for kids and food from local Caribbean restaurant West Indies Soul.
At the Landmark Center Cortile, the event will feature performances from Kevin Jackson of Walker West Music and Patricia Lacy.
Former St. Paul City Council member Russel Balenger on Nov. 16, 2022. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
Former St. Paul City Councilmember Russel Balenger will also be recognized Thursday by St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and Councilmember Anika Bowie for his work in restoring Concordia Avenue to its original name of Rondo Avenue, according to a news release from event coordinators.
“This was personal for me, not simply an undertaking or action without cause. It was a responsibility to safeguard the historical narrative that shapes the story of Rondo and its descendants,” Balenger said in the release.
The Rondo Roundtable, which was formed in 2015 and is made up of 14 members, works to preserve, promote and support Rondo as an African American cultural enterprise district.
St. Paul Winter Carnival Rondo Night
When: 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1
Where: Landmark Center, 75 W. Fifth St., St. Paul
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