Things to Do in Minnetonka

Although it’s known for comedies such as the two-man, 24-character A Tuna Christmas, Actors Theater of Minnesota also places a significant emphasis on education and corporate training. At The Creative Institute, the ensemble trains students how to work theatrical media such as improv and writing into their everyday problem-solving skills.

Yoga Center of Minneapolis' team of attentive instructors brings a range of expertise and teaching styles to each studio, leading a dynamic collection of classes and workshops for yogis of all experience levels. The studio's robust schedule takes place within citrus-hued walls, floor-to-ceiling windows, and gleaming hardwood floors, which provide a comforting atmosphere for new students and performance-anxious mats during the four-week Absolute Beginner class series. During the educational, intensive series, fledgling flexers build the foundation for their practice by mastering the basic postures, breathing techniques, and centuries-old secret yogi handshakes under the guidance of a patient mat maven.

Divers as young as 12 years can learn to operate temporary gills in a Discover Scuba class at Scuba Center. Before you take your first dip, a PADI-certified instructor will give you a brief poolside orientation to ensure you are prepared for everything that blows bubbles ahead. Then from the heated comfort of Scuba Center's indoor pool, your instructor will teach you the tricks of the underwater breathing trade. All required scuba gadgetry is included with this Groupon; you just need to bring a swimsuit and towel.

When the Minneapolis Institute of Arts first opened its doors in 1915, it was the product of several decades of arts advocacy. A group of 25 citizens formed the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts in 1883 with the goal of giving their community access to creative arts. More than a century later, this commitment to the community has taken the permanent collections from 800 works to close to 80,000 objects and has made the institute Minnesota's largest art educator.

The collections, divided into seven curatorial areas, encompass a period of 5,000 years and hail from every corner of the world. The Asian Art collection represents 17 different Asian cultures, and Arts of Africa and the Americas holds more than 3,000 pieces of sculpture, basketry, painting, and beadwork. Temporary exhibitions bring collections of artwork from other institutions and tattoos from vending machines. The institute's interactive learning stations supplement understanding of topics such as modernism or 17th-century European painting with animation, video, and audio recordings.

Focusing on helping disadvantaged individuals in urban communities since 1879, Pillsbury United Communities is a nonprofit organization with multiple locations, including four neighborhood centers and a professional live theater. With the help of 200 staff members, PUC promotes proactive childhood, teen, and adult development while addressing the concerns of more than 35,000 people each year. Attendees of the Home Field Advantage All-Star Game event will be able to nosh on tasty ballpark fare that includes hot dogs, burgers, nachos, and more while perusing the scenic confines of brand-new Target Field. Additionally, participants will get to view the 2010 All-Star Game in a memorable locale while helping support PUC’s mission. During the game, take the opportunity to meet some of PUC's own "All-Stars" and learn more about the organization's future plans and goals. Enjoy an evening of world-class baseballing while helping to improve local communities with today’s side deal.

When Mercedes Austin sees a piece of artwork, her imagination immediately breaks it down into pixels and rebuilds it as a tile mosaic. Recently, she executed this process by making a mosaic of a wall mural: She fabricated jagged tiles, arranged them to resemble the original, and grouted the piece together. The resulting mosaic speaks to her intuition as an artist, and also to the years she’s spent honing the craft.

At Mercury Mosaics’ studio, Mercedes and a team of “tile elves” share their passion in two ways: through mosaic classes and custom installations. Classes explore all facets of mosaic creation, from cutting and gluing to grouting tiles into a pattern that resembles a real-life object or fuzzy television screen. Installations, which are fully customized to the client’s specifications, add a distinctive flair to commonly tiled areas such as bathrooms, backsplashes, and fireplaces.