The Minneapolis Venue ‘First Avenue’ is hosting an all night dance party in honour of Prince. The venue served as the main site for Prince’s infamous film Purple Rain, as well as hosting many of his live concerts throughout his extensive career.
First Avenue opened its doors to Prince fans to hold a final celebratory event in his name, continuing the party for three nights in total. There will be DJs playing Prince tunes well into the wee hours, and the party is free for all to attend. Leading up to opening of the event, fans have been congregating, forming a street party outside the venue’s doors, engaging in mass sing-alongs.
The venue commented via their Facebook page: “Our hearts are broken. Prince was the Patron Saint of First Avenue. He grew up on this stage, and then commanded it, and he united our city. It is difficult to put into words the impact his death will have on the entire music community, and the world. As the tragic news sinks in, our thoughts are with Prince’s family, friends, and fans. We deeply mourn the loss of our friend, a true star. Rest in peace and power Prince.”
Meanwhile, in Brooklyn, film-maker Spike Lee has kicked off his own street party all in the name of Prince. Every fan and his dog has congregated out the front of Lee’s Production headquarters, with the police closing off the block in order to accommodate the 1000 or more dancing devotees.
See video footage and pictures from all the dance parties, below.
Video from @bengarvin shows Prince fans singing along to ‘Purple Rain’ at a block party in Minneapolis tonight pic.twitter.com/V07SdH6J1t
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) April 22, 2016
A horde of people in downtown Minneapolis outside of First Avenue to remember #Prince. #RIPPrince pic.twitter.com/L2d47R0PY9
— Craig D. Schroepfer (@CDSWCCO) April 22, 2016
7th street and 1st Avenue packed in Minneapolis. #Prince fans are crying, singing, & praising the Purple One. https://t.co/Y0q1L93R3W
— Doualy Xaykaothao (@DoualyX) April 22, 2016
#prince would have loved this. Impromptu street party outside @FirstAvenue. Doves aren't the only ones crying 2nite pic.twitter.com/pL9olqtxgI
— maury glover (@maurygloverFOX9) April 22, 2016
Aerial video shows huge crowd at Prince block party outside Minneapolis' First Avenue club. https://t.co/2aRJUh5K4Xhttps://t.co/wXQwu3lqxt
— ABC News (@ABC) April 22, 2016
INSIDE @FirstAvenue. Speechless. This is the definition of a #Prince party. The party ends at 7 AM. All local DJs pic.twitter.com/TqfisxhUqV
— Melissa Colorado (@melissacolorado) April 22, 2016
.@SpikeLee at his #Prince party: He’s still here in spiritual form https://t.co/yDbLMpA6RZhttps://t.co/0MGzhexKOx
— Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) April 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/frankpallotta/status/723320352219254785
