Lake Street Excavation

History on the hoof. Frankly, we have our doubts that the two-year makeover that’s about to begin on Lake Street is the kind of “help” that place needs. By 2008, the county promises us that one of Minneapolis’ most vibrant and ethnically diverse commercial corridors will boast a more genteel streetscape, along with pothole-free traffic lanes. But before all that happens, In the Heart of the Beast, long a fixture on Lake Street, will celebrate the old road’s history and spirit with a series of walking tours-as-performances. Destinations include landmarks like MeGusta and Ingebretsen’s. Along the way, puppetry installations tell stories about the street in all its guises: wildlife corridor (yes, really!), Native American trading path, cruising strip, and starting place for successive waves of immigrants. A shrine at Gustavus Adolphus Hall, the beautiful edifice that was gutted by fire last year, pays homage to all Lake Street has lost—and yet stands to lose. 1500 E. Lake St., Minneapolis; 612-721-2535; www.hobt.org