Luminiscence Lights Up the Minneapolis Basilica

 

Luminiscence Lights Up the Minneapolis Basilica

Todd Swank's Diary Entry for November 23, 2025

Caught up with my old Oracle Direct crew for lunch on Monday. George, Ross, and Orlando still bring the same chaotic energy they had back in the cube farm. Half the time we’re laughing, the other half we’re arguing about football like it’s a contact sport. Two Bears fans, one Packers fan, and me trying to defend the Vikings without pulling a hamstring. Still, for an hour, it felt like old times in the best way.

Saturday night we met up with our good friends Sue and Ron Korkowski before heading to this thing called Luminiscence at the Minneapolis Basilica. I didn’t really know what we were walking into, but since we were planning to spend the rest of the night inside a church, we figured it was only fair to stop at Hell’s Kitchen first. Seemed like a good chance to get a few sins in before the evening’s unofficial absolution.

This was my first-ever visit to the Basilica in Minneapolis, and I honestly didn’t know what to expect. The place is massive up close, way bigger and more detailed than anything you appreciate driving by on Hennepin. It was built in the early 1900s and became the first basilica in the entire United States, and it shows off with every inch of stone, arches, and ornate design. You walk in and immediately get why this building has its own reputation.

Once the lights dropped, the whole place came alive with this show called Luminiscence. It’s basically a full 360-degree light and sound takeover where the stone walls turn into moving artwork. They project color, stained-glass patterns, history, all of it, while a live choir and orchestra push the whole thing into goosebump territory. It started in Europe and sold out everywhere it went, and now Minneapolis gets to be the first stop in the U.S. You don’t just watch it. You feel the whole building wake up around you.

What really blew me away was the tech behind this thing. The video mapping was so precise it felt like the entire Basilica was changing shape right in front of us. Columns, statues, arches… everything looked like it was melting into new colors and textures. I’ve never seen a light show even close to this level. And with the live classical music filling the whole space – Bach, Beethoven, Vivaldi, all of it – the place didn’t just look different, it felt different. It was honestly the most impressive blend of tech and art I’ve ever experienced in a church or anywhere else for that matter.

I didn’t expect to enjoy this nearly as much as I did, but the whole thing was honestly incredible. The way the projections, narration and music pulled the Basilica’s history together made it feel less like a show and more like the building was telling its own story. Every time the colors shifted, you’d catch something new you hadn’t seen the first time. By the end, I just sat there taking it all in. Not bad for a random Saturday night in Minneapolis where I thought I was just going to look at some pretty lights.

We always have a great time with Sue and Ron, and this whole night was Sue’s idea. She’s constantly finding these fun, quirky experiences we never would’ve discovered on our own, and somehow they always end up being a blast. This one definitely landed. Nights like this remind me how lucky we are to have friends who pull us into new adventures. Can’t wait to see where the next one takes us.

@toddswank Aaron Rodgers is officially selling his Green Bay house… and honestly, even the place looks relieved. Steelers U-Haul is already warming up in the driveway. #A#AaronRodgersG#GreenBayP#PackersS#SteelersNFL ♬ Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) - Billy Joel

@toddswank Luminescence at The Basilica in Minneapolis is absolutely amazing! #luminescence #basilica #lightshow ♬ original sound - Todd Swank

Minnesota—We Put the ‘Ow’ in Home Crowd

 

Minnesota—We Put the ‘Ow’ in Home Crowd

Todd Swank's Diary for November 16, 2025

This week Mother Nature dropped a surprise northern lights show on us. I’m still not convinced I actually saw anything with my own eyes—outside it just looked like confused clouds trying to get their act together. But the second you point an iPhone at it, boom: instant technicolor magic. At this point I’m half-convinced the northern lights are just an Apple marketing feature to sell more phones.

Friday night we hit Music Bingo at the Shakopee VFW with friends from our Euchre crew. It’s just like regular bingo except the letters and numbers got replaced by every song you forgot you loved from the seventies through the nineties. We spent a couple hours singing our lungs out and competing for high-end luxury items like leftover T-shirts and random mugs. Honestly? Blast of a night.

Saturday night we rolled into Target Center to watch our beloved Timberwolves, who came in riding a four-game winning streak. Naturally, that meant we showed up with our hopes way too high—because nothing screams “Minnesota sports fan” like confidently assuming tonight will be the night everything goes right.

It was Prince Night at Target Center, which meant his giant symbol took over center court and they blasted clips of his music all game long. The funny part is Prince spent half his life fighting people who tried to commercialize his art… and now we’re basically one halftime show away from a “Purple Rain presented by Arby’s” sponsorship.

It was Luke’s turn to join me at the game. He’d actually been there the night before with his buddies and watched the Wolves roll to a big win, so I walked in thinking maybe his good luck would rub off on me. Spoiler: it did not.

Our season tickets are under my name, but every now and then Sheri gets these wild last-minute offers the team sends her because she’s bought seats in the past. They’re usually up in the rafters, but she doesn’t care—she just loves being there. And every so often, like tonight, the seats next to ours end up open and she gets to slide down and join us. Some nights the universe just gives you a wink and says, “Yeah, go ahead.”

The Nuggets rolled into town on their own six-game win streak, led by their not-to-be-named-but-definitely-hard-to-ignore superstar. Anytime Denver shows up, it feels like reopening an old playoff scar. These two teams have built a pretty spicy rivalry over the past few years, and you could feel it in the arena the second warmups ended. This wasn’t just another regular-season game — it was another chapter in the ongoing Wolves–Nuggets saga.

Things even got a little chippy when Julius Randle mixed it up with one of Denver’s big men. My favorite part of the whole scene, though, was Ant in the background with that little smirk on his face. I don’t know what he was thinking, but based on the size mismatch in front of him, I’m guessing it was something like, “Yeah… Julius can handle this one. I’m good right here.”

Anthony Edwards had one of those nights where nothing seemed to fall the way it normally does. He still put up 26 points, but it came on a tough 8-for-23 shooting night, including 0-for-8 from three. To his credit, he kept attacking, got to the line 12 times, and added six assists — but for a guy who usually lights up Denver, this one just wasn’t his usual level. Some nights the shots drop. Some nights the basketball gods put a lid on the rim. Tonight felt like the latter.

The Denver Nuggets left town still unbeaten on their current run, edging the Minnesota Timberwolves 123–112. Nikola Jokić put up a triple-double with 27 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists, while Denver also got 23 points apiece from Aaron Gordon, Jamal Murray and Tim Hardaway Jr.. The Wolves fought back to lead at halftime, but couldn’t keep it going into the final quarter and the Nuggets pulled away when it mattered. Watching your home team fall like that? Yeah… it sucks.

It was also Luke’s turn to join me for the Vikings game, giving him the full weekend trifecta of Minnesota pro sports. Some people call that lucky… others would call it a glutton for punishment. Around here, we just call it “quality time.”

Before the game started I ran into Ted Minette in the concourse — a guy I went to high school with and probably haven’t seen in person since dial-up internet was a thing. We had about three minutes to catch up, grabbed a quick picture, and then went our separate ways like two comets passing in the night. Odds are I won’t see him again until 2035, but hey… it was fun while it lasted.

The Vikings have been a tough team to watch this year, but we still walked into this one with a little hope in our pockets. After all, they pulled off a last-minute miracle against the Bears earlier this season, so maybe lightning would strike twice. And early on, it looked like Chicago’s quarterback was going to be running for his life all afternoon — exactly the kind of chaos we were hoping for.

In the end, Minnesota sports nailed the weekend double-gut-punch. The Wolves sputtered, the Vikings followed, and J.J. McCarthy isn’t exactly selling “QB of the Future” right now. They even teased us with a gorgeous go-ahead touchdown before collapsing and handing Chicago a walk-off field goal. Being a Minnesota fan isn’t for the weak… but at this point, pain just feels like part of the package.

@toddswank This comet keeps doing things comets aren’t supposed to do, and everyone’s acting like it’s fine. I’m just here watching the skies with popcorn. #3IATLAS #Space #CometWatch #2026Vibes #invasion ♬ MONTAGEM-FATAL PR - Rushex & MKXILLA

@toddswank Killer raccoon! #raccoon ♬ Danger - SoundAudio

@toddswank Someone just liked this old video of mine which made me think it would be fun to repost! The Kentucky Fried Chicken Rap from 1988! #kfc #kentuckyfriendchicken #rap #eighties #commercial ♬ original sound - Todd Swank

Singing the Blues for the Minnesota Vikings

 

Singing the Blues for the Minnesota Vikings

Todd Swank's Diary Entry for November 9, 2025

It’s been a busy stretch at work lately, and this week had me making a quick hop to Chicago for a customer visit. Snapped this shot as we came in for landing — one of those rare moments where the city actually looks peaceful right before you remember how much traffic is waiting down there.

My meeting this week was in Lombard, Illinois. Being on the road for work means I get to see a lot of places I don’t usually visit, so I try to stay somewhere close to the customer site. When I pulled into the hotel and saw a Harry Caray’s Steakhouse attached to the lobby, I figured my dinner plans had just been decided for me.

The road can get a little lonely when you’re dining solo, but this meal hit all the right notes. I sat down, glanced up at the big screen, and there were my Timberwolves playing the Knicks — instant company. The waitress talked me into the Filet Oscar, a mix of steak, crab, and asparagus with rich béarnaise and bordelaise sauces. Anytime your dinner requires a blowtorch, you know you picked the right thing off the menu.

After grinding through a full day of work on Friday, I yelled to Miss Sheri that I needed to get out of the house and do something before my brain melted. Right then, Luke called to say he was heading to dinner with the Walters family and asked if we wanted to join. Perfect timing. Then, in a small-world twist, we walked into Copper Pint and found Avery and Abby there on their own date night. Either great minds think alike or we all hit the same “I’m not cooking tonight” wall at the exact same time.

One of my favorite things about the Walters family is they love karaoke as much as we do. So after dinner, we rolled over to the Shakopee Legion to belt out a few tunes. It wasn’t exactly a packed house — just the kind of place where most people are too busy talking to notice anyone singing. I take that as a challenge. If I can’t impress them with talent, I’ll win them over with volume, enthusiasm, and the occasional “Who’s ready to party?!” strategically yelled between verses.

Sunday morning brought Avery and me to U.S. Bank Stadium for the Vikings game. It was one of those brisk Minnesota mornings where the thermometer said low 20s, but the wind said “you’re not dressed right.” By the time we made the long, frozen trek from the car to our seats, we were more than ready to thaw out and watch some great football. Unfortunately, only half of that plan worked out.

We were pumped to see J.J. McCarthy play at home after his breakout game in Detroit last week, where he threw two touchdowns, ran one in himself, and looked like the future of the franchise. The kid had swagger, and U.S. Bank Stadium was buzzing when he ran onto the field — the crowd roaring, smoke flying, the whole place feeling like maybe this was the start of something special. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t. But for a minute there, it really felt like it could be.

The game actually started out great! The defense forced a three-and-out, and J.J. McCarthy came out looking like he was ready to carve up the Ravens’ secondary. On the opening drive, he went 3-for-4 with 76 yards, including a beautiful deep ball to Jalen Nailor that set up Aaron Jones for an easy four-yard touchdown. The place was electric, and for a brief, shining moment, we thought we were watching the start of something big. Little did we know… that was basically the highlight reel.

We probably should’ve known better than to get too optimistic. Lamar Jackson has made a habit of steamrolling the NFC — now 25–5 against them, including 14–1 on the road. The guy’s basically allergic to losing once he crosses conference lines. So yeah, expecting the Vikings to slow him down might’ve been a little ambitious. Let’s just say, history didn’t break in our favor.

It’s easy to forget that J.J. McCarthy is basically still a rookie — last year lost to injury, this year learning on the fly. And like most rookie stories, this one came with some brutal chapters. Two interceptions (and a third that only escaped by a replay review), a few missed open receivers, and plenty of drives that ended with frustration instead of fireworks. The Vikings eventually stumbled to a 27–19 loss, the kind that hurts more because it felt winnable. Growing pains are expected with a young quarterback — but for Vikings fans, the real pain is realizing how familiar it all feels.

A Wedding in Waverly

 

A Wedding in Waverly

Todd Swank's Diary Entry for November 2, 2025

Hard to believe the NBA regular season is already here. We went with better seats and fewer games this year — last season’s half-season plan was too much. After back-to-back trips to the Western Conference Finals, we showed up for the home opener excited to see what Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves would do next.

It was the home opener against the Pacers, and I brought my best gal with me. The boys don’t have much interest in Sunday night games anymore—which is fine by me. She’s way cuter, laughs at my jokes, and occasionally flirts with me when the Wolves hit a three.

Just our luck—three minutes into the game, Anthony Edwards grabbed his hamstring and limped off to the locker room. Out for the night. The whole arena groaned like we’d just been told beer prices went up. Thankfully, Julius Randle decided to take over and showed us why having another stud on the roster isn’t such a bad backup plan.

Even without Ant, the Wolves managed to hang on and beat the banged-up Pacers 114–110. Randle carried the load, Gobert grabbed everything in sight, and somehow we survived a fourth-quarter collapse that felt way too familiar. The new black-and-pine uniforms looked sharp, the crowd stayed loud, and we walked out feeling like this might actually be the year… which, of course, means we’re doomed.

Miss Sheri and I spent most of the week on the road, and one stop landed us in Green Bay for a full-day customer meeting. I wrapped it up with dinner inside Lambeau Field—which, as a lifelong Vikings fan, felt like eating dinner at my ex’s house while her new boyfriend showed off his Super Bowl rings. The meeting went great, but I had to keep my mouth shut since every single person there bleeds green and gold. I survived though. Years of Vikings disappointment prepared me perfectly for polite small talk with Packers fans.

Our next stop brought us to Waterloo, Iowa—just a short drive from my old college stomping grounds at UNI. Our hotel sat next to Crossroads Mall, which used to be the hangout spot when I was a student. Now it’s basically a ghost town with better parking. It’s wild how kids today will never know the thrill of aimlessly roaming a mall for hours, trying to look cool under fluorescent lights, and blowing all your money at Orange Julius. Honestly, they’re missing out.

While I’m off visiting customers, Miss Sheri turns every trip into a sightseeing adventure. In Green Bay, she hit the zoo and botanical gardens, and in Waterloo, she made a beeline for the John Deere Tractor Museum. Growing up on a farm, she’s always had a soft spot for the green and yellow. There’s just something timeless about John Deere—proof that even after a century of change, the heart of America still runs on diesel, dirt, and determination.

After my customer visits, we made our way to Waverly, Iowa, for the wedding of Luca and Jamie Myers. Luca’s dad, Ron, has been one of my best friends since high school, so it was great catching up and seeing his family again. We had dinner at Whiskey Road a couple nights before the wedding—good food, good friends, and that calm little window before everything turns into speeches, dancing, and mild panic.

Miss Sheri went to college at Wartburg in Waverly, so we spent some time wandering around campus while she revisited a few of her old haunts. Some places brought back great memories, and others looked completely different—like someone had remodeled her past without asking permission. Still, there’s something grounding about walking the same paths you did decades ago. It reminds you where you’ve been… and how far you’ve somehow managed to make it since.

The wedding was absolutely beautiful. It took place at Vilmar Church in Green, Iowa — a charming little spot pretty much surrounded by cornfields and gravel roads. The ceremony was more traditional than most we’ve been to lately, full of prayers, hymns, and heartfelt moments that actually made you slow down and take it all in. Luca and Jamie looked completely over the moon — young, happy, and just starting their big adventure together.

Luca and Jamie dismissed everyone row by row after the ceremony, so when they reached ours, I figured it was the perfect time to snag a photo. They looked a little caught off guard at first—probably not expecting a mid–receiving line ambush—but they laughed and happily posed anyway. It’s not every day you get a shot with a brand-new married couple still glowing from “I do.”

We got to sit with Joel and Jen at both the ceremony and the reception, which was a real treat since we hadn’t seen them in a couple of years. It was great catching up, laughing like no time had passed, and hearing about their own wedding plans for 2026. Can’t wait to celebrate with them when it’s their turn.

Going home to Iowa always stirs something in me. Maybe it’s the familiar faces, the endless fields, or just the slower rhythm that makes you breathe a little deeper. This trip was about all of that—catching up with old friends, celebrating young love, and realizing how fast time moves when you’re not paying attention. The faces get older, the hair gets grayer, but the laughs sound the same. There’s comfort in that—proof that no matter how far you go, pieces of home always stay with you.

@toddswank Let’s go, Timberwolves!! #minnesota #timberwolves #nba ♬ original sound - Todd Swank

@toddswank Timberwolves beat the Pacers 114-110 on 10/26/25z. #minnesota #timberwolves #pacers #nba ♬ He Got Game - Public Enemy

@toddswank Most families bond over dinner. We bond over whiffed drives and questionable swings. 🏌️‍♂️ Swank Family golf night at Launch Pad, Mystic Lake — skill optional, enthusiasm required. #FamilyFun #MinnesotaLife #GolfFails #MysticLake #Shakopee ♬ son original - Jbjumpingggg

Still Standing in the Purple Rain—Just With Less Hair and More Back Pain

 

Still Standing in the Purple Rain

Just With Less Hair and More Back Pain

Todd Swank's Diary Entry for October 27, 2025

Sorry I’m a day late with this week’s post. We had a little setback over the weekend when Grandma Linda wasn’t feeling right and ended up in the ER. She had to spend the night, but they took great care of her and she’s doing much better now. If the worst thing that came out of it was my blog post being delayed, I’ll take that trade every time.

Back in the mid-eighties, I used to cruise the streets of Clear Lake, Iowa, in my green Chevy Nova, windows down and a Prince cassette blaring through my not-so-fancy tape deck. Purple Rain was on constant rotation, and I belted out every lyric like I was auditioning for The Revolution. When I moved to the Twin Cities after college, I ended up living just twenty miles from Paisley Park—basically a dream for a die-hard fan like me. So when I heard Purple Rain was hitting the stage at the State Theatre before heading to Broadway, I jumped at the chance to grab front-row seats and relive my teenage glory days.

I’m happy to report the show was a blast! The cast nailed their portrayals of Prince, Apollonia, Morris Day, and the rest of the wild crew that made the late-‘70s and early-‘80s Twin Cities music scene so iconic. Before the show started, the director came out and told us this version is still evolving, with tweaks being made every night since opening week. Miss Sheri and I absolutely loved it—every song hit like a time machine. I’d forgotten just how many tracks from Purple Rain still live rent-free in my head.

If I had one critique, it’s that the second act leaned a little heavy on Prince’s tortured-artist phase—lots of angst, troubled parents, and brooding introspection. Or maybe that was just me being cranky for staying out late on a school night. Either way, once the music kicked back in for the finale, we were right back to rocking in our seats. Miss Sheri said parts of it felt like a strip show—I told her I didn’t see any problem with that. All in all, I’d highly recommend Purple Rain to anyone who’s ever shouted, “Let’s Go Crazy!” or maybe just “Let’s Get Nuts!”

The week started on a rough note watching my Vikings get shredded by the Eagles. Jalen Hurts threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns in a 28–22 win that didn’t feel quite that close. My Vikings may suck, but spending the afternoon with my son Luke made it all worth it. We might not have left the stadium with a win, but at least we both still have hope—and that’s what being a Vikings fan is all about… blind, beautiful, delusional hope.

We were actually at Purple Rain Thursday night while the Vikings were getting smoked 37–10 by the Chargers. I caught the first few series on my phone before the show started, then decided watching Prince was a much better use of my emotional energy than watching the purple and gold disappoint me again. Every buzz from my watch during the show just confirmed I’d made the right call. Maybe JJ McCarthy can save the season… or at least make watching this team hurt a little less.

Friday night we met up with Luke, Avery, and Abby for some “serious” golf swings at the new Launch Pad driving range outside Mystic Lake. We ate great food, drank better drinks, and launched balls straight into giant glowing targets like we actually knew what we were doing. Not a bad way to spend a Friday night—especially when nobody had to chase the balls afterward.

I actually made a couple of TikTok videos about this place right before and after it opened, and somehow they each pulled in nearly 250,000 views. Guess people really like golf—or maybe just watching other people embarrass themselves at it. I even mentioned my viral success to a few of the employees, half-expecting a free round or at least a complimentary Diet Coke. Sadly, no such luck. Still, it’s an awesome place—and I’d totally say that even if they had comped me.