In 1998, Jesse Ventura, a former professional wrestler, actor, Navy Seal and all around flamboyant personality rocked the status quo of Minnesotan politics by becoming its new Governor.

AC was contacted by the Minnesota based Compass Media Group to co-produce and direct the affair (actually a huge rock concert!) at the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis. The gubernatorial show’s concept was to “bring it to the people, the common man” by opening up the Target Center and charging an affordable price of $15/person to enter...first come, first serve of course. Hence the name, “The People’s Celebration.” The event was a “sellout” that packed the Center with over 14,000 cheering and screaming Jesse fans and the Minnesotan citizens under his charge.

AC’s many duties included booking rock stars, organizing vendors, food and beverage logistics, developing and writing the show script, walking a larger-than-life Jesse with wary State Troopers through a tech rehearsal, taping a congratulatory segment with Jay Leno and Al Frankin in LA, writing Jesse’s first official letter to the Minnesota people (Chris had a blast with this one...and Jesse loved it!), organizing the show’s program and actually calling the show from the Target Center’s floor. Suzanne called the show and could barely hear the stage manager through the clear coms!

The show was a smash success, Jesse loved his one-of-kind gubernatorial party and everyone left the Target Center just slightly deaf from the lack of speaker volume control.

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The People Celebration

The People Celebration

The People Celebration

The People Celebration