: : : march 2008 : : : >>> <<< alice russell

: : : march 2008 : : :
TICKETS: thecedar.org
alice russell >>>
612.338.2674 x 2
<<< chango
spasiuk
carolina chocolate drops >>>
<<< hawaiian
treasures celebration
T O L E A R N M O R E about these artists,
hear their music, buy tickets, find out
the latest news “@ theCedar,” make a
donation, or a comment, visit us online:
thecedar.org
416 Cedar Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55454 USA
time sensitive material
Nonprofit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 1605
Minneapolis, MN
2
march 2009
: : : from the executive director : : :
robert simonds
Many of you have approached me and
expressed alarm at my column in
last month’s
newsletter,
warning of the
extent to which
2009’s funding
cuts threaten
The Cedar’s
survival. And while
that was the purpose – to underscore
the seriousness of our situation –
it should not be construed to convey
that The Cedar is actually in imminent
danger. We’re taking a hard look at
the calendar 2009 budget, and it’s only
March. The Cedar’s staff and board
are already working hard to address
our budget gap, and my column
last month was only the first step
to engage the Cedar’s
greater community in that process.
For now, the best thing you can do
to help The Cedar is to come to our
shows. Identify an event each month
(or more if you can), and consider
buying additional tickets to bring
friends or family to the show with you,
to help demonstrate what a special
place The Cedar is for experiencing
music.If you are in a position to
donate, of course that’s fabulous too.
One event featured in this March
edition is a little different and of
particular value... the Zipp’s Spring
Wine Tasting on the 25th. Over 100
wines are featured for this tasting,
all proceeds benefit The Cedar,
and we’ll have a silent auction with
some very cool, unique items on offer,
also benefitting The Cedar.
On March 8 we will be celebrating
International Womens’ Day with
a performance by Cheryl Wheeler
and Susan Werner. But it won’t be
your only opportunity to see some
extraordinary female talent during
the month: Minneapolis native (now in
Chicago and Los Angeles) Anni Rossi
brings her unique songs, singing and
viola to The Cedar on the 5th, British
retro-soul singer Alice Russell
comes in on the 14th, Irish singer and
former Solas member Karan Casey
the following night, blues guitarist and
singer Rory Block performs on the 21st,
and the great singer/songwriter
Eleni Mandell returns with a new
release on the 27th. And those are just
the soloists... there are some frontwomen of substance also performing
this month... on the 1st, Celtic favorites
KEEP THE ARTS ALIVE!
Building our annual fund is more important than ever to
The Cedar’s future. In this turbulent economy, foundations are cutting
their support, and the arts are being significantly impacted.
Like many other organizations, The Cedar faces a challenging 2009.
Your donation is crucial not only to The Cedar's success
but to the health of our arts environment.
YOUR DONATION MAKES A DIFFERENCE
thecedar.org/donate or 612-338-2674 x 103
: : : location : : :
: : : tickets : : :
Online: thecedar.org/tickets
41
Av 6 Ce
Min enue dar
nea Sou
th,
po
554 lis M
N
54
PARKING
Parking is available at the
University of Minnesota 19th Avenue Ramp,
just 1/3 block east of The Cedar
on Riverside Avenue.
The Cedar Cultural Center is a smoke-free
environment which welcomes all ages to all
events (seniors and children under 12 are often
admitted at a discount). For more information
about The Cedar, including detailed directions,
visit thecedar.org/about_us
By Phone: (credit cards only)—speak with a
Cedar staff member during weekday afternoons
(612.338.2674 extension 0), or leave us
a voicemail (24 hours) with all reservation
information at 612.338.2674 ext. 2.
Cedar Box Office: Available from concessions
during events only, beginning at 7 pm.
Cedar Ticket Outlets: Purchase in advance at
• Global Village on the West Bank (406 Cedar)
• The Electric Fetus Records and Gifts
• in South Minneapolis (612.870.9300)
• Homestead Pickin’ Parlor in Richfield
• (612.861.3308)
• Irish on Grand in Saint Paul (651.222.4691)
By mail: send a check payable to “Cedar Cultural
Center” at least 10 days prior to the event. Tickets
can be obtained at Will Call, or enclose a SASE.
By fax: 612.338.1687. Use the order form at
thecedar.org/tickets.
Please include a daytime phone number
so that we can confirm your details.
Dervish are led by the extraordinary
singer Cathy Jordan, the Mexican /
American quartet Pistolera’s Sandra
Velasquez is a formidable performer,
and it's hard to leave a Carolina
Chocolate Drops performance
(two shows, 28 and29) without falling
in love with Rhiannon Giddens.
There are too many other shows
to mention (and that's what the rest of
this newsletter is for), but I do want
give special mention to a last-minute
add, Occidental Brothers Dance Band
International, a Chicago-based real
African dance band that’s not to be
missed for anyone looking to shake
their booty. That one’s on March 20.
Please come and keep diverse
live music alive in the Twin Cities!
– Robert Simonds
Executive Director
: : supporters : :
Thanks to the following businesses,
organizations, foundations, and sponsors
for their support of The Cedar:
ADC Foundation
Aetna Foundation
American Scandinavian Foundation
Ares Operations, LLC
Augsburg College
Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation
Best Buy Children’s Foundation
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
Bush Foundation
Buuck Family Foundation
City of Minneapolis Climate Change Grants
COMPAS United Arts Service
ElectroVoice
Elmer L. and Eleanor J. Andersen Foundation
ESEK of Finland
Fredrickson and Byron Foundation
General Mills
IBM Grants Program
LUSES of Finland
McKnight Foundation
Minnesota State Arts Board
Nash Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
Pizza Luce
RBC Dain Rauscher
REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.)
Royal Norwegian Consulate General
Saint Paul Travelers
Saint Paul Travelers Arts and
Diversity Program
Securian Foundation
Star Tribune Foundation
Summit Brewery
Target
Thomson West
Valspar
Wireless Ronin
The mission of the Cedar Cultural
Center is to promote inter-cultural
appreciation and undertanding
through the presentation of global
music and dance.
STAFF
Robert Simonds
Executive Director
Dave Paulson
Director of Operations
Mark Dudek Johnson
Director of Events
Adrienne Dorn
Development Director
Jason Koffman
Volunteer Coordinator /
Office Manager
Mike Rossetto
Marketing Coordinator
Brian Corner
Publicity Support
Richard Anderson
Dan Beers
Sage Dahlen
Laila Davis
Susan Eidem
Michael Lord
John Rhodes
Amelia Scott
Charlie Smith
Elizabeth Wheeler
House Managers
Carla Steinberg Pfahl
Website
Drew Miller
Diane Waller
Print Graphics
Chris Frymire
Eric Hohn
Raymond Yates
House Sound Engineers
Pat O’Loughlin
Alexa Jones
Volunteer Photographers
Sage Dahlen
Matt DeBlieck
Office Assistant Interns
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Jean Borgwardt
Sarah Bowman
Dave Edminster
Susan Eidem
Everett Forte
Glenn Helgeson
Galen Hersey
Joanna Lees
Steve McClellan
Rob Nordin
Hugh Pruitt
Rob Salmon
Terri Simard
Robert Simonds
Chuck Tatsuda
Jean Wilhelm
Published Monthly
(except July and August)
Volume XIX, Issue 3
The Cedar Cultural Center
416 Cedar Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55454
phone 612.338.2674
fax 612.338.1687
thecedar.org
The Cedar Cultural Center does not discriminate
on the basis of disability in admission or access to
its programs or activities. Upon request,
accommodations will be provided to allow
individuals with disabilities to participate in all
Cedar Cultural Center programs and activities. The
Cedar has accessible seating for our customers in
wheelchairs. Please call in advance to arrange for
your seat at 612.338.2674, extension 0.
march 2009
3
sunday, 7:30 pm / $25 adv $28 day
Dervish with
Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill
A double-treat
of sublime Irish
traditional music!
An all-star evening with the mesmerizing
fiddle and guitar duo of Martin Hayes and
Dennis Cahill, and top traditional group
Dervish from County Sligo, featuring the
ever-engaging singer Cathy Jordan.
Irish fiddle virtuoso Martin Hayes and
American guitarist Dennis Cahill possess
a rare musical kinship, making for a
memorable partnership. Together they
have garnered international renown
for taking traditional music to the
very edge,
holding listeners
spellbound with
their slow-building,
fiery performances.
: : : mar 6 : : :
The New York Times calls them “a Celtic
complement to Steve Reich’s quartets or
Miles Davis’ ‘Sketches of Spain.’”
Dervish, like The Cedar, is celebrating
their 20th year, and with four of the
original members still at the helm, they
are more in demand than
ever. Their colorful career
has taken them to every
corner of the globe, and
their innovative approach
ensures they will be
always be a leading force
in this scene. They’ve
recently released their
long-awaited new album
Traveling Show
to great acclaim.
dervish.ie • martinhayes.com
friday, 8:00 pm / $18 adv $20 day
Mike Marshall Big Trio with
Caterina Lichtenberg and Mirko Schrader,
and special guest Peter Ostroushko
An unparalleled evening
of mandolin music!
Tonight, three of the
world’s greatest players
join together for one
night of magic!
Mike Marshall is
one of the world’s
most accomplished
and versatile acoustic
musicians, a master
of mandolin, guitar
and violin whose playing is as imaginative
and adventurous as it is technically thrilling.
Able to swing gracefully from jazz to
classical to bluegrass to Latin styles,
he puts his stamp on everything he plays
with an unusually potent blend of intellect
: : : mar 8 : : :
and emotion. For his most recent musical
journey, Mike has teamed up with
two extraordinary young prodigies:
Alex Hargreaves on fiddle and
Paul Kowert on upright bass.
Joining the Big Trio tonight
will be acclaimed German
classical mandolinist
Caterina Lichtenberg and
lutenist Mirko Schrader, who
have recorded four CDs
together
as Duetto Giacondo,
and Minnesota’s own
mando maestro,
Peter Ostroushko.
mikemarshall.net
sunday, 7:30 pm / $18 adv $20 day
Cheryl Wheeler with
Celebrate
International
Women's Day with
these talented artists.
Cheryl Wheeler and Susan Werner
are two of the most articulate female
singer/songwriters in the country.
Cheryl Wheeler leads a dual
existence. Poet-Cheryl writes achingly
honest songs of love and loss. She touches
the common chords with any who feel the
tug between our busy, clamorous times and
the timeless longing for simplicity and
silence. Meanwhile, comic-Cheryl comes on
like Groucho-in-a-housecoat; a fiercely
everyday woman with a barbed-wire tongue.
Cheryl “...is an anomaly on the acoustic
music scene. She has a rare gift for writing
songs with lush melodies and lyrics of
incredible beauty. On the other hand,
Susan Werner
: : : mar 5 : : :
Anni Rossi with I, Colossus
“Welcome back”to
this Minnesota native –
join us to celebrate the
release of her new album.
Multi-instrumentalist Anni Rossi makes a
pre-release stopover in her former home
state, a few days before the release of her
first full-length album Rockwell on March 10.
Now based in Chicago, 23-year-old Anni is
an exciting prospect. Classically trained
since age three, Anni is an accomplished
violist and has been performing solo for the
past few years.
Until now, the viola has formed the
centerpiece to her music, often finding itself
to be the only instrument used, but even
more come to the fore here. In particular,
drums and cello slightly elevate her sound,
appearing occasionally to fill in corners.
She has already made extensive tours
: : : mar 7 : : :
of both Europe and the US, and along the
way gained herself a great reputation
and a rapidly increasing fanbase.
Openers tonight will be local band
and Afternoon Records recording artists
I, Colossus, featuring music written by
Matthew Sandstedt, with bandmates
Scott Johnson, Michael Sandstedt
and Mat Johnson.
myspace.com/annirossi
saturday, 8:00 pm / $8 at the door
416 Club Celtic with host
Drew Miller and guests
Green Tea, Felonious Bosch, The Blackbirds,
International Fiddle Conspiracy,
and the Rince na Chroi Irish Dancers
A night of Irish music
and dance – both pure
Come early
and under the influence...
and stay for the
whole evening,
or drop in for an hour or so and sample
some of the best acoustic music around
in optimal listening room conditions.
Boiled In Lead’s Drew Miller emcees
an Irish-influenced evening tonight
– setting the tone for St. Patrick’s Day.
Throughout
the evening, the
Rince na Chroi
Irish Dancers
will step out
in front of the Cedar stage to draw the
intricate patterns of Irish stepdancing.
Green Tea
call their style
“Celtic infusion”
– mixing Celtic
roots with rock, pop, folk, jazz, and funk.
Felonious Bosch, too,
began by working
with ancient material;
since mutated into a
beast with grooves inspired by sources
from Medieval to Motown, topped by the
powerful vocals of Katy Thomasberg.
Also on the bill are the traditional trio
The Blackbirds and a group of
young musicians who call themselves
the International Fiddle Conspiracy.
thecedar.org
2
22
| 651.224.4
ordway.org
she is a master of quick
wit. Her observational
humor has brought us a
number of songs
describing the utter
ridiculousness of the
world around us.
And then there is the
richness of her silky alto
telling us what lies in
the deepest recesses of her songwriter’s
heart.” – FAME
Susan Werner has become one of the
defining artists of the singer / songwriter
genre. Her songs effortlessly slide
between folk, jazz and pop, and are
delivered with a sassy wit and classic
midwestern charm. Her “sharp, funny,
compassionate lyrics, (are) a gift rare
enough to set her apart...” – Wash.Post
cherylwheeler.com
thursday, 7:30 pm / $8 adv $10 day
photo Jim Newberry
: : : mar 1 : : :
-$.(
SHIMABUKURO
TUE | MAR 10 $17-25
WORLD MUSIC SERIES
PLANET ORDWAY® TARGET® SEASON
march 2009
4
: : : mar 11 : : :
wednesday, 7:00 pm / FREE
Open Stage
The Cedar Open Stage offers optional
critiques of the participants by the host
following the last performer. This supportive
environment always attracts an interesting
and talented assortment of participants.
All are welcome, both performers
and audience members.
Perennial Cedar Open Stage hosts
Curtis & Loretta return tonight as masters
of ceremonies. C&L will play a short set at
the beginning of the evening. They’ve been
dedicated to organizing this event (booking
the hosts, recruiting sponsors, making the
posters, and hosting) since 1990.
Curtis & Loretta revel in writing songs about
the heroism and integrity of real-life,
: : : mar 13 : : :
about ordinary
people, often
people they
actually know.
This married
couple’s music
comes straight from the heart.
Please support this season’s sponsors:
• MBOTMA (Minnesota Bluegrass
• and Old Time Music Association),
• Willie’s American Guitars,
• Hoffman Guitars, and
• the West Bank School Of Music.
Through their generosity, we are able
to offer this event for FREE!
If you would like to play a song
or two on the Cedar stage, sign-up
for performance slots begins at 6:45 pm.
curtisandloretta.com
friday, 8:00 pm / $15 adv $18 day
California Guitar Trio
with the Andreas Kapsalis Trio
A whirlwind of
instrumental styles...
“A California Guitar Trio performance
is like a night at the theater: Drama,
passion, humor, joy , pathos, it’s all there.”
– Acoustic Musician
Fusing classical, rock, blues, jazz,
world music, progressive, as well as
that quintessential California musical genre –
surf music – the California Guitar Trio’s
stunning virtuosity and sly sense of humor
have earned them an enthusiastic following
and even a little notoriety.
Paul Richards of Salt Lake City, Utah,
Bert Lams of Brussels, Belgium, and
Hideyo Moriya of Tokyo first met in England
at one of Robert Fripp's Guitar Craft Courses
in 1987, and the three subsequently toured
: : : mar 15 : : :
worldwide with Fripp’s League of Crafty
Guitarists. Wanting to continue working
together, they convened in Los Angeles
and founded the CGT in 1991,
honing their intricate original
compositions, surf covers,
and classical re-workings.
Andreas Kapsalis will be joined
by percussionists Darren Garvey and
Jamie Gallagher for an opening set.
Karan Casey is a natural
innovator. More than a
decade ago American
audiences were introduced
to Casey fronting the Irish
supergroup Solas.
Following their
groundbreaking early
releases, Casey struck out
on her own. That decision
was based on an
independent spirit
determined to control
her touring schedule
and committed to
maintaining a family life.
Funky, folky
Latin pop from NYC
– standing room only!
In the few short years since their debut
in 2006, Pistolera has carved out a rightful
place for itself in the congested NYC indie
rock scene with their refreshing take
on soul-stirring traditional Mexican rhythms
laced with social commentary.
Their highly melodic and danceable
songs are sung in Spanish, and feature lyrics
with strong political content, often talking
about border issues, the plight of immigrants,
and female strength. It’s as much a
celebration of “cultura” as it is thoughtprovoking; owing to the music’s unique
ability to frame political views without
overshadowing the upbeat fiesta attitude
of the band.
: : : mar 14 : : :
Alice Russell with
A lavishly soulful voice
that is both timeless and
up-to-the-minute modern.
One listen to Alice Russell’s voice will
send shivers down your spine and raise
goosebumps on your skin. Live or on record,
she always performs with her trademark
self assurance and sass. Listening to Alice,
“...this electrifying New York quartet
features songs en Español by frontwoman
Sandra Lilia Velasquez. Backed by
driving accordion riffs of Maria Elena,
and backbeat that blends indie-pop
with old-school Mexican rancheras.
Velasquez is helping redefine the
urban Latino sound.” – CMJ
pistolera.net
saturday, 8:00 pm / $12 adv $15 day
Maria Isa
you’d naturally think she grew up on the
streets of Detroit, but surprisingly enough
the blue-eyed, blonde-haired lass
hails from Brighton, U.K.
Although her style is based in blues
and soul, it also encompasses everything
from funk to gospel to jazz and beyond.
“I was really small, playing with my Lego,
taping this stuff off of the radio. I just
fell in love with soul music, quite honestly.
Just hearing that music hit the spot.”
Today Alice is one of the hottest UK
soul singers.
Guest opener Maria Isa
celebrates her cultural diversity
and political activism through music,
incorporating elements of hip-hop,
soul, funk, salsa, bomba, plena,
reggae, dancehall and reggaetón
into her smouldering live shows.
cgtrio.com
sunday, 7:30 pm / $15 adv $18 day
Karan Casey
One of the most influential
(and most imitated) voices
in Irish
music!
thursday, 7:30 pm / $12 adv $15 day
Pistolera
with hosts Curtis & Loretta
Put yourself
on the Cedar stage!
: : : mar 12 : : :
alicerussell.com
: : : mar 17 : : :
tuesday, 7:30 pm / $8 at the door
Third Tuesday Dance Night with
That family has now grown (her second
child, Áine, was born in May of 2006),
as has her solo discography.
Karan has just completed
her fifth solo album entitled
Ships in the Forest. It focuses
largely on traditional repertoire
and features the members
of her current touring band,
Caoimhín Vallely (piano),
Kate Ellis (cello) and
Robbie Overson (guitar).
“the most soulful singer
in Irish music today...”
– The Herald
“...a singer of great and
glorious subtlety who can
communicate emotions with
a dazzling range...” – Billboard
karancasey.com
Mandrágora Tango
A monthly event for couple
dancing featuring live music
and the great, open dance floor
of The Cedar.
The Cedar has hosted participatory dance
events regularly since its inception 20 years
ago. This past summer the sprung, wooden
floor at the venue was re-finished for the
first time since The Cedar opened its doors.
Yes, it is St Patrick’s Day, but it is an
undeniable fact that not everyone is instantly
Irish on March 17. How about instead
celebrating the second day of Bacchanalia
(according to Wikipedia, a wild and mystic
festival of the Roman god Bacchus
(Dionysus in Greek)? From there it seems
only a small step towards an evening with
the fluid sounds of Mandrágora Tango.
This vibrant collective of tango
musicians are dedicated to preserving
these nearly-lost musical forms and
translating them for today’s listeners
and dancers. Mandrágora dances across
those lines and creates a music that is
fresh, engaging, danceable and nostalgic.
mandragoratango.com
march 2009
5
: : : mar 19 : : :
thursday, 7:30 pm / $20 adv $22 day
Minnesota Orchestra Presents
Sessions II with
Roy Ayers, Melvin Sparks,
Russell Batiste Jr, Joe Krown and Jim Anton
Presented by B-Side
Productions, Sessions is
a forum for rare combinations
of musicians to collaborate
live on stage.
True to form, these group improvisations
are heavy on irresistable grooves,
rich harmonies and strong melodies.
While nothing definitive is planned,
each of the Sessions will be extraordinary.
This is the essence of the jam.
Tonight, it’s a freeform session of funk,
soul and acid jazz, featuring the incredible
talents of Roy Ayers (vibes), Melvin Sparks
(guitar), Russell Batiste Jr (drums),
Joe Krown (Hammond B-3, piano), and
Jim Anton (bass).
Roy Ayers could very well be the best
jazz/R&B artist you don’t know. In his 40-plus
: : : mar 20 : : :
years on vibes, he has produced a string
of soul and funk classics; he is arguably
the second-most sampled musician in
hip-hop, after James Brown. Last year,
Ayers and Kanye West were enlisted to
produce a track for Brooklyn MC Talib
Kweli. Roy continues to tour and he’s
working on an album due later this year.
Chicago’s Occidental Brothers Dance Band
International is a multi-racial band mixing
their backgrounds in traditional African
: : : mar 21 : : :
RONAN TYNAN
AND JOHN McDERMOTT
WITH THE MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA
A St. Patrick’s Day Celebration!
FRI MAR 20 & SAT MAR 21 8PM
bsideprod.com
friday, 8:00 pm / $12 adv $15 day
Occidental Brothers Dance Band International
Central and West African
classical dance music,
specializing in soukous,
highlife, rumba, dry guitar, and
other styles from the continent.
U.S. BANK WEEKENDER POPS
music, jazz, and underground rock to
bring these sounds to life. Word of the
group’s electrifying live shows is
spreading as they play sold-out shows
with Afropop legend Oliver Mtukudzi
and art-pop superstar Andrew Bird.
The band originally covered songs of
Congolese greats Mwenda Jean
Bosco, Franco, and Bantous de la
Capitale. Their new record Odo
Sanbra (meaning “come back, love”)
has taken the music deeper into the
roots of Ghanaian highlife with new
original music, and a surprise cover of
New Order’s “Bizarre Love Triangle.”
“This disc convinces me that
the greatest African dance band
on the planet this year hails from
Chicago.”– The Beat
U.S. BANK WEEKENDER POPS
BLUE NOTE RECORDS
70TH ANNIVERSARY—ON TOUR
FEATURING BILL CHARLAP, RAVI COLTRANE,
PETER BERNSTEIN, LEWIS NASH, NICHOLAS PAYTON,
PETER WASHINGTON AND STEVE WILSON
SUN MAR 29 2PM
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
ART GARFUNKEL
FRI APR 10 8PM
U.S. BANK WEEKENDER POPS
JIM BRICKMAN
WITH THE MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA
FRI APR 17 & SAT APR 18 8PM
occidentalbrothers.com
saturday, 8:00 pm / $18 adv $20 day
Rory Block with The Bitter Spills
“If you like
music steeped
in tradition and
genuine feeling,
this is your
woman.” – People
Heralded as “a living landmark”
(Berkeley Express), “a national
treasure” (Guitar Extra), and “one of
the greatest living acoustic blues
artists” (Blues Revue), Rory Block has
committed her life and her career to
preserving the Delta blues tradition
and bringing it to life for 21st century
audiences. A traditionalist and an
innovator at the same time, she wields
a fiery and haunting guitar and vocal
style that redefines the boundaries of
acoustic blues and folk.
The New York
Times declared:
“Her playing is
perfect, her singing
otherworldly as
she wrestles with
ghosts, shadows
and legends.”
Tonight, Rory
will be ably
complemented
by openers and
kindred spirits
The Bitter Spills,
featuring the
dual guitars of
Baby Grant Johnson
and Rich Mattson.
roryblock.com
PIPER JAFFRAY JAZZ AT ORCHESTRA HALL
McCOY TYNER
QUARTET
THU APR 30 7:30PM
Orchestra Hall
minnesotaorchestra.org | 612.371.5656
march 2009
6
: : : mar 22 : : :: : : : : : : : : : : : : : :
sunday,7:30 pm / $20 adv $25 day
Hawaiian Treasures Celebration
A blast of warmth
when we need it most!
George Kahumoku Jr. is bringing his
Grammy Award-winning concert
“Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar”
to The Cedar in March. There is plenty to
celebrate after winning the Grammy three
years straight for “Best Hawaiian Music
Album.” Kahumoku, a master slack key
guitarist, was also one of the producers for
the albums. These three CDs are live
recordings from a weekly Slack Key show
hosted by Kahumoku in Maui. Last year’s
release Treasures Of The Hawaiian
Slack Key Guitar features two other
esteemed artists who will also play
tonight with Kahumoku.
Hawaiian slack key guitar is one of the
: : : mar 25 : : :
containing a full major chord.
Each tuning produces a characteristic
resonance behind the melody, and each
has its own characteristic color and flavor,
like a beautiful basket of fruit.
Dennis Kamakahi is one of Hawaii’s
most prolific composers having written
such famous standards such as “Wahine
world’s great acoustic guitar traditions.
However, due to Hawaii’s isolation (the
islands lie furthest in the world from any
major land mass) it remains one of the
least-known traditions. In this unique
finger-picked style, the strings
(or “keys”) are “slacked” to produce
many beautiful tunings, almost always
based on a major tonality and often
Ilikea,” “Pua Hone” and “Koke’e”
among many others. At the early age of 19,
his rich voice and superlative guitar skills
led him to be honored to replace the
late Gabby Pahinui in the acclaimed band
The Sons of Hawaii.
Richard Ho’opi’i is a living legend of
Hawaiian music and master of the traditional
art form of Hawaiian falsetto. For
many years he performed with his
brother Sol as the Ho’opi’i Brothers.
He has received the National
Endowment for the Arts Folk Heritage
Fellowship, America’s highest honor
for traditional artists. Charismatic
on stage, his lively music,
thick white hair and infectious smile,
make him one of the most
recognizable Hawaiian musicians.
kahumoku.com
wednesday, 6:30 pm / $25 Cedar benefit!
Zipp’s Spring Wine Tasting
An enjoyable way to help
support your favorite music
venue!
Get in gear for Spring with yet another
Zipp’s Wine Tasting at The Cedar! We will have
100+ wines available for tasting as well as
snacks and silent auction items. You know it’s a
good time, and a great cause. Eat, drink,
be merry! Everything tastes better knowing that
all proceeds go to benefit The Cedar.
localwineevents.com
th
Happy 20 Birthday to
rd
The Cedar – March 3 , 2009!
Grammy Award Winning
35th Anniversary Gala
A Festival of Bluegrass & Old-Time Music & Dance
ASL Interpreted
SATURDAY · 8 PM The O’Shaughnessy
March 7
College of St. Catherine
TICKETS FROM $19.50
Tickets & Info at AVA 612-673-9230 • www.avaspecial.com
GET ALL YOUR HARD TO FIND
MUSIC ITEMS HERE
March 6-8, 2009 - Radisson Hotel
I-494 & Hwy 55, Plymouth MN
CDs • LPs • DVDs • CASSETTES • POSTERS
T-SHIRTS • BOOKS • STRANGE & MISCELLANEOUS
RICE STREET
MUSIC MEMORABILIA
651-756-7027 • 2768 RICE STREET IN ST. PAUL
Stage Shows by More Than 50 Bands on Two Stages!
Plus Old-Time Dances in the Dance Parlour!
1- 800-635-3037 www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org
march 2009
7
: : : mar 26 : : :
thursday, 7:30 pm / $18 adv $20 day
Chango Spasiuk
An accordion virtuoso who
begins his journey with the
music of the “barefoot” rural
population of Argentina.
A dynamic and sensitive virtuoso on the
accordion, Chango Spasiuk is master of
the Argentinian chamamé, the indigenous
Guaraní term for a sprightly 6/8 music and
dance. Sometimes compared to the great
Astor Piazzolla in terms of his profound
influence on Argentinean music, Chango
has just released his new album Pynandí
(Los Descalzos), which blends the humor
and fellowship of laborers with stylistic
contradictions that keep the listener on
his or her toes.
Spasiuk’s accordion playing delights
traditionalists and intrigues rock and jazz
audiences alike. His fleet-fingered runs
on accordion are usually shadowed by
: : mar 28/29 : :
Carolina
Chocolate Drops
Two nights of high-powered
old school roots music!
To say the Carolina Chocolate Drops take an
old-school approach would be an
understatement. The Durham NC-based trio
– Dom Flemons, Rhiannon Giddens and
Justin Robinson – plays traditional string
band music found in rural black communities
in the South. The band’s take on traditional
songs is garnering attention and praise
: : : mar 29 : : :
Justin Roberts
sponsored by
the judicious flicker and wheeze of
Juan Nuñez’s bandoneón and the
exquisite semi-classical grace of
Victor Renaudeau’s violin. There’s also
percussion, a double bass and two
acoustic guitarists, one of whom
occasionally contributes sweet
“high’n’lonesome” vocals.
changospasiuk.com.ar
sunday
pmpm/ /$20
saturday, 8:00
, 8:00
$17advadv$25
$20dayday
sunday, 7:30 pm / $17 adv $20 day
from around the world.
Three years ago, they met at the
Black Banjo Gathering at Appalachian
State University, and also encountered
Joe Thompson, who is said to be the
last black traditional string band player.
While the band is starting to get the
reputation of keeping an entire music
genre alive, Flemons says they try not to
let that overtake them. “As far as we’re
concerned, all we have to do is go to the
gig and play a solid set. We’re just normal
folks who play an old style of music."
“...more than ‘revivalists,’ they
approach their art in a spirit of in-themoment celebration, making it accessible
to everyday listeners.” – Living Blues
Sunday’s concert is a
Project SUCCESS event.
carolinachocolatedrops.com
sunday, 11:00 am / $15 ages 13 and up,
$5 ages 2 to 12, under 2 are FREE
Justin Roberts enters
his second decade as
one of the most
recognized and
accomplished
musicians in kids
music with his sixth
and latest album, Pop
Fly, which builds on
Justin’s previous
successes by
continuing to offer
catchy, contemporary
hooks and his unique
brand of songwriting.
These days Justin
enjoys a rigorous
tour schedule by playing to sold out, high
energy crowds from coast to coast. In the
process, many people have said some
very nice things about Justin and his
music:
“Pure Fun” – Entertainment Weekly
“Some of the most inspired
and intelligent kids lyrics ever.”
– amazon.com
“As a kids’ performer, Roberts is in
a league of his own.” – Chicago Tribune
“On your feet fun and
laugh-out-loud funny.” – People
justinroberts.com
friday, 8:00 pm / $12 adv $15 day
Eleni Mandell with Daniel Martin Moore
The acclaimed indie popfolksinger returns to The Cedar,
this time with a full band.
and the Not Ready For Naptime Players
The Target Family Series
at The Cedar presents...
: : : mar 27 : : :
The Cedar is pleased
to welcome back
Eleni Mandell, showcasing
her new release Artificial
Fire. This new set builds on
the success of her previous
Miracle Of Five, adding a
more direct, full-band
sound to Mandell’s sharpedged tales of romance,
lust and love.
“I want people to hear
this record and have fun, more of a good
time.” That’s Eleni’s reason for cranking up
the guitars and the tempos on a number of
the tracks, such as the key track
: : : mar 28 : : :
“Bigger Burn.” With its surf-inspired
guitar leads and a rollicking, jumping
backbeat, it is a perfect example of the
vibrant side of Artificial Fire.
All the songs on
Artificial Fire were written
by Mandell, but arranged,
recorded and produced with
her longtime band, allowing
the group’s cohesiveness
and musical acumen to
shape the tracks while
Mandell’s articulate lyrics
hold center stage.
Opening tonight will be the
Kentuckian singer-songwriter
Daniel Martin Moore, whose
music is released by Sub Pop.
elenimandell.com
at the Walker Art Center
saturday, 8:00 pm / $22 - $18 members
Lo Còr de la Plana
Co-presented by The Cedar
and The Walker Art Center
at the Walker’s
McGuire Theater
“With just those voices and percussion,
they did remarkable things... The music
was equally robust and intricate.”
– New York Times
Singing in the disappearing Romance
language of Occitan, the vocal and
percussion ensemble Lo Còr de la Plana of
Southern France not only brings a
captivating ancient culture to life, but
combines its rich traditions with 21st-century
polyphony and subtle electronics. On their
first US tour, the irrepressible men of Lo Còr
combine bendir drums, tambourines,
footstomping, and hand-clapping with
drones and call-and-response to create an
utterly infectious musical experience.
Their art reflects influences ranging from
chant to Bartók, Middle Eastern vocal
tonalities to the Massilia Sound System.
Tickets are $22 ($18 Walker and Cedar
members), available from the Walker Art
Center, and the Cedar Ticketline.
myspace.com/locordelaplana
sunday
mon.
march
1
Dervish with
Martin Hayes
& Dennis Cahill
tue.
2
wednesday
thursday
4
3
friday
6
Anni Rossi with Mike Marshall
I, Colossus
Big Trio w/spec. guest
W 7:30 pm
Peter Ostrouskho
W 8:00 pm
W 7:30 pm
Cheryl Wheeler
8
9
11
10
with Susan Werner
W 7:30 pm
12
Pistolera
W 7:30 pm
with hosts
Curtis & Loretta
15
W 7:30 pm
18
17
with
24
: : : march : : :
19
Tea,
Felonious Bosch, more!
W 8:00 pm
California
Alice Russell
Guitar Trio with with Maria Isa
14
W 8:00 pm
Occidental 20 Rory Block 21
Brothers Dance with The Bitter Spills
Band International
W 8:00 pm
W 8:00 pm
26
Chango
Zipp’s Spring Spasiuk
Wine Tasting
Eleni Mandell
27
with Daniel
Martin Moore
W 7:30 pm
28
Carolina
Chocolate Drops
W 8:00 pm Cedar
Lo Cò r de la Plana
W 8:00 pm
W 6:30 pm
W 7:30 pm
Justin Roberts
25
Cedar Benefit
W 8:00 pm Walker
29
30
31
1
W 11:00 am
Carolina
Chocolate Drops
W 7:30 pm
: : : coming up : : :
april
twenty years of
inspired music
23
Sessions II
with Roy Ayers, Melvin
Sparks, Russell Batiste Jr,
Joe Krown and Jim Anton
W 7:30 pm
Mandrágora
Orchestra
22
Celtic with Green
W 8:00 pm
W 7:30 pm
Hawaiian
Treasures
Celebration
7
13
Andreas Kapsalis Trio
W 7:00 pm
Karan Casey
saturday
5
Kálmán
Balogh Gypsy
2
Cimbalom Band
Brave
Combo
punch brothers >>>
colin hay >>>
bill frisell >>>
may
Check thecedar.org for info
and samples of our upcoming concerts and to buy your tickets online.
4
W 8:00 pm
Great Musical Entertainment…
Something for Everyone!
SueMcLean.com
Doors: 7PM / Music: 8PM / 18+
Squirrel
Nut Zippers
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with
Gaelic
Storm
MONDAY • 7:30 PM
March 16
TUESDAY
Guthrie Theater
Wurtele Thrust Stage
March 24
Varsity Theater
Shawn
Phillips
Robin
Trower
MONDAY • 7:30 PM
SUNDAY • 7:30 PM
May 4
Guthrie Theater
McGuire Proscenium Stage
June 28
Fitzgerald
Theater
CARRIE RODRIGUEZ & ROMANTICA
STUART D’ROZARIO
3/4 • Varsity Theater
4/8 • Varsity Theater
4/20 • Guthrie Theater
PINK
MARTINI
TODD SNIDER
THE ENGLISH BEAT
THE FLATLANDERS
6/23
O'Shaughnessy
DUNCAN SHEIK
fri 1 >>> COLIN HAY
sat 2 >>> GUSTAFER YELLOWGOLD
(Target Family Series, 11am)
Pert' Near
Sandstone with
Sans Souci Quartet
W 8:00 pm
W 7:30 pm
april
thu 2 >>> KÁLMÁN BALOGH
GYPSY CIMBALOM BAND
fri 3 >>> BRAVE COMBO
sat 4 >>> PERT’ NEAR
SANDSTONE
sun 5 >>> PUNCH BROTHERS
wed 8 >>> OPEN STAGE with host DAN RUMSEY
thu 9 >>> 416 CLUB curated by the
JELLY MOUNTAIN ART COLLECTIVE
fri 10 >>> THE HIGH 48's
sat 11 >>> BILL FRISELL TRIO with SARAH SISKIND
thu 16 >>> B-SIDE JAZZ FESTIVAL
fri 17 >>> LUCY KAPLANSKY
sat 18 >>> BUNNY CLOGS
(Target Family Series, 11am)
>>> PETER MAYER (8pm)
sun 19 >>> B-SIDE JAZZ FESTIVAL
tue 21 >>> THIRD TUESDAY DANCE NIGHT with the
CAFÉ ACCORDION ORCHESTRA
thu 23 >>> MOTHER BANJO cd release
fri 24 >>> CARMEN SOUZA
sat 25 >>> THE BAD PLUS
thu 30 >>> ZIPP’s BEER TASTING
3
3/4 • Fitzgerald Theater
MISSY HIGGINS & JUSTIN NOZUKA
3/15 • First Avenue
4/10 • Cabooze
4/26 • Varsity Theater
ANDREW BIRD
NANCI GRIFFITH
4/11 • State Theatre
4/27 • Guthrie Theater
Tickets available at the Venue Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, at 800.745.3000 & at ticketmaster.com
Guthrie Theater shows available at the Guthrie Theater Box Office, 612.377.2224 & online at guthrietheater.org
Cabooze tickets are available at the Cabooze Box Office, all Cabooze ticket outlets including The Joint Bar, Treehouse
Records, Know Name Records, Electric Fetus and online at cabooze.com