Dakota

Sarah Morris & Molly Dean
2026-03-03 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago)
Two of Minneapolis’ most compelling songwriters share the stage for an evening rooted in craft, connection, and storytelling.

Sarah Morris brings her crystalline voice and award-winning Americana songwriting, pairing technical precision with emotional depth that lingers. Here, her stories have been honed from conservatory training to national stages. Molly Dean joins the evening with a genre-blending approach that mixes folk, indie, and singer-songwriter influences. Additionally, Molly will share songs from her latest release Interwoven. Together, the evening offers engaging, intimate performances – a night of thoughtful, well-crafted music and storytelling.
Molly Dean is a Minneapolis-based vocalist and multi-instrumentalist known for her versatile, genre-blending sound. Her music draws from folk, indie, and singer-songwriter traditions, with a focus on clear melodies, thoughtful lyrics, and strong musicianship.
Her latest release, Interwoven, explores themes of connection, personal growth, and shared experience. The album reflects years of performing in a wide range of settings, both in the U.S. and internationally. There, she appears at folk festivals and theaters to collaborative projects and solo shows.
Often described as “deceptively simple” and “enrapturing,” Molly Dean’s music is direct, intentional, and emotionally grounded. Moreover, Molly invites listeners into songs that feel honest, accessible, and resonant.
Sarah Morris aims to document the glorious details of our messy, magical lives. Also, she is a 2018 Kerrville New Folk Winner, and the Midwest Country Music Organization named her Songwriter of the Year three times. Called “A bright, clear, brilliant songwriter” (L’Etoile Magazine), Morris wields a keen eye and a captivating voice. Further, she offers poignant and relatable songs with timeless melodies.
“What a voice, never showy or seeking the limelight, just impressive within the requirements of the song and that in itself, in this day and age, is a rare thing.” – Dancing About Architecture
Recommended for fans of Brandi Carlile, Pieta Brown, Patty Griffin and Birds of Chicago.

John Oates & The Good Road Band
2026-03-06 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-03-06 21:00 - 23:00
“engaging, unpretentious voice… sincere and modestly virtuosic” – Acoustic Guitar

John Oates is celebrating twenty-five years as an accomplished solo recording artist. John celebrated this milestone by releasing his newest project, 2025’s self-titled album Oates.
Oates is a co-founder of the most successful duo in rock history, Hall & Oates. Thus, he is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and The American Songwriters Hall of Fame. Also, he received the prestigious BMI Icon Award as well as numerous American Music, MTV awards and multiple Grammy nominations.
Oates has been part of pop music history’s most iconic moments. For example, he was part of the groundbreaking “We Are The World” charity session. Further, Hall and Oates headlined the first Live Aid concert in Philadelphia. More recently, John is very active with various philanthropic organizations such as Feeding America, Movember, Teen Cancer America and more.
In addition to having sold over 80 million albums as a former member of Hall & Oates, he has recorded eight solo albums. He is currently touring the world with his Good Road Band and Acoustic Quartet performing his new original songs. Additionally, they cover past hits as well as selections of influential music he calls “the songs that made me”. Here, these are selected from the early days of rock, soul, folk and R&B.
Recommended for fans of Hall & Oates, Boz Scaggs, Bruce Hornsby and Jeff Lynne.
📸: Jason Lee Denton

The Belfast Cowboys
2026-03-13 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-05-24 19:00 - 21:00
“conjures up the spirit and the songs of Ireland’s greatest export” – Chicago Tribune

The Belfast Cowboys is a nine-piece, horn-driven band from Minneapolis that specializes in the music of Van Morrison. Entering their third decade, they are adept at mixing rock, blues, roots and soul sounds. Led by veteran songwriter/guitarist Terry Walsh, the Cowboys have flourished in the renowned Minnesota music scene. They have consistently packed houses and wowed crowds since 2002.
Terry Walsh got his start playing in various Twin Cities rock bands. He toured as Slim Dunlap’s bass player in 1997, opening for Son Volt. In 2001 Terry hit upon the idea of forming a Van Morrison tribute band. Terry spent the rest of the year learning Van songs and building an all-star band. The band played their first show at the old 400 Bar on Saint Patrick’s Day 2002.
Many musicians have played with the band, but the ‘A’ team was soon established. It includes Dan Kowalke (guitar, vocals, Joe Baumgart (bass), Dave Kirby and Dave Haugen (drums, backing vocals), Joe Loskota (keyboards, backing vocals). The horn section includes Paul Gronert (sax), Matt Hanzelka (trombone), Tim Martin (trumpet), Vic Volare (sax, flute). Bandleader Terry Walsh (lead vocals, guitar, harmonica, piano).
The band has expanded its content over the years to include rock and soul covers. Terry’s own originals have become fan favorites. Now a beloved staple in Minnesota, the 9-piece Belfast Cowboys averaged over 120 shows a year before the pandemic. The bar-tested troubadours are known for playing epic sets at their weekly Minneapolis gigs and drawing crowds to outdoor festivals. Occasionally they’ll venture beyond the Midwest to play Ireland, Phoenix, and New York’s Times Square. Once they opened for the band Chicago in front of 15,000 people.
Recommended for fans of Bruce Springsteen, G.B. Leighton, Tina and the B-Sides and Van Morrison.

Louisiana Calling
2026-03-25 19:00 - 21:00
“fusing blues, Latin, classic R&B, zydeco, Cajun, Tex-Mex, and roots rock” – AllMusic

New frontiers fit nicely atop the boundary-breaking career of singer songwriter and slide guitar icon Sonny Landreth. He has performed live with Buddy Guy and John Hiatt in theaters and arenas around the United States. Also, post-New Orleans Jazz Fest jamming on bayou rhythms with Oteil Burbridge and Johnny Vidacovich. Further, he has recorded and played live with ukulele phenom Jake Shimabukuro at The Blue Note in Hawaii. Thus, it has been a noteworthy couple of years for the two time Grammy nominee. And those are just his side projects.
Landreth explains his continually expanding musical horizons. “One of the things I love about collaborations with other artists is the element of surprise. When the chemistry is there, it is always inspiring to find new twists and turns that up the game creatively.”
What if Americana actually encompassed ALL of North America? You’d have the Franco-Acadian inflections of Canada, as best exemplified by the accordion. Then, you’d have blues and jazz, the U.S.’s most original art form. Also, the lilting grace and fiery passion of the music of Mexico. You’d also have New Orleans’ premiere distillers of this continental musical mélange, The Iguanas.
Their three-decade ride has taken them all over the map musically and geographically. However, the inescapable patina of their hometown infuses every note they play. They have produced eight studio albums among countless tours and Jazz Fest appearances. They survived a flood that did its best to take their adopted city with it. Therefore, it’s a testament to the band’s endurance that the same four guys that started playing in the early 1990s are still together.
Recommended for fans of The Radiators, Paul Thorn, Tab Benoit and Los Lobos.
📸: Robley Dupleix

Midwest Mavens: The Foxgloves
2026-03-31 19:00 - 21:00
“infectious energy and joy radiating off the stage” – Adventures in Americana

The Foxgloves are an all-women Americana/Newgrass band out of the Twin Cities. Here, they have been a vibrant part of the Midwest music scene since 2019. Their vibrant four-part harmonies share stories that feel weathered and deeply human, whether they are bright and driving, or shadowed and searching. Live, the energy shifts from song to song and never lets up, from lean-in moments to joyous, foot-stomping tunes. Moreover, their high-energy performances and musical depth have swept them onto big stages throughout the region. For example, Blue Ox Music Festival, Boats and Bluegrass, First Avenue Mainroom, and Big Top Chautauqua. Furthermore, this powerful band is making moves you’ll want to witness.

LaPlant Road is the duo of two childhood friends, Emily LaPlant and Liz Ashworth, who grew up in the tundra of Northern Minnesota. They found warmth and purpose in the music shared by the dwellers of LaPlant Road. There, it was named after early settlers who established themselves in the area a century prior. Together, Liz and Emily work to create new sounds, incorporating influence from their favorite genres. Then, they craft an audio ode to many of the best things in their childhood: music, family, and friends. Moreover, both ladies are multi-instrumentalists with a dynamic, harmonious vocal blend.

Lanue comes to us from Duluth as a project that stands firmly in front of a fresh creative backdrop. There, Sarah Krueger culled the name from the title of a poem on a thrift store shelf. Krueger continues to amplify her knack for straightforward and earnest songwriting. Also, she maintains a vocal delivery that sits like honey over layers of warm synths, guitars, and percussion. Here, Lanue builds a catalogue that puts the song at the center of the creative process.
Recommended for fans of Trampled by Turtles, Della Mae, Pert Near Sandstone and Steep Canyon Rangers.

Jane Siberry
2026-04-05 19:00 - 21:00
“One of those rare artists who can crack brains and break hearts at the same time.” — Village Voice

Jane Siberry is one of Canada’s most original and influential singer-songwriters. Best known for transcendent works like “Calling All Angels”, “Love Is Everything”, and the iconic “Mimi on the Beach”, she has created a singular body of work that defies categorization. Her haunting contribution to The Crow soundtrack, “It Can’t Rain All the Time”, continues to resonate three decades later.
Despite a prolific career, Siberry reflects: “I feel like I’m inching my way toward my prime.”
2025 and 2026 are big years for Siberry. In 2025, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame inducted her. Additionally, she won the Polaris Legends Award for her iconic album The Speckless Sky. Then in 2026, she returns with her sixteenth album, Season One: In the Thicket of Our Own Unconsciousness. She expects Season Two and Three to follow later in 2026 with a North American tour afterward. Here, Siberry continues to redefine what it means to be an independent, visionary artist.
After a decade-long recording pause, Siberry returns with a highly anticipated gathering of songs. They are interwoven with musical and spoken segues that she calls the matrix, making the album play like a musical Netflix series. Furthermore, she explores themes of flickering consciousness, compassion, and rigorous self-reckoning. Siberry calls them “the moments in between.”
Recommended for fans of Rickie Lee Jones, Kate Bush, k.d. lang and Indigo Girls.

The Cactus Blossoms
2026-04-12 19:00 - 21:00
“tightly woven harmonies.” – New York Times

At its best, harmony duo singing can transform simple math into a magic trick. One plus one, instead of equaling two, suddenly yields an unexpected third thing. An upper-case ONE. A universal hum. A deep vibration that encompasses two different points of view. Here, brothers Jack Torrey and Page Burkum, aka The Cactus Blossoms, once again prove themselves to be among the most adept – and distinctive – modern practitioners of that magic. However, like any great magician, The Cactus Blossoms can’t – or won’t – fully explain the illusion they create.
“Harmonies are a big part of our sound, but in some ways they’re the part we focus on the least,” says Burkum. “We put most of our attention and energy into the songs themselves and then the harmonies just happen.”
There’s all kinds of magic happening on their latest, 2024’s Every Time I Think About You. Moreover, it’s a record that sounds more like a band than any other in the Cactus Blossoms discography. Here, Jeremy Hanson (drums), Jacob Hanson (guitar) and Phillip Hicks (bass) contribute to that full-band sound. “There She Goes” casts its romantic regret against a danceable bop beat. Then, the title track is a heart-wrencher about loss and letting go.
“Even if you don’t set out to write songs with a theme in mind it seems like one usually presents itself,” says Torrey. “This record keeps returning to the idea of ‘moving on’ — from one place to another, from people and situations that bring you down, from loss and grief.”
Recommended for fans of The Everly Brothers, Margo Price, Pokey LaFarge and Charlie Parr.

Jorma Kaukonen & John Hurlbut
2026-04-22 19:00 - 21:00
“a pioneer of San Francisco psychedelia” – Rolling Stone

Jorma Kaukonen is one of the most highly respected interpreters of American roots music, blues, and rock. His storied career has already spanned a half-century. Moreover, he is a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and a Grammy recipient. Jorma was at the forefront of popular rock and roll, one of the founders of the San Francisco sound and a progenitor of Psychedelic Rock. Thus, he is a founding member of two legendary bands, Jefferson Airplane and the still-touring Hot Tuna.
Jorma Kaukonen is a music legend and one of the finest singer-songwriters in his field. He continues to tour, bringing his unique styling to old blues tunes while presenting new songs of weight and dimension. Here, his secret is in playing spontaneous, unfiltered music, with an individual expression of personality. In 2016, Jorma, Jack Casady and the other members of Jefferson Airplane received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. There, this was to recognize their contributions to American music.
In 2019 St. Martin’s Press published Jorma‘s autobiography, Been So Long: My Life and Music, Furthermore, he wrote this to express his life both in and out of the music world. As Kaukonen describes, “My story is my story. Having told bits and pieces of it over my lifetime to a treasured few, it was time to tell all to a bigger audience… From rehearsals and jams in small apartments and tiny back rooms to Monterey, Woodstock, Altamont, the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, the world of the Grammys and beyond… this is part of the road I live on. This is my embryonic journey and much, much more!”
Recommended for fans of Hot Tuna, Jefferson Airplane, Leo Kottke and Doc Watson.

Paul Thorn
2026-04-30 19:00 - 21:00
“More of a revival than a concert.” – KDHX

When it comes to songwriting, less is more, and simplicity is strength. Just ask Paul Thorn. Here, he has spent three decades turning soulful grooves and small syllables into songs that pack a big wallop. Maybe he learned the power of minimalism from his years as a pro boxer; maybe it just comes naturally. But whether he’s aiming for heads, hearts, hips or the occasional funny bone, he always hits his target. Further, he somehow manages to condense large nuggets of wisdom into tight little mantras. The kind embroiderers stitched onto pillows before internet memes existed.
Thorn’s new album, 2025’s Life is Just A Vapor, contains some beauties. “Life is a vapor, let’s live it while we can”. “Tough times don’t last, but tough people do” (from “Tough Times Don’t Last”). “Any mountain up ahead is just a hill” (from “Old Melodies”). Here, there are words of advice, comfort, support, encouragement, often meant to uplift, especially in times of struggle.
“I like for people to be touched by music and get something from it. Something that they can take with them throughout the day,” Thorn says. “Every song on this album, there’s a message in it of some sort about how to live life.”
American Blues Scene writer Don Wilcock calls Thorn “an everyman (who) addresses things we all think about. But few can articulate with the kind of candor, humor and folksy truth that immediately endear him to almost everyone lucky enough to hear his music.”
Recommended for fans of Robert Earl Keen, Rosanne Cash, The Mavericks and Todd Snider.
📸: Jeff Fasano

Nicholas David: Live at Dakota
2026-05-06 19:00 - 21:00
“infectious as hell… passionate” – City Pages

Nicholas David’s albums sound fantastic. He sounds great on TV. However, nothing compares to the magic, the excitement, the immediacy of seeing him live! He returns with his signature brand of soul-stirring rock music to record a new album.
The St. Paul singer/songwriter has been making music from the heart, for the heart for nearly thirty years. Like the mighty Mississippi River, David’s musical journey rocks n’ rolls like a cosmic current. Here, his music has taken him from coast to coast and across the pond.
David had an unforgettable run on NBC’s The Voice. There, he met Bill Withers, sang with Smokey Robinson and finished in Third Place! Recently, David has been riding along the rock n roll highway with the Allman Brothers sons.
Come celebrate an evening where dreams and reality mix into music.
Recommended for fans of Dr. John, Ray Lamontagne, Leon Bridges and Amos Lee.

Martin Zellar
2026-05-07 19:00 - 21:00
“His songs are just too beautiful, too fully realized to ignore.” – Austin Chronicle

If you ask singer-songwriter Martin Zellar what he’s most proud of over his long career, he answers, “I guess that I’ve managed to support my family by writing, recording, and performing music for over thirty-five years. It hasn’t always been easy or glamorous, but I’ve found a way. I still love what I do and can’t imagine doing anything else. And honestly, the fact that I’m not qualified to do anything else has been a motivator”. The truth is, Martin has made his living because he has always reliably delivered what his fans expect. Here, Zellar consistently provides quality songwriting and heartfelt performances.
Immediately after graduating from high school Martin moved to Minneapolis and formed the country-rock band The Gear Daddies. There, the band comprised friends and fellow Austinites Nick Ciola, Billy Dankert and Randy Broughten. The Gear Daddies had some success, and a lot of fun. Moreover, they consider themselves lucky to have been part of the 1990’s Twin Cities music scene.
The Gear Daddies released three critically acclaimed albums and toured non-stop. Additionally, they performed on Late Night with David Letterman before amicably parting ways in 1992. Zellar then went on to record and perform as a solo artist, releasing seven more albums. His 1993 release, Born Under, and his 2012 release, Roosters Crow, were especially well-received by critics.
Martin continues to record and perform as a solo artist and with his band the Hardways. That’s what he continues to do, and he still has fun. In October 2023, Zellar released Head West, his first new offering in over a decade, to wide critical acclaim.
Recommended for fans of The Gear Daddies, The Jayhawks, Peter Himmelman and BoDeans.

American Roots Revue:
2026-05-09 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-05-09 21:00 - 23:00
A living tribute to the diverse musical traditions that have shaped our nation.

American Roots Revue is back! Tonight, experience Gospel, R&B, blues, folk, rock ‘n roll, and Indigenous music, featuring Anishinaabe Ojibwe artist Dorene Day Waubanewquay. The scintillating foursome of Larry Long, Robert Robinson, Tonia Hughes Kendrick and JD Steele will be backed by a superlative band led by Billy Steele from Sounds of Blackness (keyboards/vocals), Joe Savage (pedal steel), Larry Dalton (bass), Greg Schutte (drums), and David Feily (guitar).
Don’t miss these veteran artists whose outstanding credits include stellar performances at the recent NO KINGS event to album credits and show appearances at renowned concert venues from Carnegie Hall to Madison Square Garden, honoring Rosa Parks, Pete Seeger and many others.
MEET THE ARTISTS:
Robert Robinson gives us reason to believe that the greatest music reaches every name and crosses every boundary. Thus, Robinson has wowed audiences from the Pontiac Silverdome to South Korea. Here, Robert is “God’s canary,” with the ability to sing any song and yet remain true to his vision.
Tonia Hughes is a recent McKnight Fellow. Her passion for music often results in culturally diverse collaborations alongside some of Minnesota’s most accomplished musicians. Furthermore, she has performed at Orchestra Hall, Lincoln Center and at hundreds of venues throughout the Twin Cities.
J.D. Steele exploded onto the Minnesota music scene in the mid 1980’s along with Prince, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Then, Mr. Steele and his dynamic vocal siblings, The Steeles, garnered every major music award Minnesota has to offer.
Billy Steele performs, writes, and produces for the Grammy-winning ensemble Sounds of Blackness. Also, Billy is the youngest of the legendary Steele family. Additionally, he appears on soundtracks with artists such as Rod Stewart and Luther Vandross.
Dorene Day Waubanewquay is an Ojibwe-Anishinabe Kwe of the Waubizayshi O’dodem – Marten Clan, from Asabikone zaaga I’ gunning – Bois Forte Reservation in northern Minnesota. There, she carries the responsibility of song keeper for her Midewiwin lodge. Moreover, her name means “Daybreak Woman,” someone who asks the darkness to give way to the light each morning.
Larry Long is an American singer-songwriter who has made his life work the celebration of everyday heroes. Here, author and historian Studs Terkel called Larry “a true American troubadour.” When America’s foremost folksinger, Pete Seeger, learned that Long was called the Pete Seeger of Minneapolis, Seeger chuckled. “I’d be proud to be known as ‘the Larry Long of New York.'”
Indivisible Twin Cities
Indivisible Twin Cities (ITC), Larry Long and musicians of American Roots Revue, and The Dakota will partner to raise funds for community members needing rent assistance. ITC and Larry have had opportunities to work together on No Kings events over the past year, and this is another way for us to continue the spirit of activism and community solidarity.
The economic harms caused by Operation Metro Surge linger – people are still in need of rent assistance. Mutual aid donations have slowed, but the need to keep people housed continues. Neighbors Helping Neighbors is an organization at the forefront of providing direct aid to those in need. This plan would raise funds directly for Neighbors Helping Neighbors rental assistance program.
Recommended for fans of Mavis Staples, Ulali, Sam Cooke, The Freedom Singers, Mahalia Jackson, and Pete Seeger.

Jeff Dayton: Glen Campbell & Beyond
2026-05-21 19:00 - 21:00
“Jeff gives the only authentic, first-person retrospective of Glen’s music from the band’s perspective anywhere. Dayton’s own music is similarly brilliant, engaging and heartfelt.” – Toro’s of Aspen

Jeff Dayton: stellar guitarist, powerful singer and masterful storyteller.
Jeff delivers all the hits and inside stories of his fifteen years as Glen Campbell’s guitarist and bandleader. Additionally, he blends in his own chart-topping songwriting. He’s toured with Kenny Chesney, performed with legends like Toby Keith, Bo Diddley, Vince Gill and Willie Nelson. Also, he released eighteen albums under his own name.
Dayton is a native son of MN and though he has been based in Nashville for many years. Moreover, he loves coming home to his Twin Cities roots and sharing the music and adventures of his life. Here, it’s an engaging, upbeat and personal show with great stories and a first-call group of musicians.
Recommended for fans of Glen Campbell, Kenny Chesney, John Prine, Jimmy Webb and Simon & Garfunkel.

Lissie
2026-06-12 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-06-13 19:00 - 21:00
“a fine songwriter… passionate vocals” – Pitchfork

In 2022 Lissie released her critically acclaimed Americana-tinged indie folk album Carving Canyons. Here, the album is a fresh chapter in an already impressive career. Carving Canyons focuses upon finding an inner strength to face the uncertainties of the future. Further, she maintains hope to battle personal and social adversity, no matter how tough those challenges appear to be.
Most recently, Lissie released 2025’s Promises, a covers EP with a unique touch. She has picked a six-song collection of famous and renowned songs that hold personal significance to her own life experiences. Thus, that personal touch gives the songs an added layer of emotion. There, Lissie brings something fresh and unique to material that is still instantly recognizable.
Lissie’s storied career took off with 2010’s Catching A Tiger which was certified Gold in the UK. Additionally, her other three studio albums have all reached the UK Top Twenty. Her previous album, 2018’s Castles, was her highest charting record to date when it debuted at Number Nine. Her other experiences include appearances on the TV shows Twin Peaks and most recently Loudermilk. There, she played Lizzie Poole in the third season and performed her song “When I’m Alone”.
Recommended for fans of Ellie Goulding, Neko Case, Brandi Carlile and Patty Griffin.

Mavis Staples w/ Special Guest Lucius at The Ordway
2026-06-16 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-06-17 19:30 - 21:30
“an eternal voice… which still informs pop music today” – Billboard

Grim days call for fierce love. And Mavis Staples, one of the most enduring figures in American music, lays it down. 2025’s Sad and Beautiful World marks the fifteenth solo album from a national treasure and multigenerational talent. Here, Mavis stands side by side with us in the face of dangers she knows all too well. The record spans seven decades of the American songbook, a range nearly as vast as Mavis’ career. On it, she reinvents timeless songs as well as including original music.
Now 86, Mavis has performed since the age of eight. After starting out in the Staple Singers more than seventy years ago, she remains the group’s lone surviving member. Here, she still carries her family’s gifts and knowledge with her as a living heritage.
She considered retiring in 2023 but found she has too much left to express through music. And now, despite our dark days, as she said in the wake of her 85th birthday party last year, “You have to stay hopeful and have faith that things are going to get better.” She can’t keep us from the danger facing the country or magically restore the progress that’s being undone. However, she knows from her own experience that people can find a path through, a way to keep going.
Thus, Staples may be one of the last true ones standing. Now, she isn’t waiting around to be revered for the wisdom she brings. Here, she’s too busy still leading the charge, still showing us how it’s done. Steadfast in triumph and adversity, Mavis Staples still makes music—and history—just when we need her most.

Grammy-nominated indie-pop band Lucius delivers a mesmerizing experience of mirrored kinship and honesty. Also, they have earned a reputation for their engaging live performances and spellbinding harmonies. In 2025, the band released their fourth studio album, Lucius, which Rolling Stone called “the best album of their career.” Lucius’ most personal and purposeful album to date explores relationships, motherhood, and life’s complexities with a unique vulnerability that the band’s familial nature made possible. The New Yorker praises, “The band’s new self-titled album reaches the pinnacle of a vibrant, harmonic enterprise,” while Paste describes their sound as “girl-group revivalism, cosmic pop, and a kind of bicoastal harmonizing that once echoed through western canyons.”
Throughout their acclaimed career, Lucius has performed on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”. Also, BBC’s “Later! with Jools Holland”, PBS’ “Austin City Limits” and “The Kelly Clarkson Show”. Lucius are Holly Laessig, Jess Wolfe, and Peter Lalish.
Recommended for fans of The Staple Singers, Bettye LaVette, Steve Earle and Blind Boys of Alabama.

Rodney Crowell
2026-06-17 19:00 - 21:00
“the King of Country Music” – Pop Matters

On his vibrant twentieth studio album, 2025’s Airline Highway, Rodney Crowell explores love, memory, and musical kinship. Furthermore, he does so with a new generation of roots artists. Here, the album captures a spontaneous spirit—blending Crowell’s storytelling prowess with contributions from his talented band. Thus, Airline Highway reflects on the past while celebrating the present. The album is inspired by the swamp-pop sounds of his youth and was recorded in the heart of Cajun country. From rollicking barnburners to haunting ballads, Crowell delivers a wise, joyful meditation on legacy and letting go. Thus, the album has been described as “a document of falling in love with music all over again”.
Crowell has long represented a bridge between classic outlaw country, Americana, and contemporary songwriting craft. This is evident on his debut album from 1978 as well as on Airline Highway.
Crowell’s C.V. is nothing short of astonishing. A songwriting legend, he’s penned hits for Emmylou Harris, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Rosanne Cash, Keith Urban, and more. He has earned two Grammy Awards, including Best Country Song for “After All This Time”. Furthermore, he has seen success as a recording artist, too. 1988’s Diamonds & Dirt produced an unprecedented five consecutive Number One singles on the country charts. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inducted Crowell in 2003.
Recommended for fans of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Rosanne Cash.

Kevin Kling & Larry Long
2026-06-20 19:00 - 21:00
“The interplay of song and story between these two longtime friends is magical. They build off of each other to share personal history that powerfully evokes time, place, and community.” –John Crippen, Hennepin History Museum

Given the number of “World’s Greatest Dad” coffee mugs, there seems to be a fair bit of elasticity in the voting process. Larry Long and Kevin Kling are two of Minnesota’s prodigal sons. Here, they celebrate in story and song some of the fathers and father figures that helped sculpt their lives. Larry also brings the perspective of a father and grandfather. An evening to share a laugh, maybe shed a tear, as they remember the men who gave it their all. If you are a dad, a future dad, have a dad, know a dad… Or none of the above and just want to have a great time, this is the show for you.
Kling and Long have been friends since they traveled the Mississippi River together in 1983. Then, Kevin worked with Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theater’s Circle of Water Circus. Also, Larry was with the Misissippi River Revival. Moreover, both share a deep connection to community, family and this incredible region.

“they were both at their best – their wisdom, their performance, their humanity.” – Marge Ostroushko

Larry is a force in the folk music world. There, he works with First Nations, farmers, Labor, the environment, elders and kids, royalty and paupers. Furthermore, his voice and guitar are at times a beacon, a eulogy, battle cry, a comfort, a prayer, a celebration.
Kevin is a storyteller, performing in libraries, gymnasiums, hospitals, and VFWs. Additionally, off-Broadway, The Guthrie, PBS, the National Storytelling Festival. He is known for stories with humor and heart.
Recommended for fans of Mark Twain, Pete Seeger, Garrison Keillor, Arlo Guthrie, Bill Evans, and John Prine.

Suzy Bogguss
2026-07-08 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-07-08 21:00 - 23:00
“a voice as soothing as summer rain” – Rolling Stone

During the creative explosion that was country music in the 1990s Suzy Bogguss sold 4 million records. Here, she did this with sparkling radio hits like “Outbound Plane”, “Someday Soon”, “Letting Go”, “Drive South”, and “Hey Cinderella”. But you can’t peg Suzy that easily…
Amid her country popularity she took time off to make a duets album with the legendary Chet Atkins. Then, in 2003 she made an album of modern swing music with Ray Benson of Asleep At The Wheel. Furthermore, she recorded an album of original music in 2007 that landed at Number Four on the jazz charts. Her folk music roots show through in many ways: she made frequent appearances on public radio’s A Prairie Home Companion. Also, she won a Grammy for her work on Beautiful Dreamer: The Songs of Stephen Foster. She received acclaim for 2011’s American Folk Songbook, her critically acclaimed album and book project. Then, in 2014 she released Lucky, a collection of songs written by Merle Haggard and interpreted through Suzy’s crystal vocals from the female point of view.
Her latest offering, 2023’s Prayin’ For Sunshine, is an Americana tour de force with all songs written by Bogguss. She continues to tour the world. There, she tours solo and with fellow country radio divas Terri Clark and Pam Tillis as “Chicks With Hits”. Also, she recently joined Kathy Mattea on their Together At Last tour. So yes, you can call her a country singer if you want, but really that’s just the beginning.
Recommended for fans of Allison Moorer, Patty Loveless, Alison Krauss and Mary Chapin Carpenter.

Allen Stone
2026-07-28 19:00 - 21:00
“committed to vintage soul… old-fashioned grooves” – New York Times

Soul/R&B luminary Allen Stone has enraptured global audiences with his electrifying performances and soulful melodies. Here, he embodies the essence of classic soul legends. Moreover, his genre-defying style, blending funk, gospel, folk-rock, and soul, has garnered critical acclaim and a devoted following.
Stone’s journey to musical stardom commenced in Chewelah, Washington. There, his upbringing immersed him in gospel music as a pastor’s son. Relocating to Seattle, he tirelessly toured the West Coast in his ’87 Buick, swiftly gaining acclaim for dynamic live shows. Soon, he was playing up to 200 dates annually alongside luminaries such as Stevie Wonder and Al Green. Also, Dave Matthews Band, Erykah Badu, Gary Clark Jr. and Chris Stapleton. Thus, he further solidified his status as a tour de force in the music industry. Alongside his prolific touring schedule, Stone has graced national television screens. His appearances include The Kelly Clarkson Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Today show, and a Celebrity Mentor on American Idol.
Stone continues to garner critical acclaim with his latest body of work, 2024’s Mystery. Furthermore, he composed the title track in collaboration with PJ Morton. This release brings infectious rhythms and emotional depth, solidifying Stone’s place as a powerful voice in modern soul music.
Recommended for fans of Mayer Hawthorne, PJ Morton, Gary Clark, Jr. and Lake Street Dive.

Judy Collins: Sweet Judy Blue Eyes - Farewell
2026-10-27 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-10-28 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-10-30 19:00 - 21:00
“One of the most beautiful and moving voices” – Rolling Stone

Judy Collins inspires audiences with her sublime vocals, boldly vulnerable songwriting, personal life triumphs, and unwavering commitment to social activism. In the 1960s, she evoked both the idealism and steely determination of a generation united against social and environmental injustices. Five decades later, her luminescent presence shines brightly. Here, new generations bask in the glow of her iconic fifty-five-album body of work. Also, they draw inspiration from her spiritual discipline to thrive in the music industry for half a century.
Fans and critics highly esteem the award-winning singer-songwriter for her imaginative interpretations of traditional and contemporary folk standards. Moreover, she also receives acclaim for her own poetically poignant original compositions. For instance, the Grammy Hall of Fame includes her stunning rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now”. Judy’s dreamy, intimate version of Stephen Sondheim’s “Send in the Clowns,” won Song of the Year at the 1975 Grammys. Furthermore, she’s garnered several top-ten hits and gold- and platinum-selling albums.
The cultural treasure’s fifty-fifth release, 2022’s Spellbound, documents Judy’s artistic renaissance. Additionally, the album is a special entry in her oeuvre. It marks the first time ever she wrote all the songs on one of her albums. Here, Collins showcases twelve new recently-written modern folk songs, and a bonus track of her evergreen, “The Blizzard.” Thus, Spellbound is an introspective and impressionistic album.
“They say after the plague came the Renaissance,” Judy says with a good-natured laugh. “The truth is, I didn’t do an album like this sooner because I had other projects on my mind. Now felt like the perfect time to make this record because, after all that’s happened in the world, we need something beautiful and inspirational to lift us up.”
Recommended for fans of Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, Nanci Griffith and Mary Chapin Carpenter.
