Dakota

Rebirth Brass Band
2025-08-21 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-08-21 21:00 - 23:00 (America/Chicago)
For almost four decades, the Grammy-winning Rebirth Brass Band has been “stunning” fans. Further, they are loved worldwide for their fiery live shows and rich musical catalog. Their trademark sound pays homage to the New Orleans brass band tradition. Also, they weave a tapestry that combines elements of jazz, funk, soul, R&B. Then, they incorporate more of the sounds from the streets they grew up on. Their sound has traveled from their legendary twenty-five-year run of Tuesday nights at the Maple Leaf to stages all over the world. Rebirth is the soundtrack of the Crescent City and her premier musical ambassador.
Rebirth was founded by brothers Phil and Keith Frazier over thirty-five years ago. They began their career playing on the sidewalks of the French Quarter and quickly landed gigs at second line parades. Those auspicious beginnings have led to thousands of shows to music aficionados everywhere, including heads of state and royalty.
The band’s unique “soundtrack of New Orleans” has also garnered admiration from artists of all genres. They’ve shared the stage and collaborated with everyone from the Grateful Dead to the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Also, Maceo Parker, Green Day, U2, James Brown, 311, G-Love, MuteMath, Juvenile, Train, Big Freedia, Ani DiFranco, and Galactic. Further, Allen Toussaint, Neville Brothers, Quincy Jones and Trombone Shorty.
Recommended for fans of Trombone Shorty, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Kermit Ruffins and Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

Aloe Blacc
2025-08-22 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-08-22 21:00 - 23:00, 2025-08-23 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-08-23 21:00 - 23:00
Grammy-nominated Aloe Blacc has long been a voice for the people. He is a globally recognized singer, songwriter, and changemaker whose music uplifts, empowers, and unites. Best known for genre-defying anthems, Blacc continues to inspire through sound and purpose. Hits include the international smash “Wake Me Up” with Avicii, anthemic “The Man”, and the timeless “I Need A Dollar”.
He was honored as one of Worth Magazine’s Worthy 100 in 2024. Here, this is in recognition of his influential work at the intersection of music and social impact.
Now in 2025, Aloe Blacc returns with his most mission-driven work to date: a new full-length album titled Stand Together. Featuring standout singles “Don’t Go Alone” and “One Good Thing,” the album draws deep inspiration from real-life stories. For example, nonprofit founders, humanitarians, and everyday heroes dedicated to making lasting change in their communities. Stand Together is both a celebration and a call to action, with Blacc’s signature soul and sincerity woven into every note.
Following the album’s release, Aloe is back on the global stage, embarking on a sweeping tour across the U.S. and Europe. The run kicked off with a sold-out residency at New York’s legendary Blue Note and will continue spanning festivals and venues through October 2025.
This October also marks a milestone in Aloe’s career: the fifteen-year anniversary of his breakthrough album Good Things. The album and its iconic single “I Need A Dollar” remains a rallying cry for working people everywhere.
With powerful new music, renewed purpose, and a vital, vibrant voice, Blacc stands at the center of culture and conscience. Here, he reminds the world that one good song really can change everything.
Recommended for fans of Musiq Soulchild, Raphael Saadiq, CeeLo Green and Gregory Porter.

VIP EVENT: Ozomatli - 30 Revolutions Tour
2025-08-27 16:00 - 17:30
THIS IS NOT A TICKET TO THE SHOW:
VIP MEET AND GREET WILL BE SOLD DIRECTLY FROM THE ARTIST.
VIP upgrade- ONE MORE TIME
Limited availability
Includes Opportunity to:

One premium reserved or general admission ticket (where applicable)
Early entry into the venue
Exclusive meet & greet with Ozomatli
Personal photograph with Ozomatli
Ozomatli tour poster; autographed
Exclusive VIP merchandise item
10% discount on tour merchandise
Official meet & greet laminate & lanyard
Priority merchandise shopping

A ticket to the show is not included with the VIP package.
All VIP guests are required to purchase the separate ticket to attend the VIP performance. VIP sales will end fourteen (14) days prior to performance, or when the allotment sells out.General Admission Seating. Seating is limited. Prices for VIP Meet & Greet exclude A-Train membership benefits. Thank you—see you soon!

There is no Valet Service available for the VIP Meet and Greet. The Valet Service will begin at 5pm when doors open for the 5:30 pm show.
Having trouble?
Call the box office at 612-332-5299 or email boxoffice@dakotacooks.com
All Ticket Sales are Final.
No Refunds or Exchanges.

If the city of Los Angeles had a soundtrack, it would be Ozomatli. Since their formation in 1995, the six-piece, multi-genre band has been a cultural force. There, they blend Latin, hip-hop, funk, reggae, and global influences into an unmistakable sound that embodies the energy and diversity of L.A. In 2025, Ozomatli celebrates an incredible milestone: thirty years of bringing their dynamic, genre-defying music to audiences around the world. To mark the occasion, Summer 2025 kicks off their 30 Revolutions Nationwide Tour. Thus, this is a celebration of three decades of music, community, and culture.
The ensemble boasts six founding members. Asdru Sierra (vocals, trumpet), Raul Pacheco (vocals, guitars), Uli Bella (saxophone, vocals), Wil-Dog Abers (bass), Jiro Yamaguchi (percussion), and Justin Poree (vocals, percussion. Here, they have remained true to their mantra: “We take you around the world through the heartbeat of Los Angeles.” Their music is a vibrant collision of styles. Further, they draw from salsa, dancehall, cumbia, samba, funk, merengue, New Orleans second line, Jamaican ragga, and Indian raga. Also, this eclecticism is at the heart of their sound, resonating with audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
As they embark on their fourth decade, Ozomatli stands as a symbol of Los Angeles’ past, present, and future. Here, they are a band whose music is as multifaceted and vibrant as the city they call home. Here’s to thirty years of Ozomatli, and the next chapter in their global musical journey.
Recommended for fans of The Pharcyde, Talib Kweli, Santana and Jurassic 5.

📸: Miguel “M.i.G.” Martinez

Ozomatli - 30 Revolutions Tour
2025-08-27 19:00 - 21:00
If the city of Los Angeles had a soundtrack, it would be Ozomatli. Since their formation in 1995, the six-piece, multi-genre band has been a cultural force. There, they blend Latin, hip-hop, funk, reggae, and global influences into an unmistakable sound that embodies the energy and diversity of L.A. In 2025, Ozomatli celebrates an incredible milestone: thirty years of bringing their dynamic, genre-defying music to audiences around the world. To mark the occasion, Summer 2025 kicks off their 30 Revolutions Nationwide Tour. Thus, this is a celebration of three decades of music, community, and culture.
The ensemble boasts six founding members. Asdru Sierra (vocals, trumpet), Raul Pacheco (vocals, guitars), Uli Bella (saxophone, vocals), Wil-Dog Abers (bass), Jiro Yamaguchi (percussion), and Justin Poree (vocals, percussion. Here, they have remained true to their mantra: “We take you around the world through the heartbeat of Los Angeles.” Their music is a vibrant collision of styles. Further, they draw from salsa, dancehall, cumbia, samba, funk, merengue, New Orleans second line, Jamaican ragga, and Indian raga. Also, this eclecticism is at the heart of their sound, resonating with audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
As they embark on their fourth decade, Ozomatli stands as a symbol of Los Angeles’ past, present, and future. Here, they are a band whose music is as multifaceted and vibrant as the city they call home. Here’s to thirty years of Ozomatli, and the next chapter in their global musical journey.
Recommended for fans of The Pharcyde, Talib Kweli, Santana and Jurassic 5.

📸: Miguel “M.i.G.” Martinez

Barrington Levy
2025-09-10 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-09-11 19:00 - 21:00
Barrington Levy is one of the great success stories of the 1980s. There, he arrived on the dancehall scene and swiftly remodeled it in his own image. Although numerous DJs and vocalists would rise and fall during this decade, Levy possessed staying power. Also, he continued releasing massive hits well into the ’90s.
Levy was born in 1964 in Clarendon, Jamaica. There, as a youngster, Barrington Levy formed the Mighty Multitude with his cousin Everton Dacres. They started off playing the sound systems and cut their first single, “My Black Girl,” in 1977. At age fourteen, Levy broke out on his own the next year. Then, he recorded his debut solo single, “A Long Time Since We Don’t Have No Love.” While the single didn’t have an impact, the teen’s dancehall appearances became eagerly awaited events.
It was here where Levy met former singer-turned producer Junjo Lawes and New York-based producer Hyman “Jah Life” Wright. The pair took the youth into Channel One studio, accompanied by the Roots Radics, and recorded a clutch of cuts. The first releases were “Ah Yah We Deh,” quickly followed by “Looking My Love,” “Englishman,” and “Wedding Ring Aside.” Success was immediate, but it was the mighty “Collie Weed” that really cemented the teen’s hold on dancehall. Then, “Shine Eye Girl” was a smash follow-up, and the young Levy was now in great demand. A stream of singles followed. “Wicked Intention,” “Jumpy Girl,” a lovely version of Horace Andy’s “Skylarking,” the humorous “Disco Music,” “Reggae Music,” and “Wicked Intention”. Levy joined forces with producer Alvin Ranglin for another sting of hits. “Never Tear My Love Apart,” “Jah,” “You Made Me So Happy,” and “When You’re Young and in Love.”
Recommended for fans of John Holt, Buju Banton, Yellowman and Steel Pulse.

Dominique Fils-Aimé
2025-09-14 19:00 - 21:00
Two-time Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter Dominique Fils-Aimé places the history of African American musical culture at the heart of her work. Based in Montreal, she reflects on the social realities that have influenced the genres of blues, jazz and soul. Moreover, her trilogy highlights the history of African American music. Thus, three albums in quick succession were inspired by soul icons such as Billie Holiday, Nina Simone and Etta James.
2018’s Nameless was about confronting historical silences and sorrows. This blues-tinged album has become an audiophile’s reference recording across the globe. Also, the album’s success led to two sold-out shows at the 2018 Montreal International Jazz Festival. Her second album Stay Tuned! was a call for revolution. Also, It won the 2020 Juno Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year. Additionally, it won the Félix prize for Best Jazz Album at the 2019 ADISQ Gala. Furthermore, it was shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize and featured among the nineteen best Canadian albums of 2019 by CBC. Dominique Fils-Aimé [FEES-em-AY] was also nominated that same year as Radio-Canada’s 2019-2020 “Revelation in Jazz”.
In 2021, Dominique closed the final chapter of the trilogy with Three Little Words, a call for reconciliation. Further, the record received rave reviews in prestigious publications worldwide. Finally, it claimed the Number One spot for best-selling album in Quebec and Number Two in Canada. On stage, whether in Canada or Europe, Dominique’s magnetic presence captivates the audience, leading them on a transcendent journey.
In 2023’s Our Roots Run Deep, Fils-Aimé frames her latest installment with a loose, dreamlike narrative structure. It won the 2024 Juno for Best Jazz Vocal Album.
Recommended for fans of Erykah Badu, Gregory Porter, Lianne La Havas and José James.

📸: Jetro Emilcar

Keyon Harrold
2025-09-15 19:00 - 21:00
Award-winning trumpeter, vocalist, songwriter, and producer Keyon Harrold is touring in support of Grammy-nominated recording, 2024’s Foreverland. This crossover album features a bevy of collaborators. These include British R&B vocalist Laura Mvula, emerging young singer Malaya, Common, Robert Glasper and PJ Morton.
Harrold first came into the international spotlight as the trumpet voice behind the Grammy-winning Don Cheadle film Miles Ahead. As a bandleader, he creates a compelling new statement with a riveting mix of jazz, Afrobeat, soul, spoken word, hip-hop, blues, rock, and American folk. Additionally, as a soloist, his distinctly warm trumpet sound simmers in the middle register. Here, he creates drama without aggrandizing, and mesmerizes live audiences with an emotionally charged concert presentation. Wynton Marsalis has stated “Keyon Harrold is the future of the trumpet”.
In addition to being one of the leading voices in jazz, Harrold has collaborated with many hip-hop and pop artists. For example, Snoop Dogg, Jay Z, Beyonce, Rihanna, Eminem, Maxwell, and Anthony Hamilton. Also, rock legends Keith Richards and Jeff Beck. These experiences broadened his musical horizons beyond jazz to include funk, Afrobeat, R&B, rock and roll, and hip hop.
He is currently touring an ensemble that is making one of the strongest artistic statements of any musical group today. While rooted in jazz music, the band freestyles and solos with authority and weaves the spectrum of African American music. Thus, they create a sonic expression that can best be described as bop pop hip-hop jazz!
Recommended for fans of Robert Glasper, Roy Hargrove, Marquis Hill and Theo Croker.

📸: Kwafu Alston

Mayyadda & Bakkwood Drift
2025-09-18 19:00 - 21:00
“Her soulful voice fills every corner… perfect” – The Current

Mayyadda is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer from Minneapolis. She aspires to use her music to make people slow down, find themselves in another perspective, and feel their way towards individual and collective healing. Further, her sound is an eclectic mix of neo-soul vocals, folksy guitar, pop-style piano with trap beats sprinkled in. She likes to refer to her genre as “BlackGirlMagic.” Active as a recording artist since 2015, she has released six projects since then. Most recently, she released try&remember: the acoustic album. Thus, it is a continuation of 2021’s TRY&REMEMBER with acoustic renditions of some fan favorites and three brand new songs.
Recommended for fans of Erykah Badu, D’Angelo, Jill Scott and Musiq Soulchild.

Ladies of Soul - A Tribute to Patti Labelle, Chaka Khan & Gladys Knight
2025-09-25 19:00 - 21:00
“Bennett has the personality, pizazz and powerful pipes to fill an arena” – Star Tribune

Brian Ziemniak, keyboards
Art Haynes, bass
David Feily, guitar
Ke’Andre Mack, drums
Shamara Butler, vocals
Layce Dreams, vocals
Rodney Fair, vocals
Lovers of classic R&B rejoice!
Soul music has always been defined by the women who create it. For decades, they have permeated the music’s sound, its look, its attitude, even its vocabulary with their perspective. Here, this new production unites three of the Twin Cities’ most distinctive voices to celebrate women who have risen to the elite ranks of soul stardom. Experience your favorite songs from Soul Queens Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, and Gladys Knight with sparkling arrangements and pristine musicality.
Jamecia Bennett, a three-time Grammy winner is CEO of Minnesota Movement Entertainment. A local theatre and music icon, the Ordway Theater named Bennett its first resident artist. She received this title for the 2020-21 Broadway at the Ordway season. Furthermore, she frequently appears the Penumbra Theatre and the New Dawn Theatre. Also, she is also a Park Square Theater favorite for her portrayal of Sister Rosetta Tharpe in Marie and Rosetta. Moreover, Jamecia won an NAACP Image Award with Sounds of Blackness, the internationally acclaimed group for which she serves as lead vocalist.
Ginger Commodore, a member of the Midwest music scene for many years, regularly visits the Dakota stage. Classically trained, gospel-influenced, and jazz-inspired, Ginger’s musical foundation is a true amalgam of musical styles presented with her unique delivery.
Patricia Lacy possesses a rich contralto voice and a deep-rooted passion for soul and gospel music. Also, she is a longtime member of Sounds of Blackness, having recently celebrated her twenty-seventh year with the ensemble. Additionally, Lacy toured with Luther Vandross, an experience that profoundly influenced her artistic growth.
Recommended for fans of Sounds of Blackness, Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, and Gladys Knight.

VIP EVENT: Joan Osborne Sings The Songs of Bob Dylan
2025-10-03 16:30 - 17:30, 2025-10-04 16:30 - 17:30
Post-show Meet & Greet
Tote Bag
Exclusive VIP Laminate & Lanyard
Vinyl
Voucher for t-shirt, to be mailed direct to purchaser
Exclusive Poster

“A fiercely intelligent, no-nonsense singer.” – The New York Times

Joan Osborne released the critically acclaimed Songs of Bob Dylan in 2017. There, her artistic and soulful reinterpretations of Dylan songs was an eye-opening moment in an already celebrated career.
Eight years after that milestone recording, Osborne released the stunning Dylanology Live in April 2025. The captivating recording finds the gifted vocalist performing in front of a live audience. Moreover, special guests Amy Helm, Robert Randolph and Jackie Greene join her. Songs include “Spanish Harlem Incident”, “Buckets Of Rain” “Masters Of War”. Also, “Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You” and “High Water (For Charley Patton)”.
Osborne has never been an artist confined to one space as she continues to seamlessly blend into any genre. Furthermore, she has continually proven this throughout her three-decade, multi-Grammy nominated career.
Her incredible, distinctive voice always shines through her own songs. However, she has also become one of her generation’s finest interpreters. Dylanology Live is yet another testament to her artistic range.
It’s been quite the journey since the woman AllMusic.com declared “the most gifted vocalist of her generation” moved from small-town Kentucky to attend NYU film school in the 1980s. Osborne’s astounding voice drew attention when she joined the fun at open mic nights in downtown clubs. Then, that led to 1995’s Relish, “that rare breed of album where critical consensus, popular approval and enduring appeal unite” (American Songwriter). Since then, she’s performed with Motown’s revered rhythm section the Funk Brothers and toured with the Grateful Dead. Here, she first met and sang with Dylan. Further, she’s harmonized with Stevie Wonder at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and duetted with Luciano Pavarotti. Additionally, she co-headlined a tour with the legendary Mavis Staples.
Recommended for fans of Bob Dylan, Indigo Girls, Sheryl Crow and Sarah McLachlan.

Joan Osborne Sings The Songs of Bob Dylan
2025-10-03 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-10-04 19:00 - 21:00
“A fiercely intelligent, no-nonsense singer.” – The New York Times

Joan Osborne released the critically acclaimed Songs of Bob Dylan in 2017. There, her artistic and soulful reinterpretations of Dylan songs was an eye-opening moment in an already celebrated career.
Eight years after that milestone recording, Osborne released the stunning Dylanology Live in April 2025. The captivating recording finds the gifted vocalist performing in front of a live audience. Moreover, special guests Amy Helm, Robert Randolph and Jackie Greene join her. Songs include “Spanish Harlem Incident”, “Buckets Of Rain” “Masters Of War”. Also, “Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You” and “High Water (For Charley Patton)”.
Osborne has never been an artist confined to one space as she continues to seamlessly blend into any genre. Furthermore, she has continually proven this throughout her three-decade, multi-Grammy nominated career.
Her incredible, distinctive voice always shines through her own songs. However, she has also become one of her generation’s finest interpreters. Dylanology Live is yet another testament to her artistic range.
It’s been quite the journey since the woman AllMusic.com declared “the most gifted vocalist of her generation” moved from small-town Kentucky to attend NYU film school in the 1980s. Osborne’s astounding voice drew attention when she joined the fun at open mic nights in downtown clubs. Then, that led to 1995’s Relish, “that rare breed of album where critical consensus, popular approval and enduring appeal unite” (American Songwriter). Since then, she’s performed with Motown’s revered rhythm section the Funk Brothers and toured with the Grateful Dead. Here, she first met and sang with Dylan. Further, she’s harmonized with Stevie Wonder at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and duetted with Luciano Pavarotti. Additionally, she co-headlined a tour with the legendary Mavis Staples.
Recommended for fans of Bob Dylan, Indigo Girls, Sheryl Crow and Sarah McLachlan.

Ginger Commodore sings Songs of Love, Unity & Celebration
2025-10-05 19:00 - 21:00
“Ginger possesses some of the sweetest and most clarion pipes in town.” – City Pages Commodore

A member of the Midwest music scene for many years, Ginger Commodore is a regular visitor to the Dakota stage. Classically trained, gospel-influenced, and jazz-inspired, Ginger’s musical foundation is a true amalgam of musical styles presented with her unique delivery.
Recommended for fans of Lizz Wright, Cassandra Wilson, Anita Baker and Oleta Adams.

Judith Hill
2025-10-12 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-10-12 21:00 - 23:00
“pure soul… she’s bad to the bone.” – No Depression

Judith Hill has established herself as one of the most dynamic and versatile artists in music. Her breakout appearance on The Voice earned her a dedicated fan base. Also, her collaborations with legends like Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, and Prince garnered critical acclaim. Her music effortlessly blends elements of soul, funk, R&B, and pop, creating a sound that is uniquely her own.
‍Hill’s latest release, 2024’s Letters From A Black Widow follows 2021’s Baby, I’m Hollywood!. Baby offered a rowdy coming-of-age tale of a mixed-race child of bohemian California. However, Letters from a Black Widow is a formidable battle cry – a soul/funk/gospel passion play. Further, it is spectacularly written, arranged, and performed by Hill.
Here, Hill plays many of the instruments, including electric guitar, which she taught herself to play since her last album. This project, though, is not a strictly solo endeavor. It’s built on the unshakable musical foundation she has enjoyed for most of her life. Thus, Hill’s band includes her parents, bassist Robert “Peewee” Hill and keyboardist Michiko Hill.
Letters presents a riveting story – from private pain to communal transcendence – becoming her most soul-baring work to date. Anyone who’s followed Judith Hill’s story will recognize Letters from a Black Widow as one jaw-dropper of an album title. The tabloid-coined phrase “Black Widow” arose after the overdose deaths of her two star-making collaborators, Michael Jackson and Prince. It became a term of abuse that internet trolls hurled at the celebrated artist, driving conspiracy theories and shame campaigns. Then, Hill experienced trauma that nearly ended a career that includes a Grammy for her role in the documentary “20 Feet from Stardom.”
Recommended for fans of Jon Batiste, Esperanza Spalding, Musiq Soulchild and Prince.

Kenny Garrett
2025-10-18 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-10-18 21:00 - 23:00
“genre-blurring, spiritually deep sounds” – Glide Magazine

Kenny Garrett’s latest release, 2021’s Sounds from the Ancestors, is a multi-faceted album. The music, however, doesn’t lodge inside the tight confines of the jazz idiom. Here, this is not surprising: the alto saxophonist and composer acknowledges Aretha Franklin and Marvin Gaye as significant touchstones. Miles Davis’ seminal LP, On the Corner, subverted its main guiding lights – James Brown, Jimi Hendrix and Sly Stone. Then, Davis crafted his own unique, polyrhythmic, groove-laden, improv-heavy universe. Thus, Sounds from the Ancestors occupies its own space with intellectual clarity, sonic ingenuity and emotional heft.
“The concept initially was about trying to get some of the musical sounds that I remembered as a kid growing up. Sounds that lift your spirit, like John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme”, Aretha Franklin’s “Amazing Grace”, Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”. And the spiritual side of the church,” Garrett explains. “When I started to think about them, I realized it was the spirit from my ancestors.”
Indeed, Sounds from the Ancestors reflects the rich jazz, R&B, and gospel history of his hometown of Detroit. More important though, it also reverberates with a modern cosmopolitan vibrancy. Notably the inclusion of music coming out of France, Cuba, Nigeria, and Guadeloupe.
Garrett is easily recognized as one of modern jazz’s brightest and most influential living masters. His illustrious career includes hallmark stints with Miles Davis, Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, Donald Byrd, and Freddie Hubbard. Also, Woody Shaw, and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Moreover, he has enjoyed a heralded career as a solo artist that began more than thirty years ago. And with the marvelous Sounds from the Ancestors, the Grammy-winning Garrett shows no signs of resting on his laurels.
Recommended for fans of Joshua Redman, Chris Potter, Branford Marsalis and Miguel Zenón.

Johnnie Brown
2025-10-26 19:00 - 21:00
Johnnie Brown was born in Mississippi. He began singing as a child in his father’s church choir. As an adult, Johnnie’s sibling and friends encouraged him to take singing more seriously.
Brown decided to take his vision as a performer to the next level and formed a band. Since, he has established a reputable name for himself and performs locally around the Minneapolis area. He attributes his love of music to many great legends of R&B, soul, pop and the great “sounds of Philadelphia”.
Brown performs regularly at the Dakota, Crooner’s Supper Club, Ordway, and Chanhassen Dinner Theater. Additionally, he has played Chicago’s Epiphany Center for the Arts, the Ujamaa foundation, community benefits and other celebrations. Furthermore, Johnnie continues to strive to make a difference in the entertainment community.
Brown is lauded for his tribute performances, shows that honor the legendary performers who inspired his singing career. Additionally, he aims to enhance the substance of music and its relevancy, to develop and broaden a more diverse audience. Then, he connects with audiences on an emotional level, leading them on a musical journey they can relate to.
Recommended for fans of The O’Jays, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson.

Forever, For Always, For Love - A Celebration of the Life & Music of Luther Vandross
2025-10-31 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-10-31 21:30 - 23:30
20th Annual Show!

Luther Vandross lives on as one of the greatest R&B/soul singers of our time. Hailed for his ballad work, Vandross sold over 40 million albums and won eight Grammy awards. Here, an all-star lineup assembles to pay tribute to the premier male R&B vocalist of the last several decades.
The show will include live performances of all of Luther’s greatest hits by some of the Twin Cities’ finest vocalists and musicians. These include vocalists Jay Bee, Lamont Keten, Darnel Alexander, Patricia Lacy, Monique Blakey, Carrie Harrington, Chreese Jones, Angela Henderson, and a few very special guests.
The band:
Tony Axtell, bass
Brian Ziemniak, keyboards
David Feily, guitar
Brian Kendrick, drums
Daryl Boudreaux, percussion
And some very special surprise guests!
Recommended for fans of Luther Vandross, Peabo Bryson, Patti LaBelle and Teddy Pendergrass.

Alex Cuba
2025-11-13 19:00 - 21:00
“Staying true to his Spanish language folk-funk-rock hybrid has paid off.”— Billboard

It’s a strange thing, watching audiences sing along with Alex without speaking his native Spanish. But they do. They “la-la-la” their way from chorus to chorus, caught up in his inescapable gravitational pull. His warm, elastic vocals float above a sound essentially from everywhere. It’s an effortless mix of funk, soul, and pan-Latin textures, and no matter where you’re from, you can’t help it. You’re home.
He discovered music’s power to mesmerize and transport you at an early age. “I used to skip meals,” says Cuba, speaking of the long days he spent locked in his room as a child in Artemisa, Cuba, mastering the bass. “My mother would have to remind me that I was human, that I needed food. Music has always taken me away like that.” Today, he carries audiences away with his performances in the same fashion, from the Hollywood Bowl to Radio Music City Hall. There, he has shared the stage with artists as diverse as Sheryl Crow and Juan Luis Guerra. He casts his spell as if genres weren’t a thing.
At the heart of his ability to charm anything that breathes is Alex’s mastery of a deeper, more important language. The dude speaks joy. And it doesn’t matter if it’s Tito Puente joy or Stevie Wonder joy; it’s contagious. It shines through songs he’s co-written with Nelly Furtado and Jason Mraz. It’s the north star of his compositions.
This undeniable exuberance, expressed with masterful musicianship, has catapulted Alex to the highest levels of global critical acclaim. It led this fiercely independent artist to two Juno awards, four Latin Grammys, and a 2022 Grammy for Best Latin Pop Album.
Recommended for fans of Nelly Furtado, Cimafunk, Pedro Guerra and Leonel Garcia.
📸: Eduardo Rawdriguez

Mac Ayres: The Piano Tour
2025-11-18 19:00 - 21:00
“one of R&B’s most interesting and most underrated singer-songwriters” – Billboard

Mac Ayres is a self-taught and independent singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist from Long Island, NY. He draws inspiration from some of the great artists of our time including D’Angelo, Stevie Wonder, J Dilla and more. Also, his breakout single “Easy” released off his debut project, Drive Slow, has been certified gold.
His previous albums, Comfortable Enough (2023), Magic 8Ball (2021), Juicebox (2019), Something to Feel (2018) and Drive Slow (2017) have received attention from Vogue, Billboard, Complex, Highsnobiety, the BBC and more. Moreover, Mac has headlined and sold-out various venues across the globe. Thus, he is one of this generation’s most exciting voices in R&B.
Recommended for fans of Leon Bridges, Ray Lamontagne, Bruno Major, Black Pumas and Allen Stone.

Nur-D
2025-11-21 19:00 - 21:00
“His energy is electric, his mission inspired” – Lavender

Nur-D isn’t your typical hip-hop artist. Hailing from Minnesota, he brings something fresh to the scene. Here, this is hip-hop packed with personality, high-energy performances, and a kaleidoscopic mix of influences. Think contemporary rap infused with the pageantry of ‘80s glam rock, with a sprinkle of pop and funk. It’s music made for anyone who’s ever felt like they don’t quite fit in.
His newest album, 2025’s Chunkadelic, is his most personal and hands-on project yet. Inspired by funk and soul, the project is a vibrant celebration of creativity, resilience, and staying true to yourself. Additionally, there’s more than a sprinkle of “shaking ass and getting paid”.
Since bursting onto the scene in 2018, Nur-D is turning up the volume on his signature style. With ten full-length projects, each with their own flair in his discography, Nur-D has something special for any occasion. You can go out on the town with “Take My Picture” or bop to “Collide”. Then, channel flirty energy with “All My Friends Are So Hot,” or just “Strut” your stuff. Don’t be afraid to ride the “Black Wizard Wave” and celebrate yourself! Finally, let “HVN” ring with community and uplift you, leaving you feeling “Glorious!”
Nur-D’s infectious energy and joy shine through, where sharp lyricism, humor, and storytelling come together to create something special. Moreover, his music is hip-hop with heart, wit, and a message, delivered in a style that’s entirely his own. Also, Nur-D has performed alongside MisterWives, Ludacris, Tyler The Creator, and the Minnesota Orchestra.
One thing is clear: Nur-D isn’t just making music. He’s making a movement. It’s easy to see why many people are calling Nur-D the next big thing out of Minnesota!
Recommended for fans of Atmosphere, Dessa, Ludacris and Tyler the Creator.

Boney James – Slow Burn Tour
2025-11-22 18:30 - 21:00
“R&B-inflected saxophone… lyrical and intimate” – Jazz Times

Boney James’s latest, 2024’s Slow Burn is a new high point in a remarkable career that now spans more than three decades. He has earned a long list of accolades: four Grammy nominations and three NAACP Image Award nominations. Also, a Soul Train Award for Best Jazz Album and four RIAA Gold Record certifications. In 2009, Billboard named James one of the Top 3 Contemporary Jazz Artists of the decade. In 2024, Boney became the first ever artist to score twenty Number One singles on the Billboard Smooth Jazz chart.
But James has never been one to look backwards and Slow Burn, which the artist produced, marks several firsts. These begin with the album’s opening track, “Arcadia”. Here, the very first notes on the album are the acoustic bass playing of the legendary Marcus Miller. It’s one of the few times that Miller, known for his electric bass guitar work, has committed his standup bass playing to a recording. Furthermore, it is the first time that James has incorporated an upright bass into his own music.
Next is James’ intriguing interpretation of the classic “Butterfly,” co-written by master keyboardist Herbie Hancock and Bennie Maupin. Then, the track features Marcus Miller again as well as young lion Cory Henry’s inspired electric piano. “This beautiful melody got stuck in my head,” explains James. “I have never covered a tune by a legend like Herbie before and I hope we did him justice.”
Rising star R&B vocalist October London is featured on the first single from the album, “All I Want Is You”. James says, “It’s one of the most exciting vocal collaborations I’ve ever recorded.”
Recommended for fans of Rick Braun, Brian Culbertson, Kirk Whalum and Jeffrey Osborne.
