Dakota

Vincen García
2026-06-02 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-06-02 21:00 - 23:00 (America/Chicago)
“a searing mixture of incredible chops and mind-boggling groove” – Guitar World

Vincen García is a Spanish bassist from Valencia. Moreover, critics and fans acclaim him as one of the most prestigious figures in the modern jazz and funk scene worldwide. He has over fourteen years of professional experience and has developed a distinctive, modern sound marked by energetic and gritty execution.
Born into a musical family, his parents introduced him to performance and touring at an early age. There, his mother was a vocalist and his father a trumpeter. Then, he began playing bass in his high school band and developed his craft entirely as a self-taught musician.
Vincen ranks among the most listened-to bassists globally in terms of streaming. Here, he has amassed hundreds of thousands of followers and millions of views and reactions. Additionally, he has become one of the most impactful artists in the genre. Thus, he has performed at Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland), the North Sea Jazz Festival (Netherlands), or the Pori Jazz Festival (Finland). His first album, 2023’s Ventura, received an overwhelmingly positive reception in cities around the world. García also collaborates on tours with international artists like Cory Wong and Jesús Molina. The artist will present his second album in 2026 with a world tour that will span every continent.
As a result, he has become one of the most important and influential Spanish artists on the international stage.
Recommended for fans of Cory Wong, Mohini Dey, Matteo Mancuso and Victor Wooten.

Livingston Taylor
2026-06-03 19:00 - 21:00
“Taylor is a terrific performer: generous, funny, wry” – East Greenwich News

Livingston Taylor’s career as a professional musician spans more than five decades, encompassing performance, songwriting, recording, and teaching. Thus, people often describe him as equal parts Mark Twain, college professor, and musical icon. Livingston maintains an active touring schedule of over 100 shows a year. There, he delights audiences with his wit, warmth, and expansive repertoire drawn from twenty-five albums, along with beloved classics.
As a songwriter, Livingston has penned Top Forty hits that his brother James Taylor recorded. Additionally, he has shared the stage with artists such as Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt, Fleetwood Mac, and Jimmy Buffett. Taylor’s music spans many genres—folk, pop, classical, gospel, and jazz. His performances range from upbeat storytelling and intimate ballads to full orchestral concerts, which he delivers with his trademark ease and connection.
For over three decades, alongside his performing career, Livingston served as a full professor at Berklee College of Music, There, he created and taught the acclaimed course Stage Performance. His former students include Charlie Puth, John Mayer, Susan Tedeschi, Molly Tuttle, Liz Longley, and Gavin DeGraw. Today, Livingston takes this course “on the road,” teaching at colleges and institutions nationwide. For example, the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, NASA’s Goddard Space Center, and Tulane Law School. He based his book Stage Performance on the course and more than fifty years (5,000+ hours) of real-world stage experience. Moreover, performers and presenters have made it a go-to resource for elevating their craft from good to truly professional.
An airplane-flying, motorcycle-riding, singing storyteller, Livingston Taylor continues to captivate audiences wherever he performs. Solo, with a band, or in front of an orchestra, Taylor brings heart, humor, and humanity to every stage.

Chelsea Berry is a Maine-based indie singer/songwriter known for her powerhouse vocals and commanding stage presence. Acclaimed artist Susan Werner once dubbed her “the Pink of folk music”. Here, this is a nod to Berry’s genre-blending style, emotional depth, and vibrant live energy. Additionally, Berry has built a loyal following through heartfelt songwriting and magnetic performances.
Recommended for fans of James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Jimmy Buffett and Joni Mitchell.
📸: Mim Adkins

Taj Mahal & The Phantom Blues Band
2026-06-04 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-06-05 19:00 - 21:00
“a living link to the old blues tradition.” – Mick Jagger

If anyone knows where to find the blues, it’s Taj Mahal, a brilliant artist with a musicologist’s mind. Here, he has pursued and elevated the roots of beloved sounds with boundless devotion and skill. Then, as he traced origins to the American South, the Caribbean, Africa, and elsewhere, he created entirely new sounds. As a result, rock-and-roll icons such as Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones revere him. Also, ambitious artists toiling in obscurity who are determined to combine sounds in new ways view him as a hero. No one combines tradition and avant-garde approaches as seamlessly. Come hear hits such as “Lovin’ in My Baby’s Eyes”, Queen Bee”, & “Everybody is Somebody”.
Mahal remains an active force in roots music across a career spanning more than six decades. In 2025, he received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Also, he won Best Traditional Blues Album for his collaboration with Keb’ Mo’ on Get On Board.
Taj Mahal and the Phantom Blues Band form a collaboration between the blues legend and a top-tier backing band. The Phantom Blues Band formed in the 1990s to back Taj Mahal on his album Dancing the Blues. Then, they embarked on a successful career in their own right while continuing to tour and record with Mahal. Moreover, they blend various genres like blues, jazz, R&B, and rock. Additionally, the band members themselves are accomplished studio musicians who have worked with many famous artists.
Recommended for fans of Keb’ Mo’, Muddy Waters, Dr. John and Champion Jack Dupree.

MonoNeon
2026-06-06 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-06-06 21:00 - 23:00
“MonoNeon’s astounding musical range, tone and taste are always on full display.” – Fender

MonoNeon is an American bassist and experimental musician from Memphis, Tennessee. He is known for his presence on YouTube playing bass guitar and being one of the last people to work with Prince. He is notable for his participation on the 2020 Nas album King’s Disease, for which he won a Grammy. Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers has referred to Mono as “The greatest… electric bass player”. Fender released the MonoNeon Collection, which included the MonoNeon Jazz Bass VSignature, in 2022.
MonoNeon was the last bassist hired by Prince. Here, they worked together for a brief but pivotal time before Prince’s death in 2016. Unlike most artists in Prince’s orbit, he allowed MonoNeon significant creative freedom. MonoNeon says he often encouraged him to “do whatever I wanted to do” musically.
MonoNeon has played the stages of Newport Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival, Summer Camp, and Blue Note Jazz Festival. Also, Ground Up, New Orleans Jazz Festival, Life is Beautiful Festival, and more. Additionally, he has worked with Mavis Staples, George Clinton, Kat Williams, Nas, Ne Yo, and Mac Miller. Also, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Kingfish, Pete Rock, and more.
Recommended for fans of Ghost-Note, Thundercat, Mohini Dey and Victor Wooten.

Dylan Salfer Band
2026-06-07 19:00 - 21:00
“young Midwest virtuoso” – Adventures in Americana

The Dylan Salfer Band is a dynamic six-piece from Minneapolis, led by guitarist/vocalist Dylan Salfer. Dylan cut his teeth playing with legends like Buddy Guy, Bobby Whitlock, James Cotton, & Bernard Allison. Salfer had a vision to assemble the city’s top talent. Thus, he formed a band featuring sax, bass, keys, & not one, but two drummers!
The band has quickly emerged as one of the most exciting new acts on the scene. Here, they are becoming known for their captivating and emotionally charged live performances.
Recommended for fans of Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, B.B. King and Bernard Allison.

Private Event
2026-06-08 00:00 - 23:59
We are booked on JUN 8 for a private event. BOOK YOUR EVENT HERE:

Room3
2026-06-09 19:00 - 21:00
“groups of young virtuosos rarely sound so connected” – Jazz 88

Room3 blends tradition and experimentation as a jazz fusion wild card. They craft an imaginative, melodic and rhythmically sharp sound, mixing elements of contemporary jazz, prog rock, funk and more. Here, the collective operates out of Minneapolis most commonly as a five-piece. Room3 is Eli Awada on keyboards, Wormdove (aka Beck Anderson) on bass, and RAWTWHYLAH (aka Colin Mitchell) on drums. Also, Evan Espinoza Robles on percussion, and Mike Green on guitar. Moreover, Room3 has performed consistently at prestigious venues across the Twin Cities, from Dakota to the First Avenue Mainroom. Additionally, First Avenue recently selected them as one of its “Best New Bands of 2024.” Their debut album, Bill’s Garden, is out now.
“Discovering the world of Room3 is like watching a Miyazaki film for the first time.” – Natalia Toledo of The Current
“Groups of young virtuosos rarely sound so connected while playing music together.” – Sean McPherson of Jazz88
Recommended for fans of Chick Corea, Weather Report, Snarky Puppy and Ezra Collective.

Inara George (of The Bird and the Bee)
2026-06-10 19:00 - 21:00
“exploring the intersection between jazz, Tropicalia, and indie pop” – AllMusic

Inara George is a Los Angeles–based singer and songwriter whose voice and musicality move easily between pop, folk, and jazz. Here, she is best known as one half of The Bird and the Bee with Grammy-winning producer Greg Kurstin. Additionally, she is a member of The Living Sisters. She has built a rich and varied career that spans acclaimed solo work, collaborations with VanDyke Parks and Michael Andrews. Furthermore, her performances range from venues like the Hollywood Bowl and Carnegie Hall to beloved Los Angeles clubs like Largo and the Troubadour.
Her latest release is 2026’s Songs of Douglass and Littell. There, she revisits music written years ago by her friends and longtime collaborators Philip Littell and Eliot Douglass. The album offers a fresh interpretation of their work—one that veers into new territory for George. Moreover, she dives more deeply into jazz-inspired phrasing, harmony, and mood than ever before. However, these interpretations fit seamlessly within the arc of her broader catalog. Here, they reflect the same warmth, wit, and melodic imagination that define her earlier work. In performance, the music from Songs of Douglass and Littell feel like a natural extension of the voice and sensibility that have long been at the heart of her sound.
Recommended for fans of Nellie McKay, The Bird and the Bee, Amos Lee & Ingrid Michaelson.

Bruce A. Henry & The Dakota Present: Hands & Hearts for the Arts
2026-06-11 19:00 - 21:00
All proceeds from the Livestream and Give Butter will go to Hands & Hearts for the Arts for T. Mychael Rambo.

Livestream tickets: Purchase here (The link to this streaming show will be emailed to you 24 hours before the concert and again, one hour before the concert start time.)
Just looking to make a donation? Donate here with Give Butter

“[Rambo is a] local theater legend” – Music in MN

Following suit of the previous, and very first initiative, Hands & Hearts for the Arts returns to lend a hand to our friend, T. Mychael Rambo. A continued initiative that provides support for artists when they need it most.

FEATURING:
Kevin Kling
Thomasina Petrus
Aimee K. Bryant
Johnnie Brown
Frank Sentwali
Judah Gardener
Ray Covington
Maya Marchelle
Ashley Dubose
Kennadi Watkins
WITH:
Brian Ziemniak – Piano
Jeff Bailey – Bass
Kevin Washington – Drums
Dave Feily – Guitar
Daryl Boudreaux – Percussion
The first recipient of this initiative was Regina Marie Williams back in 2023. Now, the recipient is T. Mychael Rambo – a three-time Emmy award winner, beloved actor and singer who has touched the hearts of audiences across the vast metropolitan area for years. Moreover, he is a regular performer at the Dakota who also has graced stages like the Guthrie, Penumbra, Ordway, and many more.
Recently, T. Mychael suffered a temporary health setback that has rendered him unable to work. Additionally, this includes regular performances that he has been involved in for years.
Known as a “man of great musical imagination,” Bruce Henry is an internationally-known vocalist, composer, storyteller, recording artist and educator. Additionally, Bruce teaches musical history, traditions and culture as he entertains and enraptures audiences with his vocal agility. Anchored in Chicago, with roots in the Twin Cities, Bruce shares his expertise and creativity across the nation and overseas.
Recommended for fans of Al Jarreau, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Aretha Franklin.

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.

Infidels: A Bob Dylan Tribute
2026-06-14 19:00 - 21:00
Infidels is a new local Bob Dylan tribute supergroup featuring Terry Walsh (Belfast Cowboys) on vocals, piano and guitar. Here, he joins bandmates David J. Russ (drums) and Bart Bakker (bass). Also, longtime veteran singer-songwriter Dan Israel is on vocals and guitar, and ace lead guitarist Steve Brantseg. Brantseg currently plays in Dan’s band along with the Suburbs, Curtiss A and Who Are They?, and many others over the years (including Bash & Pop, the Phones, Willie Wisely, and more).
They debuted at Duluth Dylan Fest in 2022 and returned for another Dylan Fest in 2023. However, this will be their Dakota debut, and they can’t wait to bring you an inspired, impassioned set list. Here, they present songs that span the wide breadth of Dylan’s rich body of material, from the ’60s on into the ’00s.
Terry Walsh started playing in various Twin Cities rock bands. Then, he toured as Slim Dunlap’s bass player in 1997, opening for Son Volt. In 2001 Walsh hit upon the idea to form a Van Morrison tribute band. There, 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.
Dan Israel is a longtime fixture on the Minneapolis music scene. He was the first guest on 89.3 The Current’s Local Show and has been called “the hardest working singer-songwriter in Minnesota.” He has released sixteen critically acclaimed albums, including 2020’s Social Distance Anxiety Disorder, which many critics and fans have praised as his finest record yet.
Recommended for fans of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones and Van Morrison.

Kinga Głyk
2026-06-15 19:00 - 21:00
“Kinga Głyk is leading the vanguard of musicians taking jazz to the mainstream” – Guitar World

Kinga Głyk is a bassist and composer with a distinctive funk-driven sound. Also, she has quickly become one of the most compelling voices of the new jazz generation. She has released five original albums: Rejestracja, Happy Birthday, Dream, Feelings and Real Life. An artist rooted in improvisation, she blends jazz with a modern, electronic groove. Moreover, she has performed on many notable European stages, including the North Sea Jazz Festival. Additionally, she has played Blue Note Rio de Janeiro, all the way to the islands of Japan and Expo Osaka. Kinga is inspired by sounds and people who don’t always speak the same language. However, as she says herself: “Music can be interesting and powerful enough to move the heart, even if there are no words.”
Her track “Joy Joy” has amassed over 1.5 million views on YouTube. Further, her bass arrangement of “Tears in Heaven” has reached an impressive 20 million. Here, this is clear proof that Kinga’s music resonates with listeners around the globe. Discover it for yourself at one of her upcoming concerts.
Recommended for fans of Mark Lettieri, Nate Smith, Mohini Dey and Victor Wooten.
📸: Róża Kadi

Naturally 7
2026-06-16 19:00 - 21:00
“Their vocal play sent dopamine levels soaring” – The Arts Desk

Certain experiences burn themselves in your memory from the very first encounter. The jaw-dropping audio pyrotechnics that Naturally 7 put on display every night absolutely belong in that category. Here, “a capella group” vastly underplays what they create onstage. Thus, they had to coin a phrase – “Vocal Play” – to more accurately depict what they do.
Naturally 7 is more than a tightly orchestrated collection of great singers. There, they transform their voices into actual human instruments, effortlessly producing music of any genre. Moreover, their vocal choreography is so perfectly interwoven that they compelled the musical maestro himself, Quincy Jones, to declare them “The best a capella group in the world!”
Over their vibrant twenty-year career, they’ve completed three world tours – nearly 500 shows – with the incomparable Michael Bublé. Also, they shared billing with global phenomenon Coldplay – including a sold out show at the Barclays Center. In addition to Bublé, Naturally 7 has worked with Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Ludacris, The Roots, and more. Counted among their world-famous fans are President Barack Obama, Will.I.Am., Ellen DeGeneres, Craig Ferguson, and Bill and Melinda Gates. Also, Jay Leno, Allan Titchmarsh, Mo’Nique, Jools Holland, and Arsenio Hall, along with countless others.
Naturally 7 is “Ricky“ Lee Ricardo Cort, Rod Eldridge, Kelvin “Kelz“ Mitchell, Sean Simmonds, Dwight Stewart, Roger Thomas, and Warren Thomas. They consider it a privilege to do what they love, bringing so much joy to their fans every night. It’s exactly what you would expect. When something is pure magic, it’s destined to withstand the test of time. Naturally…
Naturally 7.
Recommended for fans of Take 6, Tonic Sol-Fa, Gregory Porter and Rockapela.

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.

Kronos Quartet: Live Album Recording
2026-06-18 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-06-19 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-06-19 21:30 - 23:30
David Harrington, violin
Gabriela Díaz, violin
Ayane Kozasa, viola
Paul Wiancko, cello
The Kronos Quartet comes to the Dakota with a thought-provoking program built for the current moment in Minneapolis. Here, they play works from innovative composers including John Coltrane, Michael Gordon, Aleksandra Vrebalov, Abel Meeropol, JLIN, and more. Furthermore, Kronos examines the existential human rights of joy, grief, and healing. The quartet also welcomes the hometown duo of Pow Wow singer Joe Rainey and multi-instrumentalist Andrew Broder to finish out the set. Thus, this amplifies the strong musical voices of Minneapolis. Kronos Quartet Live Album Recording will be a concert to remember, featuring resonant music that reflects on the here and now in the world.
For over fifty years, San Francisco’s Kronos Quartet has reimagined what the string quartet experience can be. One of the most celebrated and influential groups of our era, Kronos has given thousands of concerts worldwide. Additionally, they have released more than seventy recordings and collaborated with many of the world’s most accomplished composers and performers across many genres. Kronos has received over forty awards, including three Grammys and the Polar Music, Avery Fisher, and Edison Klassiek Oeuvre Prizes. In 2024, Kronos’ Pieces of Africa album was inducted into the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress. Most recently, Kronos Quartet has been selected as the Doomsday Clock Artists in Residence for The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists.
Through its nonprofit organization, Kronos Performing Arts Association (KPAA), Kronos has commissioned more than 1,100 works and arrangements for quartet. KPAA also manages Kronos’ concert tours, local performances, recordings, and education programs. There, in its most ambitious commissioning effort to date, KPAA has recently completed Kronos Fifty for the Future. Through this initiative, Kronos has commissioned—and distributed online for free—fifty new works for string quartet. Here, these are designed for students and emerging professionals, written by composers from around the world.
PROGRAM TO BE SELECTED FROM THE FOLLOWING
Jlin (arr. Jacob Garchik) / Little Black Book **
Abel Meeropol (arr. Jacob Garchik) / Strange Fruit (inspired by Billie Holiday) +
Neil Young (arr. Paul Wiancko) / Ohio +
Michael Gordon / The Sad Park – Part 4: And all the persons that were in the airplane died. *
John Coltrane (arr. Jacob Garchik) / Alabama +
Link Wray (arr. Jacob Garchik) / Rumble +
Traditional (arr. Jonathan Berger) / Ya Taali’een ‘ala el-Jabal (inspired by Rim Banna) +
J. Fred Coots (arr. Jacob Garchik) / For All We Know (inspired by Nina Simone) +
Aleksandra Vrebalov / My Desert, My Rose **
Kronos Quartet featuring Joe Rainey and Andrew Broder / TBD
PROGRAM SUBJECT TO CHANGE
* Written for Kronos
** Written for Kronos Fifty for the Future
+ Arranged for Kronos
Recommended for fans of Philip Glass, Laurie Anderson, Zoe Keating and Bang On a Can All-Stars.

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.

Will Kjeer, pianist for Judy Collins, will be accompanying Kevin & Larry on this evening of storytelling and song in celebration of fathers and father figures. With a Master’s degree from Juilliard under his belt—and as a current member of their Artist Diploma ambassador ensemble—Will Kjeer is among the vanguard of his generation bringing the continuum of jazz to new audiences and stages across the globe.
Recommended for fans of Mark Twain, Pete Seeger, Garrison Keillor, Arlo Guthrie, Bill Evans, and John Prine.

Church of Cash
2026-06-21 19:00 - 21:00
“the premier Johnny Cash tribute show” – MN Music Guide

In 2010, Jay Ernest established the Church of Cash. Jay is driven to spread the gospel of one of the world’s most influential and timeless songwriters.
The Church of Cash remains steadfast in their devotion to the music of Johnny Cash. Their performances echo the gentle breeze of the prairie and resonate with the commanding stomp of a boot heel. Far from being a typical country band, the Church of Cash stands as a tribute band with a clear mission. Moreover, led by Jay’s resounding baritone voice, they honor the lasting legacy of Johnny Cash. Additionally, they have traversed the roads, tested their mettle, and stand ever-ready to celebrate the very soul of American music.
What the Church of Cash has that no one else can match is their loyalty to the song. Also, they remain true to the message that Johnny left to all of us. The band merely keeps this word alive with a youthful spirit that has entertained audiences completely.
The Johnny Cash tribute show performed by singer Jay Ernest and his band is an unforgettable experience. Jay’s deep, resonant voice sounds remarkably like Cash’s. Moreover, he captures the essence of the legendary performer with his dynamic stage presence.
The show features an electrifying setlist that includes all of Cash’s greatest hits. You’ll hear classics from “I Walk the Line” to “Ring of Fire” and beyond. Furthermore, the band’s musicianship is impeccable, and they create an authentic sound that’s true to Cash’s original recordings.
Jay Ernest and his band have toured nationally and internationally, winning over audiences in all corners of the globe. Whether you’re in the front row or the back, you’ll be swept up in the energy of this amazing show.
Recommended for fans of Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings.

John Pizzarelli Trio: Dear Mr. Bennett
2026-06-22 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-06-22 21:00 - 23:00, 2026-06-24 19:00 - 21:00
“A tour de force… a rare entertainer of the old school.” – Seattle Times

Grammy-winning guitarist and vocalist John Pizzarelli celebrates the centennial of iconic singer Tony Bennett with a pair of heartfelt tributes. 2026’s Dear Mr. Bennett features Pizzarelli’s trio with bassist Mike Karn and pianist Isaiah J. Thompson. Here, they perform timeless songs that Bennett made famous. Then, a 5-song EP will follow on August 7, the week of Bennett’s 100th birthday
When Tony Bennett passed away in July 2023, the entire world of music felt the loss. Few artists have made as profound an impact over such a wide range of styles and eras. For example, Bennett’s connections spanned Frank Sinatra, Bill Evans, Willie Nelson and Lady Gaga.
For world-renowned guitarist and vocalist John Pizzarelli, Bennett was more than simply an influence. Pizzarelli’s late father, the revered guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, was a frequent sideman for the legendary singer. There, Bucky appeared on albums including 1960’s To My Wonderful One and 1969’s I’ve Gotta Be Me. Later, John got his own opportunity to accompany Bennett for a radio broadcast with pianist Ralph Sharon and bassist Jay Leonhart.
The admiration ran both ways – Bennett often attended many of Pizzarelli’s performances. Additionally, he sketched Pizzarelli’s likeness on two occasions. In fact, Bennett created the charming artwork that graces the cover of Dear Mr. Bennett. Moreover, he rendered it during an engagement at Feinstein’s nightclub at New York’s Loews Regency hotel.
Recommended for fans of Bucky Pizzarelli, Frank Vignola, Howard Alden and Russell Malone.

Acoustic Alchemy
2026-06-23 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-06-23 21:00 - 23:00
“Utter perfection.” – PopMatters

Greg Carmichael says, “Well at least nobody could ever accuse us of releasing too much music! But I think our fans know by now that we’re a little obsessive about only releasing music when we have something ready that we really love.” There, they released their latest EP, The Empire of Lights, in 2025.
Here, the four tracks on their latest release revisit familiar themes for longtime fans. Moreover, they play a western shuffle on “8,000 Miles” and inject reggae flavours into “Alisio”. Also, they deliver upbeat joy on “Back to Back” and the laid-back groove of “Other People”. “We hope there’s something here for everyone,” says Miles Gilderdale. “We’re very lucky that over the years we’ve found fans that just get what we’re doing, so we can wear our influences on our sleeves and not have to try and fit into any one style.’
The band has been recording and touring for over thirty-five years. However, that spirit of never trying to fit in may help explain the band’s longevity. Here, they just make music that they love. “I feel really grateful that we’ve been on such a long journey with our fans and they’re still there with us.” Greg says, “We talk after shows and it’s always such an honor to hear the stories of how our music has been the soundtrack to so many people’s lives.”
Here, this EP starts a series of shorter musical releases that will eventually combine into a full album. Miles says, ‘We know that these days people listen to our music in lots of different ways. But I think we all remember the thrill of bringing a new record home and listening from start to finish. So we try and make sure everything we release works in that way as well as on playlists.”
Recommended for fans of Fourplay, David Benoit, Peter White and Larry Carlton.
