BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Dakota - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Dakota
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Dakota
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Chicago
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20240310T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20241103T070000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20250309T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20251102T070000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0600
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:CDT
DTSTART:20260308T080000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0600
TZNAME:CST
DTSTART:20261101T070000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251209T210000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251209T230000
DTSTAMP:20260415T153958
CREATED:20250916T190820Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251023T204628Z
UID:10003080-1765314000-1765321200@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Travis Anderson Trio's "A Charlie Brown Christmas"
DESCRIPTION:“They swing like there’s no tomorrow.” – Jazz Police\n  \nThis blazingly energetic trio takes on Vince Guaraldi‘s holiday classic\, A Charlie Brown Christmas. Here\, they play the timeless music of Vince Guaraldi\, including “Christmas Time Is Here“ and “Linus and Lucy.” \nWith energy and chops to burn\, The Travis Anderson Trio bring fresh interpretations to standards and more – from Chopin to Mario Bros – they swing like there’s no tomorrow while saluting the great trios of yesterday. \nTravis Anderson has been delighting audiences with his dazzling piano technique and inventive arrangements since 2003. Additionally\, he has taken his unique piano style all over the metro area and beyond. \nSteve Pikal is one of the most in-demand bassists in the region. Adept at many genres\, his joyous stage presence and buoyant playing add an exciting element to every show. \nVersatile\, dynamic\, and hard-swinging\, Nathan Norman is a first-call drummer in the Twin Cities. Also\, he has collaborated with many of the area’s finest artists\, including Bruce Henry\, Debbie Duncan\, Charmin Michelle\, and more. \nA Charlie Brown Christmas is the Emmy and Peabody award-winning story written by St. Paul’s own Charles M. Schulz. This classic has warmed the hearts of millions of fans since it first aired on television nearly sixty years ago. The Christmas special marked the first time Schulz’s classic characters made the jump from the newspaper page to animation. Moreover\, the soundtrack being provided by a jazz trio rather than full orchestra\, originally a budget-conscious decision\, proved to be an inspired choice. Here\, Guaraldi’s songs are as important to the show’s enduring success as the characters themselves. \nRecommended for fans of Oscar Peterson\, George Gershwin\, Art Tatum and Vince Guaraldi.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/travis-anderson-trios-a-charlie-brown-christmas-dec9-2025/2025-12-09/2/
CATEGORIES:Holiday,Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/700x400-TravisAndersonTrioCharlieBro.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251209T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251209T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T153958
CREATED:20250916T190820Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251023T204628Z
UID:10003079-1765306800-1765314000@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Travis Anderson Trio's "A Charlie Brown Christmas"
DESCRIPTION:“They swing like there’s no tomorrow.” – Jazz Police\n  \nThis blazingly energetic trio takes on Vince Guaraldi‘s holiday classic\, A Charlie Brown Christmas. Here\, they play the timeless music of Vince Guaraldi\, including “Christmas Time Is Here“ and “Linus and Lucy.” \nWith energy and chops to burn\, The Travis Anderson Trio bring fresh interpretations to standards and more – from Chopin to Mario Bros – they swing like there’s no tomorrow while saluting the great trios of yesterday. \nTravis Anderson has been delighting audiences with his dazzling piano technique and inventive arrangements since 2003. Additionally\, he has taken his unique piano style all over the metro area and beyond. \nSteve Pikal is one of the most in-demand bassists in the region. Adept at many genres\, his joyous stage presence and buoyant playing add an exciting element to every show. \nVersatile\, dynamic\, and hard-swinging\, Nathan Norman is a first-call drummer in the Twin Cities. Also\, he has collaborated with many of the area’s finest artists\, including Bruce Henry\, Debbie Duncan\, Charmin Michelle\, and more. \nA Charlie Brown Christmas is the Emmy and Peabody award-winning story written by St. Paul’s own Charles M. Schulz. This classic has warmed the hearts of millions of fans since it first aired on television nearly sixty years ago. The Christmas special marked the first time Schulz’s classic characters made the jump from the newspaper page to animation. Moreover\, the soundtrack being provided by a jazz trio rather than full orchestra\, originally a budget-conscious decision\, proved to be an inspired choice. Here\, Guaraldi’s songs are as important to the show’s enduring success as the characters themselves. \nRecommended for fans of Oscar Peterson\, George Gershwin\, Art Tatum and Vince Guaraldi.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/travis-anderson-trios-a-charlie-brown-christmas-dec9-2025/2025-12-09/1/
CATEGORIES:Holiday,Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/700x400-TravisAndersonTrioCharlieBro.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251208T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251208T220000
DTSTAMP:20260415T153958
CREATED:20251114T153029Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251202T200119Z
UID:10003185-1765220400-1765231200@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Michael Cain Quartet
DESCRIPTION:“impeccable balance of imagination\, elegance and hipness” – All About Jazz\n  \nAs a pianist and keyboardist\, Michael Cain has had a prolific performance and recording career. Cain has worked with some of the most significant names in jazz and contemporary music. These include Jack DeJohnette\, Ravi Coltrane\, Terence Blanchard\, Robin Eubanks\, Pat Metheny\, Charles Neville\, Dave Holland\, and Bobby McFerrin. Furthermore\, his work as pianist\, keyboardist\, and arranger with Meshell Ndegeocello earned him two Grammy nominations. \nOther notable projects include composing the music for the films Maybe and Real With Me by director Carl Ford. He also served as pianist and musical director for the Jose Limon Dance Company’s New York premiere of Crossroads. Here\, this was a collaboration between composer James Newton and choreographer Donald McKayle. Additionally\, Cain composed the music for the Broadway play View from 151st Street\, which ran at the George Papp Public Theater in New York. Cain was artist-in-residence at the University of Auckland\, NZ the summer of 2022. Then\, Cain collaborated with the Boston Ballet in 2024. There\, he composed electronic sound elements with Musical Director Mischa Santora and choreographer Ken Ossola for the world premiere of his ballet “The Space Between.” In September 2024\, the Michael Cain Trio were featured artists at the Capão Jazz Festival in Bahia\, Brazil. \nMichael has held teaching positions at the Eastman School of Music\, the New England Conservatory of Music\, and Brandon University. Currently\, he is the Director of the Electronic Music and Recording Arts program at MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis. Michael is also co-founder and CEO of Ekwe\, a mobile-based\, multicultural\, digital music creation app. With this\, he aims to redefine diversity\, equity\, and access to music creation and education. \nMichael’s latest release is entitled Hoo Doo and is available on all streaming platforms. \nRecommended for fans of McCoy Tyner\, Dave Holland Quintet\, Meshell Ndegeocello and Jack DeJohnette.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/michael-cain-quartet-dec8-2025/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/700x400-MichaelCainQuartet.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251207T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251207T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T153958
CREATED:20250923T164728Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251202T200043Z
UID:10003095-1765134000-1765141200@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Southside Aces: Christmas in New Orleans
DESCRIPTION:“A true authentic New Orleans dance-hall style band.” – New Orleans Traditional Jazz Quarterly\n  \nThe Southside Aces have been playing holiday shows for over twenty years. They play favorites\, lesser-knowns\, even originals! When you put holiday tunes through the New Orleans jazz filter\, you make Yuletide haters love\, and lovers love more! \n“Can you play Christmas music successfully in a New Orleans ensemble style? The answer is a resounding yes! This is great trad jazz…but also evokes a flood of Christmas feelings from the melancholy to the gay.” \n— Syncopated Times review of Southside Aces Christmas album\, Santaphone \nFor two decades\, the Southside Aces have performed traditional New Orleans jazz for weddings\, festivals\, clubs\, and more—music furnished for all occasions. The Aces utilize the traditional canon for its sweetness and spice\, joy and sorrow\, whatever the mood should call for. \n2022’s Minneapolis Bump is the Southside Aces’ eighth album\, containing fifteen original compositions by clarinetist Tony Balluff. The songs take their inspiration from the stars of the early jazz firmament—Jelly Roll Morton\, King Oliver\, Louis Armstrong\, and Duke Ellington\, just to name a few. \nRecommended for fans of Preservation Hall Jazz Band\, Tuba Skinny\, Louis Armstrong and Fats Waller.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/southside-aces-christmas-in-new-orleans-dec7-2025/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/700x400-SouthsideAcesXmas.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251206T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251206T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T153958
CREATED:20251008T025700Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251202T195956Z
UID:10003117-1765047600-1765054800@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:The Klezmatics - Happy Joyous Hanukkah
DESCRIPTION:“catchy\, pulse-quickening party tunes and heart-warming melodies” – Jewish Chronicle\n  \nThis December\, The Klezmatics — the world’s most celebrated klezmer band — return with their beloved Happy Joyous Hanukkah Tour. As candles are lit across the country\, The Klezmatics honor both Jewish tradition and bold musical reinvention. \nFor nearly forty years\, The Klezmatics have been transforming klezmer from nostalgic memory into a living\, breathing\, revolutionary art form. And nowhere is that spirit more alive than in their legendary collaboration with Woody Guthrie. There\, his long-lost Hanukkah lyrics were brought to life in the band’s iconic 2006 album Happy Joyous Hanukkah. \nIn 2025\, that album will be reissued in a beautifully remastered vinyl edition\, just in time for the holiday season. Audiences will once again dance to Guthrie/Klezmatics favorites like “Hanuka Gelt\,” “Spin Dreydl Spin\,” and “Happy Joyous Hanuka”. Here\, the band brings the songs back to the stage — full of warmth\, humor\, and Yiddish soul. \nBut this year’s tour isn’t only about tradition — it’s also about what comes next. The Klezmatics will release their fourteenth studio album\, The New York Sessions\, in early 2026. Thus\, this Hanukkah tour will feature exclusive live premieres of brand-new material. These new songs continue the band’s legacy of addressing contemporary themes — from migration and solidarity to joy\, resistance\, and renewal. Moreover\, they explore these themes through the ecstatic power of Yiddish-rooted music. \nThe result is a Hanukkah concert like no other: a celebration of light in dark times. Here\, ancient stories meet new melodies\, and community is built through dance\, laughter\, and shared song. \nWhether you’ve been following The Klezmatics for decades or you’re lighting your first menorah\, this tour is for you. \nRecommended for fans of Chava Alberstein\, Klezmerson\, Burning Bush and Daniel Kahn.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/the-klezmatics-happy-joyous-hanukkah-dec6-2025/
CATEGORIES:Global,Holiday
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/700x400-TheKlezmatics.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251205T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251205T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T153958
CREATED:20250908T153106Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251202T195913Z
UID:10003013-1764961200-1764968400@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Leo Kottke: Live at The Ordway
DESCRIPTION:“wild\, highly technical blend of bluegrass\, folk\, and jazz and classical” – Rolling Stone\n  \nProlific guitarist Leo Kottke boasts an impressive body of work and an unrivaled fingerpicking style. His forty-plus albums over four decades have earned him two Grammy nominations and widespread acclaim. Drawing inspiration from folk\, blues and jazz\, he plays his signature six-string and twelve-string guitars with effortless aptitude\, a big heart and an even bigger grin.  \nKottke was born in Athens\, Georgia\, but left town after a year and a half. Raised in twelve different states\, he absorbed a variety of musical influences as a child. There\, he flirted with both violin and trombone\, before abandoning Stravinsky for the guitar at age eleven. \nHe added a love for the country blues of Mississippi John Hurt to the music of John Philip Sousa and Preston Epps. Then\, Kottke joined the Navy underage\, to be underwater\, and eventually lost some hearing shooting at lightbulbs in the Atlantic. He served on the USS Halfbeak\, a diesel submarine. \nDischarged in 1964\, he settled in the Twin Cities area and became a fixture at Minneapolis’ Scholar Coffeehouse. Further\, this venue had been home to Bob Dylan and John Koerner. \nKottke has been awarded two Grammy nominations. Also\, a Doctorate in Music Performance by the Peck School of Music at the U of Wisconsin\, Milwaukee. He also received a Certificate of Significant Achievement in Not Playing the Trombone from the U of Texas at Brownsville with Texas Southmost College. \nCellist Olivia Diercks and violinist Karla Peters are The OK Factor. This new-classical crossover duo has one word to describe their musical connection: lucky. Here\, the almost telepathic way they respond to one another is palpable to the audiences they capture during performances. Moreover\, their spontaneity and joy shine through. MPR calls them “genre-bending” and Wausau Pilot & Review hails their “pure magic”. \n“influences in Americana and Irish/Gaelic fiddle styles\, but with the virtuosity of classical performers” – MPR \nRecommended for fans of John Fahey\, Ry Cooder\, Michael Hedges and Peter Lang.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/leo-kottke-live-at-the-ordway/
CATEGORIES:Americana,Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/700x400-LeoKottkeOKFactor.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251205T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251205T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T153958
CREATED:20250908T153104Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251202T195915Z
UID:10003012-1764961200-1764968400@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Gunhild Carling
DESCRIPTION:“a star with megawatt energy and a breathtaking breadth of talent” – Theater Pizzazz\n  \nSwedish musical sensation Gunhild Carling is an internationally acclaimed superstar whose show is a can’t-miss event! Whether she’s singing favorite swinging jazz standards\, playing one of many instruments (trumpet\, trombone\, harmonica\, oboe\, harp\, flute\, recorder or jazz bagpipe!) or juggling and tap dancing\, Gunhild’s sublime showmanship shines. And just wait for the finale – spoiler alert – she plays three trumpets at once!  \nCarling competed as a celebrity dancer in Let’s Dance in 2014 on TV4\, placing third. She also appeared on Sweden’s Dancing With The Stars. Furthermore\, Gunhild performed on Sweden’s Got Talent in 2017 and America’s Got Talent in 2019.  \nShe recently performed with her Carling Big Band at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. They celebrated King Carl XVI Gustaf’s Ruby Jubilee. Gunhild masterfully takes you back to another era like a time machine with memorable vintage songs. These include “Minnie the Moocher\,” “Sweet Georgia Brown\,” “All of Me\,” “It Had to Be You\,” and an endless repertoire. \nBetween touring with her own band\, she performs in several configurations from solo to orchestra to symphony. Additionally\, she is a featured singer and multi-instrumentalist in several of Postmodern Jukebox’s songs. These include a 1920s jazz swing version of “Material Girl\,” and a 1920s hot jazz cover of ABBA’s “Dancing Queen.” Gunhild Carling keeps serenading audiences in the US and all around the world today.  \nRecommended for fans of Pink Martini\, Chris Botti\, The Hot Sardines and Postmodern Jukebox.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/gunhild-carling/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/700x400-GunhildCarling.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251204T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251204T235900
DTSTAMP:20260415T153958
CREATED:20250908T153103Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250916T192535Z
UID:10003011-1764806400-1764892740@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Private Event
DESCRIPTION:We will be closed on DEC 4 for a private event. BOOK YOUR EVENT HERE:
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/private-event-6/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/700x400-PrivateEvent-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251203T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251203T220000
DTSTAMP:20260415T153958
CREATED:20250930T183019Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251202T195804Z
UID:10003107-1764792000-1764799200@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Nicholas David: St. Nick's Show & Album Release
DESCRIPTION:“infectious as hell… passionate” – City Pages\n  \nAfter five years in the making\, Nicholas David is celebrating his first vinyl release: More Than Music.  \nThe 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.  \nDavid 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. \nCome celebrate an evening where dreams and reality mix into music. Also\, help us celebrate the twelfth year of the St. Nick’s day show. \nRecommended for fans of Dr. John\, Ray Lamontagne\, Leon Bridges and Amos Lee.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/nicholas-david-st-nicks-show-album-release-dec3-2025/
CATEGORIES:Americana,R&B/Soul
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/700x400-NicholasDavidStNickShow.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251202T210000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251202T230000
DTSTAMP:20260415T153958
CREATED:20250910T164632Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251020T145221Z
UID:10003055-1764709200-1764716400@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Christmas Dreaming w/ Stella Cole & the Laurels String Quartet
DESCRIPTION:“vintage superstar” – Postmodern Jukebox\n  \nStella Cole is hitting the road this holiday season in support of her upcoming single “Merry Christmas\, Darling”. Here\, this is a timeless reimagining of the beloved Carpenters classic. Last year\, the “powerhouse rivaling Judy Garland and Rosemary Clooney” (People) released her holiday EP Snow! \nSnow! presents Stella interpreting well-known holiday classics. For example\, she includes “White Christmas\,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas\,” and “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas”. Additionally\, Cole presents discoveries like “Christmas Dreaming” and “That’s What I Want for Christmas.” Grammy-winning arranger Alan Broadbent arranged Snow!\, which is sure to become a holiday classic. \nStella recently released her sophomore album It’s Magic. Broadbent also arranged this album\, which breathes new life into classic love songs. She recorded at New York’s legendary Power Station\, with the vision to find unconventional\, yet familiar songs. These include standards like “Fools Rush In” and iconic film themes like “As Time Goes By” (a favorite of Cole’s from Casablanca). Also\, Burt Bacharach’s main title theme from Alfie (1966)\, Cole’s dreamy interpretation of “Say It\,” and the tender “Till There Was You.” The latter became familiar through the 1957 Broadway musical The Music Man and later The Beatles.  \nWith a voice that bridges generations\, Stella Cole has cultivated over 1.7 million social media followers. She accomplishes this through her fresh interpretations of timeless songs by iconic artists\, including Judy Garland\, Frank Sinatra\, and Nat “King” Cole. Often described as a Laufey-meets-Bublé sensation\, Cole brings a fresh interpretation of classic repertoire to a new generation. \nRecommended for fans of Emmaline\, Haley Reinhart\, Postmodern Jukebox and Morgan James.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/stella-cole-w-laurels-string-quartet-dec2-2025-01-tec-83432/2025-12-02/2/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,Rock/Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/700x400-StellaCole2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251202T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251202T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T153958
CREATED:20250910T164632Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251020T145221Z
UID:10003053-1764702000-1764709200@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Christmas Dreaming w/ Stella Cole & the Laurels String Quartet
DESCRIPTION:“vintage superstar” – Postmodern Jukebox\n  \nStella Cole is hitting the road this holiday season in support of her upcoming single “Merry Christmas\, Darling”. Here\, this is a timeless reimagining of the beloved Carpenters classic. Last year\, the “powerhouse rivaling Judy Garland and Rosemary Clooney” (People) released her holiday EP Snow! \nSnow! presents Stella interpreting well-known holiday classics. For example\, she includes “White Christmas\,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas\,” and “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas”. Additionally\, Cole presents discoveries like “Christmas Dreaming” and “That’s What I Want for Christmas.” Grammy-winning arranger Alan Broadbent arranged Snow!\, which is sure to become a holiday classic. \nStella recently released her sophomore album It’s Magic. Broadbent also arranged this album\, which breathes new life into classic love songs. She recorded at New York’s legendary Power Station\, with the vision to find unconventional\, yet familiar songs. These include standards like “Fools Rush In” and iconic film themes like “As Time Goes By” (a favorite of Cole’s from Casablanca). Also\, Burt Bacharach’s main title theme from Alfie (1966)\, Cole’s dreamy interpretation of “Say It\,” and the tender “Till There Was You.” The latter became familiar through the 1957 Broadway musical The Music Man and later The Beatles.  \nWith a voice that bridges generations\, Stella Cole has cultivated over 1.7 million social media followers. She accomplishes this through her fresh interpretations of timeless songs by iconic artists\, including Judy Garland\, Frank Sinatra\, and Nat “King” Cole. Often described as a Laufey-meets-Bublé sensation\, Cole brings a fresh interpretation of classic repertoire to a new generation. \nRecommended for fans of Emmaline\, Haley Reinhart\, Postmodern Jukebox and Morgan James.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/stella-cole-w-laurels-string-quartet-dec2-2025-01-tec-83432/2025-12-02/1/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,Rock/Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/700x400-StellaCole2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251201T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251201T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T153958
CREATED:20250908T153059Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251124T224557Z
UID:10003010-1764615600-1764622800@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:George Maurer Group Annual Holiday Show
DESCRIPTION:“What’s the Maurer magic? A mix of wit\, sophistication\, humor and keeping it fresh.” – Minnpost\n  \nThis merry band of “genre-bending eclectics” (Jazz 88) has been entertaining sold-out houses at the Dakota since 2000. The George Maurer Group takes the stage by storm with their irreverent style and sly musical humor. Here\, they will bring you an evening filled with witty stage banter\, clever musicianship\, and surprising twists on holiday classics. For example\, think Thelonious Monk meets “Sleigh Ride\,” the Beatles’ “Drive My Sleigh\,” Herbie Hancock’s “Driftin’” a la “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and more! \nGeorge Maurer’s artistic career is an exciting and unpredictable journey. He’s always on the fast track as he performs and composes music that crosses genres\, disciplines and\, increasingly\, continents. Moreover\, George’s artistic curiosity and always-expanding boundaries constantly lead him down intriguing new professional and personal paths. Thus\, they all intersect in the art he is creating now. He draws together his musical knowledge with the cultural exploration and diversity of experiences that have marked his life.  \nGeorge launched his career as a solo pianist\, made his mark in jazz and detoured down many other avenues. He has arranged music and been in the pit for countless musicals. He’s also played with groups ranging from a Native American country band to his own jazz ensemble. Additionally\, he has released more than twenty recordings on his own label. His introductions to different styles\, instruments and collective histories add texture to his music while contributing to his unique voice as a musician. \nGeorge’s versatility on the piano and keyboard lands him all in all kinds of talented company. He arranges music for orchestras and mans the piano for the nationally touring Midtown Men\, putting him on stage with renowned orchestras like the Boston Pops. \nRecommended for fans of Billy Joel\, Harry Connick\, Jr.\, Frankie Valli and Jersey Boys.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/george-maurer-group-annual-holiday-show/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,Rock/Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/700x400-GeorgeMaurer.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251130T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251130T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T153958
CREATED:20251009T224124Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251124T224920Z
UID:10003121-1764529200-1764536400@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Corky Siegel\, Ernie Watts & Randy Sabien
DESCRIPTION:“national treasure” – Downbeat\n  \n\nJazz icon Ernie Watts and blues harmonica ace Corky Siegel first met in Mumbai. They were each invited by the distinguished violin virtuoso\, Dr. L. Subramaniam to perform in his Global Fusion project. Then\, they became best friends from the moment they met. Further\, they continue to collaborate in celebrated performances and on acclaimed recording projects. Here\, the evening will be a display of musical fireworks from these iconic masters\, filled with remarkable stories and humor. In Corky’s words: “Innocent victims of incredible good fortune.” \nCorky Siegel is hailed as one of the world’s great blues harmonica and keyboard players. Corky has a pivotal influence in modern music. He has close associations with the blues masters in the earlier days of Chicago blues through his Siegel-Schwall Band. Furthermore\, he has achieved a surprising level of success in bringing together blues and classical audiences. For all these reasons Downbeat Magazine calls him a “national treasure.” \nErnie Watts is a two-time Grammy winning saxophonist. Watts played in the Tonight Show band with Doc Severinsen for Johnny Carson for twenty years. He toured with the Rolling Stones\, Charlie Haden\, Buddy Rich and Pat Metheny. Additionally\, he recorded with Marvin Gaye\, Dizzy Gillespie\, Paul McCartney\, Aretha Franklin\, Steely Dan\, Frank Zappa and others. Also\, Watts appears on over 1500 recordings\, always exhibiting his unforgettable gift for improvisation. \nRandy Sabien has over forty years of performing experience as a contemporary violinist. He worked with Jim Post\, Greg Brown\, Kate Wolf\, Corky Siegel and more. Additionally\, he has played notable stages including Austin City Limits and A Prairie Home Companion. Further\, Randy founded the string department at the Berklee College of Music in Boston in 1978. \nRecommended for fans of Leo Kottke\, B.B. King\, Buddy Guy and Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/corky-siegel-ernie-watts-randy-sabien-nov30-2025/
CATEGORIES:Blues,Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/700x400-CorkyErineRandy.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251129T210000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251129T230000
DTSTAMP:20260415T153958
CREATED:20250926T202806Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251003T215207Z
UID:10003105-1764450000-1764457200@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Shaun LaBelle feat. Najee & Brian Simpson
DESCRIPTION:“smooth jazz with an edge\, with funk and rock elements” – Pioneer Press\n  \nShaun LaBelle’s producing career has been filled with legendary groups. For example\, David Pack (Ambrosia)\, Everette Harp\, Jeff Kashiwa\, and Steve Reid (Rippingtons.) Also\, Shaun has worked with Branford Marsalis and the group Pieces of a Dream. Shaun performed bass on the Larger Than Life tour for Grammy award-winning recording artist Jody Watley. Currently\, Shaun’s new releases Your Love Kept Calling my Name and Mon Cher Amour have charted on Billboard. Here\, he reached Number Eighteen on the smooth jazz charts and Number One on UK Soul\, three weeks in a row. \nNajee is a fearless chart-topping contemporary jazz pioneer. In a business where trends and artists come and go\, the genre-bending saxophonist’s staying power is a rare blessing. The Grammy and NAACP award-winning musician is one of the brightest stars in contemporary jazz for close to four decades. Here\, he credits his genuine love for connecting with people\, coupled with his consummate musicianship and sheer passion for music. Moreover\, he has collaborated with Prince\, Quincy Jones\, Stevie Wonder\, Chaka Khan\, and Herbie Hancock\, among others. \nKeyboardist/composer Brian Simpson moved to Los Angeles directly after college. Soon\, he was playing alongside Gerald Albright and Norman Brown and eventually on a world tour with Janet Jackson. In 1990 Simpson received a call from George Duke. Then\, Simpson spent the next decade touring and producing with the late jazz legend. It was his tenure with George that led to working with a variety of artists. There\, he connected with James Ingram\, Anita Baker\, Dave Koz\, and Wayman Tisdale. \nRecommended for fans of Jeff Lorber\, David Sanborn\, Bob James and Marcus Miller.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/shaun-labelle-feat-najee-brian-simpson-nov29-2025/2025-11-29/2/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,R&B/Soul
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/700x400-ShaunLaBelleNajeeBrian2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251129T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251129T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T153958
CREATED:20250926T202806Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251003T215207Z
UID:10003104-1764442800-1764450000@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Shaun LaBelle feat. Najee & Brian Simpson
DESCRIPTION:“smooth jazz with an edge\, with funk and rock elements” – Pioneer Press\n  \nShaun LaBelle’s producing career has been filled with legendary groups. For example\, David Pack (Ambrosia)\, Everette Harp\, Jeff Kashiwa\, and Steve Reid (Rippingtons.) Also\, Shaun has worked with Branford Marsalis and the group Pieces of a Dream. Shaun performed bass on the Larger Than Life tour for Grammy award-winning recording artist Jody Watley. Currently\, Shaun’s new releases Your Love Kept Calling my Name and Mon Cher Amour have charted on Billboard. Here\, he reached Number Eighteen on the smooth jazz charts and Number One on UK Soul\, three weeks in a row. \nNajee is a fearless chart-topping contemporary jazz pioneer. In a business where trends and artists come and go\, the genre-bending saxophonist’s staying power is a rare blessing. The Grammy and NAACP award-winning musician is one of the brightest stars in contemporary jazz for close to four decades. Here\, he credits his genuine love for connecting with people\, coupled with his consummate musicianship and sheer passion for music. Moreover\, he has collaborated with Prince\, Quincy Jones\, Stevie Wonder\, Chaka Khan\, and Herbie Hancock\, among others. \nKeyboardist/composer Brian Simpson moved to Los Angeles directly after college. Soon\, he was playing alongside Gerald Albright and Norman Brown and eventually on a world tour with Janet Jackson. In 1990 Simpson received a call from George Duke. Then\, Simpson spent the next decade touring and producing with the late jazz legend. It was his tenure with George that led to working with a variety of artists. There\, he connected with James Ingram\, Anita Baker\, Dave Koz\, and Wayman Tisdale. \nRecommended for fans of Jeff Lorber\, David Sanborn\, Bob James and Marcus Miller.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/shaun-labelle-feat-najee-brian-simpson-nov29-2025/2025-11-29/1/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,R&B/Soul
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/700x400-ShaunLaBelleNajeeBrian2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251128T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251128T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T153958
CREATED:20250908T152906Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251124T224912Z
UID:10003009-1764356400-1764363600@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:The Very Best of Julie London By Jaedyn James & Alex Browne
DESCRIPTION:“Sultry and powerful R&B… fierce” – Maximum Ink\n  \n“The Very Best of Julie London” will be a sultry night celebrating a jazz icon’s greatest hits and timeless elegance. Produced and performed by Jaedyn James and Alex Browne and backed by an incredible full band featuring strings\, horns\, flute\, piano\, and upright bass.  \nJulie London is a renowned American singer and actress\, celebrated for her sultry voice and intimate singing style. Born in California in 1926\, Julie began her career in the entertainment industry as an actress in the 1940s. However\, it was her musical talent that truly set her apart. Then\, her breakthrough came with the 1955 release of “Cry Me a River”. This song showcased her smoky vocal tone and became an instant classic. Throughout her career\, Julie recorded over thirty albums\, often working with top jazz musicians and arrangers. \nVocalist Jaedyn James is a dynamic force in the music industry\, seamlessly blending her talents as a singer\, songwriter\, producer\, and entertainer. She is well-known for her powerhouse vocals and captivating stage presence. Moreover\, Jaedyn has carved a niche for herself with her unique sound that often fuses elements of soul\, funk\, and R&B. Additionally\, her songwriting reflects a keen insight into the human experience\, touching on themes of love\, resilience\, and empowerment. Whether performing live or crafting new events\, Jaedyn James continues to captivate audiences and push the boundaries of her artistry. \nMusic Director Alex Browne is a versatile musician whose talents span across trumpet playing\, teaching\, and bandleading. As a trumpet player\, Alex showcases a profound mastery of the instrument. Here\, they captivate audiences\, performing with acts such as Bebe Zahara\, Purple Funk Metropolis\, and Jaedyn James. However\, their passion for music extends beyond performance. A dedicated teacher\, Alex inspires students of all ages at Walker West and MCTC. \nRecommended for fans of Julie London\, Irma Thomas\, Anita O’Day and Ella Fitzgerald.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/the-very-best-of-julie-london-by-jaedyn-james-alex-browne/
CATEGORIES:R&B/Soul,Rock/Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/700x400-JaedynJames.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251127T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251127T220000
DTSTAMP:20260415T153958
CREATED:20250930T181220Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251124T224904Z
UID:10003106-1764273600-1764280800@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:DakhaBrakha
DESCRIPTION:CHEF’S THANKSGIVING TURKEY DINNER ADD-ON\nCelebrate Thanksgiving with a special $42 Turkey Dinner featuring all the classic trimmings. \nAvailable as a pre-order add-on with your ticket purchase. \nPlease Note: \n\nTurkey dinners must be pre-ordered to guarantee availability.\nDessert and beverages are not included.\n\nOrder Deadline: \nPre-order your dinner by 4 PM on Thursday\, November 27\, 2025. \nHow to Purchase: \nAdd your dinner when buying tickets through our website or Box Office via our exclusive ticket provider\, Etix. \nWe are not affiliated with any third-party sellers. Thank you\, and we look forward to celebrating with you! \nThere will be no dinner service during this show. Dinner service will end at 7:30PM. \n\n“Visually striking and sonically mesmerizing.” – Broadway World\n  \nDakhaBrakha is a music quartet from Kyiv\, Ukraine. Their “ethno chaos” sound spans years of performances prior to Russia’s 2022 invasion\, but war is in everything now. Here\, they masterfully blend Ukrainian traditional music with influences from around the world\, resulting in an unexpected new music. \nTraditional music has seen a resurgence in Ukraine over the past decades\, after being suppressed during Soviet rule. DakhaBrakha uses Ukrainian polyphony as its foundation\, interweaving complex rhythmic and melodic structures from India\, Arabia\, Africa\, and Australia. Their music is textural\, layered sounds with distinctive percussive heartbeats\, thumping bass lines\, distorted electric guitars and influences of jazz\, spoken word\, rap and even punk. DakhaBrakha calls this tapestry of influences “ethno chaos.” And this chaos is a strength\, allowing them to draw in strands of music that connect Ukraine with the world. \nThey are troubadours\, activists and educators. Though their name means Give/Take in the old language\, DakhaBrakha is new Ukraine\, both pre-colonial and post-Soviet. Moreover\, they work within a global network of art and music. They aim to help audiences see Ukraine not as a monolith\, but as a cosmopolitan culture. Furthermore\, one that takes in other cultures\, and gives in return.  \nDakhaBrakha was created in 2004 at the Kyiv Center of Contemporary Art “DAKH” by the avant-garde theatre director Vladyslav Troitskyi. Theatre work has left its mark on the band performances – their shows are always staged with a strong visual element. Projected behind them are a mix of animations from different Ukrainian artists and photos of life in today’s Ukraine.  \nThe band is currently in the process of recording their first album since 2020 in Kyiv (Ukraine)\, which combines material created before and during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. \nRecommended for fans of Dakh Daughters\, Yagódy\, Alyona Alyona and Onuka.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/dakhabrakha-nov27-2025/
CATEGORIES:Global
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/700x400-DakhaBrakha.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251126T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251126T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T153958
CREATED:20250908T152905Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251124T224716Z
UID:10003008-1764183600-1764190800@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Irish Christmas in America
DESCRIPTION:“Lively and reflective…a powerful evocation of the season” — Folk Wax\n  \nThe hugely popular Irish Christmas in America show features top Irish music\, song and dance. The show\, produced by Sligo fiddler Oisín Mac Diarmada is an engaging performance rich in humour and boundless energy. The 2024 tour featured the return of vocalist Caitríona Sherlock. Moreover\, she is a stunning example of the very best of new Irish female vocal talent.  \nThis family-friendly performance features lively instrumental tunes on fiddle\, flute\, uilleann pipes and harp. Furthermore\, there will be thrilling Irish old-style dancing from Samantha Harvey. In addition\, evocative photographic images provide a backdrop to some of the rich historical traditions of Ireland. Take a memorable glimpse into the enchanting spirit of Christmas. The finest traditional artists from Ireland bring you on a fun-filled start to the holiday season.  \nThe holiday show was first conceived in 2005\, making this the nineteenth annual tour. Past tours have featured such stellar guest vocalists as Niamh Farrell\, Séamus & Méabh Begley and Teresa Horgan. Also\, Lumiere (Pauline Scanlon & Eilis Kennedy)\, Karan Casey\, Cara Dillon\, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh\, Cathie Ryan and Michael Londra. Mac Diarmada enthuses about the program as a way to bring traditional and often unknown Irish customs to the United States. “One of the most heartfelt themes of Irish Christmas is emigration\,” says Mac Diarmada. “Music was a way that people stayed close to home.”  \nA sparkling tradition among holiday events\, Irish Christmas in America is a special show to see this season. \nCaitríona Sherlock\, vocals Oisín Mac Diarmada\, producer / fiddle Gráinne Hambly\, Irish harp /concertina Samantha Harvey\, dance / piano Caoimhín Ó Fearghaíl\, flute / uilleann pipes Patrick Doocey\, guitar \nRecommended for fans of Téada\, Altan\, The Dubliners and Caladh Nua.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/irish-christmas-in-america/
CATEGORIES:Global,Holiday
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/700x400-IrishChristmas.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251125T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251125T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T153958
CREATED:20250910T163852Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251106T190931Z
UID:10003051-1764097200-1764104400@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:A Night of Classic Rock
DESCRIPTION:The Classic American Rockers is a classic rock band made up of world-class musicians who have toured with some of the biggest names in show business including Bob Dylan\, Steve Miller\, Boz Scaggs\, Fleetwood Mac\, Kenny Loggins\, Prince\, The Pretenders\, Stevie Nicks\, Peter Frampton\, John Mayer\, and Bonnie Raitt to name a few. The band is ready to rock the house with the nostalgic hits that everyone loves!  \nPaul Peterson – guitar and vocals (Steve Miller Band/ Peter Frampton)\nPatty Peterson – vocals (The Peterson Family/ KBEM on-air personality)\nJason Peterson DeLaire – keyboards\, saxophone and vocals (Michael Bolton\, Prince)\nBilly Peterson – bass (Steve Miller Band\, Bob Dylan)\nJoey Finger – drums (Boz Scaggs)\nJoe Elliott – guitar (David Sanborn) \n 
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/a-night-of-classic-rock-nov25-2025-tec-83428/
CATEGORIES:Rock/Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/700x400-ClassicAmericanRockers.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251124T210000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251124T230000
DTSTAMP:20260415T153958
CREATED:20250916T183800Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251003T215113Z
UID:10003076-1764018000-1764025200@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Kirk Whalum
DESCRIPTION:“soul-cleansing… focused and adventurous playing” – Jazz Times\n  \nSoulful\, passionate\, stirring… these are the words that describe Kirk Whalum’s music most often. Kirk’s big\, rich tenor sound is unmistakably his. It’s forged from his Memphis gospel roots and his 1980‘s initiation into the thriving Houston\, TX nightclub scene. The 80’s were highlighted by Kirk’s stepping out of his blossoming sideman role and forming his own band. It was there that Kirk ultimately developed both his “voice” and songwriting in the crucible of the local club scene. It was also in Houston where jazz pianist Bob James “discovered” him and brought him on tour. \nAfter moving to Los Angeles\, Kirk became an in-demand session player. He worked with Barbra Streisand\, Al Jarreau\, Luther Vandross\, Larry Carlton\, Quincy Jones\, and most notably\, Whitney Houston. It’s his sax heard on the mega-hit\, “I Will Always Love You.” Kirk soon followed that career high point with his phenomenal hit album For You. Also\, it became perhaps the most successful of over twenty-five solo recordings to date. Others include his eclectic\, and much lauded\, Gospel According to Jazz series (Chapters 1\, 2\, 3 and 4). \nKirk has received numerous awards and acknowledgments for his musical excellence. For example\, he has three Dove Award nominations and an NAACP Image Award nomination. Additionally\, Kirk has won two Stellar Awards: Gospel music’s highest honor. A twelve-time Grammy nominee\, Kirk won his first Grammy (2011) for Best Gospel Song. Kirk has also been honored with a Brass Note on the Memphis Walk of Fame and a Star on the Nashville Walk of Fame.  \nIn a career spanning several decades\, Kirk has a sound that is uniquely his. Thus\, it is a sound that leaves an indelible imprint on the listener. \nRecommended for fans of Larry Carlton\, Bob James\, Al Jarreau and Brian Culbertson.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/kirk-whalum-nov24-2025/2025-11-24/2/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,R&B/Soul
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/700x400-KirkWhalum.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251124T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251124T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T153958
CREATED:20250916T183800Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251003T215113Z
UID:10003075-1764010800-1764018000@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Kirk Whalum
DESCRIPTION:“soul-cleansing… focused and adventurous playing” – Jazz Times\n  \nSoulful\, passionate\, stirring… these are the words that describe Kirk Whalum’s music most often. Kirk’s big\, rich tenor sound is unmistakably his. It’s forged from his Memphis gospel roots and his 1980‘s initiation into the thriving Houston\, TX nightclub scene. The 80’s were highlighted by Kirk’s stepping out of his blossoming sideman role and forming his own band. It was there that Kirk ultimately developed both his “voice” and songwriting in the crucible of the local club scene. It was also in Houston where jazz pianist Bob James “discovered” him and brought him on tour. \nAfter moving to Los Angeles\, Kirk became an in-demand session player. He worked with Barbra Streisand\, Al Jarreau\, Luther Vandross\, Larry Carlton\, Quincy Jones\, and most notably\, Whitney Houston. It’s his sax heard on the mega-hit\, “I Will Always Love You.” Kirk soon followed that career high point with his phenomenal hit album For You. Also\, it became perhaps the most successful of over twenty-five solo recordings to date. Others include his eclectic\, and much lauded\, Gospel According to Jazz series (Chapters 1\, 2\, 3 and 4). \nKirk has received numerous awards and acknowledgments for his musical excellence. For example\, he has three Dove Award nominations and an NAACP Image Award nomination. Additionally\, Kirk has won two Stellar Awards: Gospel music’s highest honor. A twelve-time Grammy nominee\, Kirk won his first Grammy (2011) for Best Gospel Song. Kirk has also been honored with a Brass Note on the Memphis Walk of Fame and a Star on the Nashville Walk of Fame.  \nIn a career spanning several decades\, Kirk has a sound that is uniquely his. Thus\, it is a sound that leaves an indelible imprint on the listener. \nRecommended for fans of Larry Carlton\, Bob James\, Al Jarreau and Brian Culbertson.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/kirk-whalum-nov24-2025/2025-11-24/1/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,R&B/Soul
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/700x400-KirkWhalum.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251123T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251123T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T153958
CREATED:20251007T165848Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251013T132140Z
UID:10003116-1763924400-1763931600@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Davina and The Vagabonds
DESCRIPTION:“Davina and the Vagabonds combat heartache with sugar and sass.” – Downbeat\n  \nDavina Sowers and the Vagabonds have created a stir on the national music scene. Their high-energy live shows feature level-A musicianship\, sharp-dressed professionalism and Sowers’ commanding stage presence. Also\, their influences range from Fats Domino and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band to Aretha Franklin and Tom Waits. Moreover\, the band is converting audiences one show at a time\, from Vancouver to Miami and across Europe. \nMuch like the music\, the story spurns era\, expectation and classification. The often unbelievable\, sometimes harrowing\, and wholly inspiring journey of Davina Sowers gave birth to her eponymous band in 2004. As the tale goes\, she grew up in the economically depressed Allegheny town of Altoona\, PA. She now describes the town as “awesome in the industrial era\, but horrible for high school.” Then\, she was adopted by her stepfather when he was in his 80s; he passed when she was just 13. Through him and his Edison phonograph\, she first heard the music that would start her journey. For example\, The Ink Spots\, Sidney Bechet\, Louis Armstrong\, Louis Prima\, Sister Rosetta Tharpe and many others. “Great man. He was my angel and still is\,” she says. \nOn her own\, she vividly recalls hours in front of the record player at home. There\, she religiously spun Led Zeppelin\, Black Sabbath and Simon and Garfunkel records belonging to her folk singer mom. \nTo this day\, Davina still refers to music as “my first and eternal love.” Despite early dalliances with classical piano and guitar\, she developed a heavy drug habit in high school. Further\, this morphed into heroin dependency\, left her homeless\, sent her in and out of jail and brought on all manner of trouble. Kicking dope on the streets\, she “got clean\, started the band and worked [her] ass off every day since.” \nRecommended for fans of Pokey LaFarge\, Preservation Hall Jazz Band\, The Hot Sardines and Squirrel Nut Zippers.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/davina-and-the-vagabonds-nov23-2025/
CATEGORIES:Blues,Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/700x400-DavinaAndTheVagabonds.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251122T210000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251122T230000
DTSTAMP:20260415T153958
CREATED:20250908T152902Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250918T195146Z
UID:10003087-1763845200-1763852400@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Boney James – Slow Burn Tour
DESCRIPTION:“R&B-inflected saxophone… lyrical and intimate” – Jazz Times\n  \nBoney 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. \nBut 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. \nNext 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.” \nRising 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.” \nRecommended for fans of Rick Braun\, Brian Culbertson\, Kirk Whalum and Jeffrey Osborne.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/boney-james-the-slow-burn-tour/2025-11-22/4/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,R&B/Soul
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/700x400-BoneyJames-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251122T201500
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251122T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T153958
CREATED:20250908T152904Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250918T195047Z
UID:10003007-1763842500-1763845200@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:VIP Event: Boney James – Slow Burn Tour
DESCRIPTION:Boney James VIP event.\n  \nVIP Meet & Greet will be after the 1st show and before the doors open for the 9pm performance. \n• 6:30PM TICKET HOLDERS – will be asked to stay in the room after the performance.\n• 9PM TICKET HOLDERS – Please arrive to the club before 8pm. \nYou will need to check in and then we will escort you to the VIP area for the meet & greet\, before the doors are opened at 9PM. \n THIS VIP MEET & GREET add on will include:\n• Pre-show photo Meet & Greet with Boney James\n• Early Entry to the Venue\n• Exclusive\, collectible VIP laminate \nTHIS IS NOT A TICKET FOR THE SHOW!  \n\n“R&B-inflected saxophone… lyrical and intimate” – Jazz Times\n  \nBoney 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. \nBut 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. \nNext 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.” \nRising 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.” \nRecommended for fans of Rick Braun\, Brian Culbertson\, Kirk Whalum and Jeffrey Osborne.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/vip-event-boney-james-the-slow-burn-tour/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,R&B/Soul
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/700x400-BoneyJames.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251122T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251122T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T153958
CREATED:20250908T152902Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250918T195146Z
UID:10003086-1763836200-1763845200@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Boney James – Slow Burn Tour
DESCRIPTION:“R&B-inflected saxophone… lyrical and intimate” – Jazz Times\n  \nBoney 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. \nBut 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. \nNext 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.” \nRising 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.” \nRecommended for fans of Rick Braun\, Brian Culbertson\, Kirk Whalum and Jeffrey Osborne.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/boney-james-the-slow-burn-tour/2025-11-22/3/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,R&B/Soul
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/700x400-BoneyJames-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251121T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251121T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T153958
CREATED:20250923T164322Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251003T215002Z
UID:10003094-1763751600-1763758800@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Nur-D
DESCRIPTION:“His energy is electric\, his mission inspired” – Lavender\n  \nNur-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.  \nHis 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”. \nSince 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!”  \nNur-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. \nOne 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! \nRecommended for fans of Atmosphere\, Dessa\, Ludacris and Tyler the Creator.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/nur-d-nov21-2025/
CATEGORIES:R&B/Soul,Rock/Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/700x400-Nur-D.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251120T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251120T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T153958
CREATED:20251003T160241Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251114T225155Z
UID:10003114-1763665200-1763672400@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Let it Be Jazz - Connie Evingson Sings the Beatles
DESCRIPTION:“Evingson [is] among the first-rank of today’s jazz vocalists.” – AllMusic\n  \nConnie Evingson reprises her Beatles CD “Let it Je Jazz\,” featuring fresh\, unusual treatments of Lennon and McCartney favorites\, putting a new spin on songs you thought you knew. \nMinnesota born-and-raised\, Connie Evingson has a catalog of acclaimed albums that cover a wide range within the jazz genre. The Twin Cities-based singer possesses an adventurous spirit that\, like her music\, knows no boundaries. Thus\, her albums span jazz to Broadway standards\, to covering Peggy Lee or The Beatles. Her ten albums released through Minnehaha Music have all charted in the Top 50 in the United States and Canada. Additionally\, listeners can hear them on radio stations around the globe. \nEvingson has toured worldwide\, with appearances at concert halls\, theaters and festivals in the U.S.\, Europe and Japan. For example\, memorable performances include Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis\, Michael Feinstein\, and Vince Giordano. She has made multiple performances on Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion. Also\, she has collaborated with the Minnesota Orchestra and Toronto Symphony conducted by Doc Severinsen. Additionally\, she’s performed with JazzMN Orchestra and Vocalessence. Moreover\, Evingson is a two-time recipient of both the McKnight Fellowship for Performing Musicians as well as the Minnesota State Arts Board Artist’s Initiative Grant. \n“it was sheer pleasure to realize the success that Minnesota-reared vocalist and arranger Connie Evingson had when preparing Let It Be Jazz… I was dumbfounded by the style and grace exuded from this recording… Evingson applies bossa nova to “From Me to You\,” tango to “When I’m 64\,” and swing to “Blackbird.” What is offered is a real mixed bag in the best way. Almost every jazz subgenre is represented.” – All About Jazz\, review of Let it Be Jazz \nRecommended for fans of Karrin Allyson\, Stacey Kent\, John Pizzarelli and Jane Monheit.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/connie-evingson-let-it-be-jazz-nov20-2025/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/700x400-ConnieEvingson.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251119T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251119T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T153958
CREATED:20251003T155629Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251006T133755Z
UID:10003113-1763578800-1763586000@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Toronzo Cannon
DESCRIPTION:“exceptionally gifted… man\, he can play” – Blues Blast\n  \n“I want my songs to be heard and experienced\, not just listened to\,” says cliché-defying\, internationally beloved Chicago bluesman Toronzo Cannon. Cannon is on the cutting edge of today’s contemporary blues scene. Further\, critics hail him as one of the genre’s most creative artists. Fans love him for his richly detailed\, truth-telling original songs\, blistering\, inventive guitar work and impassioned vocals.  \nHere\, his heroes inspire his sound. For example\, Hound Dog Taylor\, Muddy Waters\, Elmore James\, Albert King\, Son Seals and Jimi Hendrix. Moreover\, on his latest release\, 2024’s Shut Up And Play!\, Cannon blazes his own path with eleven emotionally charged originals. Thus\, his powerful\, cathartic guitar solos and his soulfully authoritative voice fuel his imaginative songs. \nShut Up And Play! features Cannon\, a former Chicago bus driver\, delivering timeless stories of common experiences. Further\, his lyrics are set ablaze by his passionate and focused guitar playing. Here\, Cannon sings of the heartbreak of lost love\, the humor of daily life\, and the pain of feeling invisible. Chicago’s New City declared\, “Toronzo Cannon spins the innate human capacity of misery and regret into a kind of furious ecstasy.” \n“I write what I know\, what I feel\,” Cannon says. “Listen to the lyrics. I am a Black man in America. These are NOT protest songs. I try to create honest\, common sense understanding with my songs.” \nCannon has earned ten Blues Music Award nominations. Further\, as his fan base expands\, so do his friendships with famous musicians. Gary Clark\, Jr. declared\, “Toronzo is a beast. He lights the room up.” Also\, Joe Bonamassa rightly pronounced\, “Toronzo’s a great guitar player\, excellent vocalist and an amazing personality.” \nRecommended for fans of Lonnie Brooks\, Walter Trout\, Bernard Allison and Corey Stevens.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/toronzo-cannon-nov19-2025/
CATEGORIES:Blues,Rock/Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/700x400-ToronzoCannon2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251118T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251118T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T153958
CREATED:20250911T132435Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251003T214910Z
UID:10003050-1763492400-1763499600@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Mac Ayres: The Piano Tour
DESCRIPTION:“one of R&B’s most interesting and most underrated singer-songwriters” – Billboard\n  \nMac 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.  \nHis 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. \nRecommended for fans of Leon Bridges\, Ray Lamontagne\, Bruno Major\, Black Pumas and Allen Stone.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/mac-ayres-the-piano-tour-nov18-2025-tec-83438/
CATEGORIES:R&B/Soul,Rock/Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/700x400-MacAyres.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251117T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251117T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T153958
CREATED:20251003T154811Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251016T165125Z
UID:10003112-1763406000-1763413200@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Kavyesh Kaviraj & Omar Abdulkarim – In Harmony A Tribute to Roy Hargrove & Mulgrew Miller
DESCRIPTION:“the essence of what jazz is.” – Jazz Police \n  \nKavyesh Kaviraj imbues his life and stories into his music\, carefully weaving his influences into a boundary-breaking modern jazz outfit. He is well-known in the Twin Cities and beyond as a pianist\, composer and arranger.  \nKavyesh has garnered acclaim in many musical climates\, and currently calls St. Paul\, MN home. Primarily a jazz pianist\, he is a sought-after musician in many genres. He has performed with internationally renowned artists like Wynton Marsalis\, David Sanchez\, Justin Robinson\, Roosevelt Collier\, Steve Cole and others. Further\, he has been an important member of the Twin Cities music community. He has worked with local jazz legends like Debbie Duncan\, Bruce Henry\, Babatunde Lea\, Kevin Washington\, and LA Buckner. Simultaneously he is active in hip-hop\, gospel\, R&B\, funk scenes and many crossover acts.  \nOmar Abdulkarim has been playing the trumpet since he was fourteen months old. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music performance from the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. Omar has shared the stage with Roy Hargrove\, Redman\, Method Man\, KRS-ONE and Talib Kweli. He has also performed with Nicholas Payton’s Television Studio Orchestra and Valerie Ponomarev’s Big Band. \nOmar’s versatility extends beyond live performances. He has written and recorded music with Lauryn Hill and Jose James. His influences include Fats Navarro\, Miles Davis\, Freddie Hubbard\, Woody Shaw\, John Coltrane and Lee Morgan. \nOmar’s journey reflects a dedication to his art. He continually expands his musical horizons and collaborates with a diverse range of artists. His rich experiences and influences have shaped him into a dynamic and innovative trumpet player. He makes significant contributions to both the jazz and contemporary music scenes. \nRecommended for fans of Roy Hargrove\, Ahmad Jamal\, Woody Shaw and Keith Jarrett.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/kavyesh-kaviraj-omar-abdulkarim-nov17-2025/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/700x400-KavyeshOmar2.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR