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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260209T210000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260209T230000
DTSTAMP:20260415T015243
CREATED:20251028T182558Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260204T001458Z
UID:10003156-1770670800-1770678000@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Meshell Ndegeocello
DESCRIPTION:Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 7pm Show\nValentine’s Menu Add-On – 9pm Show\n*Pre-purchase and receive a free bottle of Washington Hill Merlot.\n \n\n  \n\n\n“The world needs more musicians like her\, creatively restless and ambitious” – NPR\n  \nMeshell Ndegeocello has survived the best and the worst of what a career in music has to offer. She eschewed genre for originality\, celebrity for longevity\, and musical trends for musical truths. Fans have come to expect the unexpected and follow her journey. Then\, she delves into soul\, R&B\, jazz\, hip-hop\, rock\, all bound by the search for love\, justice\, respect and resolution. Thus\, these sonic investigations have defied and redefined expectations for women\, for queer artists\, and for black music for over thirty years. Additionally\, she remains one of few women who write the music\, sing the songs\, and lead the band. \nA bass player above all else\, Meshell brings her warm\, fat\, and melodic groove to everything she does. She has earned a Grammy award among numerous nominations. Moreover\, she has played alongside the Rolling Stones\, Madonna\, Alanis Morrisette\, James Blood Ulmer\, and The Blind Boys of Alabama. Also\, Tony Allen\, John Medeski\, Billy Preston\, and Chaka Khan. As for her own bass-playing influences\, she credits Sting\, Jaco Pastorius\, Family Man Barrett\, and Stevie Wonder. Meshell is always grateful to share the stage and believes music is a fellowship. Here\, she looks to spread that gospel with every creation and collaboration.  \nNdegeocello says that she tries to create music that musicians enjoy playing. “I really love the musical interaction – the playing off of each other\,” she says. “It’s such a divine experience. Playing music is one of the few spaces where I feel genderless and raceless. And when the audience can dance\, move\, and experience transcendence while we are playing live\, it feels like I have purpose.”
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/meshell-ndegeocello/2026-02-09/2/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,R&B/Soul
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/700x400-MeshellNdegeocello.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260209T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260209T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T015243
CREATED:20251028T182558Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260204T001458Z
UID:10003155-1770663600-1770670800@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Meshell Ndegeocello
DESCRIPTION:Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 7pm Show\nValentine’s Menu Add-On – 9pm Show\n*Pre-purchase and receive a free bottle of Washington Hill Merlot.\n \n\n  \n\n\n“The world needs more musicians like her\, creatively restless and ambitious” – NPR\n  \nMeshell Ndegeocello has survived the best and the worst of what a career in music has to offer. She eschewed genre for originality\, celebrity for longevity\, and musical trends for musical truths. Fans have come to expect the unexpected and follow her journey. Then\, she delves into soul\, R&B\, jazz\, hip-hop\, rock\, all bound by the search for love\, justice\, respect and resolution. Thus\, these sonic investigations have defied and redefined expectations for women\, for queer artists\, and for black music for over thirty years. Additionally\, she remains one of few women who write the music\, sing the songs\, and lead the band. \nA bass player above all else\, Meshell brings her warm\, fat\, and melodic groove to everything she does. She has earned a Grammy award among numerous nominations. Moreover\, she has played alongside the Rolling Stones\, Madonna\, Alanis Morrisette\, James Blood Ulmer\, and The Blind Boys of Alabama. Also\, Tony Allen\, John Medeski\, Billy Preston\, and Chaka Khan. As for her own bass-playing influences\, she credits Sting\, Jaco Pastorius\, Family Man Barrett\, and Stevie Wonder. Meshell is always grateful to share the stage and believes music is a fellowship. Here\, she looks to spread that gospel with every creation and collaboration.  \nNdegeocello says that she tries to create music that musicians enjoy playing. “I really love the musical interaction – the playing off of each other\,” she says. “It’s such a divine experience. Playing music is one of the few spaces where I feel genderless and raceless. And when the audience can dance\, move\, and experience transcendence while we are playing live\, it feels like I have purpose.”
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/meshell-ndegeocello/2026-02-09/1/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,R&B/Soul
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/700x400-MeshellNdegeocello.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260208T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260208T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T015243
CREATED:20251021T154326Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260204T001441Z
UID:10003137-1770577200-1770584400@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Eric Gales – A Special Evening of Acoustic Blues
DESCRIPTION:Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 7pm Show\n*Pre-purchase and receive a free bottle of Washington Hill Merlot. \n\n  \n\n“One of the best if not the best\, guitarist in the world today.” – Joe Bonamassa\n  \nA rare and special acoustic show! For one night only\, Eric Gales sets his blistering electric guitar work aside for his equally brilliant acoustic playing. Here\, Gales retains his trademark intensity and dynamism\, allowing his virtuosic playing to shine in a different way.  \nEric Gales is a blues firebrand whose passion\, power\, and virtuosity have shaped one of the most inspiring careers in modern music. Gales has redefined the blues with raw emotion\, fearless creativity\, and a sound that bridges genres and generations. Here\, he has accomplished this in a career spanning over three decades and eighteen albums. Often hailed as the modern-day heir to Jimi Hendrix\, Memphis-born Gales commands the stage with electrifying intensity and soulful authenticity.  \nHis acclaimed 2022 album Crown showcases his finest work to date\, melding extraordinary guitar mastery with deeply personal songwriting. Additionally\, Gales has performed alongside legends like Carlos Santana\, Eric Johnson\, and Zakk Wylde. Moreover\, he has earned praise from Joe Bonamassa and Dave Navarro.  \nGales stands as one of the most dynamic and expressive guitarists of his generation. Here\, he is an artist whose music continues to inspire and ignite audiences around the world. \nRecommended for fans of Jimi Hendrix\, Joe Bonamassa\, Luther Allison and Walter Trout. \n📸: Jim Arbogast
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/eric-gales-feb8-2026/
CATEGORIES:Blues,Rock/Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/700x400-EricGales.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260207T210000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260207T230000
DTSTAMP:20260415T015243
CREATED:20251118T180639Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260204T001432Z
UID:10003194-1770498000-1770505200@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Mason Jennings
DESCRIPTION:Valentine’s Menu Add-On – FEB 6: 7pm Show\nValentine’s Menu Add-On – FEB 7: 6:30pm Show\nValentine’s Menu Add-On – FEB 7: 9pm Show\n*Pre-purchase and receive a free bottle of Washington Hill Merlot.\n \n\n  \n\n\n“ragged\, intimate voice and simple ruminations” – Rolling Stone\n  \nMinneapolis songwriter Mason Jennings recently released a new video for the single\, “Only Lovers Welcome” from his brand-new album. Now\, 2023’s Underneath the Roses is available.  \nHere\, Jennings writes that the songs from Underneath the Roses were “written in an unprecedented burst.” This followed the birth of his son\, Western\, in March 2022. Jennings explains\, “I hadn’t written any songs in about a year. I had been dealing with the psychological after-effects of the pandemic as well as the loss of my dad. So\, when Western was born\, I didn’t expect to be writing much. But immediately he was responding to music in a very intense way. For this album\, between May and November 2022\, I wrote forty-eight songs! They certainly uplifted me and connected me with the creative spirit\, and spirit in general\, again. They cover all kinds of ground but\, when I listen back\, I think the central theme is overcoming fear with love.” \nJennings also released a video for “No Ordinary Friend\,” which he explains “Depicts two of the most important decisions a person can make. One\, whether or not they believe in a loving higher power and two\, who they decide to choose as a lifelong romantic partner. This song is referring to both of those and the choices I’ve made.” \n“Stone Gossard and Regan Hagar from Loosegroove Records helped me edit the forty-eight down to eleven. I then enlisted the help of my Painted Shield bandmates to record the songs.” \nJennings and Gossard are ongoing collaborators in the band Painted Shield\, who released their debut album in 2021. Their album was also released on Loosegroove\, the influential indie label that Gossard founded back in 1994. \nRecommended for fans of Charlie Parr\, M. Ward\, G. Love & Special Sauce and Jack Johnson.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/mason-jennings/2026-02-07/2/
CATEGORIES:Americana,Rock/Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/700x400-MasonJennings.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260207T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260207T203000
DTSTAMP:20260415T015243
CREATED:20251118T180639Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260204T001432Z
UID:10003193-1770489000-1770496200@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Mason Jennings
DESCRIPTION:Valentine’s Menu Add-On – FEB 6: 7pm Show\nValentine’s Menu Add-On – FEB 7: 6:30pm Show\nValentine’s Menu Add-On – FEB 7: 9pm Show\n*Pre-purchase and receive a free bottle of Washington Hill Merlot.\n \n\n  \n\n\n“ragged\, intimate voice and simple ruminations” – Rolling Stone\n  \nMinneapolis songwriter Mason Jennings recently released a new video for the single\, “Only Lovers Welcome” from his brand-new album. Now\, 2023’s Underneath the Roses is available.  \nHere\, Jennings writes that the songs from Underneath the Roses were “written in an unprecedented burst.” This followed the birth of his son\, Western\, in March 2022. Jennings explains\, “I hadn’t written any songs in about a year. I had been dealing with the psychological after-effects of the pandemic as well as the loss of my dad. So\, when Western was born\, I didn’t expect to be writing much. But immediately he was responding to music in a very intense way. For this album\, between May and November 2022\, I wrote forty-eight songs! They certainly uplifted me and connected me with the creative spirit\, and spirit in general\, again. They cover all kinds of ground but\, when I listen back\, I think the central theme is overcoming fear with love.” \nJennings also released a video for “No Ordinary Friend\,” which he explains “Depicts two of the most important decisions a person can make. One\, whether or not they believe in a loving higher power and two\, who they decide to choose as a lifelong romantic partner. This song is referring to both of those and the choices I’ve made.” \n“Stone Gossard and Regan Hagar from Loosegroove Records helped me edit the forty-eight down to eleven. I then enlisted the help of my Painted Shield bandmates to record the songs.” \nJennings and Gossard are ongoing collaborators in the band Painted Shield\, who released their debut album in 2021. Their album was also released on Loosegroove\, the influential indie label that Gossard founded back in 1994. \nRecommended for fans of Charlie Parr\, M. Ward\, G. Love & Special Sauce and Jack Johnson.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/mason-jennings/2026-02-07/1/
CATEGORIES:Americana,Rock/Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/700x400-MasonJennings.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260206T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260206T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T015243
CREATED:20251118T180639Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260204T001432Z
UID:10003192-1770404400-1770411600@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Mason Jennings
DESCRIPTION:Valentine’s Menu Add-On – FEB 6: 7pm Show\nValentine’s Menu Add-On – FEB 7: 6:30pm Show\nValentine’s Menu Add-On – FEB 7: 9pm Show\n*Pre-purchase and receive a free bottle of Washington Hill Merlot.\n \n\n  \n\n\n“ragged\, intimate voice and simple ruminations” – Rolling Stone\n  \nMinneapolis songwriter Mason Jennings recently released a new video for the single\, “Only Lovers Welcome” from his brand-new album. Now\, 2023’s Underneath the Roses is available.  \nHere\, Jennings writes that the songs from Underneath the Roses were “written in an unprecedented burst.” This followed the birth of his son\, Western\, in March 2022. Jennings explains\, “I hadn’t written any songs in about a year. I had been dealing with the psychological after-effects of the pandemic as well as the loss of my dad. So\, when Western was born\, I didn’t expect to be writing much. But immediately he was responding to music in a very intense way. For this album\, between May and November 2022\, I wrote forty-eight songs! They certainly uplifted me and connected me with the creative spirit\, and spirit in general\, again. They cover all kinds of ground but\, when I listen back\, I think the central theme is overcoming fear with love.” \nJennings also released a video for “No Ordinary Friend\,” which he explains “Depicts two of the most important decisions a person can make. One\, whether or not they believe in a loving higher power and two\, who they decide to choose as a lifelong romantic partner. This song is referring to both of those and the choices I’ve made.” \n“Stone Gossard and Regan Hagar from Loosegroove Records helped me edit the forty-eight down to eleven. I then enlisted the help of my Painted Shield bandmates to record the songs.” \nJennings and Gossard are ongoing collaborators in the band Painted Shield\, who released their debut album in 2021. Their album was also released on Loosegroove\, the influential indie label that Gossard founded back in 1994. \nRecommended for fans of Charlie Parr\, M. Ward\, G. Love & Special Sauce and Jack Johnson.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/mason-jennings/2026-02-06/
CATEGORIES:Americana,Rock/Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/700x400-MasonJennings.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260205T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260205T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T015243
CREATED:20251021T153640Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260204T001421Z
UID:10003136-1770318000-1770325200@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Avery*Sunshine
DESCRIPTION:Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 7pm Show\n*Pre-purchase and receive a free bottle of Washington Hill Merlot. \n\n  \n\n\n“her playful charisma and those heavenly vocals” – NPR\n  \nChester\, PA native Avery*Sunshine has established herself as a musical powerhouse. Here she seamlessly blends her roles as a pianist\, singer\, songwriter\, and producer. A proud graduate of Spelman College\, she moved from the academic halls to the global stage. Her journey is a testament to her talent\, dedication\, and passion for music. Together with her husband and Grammy-nominated partner\, Dana Johnson\, Avery has made Atlanta her stronghold. There\, they nurture and expand their creative and entrepreneurial ventures.  \nAvery’s career is marked by significant achievements\, including four top twenty hits on the Billboard charts. Moreover\, her song “Call My Name” reached the coveted #1 spot\, affirming her place in the music industry. Beyond her personal successes\, Avery is a committed advocate for artists. As a Board Governor for the Atlanta Chapter of the Recording Academy\, she contributes to shaping the music landscape. Additionally\, her entrepreneurial spirit shines through her co-founding and partnership in BigShine Recordings\, a label dedicated to empowering independent artists.  \nAvery*Sunshine’s influence extends across the globe through her international tours.  There\, she touches audiences in Asia\, Europe\, UK and Australia with her soulful music and dynamic performances. Currently\, she is captivating fans with her musical web series “So Glad To Know You.” This provides an intimate look at her creative journey and connection with music. \nSunshine’s biography encapsulates not just her musical achievements but her role as a luminary in the industry. Here\, she shines a light on the power of independence\, creativity\, and the unifying force of music. With Atlanta as her backdrop\, she continues to inspire and captivate\, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those who witness her artistry. \nRecommended for fans of Ledisi\, Lalah Hathaway\, Leela James and Musiq Soulchild.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/averysunshine-feb5-2026/
CATEGORIES:R&B/Soul
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/700x400-AverySunshine.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260204T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260204T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T015243
CREATED:20251118T175209Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260204T001409Z
UID:10003191-1770231600-1770238800@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:The Headhunters
DESCRIPTION:Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 7pm Show\n*Pre-purchase and receive a free bottle of Washington Hill Merlot. \n\n  \n\n\n“Remarkably masterful\, fresh-sounding\, and creatively restless” – AllMusic\n  \nThe Headhunters form one of the foundations of jazz and funk music. They formed in 1973 and are known for their iconic best-selling recordings released in the mid-1970s. Furthermore\, the ensemble continues to impress audiences at their live shows and with their album releases today. While Herbie Hancock has not regularly joined them during fifty years of recording and touring\, they always feel his influence. Here\, Headhunters co-leaders and best friends Mike Clark and Bill Summers carry forward the legacy with timeless\, paradigm-shifting classics. Hits like “Watermelon Man\,” “Chameleon\,” “Butterfly\,” “Sly” and “Palm Grease” are just a few examples. \nThe Headhunters’ latest recording\, 2025’s Live at Garcia’s Chicago\, is a reflection of the band’s fifty-year breadth\, depth and innovation. The album captures an electric live performance at the new state-of-the-art listening room with Clark and Summers at the helm. \nThe album’s A side opens with the band’s perennial jam “4 String Drive”. Then\, they play the 2024 original composition “The Stunt Man”. There\, tracks “Warrior Suite” and “Watermelon Man” root the album in the spirituality that “Baba Bill” has infused in The Headhunters since day one in 1973. Side B includes a modern funk rendition of Bob Marley’s classic “I Shot the Sheriff”. Then\, they perform covers of Thelonious Monk’s “Monk’s Dream” and Chick Corea’s “Humpty Dumpty”. Finally\, an extended drum and percussion conversation called “Headhunters Drums” rounds out the eight song LP. \nCatch the band on the road in 2026 featuring co-leaders Summers and Clark. There\, New Orleans veterans Chris Severin (bass)\, Clarence Johnson (saxophone) and Shea Pierre (keyboards) will join them. \nRecommended for fans of Herbie Hancock\, Spyro Gyra\, Weather Report and Galactic. \n📸: Rick Swig
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/the-headhunters-feb4-2026/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,Rock/Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/700x400-Headhunters2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260203T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260203T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T015243
CREATED:20260108T200648Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260122T181114Z
UID:10003261-1770145200-1770152400@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Southside Aces: A Night in New Orleans
DESCRIPTION:Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 7pm Show \n\n  \n\n\n“flawlessly replicate the sound of classic New Orleans” — Prairie Uprising\n  \nFor over two decades\, Southside Aces have been playing the repertoire of the Jazz Age greats and beyond. Here\, they play the early New Orleans of Jelly Roll Morton and the Chicago joys of Louis Armstrong. The evocative compositions of the young Duke Ellington to the barrel house sounds of Preservation Hall. Even the early rock and roll of Fats Domino! Their belief in the contemporary vitality of New Orleans music can be heard in their eighth album\, 2022’s Minneapolis Bump. Here\, this album contains fifteen originals in the traditional style. The Aces will release two more albums in 2026\, including Les Oignons\, featuring the music of Sidney Bechet. You hear it all when you’re in front of the Aces. Moreover\, treat yourself to a century’s worth of New Orleans jazz. \nIn New Orleans\, the jazz tradition thrives off a wide array of styles. Here\, the Aces possess a diverse repertoire\, with a roll call that includes jazz giants. For example\, Louis Armstrong\, Jelly Roll Morton\, Hoagy Carmichael\, Duke Ellington\, and Bix Beiderbecke. Additionally\, Crescent City classics like “Bourbon Street Parade”\, “Just A Closer Walk With Thee”\, and “St. James Infirmary”. Also\, they cover the funky rhythms of brass band powerhouses like “Mardi Gras in New Orleans” and “Palm Court Strut”! \n“Some 1500 miles from New Orleans and the Mardi Gras\, and what do you think? It’s bouncing around the Mississippi River up here close to the Northern Star.” — Leigh Kamman\, The Jazz Image \n“The performers are virtuosi and flawlessly replicate the sound of classic New Orleans… The concert was wonderful and demonstrates the continued vitality of this sort of music.” — John Beckmann\, Prairie Uprising \nRecommended for fans of Preservation Hall Jazz Band\, Tuba Skinny\, Louis Armstrong and Fats Waller. \n📸: Paul Udstrand
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/southside-aces-a-night-in-new-orleans-feb3-2026/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/700x400-SouthsideAces.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260202T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260202T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T015243
CREATED:20251106T220041Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260122T180329Z
UID:10003172-1770058800-1770066000@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Cafe Accordion Orchestra w/Prudence Johnson
DESCRIPTION:Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 7pm Show \n\n  \n\n\n“a guaranteed good time… A local treasure” – MinnPost\n  \nDan Newton\, accordion and vocals\nEric Mohring\, mandolin\, fiddle and vocals\nBrian Barnes\, guitar and vocals\nErik Lillestol\, bass\nJoe Steinger\, percussion\nElizabeth Rowan\, percussion\nPrudence Johnson\, vocals \nDan Newton’s Café Accordion Orchestra (CAO) performs an eclectic mix full of French flair\, Latin heat and Bohemian attitude. The heart of the CAO repertoire is the romantic\, gypsy-influenced valse-musette. Then\, the group complements the musettes with swing\, ballads\, tangos\, cha-chas\, rumbas\, and cumbias to create a wonderfully varied show. Moreover\, they inject their music with good humor and expressive abandon.  \nCAO is led by Dan Newton on accordion and vocals\, with Eric Mohring on mandolin\, violin and vocals. Also\, Brian Barnes on guitar and vocals\, Erik Lillestol on bass and vocals\, and Joe Steinger on percussion. CAO has been delighting audiences and dancers alike since 1995.  \nOne might wonder how a group of musicians in Minnesota end up forming a band that plays French musette. Additionally\, hot club swing\, Tin Pan Alley\, Latin music and cinematic themes. There\, it all started with a tune composed in 1992 by Newton. Dan had been introduced to the Parisian sidewalk cafe accordion sound while teaching at a music camp. Then\, a friend commented that one of the tunes in particular sounded like “cafe accordion” music.  \nPrudence Johnson’s career has taken her from honky-tonks to Carnegie Hall\, from the theater stage to the Silver Screen\, from the Midwest to the Middle East. Also\, with her roots in folk and country music\, Prudence developed a passion for jazz. \nRecommended for fans of Paris Combo\, Pearl Django\, Rio Nido and A Prairie Home Companion.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/cafe-accordion-orchestra-w-prudence-johnson-feb2-2026/
CATEGORIES:Americana,Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/700x400-CafeAccordionOrchestraPrudenceJohnson.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260201T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260201T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T015243
CREATED:20251111T185217Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260122T175844Z
UID:10003174-1769972400-1769979600@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:The Cookers
DESCRIPTION:Valentine’s Menu Add-On – 7pm Show \n\n  \n\n\n“A dream team of forward-leaning hard-bop” – The New York Times\n  \nDonald Harrison\, saxophone\nAzar Lawrence\, saxophone\nCecil McBee\, bass\nGeorge Cables\, piano\nEddie Henderson\, trumpet\nDavid Weiss\, trumpet\nBilly Hart\, drums \nExperience counts\, especially in jazz. The more time musicians spend interpreting tunes and interacting with others\, the more articulation an audience can expect. You can hear the fruits of such work in the expressive language The Cookers bring to the bandstand. This exciting all-star septet summons an aggressive mid ‘60s spirit with a potent collection of expansive post-bop originals. Additionally\, they have the requisite killer instincts and pyrotechnic playing expected of some of the heaviest hitters today. \nCecil McBee\, George Cables\, Eddie Henderson\, and Billy Hart started in the heady era of the mid ‘60s. There\, that period found the dimensions of hard bop morphing from their original designs. Furthermore\, each artist helped facilitate the process as members of some of the most important bands of the era. Hart and Henderson were members of Herbie Hancock’s groundbreaking Mwandishi group. And\, Cecil McBee anchored Charles Lloyd’s great ’60s quartet alongside Keith Jarrett and Jack DeJohnette. Billy Harper was part of Lee Morgan’s last group\, and also Max Roach’s Quartet and Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. Further\, George Cables was featured in groups led by Sonny Rollins\, Joe Henderson\, Freddie Hubbard\, Dexter Gordon and Art Pepper. \nDavid Weiss\, Azar Lawrence and Donald Harrison are from a more recent generation and are the youngest members of the band. There\, they gained experience performing with Art Blakey\, Bobby Hutcherson\, Freddie Hubbard\, Charles Tolliver\, Roy Haynes and Herbie Hancock. \nRecommended for fans of the Jazz Messengers\, Lee Morgan\, Herbie Hancock and the SFJazz Collective.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/the-cookers-feb1-2026/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/700x400-TheCookers.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260131T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260131T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T015243
CREATED:20251028T180942Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260112T212448Z
UID:10003149-1769886000-1769893200@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Chastity Brown
DESCRIPTION:“brooding soul eloquence… and folk-infected naturalness.”  – NPR\n  \nGospel and blues\, melodic sensibility\, and honest emotion… \nBased in Minnesota\, with roots in Tennessee\, Chastity Brown grew up surrounded by country and soul music. In the gospel church of her childhood\, she played saxophone and drums. Also\, she found her singing voice and a passion for music. NPR’s “Favorite Sessions\,” CMT\, American Songwriter\, the London Times and Paste Magazine have all featured her. \nLike so many artists who endured the uncertainty of the 2020 lockdown\, Chastity instinctively turned inward. At first\, she did this out of self-preservation\, and then the new songs kept coming and coming. Since finishing her last album\, 2017’s Silhouette Of Sirens\, she estimates she’s written nearly 100 new songs. Ten of these found their way onto her latest\, 2022’s Sing To The Walls. \nSing To The Walls is a sonically expansive album\, mining the roots of Americana\, folk\, and soul music. However\, Chastity delivers her stories in a style that feels remarkably timely\, modern\, and forward-thinking. Here\, these songs unfold with Chastity’s expressive voice and expansive melodies\, leading the listener through intertwining tendrils of atmospheric sounds. \nBetween writing sessions she’s been vibing to chilled-out\, forward thinking artists like Leon Bridges\, H.E.R.\, SZA\, and Daniel Caesar. Like them\, she expands beyond genre and her folk/roots history to encompass her appreciation of all Black American musical art forms. “I also want to poke at what the blues is\,” Chastity reflects. “It has a lot of stereotypes\, like it’s mostly only played by blue-eyed white guys now. But what about Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey? I feel so closely connected\, in a pure\, undeviating lineage\, to the heritage of being a Black\, queer blues woman.” \nRecommended for fans of H.E.R.\, Rhiannon Giddens\, Valerie June and Brittany Howard.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/chastity-brown/2026-01-31/
CATEGORIES:Americana,Rock/Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/700x400-ChastityBrown.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260130T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260130T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T015243
CREATED:20251028T180942Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260112T212448Z
UID:10003148-1769799600-1769806800@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Chastity Brown
DESCRIPTION:“brooding soul eloquence… and folk-infected naturalness.”  – NPR\n  \nGospel and blues\, melodic sensibility\, and honest emotion… \nBased in Minnesota\, with roots in Tennessee\, Chastity Brown grew up surrounded by country and soul music. In the gospel church of her childhood\, she played saxophone and drums. Also\, she found her singing voice and a passion for music. NPR’s “Favorite Sessions\,” CMT\, American Songwriter\, the London Times and Paste Magazine have all featured her. \nLike so many artists who endured the uncertainty of the 2020 lockdown\, Chastity instinctively turned inward. At first\, she did this out of self-preservation\, and then the new songs kept coming and coming. Since finishing her last album\, 2017’s Silhouette Of Sirens\, she estimates she’s written nearly 100 new songs. Ten of these found their way onto her latest\, 2022’s Sing To The Walls. \nSing To The Walls is a sonically expansive album\, mining the roots of Americana\, folk\, and soul music. However\, Chastity delivers her stories in a style that feels remarkably timely\, modern\, and forward-thinking. Here\, these songs unfold with Chastity’s expressive voice and expansive melodies\, leading the listener through intertwining tendrils of atmospheric sounds. \nBetween writing sessions she’s been vibing to chilled-out\, forward thinking artists like Leon Bridges\, H.E.R.\, SZA\, and Daniel Caesar. Like them\, she expands beyond genre and her folk/roots history to encompass her appreciation of all Black American musical art forms. “I also want to poke at what the blues is\,” Chastity reflects. “It has a lot of stereotypes\, like it’s mostly only played by blue-eyed white guys now. But what about Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey? I feel so closely connected\, in a pure\, undeviating lineage\, to the heritage of being a Black\, queer blues woman.” \nRecommended for fans of H.E.R.\, Rhiannon Giddens\, Valerie June and Brittany Howard.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/chastity-brown/2026-01-30/
CATEGORIES:Americana,Rock/Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/700x400-ChastityBrown.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260129T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260129T190000
DTSTAMP:20260415T015243
CREATED:20251031T180855Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251202T231210Z
UID:10003162-1769706000-1769713200@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:TARA's 50th BIRTHDAY
DESCRIPTION:Join us as we celebrate Tara Stone’s 50th Birthday and official music release. \n  \nAn exclusive invite only event\, featuring an exclusive lineup of musical talent! Prepare for an unforgettable night with performances by Tara and some of the Twin Cities’ most dynamic artists\, promising a sophisticated celebration filled with incredible live music\, delicious food and even better company. Let’s make some memories that last a lifetime. \nBio \nTara Stone is a new artist to the Twin Cities music scene\, but not new to music. She is a singer\, songwriter and producer\, hailing from St. Paul\, Minnesota whose been in the music industry for 23 years\, singing and writing for some of Minnesota’s most established musical talent. Tara had her professional song-writing debut in 2006 with Minneapolis’ own Excelsior\, a stellar award winning\, grammy nominated gospel choir. She was the first\, and only\, female songwriter in their over 25-year history. \nTara began her professional music career singing background for many talented Twin Cities artists to include\, musical phenom Tonia Hughes-Kendrick\, dynamic performer Mick Sterling\, and Grammy award winning\, Sounds of Blackness. She recently released her debut single\, “Greater in Me” which she wrote and co-produced. \n \n 
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/event-tara-50th-birthday-jan29-2026/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/700x400-PrivateEvent.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260128T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260128T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T015243
CREATED:20251014T192505Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251202T231143Z
UID:10003130-1769626800-1769634000@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Jarrod Lawson
DESCRIPTION:“absolutely top-quality soul music… outstanding” – BBC Music\n  \nIt was in late 2022 that Jarrod Lawson had the biggest\, and most unexpected\, thrill of his music career. He had just received a glowing endorsement in print from Michelle Obama\, in an Entertainment Weekly interview. When asked who she was listening to\, after mentioning Beyonce\, added “There’s this young jazz\, blue-eyed soul kid Jarrod Lawson that I’m loving.” \nAt the time Jarrod was receiving major airplay in the U.S. and in Europe. Here\, this was largely due to his remake of the Isley Brothers Seventies classic “Footsteps In The Dark”. This followed his 2020 sophomore album Be the Change. That album made its mark immediately\, with entries at #1 on Amazon’s Jazz Albums chart and at #2 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Albums chart. \nFor singer/songwriter/keyboardist Lawson\, the appreciation of his music in his native U.S. was particularly gratifying. His 2014 breakthrough had been primarily in Europe\, where in a whirlwind couple of years he played festival\, club and concert dates in fifteen countries. Additionally\, this included the North Sea Jazz Festival\, London Jazz Festival and the world-renowned Ronnie Scott’s Club. Furthermore\, he powered his way into the Dutch Top Forty Albums chart. \nHe has since performed around the world in Tokyo\, Beijing\, Melbourne and at Indonesia’s Java Jazz festival. Further\, in the U.S. he has performed at many of the leading jazz venues from New York to Seattle. \nThe album is a beautiful\, restrained\, dreamy mix of love songs\, irreverence and social commentary. Thus\, SoulTracks.com described the album as “a masterpiece”. Also\, they hailed it “an instant classic that would have fit just as comfortably in 1970 as it does in 2020”. \nRecommended for fans of Stevie Wonder\, Bobby Caldwell\, Rachelle Ferrell and Rahsaan Patterson.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/jarrod-lawson-jan28-2026/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,R&B/Soul
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/700x400-JarrodLawson.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260126T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260126T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T015243
CREATED:20251014T174537Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251205T224708Z
UID:10003129-1769454000-1769461200@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Hamilton de Holanda
DESCRIPTION:“master of the Brazilian version of mandolin” – Billboard\n  \nHamilton de Holanda is one of Brazil’s most celebrated musicians—a global ambassador\, virtuoso performer\, and groundbreaking improviser. Picking up the mandolin at the age of five\, he redefined the ten-string version of the instrument. Then\, he transformed it into a versatile voice that bridges the worlds of jazz\, choro\, and beyond. \nThe foundation of his music comes from a combination of family encouragement and formal training with a university degree in composition. Additionally\, the freedom of Brasília’s choro street jams\, where he grew up. \nHamilton is a multi-award-winning musician. He is a four-time Latin Grammy winner with seventeen nominations—including a Grammy nod for Best Latin Jazz Album. In Brazil\, he has achieved star status\, earning widespread acclaim from critics\, peers\, and audiences alike. \nFurthermore\, Hamilton’s influence continues to grow\, due to his unique approach to improvisation and electrifying stage presence. In 2024 alone\, he achieved 14 million streams across 180 countries and reached over 800\,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. \nIn addition to his career as a performer\, Hamilton was one of the founders of the world’s first Choro School. There\, this was established in Brasília in 1997. He also spearheaded a petition to Brazil’s National Congress to establish a National Day of Choro. Thus\, this helps secure the genre’s cultural legacy. \nHamilton’s career is defined by his ability to blend Brazilian traditions with global sounds. His collaborations include Wynton Marsalis\, Chick Corea\, Milton Nascimento\, Djavan\, Gonzalo Rubalcaba\, Dave Matthews\, John Paul Jones\, and Hermeto Pascoal. \nHamilton’s music connects cultures\, celebrates diversity\, and pushes the boundaries of sound\, solidifying his place as a true innovator and cultural ambassador. \nRecommended for fans of Béla Fleck\, Chick Corea\, Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Hermeto Pascoal.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/hamilton-de-holanda-jan26-2026/
CATEGORIES:Global,Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/700x400-HamiltonDeHolanda.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260125T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260125T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T015243
CREATED:20251104T211425Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251202T231016Z
UID:10003168-1769367600-1769374800@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:The Rolling Stoners
DESCRIPTION:Fueled by the spirit (and sound) of The Stones… the Rolling Stoners.\n  \nA Minnesota-based tribute to the greatest rock band of all time: The Rolling Stones. These red-blooded ramblers aren’t just a cover band: they’re a full-blown rock ‘n’ roll experience. Here\, this group is fueled by friendship\, swagger\, and a deep love for the early-era Stones. The Rolling Stoners bring the hits (and deep cuts) to life with indulgent\, high-energy performances that pack dance floors and light-up nights. \nThe band features Emmy Award-winning musicians and members from a host of MN bands. Members of Enemy Planes\, Dream Crusher\, Run Westy Run\, Space Monkey Mafia\, Heartless\, Al Church\, and Timbre Ghost are involved. Additionally\, a rotating cast of other Minneapolis musicians join the fun! \nThen\, they play anywhere from festivals and theaters to casinos\, clubs\, and backyard BBQs. Also\, The Rolling Stoners have built a rep for delivering one of the best live shows in the multiverse. Got honky-tonk women and midnight ramblers in your crowd? Good. They’ll take it from there. \nRecommended for fans of The Rolling Stones\, The Who\, The Beatles and The Kinks.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/the-rolling-stoners-jan25-2026/
CATEGORIES:Rock/Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/700x400-TheRollingStoners.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260124T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260124T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T015243
CREATED:20251205T164059Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251208T144823Z
UID:10003222-1769281200-1769288400@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Bruce A. Henry
DESCRIPTION:“A true master of the jazz art form.”  – Mpls.St.Paul Magazine\n  \nKnown 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. \nBruce is a singer and bandleader with a long history of stellar jazz concerts\, moving R&B shows and revered tribute performances. Here\, his tribute shows entertain audiences with inspired interpretations of classics. Furthermore\, he has honored Stevie Wonder\, Al Jarreau\, Marvin Gaye\, Ray Charles\, Duke Ellington and George Gershwin. As a vocalist extraordinaire\, he handles an eclectic mix of styles with ease.  \nBoth his voice and mind are treasures\, and a concert\, residency or workshop with Bruce is not to be missed. They leave you lifted\, enriched and energized from his performance. Moreover\, you become more knowledgeable\, reflective and inspired from his innate ability to teach. Also\, he developed his program The Evolution of African American Music for residencies\, informative concerts and published curriculum. Time spent in community with Bruce and friends\, whether in concert or workshop\, is pure joy. \nRecommended for fans of Al Jarreau\, Stevie Wonder\, Marvin Gaye and Aretha Franklin.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/bruce-a-henry-jan24-2026/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,R&B/Soul
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/700x400-BruceHenry.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260123T213000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260123T233000
DTSTAMP:20260415T015243
CREATED:20251104T210326Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251110T142738Z
UID:10003167-1769203800-1769211000@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Halloween\, Alaska: Farewell Performance
DESCRIPTION:“sweetly brooding electronic pop” – Spin\n  \nHalloween\, Alaska’s churning\, meditative sound neither embodies youth\, naivety\, anger nor desperation. It’s a unique statement from a veteran band with a persistent cult following and a distinctive indie M.O. Moreover\, listeners can hear and feel its influence far beyond its native Minneapolis. \nIn the early ’00s\, Halloween\, Alaska took root as a semi-electronic diversion from its members’ primary rock/jazz projects. Here\, these included The Bad Plus\, 12 Rods\, Love-cars\, Happy Apple\, and more. A self-titled debut album made sufficient waves to inspire more recording\, more shows\, more expenditures\, more experimentation. Then\, the group has continued to expand its palette outward from a dedicated core of arty\, ambient rock. \n2018’s Le Centre reveals an audacious set from a group that embraced electronic elements with live instruments well before such practices became standard. Le Centre reveals Halloween\, Alaska as a warmly human outfit. Here\, lyrics and themes neither strive for earnestness nor dismiss it. \nThe band’s songs exude a range of commanding moods and textures. Here\, frenetic indie-prog with unlikely pinches of R&B or blue-eyed soul\, complemented by a Prince-inflected guitar solo. There\, a modernist mash-up of Spoon and a Steely Dan B-side. They traverse post-D’Angelo funk through the lens of hazy ’90s slow-core. Then\, their slow-burning dance floor balladry harkens to the band’s ambient ’00s origins. \nInitially\, Halloween\, Alaska started as a true side project\, an outlet for indulging electronic tones and an almost meditative restraint. Over the last two decades\, the group has adapted and endured with a collaborative\, experimental spirit. Here\, they confidently color outside the lines without betraying the ultimate beauty of the bigger picture. \nJames Diers • voice\, guitars\, keys\nJacob Hanson • guitars\, voice\nDavid King • drums\, keys\nWilliam Shaw IV • bass guitar\, keys
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/halloween-alaska-farewell-performance/2026-01-23/2/
CATEGORIES:Rock/Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/700x400-HalloweenAlaska.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260123T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260123T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T015243
CREATED:20251104T210326Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251110T142738Z
UID:10003166-1769194800-1769202000@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Halloween\, Alaska: Farewell Performance
DESCRIPTION:“sweetly brooding electronic pop” – Spin\n  \nHalloween\, Alaska’s churning\, meditative sound neither embodies youth\, naivety\, anger nor desperation. It’s a unique statement from a veteran band with a persistent cult following and a distinctive indie M.O. Moreover\, listeners can hear and feel its influence far beyond its native Minneapolis. \nIn the early ’00s\, Halloween\, Alaska took root as a semi-electronic diversion from its members’ primary rock/jazz projects. Here\, these included The Bad Plus\, 12 Rods\, Love-cars\, Happy Apple\, and more. A self-titled debut album made sufficient waves to inspire more recording\, more shows\, more expenditures\, more experimentation. Then\, the group has continued to expand its palette outward from a dedicated core of arty\, ambient rock. \n2018’s Le Centre reveals an audacious set from a group that embraced electronic elements with live instruments well before such practices became standard. Le Centre reveals Halloween\, Alaska as a warmly human outfit. Here\, lyrics and themes neither strive for earnestness nor dismiss it. \nThe band’s songs exude a range of commanding moods and textures. Here\, frenetic indie-prog with unlikely pinches of R&B or blue-eyed soul\, complemented by a Prince-inflected guitar solo. There\, a modernist mash-up of Spoon and a Steely Dan B-side. They traverse post-D’Angelo funk through the lens of hazy ’90s slow-core. Then\, their slow-burning dance floor balladry harkens to the band’s ambient ’00s origins. \nInitially\, Halloween\, Alaska started as a true side project\, an outlet for indulging electronic tones and an almost meditative restraint. Over the last two decades\, the group has adapted and endured with a collaborative\, experimental spirit. Here\, they confidently color outside the lines without betraying the ultimate beauty of the bigger picture. \nJames Diers • voice\, guitars\, keys\nJacob Hanson • guitars\, voice\nDavid King • drums\, keys\nWilliam Shaw IV • bass guitar\, keys
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/halloween-alaska-farewell-performance/2026-01-23/1/
CATEGORIES:Rock/Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/700x400-HalloweenAlaska.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260122T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260122T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T015243
CREATED:20251216T183302Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251222T145846Z
UID:10003234-1769108400-1769115600@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Davina and The Vagabonds
DESCRIPTION:“This music\, as retro as it may be at times\, feels fun\, frisky and alive.” – American Songwriter\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-jan22-2026/
CATEGORIES:Blues,Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/700x400-Davina.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260121T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260121T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T015243
CREATED:20251008T032158Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251205T224702Z
UID:10003118-1769022000-1769029200@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Yellowjackets
DESCRIPTION:“Yellowjackets sound as vital and tight as they ever have” – Glide\n  \nThroughout their storied forty-three-year history\, the Yellowjackets have recorded twenty-six albums\, and received sixteen Grammy nominations\, winning two. Additionally\, they have performed countless sold-out tours\, and enjoyed worldwide critical acclaim and commercial success. \nThe Yellowjackets formed in the late 1970’s as the backup band for guitarist Robben Ford. They recorded their first album together in 1980. Shortly after that recording\, however\, Ford decided to part ways and go in a different musical direction. As a result\, the modern-day Yellowjackets were formed — a trio with Russell Ferrante\, Jimmy Haslip and Ricky Lawson. Since then\, and with the addition of Bob Mintzer\, the Yellowjackets have gained and maintained prominence as one of jazz’s most influential and loved groups. \nOver the years the band has undergone numerous lineup changes. Never failing to rise to the inevitable challenges of adjustment\, the Yellowjackets have maintained an extraordinarily high quality of musicianship. Moreover\, this superb musicianship is the rival of many but a surprise to no one who knows and appreciates the band and their music. \nThe most recent addition to the band adds Australian bass player Dane Alderson into the mix. With his exceptional rhythmic sensibility and natural disposition toward groove\, Dane brings a new energy to the band and adds a youthful approach to the music. \nTheir recent albums are a true testament to the longevity and resilience of a band who debuted over forty years ago. Consistently reinventing themselves through elevated instrumentation in their signature electro-acoustic soundscape\, the current lineup showcases a collective at their prime. \nRecommended for fans of Spyro Gyra\, Brecker Brothers\, Chick Corea and Return to Forever.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/yellowjackets-jan21-2026/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/700x400-Yellowjackets.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260120T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260120T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T015243
CREATED:20251104T213030Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251202T230825Z
UID:10003169-1768935600-1768942800@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Paris Nights
DESCRIPTION:“fantastic Django Reinhardt-inspired melodies” – Baby Blue Arts\n  \nThe Red Hot Django Peppers are a fiery Twin Cities–based hot club band. They are devoted to keeping the spirit of Django Reinhardt alive while adding their own spark to the tradition. Also\, the group is led by guitarist Ryan Picone\, an acolyte of world-renowned guitarist Stéphane Wrembel. Also\, they feature the dynamic interplay of guitarist Ian Stenlund\, the soaring violin of Daniel Lentz\, and the driving pulse of bassist Sean Roderick. Together\, they create a sound that’s at once timeless and fresh\, blending dazzling virtuosity with irresistible swing. \nIn 2024\, The Peppers made history as one of the first hot club bands to play the legendary Blue Ox Festival. There\, they quickly became the talk of the festival. Their momentum continues in 2025 as they join an international lineup of world-class players at the prestigious Midwest Gypsy Swing Fest. \nThe Red Hot Django Peppers’ audience grows with each performance. Here\, they are not just torchbearers of Django’s legacy\, but innovators bringing new energy and excitement to hot club jazz. \nHot Club Mania features an exceptional stylistic dimension with prodigious improvisation – a group not to be missed. Experience a spontaneous\, vivid performance by some of Minnesota’s most stellar artists played in the Django Reinhardt French swing tradition. \nThe ensemble includes the unmistakable mastery of jazz violinist Gary Schulte\, plus the diverse guitar styling of Glen Helgeson. Also\, tasty\, refined bass work by acoustic bassist Steve Pikal and accomplished jazz drummer Jay Epstein.  \nHot Club Mania is the creation of longtime bandleader and guitar stylist Glen Helgeson. Helgeson is a true jazz ambassador\, bringing diverse styles to people\, and manifesting an unusual ability to write in those genres. \nRecommended for fans of Django Reinhardt\, Stephane Wrembel\, Dorado Schmitt and Bireli Lagrene.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/paris-nights-jan20-2026/
CATEGORIES:Jazz
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/700x400-ParisNights.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260119T210000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260119T230000
DTSTAMP:20260415T015243
CREATED:20251014T172903Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251205T224658Z
UID:10003128-1768856400-1768863600@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Rebirth Brass Band
DESCRIPTION:“there is not a band on earth that is better. Stunning.” – Flea\, Red Hot Chili Peppers\n  \nFor almost four decades\, the Grammy-winning Rebirth Brass Band has been “stunning” fans. Further\, they are loved worldwide for their fiery live shows and rich musical catalog. Their trademark sound pays homage to the New Orleans brass band tradition. Also\, they weave a tapestry that combines elements of jazz\, funk\, soul\, R&B. Then\, they incorporate more of the sounds from the streets they grew up on. Their sound has traveled from their legendary twenty-five-year run of Tuesday nights at the Maple Leaf to stages all over the world. Rebirth is the soundtrack of the Crescent City and her premier musical ambassador. \nRebirth was founded by brothers Phil and Keith Frazier over thirty-five years ago. They began their career playing on the sidewalks of the French Quarter and quickly landed gigs at second line parades. Those auspicious beginnings have led to thousands of shows to music aficionados everywhere\, including heads of state and royalty. \nThe band’s unique “soundtrack of New Orleans” has also garnered admiration from artists of all genres. They’ve shared the stage and collaborated with everyone from the Grateful Dead to the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Also\, Maceo Parker\, Green Day\, U2\, James Brown\, 311\, G-Love\, MuteMath\, Juvenile\, Train\, Big Freedia\, Ani DiFranco\, and Galactic. Further\, Allen Toussaint\, Neville Brothers\, Quincy Jones and Trombone Shorty. \nRecommended for fans of Trombone Shorty\, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band\, Kermit Ruffins and Preservation Hall Jazz Band.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/rebirth-brass-band-jan19-2026/2026-01-19/2/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,R&B/Soul
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/700x400-RebirthBrassBand.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260119T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260119T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T015243
CREATED:20251014T172903Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251205T224658Z
UID:10003127-1768849200-1768856400@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Rebirth Brass Band
DESCRIPTION:“there is not a band on earth that is better. Stunning.” – Flea\, Red Hot Chili Peppers\n  \nFor almost four decades\, the Grammy-winning Rebirth Brass Band has been “stunning” fans. Further\, they are loved worldwide for their fiery live shows and rich musical catalog. Their trademark sound pays homage to the New Orleans brass band tradition. Also\, they weave a tapestry that combines elements of jazz\, funk\, soul\, R&B. Then\, they incorporate more of the sounds from the streets they grew up on. Their sound has traveled from their legendary twenty-five-year run of Tuesday nights at the Maple Leaf to stages all over the world. Rebirth is the soundtrack of the Crescent City and her premier musical ambassador. \nRebirth was founded by brothers Phil and Keith Frazier over thirty-five years ago. They began their career playing on the sidewalks of the French Quarter and quickly landed gigs at second line parades. Those auspicious beginnings have led to thousands of shows to music aficionados everywhere\, including heads of state and royalty. \nThe band’s unique “soundtrack of New Orleans” has also garnered admiration from artists of all genres. They’ve shared the stage and collaborated with everyone from the Grateful Dead to the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Also\, Maceo Parker\, Green Day\, U2\, James Brown\, 311\, G-Love\, MuteMath\, Juvenile\, Train\, Big Freedia\, Ani DiFranco\, and Galactic. Further\, Allen Toussaint\, Neville Brothers\, Quincy Jones and Trombone Shorty. \nRecommended for fans of Trombone Shorty\, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band\, Kermit Ruffins and Preservation Hall Jazz Band.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/rebirth-brass-band-jan19-2026/2026-01-19/1/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,R&B/Soul
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/700x400-RebirthBrassBand.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260118T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260118T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T015243
CREATED:20251126T212031Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251220T060541Z
UID:10003211-1768762800-1768770000@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:T. Mychael Rambo: The Message in Our Music
DESCRIPTION:“local theater legend” – Music in MN\n  \nAn evening of song\, spoken word and celebration that amplifies the powerful message of Dr. King while paying tribute to the timeless messages found in African American (“Our”) music! \nFeaturing:\nPatricia Lacy\, vocals\nTonia Hughes-Kendrick\, vocals\nMaya Marchelle\, vocals\nThomasina Petrus\, vocals \nBrian Ziemniak\, piano\nDavid Feily\, guitar\nTony Axtell\, bass\nJovon Williams\, saxophone\nDaryl Boudreaux\, percussion\nBrian Kendrick\, drums \nA three-time Emmy Award-winning actor\, vocalist\, arts educator and community organizer; T. Mychael Rambo is a long-standing Twin Cities arts community pillar. \nT. Mychael has made an indelible mark in the Twin Cities. Here\, he has performed principal roles at such theaters as the Guthrie\, Ordway Theatre\, Illusion Theatre\, and Mixed Blood. Also\, Park Square Theatre\, Ten Thousand Things\, Children’s Theatre and Minnesota Opera among others. His Penumbra Theatre credits alone include: Black Nativity\, Don’t Bother Me I Can’t Cope\, Dinah Was\, Last Minstrel Show\, Jitney\, Spunk\, Gem of the Ocean\, Ain’t Misbehavin\, Piano Lesson\, and Ballad of Emmett Till to name just a few. \nNationally and internationally his stage credits include Carnegie Hall and performances abroad in Africa\, Europe and South America. He has appeared in local and national television commercials. Also\, feature films (The Cure\, Justice\, Crossing the Bridge\, Wooley Boys) HBO mini-series (Laurel Avenue\, Equinox)\, and other television programming. T. Mychael is an accomplished residency artist (COMPAS\, Young Audiences\, MN State Arts Board\, VocalEssence). Further\, he is an affiliate professor in the College of Liberal Arts\, Theatre Arts and Dance at University of Minnesota. \nAs a recording artist\, Rambo has released two popular CDs. 2004’s Simply is a collection of jazz standards. 2006’s The Gift; A Christmas With Love is a selection of original and holiday classics.  \nRecommended for fans of Stevie Wonder\, Peabo Bryson\, Marvin Gaye and Vanessa Williams.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/t-mychael-rambo-the-message-in-our-music-jan18-2026/
CATEGORIES:Jazz,R&B/Soul
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/700x400-TMychaelRambo.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260117T203000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260117T223000
DTSTAMP:20260415T015243
CREATED:20251125T183414Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251202T230711Z
UID:10003199-1768681800-1768689000@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:The Belfast Cowboys
DESCRIPTION:“conjures up the spirit and the songs of Ireland’s greatest export” – Chicago Tribune\n  \nThe Belfast Cowboys is a nine-piece\, horn-driven band from Minneapolis that specializes in the music of Van Morrison. Entering their third decade\, they are adept at mixing rock\, blues\, roots and soul sounds. Led by veteran songwriter/guitarist Terry Walsh\, the Cowboys have flourished in the renowned Minnesota music scene. They have consistently packed houses and wowed crowds since 2002. \nTerry Walsh got his start playing in various Twin Cities rock bands. He toured as Slim Dunlap’s bass player in 1997\, opening for Son Volt. In 2001 Terry hit upon the idea of forming a Van Morrison tribute band. Terry spent the rest of the year learning Van songs and building an all-star band. The band played their first show at the old 400 Bar on Saint Patrick’s Day 2002. \nMany musicians have played with the band\, but the ‘A’ team was soon established. It includes Dan Kowalke (guitar\, vocals\, Joe Baumgart (bass)\, Dave Kirby and Dave Haugen (drums\, backing vocals)\, Joe Loskota (keyboards\, backing vocals). The horn section includes Paul Gronert (sax)\, Matt Hanzelka (trombone)\, Tim Martin (trumpet)\, Vic Volare (sax\, flute). Bandleader Terry Walsh (lead vocals\, guitar\, harmonica\, piano). \nThe band has expanded its content over the years to include rock and soul covers. Terry’s own originals have become fan favorites. Now a beloved staple in Minnesota\, the 9-piece Belfast Cowboys averaged over 120 shows a year before the pandemic. The bar-tested troubadours are known for playing epic sets at their weekly Minneapolis gigs and drawing crowds to outdoor festivals. Occasionally they’ll venture beyond the Midwest to play Ireland\, Phoenix\, and New York’s Times Square. Once they opened for the band Chicago in front of 15\,000 people. \nRecommended for fans of Bruce Springsteen\, G.B. Leighton\, Tina and the B-Sides and Van Morrison.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/the-belfast-cowboys-jan17-2026/2026-01-17/2/
CATEGORIES:Americana,Rock/Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/700x400-TheBelfastCowboys.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260117T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260117T200000
DTSTAMP:20260415T015243
CREATED:20251125T183414Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251202T230711Z
UID:10003198-1768672800-1768680000@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:The Belfast Cowboys
DESCRIPTION:“conjures up the spirit and the songs of Ireland’s greatest export” – Chicago Tribune\n  \nThe Belfast Cowboys is a nine-piece\, horn-driven band from Minneapolis that specializes in the music of Van Morrison. Entering their third decade\, they are adept at mixing rock\, blues\, roots and soul sounds. Led by veteran songwriter/guitarist Terry Walsh\, the Cowboys have flourished in the renowned Minnesota music scene. They have consistently packed houses and wowed crowds since 2002. \nTerry Walsh got his start playing in various Twin Cities rock bands. He toured as Slim Dunlap’s bass player in 1997\, opening for Son Volt. In 2001 Terry hit upon the idea of forming a Van Morrison tribute band. Terry spent the rest of the year learning Van songs and building an all-star band. The band played their first show at the old 400 Bar on Saint Patrick’s Day 2002. \nMany musicians have played with the band\, but the ‘A’ team was soon established. It includes Dan Kowalke (guitar\, vocals\, Joe Baumgart (bass)\, Dave Kirby and Dave Haugen (drums\, backing vocals)\, Joe Loskota (keyboards\, backing vocals). The horn section includes Paul Gronert (sax)\, Matt Hanzelka (trombone)\, Tim Martin (trumpet)\, Vic Volare (sax\, flute). Bandleader Terry Walsh (lead vocals\, guitar\, harmonica\, piano). \nThe band has expanded its content over the years to include rock and soul covers. Terry’s own originals have become fan favorites. Now a beloved staple in Minnesota\, the 9-piece Belfast Cowboys averaged over 120 shows a year before the pandemic. The bar-tested troubadours are known for playing epic sets at their weekly Minneapolis gigs and drawing crowds to outdoor festivals. Occasionally they’ll venture beyond the Midwest to play Ireland\, Phoenix\, and New York’s Times Square. Once they opened for the band Chicago in front of 15\,000 people. \nRecommended for fans of Bruce Springsteen\, G.B. Leighton\, Tina and the B-Sides and Van Morrison.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/the-belfast-cowboys-jan17-2026/2026-01-17/1/
CATEGORIES:Americana,Rock/Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/700x400-TheBelfastCowboys.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260116T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260116T235900
DTSTAMP:20260415T015243
CREATED:20251014T152916Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251104T154045Z
UID:10003123-1768521600-1768607940@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Private Event
DESCRIPTION:We will be closed on JAN 16 for a private event. BOOK YOUR EVENT HERE:
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/private-event-jan16-2026/
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:20260115T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260115T210000
DTSTAMP:20260415T015243
CREATED:20251118T173221Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251202T230704Z
UID:10003190-1768503600-1768510800@www.dakotacooks.com
SUMMARY:Those Medley Kids perform Fragile
DESCRIPTION:Performing Yes’ 1971 classic album Fragile in its entirety Medley\n  \nPlus\, select cuts from iconic prog rockers Genesis\, Rush\, King Crimson and ELP. \nThose Medley Kids recreate the music of iconic prog rock giants Genesis\, Yes\, Emerson Lake & Palmer\, King Crimson\, and Rush. Ambitious compositions\, experimentation\, concept-driven lyrics\, and instrumental virtuosity take center stage in this otherworldly tribute to rock’s most musically excessive epoch. \nBand:\nBrian Ziemniak\, keyboards\nDavid Anania\, drums\nCharles Fletcher\, bass\nAlex Maiers\, guitar\nDavid Russ\, vocals\nDeb Brown\, vocals \nRecommended for fans of Yes\, King Crimson\, Genesis and Rush.
URL:https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/those-medley-kids-perform-fragile-jan15-2026/
CATEGORIES:Rock/Pop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.dakotacooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/700x400-ThoseMedleyKids.jpg
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END:VCALENDAR