Press Release of the Day: Rybak proclaims Tonic Sol-fa Day in Minneapolis

by Jay Gabler • I've never even heard Tonic Sol-fa perform, but Luck Media & Marketing Inc. has been sending me a press release every time a member of the all-guy a capella group farts. ("Should we call that a D flat or a C sharp?") Today, though, they actually came up with something newsworthy to share: Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak has declared this Monday, December 15 to be Tonic Sol-fa Day in Minneapolis. KARE-11's Jeff Olsen will have the honor of presenting the official proclamation at the foursome's Orchestra Hall show that evening. In case you're wondering what Tonic Sol-fa have done to deserve this honor, the Lucky copywriters are happy to fill you in. Tonic Sol-fa were inducted into the Midwest Music Hall of Fame over a decade ago, they were named one of the "top five must-see groups in America" by Campus Activities Magazine—a publication that maintains "the only certified awards process for campus entertainment," according to its Web site—and they've "entertained and motivated" corporate America, singing for employees at Wal-Mart, General Mills, 3M, and Jostens. (So that's where the $59.95 you paid for your high school yearbook went.) They've also shared stages with Garrison Keillor, Jay Leno, Jeff Foxworthy, "Weird Al" Yankovic, and—wait for it—Bobcat Goldthwait.

front row seat is the blog of jay gabler, the daily planet's arts editor. to keep up on the local arts scene, follow artsorbit on twitter and subscribe to arts orbit weekly.

But not everyone who's hung out with Weird Al gets their own day in the City of Lakes—if that were the case, Jeff Olsen would be trying to hand a scroll to Harvey the Wonder Hamster. Who, exactly, does get an Official Day in Minneapolis? I wasn't able to find a complete list readily accessible online (apparently it's available at City Hall), but a little Googling revealed this partial list: • the Equine Center at the University of Minnesota • Big Walter Smith • the Basilica of St. Mary • the Hard Rock Cafe • the Big Ten Network • Yo La Tengo • the Oromo • Buster the rabbit • Ann Bancroft • Honeywell rebuilding • the Smashing Pumpkins and Rock 100.3 • Glaucoma awareness • Legos • the Electric Fetus • Augsburg College • Library workers • Hemp bread • Mammography • Ric Flair And now, Tonic Sol-fa.

Previous Press Releases of the Day: • The edge of Tomato • Nothing scandalous, just some booze and Jenga • Robots fish for prostates • The Rake Angel • Listening to dirt • Reindeer games at the Red Stag • Does St. Paul owe the Pope $3.4 million? • Tonic Sol-fa visit the Don Shelby Radio Show

Published on 12/12/08.