Music

THEATER REVIEW | "Country Roads" with Dennis Curley: At the Bryant-Lake Bowl, John Denver's music is as sweet as ever

By Jean Gabler, TC Daily Planet

Dennis Curley. Photo courtesy the Theater of Public Policy.

Dennis Curley brings the music of John Denver to the Bryant-Lake Bowl in Country Roads: Dennis Curley Sings the Music of John Denver. If you are not familiar with the theater at the Bryant-Lake Bowl, let me tell you that on May 4 I felt like I was sitting in Curley’s living room surrounded by friends and family. This is the magic of John Denver’s music: it connects people to a simpler time and to shared memories. Not to mention that the audience did consist of friends and family of Curley and the four musicians who shared the stage with him—along with people like me, who love the music of John Denver.

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MUSIC REVIEW | 2 By 4 Music Festival: Southern Culture on the Skids, 4ontheFloor & Erik Koskinen

By Ann Treacy, TC Daily Planet

Know what biases a review? When bassist Mary Huff singles you out to dance on stage! Or even better when some guy jumps on the stage to dance and the same bassist acts like a block to make sure you have enough space to dance–on stage! So my unbiased review is that this was the best show ever.

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PHOTOS | St. Paul's Festival of Nations kicks off with a "World Class Bash"

By Ryan Cutler, TC Daily Planet

Photos by Ryan Cutler

On May 3, the 2013 Festival of Nations—Minnesota's largest multicultural celebration—began at the RiverCentre with a party aptly advertised as a "World Class Bash."

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It's going to be an "African Summer" at the Cedar Cultural Center

By Jay Gabler, Front Row Seat

Amadou & Mariam perform at the Cedar in 2012. Photo by Jon Behm for Reviler.

The Cedar Cultural Center has just announced the lineup for its "African Summer" series: six concerts featuring performers representing the power and diversity of African music today.

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Mark Andrew has "The Voice"—and a solid album, too

By Patrick Dunn, Arts Orbit

It’s great to see another product of the Minnesota music scene gaining some national recognition on NBC’s hit singing competition The Voice. Eden Prairie’s Mark Andrew (whose formal last name is Pudas) did Minnesota proud choosing the Bob Dylan classic “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” for his blind audition that landed him a spot on Team Shakira. Mark’s voice has a unique tone that makes him stand out from most other singers who get lost trying to emulate a sound people already identify with another artist. He is also an experienced songwriter and knows his way around a six-string, having studied at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood.

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Arts Orbit

Twin City Jazz Festival celebrating 15 years June 27-29

By Robin James, Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

The Twin Cities Jazz Festival has good reason to celebrate this year. It’s the festival’s 15th anniversary. Festivities get under way June 27-29 in Mears Park located downtown St. Paul. Admission to Jazz Fest is free.

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Brett Newski & the Corruption: From Vietnam to Lyn-Lake

By Dwight Hobbes, Sounding Off On Sound

Brett Newski & The Corruption, a pretty damned good pop-rock outfit, are coming to the Twin Cities on May 4, launching their second U.S. tour at Cause in Minneapolis, hailing all the way from—you ready for this?—Saigon, Vietnam. Just when you thought you'd heard of everything.

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MUSIC REVIEW | NEEDTOBREATHE at the Orpheum Theatre: Christian music, but not really

By Patrick Dunn, TC Daily Planet

Photos by Patrick Dunn

NEEDTOBREATHE is passionate about everything it takes to be a really good band. You can see it in everything they do from memorable live shows to meticulous songwriting that incorporates rich harmonies, uncommon instrumentation and creative extended jams. The Rinehart brothers, Bear (vocals, guitar, piano, organ, harmonica) and Bo (lead guitar, banjo, mandolin, backing vocals) grew up the sons of a pastor in South Carolina with an assorted mix of musical influences. During their college years, collaborations with Seth Bolt (bass, mandolin, backing vocals) who was a studying to be a recording engineer, and Joe Stillwell (former drummer) resulted in the formation of NEEDTOBREATHE.

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MUSIC PHOTOS | James Blake at First Avenue

By Jeff Rutherford, TC Daily Planet

Photos by Jeff Rutherford

London-based producer James Blake performed to a sold-out show on Wednesday, May 1st at First Avenue in Minneapolis. Those who arrived later, missed a solid set by opener FaltyDL.

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Minnesota Community Sings at Powderhorn Park May 18: Bring a friend, make history

By Joe Hesla, Corcoran News

Almost one hundred years ago, right here in our Minneapolis parks, something amazing happened almost every summer night. People streamed from their homes by the thousands to sing together in the Minneapolis parks. In Powderhorn Park, sometimes more than 25,000 people showed up to sing songs in one big voice.

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