Local favorites Curtis & Loretta  bring you a delightful old-fashioned holiday show, complete with your favorite Christmas carols, Victorian costumes, sweet vocal harmonies, and an array of traditional turn-of-the-century instruments, including folk harp, mandolin, mandocello, celeste (a charming music-box sounding antique keyboard), and harmonica. Curtis & Loretta are  rereleasing “Christmastide with Curtis & Loretta” tonight.   It was originally released on cassette tape in 1991.  “Husband-and-wife team Curtis Teague and Loretta Simonet are living treasures of the Twin Cities folk scene, with a body of music rich in lovely harmonies and delicately wrought mandolin and harp....”  The Onion

John Williams and Dean MagrawA truly magical evening of Celtic music - trad. tunes, shining original compositions influenced by the tradition, and a great deal of fun and cameraderie, celebrating 10 years of wintertime concerts together at The Cedar.

John (from Chicago) and Dean (from St. Paul) have a fruitful, if long-distance relationship -- typically they meet up somewhere in the U.S. or the British Isles to play concerts and festivals. When they do, sparks fly and the music comes alive again.

Neal and LeandraNeal and Leandra’s Holiday Show has become an eagerly anticipated seasonal favorite on The Cedar calendar, so much so that loyal fans have snapped up all tickets well in advance of the last three concerts! Expect a cozy evening of songs and stories, perhaps the odd unannounced special guest joining in for a few numbers, and a sense of a community sharing in the magic of the season, unified by their love of Neal and Leandra’s heartfelt songs that touch the core of human existence.

The Cedar is pleased to continue the Third Tuesday Dance Night series in style with Southside Aces. Third Tuesday is a new monthly event for couple dancing featuring live music and the great, open dance floor of The Cedar.

Join Todd Menton, Boiled in Lead’s manic lead singer and critically acclaimed New Folk Records recording artist, as we celebrate the release of his new CD, The Dolmen Field.  Like his previous release, Where Will You Land, “Dolmen” covers a broad range of folk-rock and original styles, and Todd promises to bring them all to bear at the show: blasting industrial hornpipes backed by his friends and Cedar favorites Savage Aural Hotbed, didgeridoo from none other than NPR commentator Kevin Kllng, shimmering original ballads on solo guitar and voice, and straight-up pub rock with New Folk stalwarts Lehto and Wright featuring Matt Jacobs.

Come early and stay for the whole evening, or drop in for an hour or so and sample some of the best acoustic music around in optimal listening room conditions. Tonight’s special holiday edition of The 416 Club is curated and hosted by Free Range Pickin’. FRP is an acoustic string band that synthesizes bluegrass, folk, and songwriter sensibilities into its original songs and imaginative arrangements.

Peter HimmelmanA truly multi-faceted musician, Peter Himmelman is a critically lauded rock troubadour, a Grammy nominated creator of children’s music, and an Emmy nominated film and television composer. After getting his early start In the Twin Cities dabbling in a variety of genres (reggae/calypso band Shangoya, TV show Steamroller, new wave group Sussman Lawrence), Peter rose to fame with his solo releases that garnered much critical acclaim (for example, "Himmelman strips his music to its essence, tapping into a primal inspiration, investing melodies that have the sing-song simplicity of Buddy Holly or the Beatles with the yearning of a spiritual quest." (No Depression), and "one of rock's most wildly imaginative performers." (USA Today)), before he departed for Los Angeles in the ‘90s. Since then, Peter has reached massive audiences through his work for film and TV (his projects include Judging Amy, Bones and Men in Trees), and a Grammy nomination for his most recent children’s album My Green Kite (please note the special Cedar Family Concert by Peter at 11am on Sun Dec 21).

Peter HimmelmanA truly multi-faceted musician, Peter Himmelman is a critically lauded rock troubadour, a Grammy nominated creator of children’s music, and an Emmy nominated film and television composer. He has made four children's albums: My Best Friend Is A Salamander (1997), My Fabulous Plum (2000), My Lemonade Stand (2004) and the Grammy-nominated My Green Kite (2007). Both Plum and Salamander were recognized with a Parents' Choice Award and the Family Channel Seal Of Quality. Himmelman finds children's music "a vast and liberating universe of possibility," although noting that his kid's songs and his rock songs "come from very distinct places."

Once again the Winter Solstice is upon us. The darkest night is about to give way to the light. People from around the world have celebrated this natural holiday in various ways for centuries. Our annual Winter Solstice Drum and Fire Jam brings our local drummers and fire dancers together for a celebration like no other…

Various Twin Cities’ Fire Performance Troupes and individual fire dancers will lead the celebration. They will be backed by a drum jam led by some of the finest local percussionists and open to the community to join in. If you’ve never witnessed fire dancing in person, you’ll see how far this ancient art has grown. If you’ve never joined a drum circle, perhaps now is the time to let go and play (bring your drum)!

A special holiday show (and the first scheduled performance after the arrival of their first-born child) by Roma di Luna, the husband-and-wife duo of Alexei (vocals, acoustic guitar) and Channy Moon Casselle (vocals, violin) who've carved out a strong following for their sparse interpretations of folk classics and their own striking originals. Now performing with a sympathetic backing band featuring Ben Durrant (electric guitar), JG Everest (bass guitar), Ryan Lovan (drums), Jessi Prusha (backing vocals), and sometimes Mike Rossetto (banjo), their sound has become fuller but no less emotionally penetrating.

DoshMulti-instrumentalist Martin Dosh has built up a strong following for his experimental and electronic-based music, and earned rave reviews for his May 2008 release Wolves and Wishes (Anticon), described by Paste Magazine as "a shimmering, almost completely wordless affair, as zesty and refreshing as a slice of lemon." The album features appearances from Bonnie ’Prince’ Billy, Andrew Bird, Fog, Odd Nosdam, and long-time contributors, Mike Lewis and Jeremy Ylvisaker. Tonight, Dosh will be appearing with a bunch of his friends, and collaborators Dark Dark Dark, whose recent release The Snow Magic (Blood Onion) has been billed as "perhaps the most hopeful and romantic collection of songs you'll ever hear about death, lost love, despair, decaying corpses, and the harsh
Minnesota winter." Anticon artist DJ Odd Nosdam will also spin some tunes before and between sets.

David BrombergAngel BandA rare live performance from the legendary guitar, fiddle, mandolin and dobro player, as he roams through a timeless selection of blues, bluegrass, Americana, jazz and folk tunes. As the NY Times noted of Bromberg, “He has such control of his audience that he can, at one moment, hold it in his hand with a tender, touching yet funny anecdotal song, and then set it romping and stomping with a raucous bit of raunch. He is electrifying.”

Café Accordion Orchestra (CAO) performs an eclectic mix of vintage Swing, Latin, American, and French Café Music. The band first formed in 1994 with the idea of recreating the repertoire of Bal Musette orchestras, the bands that were popular in Parisian cafés and bistros in the 1920’s through 1950’s. While this romantic music is still at the heart of CAO’s play-list, they have expanded their repertoire to include Colombian Cumbia, Tex-Mex Polka, Brazilian Forro and Chorro, movie themes, and anything else that the members find appealing. Led by the quietly dazzling Dan Newton, this quintet knows the value of understatement, subtlety, and genuine swing.

Jim Walsh aka The Mad Ripple is this evening's host of the 416 Club. Jim is well-known for his occasional neighborhood jam sessions, or "hootenannies" and his writing and songwriting. You can read Jim's articles and ponderings in the Southwest Journal, Minnpost.com, Reveille magazine, among others. Last year, his first book, "the replacements: all over but the shouting: an oral history" was published to much acclaim.Tonight's guests will include Ashleigh Still, Thomas Kivey, Eliza Blue, Brianna Lane, Tim Franzich, Alison Rae, Wildflower Muse, and Harmony Hoops.

Tickets $8 at the door

The Cedar continues the Third Tuesday Dance Night series in style with Davina and the Vagabonds. Third Tuesday is a new monthly event for couple dancing featuring live music and the great, open dance floor of The Cedar.

Davina and the Vagabonds will get things cookin' with their melting pot of blues and jazz, New Orleans style. Davina has been called the "hardest-working blueswoman in frigid Minnesota." "Two things remain consistent at all her shows, though: her throaty but cushiony voice, which has a sort of hard-mattress comfort to it that's part Bonnie Raitt, Etta James and a little Amy Winehouse, and her band's rollicking New Orleans flavor, driven home by dueling horn players and a bayou-thick standup bass. " (CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER, Star Tribune)

Join guitarist / bouzoukist / composer Greg Herriges and friends as we celebrate the release of his new CD Telluric Currents. Greg's second New Folk Records release is a "whirled" assortment of East and West, original and traditional. Tonight he brings it all to the Cedar: mesmerizing acoustic fusion and new takes on traditional Indian, Turkish, and surf-rock music with ethnopercussionist Troy Berg, bassist John Wright, and Indian tabla maestro A. Pavan; avant-guitar inventions and arrangements of East Asian tunes; and collaborations with very special guest, Indian classical vocalist Pooja Goswami.

Bunny Clogs is Honeydogs Singer-Songwriter Adam Levy's first solo children's music project.  Like Shel Silverstein meets Prince and The Beatles, the first recording by Bunny Clogs More! More! More! is clever, surreal, danceable fun for the whole family. Local themes keep everyone entertained.

Come celebrate with Minneapolis singer-songwriter Aby Wolf and friends over her debut CD Sweet Prudence! Last seen on stage with Dessa opening for Ani DiFranco at the State, Aby is a powerful vocalist with songwriting talents to match.

It’s not all that hard to find a musician willing and able to offer a guided tour of life’s dark clouds -- but making the acquaintance of someone able to hone in on the silver lining, well, that’s an altogether rarer occurrence It’s an experience to savor. Catie Curtis’ ability to lift up the listener radiates from virtually every groove of her appropriately-titled ninth studio album, Sweet Life.

"Cheerful Brazilian oddball brews up a world of groovy fun!" 4 stars. --Spin

Which state is better, Minnesota or Wisconsin? Hmm, that's a head-scratcher. You be the judge, when Madison, Wisconsin gypsy jazz band Harmonious Wail goes head to head with their good buddies from the Twin Cities, TC Hot Club in this winter warmer double-header.

Specializing in the style of Django Reinhardt, The Wail is made of mandolin, guitar, bass, and killer female vocals with snare percussion. On their latest album, Resist Temptation, they branch out from the mode that they established on previous releases, combining original compositions with innovative renditions of songs by Tom Waits, Steely Dan, The Velvet Underground, and The Band.

Alasdair Fraser and Natalie HaasScottish fiddle and cello music of unrivalled beauty, eloquence, and passion.
Master
Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser, long regarded as one of Scotland’s premier musical ambassadors, presents the music of his homeland with unsurpassed eloquence, passion and energy. He links bows with vibrant young cellist, Natalie Haas, in an exciting weave of rocking, reeling rhythms, poignant melodies, and exquisite musicianship. The duo has created a buzz among Celtic music lovers at festivals and concerts across the US and Europe, and their debut release, Fire & Grace, was awarded the Best Album of the Year in the Scots Trad Music Awards 2004. Their second album, In The Moment, features many new pieces by Alasdair, and a wonderful new composition from Natalie.

Alison BrownHow sweetly she has taught her banjo to sing, whether humming winkingly behind the melody or delivering it with a breathy humanness that is as technically awesome as it is melodically seductive.  (The Boston Globe)

Sweet-voiced Malian diva and guitarist Rokia Traoré returns to The Cedar with a striking new album Tchamantché (Nonesuch), broad new musical vistas, and the same irrepressible, irresistible gentle charm.

The musical pedigree of Grammy Award winner James “Superharp” Cotton consists of a veritable who’s who in the world of the Blues. Inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2006, the Smithsonian Institute in 1991, and winner of countless W.C. Handy Blues Awards, he has shared the stage with B.B. King, The Rolling Stones, Johnny Winter, the Allman Brothers, Santana, Bonnie Raitt, Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, Sam and Dave, The Grateful Dead among many others.

Open Stage with host Jerry Rau. Jerry Rau has crisscrossed the country numerous times playing house concerts, clubs and festivals. His greatest passion is singing on the streets and mixing with all levels of humanity. In this particular way Jerry has personally touched and inspired thousands of people. Jerry is the writer of hundreds of original songs as well as an informed and skillful interpreter of other songwriters.

His material ranges from deeply intimate to sweeping historical pieces. Jerry's music has been described by critics as having simplicity, subtle nuance, and quiet intensity. "Jerry Rau embodies the warmth and depth of Americana." - Tone Magazine

The Brass Messengers formed from the annual rubble of of the Heart of the Beast Mayday Parade and Ceremony in Minneapolis. Each year, the parade came and went, puppets packed, park cleaned, summer began and the founding members of the BMers left feeling like their work was unfinished, again. Having compiled years of mobile brass scores for themselves, they took to making it an ongoing affair. Now they dine together (playing music), they take the train (playing music), bike (carrying their instruments, singing), camp (playing music), and bring the party wherever they end up.

The New Standards are John Munson (of Trip Shakespeare and multi-platinum Semisonic) on bass, Chan Poling (founder of the seminal 80’s haute-punk-pop group The Suburbs) on piano, and Steve Roehm (Billygoat, Electropolis) on vibes. This unique minimalist trio was formed in 2005 by three friends and consummate performers with the idea of playing their favorite songs unplugged, but with the opportunity to enhance the inherent attributes of the tunes with as wide a range of interpretation as they saw fit: from the plainest rendition to an all out swinging nuttiness. With their natty suits and their unique jazz, rock, soul and pop chops, The New Standards tell each song’s story in singular style.

Portland, Oregon-based Sub Pop sextet Blitzen Trapper make their first appearance at The Cedar, riding high with the success of recently released Furr, named #13 on Rolling Stone's Best Albums of 2008 list, and given an impressive 8.5 by Pitchfork, who described the album as "an essential 13-song LP with no filler", and "crackling with excitement".

TOP SENEGALESE HIP-HOP ACT! Gokh-Bi System (pronounced Go-Bee), has emerged as one of the leaders of the African hip-hop movement. Born in the slums of Dakar, the capital of Senegal in West Africa, GBS was formed in 1995 by three childhood friends Mamadou Ndiaye (MC), Diasse Pouye (MC), and Pape "Bathie" Pouye (manager) who grew up together in one of Dakar's poorest villages, Pikine, Guinaw Rail which translates literally into "the other side of the tracks."

Since forming in 1975, Grammy winners BeauSoleil have claimed their undisputed role as the most esteemed Cajun group in music. BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet take the rich Cajun traditions of Louisiana and artfully blend elements of zydeco, New Orleans jazz, Tex-Mex, country, blues and more into a delectable musical recipe. From The Grand Ole Opry to Newport Folk, from concert hall to dance floor, the music of BeauSoleil continues to captivate audiences the world over. Both BeauSoleil and Michael Doucet have been nominated for Grammy Awards again this year--wish them well in the awards on Feb 8, then catch them live at The Cedar a few days later!

Romantica, fronted by ex-Belfast, now Minneapolis singer-songwriter Ben Kyle, made a big splash with their 2007 release America, including well-deserved listings on PASTE Magazine's Top 100 Albums of the Year, and Best of 2007 lists by City Pages, The Onion and Star Tribune. As David Meade of PASTE Magazine put it: "For anyone worrying that the Americana genre has become a repository of the bad irony of hipsters and has-been quacks, fear not: Romantica is here to save the day. Singer/songwriter Ben Kyle is the latest in a long line of European exports to reinvigorate a genre by reclaiming it as his own—“God walks on the water, I walk through the rain,” he sings.

Tyva KyzyTyva Kyzy (Daughters of Tuva) are the one and only all-female Tuvan throat-singing and folk music ensemble. Their distinctive music and performance bring together female harmonic vocal techniques with the rarely heard sound of female throat-singing. The group has mastered a wide range of traditional and legendary folk instruments such as igil (the horse headed fiddle), chakhomus (a large mouth harp) and their signature instrument, chadagan (resembling a hammered dulcimer).

Andy McKee is one of the world’s finest acoustic fingerstyle guitar soloists. After receiving over 20 million views collectively for his Youtube videos which were posted by the independent record label “Candyrat”, Andy’s success is a testament to the changing nature of the music industry as well as people’s desire for something new and interesting to listen to. At one point, Andy held the #1, #2 and #3 positions for Top-Rated Videos of All Time on the hugely popular website. His videos are still among the highest rated on Youtube. Consequently, Andy has performed to sold out shows in all over the world.

Greg BrownThe Cedar welcomes back renowned Iowa songwriter and folksinger Greg Brown. It has been almost six years since Greg last played The Cedar. Since then, he has released his twenty-third album The Evening Call (2006, Red House Records), In The Hills of California (a collection of live recordings from the Kate Wolf Festival), Honey in the Lions Head (a collection of folk standards), and several live and benefit recordings. His songwriting continues unabated, and exemplify the craft. A genuine national treasure!

DervishA double-treat of sublime Irish music, with the mesmerizing fiddle and guitar duo of Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill, and top traditional group Dervish from County Sligo, with the ever engaging Cathy Jordan on vocals and between song patter to ensure an enchanting evening.

Mike Marshall is one of the world's most accomplished and versatile acoustic musicians, a master of mandolin, guitar and violin whose playing is as imaginative and adventurous as it is technically thrilling. Able to swing gracefully from jazz to classical to bluegrass to Latin styles, he puts his stamp on everything he plays with an unusually potent blend of intellect and emotion.

Open Stage with hosts Curtis and Loretta. The husband and wife duo's extraordinary harmonies and proficiency on a parade of stringed instruments create an alluring frame for their poignant original songs, and carefully chosen traditional pieces from the British Isles, America, and beyond. The duo will play a few of his own songs then invite people from the audience up on stage to do a number or two. Take advantage of this great opportunity to put yourself on the Cedar stage, perform two or three songs, and enjoy the top-quality sound!