events
KATZ & DOGS with special guests, Olivia Katz & Michelle Kinney
Steve Katz and his bandmates will offer a curious mix of offbeat originals and eclectic covers.
The Cedar is delighted to host this show celebrating our incredible year and longtime board member on what just so happens to be his birthday - let's howl!
First Avenue Presents: Michael Kosta
The Daily Show Correspondent • Stand-up Comedy • Former #864 World Tennis Rank graces the Cedar stage!
A WINTER SOLSTICE SOUND BATH
A Winter Solstice Sound Bath.
A ritual celebration and healing gathering at the turning point – from the longest night toward life giving light.
FIRST AVENUE PRESENTS: WILL BURKART
First Avenue Presents the talented stand-up comedian and actor, Will Burkart!
Volunteer Orientation
Have you ever wanted to peek behind the scenes at the Cedar? Learn more about how to participate at our venue by attending our monthly Volunteer Orientation led by volunteer coordinator Jared Hemming!
HONKY TONK TAKEOVER f. JACK KLATT TRIO + McKAIN LAKEY BAND
Please join Jack Klatt and McKain Lakey and their fine bands in a co-bill HONKY TONK TAKEOVER of The Cedar's dancefloor.
Come early for a little partner dance (2-step & waltz) tutorial during doors (7-8 PM) led by McKain. A night of good-time urban cowboy fare for all!
TC TRANS MUTUAL AID "Trans Day of Revenge" featuring S.L.O.G. & more!
Celebrating resistance in the forms of solidarity, love, and trans joy, The Cedar is honored to host TRANS DAY OF REVENGE benefittingTwin Cities Trans Mutual Aid.
DRONE NOT DRONES - The 10th 28-Hour Drone
A benefit for Doctors Without Borders, Minneapolis' DRONE NOT DRONES is part benefit concert, part art project, part community event.
Now, for the TENTH offering in the Cedar's 36th year of existence, more than fifty acts will rotate on and off the stage to create a single uninterrupted 28-hour drone to protest the extrajudicial and immoral drone program and raise money for the victims of the United States military-industrial complex.
THE CEDAR COMMISSIONS Night One: A.P. Looze, Hibah Hassan, Phillip Saint John
The Cedar Cultural Center presents the fourteenth annual Cedar Commissions, on January 31 and February 1, 2025 featuring all new works by A.P. Looze, Hibah Hassan, John Jamison ll, May Klug, Phillip St John, Yeej Moua.
Each evening, three artists of the 2024-25 cohort will present their commissioned work on The Cedar stage:
Friday, January 31 features A.P. Looze, Hibah Hassan, and Phillip St. John.
THE CEDAR COMMISSIONS Night Two: John Jamison II, May Klug, Yeej
The Cedar Cultural Center presents the fourteenth annual Cedar Commissions, on January 31 and February 1, 2025 featuring all new works by A.P. Looze, Hibah Hassan, John Jamison ll, May Klug, Phillip Saint John, Yeej
Each evening, three artists of the 2024-25 cohort will present their commissioned work on The Cedar stage:
Saturday, February 1 features John Jamison ll, May Klug and Yeej
The Qalanjo Project Presents: Echoes from the Horn: Somali Lives in Cinema
The Qalanjo Project Presents: Echoes from the Horn: Somali Lives in Cinema - a special program of the Black Europe Film Festival of Minneapolis and Saint Paul.
The Qalanjo Project is an arts education focused, Somali community organization located in Minneapolis. This special Sunday program will feature films and discussions that highlight Somali filmmakers' contributions and explore the Somali diaspora's diverse narratives from The Cedar screen!
"Rag tashaday cir tararay wey toli karaan taako labadeede. / If people come together, they can even mend a crack in the sky." - Somali Proverb
NORDIC ROOTS SERIES: LENA JONSSON TRIO with TBD special guest
The multi award winning Lena Jonsson Trio continues to break new grounds around the world with their unique mix of deeply rooted Swedish folk, jazz, American old-time and electro acoustic sounds.
SAMORA PINDERHUGHES with TBD special guest
"a magical being" - Forbes
The Cedar is honored to present Samora Pinderhughes, founder of The Healing Project, with his Venus Smiles Not in the House of Tears Tour.
A composer, pianist, vocalist, filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist known for examining sociopolitical issues and fighting for change through his art.
LARRY & JOE with TBD special guest
The duo of Joropo maestro Larry Bellorín (Monagas, Venezuela) and GRAMMY-nominated bluegrass and oldtime star Joe Troop (Winston-Salem, North Carolina) returns. The fusion of their respective Venezuelan and Appalachian folk traditions on the harp, banjo, cuatro, fiddle, upright bass, guitar, and maracas prove that music has no borders. Their engaging bilingual (esp / eng) program includes storytelling, humor, singalongs, and dancing.
An Evening with GUY DAVIS
Guy Davis is a two-time Grammy nominee for Best Traditional Blues, a musician, Actor, Author, and Songwriter. Guy uses a blend of roots, blues, folk, rock, rap, spoken word, and global music to comment on and address the frustrations of social injustice, touching topics of politics, historical events, and common life struggles.
FIRST AVENUE PRESENTS: EIVøR with Sylvaine
Fans around the world recognize Eivør for her thunderous Nordic drumming and operatic throat singing. Her recent twelfth album, ENN, marks a bold new venture in her two decades-long musical journey.
FIRST AVENUE PRESENTS: MUSTAFA - Lost in The Dunya Tour
First Avenue Presents: Mustafa — Lost in The Dunya Tour.
"With subtly shifting production and incisive writing, the Toronto singer adapts intimate stories of pain and devotion to his worldly folk palette."- Pitchfork
THE OKEE DOKEE BROTHERS (early show)
The Cedar is honored to welcome back our favorite family friendly duo, The Okee Dokee Brothers.
" they remind us of the American belief that we’re bound for better weather. Their album [Can You Canoe?] celebrates everyday explorers, young and old, who rediscover that notion daily” – NPR’s All Things Considered
“The Okee Dokee Brothers are an absolute national treasure. These songs are just what the world needs right now.” - Minnesota Parent
THE OKEE DOKEE BROTHERS (late show)
The Cedar is honored to welcome back our favorite family friendly duo, The Okee Dokee Brothers.
" they remind us of the American belief that we’re bound for better weather. Their album [Can You Canoe?] celebrates everyday explorers, young and old, who rediscover that notion daily” – NPR’s All Things Considered
“The Okee Dokee Brothers are an absolute national treasure. These songs are just what the world needs right now.” - Minnesota Parent
THE CRAFT ~Hip Hop Songwriters Showcase
THE CRAFT is a showcase that highlights the nuances that go into great songwriting in Hip Hop. More than just dope beats and rhyme schemes, the most impactful rap and r&b songs evoke emotions and feelings relatable to all people. Curated by Sureshot Productions, please join us for a night of storytelling and dancing with some of the best artists making music in the Twin Cities.
GUITAR BAND release show with Fake Accent and The Miami Dolphins
GUITAR BAND celebrates the release of their debut album GUITAR BAND, out on legendary local label Bumpy, with a show at here at The Cedar featuring support from Erik Fratzke's Fake Accent and The Miami Dolphins.
The Cedar Presents TALISK and GARDINER BROTHERS: UNLEASHED
The Cedar Presents TALISK and GARDINER BROTHERS: UNLEASHED at Hennepin Arts' Pantages Theatre. UNLEASHED unites the award-winning folk trio Talisk with the electrifying Gardiner Brothers, whose Irish dance performances have garnered over 1 billion views on social media. This high-energy showcase blendsTalisk’s ground breaking melodies with the Gardiners’ viral choreography, celebrating tradition and innovation in an unforgettable fusion of music and dance.
❗SOLD OUT❗FIRST AVENUE PRESENTS: An Evening with JESSE WELLES
First Avenue Presents JESSE WELLES' Fear Is The Mind Killer Tour.
FARAH SIRAJ with TBD special guest
Approaching music as a medium for peace and a way to amplify the voices of people around the world who need to be heard, FARAH SIRAJ will grace The Cedar stage with her original compositions and traditional middle eastern tunes set to a jazz context.
“Vivacious arabian flamenco jazz” - Rolling Stone
KRIS DELMHORST with Rose Cousins
“bold and brilliant”- Irish Times
“literate and allusive”- Boston Globe
“moody, euphoric and transcendent”- LA Times
The Cedar welcomes Kris Delmhorst, an American songwriter, singer, instrumentalist, and producer. With more than 25 years as an independent artist, she has built a body of work characterized by a wide-ranging, genre-agnostic curiosity and constant collaboration. Kris is touring in support of her new release Ghosts in the Garden.
Duke Concept Presents: CALLEDOUT MUSIC ~BEST DAYS OF OUR LIVES TOUR
British music producer, singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Hampshire, England, Samuel Nwachukwu - who performs under the pseudonym: CalledOut Music, is a symbol of hope and excellence in the 21st century. Embodying years of work and excellence, CalledOut Music has become one of the most sought after names gaining international recognition rather quickly.
An Evening with SISSOKO, SEGAL, PARISIEN, PEIRANI: LES ÉGARÉS
From jazz to Mandingo music and tango, this combination of kora, cello, accordion, and saxophone is sure to charm all those lucky enough to witness this unique quartet.
The quartet, Sissoko, Segal, Parisien, Peirani présents "Les Égarés" (The Wandering), two virtuoso duos (Sissoko-Segal and Peirani-Parisien), who for years have excelled in the art of cross-fertilising sounds and transcending genres.
An Evening with ALASH
The masters of traditional Tuvan instruments as well as the ancient art of throat singing, ALASH are returning to The Cedar stage.
Believing that traditional music must constantly evolve, the musicians subtly infuse their songs with western elements, creating their own unique style that is fresh and new, yet true to their Tuvan musical heritage.
BASIA BULAT ~ Basia's Palace Live in Concert
BASIA BULAT is a JUNO and Polaris Music Prize-nominated singer-songwriter based in Montreal. She offers both a distinctive voice and artistry that pulls as much from R&B and soul as it does from freak folk. Her talent has also been recognized at scale; her songs have been adapted for major performances with symphony orchestras, and she has been invited to perform at prestigious tributes to Leonard Cohen, Daniel Lanois, and The Band.
FLORE LAURENTIENNE with TBD special guest
“Sophisticated, complex, organic sounds… Mathieu David Gagnon’s opus focuses on the range of sound colors and textures that analog Moog synthesizers can produce.” - La Presse
Flore Laurentienne is an open window to the technicolor soundscapes of Mathieu David Gagnon – the Canadian/Québécois composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist.
The result of a happy marriage between electronic and classically influenced music.
An Evening with CHERYL WHEELER & KENNY WHITE
"Rare artist...strong poetry, complex melodies, clever wit." -SingOut!
Like a favorite Springtime perennial flower, Cheryl Wheeler has to be seen to be appreciated. Nothing you read nor hear from her albums prepares you for how entertaining a performer she is.
Longtime collaborator Kenny White opens and joins Cheryl for this rollicking sweet evening.
THE ARCADIAN WILD with TBD
Welcome. It’s a word The Arcadian Wild hold dear, an invitation to be present, to let your guard down, to share in something deep and divine and communal.
“No matter who you are or where you come from, that word just makes you breathe a little easier. When you feel welcome somewhere, you can be yourself, you can be open to whatever the space and the moment have to offer. That’s how we want people to experience these songs.” - The Arcadian Wild
THE CEDAR Presents VALERIE JUNE ~Owls, Omens, and Oracles Tour~
“Valerie June has built a devoted following by ignoring expectations. She is simultaneously rural and cosmopolitan, historically minded and contemporary, idiosyncratic and fashionable, mystical and down-to-earth.” — New York Times
The Cedar Presents VALERIE JUNE at Hennepin Arts' Pantages Theatre - performing with her full band for the upcoming Owls, Omens, and Oracles Tour.
MPLS AFROBEATS DANCE PARTY f. FANAKA NATION + guests BAKARII, DJs Kwey and Salif Keita
Wrapping up our 35th year celebration in full shake body festive form, charismatic host/Culture Rapper, Fanaka Nation brings his fusion of hip-hop, African and other worldly sonic delights to our dancefloor.
Attendees will be the first to view/experience Fanaka's new single release, Loko-Motion - with the video filmed in Kenya and Minneapolis!
❗LOW TICKET ALERT❗FIRST AVENUE PRESENTS: HISTORY THAT DOESN'T SUCK with Professor Greg Jackson
First Avenue Presents History That Doesn’t Suck with Professor Greg Jackson.
MR SUN Plays Ellington’s Nutcracker
Spearheaded by fiddle player Darol Anger, Mr. Sun is comprised of three generations of some of the sharpest minds to apply themselves to the American String Band. Mandolinist Joe K. Walsh (the Gibson Brothers) and guitarist Grant Gordy (David Grisman), along with bassist Aiden O'Donnell, blend with Anger to create a contemporary acoustic amalgamation of strings unlike any other. This holiday season, they'll be touring their project 'Mr Sun Plays Ellington's Nutcracker' - which is their take on the classic piece!
BEN COOK-FELTZ's 4TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY SHINDIG!
Celebrated singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ben Cook-Feltz hosts his 4th annual Holiday Shindig, a family-friendly event featuring seasonal classics, fun covers and songs from his 2020 album Merry BCF-ing Christmas! As a 30+ year survivor of sarcoma cancer, Ben is pleased to donate 100% of the event’s proceeds to Rein In Sarcoma, a nonprofit offering support and resources to those affected by sarcoma cancers.
Flowers Now! A Celebration of Black Elders of the Arts Community
Join us for “Flowers Now!” a performance and an awards ceremony honoring the contributions of a generation who helped build the Black Arts Movement and happen to call the Twin Cities home.
ANTJE DUVEKOT+ SETH GLIER
We’re welcoming back ANTJE DUVEKOT with co-headliner (and making his Cedar debut), SETH GLIER for a night of pure musical art & magic with stories and songs that matter.
LEMON BUCKET ORKESTRA with Ukrainian Village Band
"charismatic...handsome and ambitious.” - New York Times
Lemon Bucket Orkestra are Toronto's original Slavic-Balkan-Klezmer-Party-Punks. The multi-award-winning ensemble has been heralded as a groundbreaking, genre-bending phenomenon by media and fans alike!
THE BAND OF HEATHENS DUO f. Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist with Chris and Ari Silver
The Band of Heathens are an American rock 'n' roll band from Austin, Texas since 2005. Founding members Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist remain at the center of the band as primary songwriters and guitarists. Opening this special acoustic show are Midwestern father/son duo, Chris and Ari Silver.
🚫CANCELED🚫 Evening with PAUL METZGER & KRISSY BERGMARK
The Cedar is honored to host an extraordinary musical convergence as experimental folk virtuoso Paul Metzger joins forces with acclaimed tabla player Krissy Bergmark for a night of musical improvisation.
BAD POSTURE CLUB ~A Farewell Show~ with voulouse
Join the queer folk duo, Bad Posture Club, in celebrating 6 years of musical community in the Twin Cities before moving back to their homeland of Northwestern Washington state. Grateful for their expansive and deeply inspiring time in the Minnesota music scene, they look forward to sharing a final evening of intimate and dreamy music. Voulouse sweetens the night with their uniquely captivating songwriting and textures.
Extreme Noise Records Presents: Zero Boys, Sick Thoughts, Long Knife, Color TV, and Citric Dummies
Extreme Noise Records Presents the last show of their 30th anniversary series here at The Cedar with this November 16th offering of Zero Boys, Sick Thoughts, Long Knife , Color TV, and Citric Dummies.
Happy Anniversary, Extreme Noise!
Duke Concept Presents: OXLADE From Africa Tour
OXLADE is set to take the global stage by storm with the release of his debut album, ‘Oxlade From Africa (OFA)’. The highly anticipated project reflects the Afro-Pop star’s desire to represent not just Lagos, or Nigeria, but the entire Continent.
The multi-award winner pays homage to Africa’s elegance and beauty through his music, fashion, and imagery.
An Evening with HABIB KOITÉ, ALY KEITA, LAMINE CISSOKHo "Mandé Sila"
One of Africa’s most popular and recognized musicians, Habib Koité is a modern troubadour with extraordinary appeal due to his musicianship, wit, and wisdom. The trio also features legendary Kora player Lamine Cissokho and balafon virtuoso Aly Keita.
An Evening with DAVID WILCOX
The Cedar welcomes the return of David Wilcox. An evening full of hope & bliss with brilliant guitar, and stirring vocals by a master songwriter.
PRAIRIE FIRE CHOIR -13th Season Finale- with Meghan Kreidler
Returning to the Cedar this year for their 13th Season Finale, PRAIRIE FIRE CHOIR will showcase a fresh lineup of pop, rock, and indie tunes—all uniquely arranged by members of the choir!
This year's program features special guest, Meghan Kreidler of Kiss The Tiger, with proceeds going to fund the incredible Minnesota based organization, Our Justice.
MARIEE SIOU with Donnie CoCo
“One of the true gems of modern-day folk music.” - BROOKLYN VEGAN
Mariee Siou has been a fixture in the Neo-folk scene since her 2007 debut "Faces in the Rocks"—now acclaimed as a cult classic in the indie music world. She is known as a healing singer and as being a visionary artist, channeling and transmitting medicinal qualities through her music.
Afghan Cultural Society Anniversary Arts Festival 2024
Afghan Cultural Society (ACS) is celebrating a second anniversary since opening their doors in Cedar Riverside!
Please join us for an evening highlighting the manifold music and dance styles of Afghanistan, and a brief panel discussion.
️️️️️Tlalnepantla Arts Presents: 12th Annual FESTIVAL DE LAS CALAVERAS: Twin Cities Latinx Music + Arts Festival
Tlalnepantla Arts presents:
12th Annual Festival de las Calaveras: Twin Cities Latinx Music + Arts Festival
12o Festival de las Calaveras: Celebración comunitaria del Día de los Muertos
Dia de los Muertos Festival Concert
Saturday, Nov 2 | 6 pm - 11 pm
sábado, 2 de nov | Concierto del Dia de los Muertos
JOHN McEUEN & The Circle Band with The Eclectics
As The Cedar continues celebrating our 35 years, we have the great honor of hosting the founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, John McEuen & The Circle Band as they take us on a career retrospective.
Featuring re-shared music from the 1860's to now, original songs laced with known hits, and a special tribute to the 'Circle' album music (and the stories behind it), it all comes to life in an evening of acoustic music in overdrive
One-Day Early Voting Pop-Up
Minneapolis residents (only) have the option of voting early at The Cedar Cultural Center to cast their ballot. This one-day event is Thursday, October 31, 2024, 11 AM - 6 PM.
THE CEDAR CELEBRATION! Hosted by DESSA
THE CEDAR CELEBRATION.
A 35th Birthday Party. A fundraiser. A FUN RAISER! A reflection on our past years and a wish for many more.
Please join us for this four hour long party which will feature a variety of performances, a raffle, an auction and a look back into our very curious legendary archive.
The Celebration is hosted by the queen bee of lyrical ingenuity herself, DESSA!
SISTER SPECIES ~release show~ with Theo Langason
On "Lena in the Bog": Minneapolis chamber-pop septet Sister Species’ fourth studio album “Lena in the Bog” is a collection of 10 songs written from March of 2020 to January of 2023. Inspired by accordionist/songwriter Emily Kastrul’s best friend’s dying dog Lena, “Lena in the Bog” is full of clear and bright arrangements that grew out of dark and murky times
FIRST AVENUE PRESENTS: RACHAEL YAMAGATA ~Unseen Hearts Tour~ with Sandy Bell
“Along with the badassery, Rachael Yamagata brings a world-weary passion to her singing. Her voice is a soul-baring, sultry instrument that commands center stage at all times. She has that deliberate, I’ll-sing-the-note-when-I’m-ready pacing that helped make Amy Winehouse great, and before her Billie Holliday.” — ASSOCIATED PRESS
THE ARAB BLUES with Amwaaj
Rami Gabriel & Karim Nagi (aka: The Arab Blues) create an electro urban amalgam of Arab tradition and Chicago Blues. They employ historical and contemporary instruments to reinterpret forms, melodies and rhythms. The result is an original expression of immigrant artistry with passionate musicality and revolutionary attitude.
FIRST AVENUE PRESENTS: HANIA RANI
First Avenue Presents Hania Rani's cinematic, yet intimate work inspired from her new album Ghosts. Haunted, yet enchanted, the Polish pianist and composer blurs the lines of ambient, classical and house — submerged beats pulse under ripples of piano, synths and her delicate voice.
YUNGCHEN LHAMO with Broken Caterpillar
World-renowned, award-winning Tibetan singer Yungchen Lhamo's seventh album, ‘One Drop of Kindness’, was released in September 2023 by Peter Gabriel’s Real World Records and has recently been voted the Winner in the Asia & Pacific category in the Songlines Music Awards 2024.
❗sold out❗Extreme Noise Records Presents: GORILLA BISCUITS with Big Laugh and more!
Extreme Noise Records Presents, as part of their series of 30th anniversary shows, the legendary GORILLA BISCUITS with support acts Big Laugh, Empire Down, Identity Crisis and Gnaw.
Extreme Noise Records, located at 407 W. Lake St. in Minneapolis is a collectively owned and operated punk record store since 1994.
FIRST AVENUE PRESENTS: JOHN CRAIGIE with Tré Burt
The return of “…the lovechild of John Prine and Mitch Hedberg with a vagabond troubadour edge." - the stranger
ALESSANDRO CORTINI with Aida Shahghasemi, Jeremy & Max Ylvisaker
The Cedar is honored to co-present with our community partner, Drone Not Drones, the debut of Italian musician, producer, composer and instrument builder Alessandro Cortini.
A longstanding member of Nine Inch Nails, Cortini has been releasing a steady stream of his own heady music - perfect for a Dronetober evening in our deep listening, special space.
ROBIN and LINDA WILLIAMS with Maya de Vitry
In 1971, a young schoolteacher named Linda Hill was visiting her parents in South Carolina, when she met a musician named Robin Williams. She was a singer and played guitar. He was a regular on the coffeehouse circuit. The two hit it off immediately. Two years later, they were married and touring the country in a VW Bug.
They’ve been on the road ever since.
“…Among contemporary country performers, Robin and Linda Williams shine like a diamond amid rhinestones …” - The Boston Globe