events

DRONE NOT DRONES - The 10th 28-Hour Drone
Jan
24
to Jan 25

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.  

View Event →
THE CEDAR COMMISSIONS Night One: A.P. Looze, Hibah Hassan, Phillip Saint John
Jan
31

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.

View Event →
THE CEDAR COMMISSIONS Night Two: John Jamison II, May Klug, Yeej
Feb
1

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

View Event →
The Qalanjo Project Presents: Echoes from the Horn: Somali Lives in Cinema
Feb
2

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

View Event →
SAMORA PINDERHUGHES with TBD special guest
Feb
7

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.

View Event →
LARRY & JOE with TBD special guest
Feb
8

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.

View Event →
An Evening with GUY DAVIS
Feb
11

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.

View Event →
THE OKEE DOKEE BROTHERS (early show)
Feb
16

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

View Event →
THE OKEE DOKEE BROTHERS (late show)
Feb
16

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

View Event →
THE CRAFT ~Hip Hop Songwriters Showcase
Feb
22

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.

View Event →
The Cedar Presents TALISK and GARDINER BROTHERS: UNLEASHED
Feb
28

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.

View Event →
FARAH SIRAJ with TBD special guest
Mar
8

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

View Event →
KRIS DELMHORST with Rose Cousins
Mar
8

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.

View Event →
Duke Concept Presents: CALLEDOUT MUSIC ~BEST DAYS OF OUR LIVES TOUR
Mar
15

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.

View Event →
An Evening with SISSOKO, SEGAL, PARISIEN, PEIRANI: LES ÉGARÉS
Mar
27

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.

View Event →
An Evening with ALASH
Mar
30

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.

View Event →
BASIA BULAT ~ Basia's Palace Live in Concert
Apr
4

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.

View Event →
FLORE LAURENTIENNE with TBD special guest
Apr
5

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.

View Event →
An Evening with CHERYL WHEELER & KENNY WHITE
Apr
16

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. 

View Event →
THE ARCADIAN WILD with TBD
Apr
30

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

View Event →
THE CEDAR Presents VALERIE JUNE ~Owls, Omens, and Oracles Tour~
May
31

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.

View Event →

MPLS AFROBEATS DANCE PARTY f. FANAKA NATION + guests BAKARII, DJs Kwey and Salif Keita
Dec
14

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!

View Event →
MR SUN Plays Ellington’s Nutcracker
Dec
12

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!

View Event →
BEN COOK-FELTZ's 4TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY SHINDIG!
Dec
8

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.

View Event →
THE BAND OF HEATHENS DUO f. Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist with Chris and Ari Silver
Nov
22

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. 

View Event →
BAD POSTURE CLUB ~A Farewell Show~ with voulouse
Nov
20

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. 

View Event →
Duke Concept Presents: OXLADE From Africa Tour
Nov
15

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. 

View Event →
PRAIRIE FIRE CHOIR -13th Season Finale- with Meghan Kreidler
Nov
9

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.

View Event →
MARIEE SIOU with Donnie CoCo
Nov
6

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.

View Event →
️️️️️Tlalnepantla Arts Presents: 12th Annual FESTIVAL DE LAS CALAVERAS: Twin Cities Latinx Music + Arts Festival
Nov
2

️️️️️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

View Event →
JOHN McEUEN & The Circle Band with The Eclectics
Nov
1

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

View Event →
THE CEDAR CELEBRATION! Hosted by DESSA
Oct
26

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!

View Event →
SISTER SPECIES ~release show~ with Theo Langason
Oct
24

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

View Event →
FIRST AVENUE PRESENTS: RACHAEL YAMAGATA ~Unseen Hearts Tour~ with Sandy Bell
Oct
19

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

View Event →
THE ARAB BLUES with Amwaaj
Oct
18

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.

View Event →
FIRST AVENUE PRESENTS: HANIA RANI
Oct
13

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.

View Event →
YUNGCHEN LHAMO with Broken Caterpillar
Oct
12

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.

View Event →
❗sold out❗Extreme Noise Records Presents: GORILLA BISCUITS with Big Laugh and more!
Oct
11

❗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.

View Event →
ALESSANDRO CORTINI with Aida Shahghasemi, Jeremy & Max Ylvisaker
Oct
7

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.

View Event →
ROBIN and LINDA WILLIAMS with Maya de Vitry
Oct
5

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

View Event →