This spotlight interview is with Tri Vo. A strong member of the Twin Cities Southeast Asian community, as well as a puppeteer and theater maker, Tri has been leaning heavily into his main passion, music. He spoke with Cedar Commissions program manager, Robert Lehmann, about his Vietnamese punk roots; the shifting scope of his project; and taking up space to be himself in front of a crowd while encouraging audiences to embrace their own messiness. Catch Tri as part of this year’s Cedar Commissions performances on Saturday, February 10th.

This spotlight interview is with RZ Shahid, a multifaceted creative, and skilled hip-hop emcee in the local scene. He spoke with Cedar Commissions program manager, Robert Lehmann, about the inspiration for this work from the uprisings and the following months of community and mutual aid work; his creative projects; and how he’s grown into his artistic voice through this Commissions process. Catch RZ as part of this year’s Cedar Commissions performances on Friday, February 9th.

This spotlight interview is with Sarah Larsson. A well-loved local artist, known for her beautiful folk vocals, deep investment in learning more about folk songs and culture, and for cultivating community spaces. She spoke with Cedar Commissions program manager, Robert Lehmann, about her mixed Jewish roots; making music in community; and the meanings of the poems she used to compose her original Yiddish folk music. Catch Sarah as part of this year’s Cedar Commissions performances on Saturday, February 10th.

Whether you are a performer, a patron, a volunteer, a donor, or a neighbor (or a combination of these!), thank you for being part of The Cedar Cultural Center community.  You are important to this place.