From the Desk of Michelle
Dear Friends of The Cedar Cultural Center,
As 2024 rounds to an end, all of us at The Cedar are reflecting gratefully on our 35th anniversary year and the different ways we celebrated that milestone.
Artistically we brought the world’s music here, to our stage, for Twin Cities’ music lovers curious about other cultures and traditions. Alash, Tuvan throat singers, Chilean hip-hop artist Ana Tijoux, and Tinariwen, Tuareg desert blues giants were just a few of the global talents we presented in 2024. We were thrilled to welcome back Americana legends Robyn Hitchcock, John McEuen, SistaStrings, and Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore. And it was our greatest honor to host the sold-out book release of Andrea Swensson’s Cornbread Harris' biography.
As a 501c3 organization that belongs to the people of Minnesota, we take pride in being careful stewards of this storied venue. Thanks to DEED funding and support from The Minneapolis Foundation, we made critical infrastructure investments, including new lobby windows and more energy-efficient lighting.
Our community-focused vision took shape through a collaboration with the brilliant artistic team of Leslie Barlow and Hibaaq Ibrahim. These two women designed and installed a stunning 35th-anniversary mural in June. We evolved the plaza into a performance space to highlight that installation and hosted The Cedar’s first-ever, weekly Summer Plaza series. (Stay tuned! Our 2025 Summer at The Cedar lineup will be announced this spring.)
The Cedar is more than a music venue. It is also a gathering space for our Cedar-Riverside neighbors. This year we opened our doors to local organizations including The West Bank Business Association, The Cedar-Riverside Partnership, Augsburg University, Metro Youth Diversion, Mixed Blood Theater, and the City of Minneapolis that used our facilities to advance critical conversations.
Planning and programming are well underway for next year. If you believe in the power of music to build community and celebrate cultural exchange, we invite you to support The Cedar with a tax-deductible donation before December 31. Grants and donations account for nearly half of our operating budget. Your support keeps artists paid fairly and ticket prices affordable.
The organization will pause programming in the final weeks of the year to allow staff to rest, reflect, and restore. We wish all of you and your loved ones peace and wellness. And we can’t wait to welcome you back in 2025 for another year of inspiring performances and community connection!
With gratitude,
Michelle Woster
Executive Director
Michelle Woster
P.S. Make a tax-deductible gift today to keep The Cedar going strong in 2025 and beyond. Gifts of all sizes are welcome and needed.
