Funny

The Cedar welcomes back pioneering folk singer-songwriter for an evening of songs and great stories. Tom Rush's impact on the American music scene has been profound. He helped shape the folk revival in the '60s and the renaissance of the '80s and '90s, his music having left its stamp on generations of artists. James Taylor told Rolling Stone, "Tom was not only one of my early heroes, but also one of my main influences." Country music star Garth Brooks has credited Rush with being one of his top five musical influences. Rush has long championed emerging artists. His early recordings introduced the world to the work of Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne and James Taylor, and in more recent years his Club 47 concerts have brought artists such as Nanci Griffith and Shawn Colvin to wider audiences when they were just beginning to build their own reputations.

It's the return of the tree huggin’, love makin’, pro choicin’, gay weddin’, widespread diggin’ barefoot hippie Todd Snider! He’s taken on Conservative Christians, hippies, Republicans, and frat boys. In his most recent album, “country’s conscience” (Spin, August 2006) and “top wiseass” (Blender, August 2006) Todd Snider shows us how to get through this economic crisis with ‘The Excitement Plan’ (Yep Roc). The album features GRAMMY-winning producer Don Was (Bob Dyan, Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt) and a guest appearance by Loretta Lynn.

Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks make a return trek to The Cedar in support of Dan's new studio album, Tangled Tales (Surfdog Records). The album is a brand-new collection of compelling and witty tunes that show why Tom Waits called him “fly, sly, wily, and dry!”

In vintage Dan Hicks form, Tangled Tales mashes the outlaw swing music, insightful charm, and brilliant melodies that have endeared him to audiences and fellow artists for four decades with his signature understated melancholy that could only be born from a creative genius. Featuring a world-class collection of musical talent including instrumental virtuosos David Grisman, Charlie Musselwhite, and slide-guitarist Roy Rogers, and produced by Grammy-winning roots music producer Chris Goldsmith, Tangled Tales delivers 8 great new original tunes that feel like instant Dan Hicks classics (and some choice cover tunes too).

A fixture at hip New York City club Le Poisson Rouge, and now making a special appearance at The Cedar, Radio Happy Hour is a live variety show featuring an old-time radio comedy/drama and your favorite guest stars from the worlds of film, music, and letters. Hosted by Sam Osterhout, the show engages its guests in a wildly right-angled conversation that careens between interviews, performances, and trivia. And at the center of it all is a short, old time radio comedy in which the guest stars as him or herself or, in some cases, as Nancy Drew.

NPR commentator and storyteller Kevin Kling, accordionist Simone Perrin and guests in a very special Mother's Day show, featuring stories, music and more!

Tickets go on sale at noon Fri Feb 26 from the Cedar Ticketline (612-338-2674 ext 2), Cedar outlets, and online at Ticketweb.

Colin Hay's last show at The Cedar in May 2008 was so hugely entertaining we're bringing him back for a two night run!

Colin Hay's last show at The Cedar in May 2008 was so hugely entertaining we're bringing him back for a two night run!

Transgender singer-songwriter Baby Dee has a rich, captivating, otherworldly voice. It soars majestically over mournful, sustained piano chords in Safe Inside the Day [Baby Dee's 2008 Drag City release] before retreating and returning, boldly and forcefully. Baby Dee's resume includes stints as a harpist, a street musician and a sideshow performer, but it seems as if she'd be most comfortable in a world of her own creation, singing vaudeville. Read more »