Welcome to the September edition of @The Cedar, and for Cedar fans, this means one thing: the new season is about to begin! This year, The Cedar community will be celebrating the 20th season of The Cedar, and that means you are in for an unprecedentedly strong line-up, with ninety shows featuring well over a hundred artists already on sale.

Featured artists for the 20th season include prominent artists  from the Midwest, such as Greg Brown, Haley Bonar, Storyhill, The Owls, Dosh, Willy Porter and Charlie Parr; national visionaries David Bromberg, Ani DiFranco, Richie Havens, Kimya Dawson, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Crooked Still, Jolie Holland, Eliza Gilkyson,  Magnetic Fields and Bill Frisell; and a melange of major global roots acts, including Balkan Beat Box, Toumani Diabate, The Klezmatics, Palestinian hip-hop act DAM, Gyuto Monks, the ultra-cool Kassin+2, Dobet Gnahoré, Lo Còr de la Plana, all-female Tuvan throat-singers Tyva Kyzy, and an outstanding selection of Irish, Scottish and English artists, including a smash double-bill of Dervish with Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill, Solas, Rachel Unthank and the Winterset, Martin Simpson and Martin Taylor, Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas, Dougie MacLean, and this weekend's new roots voice of Ireland, Damien Dempsey.

Special events will include the Tenth and final annual Nordic Roots Festival , the warmly anticipated Hawaiian Treasures Celebration, a celebrity appearance by The Blanks (Ted's band in the TV series Scrubs), the new Cedar Family series for the younger set, including Ralph's World, SteveSongs, Kimya Dawson and Peter Himmelman, a revitalized Open Stage series, Concerts for Youth, and The 416 Club series, which provides opportunities for emerging and established artists chosen by rotating community hosts to play The Cedar and form new collaborations in a fun, relaxed environment.

To help you keep track of all the great acts coming to The Cedar, we are pleased to offer a new service: a free monthly audio newsletter and podcast called Made of Cedar . This month's issue features musical excerpts from 19 acts performing at The Cedar during September, and is hosted by Jonah Simonds (South High School Class of 2010) and Sage Dahlen, with the support for KFAI and Best Buy's Children's Foundation, and producer Todd Melby. If you prefer a low-tech solution, a simple pdf document listing all Cedar 20th Season shows confirmed so far  is attached to this newsletter. This document will be updated periodically, and posted on The Cedar website , along with other important show updates.

Here are some notes on the very first wave of exciting shows in the new season, all with tickets available and on sale at Ticketweb , as well as the Cedar Ticketline (612-338-2674 ext 2) and Cedar outlets (Electric Fetus, Global Village, Homestead Pickin' Parlor, and Irish on Grand).

Thu 9/4 Cedar Season Opener with Kevin Kling, Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles, and Orange Mighty Trio
The Cedar’s 20th season kick-off event is free to the public and features storyteller Kevin Kling and local musicians Orange Mighty Trio and Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles. If you are not familiar with these artists, you are in for a treat. Kevin Kling has earned a richly deserved reputation as the quintessential Minnesota storyteller, humorist and chronicler of everyday life, and has made many contributions to NPR's All Things Considered. Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles are arguably the hottest rising band in the Twin Cities, with their eclectic new self-release Orange Peels and Rattlesnake Eggs getting rave reviews, and singlehandedly leading to a mini-renaissance of the ukelele. Orange Mighty Trio is a ground-breaking instrumental trio fronted by fiddler Zack Kline, and straddling bluegrass, jazz, chamber, old-timey, and in the very next tune, avant-garde.
The event is sponsored by Schell Brewery. They will unveil one of their limited edition drafts, and your feedback will help Schell choose an anniversary beer in 2010. The event will also kick-off The Cedar’s “Light the Marquee” fundraising campaign which will fund the long-awaited renovation to The Cedar’s historic marquee.
7.30pm FREE! Sponsored by 89.3 The Current

Fri 9/5 Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile
A must-see concert for any fan of bluegrass or Americana or modern chamber composition, as former Nickel Creek mandolin prodigy Chris Thile takes his old How To Grow A Band buddies (all extremely well-seasoned musicians themselves, from groups such as Leftover Salmon and Infamous Stringdusters), gives the group a new name derived from an obscure Mark Twain short story, and ultimately finds catharsis through music from his 2004 divorce. Challenging yet rewarding, and sure to be leavened with some older material to keep the fans happy.
8pm $20 advance, $25 day of show Sponsored by 90.3 and 106.7 KFAI

Sat 9/6 Damien Dempsey with The Sweet Colleens
Damo is a powerhouse Dubliner singer in the classic Irish style, yet some surprising influences creep into some of his songs--he cites Bob Marley as one of his greatest musical heroes and influences. Already a major national artist in the homeland, he is rising fast in the US after opening high profile shows for Sinead O'Connor and Swell Season. Highly recommended for lovers of punchy songwriting, no-holds barred delivery, yet with the restraint to switch to an impeccably delivered trad Irish song at the drop of a hat. The addition of The Sweet Colleens to the line-up makes this a compelling evening.
8pm $12 advance, $15 day of show

Sun 9/7 Bill Kubeczko Appreciation Concert hosted by Eight Head with special guests Ruth MacKenzie and Sowah Mensah
Come and help us show our deep appreciation to Bill Kubeczko, our leader and Artistic Director from 1993 until this past May. So many of the things we've come to love about The Cedar are the direct result of his efforts and talents. Just a few years back, world-jazz fusion band Eight Head (Dean Magraw, guitars, Marc Anderson, percussion, JT Bates, percussion, and Jim Anton, bass) were Bill's favorite "house band," so it's only fitting that they are the hosts for this special event. And look for some very special guests to join in over the course of the evening including vocalist Ruth MacKenzie and master drummer Sowah Mensah!
7.30pm $8 advance, $10 day of show

Wed 9/10 Plastic People of the Universe
You say you want a revolution? You could do much worse than come listen to a band who have been very much part of a revolution, and are now celebrating 40 years since their formation in Czechoslovakia in 1968, and survival from imprisonment, repression and persecution, through to their part as a catalyst in the Velvet Revolution. Inspired by Zappa, experimental rock, and raw. Check out a fascinating article on rock 'n' roll in a police state by former member Paul Wilson on the Cedar website.
7.30pm $15 advance, $18 day of show Sponsored by 90.3 and 106.7 KFAI and the Czech and Slovak Cultural Center.

Thu 9/11 Little Cow
Their MySpace page proclaims "Hungary's hottest export since gulash!"  Little Cow is a fine mix of joy and melancholy, humour and lyricism. Gypsy-tinged ska/rock/funk pop songs performed by charismatic musicians. Real party music that makes your feet move and keep your mind work.
This is their debut tour of the US, so come and make them feel welcome here!
7.30pm  $15 advance, $18 day of show Sponsored by 90.3 and 106.7 KFAI

Sat 9/13 Joan as Police Woman
Powerful singer, arresting presence.
8pm $10 advance, $12 day of show Sponsored by Vita.mn

Sun 9/14 Balkan Beat Box
Hot, hip, compelling, energizing, gyrating, gymnastic, sweaty global musical mayhem from ex-Gogol Bordello member Ori Kaplan and collective. Incredible.
7.30pm NO SEATS  $18 advance, $20 day of show Sponsored by 90.3 and 106.7 KFAI

Wed 9/17 Dougie MacLean
A Scottish icon, singer-songwriter Dougie MacLean brings a rare warmth and sincerity to his music, never forced, never cloying.
7.30pm $25 advance, $28 day of show

Thu 9/18 Jayme Stone and Mansa Sissoko with Spaghetti Western String Company
Banjoists Big Night Out. Really.
7.30pm $15 advance, $18 day of show

Fri 9/19 Rachel Unthank and the Winterset with Daniel Martin Moore
Spooky good, The Bairns from Northumbrian group Rachel Unthank and the Winterset has won raves from the British press (and is one of my own personal favorites for 2008), and earned them a nomination for the prestigious Mercury Prize. Trad folk with jazz piano brews up a heady and unique mix, strong appeal for fans of Joanna Newsome, as well as the likes of Fairport Convention and Kate Rusby.
8pm $15 advance, $18 day of show Sponsored by 90.3 and 106.7 KFAI

Sat 9/20 Ralph’s World Cedar Family Show (TWO SHOWS)
11am and 3pm $15 aged 2 and over (under 2 are welcome and free!) Sponsored by 89.3 The Current

Sat. 9/20 Songs For Hope And Unity featuring Prudence Johnson, Lucy Michelle & The Velvet Lapelles, Linda Breitag, The Mamas, Kip Peltoniemi, Arvonne Fraser
Benefit for the Obama Presidential Campaign, presented by Minnesota Mother’s Peace Network
7.30pm $15 individual, $20 family

Sun 9/21 BaBa ZuLa
Turkish trad meets psychedelia, striking costumes and a belly dancer. Promises to be quite a spectacle!
7.30pm $18 advance, $20 day of show Sponsored by 90.3 and 106.7 KFAI

Fri 9/26—Sun 9/28 Tenth and final annual NORDIC ROOTS FESTIVAL
Nordic Roots Festival passes $99 for entry AND preferred seating to all five festival concerts! Sponsored by 90.3 and 106.7 KFAI
 
Fri 9/26 Nordic Roots Festival presents Waltz With Me and Väsen
8pm $22 advance, $25 day of show Sponsored by 90.3 and 106.7 KFAI

Sat 9/27 Nordic Roots Festival presents Triakel
2pm $15 advance, $18 day of show Sponsored by 90.3 and 106.7 KFAI

Sat 9/27 Nordic Roots Festival presents Detektivbyrån and Hedningarna
8pm $22 advance, $25 day of show Sponsored by 90.3 and 106.7 KFAI and by Vita.mn

Sun 9/28 Nordic Roots Festival presents Frigg
2pm $15 advance, $18 day of show Sponsored by 90.3 and 106.7 KFAI

Sun 9/28 Nordic Roots Festival presents Hoven Droven and Hurdy Gurdy
8pm $22 advance, $25 day of show Sponsored by 90.3 and 106.7 KFAI

Check out the Calendar for some great October shows, including two special shows presented by The Cedar at the State Theatre to accommodate the strong demand for tickets: Ani DiFranco with guest Dessa of Doomtree (10/3), and Stephin Merritt's Magnetic Fields (10/10). Ani has a new album out just before the show (Red Letter Year), while Magnetic Fields are touring in support of their latest Distortion, a much-more-listenable-than-it-might-sound Psychocandyish progression from their great albums 69 Love Songs and i.

I'll be back mid-month with a more comprehensive rundown on the late September shows, and Nordic Roots Festival. See you at the Season Opener!
Brian

Brian Corner
Publicity Support,
Cedar Cultural Center
416 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis MN 55454
brian.corner [at] thecedar [dot] org
612-338-2674