Nation BeatInspired by the Afro-Brazilian rhythms of maracatu, the foremost diasporic band of the Mangue Beat movement of Northeast Brazil, Nation Beat has created an infectious new sound. Which nation, and which beat? What makes this group special is that it offers no simple answers. They are rhythm gatherers, harvesting the fruit of 500 years of cultural cross-breeding, which is why the sounds of the northeast of Brazil and the southern United States blend together so seamlessly. In 2005, Nation Beat became the first North American group to collaborate and record with an authentic maracatu "Nation," the legendary Estrela Brilhante of Recife, Brazil. Their highly anticipated album “Legends of the Preacher,” produced by Modiba Productions and featuring three mesmerizing collaborations with 2007 GRAMMY award winners The Klezmatics, is due out July 15, 2008. 10% of proceeds from Nation Beat’s Legends of the Preacher will be donated to Corpos Percussivos, an organization dedicated to uplifting the underprivileged children of Recife, Brazil through music, art, education and culture.

Even if you haven't heard of Nation Beat before, this is your opportunity to get in and hear them in an intimate space before the great unwashed masses. An indication of the group's broad appeal is to be found in their summer plans: they are scheduled to appear at such prestigious and diverse festivals as Montreal Jazz Festival, Ottawa Blues Festival, and Floydfest!

Tickets on sale NOW from Cedar Ticketline (612-338-2674 ext 2), Cedar outlets, and online at Ticketweb

$14 advance

$16 day of show