What your donation does

The Cedar’s dynamic programming is made possible by support from our patrons – in the form of both ticket purchases and donations. The following successes of our 20th and so far into our 21st season demonstrate your donation dollars at work. CLICK HERE to make your 2009 donation!

In the midst of our 21st season, we’re busier than ever here at The Cedar. Over the last year and a half, we’ve significantly increased and expanded our programming both to better serve our communities and to counteract the drop in available foundation funding. Though increasing programming is contrary to what most non-profit organizations have embraced in the troublesome economy, it has proven to be successful for The Cedar. Perhaps this is because people are willing to pay for small ticket entertainment experiences in lieu of more expensive vacations. Or it could be due to the advent of digital file sharing and resulting changes in the music industry, including an increase in artist tours and live performances. Either way, it seems like this town has a sold-out show just about every night; live music is clearly on the rise. These season highlights offer a taste of our expanded programming:

Cedar Outdoors

The Cedar has historically discontinued programming during the summer months due to competing events and an inefficient air conditioner. But in 2009, we decided to take advantage of our fantastic patio space and experiment with a free outdoor concert series called Cedar Outdoors. Every Thursday in July and August, we featured a full evening of local musicians and beer and wine specials courtesy of our brewery sponsors. The Cedar recently secured neighborhood funding to rebuild our battered patio fence and redesign the patio area, making it more conducive for concert events; this means we will have a more flexible and comfortable space for the second season of Cedar Outdoors in summer 2010. We are currently seeking sponsorship to support the continuation of Cedar Outdoors and partnerships with local businesses to enhance the program, thus attracting more people to the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. 

New Events

The Cedar featured a number of critically acclaimed “indie” rock groups throughout our 20th and at the beginning of our 21st season such as Fleet Foxes, who sold out two shows on the same night, Dirty Projectors, Grizzly Bear, Mountain Goats and Fountains of Wayne.  Not only were these shows at capacity, but they added diversity to our programming by bringing first-time audience members to The Cedar. Our increased number of shows demonstrates that this new programming is in addition to, and not in lieu of, the genre and style of music we’ve been presenting throughout our 20-year history.

Cedar Cinema

Did you know that The Cedar’s building originally opened its doors as a movie theater in 1948? This year, we revived the film screenings that were once held in our room by acquiring and installing a screen and projector and booking a new program of film events titled Cedar Cinema. In summer of 2009, we had the rare opportunity to host banjoist Bela Fleck and tested our new movie screen with the Twin Cities premiere of his documentary, Throw Down Your Heart. Bela conducted a Q&A with the audience and performed solo for a crowd of over 300. Also this past summer, we hosted the first annual Deep Blues Film Festival and screened films that were part of the Bicycle Film Festival, which was held in over 30 cities worldwide. In October, The Cedar partnered with SoundUnseen to present films and musical acts including a performance by Chicago art-rockers Tortoise and the world premiere screening of a new REM tour documentary This Is Not A Show. 

Global Roots Festival

The Cedar has become known as the premiere venue for international artists in the Twin Cities.  Our 21st season kicked off with our first annual Global Roots Festival, an expanded program that has replaced the ten-year run of our Nordic Roots Festival.  The Festival featured youthful South African rockers BLK JKS, Argentine electrotango group Bajofondo, Brazilian dance music performers Forró in the Dark, Brazilian experimental rockers Os Mutantes, throat-singing Tuvans Huun Huur Tu & Carmen Rizzo, and energetic innovators Watcha-Clan from Marseilles, France.  Through The Global Roots Festival, The Cedar brought cutting-edge world musicians to the Twin Cities, and we look forward to the possibilities that this new festival will bring in future years.

Other Initiatives

The Cedar’s 20th season wrapped up de-LIGHT-fully: after a successful Light the Marquee campaign, our historic neon sign was fixed and now has working lights for the first time in 15 years. Great things have happened inside as well as outside: a new sound system now provides an unrivaled listening experience, the wood floor in our hall has been refinished, a new concessions area better serves our customers, and a new movie screen and projector has allowed us to expand programming. In 2010, we will continue these improvements with a redesign of our outdoor patio to better support outdoor programming. 

This Season

The Cedar is now in the fourth month of our 21st season, and we’ve seen the great successes of our 20th season carry over.  In October of 2009, we broke a record for number of monthly events with a total of 27 on-site performances and one co-presented show at the Walker Art Center.  October featured fan favorites Over the Rhine, a double bill with Loudon Wainwright & Chris Smither, and The Klezmatics; local bands The Pines and The New Standards; Cedar Family concerts by Gustafer Yellowgold, and Will Hale; indie groups Great Lake Swimmers and Mirah; and the Square Lake Film/Music Festival. These were just some highlights of an incredible month and an indication of how exciting our 21st season is shaping up.  

Your support ensures that The Cedar will continue to play an essential role in the Twin Cities’ arts community. CLICK HERE to make your 2009 donation.