Folk

Two years after winning a 2010 Grammy in the best traditional folk album category for Genuine Negro Jigs, African-American string band Carolina Chocolate Drops are back on The Cedar stage with a new album Leaving Eden (Nonesuch, Feb 28, 2012). The group has a couple of new members, too, as guitarist, banjo player and singer Hubby Jenkins and New Orleans-based cellist Leyla McCalla are now part of the touring line-up along with founding members Rhiannon Giddens and Dom Flemons. Yet amidst the changes and their newfound prominence, the group's joy in performing classic old-time fiddle and banjo music for an enthusiastic audience remains undimmed. Not to be missed!

The Cedar is now fully air-conditioned for your year-round comfort!

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"Chastity Brown, a Memphis girl-turned-Minnesotan....The pure, raw emotion that this woman generates is something even veteran blues and soul artists could take a lesson from. The girl emotes, and emotes with passion."

An awesome triple bill to celebrate the release of Chastity Brown's new album Back Road Highways! Opening sets by local Americana faves Romantica and Black Audience will be followed by a rockin' full band performance by Chastity.

A return by veteran singer-songwriter, guitarist, and homespun philosopher Chris Smither. Since his last show at the Cedar, Chris has been busy writing songs for his new studio record. In November 2011, he released an EP What I Learned in School, a Smither take on some Rock & Roll classics. Chris is a consistently strong performer who has seen it all in his long career. We've left the light on for you.

Red House Records artist and singer-songwriter Lucy Kaplansky returns to the Cedar for an evening of meaningful songs and commentary.

Ticket options and info

• On sale date: noon Fri Jan 13
• Phone: 612-338-2674 ext 2 ($1 fee per ticket)
• In person: From a Cedar volunteer in the front lobby during events (no fee; cash, check, credit card), Depth of Field (no fee; cash or check only), or Electric Fetus (small fee)
• Online: Ticketweb (fees apply) (click on red Buy Tickets button at top of this page)
• All Cedar shows are all ages.
• Students with ID may purchase tickets at a discount at the door.

The tradition continues, as legendary folk-rock group Boiled in Lead celebrates a rockin' and reelin' St Patrick's Day at The Cedar.

Ticket options and info

• On sale date: noon Fri Jan 6
• Phone: 612-338-2674 ext 2 ($1 fee per ticket)
• In person: From a Cedar volunteer in the front lobby during events (no fee; cash, check, credit card), Depth of Field (no fee; cash or check only), or Electric Fetus (small fee)
• Online: Ticketweb (fees apply) (click on red Buy Tickets button at top of this page)
• All Cedar shows are all ages.
• Students with ID may purchase tickets at a discount at the door.

“Joyful Mexo-Americana fusion, with virtuosic musical skill and virtuous harmonies.” (TIME.com)

"Whether it’s just David Wax on his jarana (a Mexican instrument similar to a guitar) and Suz Slezak playing the fiddle or the quijada (an instrument made out of a donkey’s jawbone) or with a full band including drums, an upright bass and even a dancer, David Wax Museum always puts on captivating set. At first it’s easy to be skeptical of these peculiar instruments, but after you see them played you’ll be wondering why more bands don’t implement the jarana or the quijada." (#8, The Best Live Acts of 2011, Paste Magazine, Adam Vitcavage)

The Fred Eaglesmith Traveling Show rolls into town, and sets up camp at The Cedar! The iconoclastic Canadian singer, songwriter and bandleader Fred Eaglesmith promises to deliver a supercharged performance, showcasing material from his nineteenth album 6 Volts (released January 2012).

The album takes its title from the battery that powered the game-changing transistor radio – introduced in 1954, the same year that rock ’n’ roll emerged into popular consciousness – and embodies the notion of back to the future. Captured live in the studio with one microphone onto a one-track reel to reel recorder like so many enduring classics, 6 Volts bristles with contemporary urgency and authenticity.

The Cedar welcomes back acclaimed fiddler, singer-songwriter, and Nickel Creek member Sara Watkins, back touring after taking time out in December 2011 to record her second solo album with Nonesuch Records.

Ticket options and info

• On sale date: noon Fri Dec 16
• Phone: 612-338-2674 ext 2 ($1 fee per ticket)
• In person: From a Cedar volunteer in the front lobby during events (no fee; cash, check, credit card), Depth of Field (no fee; cash or check only), or Electric Fetus (small fee)
• Online: Ticketweb (fees apply) (click on red Buy Tickets button at top of this page)
• All Cedar shows are all ages.
• Students with ID may purchase tickets at a discount at the door.

Two branches of the Finnish folk fiddling world come together once more as Finnish composer and JPP stalwart Arto Järvelä teams up with Kaivama. Arto draws upon more than three-generations' worth of fiddling traditions in his family from Kaustinen, while Sara Pajunen and Jonathan Rundman, who together make up Kaivama, grew up steeped in the rich Northwoods Finnish traditions.

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Two nights of old-timey music and mayhem in Pert Near Sandstone's Winter Stringband Gathering! On Friday Jan 27, Colorado band Head for the Hills start the evening with Pert Near Stringband to follow. And on Saturday Jan 28, the Pert' Near lads will be hosting The Henhouse Prowlers. Two nights, twice as much fun. Doors at 7pm, music starts at 8pm both nights.

Tickets for this special two-night pass are only available from the Cedar Ticketline (612-338-2674 ext 2), hard working Cedar volunteers in the front lobby during shows (no added fees), and online at Ticketweb.

All Cedar shows are all ages.