Welcome to this special Summer Solstice issue of @TheCedar! Instead of just dreaming about a Midsummer Night, why not get out and actually celebrate the season with some hot summer-themed concerts at The Cedar? Even though there are only two weeks, six concerts, and one very special multi-band dance party left in the regular Cedar season before we take our two-month-long summer hiatus (watch for announcements early July on some special August acts, along with a full rundown of Nordic Roots Festival 2007!), there are rich rewards to be had for almost all. Since it is easy to lose track of The Cedar in light of the plethora of competing activities at this time of year, here is a gentle reminder of what is still to come. We'd love to see you here one more time this season!

Kicking off the Sun, Surf and Saints weekend of summer-themed shows, on Friday June 22, Cape Verdean artist Tcheka will be performing his own unique take on the traditional musical form known as batuque. Originally performed mostly by women working in the fields, and using improvised cloth drums, Tcheka has skilfully transposed the batuque rhythms to guitar. With his appealing voice, clean good looks, and a great backing band, he seems poised to be the next great musical export of Cape Verde. Critics have written of his recent tour performances as "captivating" and "rhythmically compelling, gentle-spirited music". 8pm 6/22 $18 adv/$20 day of show

On Saturday June 23, Tel Aviv surf guitar and tuba band Boom Pam make their grand entrance onto the Cedar stage after headlining festivals in Israel and elsewhere. Explore some of the Middle Eastern sounds that helped inspire Dick Dale! "Exuberance was the prime tradition for the Israeli band Boom Pam — which used two guitars,
drums and tuba to make oompah-happy connections between surf-rock, Balkan dance tunes and the hora." (New York Times, Jan 23, 2007). 8pm 6/23 $14 adv/$17 day of show (Sponsored by 90.3 and 106.7 KFAI)

Rob Curto's Forró For All (Sunday June 24) wraps up our Sun, Surf, Saints weekend with a dance-filled take on the traditional Brazilian São João mid-winter festival (part of Festa Junina). According to Wikipedia, during Festa Junina "men dress up as farm boys with suspenders and large straw hats and
women wear pigtails, freckles, painted gap teeth and red-checkered
dresses, all in a loving tribute to the origins of Brazilian country
music, and of themselves". Costumes are optional, but might be fun! Rob Curto's accordion drives the music, but look out for the sensational female vocalist, Magali, a fixture of the Rio de Janeiro carnival. 7.30pm 6/24 $14 adv/$17 day of show

Talking of rich rewards (groan), and taking us from earthy to ethereal, electronic and ambient music pioneer Robert Rich's latest project is a soundtrack for the surreal feature film Atlas Dei (Billed as: Take a lyrical journey through time and space into the mystery of our cosmos. In this feature length film, musician Robert Rich and filmmaker Daniel Colvin weave the strands of science, myth, and poetic vision into a powerful and compelling tapestry of the human enigma.), which will be screened as part of his Cedar performance on Thursday June 28. Very trippy. 7.30pm 6/28 $15 adv/$18 day of show

Austin-based singer-songwriter Jimmy LaFave is riding high at number one on the Americana Music Association album charts with his new Red House Records release Cimarron Manifesto, (incidentally, ahead of new albums by heavyweights Son Volt, Wilco, and Ryan Adams)! He'll be showcasing the album, as well as tunes from his large back catalog, during his Friday June 29 Cedar show. 8pm 6/29 $15 adv/$18 day of show (Sponsored by 90.3 and 106.7 KFAI)

True to name, Tortoise is bringing up the rear of the regular season with a rare live performance on June 30, but promises to streak ahead musically with its chill and innovative instrumental sounds. Their recent beautifully-presented retrospective release A Lazarus Taxon (3CDs/1DVD) reveals the immense depth of talent lying beneath the shell. Make Believe open. 8pm 6/30 $18 adv/$20 day of show. (Sponsored by 89.3 The Current).

The Cedar's regular 2006--2007 season concludes on Sunday July 1 with a dance party you will not want to miss: Grateful for the Cedar
will be a benefit for The Cedar, with all participating musicians
generously donating their services for the cause. The line-up features God Johnson, The Big Wu, Eight Head, The Brass Kings and Charlie Parr. We'll start early (6.30pm) and finish late. Not only is this your chance to express your gratitude for The Cedar with your presence and generous support, this is also The Cedar's chance to express gratitude to you, our patrons, for your steady support throughout the season. Enjoy the good vibe and good tunes, and start making plans to see twice as many shows next season! We'll have a preliminary listing of Fall shows available at the event--it looks sensational!

6.30pm 7/1 $20 minimum donation (Sponsored by 90.3 and 106.7 KFAI)

Enjoy Sun, Surf and Saints, Grateful, and the rest of the summer, and watch for the Nordic Roots announcement coming up, or visit the festival website now for details on the performers. Please order your festival pass (access and premium seating for all five concerts) from the Cedar ticketline (612-338-2674 ext 2) or Ticketweb or by mail at the Midnight Sun special rate of $85 before July 31 ($99 thereafter).

 With thanks,

Brian

Brian Corner

Publicity/Outreach/Volunteer Coordinator

Cedar Cultural Center

416 Cedar Ave S

Minneapolis, MN 55454 USA

Direct line: 612-338-2674, ext 102

612-338-1687 (fax)

brian.corner [at] thecedar [dot] org

www.thecedar.org
Ticket orders: 612-338-2674 ext 2 (or visit our website, and order online, or stop by our outlets, or mail in a check)
General inquiries: 612-338-2674 ext 0