Roma di Luna is reuniting for a special benefit concert to raise funds for Immigrant Legal and Mutual Aid. It has been seven years since the band last played together, and this evening brings the full group back to the stage: Alexei Casselle, Channy Leaneagh, James Everest, Ryan Lovan, Jessie Daley, Ben Durrant, and Matty Harris on horns. Joined by friends, Roma di Luna will revisit beloved songs they have long missed playing—songs meant to carry peace, healing, and cries for justice into the room for one night at the Cedar Cultural Center.

Grosse Isle is a trio of traditional musicians from Québec and Ireland, comprising Irish uilleann piper Fiachra O’Regan, Québec fiddler/singer Sophie Lavoie, and guitarist André Marchand. 

Lazerbeak will be celebrating the release of his fourth solo EP, For Storms, a continuation of the ever-evolving instrumental work he has been developing over the past seven years. For this special evening, Beak will be accompanied by Duluth percussionist extraordinaire Zack Baltich for a night of expansive soundscapes and rhythmic interplay. Eau Claire’s The Nunnery will perform an opening set supporting their newly released album Ascending. 

Dálava sources Moravian (Czech) folk songs that were collected by lead vocalist Julia Ulehla’s great-grandfather in his village, and renders them in an improvisatory, cinematic musical language. The duo has received critical acclaim for the unique ways in which they blend folk tradition and avant-garde and experimental elements.

Sound artist Marc Anderson returns to the Cedar with Natalie Nowytski and Jeremy Ylvisaker to celebrate the Spring Equinox.

Drone Not Drone veterans composer/cellist Clarice Jensen and composer/multi-instrumentalist Chuck Johnson team up for a shared bill, performing separately and in a brand new collaboration.

“Canadians Le Vent du Nord have become heroes for many Québécois by mixing politics with good-time traditional music. It is a tricky balance, but this jovial quartet of multi-instrumentalists combine skilful playing and humour with reminders of their roots.” - The Guardian

For over a decade, John Craigie has made music that brings people in. Not with spectacle, but with sincerity and songs that feel like conversations.

First Avenue presents Mike Doughty. 

Discover traditional and contemporary music from Tunisia at this free concert, brought to you by Alliance Française Mpls/St Paul.  NYC-based singer-songwriter Nour Harkati and his band fuse the Guembri with electronics and an urban groove, offering a unique, layered, and kinetic sound.  Local musicians The Arab Band will open the show with unique interpretations of classic songs that celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Arab music. You won't want to miss this truly unique performance! 

Have you ever wanted to peek behind the scenes at the Cedar? Learn more about how to participate at our venue by attending our monthly Volunteer Orientation led by volunteer coordinator Jared Hemming!

Three-time Grammy Nominee Mike Marshall is one of the most accomplished and versatile mandolinists in the world today, as well as a master of the mandocello, guitar, and violin. A multi-faceted composer and arranger and one of Brazil’s premier 7-string guitarists today, Alessandro Penezzi is a virtuoso on tenor guitar, cavaquinho, mandolin, and flute. Two incredible talents together for one special night.

Mei Semones' sweetly evocative blend of jazz, bossa nova and math-y indie rock is not only a way for her to find solace in her favorite genres, but is an intuitive means of catharsis. "Blending everything that I like together and trying to make something new — that's what feels most natural to me," says the 23-year-old Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter and guitarist. "It's what feels most true to who I am as an artist." On her newest EP and Bayonet Records debut Kabutomushi, Mei's diverse sonic palette adds depth to her experiences of the complexities of love. Through the EP's five songs, she chronicles infatuation, devotion, vulnerability, and saying goodbye in some of her closest relationships, complete with sweeping strings, virtuosic guitar-playing and heartfelt lyrics sung in both English and Japanese.

Incomparable guitarist and composer Mary Halvorson brings Canis Major to the Cedar stage for the first time. Dave Adewumi (trumpet), Henry Fraser (bass), Tomas Fujiwara (drums) round out the quartet.

“A concert with Yagódy is a ritual ... there is the breathing of the wind in the field, a sound like the voice of our ancestors. The listeners are enveloped in living energy and musical trance. A dance of voices in the pulse of humanity.” — Internationales Donaufest

Two songwriting legends return to The Cedar stage. Two careers that span 50+ years performing together for one incredible night. Do not miss Loudon Wainwright III and Chris Smither.

Vocal looping, processed percussion, and hymns to the natural world come together in this album release for alone-a, creating an evening of ambient and experimental music rooted in intimacy and atmosphere.

Fantastic Negrito is carrying the mantle for all the soulful bluesmen who came before him. The singer’s 2024 album Son of a Broken Man is gritty, raw, and full of fire and brimstone.

AFROMATIC is a curated live music event launched in Minneapolis that showcases the fusion of African rhythms with contemporary genres such as hip-hop, rap, and other fusions.

There are songwriters who chronicle life, and then there’s David Wilcox — an artist who metabolizes it. He has long been a quiet force in American folk music; a musician’s musician, a writer’s writer, and a seeker whose gift lies in making the personal feel universal.

Pitched somewhere between Pinegrove and Bladee, the Swedish duo winkingly reframes contemporary indie sounds and beloved pop samples for a debut album that’s goofy yet undeniably beautiful.” Pitchfork

Shayfer James is an internationally touring American singer–songwriter, pianist, and composer known for hauntingly beautiful and bombastic music that blends elements of rock, pop, soul and cabaret.

The masters of traditional Tuvan instruments, as well as the ancient art of throat singing, ALASH return to The Cedar stage for the 7th time in their history.

Believing that traditional music must constantly evolve, the musicians of Alash subtly infuse their songs with Western elements, citing influences from otherworldly artists like Sun Ra and Jimi Hendrix, creating their own unique style that is fresh and new, yet true to their Tuvan musical heritage.

Them Coulee Boys spent the past decade-plus establishing themselves as one of the Midwest’s premier purveyors of bluegrass and Americana. The Cedar is thrilled to welcome the Eau Claire-based band to our stage for the first time.

The Cedar welcomes English indie rockers The Wedding Present for the first time, performing their Steve Albini-produced album Seamonsters in its entirety.  

Yasmin Williams is one of the most innovative voices in guitar playing today, crafting rich instrumental compositions that sway from traditional folk to atmospheric soundscapes, experimenting with rich tapestries of sound. Her performance at The Cedar this Spring is sure to be a highlight of our 2026 calendar. 

Rory Allen Philip Ferreira, better known by his stage name R.A.P. Ferreira, formerly Milo and Scallops Hotel, is an American rapper, poet, and producer from Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Described as a cross between Tina Turner and Miriam Makeba, Nomfusi is a South African singer poised for greatness. 

A celebration concert showcasing a collection of songs, poetry, and art rooted in joy and truth created by the Mamas Ignite Collective Community. The Mamas Ignite Collective is a collective of Black and People of Color artists composed of Mamas and Aunties bringing together our different skills and backgrounds to create gatherings that encourage Mamas to grow in their artistic creativity, learn, heal, and while being in a supportive community. Our collective includes musicians, poets, spoken word artists, DJs, and visual artists sharing their art from the heart. At this event, we will be celebrating the conclusion of season 4 of our creative circles and offering a night filled with several performances featuring our community, a marketplace showcasing visual art, children activities, and wellness activities. 

Brooklyn-based composer Kelly Moran’s music lives at the intersection of classical, minimalism, jazz, and electronic music. She returns to the Twin Cities following a stunning debut performance with Liquid Music in 2025.

Della Mae is a GRAMMY-nominated all-woman string band playing bluegrass, Americana, and folk music steeped in rich harmonies and soul-stirring melodies. 

As a majority queer, fiercely feminist five-piece acoustic outfit, [Della Mae] sing fearlessly on topics that might rile the genre’s traditionally conservative audiences. Recent albums have covered everything from domestic violence and fertility issues to the separation of families at the US border with Mexico. They also play barnstorming numbers about motorbikes and bourbon. - The Guardian, 2022. 

Bizhiki is Dylan Bizhikiins Jennings, Joe Rainey, and Sean Carey. The trio fuses powwow tradition with synthesized voice modulation, accenting hand drums with electronic samples and beats to create a unique and authentic sound. Souldies songwriter Jada Brown opens the set with her first full-band performance at The Cedar. 

Local family bands Spaceport and Robot Slide come together to co-headline an extra-special collaborative show celebrating the release of their sophomore albums Cut the Lake and CHIMPS. They’ll be playing musical chairs on stage with two mixed sets, collaborating and sharing members to bring a unique mix of weird pop and indie rock to The Cedar stage.

“Mama's Broke brings beauty out of pain” - No Depression

Canadian folk duo Mama’s Broke return the Cedar for a special May Day weekend celebration.

Bia Ferreira is a poet and activist who describes her music as “MMP — Música de Mulher Preta (Black Woman Music).” Her music contains elements of soul, reggae, blues, funk, R&B, and gospel. The Cedar is thrilled to welcome Bia Ferreira to Minnesota for an intimate solo performance. 

Accordion-wielding Chilean songstress Pascuala Ilabaca is a true hidden gem in Latin American and World Music genres. A favorite in the new scene of young Chilean singer-songwriters, her music is rooted in traditional sounds but effortlessly integrates shades of jazz, pop, and rock, and draws on influences from distant places such as India and Mexico. Accompanied by her formidable band Fauna, her unique stage presence conveys both sweetness and empowerment, bringing her songs to life with both fragility and verve.

Canadian folk singer Garnet Rogers joins us for a night of “literate, passionate, highly sensitive, and deeply purposeful” songwriting.

That Handsome Devil celebrates 20 years since their debut EP with support from Human Zoo. Based in Brooklyn, by way of Boston, the band blends rock, funk, cabaret, surf, rhythm and blues, rockabilly, and psychedelia. Their sound has been described as "equal parts Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, bizarre electronica, creepy hip hop, and in-your-face gonzo rock.”

Eli Winter is a virtuosic guitar player, for fans of William Tyler and Yasmin Williams. Luke Schneider’s pedal steel has graced recordings by Orville Peck, Margo Price, and more. Deep listening and cosmic grooves abound as these two talents grace the Cedar stage for the first time. Jonah Hatten opens the show, previewing songs from his solo guitar debut, due later this year.

South African pianist Nduduzo Makhathini brings his trio to The Cedar for a night of spiritually transcendent jazz. 

Sam Prekop is a pillar of the Chicago underground community, best known for his work with the Sea and Cake. In 2022, Prekop reunited with former Sea and Cake bandmate John McEntire for the release of Sons of, an album of electric instrumentals and modular synthesizer sounds.  

Philadelphia pop-folk songwriter Carsie Blanton takes her cues from legends like Nina Simone, Cleo Brown, Joni Mitchell and John Prine. She’s a ferocious wordsmith who pulls no punches on her 2024 full-length After the Revolution. This is Carsie’s second time performing at The Cedar, and we welcome her back in time when her words are more poignant than ever. 

Border CrosSing transforms into a full-fledged salsa band in this joyful, family-friendly program featuring a vibrant rhythm section and our amazing vocalists, joined by members of our community chorus Heritage Choir, for an even bigger and richer sound. Under the direction of Ahmed Anzaldúa, who will also take the stage at the piano, the ensemble dives into a spirited mix of classic and contemporary Latin American dance hits, from beloved favorites to lesser-known gems, all in novel choral arrangements. This won’t be a sit-still kind of night: our dance instructors will get people out of their seats and moving their bodies! Whether you choose to soak it all in or jump right into the movement, there is something for everyone. With highlights like the timeless Como Fue and the iconic Ojalá Que Llueva Café, this celebratory program promises an evening of rhythm, nostalgia, and irresistible fun for all ages.

 Scandinavian duo Smerz “flits deftly between genres – dream pop, glitchy electro, power ballads, shoegaze, even shades of trip-hop – whipping up all these textures into a sonic soufflé that is uniquely their own.” Vogue

Portland-based guitarist and composer Marisa Anderson’s albums meld American traditional musics from blues, gospel, country, folk, and jazz to circus music, minimalism, improvisation, and drone. She’s recorded for esteemed labels Drag City and Thrill Jockey, and performed with William Tyler, Tashi Dorji, Jim White, and many more. 

Brooklyn-based indie rocker Moon Walker explores themes of capitalism, religion, and warfare in his music, a message that has him selling out venues across the country. This is his first time performing at the Cedar, celebrating his soon-to-be-released album Wasteland Country.

Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek are internationally recognized for their unique and infectious sound that combines Anatolian folk with psychedelia, pop and soul influences.

Mohanad Elshieky is a New York-based, Libyan-born comedian who made his national TV debut on Conan, has been featured on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Don’t Tell Comedy, Comedy Central, This American Life, and has toured with Pop Up Magazine.

Transcending genres and trends, the Hot 8 Brass Band have performed and collaborated with the likes of Jon Batiste, Blind Boys of Alabama, Basement Jaxx, George Ezra and Alice Russell, and provided live support for Mos Def, Lauryn Hill and Mary J Blige. The group is known for their fresh takes on hit songs like Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing,” Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart,” and more. The Cedar is proud to welcome this award-winning New Orleans-based band to Minnesota for a special Juneteenth celebration.

Austin, Texas-based singer-songwriter and former frontman of The Ugly Americans and The Scabs, Bob Schneider is one of the most-celebrated musicians in the live music capital. Combining diverse styles, Schneider’s music spans genres, blending elements of folk, rock, rap, funk, bluegrass, reggae and country with the more traditional singer/songwriter aesthetic. In short, FRUNK.

Indo-Canadian songwriter and producer Alysha Brilla is a 3x Juno-nominated artist. Guided by heritage and imagination, Brilla sculpts sonic constellations where the ancestral meets the electric. 

Mexico City’s Sonido Gallo Negro fuse cumbias with psychedelic tropicalia to create hypnotic, dancefloor-ready sounds.

The Fanoos Ensemble features four brilliant Afghan musicians who are unable to perform inside Afghanistan today, as the Taliban has banned all music. Now living in the US, the ensemble performs a revue of Afghan culture through music.

Micky and the Motorcars hail from Austin, Texas, by way of Stanley, Idaho. Brothers Micky and Gary Braun are the sons of Western Swing musician Muzzie Braun, and along with their brothers Willy and Cody (Reckless Kelly), spent their childhood on the stage. The band has averaged 100+ shows a year for nearly 20 years.

Afro Dead is a musical collective formed in 2022 by Aaron Feder to reimagine the music of the Grateful Dead in Afro-Pop styles, such as soukous, Afrobeat, high-life, reggae and more. Featuring members of Chicago’s Alma Afrobeat Ensemble, Afro Dead make their Cedar debut with support from Minnesota’s Demitrious Rallis Band (Frogleg).

First Avenue presents Aldous Harding

“After a few listens to the record it becomes apparent that Chicago Farmer has a refreshingly firm grip on where he comes from. The songs are covered to the elbows in dirt from the fields and smell of the sweaty factory floors. If the Midwest is looking for a voice, the search is over.” - No Depression