Dinkytown: A Tale of a Legendary Village tells the story of a unique village that has served as a small downtown for the University of Minnesota for over 150 years. Bob Dylan and Vice Presidents Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale are a few of the individuals who passed through Dinkytown to make their mark on history.

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

NIVA Salute to Independent Venues: In partnership with MNIVA and the City of Minneapolis Arts & Cultural Affairs Department

The Cedar welcomes local artists Abinnet Berhanu’s Ahndenet and Fanaka Nation for a free show coinciding with the National Independent Venue Association 2026 Conference. Ahndenet reimagines Ethiopian folk, fusion, and popular music through contemporary jazz-informed arrangements. Fanaka Nation is an AfroTrap artist of Kenyan and Lao descent, and host of the MPLS Afrobeats dance party.

Noise Party 14 featuring BIZLANG (Alana Horton, Christian Erickson), Dracala Gril! (Alan Sparhawk, Haley Fohr), Shahghasemi/Ylvisaker (Jeremy & Max Ylvisaker, Aida Shahghasemi), Robert Lehmann & Toby Ramaswamy, starflower (Ross Clowser, Anna Dolde, Toby Ramaswamy), (t)rust (Papa Mbye, Collin Weiland)

Joseph Arthur is a storied songwriter, first signed to Peter Gabriel’s Real World label in the mid-90s. In 2010, he joined forces with Ben Harper and Dhani Harrison to form the folk supergroup Fistful of Mercy. He’s joined by acclaimed visual artist and songwriter Abe Patriridge for this intimate seated performance at The Cedar.

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.

The Givens Collection of African American Literature and Life is proud to present its next iteration of Flowers Now!, a performance and awards ceremony honoring the contributions of artists and arts leaders who have left indelible and sustained crucial contributions to the artistic culture of the Twin Cities. Hosted by poet Tish Jones with performances by Cornbread Harris, Libby Turner, Queen Drea and Lela Pierce.

The Qalanjo Project Presents What We Pass Between Us: On Mothers, Daughters, and Becoming is a curated evening of short films that centers the intimate, complex, and often unspoken relationships between mothers and daughters across African, Caribbean, and diasporic communities.

 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

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.

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. 

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.

Jenny Don’t and the Spurs’ sound has been described as honky tonk, country & western, garage rock, and cowpunk. Emerging from the Pacific Northwest with a fierce DIY ethos, the band independently released the majority of their 13 albums and singles on their own label, cultivating a vast international following through extensive tours across Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as performances in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Mexico. They’re joined by local Western dreamers Cowboy Thoughts. 

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.”

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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

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.

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. 

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

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 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.

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

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.

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.

“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

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.

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. You won't want to miss this truly unique performance!