Dom Flemons, The American Songster, invites you to experience the captivating history of Black Cowboys and the roots of American music through an innovative concert experience. “Dom Flemons is on a mission to uncover, preserve and push forward America’s musical past—particularly Black musical traditions.” - WBEZ Chicago

Ondara returns to The Cedar stage with his new band The Jet Stone Conspiracy, which he describes as, “the culmination of my rebirth- It’s a surrender to the currents of free expression- an invitation to explore new realms of sound, movement, and poetry.”

With a ship’s-horn power voice & irresistible stage presence, Eurovision winner Nani Vazana breathes life into the endangered Ladino Language. Nani’s heard Ladino from her Moroccan grandmother in hiding, as her father forbade the language at home. Her songwriting fuses Sephardic fairytales with contemporary storytelling and the sounds of the marketplace with Flamenco drama. 

Brothers Brian and Diarmuid Mac Gloinn play harmony-rich folk music influenced by traditional Irish music. Performing as Ye Vagabonds, the duo is part of an emerging scene of Irish folk musicians, alongside Lankum, John Francis Flynn, and Landless. This is the brothers’ first time performing at The Cedar.

Kalan Wolfe and the Shift present Friends in Harmony.

Bluegrass & Red Hearts. Celebrate (the day after) Valentine’s with two powerhouses of bluegrass: Arkansauce and Chicken Wire Empire.

Multi-instrumentalist Katherine Paul (Black Belt Eagle Scout) returns to The Cedar with friends Mato Wayhui (composer for the award-winning series Reservation Dogs) and Ailani. 

Apes of the State are fiercely independent and practice a DIY ethos, hoping to serve as an example that you can achieve success outside of the traditional music industry framework. The band joins us at the Cedar in February to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of their debut release, This City Isn’t Big Enough, with support from Rent Strike.

Get ready for Funny Shades of Chocolate - a stand-up comedy show that blends different cultures, experiences, and comedic styles into one unforgettable night. Featuring Atul Patel, Rene Humberto Valdiviezo, and KJ The Comedian, with headliner Ray Lau (featured on Netflix Is a Joke’s “Introducing…”, Don’t Tell Comedy, and The Locals with Iliza Schlesinger), it’s proof that the funniest comedy comes from the most diverse perspectives. Each comic will bring their own flavor and point of view to the stage for a night full of laughter, relatability, and fresh comedic energy that will keep you smiling long after the show ends. 

Celebrated folk-Americana act The Nadas have amassed a loyal and dedicated following over the past three decades for their engaging live shows and distinctive 70s-meets-90s sound. Blending twangy, Stones-era “country honk” with raw, alt-rock energy and wistful, folk-leaning melodies, their music is as alive as it is authentic. The band brings an intimate duo set to The Cedar, highlighting their exceptional songwriting.

Noise Party, now on its 13th edition, is the premier Minneapolis-based experimental music series that highlights the best established and underground artists from numerous musical backgrounds. Each Noise Party event is curated to offer the most coherent yet diverse batch of music to widen your senses. Noise Party is not a traditional concert, as artists will play back-to-back in batches of three, with an intermission dividing the night. Accompanied by live analog-based visuals, Noise Party is an immersive audio-visual experience that is nothing like you’ve ever seen before. Each Noise Party is a completely different experience from the last, so come and see what volume 13 has to offer on March 1st at The Cedar.

The Cedar is proud to welcome back folk songwriter Dar Williams, described as "one of America's very best singer-songwriters" by the New Yorker. Her new album is out this September on Ani DiFranco's Righteous Babe Records. 

Join us for a rowdy night with two of your favorite bird bands of the Twin Cities. Featuring all the stringed instruments and harmonies your heart could desire. Americana, Roots, Country, whatever you want to call their music, Maygen & The Birdwatcher and Pistol Whippin' Party Penguins' co-show will be a hoot from first downbeat to last pluck of the banjo!

Storied Canadian songwriters James Keelaghan and David Woodhead come together for a night of award-winning folk music. 

FIA is a five-time Island Music Award winner from Hawai‘i whose mix of R&B, soul, and reggae has earned him a global fanbase. His hit single Love Me has over 42 million Spotify streams and remains one of the most requested songs in Island Reggae.

He has toured the U.S., Hawai‘i, and the South Pacific, performing at major festivals and sharing stages with top artists. His music, including Fly Away, Be Better, and Never Give Up, highlights his signature blend of heartfelt lyrics and Island soul.

FIA continues to grow as one of Island music’s leading voices.

As the rising voice of America’s most ethnically diverse generation of young people, singer-songwriter Amanda Pascali writes music that speaks to the experience of growing up as a first-generation American. Blending folk/American influences with Mediterranean, Balkan, and Latin rhythms, Pascali’s songs are powerful tales of America told through the eyes of immigrants and those who have always felt like the “other.” 

“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 

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.

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.

Ukrainian-Canadian pianist Lubomyr Melnyk is best known for his groundbreaking “continuous music” performances, blending four historic elements: classical piano, minimalist drumming, martial arts, and Transcendental Meditation. With these 4 elements, Lubomyr does what no other pianist could. His extraordinary virtuosity enables him to create dream-like effects on the piano. Melnyk composes, as he plays, at the piano, feeling out lines and individual rhythmic cells that bubble, undulate, and gradually expand into vast, interlinked frameworks. He is a one-of-a-kind performer who we are thrilled to present to audiences at The Cedar.

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).

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

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.

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. 

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

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.

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.