TICKET ON-SALES

--On Sale Now

*Tribute To The Last Waltz- Cabooze/ Aug 17/ $7/ 18+

*Pert Near Sandstone’s Backyard Bonfire- Cabooze Outdoor Plaza/ Aug 18/ $20-25/ 18+

*David Sanborn and Brian Culbertson- Burnsville Performing Arts Center/ Aug 25/ $49/ All Ages

*The Suburbs- Minnesota Zoo/ Aug 30/ $34/ All Ages

*Little Feat  [Final Zoo Show of Year!]- Minnesota Zoo/ Sept 2/ $34/ All Ages

Upcoming Dakota Shows!!

*Janiva Magness- Dakota/ Aug 17/ $20/ All Ages

*Del McCoury Band- Dakota/ Aug 19/ $45-60/ All Ages

*Erin Bode- Dakota/ August 20/ $20/ All Ages

*The Spinners- Dakota/ Aug 21,22/ $45-70/ All Ages

*The Desert Rose Band- Dakota/ Aug 27,28/ $45/ All Ages

*Albert Lee- Dakota/ Aug 29,30/ $30/ All Ages

*Carolyn Wonderland- Dakota/ Aug 31/ $25/ All Ages

*Pat Metheny Unity Band- Dakota/ Sept 4,5/ $50-100/ All Ages

*Marcus Miller- Dakota/ Sept 11,12/ $30-40/ All Ages

*John Scofield Trio- Dakota/ Sept 18/ $30-40/ All Ages

Sue McLean’s Take Five Tuesdays Concert Series!!

*Alison Scott Holiday Concert- Hopkins Ctr/Dec 18/ $20/ All Ages

*Ruthie Foster- Hopkins Ctr/ Jan 29, 2013/ $28/ All Ages

*Dala- Hopkins Ctr/ Feb 5, 2013/ $20/ All Ages

*The Pines- Hopkins Ctr/ Mar 26, 2013/ $24/ All Ages    

*Halloween, Alaska- Hopkins Ctr/ April 2, 2013/ $24/ All Ages

--Friday, Aug 10, 2012—

10:00 AM

*The Go Go’s- Mill City Nights/ Oct 3/ $39-42/ 18+

*David Nail- Mill City Nights/ Oct 18/ $20-22/ 18+                       

*The English Beat- Mill City Nights/ Oct 27/ $22/ 18+

*Pentatonix- Mill City Nights/ Nov 7/ $20-22/ All Ages

*ZZ Ward and Zach Hackendorf- Nether Bar @ Mill City Nights/ Sept 16/ $8-10/ 18+

11:00 AM

*The Monkees- State/ Nov 15/ $64-69/ All Ages

    ***Early On-Sale Thu 8/9 10AM-10PM Password; BELIEVER***

12:00 NOON    

*All Time Low- First Ave/ Oct 22/ $20-22/ All Ages

*Aimee Mann- First Ave/ Nov 17/ $25/ 18+

*Grouplove- First Ave/ Nov 10/ $25/ 18+

*Waka Flocka Flame- First Ave/ Oct 23/ $25/ 18+

*The Hush Sound- Varsity/ Oct 28/ $14-15/ All Ages

*Rachael Yamagata- Varsity/ Nov 26/ $16-18/ 18+

--Saturday, Aug 11, 2012—

12:00 NOON      

*Regina Spektor- State/ Oct 18/ $38.50-48.50/ All Ages

LIVE SHOWS

--Thursday, Aug 9, 2012—

Oake on the Water w/Studio C performances by Tristan Prettyman and The Dirty Heads

Maynard’s, Excelsior/ 3:00-7:00/ FREE/ All Ages

--One of the best ways to spend a Thursday afternoon in the summer gets a little better by two this week with the reggae-rock of The Dirty Heads and their #1 Billboard Alt-Rock hit “Lay Me Down” and current Cities listeners’ favorite “Spread Too Thin”. Also playing live is acoustic singer/songwriter Tristan Prettyman who also has a fun new hit “My Oh My”! 

Matisyahu w/ The Dirty Heads 

First Ave/ 7:00/ $31.50/ 18+

--An eclectic act if there ever was one! Matisyahu is a devout Jew who sings, raps and chants in a soulful prayer style to high-quality live reggae and his lyrics often reflect his beliefs and teachings but not in an over-the-top preachy way. It’s really good stuff. Check out his Jimmy Kimmel performance from a couple of weeks ago. 

The Lost Marbles 

Harriet Brewing Tap Room, S Mpls/ 8:00/ FREE/ 21+

--Covers of The Grateful Dead, Santana, Allman Brothers etc and some good rocking originals.

Nikki & the RueMates  [Every Thursday in the summer] 

The Sea Salt, Minnehaha Falls/ 5:30-7:30/ FREE/ All Ages

--Wonderful acoustic roots rock on the patio outside of one of best little seafood shacks in the country. Food, beer, and wine available.

The Butanes  [Every Thursday] 

Shaw’s, NE Mpls/ 8:30/ FREE/ 21+

--Great 60’s and 70’s soul music with some tasty blues and rock covers mixed in. Highly Danceable!

--Friday, Aug 10, 2012—

My Morning Jacket, Band of Horses, & Trampled By Turtles!!!!

Somerset Amphitheater, WI/ Doors 5:30 Show 6:30/ $50/ All Ages

--What a great, smart triple-bill. This show as a whole and each band should appeal to both the younger, cool twenty-something First Ave crowd and the older more earthy jam-band, Cabooze-loving fan and everyone in between who just loves great, well-crafted live music. Openers Trampled By Turtles have added some revved-up roots-rock to their modern bluegrass sound which was evidenced by their killer performance on Letterman a few weeks back. Next up is the more ethereal but still roots & rocking Band of Horses. Friends brought me to their show at the State Theatre a couple of years ago and without knowing a single song going in, I absolutely loved the show. MMJ, with riveting front-man Jim James, is a phenomenal live band with their melodic Southern-fried psychedelic rock.

Coldplay  [Saturday also, close to sold out]

Xcel Center/ 7:00/ $29.50-99.50/ All Ages

--These are the last two shows of their North American Tour so they should be especially fired up!! 

RZA    [Hip Hop; Member and Producer of Wu-Tang Clan etc]  

Cabooze/ 10:00/ $23-25/ 18+

--If rap is your thing, this could be your show of the year! Robert Diggs, aka RZA, has been the leader, main writer, and producer for one of the most respected groups in the history of rap, Wu-Tang Clan. A talented multi-instrumentalist who has also written and produced several rap hits for other performers, Diggs can be a charismatic live performer. Also, he has acted in several films and his directorial debut, “The Man With The Iron Fists” starring Russell Crowe, will be released in November.

Meiko   [Cities 97 Show]  

7^th St Entry/ 9:00/ $10/ 18+

--This funky and fun folkie singer/songwriter should draw anyone who’s had a chance to check out her fine sophomore album “The Bright Side” and it’s toe-tapping, hip-shaking single “Stuck On You” or other good cuts like “Leave the Lights On”. Off her debut CD, the song “Under My Bed” is a keeper and has been used in TV and film.   

Irish Fair of Minnesota  [Friday 3-11:00PM, Saturday 9AM-11:00PM, & Sunday 9AM-9:00PM]   

Harriet Island, St Paul/ FREE/ All Ages

--Authentic Irish music, food, sports, dancing, and crafts. Headliner bands include Gaelic Storm and Belfast Cowboys on Friday and Young Dubliners on Saturday.  

Brew at the Zoo Beer Fest  [May Sell Out!]

Minnesota Zoo/ 7:00-10:00/ $45-55/ 21+

--Excellent craft beer and food and good, rootsy country-rock from Rocket Club will make for a wonderful evening

2^nd Annual Canterbury Park Food Truck Festival

Canterbury Park, Shakopee/ 6:30/ FREE w/ Track Admission/ All Ages

--Upwards of 15 of the Twin Cities best food trucks will be parked inside just off the rail. Included are Anchor Fish & Chips, Barrio, and Chef Shack etc and there will also be top-shelf live funk, soul, and R&B from the band Urban Cadence.

Motel California and The Fleetwood Mac Attack

Lee’s Liquor Lounge/ 9:00/ $7/ 21+

--Two of the better local tribute bands.  

Concentual

Gluek’s, Mpls/ 9:00/ $3/ 21+

--Good local guitar-driven pop-rock band mixing originals and tasty covers.

Hookers & Blow

Minnesota Music Café, St Paul/ 9:00/ $7/ 21+

--Recently voted the Twin Cities “Best Cover Band” in a Vita.mn poll, H&B play older Top Forty Pop and R&B hits.

Horse Racing and Live Music at Canterbury Park

Canterbury Park, Shakopee/ 7:00/ All Ages

--Exciting horse racing, great drink specials and live funk, soul and R & B music outside along the rail from Urban Cadence.

--Saturday, Aug 11, 2012—

Polica w/ Supreme Cuts and Zoo Animal [Close to sold out!]

Cabooze Outdoor Plaza/ Doors 5:30, Music 6:30/ $25/ 18+

--This is the most deservedly buzzed-about local band of the past year and they are hard to describe/categorize. The lead singer with her ethereal and endearing vocals can float over cool electronica but then there are two live drummers who can thunder down from the stage. The weather looks to be great and the Cabooze Outdoor Plaza is a wonderful concert venue so even if you don’t know these bands, here’s your “get out and take a chance” show of the week.

Rufus Wainwright w/ full band! [Close to sold out!]

Minnesota Zoo/ 7:30/ $39/ All Ages

--From his self-titled debut in 1998 which garnered him Rolling Stone’s Best New Artist choice to his new Mark Ronson-produced soulful return to piano-pop album, “Out of the Game”, just named a Top 10 mid-year choice once again by the same magazine, Wainwright has established himself as one of the finest and most interesting singers and writers of his time. This will be a phenomenal show. If you have punches left to use up on your SRO season pass and you’re up in the air as to which of the remaining Zoo shows to hit, this should be one of them! Make sure you per-register your pass.

2^nd Annual Twin Cities Beer Fest  [close to sold out!]

Old Met Stadium Parking Lot at Mall of America/ 3-7:00/ $35-45/ 21+

--TCBF is the biggest of all the local beer festivals with over 400 different brews, including many imports from overseas. All proceeds go to the Emergency Foodshelf Network and other hunger programs with help from the world’s first non-profit beer company, Finnegan’s, and it’s Community Fund!!

The “You Betcha” Minnesota-Made Music Festival w/ The Honeydogs, Davina & the Vagabonds, Farewell Milwaukee, and Lynhurst etc

Shops at West End, St Louis Park/ Noon-12:00 AM/ Free/ All Ages

--A true community even that’s very kid-friendly from Noon to 5:00 with the Radio Disney Crew and lots of arts, crafts, and magic. The adult fun really gets going around 5:00 with some top local bands. 

Mighty Mighty Bosstones

First Ave/ 7:00/ $25/ 18+

--They helped start and lead the “ska punk” genre for two decades before taking a hiatus in the mid-2000’s but leader Dicky Barrett and a majority of the gang couldn’t fight the itch to whip crowds in to a frenzy so they’re back, playing as good as ever, ready to rock one of their favorite rooms!

Walter Trout

Famous Dave’s Uptown/ 9:00/ $8/ All Ages

--Many Top 25 Rock N’ Blues Guitarists of All-Time lists here in the U.S. and overseas include Trout and his skills have made him an absolute favorite at Blues Festivals around the world.

Dylan Hicks—Dakota “Late Night” 

Dakota/ 11:30/ $5/ 18+

--Hicks was one of the top local pop & rock singer/songwriters in the 1990’s and then took a decade off to focus on his literary career, writing for The Village Voice and City Pages and finishing up his first novel, “Boarded Windows”. To the delight of many local music fans, he’s back rocking with a new album, “Dylan Hicks Sings Bolling Greene” and has put together a backing band of top local musicians for some club shows. Here’s hoping he does some oldies too including “Governor of Fun”!    

Jennifer Markey & Band w/ Alicia Corbett 

Grumpy’s on Wash. Ave, Mpls/ 9:00/ Free/ 21+

--Two of our better local female-led acts, Markey is more country and Corbett is rootsy folk and rock.     

--Sunday, Aug 12, 2012—

Summer Sundays w/ Kurt Jorgensen Band  

P.D. Pappy’s, Stillwater/ 4:30/ FREE/ All Ages

--Good original rock, roots, and blues and tasty cover songs.

Dr Mambo’s Combo  [every Sunday and Monday]

Bunker’s / 9:30/ $7/ 21+

--Fun and very well-played covers of 70’s and 80’s soul, R&B and dance tunes.

--Monday, Aug 13, 2012—

Rodney Crowell

Dakota/ 7:00/ $35/ All Ages

--Multiple Grammy Award-winner Crowell moved from his native Texas to Nashville in the 70’s and soon established himself as one of the most essential names in country music. He wrote hits for such varied artists as Johnny Cash, Emmy Lou Harris, and Bob Seger but it was his own album, 1988’s “Diamonds & Dirt”, that became the first country album ever to have 5 #1 hits and helped create the “New Traditionalist” sub-genre of country. He did a show at the Fine Line 7-8 years ago that is in my Top Ten of all time. 

Walker Art Center Music & Movies in Loring Park

Loring Park/ 7:00/ FREE/ All Ages

--Fine local rock & folk act Rogue Valley gets things going at 7:00 and then the well-reviewed fantasy-drama film from 1995, “The City of Lost Children”, starts around 8:45.

Classic Country w/ Dan Lund & Buffaloaf  [every Monday]

Lee’s Liquor Lounge/ 8:00/ FREE/ 21+

--Very well-played classic country music.

The Cactus Blossoms  [every Monday]

Turf Club / 9:00/ $5/ 21+           

--Wonderful old-school country originals with excellent harmonies.

--Tuesday, Aug 14, 2012—

International Reggae All-Stars  [every Tuesday]

Bunkers / 9:00/ $6/ 21+

--Good roots-reggae originals and plenty of covers.

--Wednesday, Aug 15, 2012—

Tower of Power   [Sold Out!]

Minnesota Zoo/ 7:30/ $37/ All Ages

Mill City Live w/ The Melismatics

Mill City Museum Courtyard/ 6:00-8:00/ $5/ All Ages

--These longtime local indie rock favorites appeal to both older fans who love 80’s British New Wave and younger ones who gravitate to Garbage, The Ting Tings, and/or MGMT!   

Crankshaft and The Geargrinders

Famous Dave’s Uptown/ 6:30/ Free/ All Ages

--One our best and most consistently interesting local alt-blues acts.

Nick and The Feelin at The Happy Gnome [every Wednesday]

The Happy Gnome upstairs, St Paul/ 8:00/ Free/ 21+

--Good piano-led music for free and just $4 for all MN craft beer pours.

Molly Maher & Erik Koskinen  [every Wednesday] 

Aster Café at Riverplace/ 9:00/ $4/ 21+

--The best night of local roots and Americana music in the Twin Cities each week. Superb musicianship.

--Thursday, Aug 16, 2012—

Oake on the Water w/Studio C performance by Zach Heckendorf

Bayside Grille, Excelsior/ 3:00-7:00/ FREE/ All Ages

--One of the best ways to spend a Thursday afternoon in the summer this week spotlights an up-and-coming local singer/songwriter/rocker.

Rock & Roll Movie Picture Night w/ Brian Oake and Mike “The Superstar” Morris; “AC/DC; Let There Be Rock”

Pepito’s Parkway Theatre, S Mpls/ 7:00/ $12/ All Ages

--Don’t miss a great night of music, trivia, and prize giveaways including rare DVDs. Brian and Mike are hosting the concert movie that documents a Paris show from the legendary “Highway To Hell” tour which was the last for original lead singer Bon Scott. In addition to the concert footage, there are rare interviews with all the band members.

The Brian Jonestown Massacre 

First Ave/ 7:00/ $20/ 18+

--A twenty year old group that really should be seen at least once in your music viewing career, this eclectic San Francisco band moves easily from psychedelic rock and blues to revved up folk with even a bit of electronica thrown in.

The Butanes  [Every Thursday] 

Shaw’s, NE Mpls/ 8:30/ FREE/ 21+

--Great 60’s and 70’s soul music with some tasty blues and rock covers mixed in. Highly Danceable!