Live Music

1pm: Earload (https://www.facebook.com/earload85) -Classic and Obscure rock covers.  A Dad Band with Issues. 2pm: Pogo Ballet (https://www.facebook.com/pogoballet) -HIgh energy Classic Alternative & Power Pop covers for highly caffeinated people. 3pm: Nemississy (https://www.facebook.com/nmsssy) -Original Rock & roll/punk/post punk with a little surfy goodness sprinkled in.

Jared Justen  Indie singer-songwriter Jared Justen is not an artist one can easily pigeonhole. He’s known for the refreshing variety and unique intricacy of his songwriting, exploring his own mind and emotional spectrum in carefully crafted, lyrical reflections. An idiosyncratic, highly introspective artist, Justen was raised on a broad mix of late-90s music, ranging from gangsta rap to underground indie rock and everything in between. That diversity still informs his stripped-down, emotionally complex sound, characterized by expansive exploration of mental and musical possibilities. Weaving together elements from a wide range of genres, his genre-defiant boldness evokes pioneering acts like Ben Harper, while his intimate vocal style draws comparisons to folk icons like Devendra Banhart, José González, and Pete Seeger. Nikki Lemire Nikki Lemire spins her life around her music, making space to perform in multiple fields and genres. Her songwriting features her expressive vocals over layered and hypnotic accompaniment. She dives deep into moving themes surrounding motherhood, love and loss. Employing modern harp techniques, loop and electric pedals, her songs sit somewhere between the old folk bedrock of Joan Baez, the musical innovation of Joni Mitchell, and the influential pop stylings of Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift. Nikki artfully shapes the music to her words, creating a sound that refuses to adhere to any one particular genre, somehow feeling old and new at the same time. Nikki performs as a solo artist and with her four piece all-female band of fiddle, upright bass and hand drums weaving intricate textures and harmonies within her luscious soundscape. An accomplished harpist and vocalist, Nikki has spent the past few years diving into the world of songwriting, emerging with songs that delve into her experiences with love, loss, and motherhood. With her classical mastery of the harp, combined with a modern sense of exploration through loops and electric pedals, Lemire has garnered widespread praise and radio play, solidifying her as a rising star in the indie-folk scene.

Found Creature: Found Creature is a St Paul based duo that makes harmony driven theater-folk with punk roots. They make music we can all relate to, with songs about space trucking, falling in love with Death, AI becoming conscious, and theme songs for cartoons that don’t exist. For fans of the Bengsons, Neutral Milk Hotel, and the Mountain Goats.   One Big Quilt: One Big Quilt is the duo project of Joel Campbell (He/They, drums) and Owen McGreevy (They/Them, guitar, vocals). Combining the frantic rhythmic pace of Black Midi and KNOWER with lyrical inspiration from Adrianne Lenker and Sun Kil Moon, One Big Quilt’s sound is not easily categorized. The duo formed in October of 2024 when Joel put up a poster in the University of Minnesota’s Music Building seeking a band. Owen (who studies classical guitar at UofM) saw the poster and decided to reach out. The two play original sets of Math-Rock adjacent Alternative Indie.   Big Big Brain!: Equal parts outsider folk and folk punk, Big Big Brain! sounds, you know, big, with a style that ranges from scream-at-the-sky to stare-at-the-wall. As a duo, Lucas Kurmis and Sofie Riley write lyrics that are deeply queer and questioning, never content to let a moment or a feeling pass by without examining it. They may be big big brainiacs, but they lead with their big, dumb hearts.   Penitent Echoes: Penitent Echoes is an acoustic duo; Jae plays cello and Joey plays guitar and banjo. They take turns singing and the music ranges between gothic-folk, shanty-songs, acoustic-punk, and ambient-instrumental.

Forty talented comics from all over the world compete for a $10,000 prize pool 3rd Annual Loons on the Lake Comedy Competition We’ve scoured the country, searching high and low for untapped talent—join us for Heat 1, as 8 great comedians from across the U.S. compete to advance to the next round and keep their dreams of the $10,000 GRAND PRIZE alive in our stand-up comedy competition! www.loonsonthelake.com

The Second Stringers consists of Lars-Erik Larson on drums, Nick Salisbury on bass, and Blair Krivanek on guitar. Between the three of them they have filled out the rhythm section for groups such as Dead Man Winter, Sonny Knight and the Lakers, Ryan Bingham, Brian Fallon, Sarah Morris, Mike Munson, Jack Klatt, and many others. They play at the White Squirrel the first Wednesday of every month where they stretch out on an eclectic range of tunes from country classics, old folk songs, and deep cut soul tunes. Often they are joined by the who’s who of local songwriters as their special guests every month, where they get to show off their skills as professional sidemen. They look forward to the first Wednesday every month and they’d be thrilled if you came by to join them sometime.

Join us for the Loons on the Lake Comedy Festival featuring C. Willi Myles, America’s Everyday Comedian Dinner and cocktail seating and service begins 75 minutes before showtimes. Comedian C. Willi Myles A veteran performer and an extremely funny guy, C. Willi Myles has the gift of connecting people with each other through humor and storytelling that everyone can relate to. Performing across the U.S. and abroad, his career highlights include several appearances on national television and at the legendary Apollo Theater in New York City. He has opened for many of the top musical and comedy acts throughout the country, has performed regularly on cruise ships and at casinos, and has performed in concert with some of the biggest names in entertainment. AmericasEverydayComedian.com

Forty talented comics from all over the world compete for a $10,000 prize pool 3rd Annual Loons on the Lake Comedy Competition We’ve scoured the country, searching high and low for untapped talent—join us for Heat 3, as 8 great comedians from across the U.S. compete to advance to the next round and keep their dreams of the $10,000 GRAND PRIZE alive in our stand-up comedy competition! www.loonsonthelake.com

Forty talented comics from all over the world compete for a $10,000 prize pool 3rd Annual Loons on the Lake Comedy Competition We’ve scoured the country, searching high and low for untapped talent—join us for Heat 5, as 8 great comedians from across the U.S. compete to advance to the next round and keep their dreams of the $10,000 GRAND PRIZE alive in our stand-up comedy competition! www.loonsonthelake.com

Dinner and cocktail seating and service begins 1 hour before showtimes. An Evening of Great Western Swing Jazz With a Cowboy Hat! Dan Newton: Accordion, VocalsRichard Kriehn: Fiddle, VocalsTom Schaefer: FiddleJoe Savage: Pedal steel, VocalsDan Lowinger: GuitarVaughn Asselstine: Upright BassAndrew Bartleson: Drums Dan Newton performed many times on A Prairie Home Companion and played Western swing with various bands since the 1980s. He serves triple duty as the front man, accordionist and lead vocalist. “The crowd of over 600 were roaring their approval beginning the moment they heard the first twang from the stage. Honky-Tonk Jump played old favorites and new tunes with an ease that comes from the many years they’ve all played professionally.” –MIssissippi Music honkytonkjump.com

Dinner and drinks service starts 1 hour before showtimes. Euphoric Swing Jazz BluLuna was formed by four veteran musicians out of their love for myriad genres of the jazz idiom without restraining themselves to one specific branch of the music. By focusing on familiar melodic compositions, this bias-free approach has allowed them to concentrate on playing very fresh and sparkling ideas honoring the wide range of America’s 1st original sonic art. The result is a startlingly warm delivery of a strong yet hyper-sensitive mélange of enchanting moments. Dean Magraw: GuitarRick Carlson: PianoSteve Pikal: BassJay Epstein: Drums Dean Magraw studied at the University of Minnesota and Berklee College of Music in Boston. He spent five years in Beantown, playing professionally and teaching. After returning to his hometown St. Paul, he’s had a life of music – playing, composing, arranging, producing, & recording. Magraw’s music is impossible to pigeonhole. For 15 years, he was half of a duo with mandolinist Peter Ostroushko. He has collaborated with Masahiro Nitta, who plays the traditional Japanese shamisen; with Nigel Kennedy, Britain’s bad boy of the classical violin; with Nirmala Rajasekar, South Indian vocalist and player of the vina; with the singers Bruce Henry, Ruth MacKenzie, and Claudia Schmidt; with the Irish supergroup Altan. As a jazz cat, he leads his own trio, performs with Chris Bates & Jay Epstein as Red Planet since 2002, and more recently has formed BluLuna. “With four of our favorite musicians comprising BluLuna, we were prepared for a great night of improv. They even exceeded our expectations, as was evidenced by the great audience response!” – Mike Wolsted DeanMagraw.com

Join us at Crooners for an amazing night as we celebrate the career of Jerry Newton and hear from State Auditor Julie Blaha. Join us at Crooners for an amazing night as we celebrate the career of Jerry Newton and hear from State Auditor Julie Blaha. Your ticket includes a buffet and dessert!

The DL4 with special guest steel guitar legend Joe Savage!

Dinner and drinks service starts 1 hour before showtimes. An Evening of Musical Nostalgia and Fun! Everyone has their coming-of-age soundtrack. The songs that stick with you forever, and always bring back memories! The Class of ’77 was blessed with an amazing playlist, including songs by Elton John, Linda Ronstadt, Queen, The Eagles, Helen Reddy, Jim Croce, The Bee Gees, Barry Manilow, Kansas, Peter Frampton, and so many more. They had Classic Rock, Pop, Country, R&B, Hard Rock, Disco, Country Rock and Glam Rock. There were fantastic Broadway, TV Show and Movie songs, and some pretty awesome Novelty Songs. Yearbook Class of ’77: Great Songs from 1973-1977 taps into all of it. You will love this fun and sentimental show. Get ready to sing along! Jay Fuchs (Class of ’77): Piano, VocalsAndy LaCasse (Class of ‘83): Guitar, VocalsDane Stauffer (Class of ’77): Vocals Jay Fuchs is a renowned entertainer, music director, and music educator. For 25 years he has been the musical partner of Erin Schwab, the “Bette Midler of the Twin Cites”. Jay has served as music director for the Governor’s Inauguration Ball, the annual Basilica of Saint Mary Fund Raiser, and many more. For 27 years he was the Music Theory Department Head at McNally Smith College of Music. Andy LaCasse is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and arranger. For over 30 years, he has been a favorite studio session player and live performance band member in all areas of the Twin Cities music scene. Dane Stauffer is familiar to Twin Cities audiences as Roger in the Ivey Award winning “Glensheen”. Among many other starring roles, he played Scrooge in “Dolly Parton’s Smokey Mountain Christmas Carol” at the Ordway. Dane is also a very popular cabaret entertainer.

No cover–light fare available from 4:30pm to 9:30pm. Full-menu available until 8:30pm. Bar and table seating offered – NO RESERVATIONS Colleen Raye: Vocals Rick Carlson: Piano Maggie’s Piano Lounge is a warm, relaxed and inviting space featuring a variety of seasoned singers and piano players. No cover. Order all of your favorite Crooners drinks and dinner items, experience superb service, and enjoy the great music!

Dinner and drinks service starts 1 hour before showtimes. Soulful Funk, Sax and R&B! Twin Cities sax player, Ronny Loew takes center stage with the Ronny Loew Band. Joined by a powerhouse rhythm section featuring some of the finest musicians in the area, Ronny delivers a high-energy mix of familiar Funk, R&B, and Soul songs—where the saxophone takes on the role of the vocalist. Plus, enjoy special tributes to legendary saxophone icons like David Sanborn, Maceo Parker, and Grover Washington Jr. Ronny Loew: Sax Kevin Anderson: Guitar Tony Axtell: Bass Brian Ziemniak: Keys David Anania: Drums Members of the Ronny Loew Band have performed with icons including David Sanborn, Michael McDonald, Bobby Lyle, Candy Dulfer, Dr. Mambos Combo and Blue Man Group! www.ronnyloew.com

Dinner and drinks service starts 1 hour before showtimes. Classic Film Composer Songbook Celebrating the 101st birthday of classic film and television composer Henry Mancini, featuring iconic songs such as “Moon River”, and “The Days of Wine And Roses”. Also featuring music from TV’s Peter Gunn, the Pink Panther movies, Victor/Victoria and more. Maud Hixson: VocalsRick Carlson: Piano Hailed as “gently virtuosic” (All About Jazz), Maud Hixson is a devoted exponent of great songs, ranging from the classic Great American Songbook to the often unsung or forgotten compositions awaiting rediscovery. Based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Maud made her Guthrie Theater debut in the Noel Coward revue Coward’s Women, also appearing in Park Square Theater’s The Soul of Gershwin. She teamed with Sir Richard Rodney Bennett in 2012 for the long-running Midtown Jazz at Midday concert series at Saint Peter’s and debuted her show Skyscraper Wits in London and New York in 2015. She has made three appearances at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rose Hall for the New York Cabaret Convention, presented by the Mabel Mercer Foundation. Her newest recording is devoted to the music of her mentor, Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, which earned a 2024 Bistro Award. “Maud Hixson’s anticipated and thoroughly polished performances are just what we all need to hear. She really is in a class by herself.” –Rex Reed www.maudhixson.com

Dinner and drinks service starts 1 hour before showtimes. A Night of Blues, Jazz, Americana, Indie, Singer-Songwriter! Sitting still will be impossible when these two masters of mirth combine their fiery display of dazzling virtuosic pyrotechnics on their instruments while mixing it all with humor and foot-tapping fun. Corky Siegel: Vocals, Blues harmonica, Piano Randy Sabien: Vocals, Violin, Piano Blues legend Corky Siegel is dubbed a “National Treasure” by DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE, and known internationally as: “A master of piano and harmonica, a superior entertainer, singer and songwriter.”- CHICAGO MAGAZINE. He is a Chicago Blues Hall of Fame inductee, and Lifetime Achievement awardee, with a catalogue of recordings on RCA, Vanguard, Alligator, and million selling blues/classical recordings on the iconic Deutsche Grammophon label. Randy Sabien is called “The past, present and future of jazz violin” by NPR’s JAZZ PROFILES. Randy Sabien is a regular at Big Top Chautauqua, and has performed many times on A Prairie Home Companion and Austin City Limits. His instrumental skill on the violin, guitar, mandolin, and piano, in the genres of jazz, country, and rock, is legendary. ” I cannot think of a single artist who embodies that spirit of playfulness more than Corky Siegel. As much as he is a renowned blues legend, he is a musical imp. His music makes me grin from ear to ear. Every time he does something completely different, and this time he will be joined by the masterful multi-instrumentalist, Randy Sabien. I can’t wait to hear these two engage in a fun-filled evening of musical cat-and-mouse.” – Steve Rashid Host of WDCB FM Jazz Radio CorkyMusic.com

Dinner and cocktail seating and service begins 1 hour before showtimes. An Evening of Great Classic Country Hits Are you lonesome tonight? Got heartaches by the number? A hankering for pedal steel guitar, some high lonesome Floyd Cramer piano and a Patsy Cline yodel? Then you gotta go hear Lush Country, an all-star band playing the best country songs of the hi-fi era, from Eddy Arnold to Tammy Wynette and back again. Dan Chouinard: Piano, Accordion, Vocals Peter Johnson: Percussion Prudence Johnson: Vocals Richard Kriehn: Guitar, Fiddle, Mandolin, Vocals Gary Raynor: Bass Gary Rue: Guitar, Vocals Joe Savage: Pedal Steel Dan Chouinard is accompanist for a who’s who of Twin Cities performers, an enabler of community sing-alongs and a writer of hit shows for public radio, concert hall and theatrical stage, including Rondo ’56, Steerage Song and Café Europa. DanChouinard.com

Crooners Classics – every Wednesday at 5:30 PM we will celebrate the beloved musical treasures of yesterday. Wednesday’s Crooners Classics This Fun and Popular Buddy Holly Tribute Returns! All the Holly Hits, from “That’ll Be the Day” to “Rave On!” Nicholas Freeman and THE BIG BAND (Guitars, Bass, Drums) A STELLAR TRIBUTE to the music of American rock and roll icon Buddy Holly , featuring original cast members (Nicholas Freeman, Blake Foster and Zach Spicer) from History Theatre’s IVEY-award-winning production of Buddy! The Buddy Holly Story. Endorsed by Sonny Curtis and Jerry Allison of The Crickets! Music direction by Gary Rue, produced by *Gary Rue. “…congratulations on an absolutely stellar show on Saturday night, you and the band brought an amazing experience to The Palace. I’ve been hearing chatter all over town about it and everyone agrees that it was phenomenal. Please extend my congratulations and thanks to the rest of the band. It was spectacular!” ~Shawn Kinsinger, Historic Palace Theatre, Luverne MN www.GaryRue.com

Dinner and cocktail seating and service begins 1 hour before showtimes. A Fun Night of Cabaret! It is time once again to celebrate Erin Schwab’s Big Bday! Join Erin Schwab and Jay Fuchs for a fun night of stories, songs and sweet delicious cocktails. Erin Schwab and Jay Fuchs have been playing together in the Twin Cities and across the US for over 25 years. Erin and Jay have played all of the stages at Crooners for years and have written and performed many shows including 1967: Summer of Love, Erin sings Bette and their VERY popular Naughty and Nice Holiday Shows! They have played Clubs, Theaters, Weddings, Fundraisers, Garages, Living Rooms, Corporate and Political Events. Both Erin and Jay have also been Music and Theater Educators for years. Jay was the head of the Music Theory Department at McNally Smith College of Music for many years and Erin was on the Voice & Ensemble Faculty there as well. Erin and Jay started Cabaret Camp and Jay has now evolved the original classes to cultivate a new group, The Cabaret All-Stars and they are playing numerous places around town as well. Erin is the audience coordinator and a regular Jason Show Contributor on Fox 9. She also is a Director of Educational Theater and Teaching Artist and one of the co-founders of ETC Productions, a new Educational Theater Company here in the Twin Cities! For more information go to etcproductions.info “Erin Schwab IS the Bette Midler of the Twin Cities!” Jason Matheson of the Jason Show on Fox 9 and Jason and Alexis In The Morning on My Talk 107.1 FM

Dinner and cocktail seating and service begins 90 minutes before showtimes. A Night of Uplifting Rock, Soul, Funk, Folk and Protest! There are times when we want to “Get together,” to proclaim “What’s going on?” as we remember, “This land is made for you and me.” Music can get us there. Join Trish Sisson, Dane Stauffer and Lori Dokken, as we lift our voices and sing. Enjoy the sing-along vibe and the rich history of music that accompanies the struggle and gives us harmony and hope. Trish Sisson: VocalsDane Stauffer: VocalsLori Dokken: Keys, VocalsKris Stauffer: Bass, VocalsAndy LaCasse: Guitar, VocalsAndy Artz: DrumsAward winning Singer/Actor/Writer/Director/Playwright/ Theatre-Maker Dane Stauffer’s acting credits include a lead role in the recent smash hit “Glensheen” ( Returning to HIstory THeatre in July!)). Awards include: “Best Actor in a Comedy” LA Stage Scene/All in the Timing, Best Actor /Broadway World for “Glensheen.” He has performed with legends like Dolly Parton, Madeline Kahn, Kelsey Grammer, Peter Graves and and more! When not onstage, with 40 years improvisation experience he can be found teaching empowerment through the arts to children and adults in all settings. More info at www.danestauffer.com Song stylist Trish Sisson, a native of New York City, grew up in Miami, Florida where she began singing for her supper at 16. From dinner theater, casino showrooms, cruise ship revues, street dances on flatbed trucks, piano bars, state & county festivals, corporate functions & most recently the social media screen, Trish is at home on any stage. She has performed with Barry Gibb, Nell Carter, Gloria Estefan & Freddie Hubbard, & has warmed up audiences for Ben Vereen, Don Rickles, Bob Newhart & Loretta Lynn to name but a few. Her original song “Have a Heart” has been used to raise awareness about homelessness & poverty & for organizations like AIDSWalk Miami, Children’s Cancer Society, ARC Minnesota, & the Minnesota Visiting Nurse Association.Trish feels most at home in the intimate setting of the cabaret where the power of a great lyric can be fully appreciated. As a motivational entertainer, Trish brings joy, laughter, tears & hope to her audience as she explores the human experience through songs and stories. www.danestauffer.com This performance will support Guinnovation. We improve access to quality education for youth living in rural and peri-urban communities in Guinea by partnering with local leaders to identify underserved areas, establish schools, and support the salaries of dedicated teachers. To foster effective learning in a safe environment, we also provide students with essential resources such as books, school supplies, uniforms, and access to clean water on school grounds. In addition, we invest in teacher development by offering opportunities for ongoing training and skill-building. Guinnovatoin is a volunteer-led organization, which means 100% of donations go directly to supporting our educational programs. For more information on Guinnovation, visit our website at www.guinnovation.org or visit our table at this performance.

Dinner and drinks service starts 1 hour before showtimes. TCJazzFest – June 20-21, 2025. Free Admission. Reservations are recommended. An American jazz musician, vocalist, pianist, songwriter, educator, and producer, Teri Roiger lives in New York City and also spends time in New York’s Hudson Valley. She began playing piano at age 5, and played church organ throughout her teens. When she discovered jazz in her early 20s – and soon after made her first demo with the legendary stride pianist, Butch Thompson – her musical path was set. One afternoon in Minneapolis, a young Teri Roiger sat down at a piano amidst a group of seasoned musicians, and played a burning rendition of John Coltrane’s Giant Steps. An astounded nearby bass player said, “Hey, you aren’t supposed to be able to do that,” a remark that ignited Teri’s determination to pursue a life in jazz. For the Jazz Fest, Teri will perform her tribute to Abbey Lincoln. Teri’s 2012 release, DEAR ABBEY: The Music of Abbey Lincoln, produced by Brian Bacchus, made the Jazz Journalist Association’s “best of” vocal releases list for 2012, and was featured as one of the five best tribute releases in NYC Jazz Record’s January 2013 issue. Jack DeJohnette, legendary jazz drummer & 2012 NEA Jazz Master: Teri has an intuitive laid back sense of time reminiscent of Abbey Lincoln and Betty Carter but with her own uniqueness. Mark Myers, JazzWax.com: A vocalist who wraps (Abbey) Lincoln’s complex songs around her finger… TERI ROIGER (vocals) PHIL AARON (piano) JOHN MENEGON (bass) PHIL HEY (drums) The Twin Cities Jazz Fest is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission of bringing communities together to enjoy and appreciate the art form of jazz and inspire new generations of youth. What started as a small one­-day event in downtown Minneapolis 26 years ago has grown into one of the largest free civic jazz festivals in the upper Midwest. www.twincitiesjazzfestival.com

Dinner and cocktail seating and service begins one hour before showtime. Songs, Photos and History from St. Paul’s Rondo neighborhood, 1945 – 1956 With its four musical hosts – Dan Chouinard, T Mychael Rambo, Thomasina Petrus, and Charmin Michelle – Rondo ’56 paints a portrait in music, stories and archival photos of St. Paul’s thriving Black neighborhood in the decade before it was sliced down the middle to make room for I-94. Alive with oral histories and R&B and jazz and gospel hits from the years just after World War II, Rondo ’56 is a loving evocation of this vibrant and tight-knit community that was home to most of St. Paul’s Black residents. Written and created by Dan Chouinard in collaboration with T Mychael Rambo, Thomasina Petrus, and Charmin Michelle. T. Mychael Rambo: Vocals and Narration Thomasina Petrus: Vocals and Narration Charmin Michelle: Vocals and Narration Dan Chouinard: Piano and Narration Daryl Boudreaux: Percussion Walter Chancellor: Bari Saxophone Scott Johnson: Tenor Saxophone Dan Chouinard is a St. Paul based pianist, accordionist, sing-along enabler and occasional writer of shows for MPR, TPT, Theater Latté Da and others. At St. Joan of Arc church in Minneapolis he was curator and host of the annual MLK Holiday concert for 24 years. He wrote the first version of Rondo ’56 in 2010 with the help of Rondo elders, Rondo performers (including T Mychael Rambo) and the MN Historical Society.DanChouinard.com Classically trained in piano, violin and flute, Charmin Michelle transitioned into singing in the early 1990s performing in jazz clubs throughout the Twin Cities. Though based in Minneapolis, she is no stranger to life on the road, and has toured internationally since 1986, performing at jazz festivals and clubs throughout Spain and France. charmsongs.com Thomasina Petrus is a 30 year equity actor and premier jazz vocalist in the Twin Cities. She is a founding member of New Dawn Theatre, a company member of Penumbra Theatre and brownbody.org and founder of the new vocal ensemble SingHers. She is also creator of Thomasina’s Cashew Brittle, featured at the MN State Fair, local retailers and online. Thomasinascashewbrittle.com T. Mychael Rambo is a two time Regional Emmy Award winning actor, vocalist, arts educator and community organizer. His credits include national and international film, commercials and performances. T. Mychael is an established recording artist, arts educator, motivational speaker and affiliate professor in the College of Liberal Arts, Theatre Arts and Dance at the University of Minnesota.

Dinner and drinks service starts 1 hour before showtimes. TCJazzFest – June 20-21, 2025. Free Admission. Reservations are recommended. Doug Haining is one of the most swinging sax and clarinet players, citing the influence ofJohnny Hodges. Doug has been delighting audiences for over three decades, working inMinneapolis, Minnesota area bands including The Wolverines Big Band, The Mouldy Figs,Red Wolfe’s Ellington Echoes, the Hall Brothers Band, the JazzMn Big Band, the RussPeterson Big Band, and many others. Doug performs in pit orchestras in local theaters, andleads the Twin Cities Seven, a local swing band playing for dances, parties, and events. Scott Agster moved to Minneapolis in 2005 to study at the University of Minnesota. The city quickly became his new adopted home. He currently writes music for and plays withgroups: Salsa del Soul, Urban Classic, CoMingl, KAJ Productions, Adam Bohanan, and theMinneapolis Funk All-Stars. Some career highlights include touring with the DocSeverinsen Orchestra, Davina and the Vagabonds, and the Minneapolis-based Neo Soulgroup Nooky Jones. Scott has nothing but love for Minneapolis. In 2012 Doug and Scott teamed up to form the Explosion Big Band, a 17 piece big band that has exploded since its inception. The band has a contagious repertoire of compositions from Basie, Ellington, Thad Jones, and many more contemporary composers. The band can be heard monthly at Jazz Central Studios in an open rehearsal. www.explosionbigband.com The Twin Cities Jazz Fest is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission of bringing communities together to enjoy and appreciate the art form of jazz and inspire new generations of youth. What started as a small one­-day event in downtown Minneapolis 26 years ago has grown into one of the largest free civic jazz festivals in the upper Midwest. www.twincitiesjazzfestival.com

Dinner and drinks service starts 1 hour before showtimes. An Evening of Classic Vocal Jazz Connie explores the Dave Frishberg Songbook from the witty and swinging (“My Attorney Bernie”, “Peel Me a Grape”) to the senstive and sublime “Listen Here”, “You Are There”). Pianist Jon Weber and bassist Steve Pikal join Connie in playing selections from her CD of Frishberg songs “Little Did I Dream” as well as other Frishberg favorites. Connie Evingson: Vocals Jon Weber: Piano Steve Pikal: Bass Vocalist Connie Evingson is known for exploring a wide variety of musical styles. She has been a featured guest artist with Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion, Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis, the Minnesota Orchestra conducted by Doc Severinsen, Vocalessence, the JazzMN Orchestra and other esteemed organizations. She is a longtime member of the popular vocal jazz group Moore By Four, and is a two-time recipient of both the McKnight Fellowship for Performing Musicians and the Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiative Grant. Evingson captures the essence of Frishberg’s lyrics, appropriately sassy in “Peel Me a Grape”, delighting in the exotic “Zanzibar” and swinging like mad in “Can’t Take You Nowhere” … – Ken Dryden, All About Jazz www.connieevingson.com