Live Music

Dinner and drinks service starts 1 hour before showtimes. Jazz, Soul, R&B This show is part of series that will be presented in 4 installments, packed with songs nostalgically driven. This first show, you’ll hear songs from the American Songbook, songs you know, that are emotionally driven. You’ll hear songs originated by Shirley Horn, Cassandra Wilson, Nancy Wilson, Diane Reeves, Cynthia Arivo, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan & Bill Withers. Don’t miss! Ginger Commodore vocals Lee Blaske piano Daryl Boudreaux percussion Pete Whitman, horns Ginger Commodore is a singer, songwriter, Teaching Artist, Musical Director, producer and actress who enjoys an illustrious musical career in the Twin Cities area. She’s an original member of 3-time Grammy Award winning ensemble The Sounds of Blackness and world acclaimed vocal jazz ensemble Moore By Four. She’s done shows at the Penumbra Theatre, Guthrie Theatre, Orpheum Theatre and Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. She’s appeared in concert at Orchestra Hall, The Ordway Theatre and currently performs at Twin cities live music venues. “She can melt you with a ballad or shake you with blues”.

Dinner and cocktail seating and service begins 75 minutes before showtimes. Acoustic, Gordon Lightfoot “Minnesota’s acoustic music master” (Jon Bream, Star Tribune) and Emmy Award-winning acoustic tunesmith, Michael Monroe, presents an evening of favorite songs by Canadian folk/pop singer-songwriter/guitarist and cherished troubadour, Gordon Lightfoot. Michael Monroe, Vocals/Acoustic Guitar Dan Thayer, Electric Guitar Tony Axtell, Bass Michael Pilhofer, Drums Michael Monroe presents an evening of favorite songs by Canadian folk/pop singer-songwriter/guitarist and cherished troubadour, Gordon Lightfoot. “His name is synonymous with timeless songs about trains and shipwrecks, rivers and highways, lovers and loneliness.” Lightfoot’s biographer, Nicholas Jennings. Expect to hear the very best of Gordon Lightfoot including, “For Lovin’ Me”, “Beautiful,” “Early Morning Rain” as well as his top US Hot 100 hits: “If You Could Read My Mind” (1970), “Sundown” (1974); “Carefree Highway” (1974), “Rainy Day People” (1975), and “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” (1976). “Graced with a “dark-toned mellifluous voice,” (City Pages) Michael Monroe is honored to present this special tribute to the life and music of Gordon Lightfoot. “I’ve never heard a song I didn’t like by Gordon Lightfoot. Whenever I hear a Gordon Lightfoot song, I never want it to end.” Bob Dylan From vinyl to digital, Monroe is celebrating his 6th decade performing acoustic music for his profession. He plays hand-crafted Seaton guitars which are “works of art” and made of 200 year-old reclaimed wood from the bottom of Lake Superior. His rich vocals and crystal/bamboo flutes showcase his signature mellifluous sound. Monroe has recorded 11 original albums and 6 more recorded from his popular CDT tributes shows Moonshadow – A Cat Stevens Tribute, I Dig Peter Paul & Mary, James Taylor tunes in ‘You’ve Got A Friend’ and Folk Legends which feature folk-pop favorites by John Denver, Cat Stevens, Joni Mitchell, Simon & Garfunkel, Gordon Lightfoot and more. Monroe’s award winning instrumental soundtracks have been featured on PBS/CBC, Toronto Enviro/New York Indie Film Festivals in the documentary “Chased By The Light” presenting Jim Brandenburg’s stunning photography. Monroe presented his music at his “Log Cabin Concerts” log home with his manager/spouse on Grand Marais’ North Shore for 17 years. In 2021, they returned to the Twin Cities after 28 years on ‘the shore.’ Their storied concerts were featured on Jason Davis’ On The Road on KSTP as well as in Lake Superior and Cabin Life Magazines. “Monroe is a thoughtful tunesmith with a heart as big as the North Shore.” —Jon Bream/Star Tribune michaelmonroemusic.com

Dinner and drinks service starts 1 hour before showtimes. New-Classical Crossover, Folk An Evening with O&K is a curated mix of Olivia and Karla’s original, folk-inspired compositions influenced by multiple genres, as well as audience favorites such as ‘Shenandoah,’ ‘Here Comes the Sun’ and vocal tunes such as Bob Dylan’s ‘You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome’. Olivia and Karla share their experiences with these tunes and their creation from the stage as a point of connection with audiences, inviting them to experience the music’s vulnerability and hear their own stories reflected in it. Olivia Diercks, cello, vocals, ukuleleKarla Colahan, violin, vocals, ukulele Playful and unexpected, new-classical crossover duo The OK Factor writes and performs folk-inspired music influenced by multiple genres, with an artistry that reveals their classical training. Cellist Olivia Diercks and violinist Karla Colahan find great joy in defying expectations and delivering an experience outside of what audiences anticipate from a cello and violin combo. Organic and genuine, their original compositions feel both comfortingly familiar and uniquely fresh, and have been described as “genre-bending” (Julie Amacher, MPR) and “pure magic” (Wausau Pilot & Review). The ease with which they write and perform and their passion for educational outreach has caught the attention of the Minnesota music community in which they live and work, as recipients of a 2024 Minnesota State Arts Board Arts Education Grant, and a 2020 Scandinavian Folk Arts and Cultural Traditions Fellowship through the American Scandinavian Foundation. Olivia and Karla invite audiences to explore music and cultivate a curiosity about its role in their lives. “Pure magic.” — WAUSAU PILOT & REVIEW www.theokfactor.com

Dinner and drinks service starts 1 hour before showtimes. Jazz Trio Performing their unique renditions of your favorite hits old and new. Chan PolingJohn MunsonSteve Roehm The three core members of The New Standards all come from illustrious Twin Cities bands. Chan Poling founded the seminal Punk/New Wave band The Suburbs. John Munson was an original member of Trip Shakespeare and the chart-topping Semisonic. And Steve Roehm started on drums in the Texas punk outfit Billygoat and the avant-jazz Electropolis. “What a terrific combo. Everything they do is a surprise.” –Greil Marcus TheNewStandards.com

Dinner and cocktail seating and service begins 90 minutes before showtimes. NOLA Brass Band Come cruise with us to New Orleans with the incomporable Thomasina Petrus and the Selby Ave Brass Band. Thomasina Petrus vocals Larry Sims trumpet Solomon Parham trumpet Stephanie Wieseler saxophones Chris Fulton trombone Nathan Norman drums Tom Wells tuba, composer, arranger, band leader The Selby Avenue Brass Band brings a unique voice to the Minneapolis / St. Paul music scene. While our musical roots come from the streets of New Orleans we expand from that genre into many others. ​The group is led by Tom Wells, tubaist, arranger & composer and music educator in the Twin Cities area. Tom’s compositions and arrangement fuel a band comprised of enthusiastic and experienced musicians (including a Grammy winner). selbyavebrassband.com

Dinner and drinks service starts 1 hour before showtimes. Jazz Trio Performing their unique renditions of your favorite hits old and new. Chan PolingJohn MunsonSteve Roehm The three core members of The New Standards all come from illustrious Twin Cities bands. Chan Poling founded the seminal Punk/New Wave band The Suburbs. John Munson was an original member of Trip Shakespeare and the chart-topping Semisonic. And Steve Roehm started on drums in the Texas punk outfit Billygoat and the avant-jazz Electropolis. “What a terrific combo. Everything they do is a surprise.” –Greil Marcus TheNewStandards.com

Dinner and drinks service starts 1 hour before showtimes. Original Jazz Take That Back (feat. Joan Hutton and Sue Orfield) celebrates the release of “Splash” their 2nd album with Shifting Paradigm Records. Joan Hutton bass clarinet & alto sax Sue Orfield tenor sax Ted Godbout piano Kameron Markworth bass Dave Schmalenberger drums Band leaders and composers Joan Hutton (alto sax, bass clarinet) and Sue Orfield (tenor sax) began their collaboration in 2019, drawn together by a passion for original music. With tight harmonies and precise arrangements, the strength of this duo lies as much in their joyful collaboration as it does their distinct, stylistic differences. In 2022 they released their debut album, Take That Back, on Shifting Paradigm Records. “Joyfully documenting two writers and players deserving much wider recognition, Take That Back is the witty rejoinder to those cynical among us who think all the fun has gone out of jazz. Take that back, indeed!” – Douglas Payne, Sound Insights www.takethatbackjazz.com

Dinner and drinks service starts 1 hour before showtimes. Timeless Classics A new show in the popular Story Tellers series. A special night of fantastic songs and great stories, with many singalong favorites. Jay Fuchs piano, vocals James A. Rocco vocals Andy LaCasse guitar, harmonica, vocals Jay Fuchs, James A. Rocco and Andy LaCasse are all beloved veterans of the entertainment world. As a teenager, James A. Rocco made his recording debut, singing a few lines on Frank Sinatra’s album, Watertown. He starred on Broadway in CATS, toured the country in Jesus Christ Superstar, and performed as The Witch in Into the Woods. In 2005, he accepted a position at The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. He’s been called “a master showman” (The Star Tribune) and “a powerhouse of talent” (CBS News). In 2021 Broadway World cited him as Twin Cities Vocalist of the Decade for his work on Broadway Songbook®. 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 Basilica of Saint Mary Annual 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.

Dinner and drinks service starts 1 hour before showtimes. Django Reinhardt, Vinyl Album Release, Gypsy Jazz Ryan Picone Quartet is releasing their I Awake debut album on vinyl at Crooners August 4th 2024. Author Michael Dregni had this to say about RPQ’s I Awake album dedicated to Django Reinhardt. “Swinging, sensual, moody, rousing — Ryan Picone Quartet’s music follows the trail of Django Reinhardt’s Gypsy jazz. Listening to these tracks, you can almost smell the campfire smoke and see the nighttime lights of Paris burning on the horizon. Bon voyage!” Ryan Picone Quartet is a group that was put together to showcase the original compositions of Ryan Picone. The music has been written throughout different time periods in his life, and represents his connection to the music of Django Reinhardt. The band consists of Ryan Picone from The Red Hot Django Peppers, Ian Stenlund from The Mississippi Hot Club, Tessa Nichols Meade from the Cold City Heat, and Matt Blake from the Gentleman’s Anti Temperance League. This group is an all star group that brings together a new transfiguration of Jazz. www.ryanpicone.com