The Zen Arcade, nestled inside of the vibrant community non-profit arts hub – Firehouse Performing Arts and it’s Hook & Ladder Theater (Lake/Minnehaha), is again partnering with friends Retro Bakery to present The BIGZen20! celebration on April 20th!

Christopher Vondracek is a piano singer-songwriter in the ilk of a midwestern Randy Newman whose new release, “Packinghouse,” is born out of his time as the agriculture reporter for the Minnesota Star Tribune. His 2023 release, “Rattlesnake Summer,” was based on his poetry collection of the same name, which featured a poem for every county in South Dakota. His band, The Golden Bubbles, once performed outside the Corn Palace. Vondracek lives in Minneapolis.   Steeped in the ways of American roots, rock & roll, and soul, the central MN based Tony Cuchetti Band breathes life into their onstage performances with an honest and relatable approach. A cast of stellar musicians (including Blair Krivanek, Dan Carpel, and Andrew Bartelson) collaborating to convey their “working class” relatable stories and memorable melodies. Don’t miss them!

Francis Avenue is a group of 4 close friends who started doing their own projects solo to coming together and having a blast since day 1. We love to do a mix of indie pop /rock/ slow songs. No matter If you cry or laugh at our shows all that matters is that you’re there and feel like a family . All you need is a small group of friends and music and life is good . Francis Avenue as well started January 2024 and ever since then it’s been a fun journey and never a dull moment .     A Sunken Ship Irony began in 2004 as the solo project of songwriter Josh Wirtanen, but became a three-piece band by the end of 2005. Over the course of their long career, the band changed lineups several times while releasing over a dozen records. They wrote theme songs for multiple podcasts and even had their song “Island Of Misfit Toys” appear in the 2009 film Friends With Benefits.     J-Mo & The J-Lighters: Hailing from Saint Paul, Minnesota, Jamie’s music effortlessly blends the classic 50’s & 60’s vibes with contemporary rock & pop elements, creating a unique and captivating sound. Influenced by legendary artists such as Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Cliff Richard, and Billy Fury, Jamie’s Musical Journey began at a tender age with dancing, eventually blossoming into a fervent desire to become a music artist during his high school years. With the unwavering support of his talented backing band, The J-Lighters, who skillfully capture the essence of the 50’s sound, Jamie confidently ventures into the music scene.

Longfellow Business Association Hosts Annual Meeting on April 22
Community Members Invited to Join for Lunch, Live Music, and Local Updates

Unattractive Giant Monster – Unattractive Giant Monster is a post genre, weirdo sewer punk band from the Twin Cities in Minnesota. Fueled by hot dogs and inspired by bands like The Dead Milkmen, Devo, and  Diarrhea Planet, UGM is ready to party. Dado Set – Forged in the bowels of South Minneapolis in the wake of the grocery co-op wars, Dado Set combines the sultry sounds of migratory birds fighting over a hard roll in the parking lot with the drone of an overpowered car stereo. And also Tom Petty and The Breeders. Let us into your earholes; Dado Set has always been and will always be.   Big Into – BIG INTO is a two piece space-rock band consisting of guitarist Jozef Conaway and drummer Curtis Kraft Mattson. These indie rock vets released their first full-length album, Cold Fortunes and Warriors Obscura in 2020. Last year, the duo released a pair of EPs, What Does Tomorrow Look Like? and Where Does Yesterday Go? with a music video to go with each and every song. This year the duo is working on yet another EP with new music videos releasing every month.

Dig into the deeper, progressive side of disco, funk, and R&B from the ’70s and ’80s, with the occasional turn into house and left-field gems. An all vinyl night courtesy of local selector Tim. He knows how to keep the vibes at White Squirrel curious and moving.

Root River Jam elevates musical improv through the fusion of blues, country, rock and americana music. Their music draws from the spark of creativity and individuality in each musician, producing songs and sounds that draw you in to their eclectic style! Root River Jam is promoting their new single “Joy of Something New” !

A night of all ages punk on The Zen Arcade Stage in The Mission Room at The Hook with Niis as they make a stop in Mpls on their Spring 2025 Tour with support from Pollyanna & local riot grrl favorite Surly Grrly. Get tickets NOW!

Performing Deep Cuts and Highlights From The Albums Love, Da Capo, Forever Changes and Four Sail

Three transsexual friends/morons present a night of comedy and games. Imagine if a variety show was actually good!

Join us for Raymond Band LIVE at The Narrows Saloon!

Swinging, sensual, moody, rousing — Ryan Picone Quartet’s music follows the trail of Django Reinhardt’s Gypsy jazz.Ryan Picone QuartetRyan 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.In 2023 the Ryan Picone Quartet released their debut album titled - I Awake dedicated to the legendary Django Reinhardt. The album has received great praise from the Django community including author Michael Dregni. In 2024 RPQ played their first Django Festival along side with musicians like Joscho Stephan and Sam Farthing.CD Liner notes:The songs on this album are connected to a musical journey that spans several years of my life. The album’s title, I Awake, is an allusion to the great Django Reinhardt, to whom the album is dedicated. Each song, represents a story, a time, a place, a person, a moment, or a feeling - and the album as a whole explores the paradoxical and circular nature of beginning and end.Review by author; Michael Dregni."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!"www.ryanpicone.comYouTube:https://youtube.com/channel/UCOObzW3425-3GpMX5MxHI4g?si=CzuQlEFN_e4NPwcESpotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/2haADtcyLeiW19xT3N80QS?si=Y9hxq-6WSLW5ZWdAEc0MSA

Join us for Pandora’s Other Box LIVE at the Narrows Saloon!

Join us at The Zen Arcade Stage at The Hook and Ladder’s Mission Room on April 26th for the namesake concert, ‘The Mission’ Presented by Assorted Sneaker Geek. Twin Cities artist TWAIN top-lines a night full of indie genre variety, spanning Hip-Hop and R&B/Soul. With support from MN artists Chozen, Don Wonne, FreeGod Sa’Vii, and Thee Alanna Lynn. Music by DJ Cam Jones and hosted by Ni’Cold. Sponsored in part by CONSISTENT COSMETICS™️