Upcoming Events: Winter 2014

A Midsummer Night's Dream at Park Square Theatre
November 14 - 16, 2014
The course of true love never did run smooth, but who expected fairies and magic potions? Shakespeare’s most magical tale returns to Park Square for one weekend of public performances! More information...

Mendelssohn: Saint Paul presented by Oratorio Society of Minnesota
Saturday, November 15, 2014, 7:30 p.m.
The dramatic story of the patron saint of Minnesota’s capital city, Saint Paul was the first of Mendelssohn’s oratorios. Now rarely performed, this monumental masterwork was one of the most popular pieces of the 19th century. More information...

The Music of Little Big Bands presented by JazzMN Orchestra
Saturday, November 22, 2014, 7:30 p.m.
Little big bands - groups larger than a combo but not a full big band - have existed throughout jazz history, but due to the mid-size and often unorthodox instrumentation, these great charts haven't been played nearly enough--something JazzMN will look to remedy come November. More information...

2 Pianos 4 Hands at Park Square Theatre
November 28 - December 28, 2014
Ted and Richard have spent their lives preparing for careers as concert pianists. Now, just as they should be reaching their peak, these old friends have to face their potential – and each other. More information...

4000 Miles at Park Square Theatre
December 5 - 21, 2014
At the end of a grueling cross-country bike trip, restless 21-year-old Leo seeks refuge and a hot shower in his elderly grandmother’s New York apartment. This finalist for the Pulitzer Prize is a stirring reminder of what separates generations and what has the power to bring them together. More information...

Katie McMahon's Celtic Christmas at The O'Shaughnessy
Friday, December 12, 2014 - 7:30pm - A Women of Substance Event
Dubbed Minnesota’s own “Celtic Woman,” Katie McMahon is best known as the original voice of Riverdance. Her ode to the holidays, Celtic Christmas celebrates the season through a family-friendly program of traditional Christmas carols, stories and lively Irish dance. More information...

A Downton Abby Christmas presented by Oratorio Society of Minnesota
Saturday, December 13, 2014, 7:30 p.m.
Inspired by the overwhelming popularity of last season’s Music of Downton Abbey concert and anticipating Season 5 of the PBS television drama, Oratorio Society return to the Gothic splendor of St. Mark’s Cathedral for a program of post-Edwardian English choral and orchestral music for Christmas. More information...

Upcoming winter/spring events:

While the summer's big events and festivals are being finalized, there are still plenty of exciting happenings to get us through this cold winter! Here are a few events to warm you up:

Carnaval Brasileiro (Brazilian Carnival): March 8, 2014. Twin Cities-based band Beira Mar Brasil (led by Robert Everest) hosts a Carnival bash to rival a night in Rio with over 80 singers, drummers, and dancers! For this celebration of the holiday that claims the world's largest party, singer and samba dancer extraordinaire Dandara returns, along with Brazilian percussion ensembles, professional samba dancers, a Brazilian martial arts group, true Brazilian drinks, carnival masks, and face and body painting (just like in Rio!). More at carnavalbrasileiro.org

Park Square presents Cyrano: March 14 - April 6, 2014. An unabashed romance set in the 1640s, with a swashbuckling hero, a case of hidden identity, and a passionate love story. Cyrano will satisfy any theatergoer regardless of age or gender. More at parksquaretheatre.org.

Jazz Noir Live Broadcast from The Dakota: April 27, 2014. For those who long for "the grand old days" of radio, Jazz88 KBEM presents the second installment of Jazz Noir, an original radio drama series complete with live voice actors and musicians in front of a studio audience. There will be two performances--one at 5 p.m. and another at 9 p.m.--and the later performance will be broadcast live on Jazz 88.5 FM. More at jazz88.mpls.k12.mn.us.

Festival of Nations: May 1 - 4, 2014. The Festival of Nations is the largest multi-cultural event in Minnesota. Come and join us as we celebrate over 45 ethnic groups showing how we can have peace among the people at the Festival of Nations at the St. Paul RiverCentre. The Festival offers the opportunity to develop an appreciation and understanding, rather then just a tolerance of the cultures of others and helps educate people as we build towards the future together. More at festivalofnations.com.

Twin Cities Jazz Festival: June 26 – 28, 2014. The Twin Cities Jazz Festival holds its 16^th annual event this June in downtown St. Paul. Recognized as one of the region’s premiere music festivals, the Twin Cities Jazz Festival is a free, three-day festival with performances on three public stages in Mears Park, as well as at dozens of local jazz clubs. Stay tuned for the headliners announcment... More at twincitiesjazzfestival.com

Spring into summer

As the last of the April snow disapears, it's finally beginning to feel more like spring--and a busy spring, at that! Here's a look at some of the upcoming events:

Saturday, April 20: Circus Juventas Presents World Circus Day 2013. Circus Juventas is celebrating World Circus Day with back-to-back benefit performances for Mission Manduhai. Founded by Circus Juventas’ Coach Chimgee Haltarhuu, who grew up in dire conditions in Mongolia, Mission Manduhai works to aid those in her homeland by bringing artistic performances to nomadic people and helping to prevent domestic abuse through education. Tickets go on sale the day of the event at the Circus Juventas Box Office from 9am through show time.

Saturday, April 27: JazzMN presents saxophonist Eric Marienthal. For JazzMN's season finale, they are joined by one of the most highly praised saxophonists around today, Gramming Award-winning Eric Marienthal, for a show that promises to be a real ear-pleaser. More information and tickets »

Sunday, April 28: Jazz88 KBEM presents Jazz Noir, a Live Broadcast Performance. For those who long for “the grand old days” of radio, Jazz Noir is a new, original radio series, complete with live voiceover actors in front of a studio audience. Jazz88 KBEM’s first episode is an original drama, Charles & Avon, that will be performed, recorded and broadcast in front of a live audience from the Artists’ Quarter in downtown Saint Paul.  The radio show will be re-broadcast on KBEM Jazz88 in June 2013. More information and tickets »

May 2 - 5: Festival of Nations 2013. Minnesota’s largest multi-cultural celebration, returns to Saint Paul RiverCentre, bringing together people from a vast array of backgrounds to celebrate their ethnic heritage, learn about other cultures and enjoy great food. New this year, Festival of Nations presents Think Global, Party Local on Friday night with extended hours, international wine tasting, beers from around the world and a lineup of fresh music from international artists like Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, Rahim Alhaj, and Salsa del Soul. More information and tickets »