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 »

Half-way through a hot summer, many events are still to come!

Earlier this summer, the 14th annual Twin Cities Jazz Festival, held June 28 - 30 in Saint Paul, set a new record attendance!

Now it’s on to the second annual Lowertown Roots Music Festivalin Mears Park, Saturday July 28th. This year's Roots Music Festival performers include the soulful gospel sounds of Mike Farris, the hard rockin’ Tex Mex band Los Conocidos, jazz pianist Butch Thompson, and the bluesy fiddle playing Minnesota bluegrass band the Barley Jacks with Brian Wicklund. Admission is free, and some local clubs/restaurants will have music on Friday and Saturday evenings. 

In August, Circus Juventas, North America’s largest youth circus, will present their all-new production Showdown. It's a rip-roarin’ Wild West adventure by 70 advance level performers including aerialists, the Wheel of Steel, a 7-man pyramid on the high wire (Circus Juventas is only the third youth circus in history to perform this feat), jugglers, dancers, and more. Performances are August 2–19, and tickets range from $17.50 to $30 with discounts for youth, seniors and groups. Circus Juventas always sells out so don’t wait to get your tickets.

The weekend after Labor Day Weekend, the annual Concrete and Grass Lowertown Music Festival will be held in Mears Park. More information soon.

And to wind down the summer festivities, Festa Italiana returns to Harriet Island September 21st and 22. A dozen great Italian restaurants are booked, cultural exhibits have been expanded, and a third stage has been added. Don't miss the Wheels of Italy car show, the St. Paul Yacht Club's flotilla, gondola rides on the Mississippi, shopping for Italian wares, a police escorted “Tour the Town” charity motorbike ride conducted by the Ducati Owners of Minneapolis, and the outdoor Catholic Mass Saturday afternoon at 4:30. Admission is free. 

For more information on any one of the above events, download a press release on the Media Resources page.

Spring-time in the Twin Cities

After an unusually mild winter, spring has come early for the Twin Cities! And what a better way to celebrate the nice weather than by getting out and enjoying one of the many cultural offerings found in Minneapolis/St. Paul! Here's what's coming up:

• Cory Wong releases Quartet/Quintet, a double-disk set showcasing his jazz diversity on April 23. Attend the CD release party on Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21 at 9:00 p.m., at the Artists' Quarter in downtown Saint Paul. $10 cover.
• Terell Stafford, one of the greatest trumpeters of our time, is performing with the JazzMN Orchestra on April 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hopkins High School Performing Arts Center. Tickets at http://jazzmn.org/tickets or by calling 1-866-811-4111.
• Park Square Theatre presents Doubt, A Parable, starring Linda Kelsey, April 20 - May 13. As Sister Aloysius battles for truth and personal integrity, this play will leave you with questions to ponder long after the curtain goes down. Tickets and info at www.ParkSquareTheatre.org.
• Festival of Nations celebrates 80 years with its return to the Saint Paul RiverCentre on Thursday, May 3 through Sunday, May 6. This family-friendly festival brings together people from a vast array of backgrounds to celebrate their ethnic heritage through exhibits, food, music, dance, and personal connections. Tickets and more info at www.festivalofnations.com.

For more information on any one of the above events, download a press release on the Media Resources page.