Music festivals have arrived for the year in Northern Minnesota, with Festival Rialto this Saturday in Grand Rapids. KAXE is a media sponsor and host of the festival's side stage. Come say hi!
Before the festival, there are a couple of shows around the area Friday night.
Bemidji rock and soul band Mudsong is celebrating the release of its new album Reverberations this Friday at Rail River Folk School. They will be joined by Americana jam band Forge North from Longville. Music starts at 7 p.m.
In Crosby, Americana singer-songwriter Scott Jasmin is playing at the Cana Wine Bar, Friday evening at 7 p.m.
Thirteen acts will be in Grand Rapids this Saturday for Rapids Brewing's Festival Rialto, and KAXE is a media sponsor and host of the side stage. The festival is put on by the brewery and local band Wild Horses, who are the headliners alongside the Cactus Blossoms and Them Coulee Boys. The festival has two stages, with one starting right after the other finishes for a full day of non-stop music.
On the KAXE side stage the lineup includes the bluesy Colleen "Boss Mama" Myhre, Duluth folk singer Ross Thorn, eclectic duo Between Howls, Americana group The International Treasures with Nikki Lemire, the Grand Rapids High School Jazz Band (always a festival favorite) and side stage closer Teeth, an electric and buzzed about blues rock trio from Mankato.

Rounding out the full festival are Little Fevers, Clay Fulton & The Lost 40, Maygen & The Birdwatcher and Loadstone. Music begins at noon.
Friday, June 6
- Mudsong and Forge North - 7 p.m., Rail River Folk School, Bemidji, free
- Scott Jasmin - 7 p.m., Cana Wine Bar, Crosby, free
Saturday, June 7
- Festival Rialto - noon, Rapids Brewing Co., Grand Rapids, $55
The weekly live music spotlight is made possible by the citizens of Minnesota through the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.