It feels like (false) spring and I am so here for it. Awaken from your winter slumber and check out some live music this week in Northern Minnesota!
First up, Charley Wagner has a show at Revel Brewing in Park Rapids this Thursday at 6 p.m. The gig is a rescheduled from his Finding Home book and music tour earlier this spring. The folk and Americana singer-songwriter will share from his multimedia book alongside music from the Finding Home album.
At the same time and a couple of hours east in Gilbert, Rich Mattson is playing a solo show at the Ore House. He just released a new album with The Northstars, Wake up Songs, his seventh with that group. I'm guessing you'll hear some stripped down versions of those songs if you stop by his regular first Thursday of the month gig at the Ore House.
Jumping to Saturday, the Packsacker Stringband is soundtracking a barn dance at Klockow Brewing in Grand Rapids, 6 p.m. The group, whose name is a tongue-in-cheek reference to living on the Iron Range when you didn’t grow up there, features members of old time string band, Sugar on the Roof. Dance caller Terrance Smith has led contra dances since 1979.
And at the same time at the town’s other brewery, the Grant Edwards Band is playing Rapids Brewing Co. in Grand Rapids. The Americana singer-songwriter's band includes Becky Gaalaas-Krum on vocals, Butch Schmidt on bass and Brady Kacon on drums at 6 p.m. this Saturday.
Thursday, March 5
- Charley Wagner - 6 p.m., Revel Brewing, Park Rapids, free
- Rich Mattson - 6 p.m., Ore House, Gilbert, free
Saturday, March 7
- Packsacker Stringband - 6 p.m., Klockow Brewing, Grand Rapids, free
- Grant Edwards Band - 6 p.m., Rapids Brewing Co., Grand Rapids, free
Events this week include a snowshoe hike in Chisholm, a People Powered Party celebrating a beer brewed in KAXE's honor, and a symphony orchestra showcase in Bemidji.
The weekly live music spotlight is made possible by the citizens of Minnesota through the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
