Author Archives: ZAAC

Mick Sterling presents: At Christmas – 7:30 pm Friday December 23rd, 2016

MickSterling-MemphisMick Sterling’s comedic, dramatic and heartwarming show resonates with the spirit of the season.

Brilliantly written and performed by three celebrated alumni of the legendary Twin Cities comedy theatre Dudley Riggs Brave New Workshop (Shanan Custer, Michelle Cassioppi and Jim Robinson), “At Christmas,” celebrates the humor and tender moments that ring true to many families during this special time of the year.

A charming combination of traditional Christmas songs and lovely original material, the show is performed by a terrific six-piece band featuring Mick Sterling and Peter Guertin.

“At Christmas,” tells the story of the holidays in a refreshingly intimate way that has charmed audiences for years around the region. It’s been called a holiday “Saturday Night Live,” for the whole family!

See Crossings web site for more information and tickets

Anthony Shore’s “Christmas with the King” – 7:30 pm Saturday December 17th, 2016

anthonyshoreAnthony Shore and his All Star band present a festive time celebrating the season with the Christmas songs of Elvis, as well as the year-round classics and favorites. From the singers, to the horns, to the “King himself,” this is Shore’s most popular show, selling out at multiple venues. “Christmas with the King,” is Sat., Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m. at the State Theatre.

Shore never fails to impress and entertain as he performs the songs of Elvis with exceptional quality and utmost respect. His incomparable vocal ability, charismatic stage presence, and approachable demeanor makes him an instant favorite with audiences.

Originally from the United Kingdom, and a lifelong fan of Elvis, Anthony now resides in Minneapolis and works year-round performing in a variety of venues. As an international and award winning Elvis tribute artist, Shore manages to maintain a faithful following of fans while continually attracting new ones.

See Crossings web site for more information and tickets

Monroe Crossing: A Bluegrass Christmas – 4:30 pm Sunday December 11th, 2016 – YES, this is still on today!

monroe-crossingThe Midwest’s premier bluegrass and gospel quintet performs “A Bluegrass Christmas with Monroe Crossing”

Monroe Crossing dazzles audiences with an electrifying blend of classic bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, and heartfelt originals. Their airtight harmonies, razor sharp arrangements, and on-stage
rapport make them audience favorites across the United States, Canada and Europe.

The band is touring in support of their latest CD, “Because You Asked.” This, their 13th
CD, features live recordings of audience-requested favorites recorded during the band’s 2014 tours.

While the evening’s program will include songs from this latest recording, “A Bluegrass
Christmas with Monroe Crossing” prominently features selections from their seasonal sampler “The Happy Holidays.”

Old familiar carols such as “Silver Bells,” “Holly Jolly Christmas,” and “Up on the Housetop” get a warm bluegrass feel from David’s banjo, Lisa’s fiddle and Matt’s mandolin. Audiences can hear seasonal favorites like “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “Oh Come All Ye Faithful,” “Angels We Have Heard on High” and “What Child is This?”

Monroe Crossing also serves up country and bluegrass-inspired tunes like “Christmas Time’s a Comin,’” traditional folk songs including “Christ was Born in Bethlehem,” past hits – from Elvis’ “Blue Christmas” to Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” – some seasonal band originals including the CD’s title track, and a few holiday surprises too.

Named in honor of Bill Monroe, “the Father of Bluegrass,” Monroe Crossing also recently released a tribute CD, Monroe Crossing “Plays the Songs of Bill Monroe,” which features 15 classic bluegrass songs made famous by the “Big Mon” himself, and their third all-gospel recording, “Joy, Joy, Joy.”

See Crossings web site for more information and tickets

The Looney Lutherans Christmas Show — 2 pm Sunday December 11, 2016 – YES, this is still on today!

livin-looney-1Looney Lutheran Ladies
Dec 11, 2016 2 PM
Tickets $18 online or $20 at the Door

Who are: THE LOONEY LUTHERANS? The Looney Lutherans are a trio of wacky gals on tour promoting their new cookbook: USE YOUR FOOD. A GUIDE TO HEALTHY LIVING INSIDE AND OUT, FROM OUR KITCHEN TO YOURS, EAT LIKE A LUTHERAN! Using music, comedy, and some help from the audience, these gals share some age-old wisdom for living a long and healthy life, the Lutheran way. (But you don’t have to be Lutheran to love ‘em)
The Looney Lutherans are a team of professional actresses who have come together in a fun, interactive, family-friendly show. The idea for the Looney Lutherans was “cooked up” in 2006 when the founding members were appearing in the cast of the hit musical CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES at the Plymouth Playhouse in Plymouth, MN. The company has since expanded to include additional “Loonies”, but all of these talented women have been performing for years as professional actresses, writers, singers, and improvisers. As the Looney Lutherans they have appeared together around the country at County Fairs and Festivals, Mother/Daughter Banquets, Red Hat Gatherings, Hospital Fundraisers, Member and Customer Appreciation Events, and at Women’s and Senior Expos. All material is comedic and family friendly.
This holiday performance includes a variety of segments on healthy living the Lutheran way, including: the Lutheran “food wheel” (all roads lead to hotdish); a Lutheran rap (“Eat Like a Lutheran”); and Lutheran beauty tips (you, too, can be a SEXY LUTHERAN!)

Ticket Link: https://red.vendini.com/ticket-software.html?t=tix&e=fd0b3d7ccb424525807623e3abb30d8b

SimpleGifts with Billy McLaughlin – 7:30 pm Saturday December 3rd, 2016

simple-giftsSimpleGifts with Billy McLaughlin combines violin, celtic whistle, piano, acoustic guitar and percussion with angelic three-part female vocals to deliver a “modern Old World” sound in Christmas carols and hymns.

SimpleGifts, an ensemble led by award-winning musician McLaughlin, stays close to the heart of Christmas. With exceptional set and lighting design and an impeccable sound-system, SimpleGifts puts community celebration ahead of commercialization – pulling the audience into the sublime side of traditional repertoire in a truly meaningful Christmas event.

Crossings is thrilled to bring the popular SimpleGifts show back to Zumbrota for the ninth year running.

With little or no media attention, SimpleGifts is arguably the most successful holiday-themed project in the state celebrating exclusively traditional hymns and carols interpreted in modern arrangements. Fueled by passionate grassroots fans since 2001, the tour includes more than a dozen appearances between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve in the Twin Cities metro or within close proximity.

Music from the group’s five critically acclaimed CD releases will be featured. Familiar classics audiences may hear include “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” and “Little Drummer Boy,” while lesser-known songs offer fresh perspectives on the holidays.

Members include Torie Redpath, Amy Courts, Heather Moen (Garborg), Billy Oehrlein, Laura MacKenzie and Billy McLaughlin.
The ensemble’s most recent CD, Wintergrace, is characterized by local music critic Jim Walsh:
“…one of the most elegant and listenable Christmas collections of this or any year — ‘WinterGrace’ from the Billy McLaughlin-led local collective SimpleGifts”

See Crossings web site for more information and tickets

Bridge Over Troubled Water: Collective Unconscious — 7:30 pm Saturday, November 19, 2016

bridgeovertroubledwaterscuCollective Unconscious, along with an 18-piece orchestra, bring the classic Simon & Garfunkel album Bridge Over Troubled Water to the stage in its entirety.

Crossings has brought Collective Unconscious’s popular tribute shows to Zumbrota many times, from the Beatles’ Abbey Road to the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds to Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young’s Déjà vu show. They’ve performed Bridge Over Troubled Water, Simon & Garfunkel’s last studio recording, at the State Theatre as well. CU plays these albums in their entirety and brings in all the musicians and specific instruments necessary to recreate the authentic sound of each song.

Now, Jeff Engholm, Muggsy Lauer and George Maurer return with a full horn section and string quartet for a repeat of this popular show, which includes songs such as “Cecilia,” “The Boxer,” and of course, the title track.

In 1970, Bridge Over Troubled Water was released in the wake of the Beatles’ Abbey Road and all the incredible classic albums of the late 1960s, one of the most influential and creative periods in rock history. Simon stood up to the challenge and created one of the most hauntingly beautiful yet witty records ever. The fifth and final studio album by Simon & Garfunkel, it reached number one on Billboard Music Charts pop albums list, won a Grammy® Award for Album of the Year while its title track won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year and Song of the Year in 1971. It remains, to this day, one of the best selling records Columbia ever released.

See Crossings web site for more information

Neil Young: 71st Birthday Bash — 7:30 pm Saturday November 12, 2016

PowderFingerMinnesota’s premier Neil Young tribute band celebrates his 71st birthday with a tribute to the folk and rock performer’s music.

Powderfinger has been performing their tribute show for more than a decade. Consisting of Mark “Hazzy” Hasbrouck (guitar,vocals) D.B. Curtis (guitar,vocals) Jim Bjorklun (bass,vocals) and Brian Heying (drums), they play all the hits and deeper album cuts that are the favorites of every Young fan. Seemingly effortlessly, they create the Neil Young and Crazy Horse sound everyone loves.

Audiences can expect some long jams and passion fueled guitar playing on classics like “Down by the River,” “Cowgirl in the Sand,” and “Rockin’ in the Free World.” Powderfinger also plays not-to-be-missed hits like “Heart of Gold,” “Old Man,” and “Harvest Moon.” Listeners are treated to a truly great experience for any fan of Young’s music.

Canadian-born Neil Young first performed with a band in Canada, then moved to California. There, he co-founded the band Buffalo Springfield. In 1969 he joined Crosby, Stills & Nash, though he’s also enjoyed a soaring and long-lasting solo career. Known for his guitar work and his voice, he has twice been inducted into the Hall of Fame.

For more information and tickets:  Crossings website