Crossings brings back Pamela McNeill Productions to perform this tribute with reverence, power and emotion.

Ronstadt is an American treasure, having earned 11 Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, and numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum and multi-platinum albums, in addition to Tony Award and Golden Globe nominations.

With a band made up of some of the Midwest’s finest players – including many members of the highly successful “Rumours and Dreams: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac,” familiar to Crossings audiences – and the incredible, heartfelt vocals of McNeill and Mary Jane Alm, this concert is sure to please fans. The show has sold out every theater it has performed in – including multiple nights at both Pioneer Place Theater in St. Cloud and at The Chanhassen Dinner Theater in Chanhassen.

Some of the many songs featured in this show are “When Will I Be Loved,” “Blue Bayou,” “Heatwave,” “You’re No Good,” “Ooh Ooh Baby,” “It’s So Easy,” “Poor Poor Pitiful Me,” and “Hurt So Bad.”

Link to Crossings web site for tickets

Charlie Parr’s heartfelt and plaintive original folk blues and traditional spirituals don’t strive for authenticity: They are authentic. Crossings brings Parr to the State Theatre on Sat., March 12, at 7:30 p.m.

It’s the music of a self-taught guitarist and banjo player who grew up without a TV but
with his dad’s recordings of America’s musical founding fathers, including Charley Patton
and Lightnin’ Hopkins, Woody Guthrie and Leadbelly. With his long scraggly hair, “Father Time” beard, thrift-store workingman’s flannel and jeans, and emphatic, throaty voice, Parr looks and sounds the part entirely.

Parr released a new studio album, “Stumpjumper,” in Spring 2015. Long a part of the vibrant Duluth music scene (Low, Trampled by Turtles), Parr traveled to North Carolina to record this album with fellow musician Phil Cook (Megafaun, Hiss Golden Messenger). This is the first album Parr recorded outside of Minnesota, and the first to feature a full band.

Percussive and raw, the 11 songs on “Stumpjumper,” (10 originals and his version of the venerable murder ballad, “Delia”) could be lost field recordings from another era. His blistering picking — he switches between acoustic guitar, dobro and banjo — and keening, cut-through-the-crowd vocals resonate with a conviction that runs deep and true.

Parr plays an 1890 banjo, a 12-string guitar and a resonator. Most of his recordings, including “Roustabout” (2008), “Jubilee” (2007), “Rooster” (2005), “King Earl” (2004), “1922” (2002) and “Criminals and Sinners” (2001) eschew typical studio settings. He has recorded in warehouses, garages, basements and storefronts, usually on vintage equipment, which gives his work the historic feel of field recordings.

A beloved regional artist, with a fan base spanning as far as Ireland and Australia, Parr, who grew up in Austin, draws inspiration from the alternately fertile and frozen soil of Minnesota.

Crossings site: Info & Tickets

With charm, delight and musical adventure, “For the Birds” unites the creativity of the Minnesota music and arts community in a combination of new music, poignant stories, verbal artistry and innovative direction. The high-flying show featuring Zeitgeist and Kevin Kling will land at the State Theatre Fri., March 11, at 7:30 p.m.

This chamber work debuted in 2010 and has since delighted audiences across Minnesota. It highlights St. Paul-based new music champions Zeitgeist, stories and poetry by humorist, writer and narrator Kevin Kling, and music by composer Victor Zupanc of the Children’s Theater Company.

“For the Birds” features a series of musical pieces celebrating our feathered friends and drawing parallels with our own human nature. Kevin Kling’s insightful storytelling is intertwined with this utterly delightful music to create an evening of joy, hope, and healing.

“For the Birds” truly showcases the amazing creativity of Minnesota artists and musicians. We enjoy sharing the charm of Minnesota and the talents of the writers, composers and musicians we have the wonderful fortune to work with,” said Heather Barringer, artistic co-director and percussionist for Zeitgeist.

“For the Birds” is made possible through the support of The Jerome Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the many donors to the Zeitgeist Commissioning Collective. Zeitgeist’s “For the Birds” tour is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Crossings site for tickets: Info & Tickets

For over 40 years, BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet have blended the rich Cajun traditions of Louisiana with elements of zydeco, New Orleans Jazz, country and blues to become the most esteemed Cajun group in music. Crossings brings the Grammy award-winning Cajun band to the State Theatre.

Born out of the rich Acadian ancestry of its members, and created and driven by bandleader Michael Doucet’s spellbinding fiddle playing and soulful vocals, BeauSoleil is notorious for bringing even the most staid audience to its feet. BeauSoleil’s distinctive sound derives from the distilled spirits of New Orleans jazz, blues rock, folk, swamp pop, Zydeco, country and bluegrass, captivating listeners from the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans to Carnegie Hall, then all the way across the pond to Richard Thompson’s Meltdown Festival in England.

The band performs with a resounding authenticity all the while bringing a refreshed playfulness to the genre – the fiddle, flatpicked guitar and accordion carry driving melodies over the two-step and waltz dance beats characteristic of their Cajun and Zydeco music, but not without the country, jazz and blues leanings that informed the genre in the 1920s.

A 12-time Grammy award nominee, and two time Grammy award winner (1998 & 2010), BeauSoleil were the first Cajun Band ever to win a Grammy. They have released 25 albums. Recognizing Michael Doucet for his involvement with the Cajun world, The National Endowment for the arts awarded him with National Heritage fellowship in 2005 as well s the united states artist fellowship in 2007.

A frequent guest on Garrison Keillor’s NPR show “A Prairie Home Companion,” BeauSoleil have also made appearances on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “Austin City Limits,” the Super Bowl XXXI pre-game show, and HBO’s New Orleans based hit show “Treme.”

“The best Cajun Band in the world”
-Garrison Keillor, Prairie Home Companion

Crossings link for tickets:
http://www.crossingsatcarnegie.com/concertpages/beausoleil.html

“An Evening with Mark Twain”

Spend an Evening with the First American Superstar.

As the lights dim you are transported to the study of America’s most popular author and humorist, Mark Twain who comes to life when regionally known actor/writer Michael Bateson performs his well known  “An Evening with Mark Twain”. During this intimate two hour performance, Bateson recreates many of the humorous stories and sketches about the life which made Mark Twain one of the most sought after lecturers and after dinner speakers in the world. As a Twain scholar, Bateson incorporates a wealth of stories and information about Twain’s life as a writer, husband, father and Mississippi riverboat man. At the performance conclusion Twain invites questions from the audience about his life, opinions, books, and family. This wonderfully interactive element adds a unique and memorable element to the performance.

Free show, being held in conjunction with Zumbrota Library’s Zumbrota Reads Program. At the Zumbrota State Theatre.

All things Fly Fishing for seasoned anglers and beginners, this is a unique event! Speakers will share their expertise and knowledge of this classic pastime and offer tips and practical advice. The event includes a silent auction, with opportunities for participants to bid on a Fly-fishing weekend for 2 in northern Minnesota and half-day excursions in SE Minnesota with well-seasoned locals. An equipment swap will be part of the fun. Bring your Fly rods, reels, creels, waders, vests, flies and fly tying equipment that you are looking to swap-commission free- or pick up some good deals! This event is a fundraiser for The Historic State Theatre!
Keynote Speakers include Bob Nasby, 2014 Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, Bob White,2009 Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame as a Legendary Artist, and local trout fisherman, Bruce Johnston, who will share his expertise in fishing local streams, steelhead streams of northwestern Wisconsin, and tying flies. A silent auction that includes a Northern Minnesota weekend for two and a half-day local excursion is included. $12 Adults $6 Kids under 16. This event is sponsored by ZAAC and SEMAC

For more information and tickets, Click Here

No costumes. No ridiculous nonsense. Just the music, as Zeppelin would have played it on a stage. It swings. It cries. It feels the blues. Blimp performs its tribute to Led Zeppelin at the State Theatre.

Blimp includes Collective Unconscious members and collaborators popular for several shows at the State Theatre, including tributes to The Beatles, the Band, Eagles, Beach Boys, and Janis Joplin.

The tribute band represents Zeppelin in all of its facets: The band that invented stadium rock, yet created some of the most beautiful acoustic music ever recorded. Led Zeppelin’s influences on rock history are on par with the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and the Allman Brothers.

Blimp plays the hits, including “Rock ’n Roll,” “Heartbreaker/Living Loving Maid,” “All of My Love,” and of course, “Stairway to Heaven.”

Audiences can experience the raw, live power of this quintessential band with Blimp. Stacy Bauer’s uncompromising performance as lead singer Robert Plant is an experience in itself, and Mark Hasbrouck’s guitar playing will drop the jaws of aspiring guitar players everywhere. The driving power of Duffy and Jeff Engholm’s rhythm section provide the rock solid rails this rock ’n roll train needs to roll.

Blimp is the music of Zeppelin. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Crossings link for tickets:
http://www.crossingsatcarnegie.com/concertpages/blimp_ledzeppelin.html

Crossings brings Robby Vee & his Rock-n-Roll Caravan, featuring Strings & Things violin section, to the State Theatre for a concert full of love songs and rock-n-roll. “Vee for Valentine,” is Sat., Feb. 13, at 7:30 p.m.

A limited number of patrons may choose a catered dinner option, served at Crossings before the concert, from Pine Island’s esteemed Rainbow Café.

$29.90 plus tax and tip (tax and tip, $6.50)
Catered by Rainbow Café of Pine Island, a restaurant focused on locally-sourced foods and owned and operated by 2 chefs formerly working at several highly esteemed Rochester restaurants.

Those who buy dinners can also choose where they want to sit at the concert, and their seats will be reserved for them.
Arrive at 5:45 for dinner served at 6 p.m. in the Crossings gallery. Menu:

Garden Vegetable Lasagna
Fresh Baguettes with Herb Butter
Salad Greens
Caprese Skewers
Spinach Fritters
Butternut Squash Soup Shooter
Dessert with Muggsy’s Coffee

Wine and beer will be available for purchase.

Second generation rocker & Canadian Rockabilly Hall of Famer Vee has been called “The Prince Of Twang.” The son of Bobby Vee, he has been performing his unique style of rock-n-roll music for years on stages across the globe.

Having been on tour with the legends and architects of rock-n-roll, Vee has learned from, and shared credits and stages with, James Burton, Carl Perkins, Albert Lee, Little Richard, the Everly Brothers, Sir Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Dion, The Righteous Brothers, Buddy Holly’s Crickets, and Dick Clark and his ‘Caravan of Stars Rock ‘N’ Roll Show.’

Vee is known for combining elements of his vast repertoire and telling stories that bridge the generation gap from the roots of rock-n-roll to the new sounds of Americana music of today. As an entertainer with six studio records to his name, countless guest artist credits, and a history of extensive touring, Vee has captured the attention of audiences and respected industry professionals both nationally and internationally.

Claude Hall, radio-TV editor of Billboard Magazine writes, “If this guy had been around during the era of Elvis, he would have given Elvis a run for his money.”

Vee is currently touring to audiences worldwide with his “Rock-n-Roll Caravan Show,” featuring the Strings & Things violin section. The Caravan Show pays tribute to the golden era of rock n’ roll with a tip of the hat to his father Bobby Vee and music legend Buddy Holly.

For an extra-special Valentine’s date, patrons attending the concert may also enjoy dinner at the Crossings gallery. This dinner, from Rainbow Café, includes garden vegetable lasagna, fresh baguettes with herb butter, salad greens, caprese skewers, spinach fritters, butternut squash soup shooter, and dessert with Muggsy’s coffee. Dinner is $29.90 plus tax and tip, and wine and beer will be available for purchase. Dinner is served at 6 p.m., and diners may choose their seats for the concert, which will be reserved for them.

Rainbow Café is owned and operated by two chefs who have worked in the kitchens of Sontes, City Café and Prescott’s in Rochester. They focus on locally-sourced foods when creating their delicious meals.

Crossings link for tickets:
http://www.crossingsatcarnegie.com/concertpages/robbyvee_valentine.html

The thematic songs of Rock‘n’Roll Hall of Fame recipients Bruce Springsteen and Bob Seger have provided a memorable soundtrack for anyone with a car radio or record player.

Crossings link for tickets: Info & Tickets