Author Archives: ZAAC

Peter Mayer — May 3

Crossings brings Peter Mayer to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Saturday, May 3 at 7:30 pm.

Tickets are $20 in advance, $22 at the door, and can be purchased online or by calling 507-732-7616. Doors open at 6:30 pm.

Peter Mayer’s songs have been compared to Shaker furniture – clean and light, yet hardly simple. Mayer's impressive guitar skills make playing his music seem deceptively easy.

Mayer’s songs are about interconnectedness and the human journey; about the beauty and the mystery of the world. But there’s plenty of humor, too, in songs like, “Snuffleupagus,” and “Fake Plant.”

Mayer, who once studied at seminary before pursuing a career in music, has toured full-time since 1995. He has gathered a dedicated following, selling out shows from Minnesota to Texas, New England to Colorado. He has nine CDs to his credit, and has sold over 50,000 of them independently.

Mayer is an artist of relevance and insight whose music is not to be missed.

Peter Mayer

The State Theatre is located at 96 East 4th Street in Zumbrota. For more information call 507-732-5210.

Rumours & Dreams — April 26

SOLD OUT

Crossings brings "Rumours & Dreams: The Music of Fleetwood Mac" to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Saturday, April 26, at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $28 in advance, $30 at the door, and can be purchased online or by calling 507-732-7616. Doors open at 6:30 pm.

This popular concert celebrating the iconic ’70s and ’80s band has sold out our vintage theatre two years running. Singer/songwriter Pamela McNeill has assembled an all-star band to bring the music of Fleetwood Mac to life. Joining her will be Minnesota Music Hall of Famer Mary Jane Alm along with Jeff Engholm, heard by State Theatre audiences at Collective Unconscious concerts. Also in the band are Tom Bard, Jay Graf, and Dugan McNeill.

Concert-goers will revel in the group’s hits, including, “The Chain,” “Landslide,” “Rhiannon,” and “Don’t Stop (Thinking about Tomorrow).” Some deeper cuts will gratify the most dedicated fans of this British-American rock band.

McNeill’s distinctive “voice of a fiery angel,” lends itself to the music, while the impeccable musicianship of the band and Engholm’s vocals top it off like whipped cream on a sundae.

Fleetwood Mac formed in 1967 in London. Their second album after the incorporation of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, 1977's “Rumours,” produced four U.S. Top 10 singles (including Nicks’ song “Dreams,” which was the band's first and only U.S. number one). The album remained at No.1 on the American albums chart for 31 weeks. To date the album has sold over 40 million copies worldwide, making it the ninth highest selling album of all time.

Pamela McNeill

The State Theatre is located at 96 East 4th Street in Zumbrota. For more information call 507-732-5210.

Peter Yarrow — April 24

Crossings brings Peter Yarrow to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Thursday, April 24, at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $35 in advance, $38 at the door, and can be purchased online or by calling 507-732-7616. Doors open at 6:30 pm.

Answering the requests of enthusiastic audience members, Crossings brings Peter Yarrow of legendary folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary back to Zumbrota's State Theatre. Yarrow is a singer and songwriter whose social commentary has always been part of his music and his life.

Yarrow co-wrote one of Peter, Paul and Mary’s most famous songs, “Puff, the Magic Dragon,” and his songwriting also worked its magic with “Day is Done,” “Light One Candle,” and “The Great Mandala.” The trio earned a 1996 Emmy nomination for the Great Performances special “LifeLines Live,” a highly acclaimed celebration of folk music. The trio enjoyed a career that spanned nearly 50 years, and early on became an icon of folk music of the 1960s.

Music was part of Yarrow’s upbringing; he graduated from what was then called the High School of Music and Art in New York City. He graduated from Cornell University in 1959 and met Noel “Paul” Stookey and Mary Travers in New York City's Greenwich Village at a time when American folk music was experiencing a revival.

The trio’s first album, “Peter, Paul & Mary,” was released in 1962 and remained in the Top Ten for 10 months and in the Top Twenty for two years. More than two million copies sold.

Also a political activist, Yarrow has voiced his opposition to the Vietnam War, sought to instill character training in public education, and founded Operation Respect with a mission to “assure each child and youth a respectful, safe and compassionate climate of learning where their academic, social and emotional development can take place free of bullying, ridicule and violence.”

Yarrow has also turned his attention to encouraging folk music and musicians through a key role in founding the New Folks Concert series at both the Newport Folk Festival and the Kerrville Folk Festival.

Peter Yarrow

The State Theatre is located at 96 East 4th Street in Zumbrota. For more information call 507-732-5210.

Daniel Roebuck Presents Documentaries — April 10

Daniel Roebuck Presents Documentaries at Zumbrota’s State Theatre

Join actor Daniel Roebuck for a fun and free evening of entertainment at 7:30 pm on Thursday, April 10, at Zumbrota's historic State Theatre, located at 96th East 4th Street.

Roebuck, currently filming His Neighbor Phil in Zumbrota, will screen two documentaries that he has recently produced, written and directed.

The first, MONSTERMANIACS, examines the pop cultural phenomenon of people who collect horror movie memorabilia — Roebuck being one of them. The second documentary, CAVE GIRL, A SECOND JOURNEY BACK IN TIME is a tongue in cheek look back at the very first film in which Roebuck starred. This event will be the debut screening of the Cave Girl documentary.

Daniel Roebuck is one of the hardest working character actors in Hollywood. He has starred in countless movies and television shows including MATLOCK, THE FUGITIVE, LOST, AGENT CODY BANKS and hundreds more.

The actor will also take part in a no holds barred Q and A after the screenings.

Doors open at 6:30 pm. Donations to support operations at the State Theatre will be gratefully accepted. The State Theatre is owned and operated by the Zumbrota Area Arts Council, on the web at zaac.org.

Monroe Crossing — April 11

Crossings brings Monroe Crossing to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Friday, April 11, at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 at the door, and can be purchased online or by calling 507-732-7616. Doors open at 6:30 pm.

Monroe Crossing dazzles audiences with an electrifying blend of classic bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, and heartfelt originals. Audiences will delight in their airtight harmonies, razor sharp arrangements, and on-stage rapport.

The Minnesota-based band plays an average of 125 shows a year at major venues and festivals, and in 2013 played at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The band, named in honor of Bill Monroe, “the Father of Bluegrass,” sounds fresh as a new day but true to the authentic bluegrass of Bill Monroe’s day.

Monroe Crossing is made up of five very distinct personalities with differing musical backgrounds and tastes, combining for a very unique ensemble sound. They are Derek Johnson: guitar, lead & harmony vocals; Lisa Fuglie: fiddle, mandolin, lead and harmony vocals; Matt Thompson: mandolin, fiddle, baritone vocals; Mark Anderson: bass and bass vocals; and David Robinson: banjo. Their paths crossed through the music of Bill Monroe so they like to say they had a “Monroe Crossing.”

Among many honors, Monroe Crossing showcased at the International Bluegrass Music Association Convention and was inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame. The only bluegrass band ever nominated as “Artist of the Year” by the Minnesota Music Academy (MMA), Monroe Crossing has won an MMA “Bluegrass Album of the Year” award.

This activity 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.

Monroe Crossing

The State Theatre is located at 96 East 4th Street in Zumbrota. For more information call 507-732-5210.

The Beatles, Part 2: A Rockumentary — April 5

Crossings brings Justin Ploof and the Throwbacks to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Saturday, April 5 at 7:30 pm for "The Beatles, Part 2: A Rockumentary." Tickets are $22 in advance, $25 at the door, and can be purchased online or by calling 507-732-7616. Doors open at 6:30 pm.

Hear the music of The Beatles while enjoying news and film clips about the groups’ “Sgt. Pepper’s” years at “The Beatles: Part 2,” a concert and “rockumentary” by Justin Ploof and the Throwbacks.

Crossings is bringing the band back for this second installment of a Beatles tribute concert. Most importantly, the Throwbacks authentically reproduce the music of The Beatles, this time covering the time span when the band stopped touring and devoted themselves entirely to the studio. They released the legendary masterpiece “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and ushered in a new form of record making.

Beyond the music, the audience will “Witness the End of an Era,” through stories, anecdotes and fascinating facts chronicled on vintage footage and other media.

The Beatles would continue in their dominance of the Billboard Charts through this era, posting another 10 number one hits, as well as continue to change pop’s musical landscape with five chart-topping albums. In the end, they would leave a music catalogue that started a revolution and that still influences pop and rock music today.

The Throwbacks performed “The Beatles: Part 1” in Zumbrota the first of March. The core group is comprised of Justin Ploof, Jason Ploof, and Dan Ploof. They have a multitude of professional music experience and have shared the stage with the likes of Soul Asylum, Bobby Vee, Joan Jett, and Jessie Lang. Their incredible attention to detail and quality of musicianship will wow audiences from the first chord. They work to emulate the songs the way the artists meant for them to be performed.

Justin Ploof & the Throwbacks

Doobie Brothers Tribute — March 29

Crossings brings The Fabulous Armadillos & Collective Unconscious to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Saturday, March 29, at 7:30 pm for "Takin' It to the Streets: A Doobie Brothers Tribute". Tickets are $34 in advance, $38 at the door, and can be purchased online or by calling 507-732-7616. Doors open at 6:30 pm.

Early ticket purchases for this show are strongly recommended.

The Fabulous Armadillos and Collective Unconscious, the same group that sold out both performances of their much talked about Eagles tribute, are uniting once again to bring you the unique vocals, soul and power of the Doobie Brothers in “Takin It To The Streets: A Doobie Brothers Tribute.”

The audience will hear hits like “Black Water,” “Minute By Minute,” “What A Fool Believes,” “Takin It To The Streets,” and many more. The Doobie Brothers continue to make music, releasing “World Gone Crazy,” in 2010.

The band started playing around northern California in 1970, and quickly became a favorite of local Hells Angels chapters. Over the next five years, they often performed at a favorite biker venue, the Chateau Liberté in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Their second album, “Toulouse Street,” included hits, “Listen to the Music,” and “Jesus Is Just Alright,” and brought the band their breakthrough success after its release in July 1972.

Crossings concert-goers know “The Dillos” and Collective Unconscious from their collaborative tribute to The Eagles, as well as concerts each band has performed on their own. The Fabulous Armadillos put on a wildly successful Motown show, while CU has brought “album concerts” featuring the music of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, The Beach Boys, Simon & Garfunkel, and The Beatles.

Seeing these bands in the vintage 270-seat State Theatre, surrounded by enthusiastic fans, is an experience music-lovers won’t soon forget. Concert-goers should plan on getting up out of their seats to dance through the concert, and for the ovations at the end of the show!

The Fabulous Armadillos

Collective Unconscious

The State Theatre is located at 96 East 4th Street in Zumbrota. For more information call 507-732-5210.

Movie: To Kill A Mockingbird — March 28

ZUMBROTA READS!

To celebrate this year's Zumbrota Reads selection, the State Theatre is showing

TO KILL A Mockingbird

Friday, March 28

FREE Admission made possible by a generous donation from Z-Theatre

Doors open at 6:15 pm

6:30 pm Special presentation by the Diversity Council of Rochester

7:30 pm Showtime

Not Rated

Atticus Finch, a lawyer in the Depression-era South, defends a black man against an undeserved rape charge, and his kids against prejudice.

We have the best popcorn around and all our treats are at family friendly prices!

The State Theatre is located at 96 East 4th Street in Zumbrota. (507) 732-5210.

Peter Ostroushko & Dean Magraw — March 22

Crossings brings Peter Ostroushko and Dean Magraw to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Saturday, March 22, at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 at the door, and can be purchased online or by calling 507-732-7616. Doors open at 6:30 pm.

Peter Ostroushko, one of the finest mandolin and fiddle players in acoustic music, and guitarist, composer, arranger and producer Dean Magraw reunite once again. The two legendary musicians played as a duo for 15 years. Both known for bringing together many musical styles, their concerts will leave audiences astounded and with a new appreciation for the similarities among musical traditions.

Because their musical interests roam so widely, each man has teamed up with other musicians for performances and recordings in every style from punk-folk to jazz, Celtic to country.

Ostroushko’s tours have taken him to clubs, performing arts centers, music festivals and theatres across North America and Europe, and he has earned an international reputation as a versatile and dazzling musician and composer. He is at his most passionate playing a rich ethnic mix of music, at the heart of which is his Ukrainian heritage. His term for his mixture of musical styles is “sluz duz,” a phrase roughly meaning “over the edge” or “off his rocker.”

He has recorded with artists such as Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Greg Brown, and Taj Mahal. His first recording session was contributing the mandolin parts for Bob Dylan’s epochal Blood on the Tracks. As a composer, Ostroushko has written works that have been performed by the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Minnesota Sinfonia, the Rochester (Minnesota) Symphony Orchestra, and more.

Magraw’s 30-year career in music has seen him teamed up with the well-known Irish group Altan, Japanese shamisen prodigy Nitta Masahiro, classical violinist Nigel Kennedy, singers Claudia Schmidt and Ruth MacKenzie, and Boiled in Lead. He leads his own jazz trio and quintet, and has recorded with Celtic, Indian and Hungarian musicians as well.

Peter Ostroushko

Dean Magraw

The State Theatre is located at 96 East 4th Street in Zumbrota. For more information call 507-732-5210.

Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole — March 8

Crossings brings Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Saturday, March 8, at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $18 in advance, $21 at the door, and can be purchased online or by calling 507-732-7616. Doors open at 6:30 pm.

Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole resurrect the ancient sounds of the French and Spanish contra dance and bourré alongside the spiritual rhythms of the Congo tribes of West Africa, and are counted among the brightest talents emerging in Cajun, Creole and Zydeco music.

Watson plays fiddle and accordion, writes songs and sings. While he once performed French music, he has turned to traditional roots and incorporated Native American and African Congo ceremonial rhythms and sounds. His own diverse ancestry (African, Native American, French and Spanish) seems to drive his interest in the music of ancient cultures in far-flung places.

The four-time Grammy nominated artist and his band put on an incredible performance every time, rich in rhythm and poetry. With an apparently bottomless repertoire of songs at his fingertips, Cedric plays everything from forgotten Creole melodies and obscure Dennis McGee reels to more modern Cajun and Zydeco songs, even occasionally throwing in a bluegrass fiddle tune or an old string band number.

Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole

The State Theatre is located at 96 East 4th Street in Zumbrota. For more information call 507-732-5210.