Category Archives: State Theatre

Collective Unconscious Presents “The Last Waltz” — April 6

Collective Unconscious returns to Zumbrota's State Theatre at 7:30 pm on Saturday, April 6, for their latest concert, The Last Waltz. This tribute to The Band is brought to you by Crossings. Tickets are $32 in advance, $35 the day of the show and can be purchased by calling 732-7616. Doors open at 6:30.

The band that set the bar in magnificent album shows brings to life one of the greatest rock concerts of all time, The Last Waltz. Collective Unconscious is renowned for staging such mega-hits as The Beatles' Abbey Road, The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds, CSNY’s Déjà vu, and most recently as half of the super group that performed Takin’ It To The Limit, a Tribute to The Eagles. For The Last Waltz, the stage will once again be filled with special guests as they bring to life one of the greatest evenings of music ever performed.

Collective Unconscious will be joined by special guests Stacy Bauer, Leon Laudenbach, Mark Hazzy Hasbrouck, Grant Haake, Jeff Lee, and Dan Barth. Collective Unconscious is Nathan Nature Nesje, Jeff Engholm, Muggsy Lauer, George Maurer, and Andy Deckard.

The program includes the hits "Up on Cripple Creek," "The Shape I'm In," "Who Do You Love," and "The Night they Drove Old Dixie Down." Before it was a three-disc album, The Last Waltz was a 1976 farewell concert by The Band, filmed by director Martin Scorsese and made into a documentary of the same name. The concert itself was on Thanksgiving in San Francisco, and The Band was joined on stage by more than a dozen special guests, including Paul Butterfield, Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Dr. John, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Ringo Starr, Muddy Waters, and Neil Young.

The Band, which continued to tour in the '80s without guitarist Robbie Robertson, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. In 2004 Rolling Stone ranked them No. 50 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, and in 2008 The Band received the Grammy's Lifetime Achievement Award.

The State Theatre is located at 96 East 4th Street in Zumbrota.

Movie Event: Sideways — March 22

This More Than a Movie showing brings you right into the film with our very own wine tasting pre-show event! Starting at 6 pm, wine expert Shannon Fitzgibbons will explain the ins and outs of wine and food pairings while you sample the wine and the food. ZZest will be catering artisan cheeses and other fine pastry. Tickets are $20 (movie admission included) and can be reserved by emailing statetheatre@zaac.org.

Make sure you reserve your tickets early–only 40 pre-show tickets are available!

Just interested in seeing the film? No worries. Movie-only tickets will be available at the door for our usual bargain price of $5. The film begins at 7 pm.

Nominated for five Oscars in 2005 (and winning one) "Sideways" stars Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church and Virginia Madsen in a compassionate vintage comedy about friendship and all its imperfections. It follows two men who have reached middle age with not much to show for it but disappointment. They embark on a week long road trip through California's wine country, just as one is about to take a trip down the aisle.

Rated R.

For more information, call (507) 732-5210.

The State Theatre is located at 96 East 4th Street in Zumbrota.

April Verch — March 16

Crossings brings this CD release show to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Saturday, March 16, at 7:30 pm. Internationally renowned fiddler April Verch performs the folk music of Canada and the southern United States, Celtic ballads and more, always finding the heart of the music and singing it truly, with no need to imitate .Tickets are $20 in advance, $22 the day of the show. To purchase tickets call (507) 732-7616.

The April Verch Band—rounded out by bassist and clawhammer banjo player Cody Walters and guitarist Hayes Griffin, who has a Masters in jazz improv from the New England Conservatory— is an energetic, virtuosic, tradition-celebrating outfit, not to mention one that’s not soon forgotten when they depart the stage. It doesn’t hurt that the thrilling grand finale involves Verch fiddling and step dancing—and often executing two entirely different intricate rhythmic patterns—at once.

The trio wins over audiences with sheer musical virtuosity as well as charm, humor and boundless energy on stage. Audiences are also drawn in by subtle things – April's pure voice, the finely detailed elegance of her fiddle phrasing and the depth of a repertoire that ranges from bluegrass to Brazilian to Celtic, from a jaunty Canadian folksong to a poignant contemporary ballad.

Verch doesn’t just perform music, she exudes it, sometimes engaging in fiddle licks so intense her bow sheds hair. This world class fiddler, singer, songwriter and stepdancer has a passion for performing. Her goal is to touch the lives of those who are listening. She became the first woman in history to win both of Canada’s most prestigious fiddle championships, the Grand Masters and the Canadian Open. When Canada hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics, she was asked to represent her country’s music at the opening ceremonies.

April Verch

Tiptoe Through the ’60s — March 9

Join "child of the sixties" Prudence Johnson and fellow musician Dan Chouinard as they perform the music of a revolutionary decade in "Tiptoe Through the '60s" on Saturday, March 9, at 7:30 pm. Crossings is bringing the concert to Zumbrota's State Theatre. Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 the day of the show and can be purchased by calling (507) 732-7616. Doors open at 6:30.

"Tiptoe" features the triumphs, tragedies and trends of the 1960s with over 300 images on two giant screens. Audiences can sing along to songs such as, "Hit the Road Jack," "Surfer Girl," "Blowin' in the Wind," "Hey Jude," and "Hello Dolly." Stories will be shared, and there's even a chance for audience members to become part of the experience by submitting personal stories and song ideas online. Submit your memories or suggestions here!

Prudence Johnson is a true child of the sixties, emerging from the decade freshly graduated from high school and ready to join a hippie commune. However, her life took a different turn. She became a professional singer, recording more than a dozen albums, working in films such as "A River Runs Through It," and "A Prairie Home Companion," touring across the country and the world, and appearing on and off on Garrison Keillor's live weekly radio show. These days, she loves pursuing her passions for history, literature and music as a writer, producer and performer in multi-media shows like "Tiptoe Through the 60s."

Dan Chouinard was born in 1961, too late to remember anything about JFK but in plenty of time to memorize every word of the "Mary Poppins" soundtrack LP. He grew up in Richfield and Lindstrom, learning music along with a houseful of brothers and sisters. He lives in St. Paul and works not only as a pianist and accordionist, but also as the creator and host of live shows for Minnesota Public Radio, the Minnesota Historical Society and many others. When not performing he can be found bicycling interesting places with his tent and accordion.

Dan and Prudence were last seen delighting audiences at the State Theatre for the sold out "Hometown Holiday Show" in December.

Tip Toe Through the 60's!

Prudence Johnson

Dan Chouinard

This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the
Minnesota State Arts Board through an appropriation
by the Minnesota State Legislature from the Minnesota arts and
cultural heritage fund with money provided by a vote of the
people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

Rumours & Dreams: Fleetwood Mac Tribute — March 2

This Saturday night, March 2, the music of an iconic '70s and '80s pop rock band plays again at Zumbrota's State Theatre with “Rumours and Dreams: The Music of Fleetwood Mac.” Tickets are $28 in advance, $30 the day of the show and can be purchased by calling (507) 732-7616. Doors open at 6:30 pm. The show begins at 7:30.

The concert is back by popular demand after filling the vintage theatre a year ago. 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, whom State Theatre audiences remember well from 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 was the 1977 hit “Rumours,” which 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.

“…McNeill packs one helluva punch. The style is originally home-cooked, countrified rock done to a smoldering turn. The execution is emotive, articulate, full-throated vocals. And a world of stage presence.” – The Pulse of the Twin Cities

Pamela McNeill

The State Theatre is located at 96 East 4th Street in Zumbrota, MN.

A Briefcase Full of Blues Brothers — February 23

Crossings brings "A Briefcase Full of Blues Brothers" tribute show to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Saturday, February 23 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $28 in advance, $32 the day of the show. Tickets can be purchased by calling (507) 732-7616. Doors open at 6:30.

Billing themselves as newly discovered siblings of the Blues Brothers, endowed with Elwood's harmonica and sunglasses, nine performers will share all the best songs performed by Jake and Elwood Blues and their friends. "Jake and Elwood Blues restarted the Rhythm and Blues revolution 35 years ago," said Grant F. Haake, who has performed in Zumbrota as a member of the tribute bands Revolution 5 and Trembling Wilburys. The concert will feature music from the movie, as well as songs from Blues Brothers performances and albums.

Haake will assume the persona of Greg Blues, while Jeff Lee (The Receders, Nelson Lee, Trembling Wilburys) takes the role of Leroy Blues. Joining them are Muggsy Lauer and Leon Laudenbach on guitars, Andy Deckard on drums, Ellis Haake on bass, George Maurer on keys, and a horn section consisting of Ken Vork, Keith Haake, Mike Anderson and some special guests.

Bring your sunglasses and orange whips to this electrifying show — Hit it!

More than a Movie: Mamma Mia! – February 9

How can you resist singing along to the hit songs of ABBA in this fun frolic of a film? Make it twice the fun in your favorite 1970s clothing! Saturday, February 9, 7 pm. $5 Admission.

This story of a bride-to-be set on a gorgeous Greek Island is the perfect romantic warm up to Valentine's Day. Will Sophie Sheridan discover who her real father is? It's a fun ride with Donna and the Dynamo's reunited and the island bursting with song: Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, Take A Chance on Me….

Starring Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Amanda Seyfried. Rated PG-13.

For more information call (507) 732-5210

State Theatre, 96 East 4th Street, Zumbrota, MN 55992

The Buddy Holly Bowl – February 3 at 2 pm

Warm up for the BIG GAME at the Buddy Holly Bowl — starring Jimmy Stanley as Buddy Holly and featuring the Red Wing Crickets (Ben Manning, Dave Watson, George Snyder and Don Gaalaas).

Yes, we KNOW there is a major football game scheduled for Sunday evening, but this afternoon concert will give you plenty of time to get to your TV in time to watch the pigskin battle. Why watch empty pre-game commercial padding when you can rock out to the music of the Surf Ballroom heard on that fateful February night 54 years ago?

Tickets are $20 in advance, $22 the day of and are available at Crossings (507-732-7616).

All proceeds benefit the State Theatre Encore Renovation Campaign.

Brought to you by the Zumbrota Area Arts Council.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3zSLVu6neA&list=UUcAH2XqE0pUCpzd_JIbdl8w

SEMYO Silent Films Event – February 1

The Southeastern Minnesota Youth Orchestras is delighted to present the second annual

“Bows, Bowlers and Bassoons: a Silent Film Event”

Moviegoers will step back in time with classic silent films accompanied by SEMYO Concert Orchestra’s live performance of Ben Model’s original music, conducted by Adam Lang-Pearson.

Featured films include:

The Adventurer with Charlie Chaplin, and One Week with Buster Keaton.

The event will be held at the historic State Theatre in Zumbrota, Friday, February 1, at 7 PM. The State Theatre is located at 96 East 4th Street.

Tickets: $12 at the door

For more information, visit www.semyo.org or call (507) 282-1718.

Brought to you in part by Grover Auto Company.

Whitesidewalls Rock ‘n’ Roll Revue – January 25

Crossings brings the Whitesidewalls, a fixture in the Twin Cities music scene for 40 years, to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Friday, January 25 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $20 in advance, $23 the day of the show. Tickets can be purchased by calling (507) 732-7616. Doors open at 6:30.

The Whitesidewalls Rock n Roll Revue is a celebration of doo-wop, rockabilly rock and roll music that will have audiences dancing in their seats. The band first formed in 1971 and played for many years — they played a series of full summer shows at Valleyfair amusement park in Shakopee for 10 years, and in 1985 were named the Minnesota Ballroom Operator's Association's Act of the Year. Then they disbanded for 20 years. One of the early members, Dave "Swannee" Swanson, brought the group back together in 2007. Founder of the group, Pat Brown ("Hound Dog"), continues to play guitar, drums, and bass as well as sing, and is the band's musical director.

Swanson sings and plays guitar, sax, and keyboards. Other members of the band are Rocky Beaumont on drums, bass, guitar and vocals, Gino Gambucci on bass, keyboards, guitar and vocals, and Bobby Maestro on keyboards, bass, and vocals.

The band was inducted into the Mid-American Music Hall of Fame in 2012.