Tag Archives: crossings

Flappers, Miners & Moonshiners — February 7

Crossings brings Dan Chouinard and Prudence Johnson to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Saturday, February 7 at 7:30 pm for "Minnesota in the 1920s: Flappers, Miners and Moonshiners."

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.

Join Prudence and Dan on a journey back to Minnesota in the Jazz Age, featuring songs, vintage photographs and stories. Audience members are invited to sing along to “My Blue Heaven,” "Ain’t We Got Fun?,” “Side by Side,” “Stardust,” and many more as golden-voiced Johnson and pianist and accordionist Dan Chouinard travel back in time through music and stories of life on the farm, on the reservation, in the nightclubs of St. Paul, and the mining towns of the Iron Range.

Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) listeners will recognize Johnson as a regular on “A Prairie Home Companion” weekly radio show. Her more than 30-year music career has taken her from nightclubs and honky-tonks to Carnegie Hall, from the theater stage to the Silver Screen (Robert Redford’s “A River Runs Through It” and “A Prairie Home Companion” the movie), from the Midwest to the Middle East.

Chouinard is a Minneapolis native who plays, tours and records regularly with an ever-expanding roster of local and national performers. Chouinard regularly creates special programs which blend storytelling, interview and music, many of these for Minnesota Public Radio. He recently appeared at the State Theatre headlining, for the third year, a hometown holiday performance and sing-along that also features local talent.

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

Danzig the Hypnotist — February 6

Crossings brings Danzig The Hypnotist to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Friday, February 6, at 7:30 pm for the Comedy Hypnosis Show! Tickets are $12 in advance, $14 at the door, (student price $8/$10) and can be purchased online or by calling 507-732-7616. Doors open at 6:30 pm.

The Zumbrota State Theatre will be jumping with fun, laughter and excitement as Master Hypnotist David Danzig electrifies the audience with his hilarious Comedy Hypnosis Show!

During the show, volunteers will undergo a complete transformation. The pandemonium is all great fun and will have the audience laughing non-stop from start to finish during this special appearance.

Hypnosis is a unique entertainment and has been called one of the greatest shows on earth. It combines the fun of total audience participation with the incredible abilities of the mind. Audience members will laugh and applaud friends and neighbors onstage as they behave in ways they never have before. The quietest introvert may well become the star of the show!

Every person that has the desire can be hypnotized, says Danzig, who is able to accentuate the talents and creativity of his volunteers with no embarrassment.

“I look forward to seeing everyone at the show, and yes, it is for real. If you have any doubts, volunteer to join me up on stage!” Danzig said.

For more than 20 years, David Danzig has entertained audiences by demonstrating the incredible and limitless potential of the human mind. For most people, these abilities remain untapped. But for those who attend a Danzig the Hypnotist appearance, the world becomes a place where anything is possible. Danzig proves that human potential is defined only by what we choose to believe. Witness amazing feats of strength, incredible demonstrations of memory, and hilarious exhibitions of creativity.

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

Peter Ostroushko & Dean Magraw — January 31

Crossings brings Peter Ostroushko & Dean Magraw to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Saturday, January 31, 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 joins guitarist, composer, arranger, and producer Dean Magraw for a return trip to Zumbrota.

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 player Nigel Kennedy, classical violinist Nigel Kennedy, singers Claudia Schmidt and Ruth MacKenzie, and Boiled in Lead. He leads his own jazz trio and quintet, and recorded with Celtic, Indian and Hungarian musicians as well.

"[Magraw’s] passion transcends all perceived musical boundaries, yet the vital essence of his distinctive style is ever-present, whether he’s performing and recording as a solo artist, [or] leading his own ensembles." –Pamela Espeland – MinnPost.com

Peter Ostroushko

Dean Magraw

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

Love Potion #10 — January 24

Crossings brings The Whitesidewalls to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Saturday, January 24, at 7:30 pm for Love Potion #10. Tickets are $24 in advance, $27 at the door, and can be purchased online or by calling 507-732-7616. Doors open at 6:30 pm.

Love Potion #10 tells the story of six days in 1964 at a small-town high school, through the eyes and ears of the popular local AM radio disc jockey. The story lends itself to the doo-wop, rockabilly and rock and roll gold of the 50s and 60s, while offering plenty of comedy, intrigue and romance to boot. Performed by The Whitesidewalls and Michael Patrick "Records" Ryan as himself.

Both Ryan and The Whitesidewalls Rock n Roll Revue are fixtures in the Twin Cities music scene.

While Ryan pursues the girl of his dreams during a 40-year class reunion of the Northeast Southwestern High School, The Whitesidewalls Rock n Roll Revue touch all the bases on a run through the great music of 1954-1964. Audiences will hear Rock Around the Clock, popularized by Bill Haley and His Comets, Great Balls of Fire, made a hit by Jerry Lee Lewis and Chantilly Lace, co-written and sung by The Big Bopper. There's plenty more where those came from!

The Whitesidewalls 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.

Other performers are band members Rocky Beaumont on drums, bass, guitar and vocals, Gino Gambucci on bass, keyboards, guitar and vocals, and Bobby Maestro on keyboards, bass, and vocals. Sharron Nelson plays dream girl Lenora.

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

Holiday Extravaganza — December 20

Holiday Extravaganza!

7:30 PM, Saturday, December 20

Tickets: $15 in advance, $18 at the door,

$5 Students (18 and under) Buy online now

Tickets also available in Zumbrota at Busby's Hardware and Furniture, Crossings, and Main Street Pharmacy.

Want to reserve your seat? Choose your seat at Crossings: $19 Adults, $9 Students

A joint production of Crossings and the Zumbrota Area Arts Council to benefit State Theatre renovations.

Multi-talented performer Dan Chouinard returns to Zumbrota with special guest Simone Perrin for the 2014 Holiday Extravaganza! A multitude of talented local musicians and dancers will join them in the third annual production to benefit renovations at Zumbrota's State Theatre. The Holiday Extravaganza lights up the stage on Sat., Dec. 20, at 7:30 p.m.

This community-wide variety show and sing-along will include performances by the Zumbrota-Mazeppa High School Jazz Band, the Rochester Flute Choir, Gwendelara Hendee, selections from the Zumbrota Dance Studio’s production of “Elsa, the Princess of Ice,” Flamenco Guitarist Victor Jortack, the ZMHS Singers, and a special “Ask Santa” segment featuring the jolly old elf himself.

This concert is a joint production between Crossings at Carnegie and the Zumbrota Area Arts Council to raise funds for improvements to the historic State Theatre, which is owned and operated by the Zumbrota Area Arts Council. The theatre is an intimate venue whose vintage atmosphere is praised by audiences and performers alike. Plans are underway for the new addition that will house handicapped accessible restrooms and an expanded concessions area.

Chouinard turns up regularly in Zumbrota playing a supporting role for performers like Peter Ostroushko, Prudence Johnson, Ann Reed and others. He is an accomplished pianist and accordionist, as well as a talented storyteller.

Chouinard has hosted similar community-based holiday shows in Lanesboro every year since 2007, drawing on local talent to fill most of the show's roster of musicians and storytellers and always featuring a performer friend from the Twin Cities as a special guest. He regularly creates unique programs which blend storytelling, interview and music, many of these for Minnesota Public Radio. He has dubbed Crossings “my favorite SE Minnesota haunt.”

Perrin is also no stranger to Zumbrota, performing regularly at Crossings. She was last seen at the State Theatre in February in The Love Show. Based in Minneapolis, accordionista and chanteuse Perrin has performed at the Guthrie Theatre as well as on A Prairie Home Companion.

General admission tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door, $5 for students 18 and under. Advance tickets are available in Zumbrota at Busby Hardware & Furniture, Crossings at Carnegie and Main Street Pharmacy. Reserved seating tickets are $19 for adults, $9 for students and are available only at Crossings, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, or call 507-732-7616.

The State Theatre is located at 96 East 4th Street in Zumbrota. This event is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

SimpleGifts — December 5

Crossings brings SimpleGifts with Billy McLaughlin to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Friday, December 5, at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $25 in advance, $28 at the door, and can be purchased online or by calling 507-732-7616. Doors open at 6:30 pm.

With little or no media attention, SimpleGifts has become arguably the most successful holiday project celebrating modern arrangements of traditional hymns and carols in MN. Fueled by passionate grassroots fans since 2001, the 2014 Holiday Tour includes 20 appearances between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. Music from all five of the groups critically acclaimed CD releases will be featured including the most recent, Wintergrace, 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"

With exceptional set and lighting design and an impeccable sound-system, SimpleGifts puts community celebration ahead of commercialization by pulling the audience into the sublime side of traditional repertoire in a truly meaningful Christmas event. Expect modern arrangements with an Old-World feel highlighting Billy's signature acoustic guitar, angelic three-part harmony vocals, bagpipes, celtic whistles, violin, piano and tasty atmospheric percussion.

There is nothing ordinary about the arrangements this team delivers both in the studio and in concert. Seen by over 20,000 live audience members last season, this group continues to grow in popularity throughout the Upper Midwest and has successfully transitioned from their early days in coffeehouses and small listening rooms to prestigious performing art centers and larger churches.

SimpleGifts

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

Band on the Run: A Tribute to Wings — November 22

Crossings brings Collective Unconscious and Stacy Bauer to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Saturday, November 22, at 7:30 pm for "Band on the Run: A Tribute to Wings." Tickets are $32 in advance, $35 at the door, and can be purchased online or by calling 507-732-7616. Doors open at 6:30 pm.

Collective Unconscious, known for its top-notch tribute concerts, returns to the State Theatre with Stacy Bauer and friends from the Fabulous Armadillos and more to present this tribute to Paul McCartney's band.

After The Beatles, Paul McCartney returned to superstardom in the 1970s with Wings. Wings’ third album, “Band on the Run,” was its most successful and remains the most celebrated of McCartney's post-Beatles albums. It was 1974's top-selling studio album in the United Kingdom and Australia, and revitalized McCartney's critical standing.

Collective Unconscious is well-known to local audiences for their album shows, reproducing the Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds,” and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young’s “Déjà Vu,” albums, and playing the hits of the Eagles with the Fabulous Armadillos. They are joined again with Stacy Bauer, who sang as Janis Joplin for a tribute show to that star.

CU never fails to sell out its Zumbrota shows, just as it packs houses throughout the state.

A mutual love of the music of Paul McCartney and Wings is what brought this show together. Members of Collective Unconscious, Blimp, Kentucky Thunder and others all came together to perform most of the music that was recorded for the 1976 album Wings Over America, plus a few extras.

There’s a smattering of Beatles songs in the mix, among them “The Long And Winding Road,” “Lady Madonna,” and “I've Just Seen a Face.” But mostly, listeners will hear the songs that let Wings rule the airwaves back in the mid-70s, such as “Listen to What The Man Said,” “My Love,” “Silly Love Songs,” and, of course, “Band On The Run.”

For this show, CU has assembled a tremendous group lead by Jeff Engholm, fresh off his amazing performances in both Floydian Slip’s Tribute to Pink Floyd, and The Beach Boys “Pet Sounds” shows. Joining Engholm are many local and regional favorites including:

Muggsy Lauer – Guitar/Vocals (Collective Unconscious, Eagles Tribute, Briefcase Full of Blues Brothers)
Stacy Bauer – Vocals/Percussion (Blimp, Pachanga Society, Janis Joplin Tributes)
Duff Eisenschenk – Drums (BLIMP)
Tom Bard – Vocals/Keyboards (The Bill & Tom Show, Floydian Slip)
Kurt Rodman – Guitar (Guitars, Guitars, Guitars)
Ken Vork, Mike Anderson – horns

Collective Unconsious

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

Rainy Days & Mondays: The Music of the Carpenters — November 15

Crossings brings Aimée Lee and the Superstars to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Saturday, November 15 at 7:30 pm for "Rainy Days & Mondays: The Music of the Carpenters." Tickets are $32 in advance, $35 at the door, and can be purchased online or by calling 507-732-7616. Doors open at 6:30 pm.

Siblings Karen and Richard Carpenter sang a record-breaking number of hit recordings in the 1970s. During their 14-year career, they recorded 11 albums, some television specials, and a short-lived TV series. The duo had three No. 1 singles and five No. 2 singles on the Billboard Hot 100.

Aimée Lee and the Superstars will treat audiences to all the hits, including “Close to You,” “Yesterday Once More,” “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Superstar” and “For All We Know.”

Lee is the quintessential “Karen,” backed by the Superstars: 12 musicians and back-up singers. Together, they recreate that signature Carpenters sound of beautifully crafted music that an entire generation fell in love with. Audiences will remember Lee from the recent Motown tribute concert headed up by the Fabulous Armadillos, and as a vocalist with The Tex Pistols Band. She and husband Boyd Lee also perform as a duo.

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

Daydream Believers: The Story of the Monkees — November 8

Crossings brings Justin Ploof & The Throwbacks to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Saturday, November 8, at 7:30 pm with "Daydream Believers: The Story of the Monkees." 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.

This original rockumentary tribute pays homage to the imaginary band that became real: The Monkees. Blending vintage film clips with brief narration and a live music performance, Justin Ploof documents the story of four actors hired to portray a band on a TV series. The resulting success of the show led them to form an actual band that sold 65 million album worldwide.The actor/musicians fought for their artistic freedom, and in the end, emerged as a major force in American pop culture. At their peak, The Monkees outsold The Beatles and the Rolling Stones.

Audiences will witness the rise, fall and re-emergence of America’s favorite pop act!

The Throwbacks tell the story, but they also play the music with passion and authenticity. The audience will hear songs such as, “Last Train to Clarksville,” “I’m A Believer,” “Daydream Believer,” “Pleasant Valley,” and deeper cuts, too.

The Throwbacks have performed a number of wildly popular rockumentary tributes in Zumbrota. Band members believe that behind the music is a story that holds the material for a rockumentary. Justin Ploof and The Throwbacks are the original authors of the rockumentary. Their goal is to have audiences not only rock out, but to also experience a number of “I didn't know that” moments throughout the evening for a complete “blast from the past” concert experience.

Justin Ploof and The Throwbacks

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

“Cinema” by Cafe Accordion Orchestra — November 1

Crossings brings Dan Newton's Cafe Accordion Orchestra to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Saturday, November 1, at 7:30 pm with "Cinema." Tickets are $20 in advance, $23 at the door, and can be purchased online or by calling 507-732-7616. Doors open at 6:30 pm.

This timeless tribute to music and the movies is complete with film clips, cartoons, and live music for a silent short. "Cinema" features great songs and tunes heard in films from the 1920s to the 21st century, played with the panache of a French Musette band. Film soundtrack tunes ranging from the Marx Brothers to Quentin Tarantino are revised to evoke a Parisian sidewalk during that gilded era between the two world wars.

CAO is led by Dan Newton on accordion and vocals, with Eric Mohring on mandolin, violin and vocals, Erik Lillestol on bass and vocals, Robert Bell on guitar and vocals and Joe Steinger on percussion. CAO has been delighting audiences and dancers alike since 1995. They have appeared in New York at the Lincoln Center's Midsummer Night Swing series, the International Akkordeon Festival in Vienna, Austria, and the Minnesota State Fair, as well as festivals, theaters and dance halls across the United States.

Cafe Accordion Orchestra

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