Tag Archives: crossings

Shawn Phillips — October 18

Crossings brings Shawn Phillips to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Saturday, October 18 at 7:30 pm. 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.

Critically acclaimed and with a star-studded “played with” list, Shawn Phillips has the goods. Phillips has sung with the Beatles, recorded with Traffic members Steve Winwood, Chris Wood, and Jim Capaldi, taught Joni Mitchell 12-string guitar techniques, and was the first to use an Indian sitar in popular music. He’s recorded four albums that made it on Billboard’s Top 100, and four of his singles have reached Billboard’s Top 40.

His most recently released album is “Perspectives,” a 17-song double CD.

Phillips is the kind of artist who seeks critical acclaim and appreciates his loyal fans – who quietly push his albums into multigold and platinum status in North America and overseas.

Phillips, who is the son of best-selling spy novelist Philip Atlee, traveled the world with his family, and as an adult settled in a small Italian village after spending time in the ’60s culture of San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury and England. Reviewers have expressed awe at Phillips’ ability to play electric and acoustic six- and 12-string guitars (single- and double-necked), the sitar, and at his three-octave vocal range. His lyrics and melodies – running the gamut from folk to pop, classical to jazz – astound.

Music fans won’t want to miss this opportunity to spend an intimate evening with this ought-to-be-a-legend!

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

The Pines — October 17

Crossings brings The Pines to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Friday, October 17, 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.

Rising out of the prairies of the Midwest, The Pines are one of the most distinct and powerful indie-rock/Americana groups to hit the national scene in years. The Aeromatics featuring Jake Armerding will open.

With roots in the folk and blues of the heartland, The Pines craft that music into something new, a sound that wavers on the edge of traditional acoustic music, but embraces the nuances of today’s indie-rock and blues music. Founded by Iowa natives David Huckfelt and Benson Ramsey, The Pines weave together many musical styles to create their own unique sound that is hip and haunting.

Ramsey was reared on folk and blues music and those influences continue to shine through, even on louder electric songs. Huckfelt shares that deep love for traditional music, and together the two craft songs that evoke the ancient, while incorporating newer rock and pop grooves.

The mysterious sound of The Pines fuses Benson’s ethereal, otherworldly, heart-piercing songs with David’s earthy, darkly romantic and rough-hewn visionary tales. With masterful guitar work, beautiful vocals and the graceful keyboard and vocal additions of Benson’s brother Alex Ramsey, the core of The Pines’ sound captivates and elevates with rare intimacy.

The Pines’ devoted cult following and has led them to share the stage with such diverse acts as Bon Iver, Mavis Staples, The Arcade Fire, Iris DeMent, Mason Jennings and Spider John Koerner. A North American tour with Mason Jennings took them to 25 cities, opening for him and playing in his band.

Armed with only an octave violin and a drum set, The Aeromatics (Jake Armerding and Alexander Young) filter their myriad influences (classical, funk, 80's pop, folk songwriting and bluegrass, to name a handful) through the narrow spectrum of their own organically-grown sound. No genre is ignored; no groove avoided; no compression added. Boston-area violinist and singer-songwriter Amerding opened for Storyhill at a Crossings-sponsored concert at the State Theatre in 2008, and appeared at Crossings as part of a duo in 2010.

The Pines

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

Storyhill — October 3

Crossings brings Storyhill to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Friday, October 3, at 7:30 pm. 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.

With harmonies that have been compared to The Everly Brothers and Simon & Garfunkel, melodies that sink into your skin and clever tale telling that sticks with you, it’s no wonder fans demanded the reunion of childhood friends Chris Cunningham and John Hermanson, a duo known as Storyhill.

Audiences can expect infectious melodies, smart story songs and heartbreaking harmonies brought together in one perfect package when they come to hear Storyhill.

Cunningham and Hermanson grew up together in Montana and began playing music as a duo. They’ve performed together and separately ever since, and their sell-out reunion concerts are a testament to how popular their collaborative efforts are. Their latest CD release, “Shade of the Trees,” is their second on the Red House Records label. Mixing old-fashioned storytelling with hauntingly spare acoustic arrangements, they sing about love, war and the many sorrows that accompany them.

In addition to their work with the duo, Cunningham and Hermanson continue their separate pursuits in Montana and Minnesota. Cunningham produces recordings at Basecamp Recording, a studio he built just outside of Bozeman. Hermanson, who attended St. Olaf College, works as a producer in Minneapolis and continues to play with his band Alva Star.

Their 2007 eponymously titled CD led them to win the prestigious Kerrville New Folk Songwriting Contest.

Storyhill

The State Theatre is located at 96 East 4th Street, Zumbrota, MN, 55992. (507) 732-5210.

Cantus — September 12

Crossings brings Cantus' "Anthem" to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Friday, September 12, at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 at the door, $8 for ages 18 and under, and can be purchased online or by calling 507-732-7616. Doors open at 6:30 pm.

Hailed as “the premier men’s vocal ensemble in the United States” (Fanfare) and winner of the prestigious Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence from Chorus America, Cantus is known worldwide for its trademark warmth and blend and its engaging performances of music ranging from the Renaissance to the 21st century.

“Anthem” explores the traditions and customs of singing around the world and specifically when and why people sing together. Anthems help people express their identity and create a way for communities to show support for a cause, a heritage or even a sports team. From Latvia’s beautiful unofficial national anthem “Mūžam zili” to the African American work song, “Rainbow ’Round my Shoulder” and even the lively Cuban folk tune “Arroz con Leche,” Cantus asks the question: When we gather together, how does singing help us celebrate, help us inspire, or help us heal?

“Anthem” includes the premier of a new work by composer Rosephanye Powell.

The Washington Post has praised the ensemble’s sound as having both “exalting finesse” and “expressive power” and refers to its music making as “spontaneous grace.” Cantus performs more than 70 concerts each year both in national and international touring, as well as in its home of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. Past performances have brought Cantus to the stages of the Kennedy Center, UCLA, San Francisco Performances, Atlanta’s Spivey Hall, Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival and New York’s Merkin Concert Hall, to name just a few.

As one of the nation’s few full-time men’s ensembles, Cantus has grown in prominence with its distinctive approach to creating music. Working without a conductor, the members of Cantus rehearse and perform as chamber musicians, each contributing to the entirety of the artistic process.

Committed to the expansion of the vocal music repertoire, Cantus actively commissions new music for men’s voices including work from Nico Muhly, Lee Hoiby, Steven Sametz, Kenneth Jennings, Peter Hamlin, Edie Hill and Robert Kyr. Cantus has received commissioning grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, American Composers Forum and Chamber Music America.

Cantus has released 15 albums on its own self-titled label, each to considerable acclaim. Of That Eternal Day (2010) The New York Times said, “the Cantus recording offers many satisfactions, none greater than a touching, ineffably simple performance of The 23rd Psalm (dedicated to my mother) by Bobby McFerrin.” The latest Cantus recording, On the Shoulders of Giants was released in October 2012.

Cantus

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

Mike Doughty — September 6

Crossings brings Mike Doughty's Renowned, Award Winning "Question Jar Show" to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Saturday, September 6, at 8 pm. Tickets are $20 in advance, $23 at the door, and can be purchased online or by calling 507-732-7616. Doors open at 7 pm.

Mike Doughty contains multitudes: Singer. Songwriter. Guitar player. Poet. Author. Playwright. Photographer. Most Improved Camper, West Point Youth Camp, 1982. He’s released five solo albums, some EPs, a covers album, a couple of live albums, a bunch of EDM tracks and remixes, a poetry book, and a memoir about that time he was in a band called Soul Coughing and didn’t like it and took a lot of drugs. Now, he performs in a duo with Andrew “Scrap” Livingston.

The show, also the name of a two-disk live album by Doughty and Livingston, who plays cello and electric guitar, features not only music, but the answers to questions placed in a jar by the audience before the show starts. “Questions on any topic–obscure, weird, or esoteric questions accepted happily,” Doughty says on his website. So far, audiences have proven themselves capable of coming up with some doozies.

Doughty most recently released “Circles Super Bon Bon…,” an album of re-imagined Soul Coughing songs recorded with the hip-hop/house DJ Good Goose, in September 2013. Two new albums are slated for release in fall 2014: an album produced by Good Goose, “Stellar Motel,” and a live album called “Live at Ken’s House.”

It's in this kind of setting where Doughty thrives, with the sparse arrangement putting the focus on his twisting, poetic lyrics while the time between songs gives the singer the opportunity to draw audiences in with his laid-back charm. Songs like “Madeline and Nine,” and “Down on the River by the Sugar Plant,” really shine when they're stripped down to their most basic elements, allowing their yearning to take center stage in the absence of a full band.

– Gregory Heaney, AllMusic.com

MIke Doughty

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

The Tex Pistols Band — September 5

$Tex-Pistols$

Crossings brings The Tex Pistols Band to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Friday, September 5, at 8 pm. Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 at the door, and can be purchased online or by calling 507-732-7616. Doors open at 7 pm.

"The Tex Pistols aren't from the Lone Star State, don't pack anything but gear, and have nothing to do with punk or even cowpunk. But you have to love their name – and their experience in so many diverse combos (Daisy Dillman Band, Mary Jane Alm Band, Judd, et al.)" -Surowicz, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Four good friends become a great quartet of smoking hot guitars, emotive vocals and tight harmonies when The Tex Pistols Band take the stage.

Audiences will hear an Americana sound that’s classic yet unexpected. The Tex Pistols evoke shades of Neil Young and John Hiatt, Steve Earle and Steve Winwood, with some Eagles and Beatles thrown in for good measure.

Brian C. Peters, Dik Shopteau and Scott “Scooter” Nelson started sharing their country-influenced Americana sound in 1986, when they began touring extensively as The Tex Pistols. After four years, they hung up their hats on the band, but after a long hiatus the three reunited and added Boyd Lee.

The band released its second CD, “Hold On,” in 2011. Its first CD was "Fully Loaded," released in 2008.

All four members make their living in the music business, performing and recording with a variety of groups and artists in the Twin Cites and the national music scene. Members of the foursome have played with the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Beach Boys, Prince, Tina Turner, The Judds, Bob Weir, Clint Black, David Grisman, Reba McEntire, Charlie Daniels, The Neville Brothers, Average White Band, Hank Williams Jr., Spirit, Todd Rundgren, Sammy Hagar and Ronny Milsap.

“It’s like we all try to impress each other both live and in the studio, and it’s that pushing of the envelope every time that makes it fun for us and I think the audience as well,” says Lee.

The Tex Pistols

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

Tamburitzans — August 12

Crossings brings the Tamburitzans to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Tuesday, August 12, at 7 pm. Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door, and can be purchased online or by calling 507-732-7616. Doors open at 6 pm.

America's longest-running multicultural song and dance company, the Duquesne University Tamburitzans is a unique ensemble of talented young folk artists dedicated to the performance and preservation of the music, songs, and dances of Eastern Europe and neighboring folk cultures.

The Tamburitzans’ goal is to enrich lives by entertaining and educating their audiences. Each year the Tamburitzans present a new two-hour program that represents the joy of life and beauty of the cultures that it represents. The work is based on the countries and ethnographic regions of Armenia, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Poland, Romania, and Russia. The troupe combines colorful traditional costumes, authentic instruments, and beautiful voices to create a spectacular evening's entertainment.

When the Tamburitzans perform, their stage becomes a kaleidoscope of sight and sound. Songs are sung in many languages and dialects. Footwork is articulated in hundreds of styles. Along with the more conventional accordion, clarinet, violin and guitar, folk instruments such as the bandura, tambura, gadulka, and cimbalom are plucked, picked, bowed and hammered.

Costuming alone is a great reason to see a Tamburitzans show. During the course of a single performance, more than 400 original and authentically reproduced costumes are worn by the performers. Each costume design is meticulously researched for authenticity, then created for the stage. The result is a carousel of style and color from the first note to the final stomp.

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

School House Rock Live! — August 7

Musical Theatre Camp Performance

School House Rock Live!

7 PM Thursday, August 7

FREE admission

Come support the participants of this two week musical theatre camp as they perform in this rollicking take on those fabulous ditties that taught children of the 1970s how a bill becomes a law and conjunctions function. SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK LIVE! is a stage adaptation of the animated television series that debuted in 1973.

Taught by Daved Driscoll and other members of the Words Players Theater Troupe from Rochester.

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

John Gorka & Michael Johnson — June 28

Crossings brings John Gorka and Michael Johnson to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Saturday, June 28, at 8 pm. Tickets are $25 in advance, $28 at the door, and can be purchased online or by calling 507-732-7616. Doors open at 7 pm.

These two Folk music legends will take the stage at the State Theatre, playing their own sets, but don't be surprised if they perform a couple of duets!

With a brand-new album out, “Bright Side of Down,” John Gorka is widely regarded as “one of contemporary folk music’s leading talents” (Vintage Guitar). It’s the first studio album in more than four years for the singer/songwriter known for his wry take on the human condition.

His unique sound and lyrical insight have earned him generations of devoted fans and a career that’s found him gracing the stages of PBS’ Austin City Limits, NPR’s Mountain Stage and venues worldwide. His music tells stories, expresses deep emotion, and invites listeners to reflect. The audience is drawn right in to the heart of the music by Gorka’s remarkable baritone voice and the clear tones of his guitar.

Michael Johnson, who incidentally lent his vocals to Gorka’s latest album, will perform his music the same night. Johnson’s latest album, “Moonlit Déjà Vu” came out in 2012.

Johnson’s music is more varied than those who know him only from his pop music – “Bluer than Blue,” and “That’s That,” for example – might guess. He also has had number one hits in country and R&B, all graced by the warmth in his voice even as his style evolved. The singer and fingerstyle guitarist delivers acoustic masterpieces in every performance.

John Gorka

Michael Johnson

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

Terry Lee Goffee — May 23

Crossings brings Terry Lee Goffee to Zumbrota's State Theatre for "The Ultimate Tribute to Johnny Cash" on Friday, May 23 at 8 pm.

Tickets are $24 in advance, $28 at the door, and can be purchased online or by calling 507-732-7616. Doors open at 7 pm.

Terry Lee Goffee has been a Johnny Cash fan since he was 8 years old. His long-running admiration for the music and the man is apparent in his performance as Cash. Goffee does more than play the music or “impersonate” Cash: like an actor in a play, he becomes his character from the moment he walks on stage until the end of the show. He plays the music so well audiences and reviewers rave. He plays the man so well, he was chosen to provide the moves for a Cash character on the Guitar Hero 5 video game.

He looks like Cash. He sounds like Cash. He moves like Cash: Nobody does Johnny Cash like Terry Lee Goffee.

Audiences will revel in 34 Cash songs, including classic such as “A Boy Named Sue,” “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” “I Walk The Line,” “Ring Of Fire, “Folsom Prison Blues,” and “Hurt.”

Cash – The Man in Black – is widely considered one of the most influential American musicians of the 20th century. His music is primarily thought of as country, but his deep bass-baritone voice lent itself equally well to the genres of rock and roll, blues, folk, rockabilly and gospel.

He traditionally began his concerts with the simple “Hello, I'm Johnny Cash” – a signature greeting supplied by Goffee for the Guitar Hero Cash character.

Goffee says his tribute, “Sprang from my appreciation and love, not only for the music of Johnny Cash, but for the man himself. A champion of the underdog, a voice for those who often have none, an ‘outlaw’ before it became fashionable. If you come away from this presentation with a better understanding of who Johnny Cash is, I will have succeeded in my vision for this endeavor.”

Goffee’s tribute show has taken him all across the United States, Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Terry Lee Goffee

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