The Belfast Cowboys
Saturday, January 14th
7:30 pm

The Belfast Cowboys is a nine-piece band that plays the multi-genre music of Van Morrison. Born on St Patrick's Day, 2002, it is also the papa group to St Dominic's Trio, an original music offshoot.

The band features several veterans of the Minneapolis music scene, including singer Terry Walsh and sax man Vic Volare. Dave Kirby, Rodney Toogood, Joe Loskota, Paul Gronert, Tim Martin, Matt Hanzelka, Dan Kowalke, Dave Haugen, Joe Baumgart, and Simon Sheehan comprise the rest of the band.

The Cowboys have become one of Minnesota's most popular bands, playing monthly shows at Lee's Liquor Lounge and Whiskey Junction, among others.

Tickets $21 in advance, $26 at the door, Flex Pass eligible.

“This nine-piece band, complete with a rollicking horn section, conjures up the spirit and the songs of Ireland’s greatest export” Chicago Tribune

Girl Singers of the Hit Parade
1950’s Show
Valentine’s Weekend
Sunday, February 12th, 2:00 pm

"The Girl Singers of the Hit Parade" is a truly entertaining show jam-packed with hit after hit from some of the best-loved female vocalists of all-time. You'll not only hear fantastic music performed by an outstanding cast led by Colleen Raye, but also take a nostalgic trip back to a simpler time. Accompanied by extraordinary musicians under the Direction of Norton Lawellin, the music has a "true to the era" sound with background vocals and instrumentals.

Tickets $21 in advance, $26 at the door, Flex Pass eligible.

“Run, don’t walk. I’m afraid if you miss this once-in-a-lifetime show that you may be singing ‘Who’s Sorry Now’.”
Melissa Erlenbach – American news, Aberdeen SD

Cliff Eberhardt
Thursday, February 16th
7:30 pm

Cliff Eberhardt knew by age seven that he was going to be a singer and songwriter. Growing up in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, he and his brothers sang together and their parents played instruments.

His dad introduced him to the guitar and he quickly taught himself to play. Fortunate enough to live close to the Main Point (one of the best folk clubs on the East Coast), he cut his teeth listening to the likes of James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Bruce Springsteen, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Bonnie Raitt, and Mississippi John Hurt — receiving an early and impressive tutorial in acoustic music.

With his penchant for great melodies and clever lyrical twists, our folk audience is sure to enjoy this concert. Tickets $21 in advance, $26 at the door, Flex Pass eligible.

“Eberhardt approaches the guitar with stylistic eloquence, with the hooks, licks and grooves that could easily rank him among those who are singularly known as guitar virtuosos.” —Taconic Newspapers

Warren Nelson
Saturday, February 25th
7:30 pm

A professional musician and entertainer since the late 1960's, Warren Nelson's trail has taken him across the US, "both sides of 1970." From his first full-time professional group The Tenth Story Window (he met Elvis twice!), to Colorado where he spent five years writing and playing music in the mountains, to the Madison, Wisconsin area where he formed the Lost Nation String Band with Don Pavel.

He moved to northern Wisconsin’s Bayfield Peninsula where he founded Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua in 1986. For 23 seasons, through 2008, Nelson was the ringmaster, centerpole, artistic director, resident writer and lead dreamer of the Big Top, a venue that is widely celebrated.

He also started and hosted Tent Show Radio for 15 years, a nationally syndicated program. Festival Theatre is happy to welcome Warren and Friends: Warren Nelson, Ed Willett, Andy Dee, Rowan Nelson-Ferris, and Otis McLennon.

Tickets $21 in advance, $26 at the door, Flex Pass eligible.

"He is a remarkable talent, evidenced by his record of composing and producing so many marvelous shows, most with historic themes."
Hank Sampson - Stillwater, MN

Woody Reflected
A Woody Guthrie Tribute
Saturday, March 10th
7:30 pm

“One of a handful of the world’s greatest all-time balladeers”, is how writer Studs Terkel described Woody Guthrie. Long time Minnesota folkies, Pop Wagner, Charlie Maguire, and bluesman Tony Glover, come together in a rare collaboration to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Guthrie’s birth in 1912 with a musical tribute to the songwriter.

Extensive exposure between members of the trio and Guthrie along his children; grandchildren; friends as well as archivists at the Woody Guthrie Foundation in NY, have resulted in a concert that will provide an evening of warm reminiscences, humor, and authentic vocal harmonies, accompanied by performances on harmonica, fiddle, and guitars.

Tickets $21 in advance, $26 at the door, Flex Pass eligible.

“Unless Bob Dylan were to crash the party, you could not find a more apropos trio…to celebrate Woody Guthrie’s Birthday.”
Jon Beam – Minneapolis Start Tribune

Danny Schmidt & Carrie Elkin
Friday, March 30th
8:00 pm

Back by popular demand! Roots & Acoustic Funk, merged into a much greater whole . . . a performance of great energy and spirit . . . and one that audiences seem to be able to connect with on a multitude of levels, at once: Emotionally, Spiritually, and Intellectually.

Danny Schmidt is best known for his riveting poetic lyrics, which have drawn favorable comparisons to Leonard Cohen and Townes Van Zandt for their depth and complexity. And gypsy spirit Carrie Elkin is best known for her incredibly soulful and dynamic vocals, which have drawn favorable comparisons to Patty Griffin at her most powerful, and Nanci Griffith at her most intimate.

Don't miss these two great artists in a rare split-bill performance, sharing songs back and forth, lending their voices to each other's tunes, in harmony.

Tickets $15

Jonathan Edwards
with opening act Fizz Kizer
Thursday, May 3rd
7:30 pm

Warm as summer sunshine, real as the truth, intimate as a long overdue visit between old friends … such is a Jonathan Edwards concert. Four decades into a stellar career of uncompromising musical integrity, the man simply delivers, night after night – songs of passion, songs of insight, songs of humor, all rendered in that pure and powerful tenor which, like fine wine, has only grown sweeter with age.

This is one veteran performer who is neither grizzled nor nostalgic. These days Jonathan Edwards, a vital and relevant artist in today’s folk and Americana scenes, is much more likely to be found looking forward rather than back. The journey has brought him to towns and theaters all over the globe, and we are happy that Festival Theatre has become one of them!

Tickets $25 adv / $30 at the door.

"His throaty tenor, one of the most distinctive voices on record, has always had a natural, unadulturated, undiluted quality" Music City News

Storyhill
Sunday, June 3rd
7:30 pm

Storyhill is a folk duo that brings infectious melodies, smart story songs and heartbreaking harmonies together in one perfect package. Chris Cunningham and John Hermanson grew up and started performing together as teenagers, while living in Bozeman, Montana.

Both were musical from the get-go, singing with choirs, playing in bands and mastering many musical instruments—piano, guitar, trumpet, violin, harmonica, bass and accordion. Although their 7th grade world geography class is what ostensibly brought them together, it was their musical passions that made them close friends and lifelong musical collaborators.

Festival welcomes them back for a special Sunday evening performance. Tickets $16.

"Storyhill...setting a new high standard for male duet harmony" - Garrison Keillor

Tish Hinojosa
Friday, June 22nd
8:00 pm

Tish Hinojosa’s music crosses borders – between cultures, languages and musical genres. Moving with equal grace through folk, country, pop and Latino styles, her music reflects contemporary America’s multicultural richness.

Combining a vision that embraces all of these musical styles, with her characteristic warmth and a pure, soulful voice, this enchanting Texan singer-songwriter has gained a loving and loyal audience throughout America, Europe and beyond. This is one of the most asked for return performances since Tish’s first visit to Festival Theatre in 2007.

Tickets $21 in advance, $26 at the door, Flex Pass eligible.

"Her songs are richly detailed slices of life...Hinojosa's is a strong, poetic, sensual, and conscious voice." SPIN MAGAZINE

Scottie Miller Band
Saturday, August 25th
8:00 pm

For all you blues, funk and jazz fans, this is a don’t miss concert! Singer-songwriter-blues pianist Scottie Miller is touring with his own quartet, featuring Joe Cruz on guitar, Kevin Rowe on bass (both of the Barley Jacks), Mark O'Day on drums and Scottie on organ-piano and vocals.

Miller’s current releases include: "HOME - A House Concert with Scottie Miller" (DVD), and "LIVE"-Scottie Miller Band (CD). In 2008, Scottie was inducted in to the Minnesota Blues Hall of Fame for his contributions to blues music and heritage with his instructional book and CD titled “Rock Keyboards”. We loved him at our Honky Tonk Café and welcome him back in 2012!

Tickets $16.00

“Scottie Miller band submits ten new songs, each one a soulful classic, with emotionally charged rock, slightly countrified ballads, and rowdy, slide guitar blasts. Though there’s a touch of Tom Waits to the hip “East St. Louis,” Miller most often comes on like a Dr. John from the other end of the Mississippi.” Blues Revue Magazine 2010

Ann Reed
Saturday, September 22nd
7:30 p.m.

Ann, a Minnesota native, began teaching herself how to play the guitar at the age of 12 and has been a performer for her entire adult life. Early influences include the Kingston Trio, Joni Mitchell, Vanilla Fudge, Beatles, and Pete Seeger, plus the writers and singers of her parents' era: Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, Ella Fitzgerald, and Rosemary Clooney. Mary Travers — of Peter, Paul and Mary fame — was the first singer Ann heard who sang low, just like her.

A touring musician for more than 30 years, Ann has toured North America coast to coast, doing concerts, clubs, and festivals including Bumbershoot, Winnipeg, Black Mountain, and National Women's Music Festival. She has appeared on Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion, ABC's Good Morning America, and NPR's Morning Edition.

She wrote and performed Heroes, a theatrical presentation produced by Minnesota Public Radio. And in a departure from her usual repertoire, has developed (with Denise Tabet) Nothing But Class: The Songs of Dorothy Fields.

Tickets $21 in advance, $26 at the door, Flex Pass eligible.

Ring of Kerry
Saturday, November 17th
7:30 pm

Ring of Kerry is a bursting-with-energy Irish music group that captures the hearts of listeners. All five of its engaging musicians sing and play several instruments. With sounds that range from the thunder of the Irish bodhran drum to the sparkle of the hammered dulcimer; from the lilt and rhythm of fiddle and guitar to the haunting wails of the flute and pennywhistles, the band has developed a blend that is animated, ruggedly beautiful and fun.

Audiences always react with great enthusiasm, and we are thrilled to welcome them back to our stage!

Tickets $26 in advance, $31 at the door, Flex Pass eligible.

"Ring of Kerry wowed our audience with a one-of-a-kind, full-house energy that was as captivating as it was real." John Forsythe, BoDiddley's Deli owner & longtime host of the acoustic music concert series.

Monroe Crossing
Saturday, December 8th
7:30 pm

Celebrating their 12th year together in 2012, Monroe Crossing dazzles audiences with an electrifying blend of classic bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, and heartfelt originals. Their airtight harmonies, razor sharp arrangements, and on-stage rapport make them audience favorites across the United States and Canada.

Tickets $26 in advance, $31 at the door, Flex Pass eligible.

“Great tune, great album, fine group! The expressiveness of the vocals and the arrangement are terrific, not to mention the flawless instrumental work!” Joe Steiner, Bluegrass DJ, WLFC, Findlay, Ohio

Randy Sabien
Friday, December 21st
7:30 pm

Randy Sabien heard the legendary French jazz violinist, Stephane Grappelli for the first time as a college freshman. It instantly converted his own musical direction from classical violin to jazz.

This and other influences began to meld into a unique, groove oriented jazz/blues style, a sound that's accessible to virtually anyone who hears Randy play. Enjoy original holiday music with Randy Sabien in Festival’s acoustically superb historic auditorium. Tickets $21.00 ticket / Flex Pass eligible.

“A swinging and technically impeccable heir to the tradition of Venuti, Grappelli and Stuff Smith... Uproarious good fun.” BILLBOARD'S Top Album Picks