Those coveted, warm Minnesota evenings can now be enjoyed at a variety of Minnesota Historical Society music events. The free concert series “Bands on the Boulevard” is back in St. Paul at the Minnesota History Center. Visitors can also check out “Bands on the Bluff” at the revitalized Historic Fort Snelling and a new “Concerts at Historic Forestville” series, both free of charge. Mill City Museum opens the Ruin Courtyard for a special R&B/Soul performance and the Minnesota Salsa Fiesta. Details below and at www.mnhs.org/calendar. 

Mill City Museum, Minneapolis

The Avant Garde, Soul of the Cities, Thurs., June 9, 7 to 9:30 pm
Start off summer at this outdoor concert featuring some of the premier talent in the Twin Cities R&B and Soul scene, hosted by Chadwick “Niles” Phillips. This performance features Jamela Pettiford, William Wesley, Monique Blakey and Ray Covington with an amazing band. The Twin Cities is historic for its global influence on Soul music. The raw talent of today’s local music scene carries on that great tradition. Admission is $15/MNHS members save 20 percent.

Minnesota Salsa Fiesta, Sat., June 28, 6 pm - 12 am
The annual Minnesota Salsa Fiesta returns after a three-year hiatus, relaunching at Mill City Museum. The Salsa Fiesta showcases a range of salsa, from raw rumba and classic danzón to modern timba. While nine-piece bands are typical in nightclubs, Salsa Fiesta bands expand to a 20-piece salsa orchestra. Performers include top talent such as conguera Yolanda Rodriguez, vocalist Zuzel Balbín from Malamanya, trombonist Neiry Lorenzo, string section from Charanga Tropical, three-time Latin Grammy nominee pianist and singer Viviana Pintado, and many others.

Dance performances coordinated by Rene Thompson, former lead dancer at the Tropicana in Havana. Dance showcases include McKnight Dance Fellowship winner Yeniel Chini Perez. Cost is $25 for advance tickets, $35 at the door. MNHS members save 20 percent off. 

At 10 pm festivities continue indoors with an after party with DJ Medicco spinning salsa, merengue, bachata and cumbia. Cost is $15 at the door only, space permitting. Free with a ticket to Minnesota Salsa Fiesta

Historic Forestville, Concerts at Historic Forestville, Preston, Minn.
Historic Forestville is located inside Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park. Use the main Forestville/Mystery Cave entrance. State Park vehicle permit or $7 State Park daily permit required to park. Free admission to the concert. Sponsored by the Preston Area Foundation.

Bob Bovee, Pop Wagner & Anni Spring, Sat., June 11, 7 to 9 pm
Bring your dancing shoes to Historic Forestville for a square dance in the recently preserved Meighen Horse Barn. The large barn at Historic Forestville was built in 1894, and at the time, was the largest building in Fillmore County. Music will be provided by Bob Bovee & Anni Spring with Pop Wagner calling the dance steps. Food and beverage will be available.

River Crossing, Sat., July 2, 4 to 6 pm
River Crossing is a unique trio that plays an easy style that lets you sing along, stomp along or just enjoy. The bluesy tunes and classic rhythm and blues are as catchy as they are infectious.

Paul Schmidt (Schmidt Farm) is an organic farmer that lives on the east edge of Forestville. Ryan Palmer is the owner of the Root River Inn and Suites in Lanesboro. Jeff Sanders is the owner/operator of Bluffscape Amish Tours in Lanesboro. 

Becky Schlegel & the Traveling Opry, Sat., July 23, 6 to 8 pm
Schlegel’s music is original, drawing on the influence of classic country, bluegrass, folk and her own thoughtful spirit. Her incredible voice floats, whispers then soars above music of the highest quality. She takes her listeners on a musical journey, exploring new places and meeting new people in every song.

Root River Jam, Sat., July 30, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Root River Jam is based in Rochester, Minn., performing the music of David Wilson which combines the nuances of folk, roots, rock, Celtic, blues and classical.

An Evening with Charlie Parr, Sat., Aug. 27, 6 to 8 pm
Charlie Parr is an incorruptible outsider who writes novelistic, multi-layered stories that shine a kaleidoscopic light on defiant, unseen characters thriving in the shadows all around us. Parr has a new record with only his name on it, and it isn’t shiny and perfect and commercial and catchy. It’s him. It’s pure Charlie Parr and that’s enough. He hasn’t moved to L.A .or Nashville; he’s stayed in the cold grey north of Minnesota, because that’s his home.

Historic Fort Snelling, Bands on the Bluff, St. Paul
Let the music and natural surroundings delight the senses with live outdoor music at the new Klas Overlook, featuring a stunning backdrop of the Wakpa Tanka/Mississippi River and Minneapolis downtown skyline. Free admission. Parking is $6. Bring your own camp chairs, lawn chairs or blankets.   A limited number of non-alcoholic beverages and snacks will be available for purchase. No alcohol allowed. No pets allowed.

Bend in the River Big Band, Fri., June 10, 7 to 8:30 pm
Bend in the River Big Band has entertained audiences throughout the Twin Cities for more than 30 years. Under the direction of Steve Truran and featuring 20 musicians and the vocals of Linnea Nelson-Marrin, the band will present a program of the greatest songs of the WWII swing era.

TaikoArts Midwest, Fri., July 8, 7 to 8 pm
TaikoArts Midwest’s Ensō Daiko ensemble presents movement-infused, heart-pounding, dynamic group drumming with loud energetic performances that combine music, dance, culture and pure athleticism

Bluedog, Fri., Aug. 12, 7 to 8:30 pm
Bluedog is an award-winning Native blues band featuring female blues vocals, rocking blues guitar, hot keys and solid rhythm and bass. Bluedog has released original albums and singles to multiple award nominations from the Native American Music Awards and the Indian Summer Music Awards.

Minnesota History Center, Bands on the Boulevard, St. Paul
This popular concert series returns to the Minnesota History Center lawn every Tuesday in July, weather permitting. Enjoy live music, dancing and delicious fare from local food trucks, plus lawn games and crafts for kids. Food and games begin at 5:45 pm. Music begins at 6:30 pm. Bring your own camp chairs, lawn chairs or blankets. Free admission. Parking is available onsite for $6. No outside alcohol allowed. A cash bar is available onsite. No pets allowed. Support for this program provided by the Marney and Conley Brooks Fund.

Ellis Delaney and the OK Factor, Tues., July 5, 5:45 to 8 pm
Ellis Delaney is known for her stirring lyrics, open-hearted performances and contagious laughter. She is joined by the OK Factor, a genre-bending new-classical crossover duo.  
Food Trucks: Crepe and Cake, Cafe Cairo

Roe Family Singers, Tues., July 12, 5:45 to 8 pm 
The Roe Family Singers mix original music and contemporary takes on old-time, traditional, and gospel tunes into one roiling & rollicking river of fresh yet familiar American music. 
Food Trucks: D’s Kitchen, StevenDs

Nur-D, Tues., July 19, 5:45 to 8 pm
Hip Hop artist Nur-D radiates the power of positivity through his music, weaving together pop-culture, activism and killer beats in an explosion of musical energy!
Food Trucks: Trickster Tacos, KCM Eggrolls

Mariachi Mi Tierra, Tues., July 26, 5:45 to 8 pm
Formed in 2003, Mariachi Mi Tierra is the oldest Mariachi in the Twin Cities. Since the beginning, Mariachi Mi Tierra has paid close attention to preserving the integrity of traditional music and the essential Mariachi sound.
Food Trucks: El Burrito Mercado, The Big Cheese

Health and Safety
Protocols designed to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19 can be viewed on the health and safety procedures page of each site’s website and mnhs.org. Masks are encouraged while indoors at all MNHS sites and museums. For more information, visit our website at mnhs.org/covid-19.

About the Minnesota Historical Society
The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. MNHS collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs and book publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, MNHS preserves our past, shares our state’s stories and connects people with history. Visit us at mnhs.org.