Minnesota State Mankato Department of Music & Entertainment Industries Announces Spring 2023 Performance Series Events
Minnesota State University, Mankato Department of Music & Entertainment Industries News Release
MANKATO, Minn. – The Minnesota State University, Mankato Department of Music & Entertainment Industries has announced its 2023 spring schedule of concert events. Concerts over the course of the spring semester include Performance Series shows and seven student ensemble concerts.
Events are made possible in part by a grant from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund, as appropriated by the Minnesota State legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008. Additional funding is provided by the Nadine B. Andreas Endowment, KMSU The Maverick, the Bunny Just Piano Endowment and the Music Performance Series.
The Performance Series professional artist series offers a wide range of music featuring regional, national and internationally recognized artists. Visiting artists also provide master classes, clinics and workshops benefitting the university student community, Mankato area residents and beyond.
Spring semester artist and concerts highlights:
Tuesday, Jan. 31: PIETA BROWN has supported and shared the stage with artists such as Brandi Carlisle, JJ Cale, Ani Difranco, Mavis Staples and others. Brown’s music has roots in traditional and rural folk music.
Saturday, Feb. 4: Regional music favorite CITY MOUSE reprises the 2022 RibFest concert with MARY JANE ALM in a set highlighting the music of Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt and other female artists. Minneapolis singer-songwriter ANDREA LYN opens the evening
Tuesday, Feb. 7: SARAH MORRIS has been described as a bright, clear, brilliant songwriter, offering a Norah Jones-like approach to her music. Sarah has been a finalist in numerous national Songwriting Competitions.
Sunday, Feb. 19: DOUGLAS ASHCRAFT is an active classical piano soloist and chamber musician and has performed in recitals at Carnegie Recital Hall, Alice Tully Hall, and London’s Wigmore Hall.
Monday, Feb. 27: TAB BENOIT is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist from southern Louisiana known for his Delta swamp blues. His guitar playing has created comparisons to artists such as Albert King, Albert Collins, and Jimi Hendrix. His lively career has so far consisted of a Grammy nomination, five Blues Music Awards, two BB King Entertainer of the Year Awards, and a spot in the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. Songwriter and guitarist JD SIMO opens the show.
Saturday, April 1: MARY JANE ALM brings to the stage a heartfelt and passionate tribute to Emmylou Harris. The night will be filled with songs and stories of Emmylou Harris and her work. Mary Jane Alm is backed by a professional band consisting of first call musicians from Minneapolis and Nashville.
Thursday, April 6: DESSA returns to Mankato as part of the Minnesota Storytellers Series. Dessa is a singer, rapper and writer who fosters a resume bursting with accomplishments. She has performed at festivals such as Lollapalooza and Glastonbury as well as performing with the Minnesota Orchestra. She has been featured on the Billboard Top 200 with contributions to the #1 album, The Hamilton Mixtape and the RBG documentary with her track “Congratulations.”
Friday, April 14: ERIC MARIENTHAL is a two-time Grammy award winning and nine-time Grammy nominated saxophonist from Southern California. Marienthal has performed with artists such as Elton John, Barbara Streisand, Billy Joel and Stevie Wonder.
Tuesday, April 18: GOOD MORNING BEDLAM has become an innovative force in the Midwest folk scene. Their shows are known for their contagious energy, captivating their audience night after night with a unique twist on folk music.
Saturday, April 29: THE JIMMYS are perennial Madison Area Music Award and the Wisconsin Area Music Award with over 20 MAMA and WAMI awards including Blues Artist of the year, Blues Song of the Year, Bassist of the Year, Brass Player of the Year and Keyboardist of the Year. In September 2021, the Independent Blues Award Association honored The Jimmys song, “Write a Hit,” (feat. Marcia Ball) with the 2021 IBA Contemporary Blues Song of the year award.
Other Department of Music events include the 27th annual Bunny Just Piano Festival and JazzFest ’23. Department ensemble performances will include the Concert Choir, Elisabeth Cherland, conductor; Concert Wind Ensemble, Amy Roisum Foley, conductor; the Jazz Mavericks Big Band, Douglas Snapp, director; Contemporary Vocal ensembles, Stephanie Thorpe and Doug Snapp, co-directors; and the University Percussion ensemble directed by Michael Thursby.
For more event information or to purchase event tickets, visit www.mnsu.edu/music or call the Performance Series office, 507-389-5549.
