May 23 – June 1 | Spirit in the House Performance Festival www.SpiritintheHouse.org
Spirit in the House – dedicated to exploring questions of inner life and outward action through theater, film, dance, drumming, music, spoken word, poetry, and storytelling – presents 30 different shows, for a total of 150 performances, tackling a variety of ethical issues and celebrating a diverse cross-section of spiritual traditions. "It’s not just entertainment – it’s entertainment plus meaning," says Dean J. Seal who serves as Artistic Director and is a former Executive Director of the Minnesota Fringe Festival. This year’s offerings range from a group playing out the Hawaiian spiritual roots of the Hula, to traditional Hindu dance from India; from an ethically prophetic show about voting rights to a seriously funny story about surviving date rape; from Dr. Kings’ Dream to a musical version of The Book of Daniel. The variety can be seen even in shows out of the same religious tradition with titles from Dean Hatton’s The Gospel According to Dean to Jesus at Guantanomo by Matthew Vaky. The Spirit in the House Festival is being hosted by Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church located at the intersection of Lyndale and Groveland in Minneapolis. Tickets may be purchased singly, as a five-show discount punch card or an all access pass. Advance tickets are available at 651.209.6799 or www.uptowntix.com.
May 28 | Wendy Rule Kari Tauring Felonious Bosch www..thecedar.org
Australian visionary songstress Wendy Rule will bring her stirring and sensual dark cabaret to The Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis, presented by Eye of Horus. Renowned for years among the world’s alternative spiritual communities, Wendy Rule has managed to carve a unique path through the musical mainstream, and has emerged with five major albums and a string of side projects to her name. The Wolf Sky, Wendy’s fifth studio album, firmly established her as one of Australia’s most uniquely gifted and prolific artists. A passionate union of her incredible voice – moving from soaring heights to intimate whispers – and her beautifully dark and visionary lyrics, the album is strong, Earthy and Shamanic. Kari Tauring: Move on to the ancient Icelandic chants and Huldre stille tunings of Nordic Roots artist Kari Tauring as she returns to the Cedar stage with her huldre project. "Songs of the Volva" echoes with the call of her ancestors. Felonious Bosch: Dark and sardonic, Felonious Bosch sets the stage with music for the New Dark Ages. Meld medieval melody with middle-eastern overtones and add the twisted mystic lyrics of Katy Thomasberg to her powerful vocals, and you get a new old vibe. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $18 in advance [at Ticketweb.com, Cedar outlets, the Cedar Ticketline at 612.338.2674, ext. 2, and Eye of Horus 612.872.1292] and $22 at the door.
May 31 | The Celtic Edge www.stoneyend.com/loft.html
The Minnesota Folk Arts Alliance is presenting the The Celtic Edge: concerts, dance, sessions and exhibits focusing on arts and crafts, community building and body, mind and spirit. Music and dance will be provided by Irish Legend Paddy Keenan, Laura MacKenzie & Dick Hensold, Patsy O’Brien, The Eddies, Barra and Rumgumption. Tickets to this fun family event are $12 in advance, $15 at the door, and half price for seniors 62+ and children 6 to 16. Children under 6 are free. The event is at the Outdoor Amphitheater Stage at Hobgoblin Stoney End Music, 920 Highway 19, in Red Wing, Minn. For more information, call 651.357.0400.
June 19-22 | White Pine Festival www.whitepinefestival.org
The second annual White Pine Festival – an interdisciplinary arts festival held each summer in the St. Croix Valley – explores challenging ideas from a wide range of artistic and intellectual perspectives, such as music, literature, visual art, history, poetry, nature, science and philosophy. Visiting musicians include the accomplished Miró Quartet, internationally renowned organist Lynne Davis, and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra Principal Keyboardist Layton "Skip" James. Award-winning poet Marie Howe will lead a cadre of talented writers that also includes Roger Bonair-Agard and Cynthia Gustavson. Additional artists will be announced, and books and CDs by festival artists are available at the festival’s online store.
July 23-26 | 10,000 Lakes Festival www.10klf.com
The Sixth Annual 10,000 Lakes Festival (10KLF) – a celebration of music, nature and community – will include performances by Phil Lesh & Friends, The Flaming Lips, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Mickey Hart Band feat. Steve Kimock & George Porter Jr., Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood, Slightly Stoopid, Dark Star Orchestra, Panjea with Michael Kang and dozens of other national and regional acts. Located off the beaten path in Minnesota’s pristine North Country, the festival’s five different concert stages are strategically placed within short walking distance of each other. Over 600 acres of unspoiled lakeside and forest camping provide an unusually tranquil and natural festival setting. Strolling around the Soo Pass Ranch’s 60-acre concert bowl, festival attendees are treated to top of the line, modern facilities with running water and hot showers. Event tickets and campground reservations are on sale now online or at 1.800.493.3378.
