Minnesota Concerts To Look Forward To In 2014
A variety of major musical events are happening in Minnesota this spring. Click the date to your electronic calendar, save this page to favorites or buy a ticket now, because these events are going to sell out quickly. Here are five of the best musical events gracing the stages of Minnesota in 2014.
Charlie Daniels Band
Medina Entertainment Center
500 Highway 55
Medina, MN 55340
(763) 478-6661
www.medinaentertainment.com
Date: March 8, 2014
There isn't much that country music legend Charlie Daniels has not done. From writing a song for Elvis Presley to playing base for Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen or playing fiddle in the Marshall Tucker Band, he has done it all. Some may remember his newly formed band's first trip here in the 1970s when he rocked Parade Stadium. Daniels has picked up a Grammy and his band has scored numerous single hits since then. He has also composed and performed scores for movie and television. Can anyone ever forget Charlie's energetic opening sequence on Monday Night Football? Daniels has been a bundle of energy since he was born on October 28, 1936. We are fortunate to still have Charlie around sharing his gifts with Minnesota.
Kings of Leon
Target Center
600 1st Ave. N.
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 673-0900
www.targetcenter.com
Date: March 6, 2014
See and hear Kings of Leon light up the night with soaring vocals and bouncy rhythms live at Target Center this spring. A very public breakup of the band in 2011 led fans to believe they would never see Kings of Leon again. The band of three brothers and a cousin surprised their fans with a sixth album, "Mechanical Bull," last fall and are back on the concert tour.
Demi Lovato
Xcel Energy Center
199 Kellogg Blvd. W.
St. Paul, MN 55102
(651) 726-8240
www.xcelenergycenter.com
Date: March 18, 2014
Platinum-selling music artist, actress, X Factor judge, mentor, philanthropist and soon-to-be-author Demi Lovato seems to have it all. Yet, things are not always as they seem because Demi has faced many personal challenges coming to a head in 2011 requiring treatment and rehabilitation. Demi bounced back with her "Unbroken" album that same year. The Twin Cities are fortunate to have been included on her North American tour to support her latest Hollywood Records album, "DEMI." This will be Demi Lovato's first time performing at Xcel Energy Center.
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John Rutter Jubilee
VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers
Central Lutheran Church
333 S. 12th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612) 371-5656
www.vocalessence.org
Dates: March 21 and 23, 2014
British composer John Rutter, who in 2011 wrote, "This is the day which the Lord hath made" for the Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, is coming to town. Rutter will lead the VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers singing some of John's creations and those of others. John will share his eclectic side with the Birthday Madrigals written to celebrate George Shearing's 75th. While Rutter has few peers, he will highlight his favorite music of other British romantic composers. Come one hour early for Concert Conversations with John Birge and John Rutter at 7 p.m. on Friday and 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Northrop Inside Out Grand Reopening
Northrop
84 Church Street S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455
(612) 625-6600
www.northrop.umn.edu
Date: April 4, 2014
This is opening night for Northrop as well as for "Giselle "by the American Ballet Theatre. The "Hamlet" of the ballet world, "Giselle" tells a poignant tale of unrequited love, remorse and forgiveness. Minnesota ballet aficionados are no doubt looking forward to the coming of these international ballet stars to grace the new Carlson Family Stage. Step out on the plaza after the ballet and take pleasure in a live DJ, special performances, champagne and dessert. As you are leaving, look for the former auditorium's proscenium arch, the medallions symbolizing many U colleges and the preserved and restored entryway lighting fixtures.
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Blue Man Group
Ordway Theater
345 Washington St.
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 224-4222
www.ordway.org
Dates: April 29 through May 4, 2014
The only constant is three silent blue men on a stage. Anything and everything else is changeable. Blue Man Group ignites the stage with sheer energy, droll intelligence, surprising innocence, seeming self-consciousness and naive imitation of cultural norms. Many of the acts feature percussive tunes and artful technology. Whether this can be called theater, dance or concert, the only way to understand it is to see it.
Robin Johnson was born in Annandale, Minn. and graduated from Richfield High School and then the University of Minnesota where he studied Political Science, Business and Industrial Relations. A writer for Examiner.com, he also consults with a variety of organizations and individuals helping them develop and grow. His work can be found at Examiner.com.
