Tuesday evening, April 29th, nearly 200 people gathered at The Cedar Cultural Center in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood of Minneapolis to taste not only an assortment of cheeses, olives, and other hors d’oeuvres, but also the sampling of music slated for this summer on the Cedar’s outdoor plaza.
The Cedar’s board president, Maryam Yusefzadeh, opened the first ever Summer Plaza Preview Event. She reminded the invited audience of sponsors, board members, Cedar volunteers, and media that the Cedar presents unique music.
“We share some musicians with other [venues], but not all the musicians,” Yusefzadeh said. For instance, artists such as Seun Kuti have performed at Rock the Garden and the Dakota, both Minneapolis venues as well as at the Cedar. But only the Cedar has presented artists such as Jupiter & Okwess from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Or Cameroonian Gaëlle Wondje.
Jeffrey Bissoy-Mattis, another board member, took the stage to introduce the line-up happening from July 9th – August 20th. Every Wednesday from 6 – 8 pm for seven weeks straight, the Cedar’s plaza will welcome guests to listen, groove, and mingle. Food by local vendors will be available for purchase and refreshments from the Cedar’s concession stand.
The annual series since 2023 includes acts from five continents this year. The kickoff will start with Sinkane, a band headed by Ahmed Gallab, a hard-working musician, son of Sudanese parents, who grew up in Ohio. His sound combines electronica, reggae, jazz, and funk rock with Sudanese pop. His 7th album just released, We Belong!, informs his most recent setlist.
On July 23rd, The Cedar Plaza features Abinnet Berhanu, a resident of the Twin Cities, but his ancestry is Ethiopian. He will perform with his ensemble, Ahndenet, which means Unity. His sound, steeped in Jazz with both traditional and modern Ethiopian flavors is played on the drum set.
The full line-up:
July 9 – Sinkane, Sudanese Afrofuturist Funk Rocker
July 16 – Yeison Landero, Colombian Cumbia Accordion Virtuoso
July 23 – Abinnet Berhanu’s Ahndenet, Ethiopian Experimental Jazz Fusion
July 30 – The Buddha Prince, an immersive outdoor theatrical experience
August 6 – Combo Daguerre, Psychedelic Franco-Latin Chanson
August 13 – The Burroughs, High-energy Colorado Soul Collective
August 20 – Ukrainian Village Band, Ukrainian Zabava Folk Ensemble
In the event of stormy weather or air quality advisory, shows will move indoors at The Cedar and remain free.
More info at the Cedar website.
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About Susan Budig
Susan is based in Minneapolis and reports on general assignments for Mshale with a focus on entertainment. In addition to reporting, she is also a writer, poet, teacher and coach.
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