i book a small listening room in excelsior called the 318 cafe.  we’ve got an ongoing series there called excelsior city limits that, even if i didn’t book it myself, would be one of my favorite things going on.  for most of them, i’ve gone in and introduced the musicians to each other as they were setting up their gear.  i have two strict rules for the series:  you can’t play any covers, and everyone plays on every song.  i’ve seen them all play with their usual bands, or solo – and it’s SO cool to see them playing a song they’ve played hundreds of times and suddenly be surprised, excited and amazed by the direction it’s taking because they’ve got two complete strangers adding their thoughts and interpretations of it as it unfolds live in front of a room full of people.  moments like that are why i am so involved with music.

my friend brandon sampson shares this view.  he fronts a great band called Six Mile Grove that’s based down in rochester.  he started his own rounds series down there called the americana showcase and has had the best of the best in his lineups.  in november i drove down to see him, jeremy messersmith, molly maher, darren jackson, and adam levy play together at this show.  people!  omg!  you *have* to get to one of these, it’s the real deal.  brandon has been working on the lineups to bring the showcase up to the twin cities this um – well, let’s call it spring.  it’s going to be wicked good, check it out:

• March 7th – Martin Zellar/Adam Levy (Honeydogs)/Ben Kyle (Romantica)/Brandon Sampson
• March 27th – Sally Barris/Brandon Sampson/Molly Maher/Erik Koskinen
• April 9th – Martin Devaney and Jake Hyer/Bethany Larson/Asheligh Still and Adam Levy/Brandon and Barry of SMG
• April 30th – Dana Cooper/Dan Israel/David Stoddard/Brandon Sampson
• May 16th – (Grand Finale – Line up Announced Soon)

here’s the scoop – but email me if you want any more info.

photo by david c. weber

on sunday march 7, the james j. hill library in st. paul will inaugurate a unique celebration of american heritage, combining the extraordinary photographic exhibit america the beautiful: the monumental landscape of dedicated environmentalist clyde butcher, with the americana showcase, a southern minnesota-based music series that honors the rich musical heritage of the american midwest. this celebration will include a series of five music concerts which will be performed in the midst of 50 of butcher’s epic photographic images echoing his love of the american landscape.

a five-concert season pass can be purchased for $75; individual tickets are $20 in advance, or $22 at the door. purchase tickets at www.americanashowcase.com. season ticket holders will also receive a discount on tickets to the exclusive after-show meet-and-greets with performers hosted by the saint paul hotel at $40 for all five. individual ticket holders can join the after-party for $10 per show.