Celebrating 15 Years as a Gathering Place and Music Venue......WOW...and thanks for all of you !

 

Concert series

GINKGO's concert series at GINKGO coffeehouse on Snelling brings musicians from across North America to the Twin Cities. Music is presented in a concert setting, without interruption from normal restaurant service and conversation. The list of artists is impressive and spans a range of musical genres: singer/songwriter, traditional, blues, jazz, celtic, bluegrass, and more! Tickets for the Thursday night concert series can be purchased in advance by calling 651-645-2647 or emailing us. Higher prices apply to tickets purchased at the door.

Music Series

(Shows with a cover charge are a concert format. For all others, the coffee bar will be open during the show, and people are free to come and go at will.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, May 28, 7:30pm

$12

Becky Schlegel

and

The Grassmasters

Schlegel plumbed that talent pool, and in 1997 she formed her first bluegrass band, True Blue, with some of the area’s finest pickers. The next year, the group recorded and released THIS LONESOME SONG, a CD that was nominated for Bluegrass Recording of the Year (1998) by the Minnesota Music Academy. The band’s popularity continued to grow throughout 1999; they showcased at the International Bluegrass Music Association’s annual trade show and appeared on Garrison Keillor’s NPR show, A Prairie Home Companion. In 2000, the Minnesota Music Academy named Becky Schlegel and True Blue Bluegrass/Old-Time Group of the Year; in 2001, Becky took home the MMA’s Bluegrass/Old-Time Artist of the Year award.

Schlegel hasn’t forgotten her roots, but her heart and her music know no bounds. She continues to explore, dream, write and sing songs of life and love – of heartache and redemption. Her music is diverse; a compelling, almost spiritual ride that is the embodiment of a fascinating woman and her engaging stories. FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE uncovers the hidden gem that is Becky Schlegel.

The Grassmasters present: "Southern-style bluegrass from the North Country".

Welcome a new group to the Upper Midwest, one composed of some of the finest bluegrass players who have ever lived in these parts! We know you'll enjoy the real sound of bluegrass with The Grassmasters. It is made up of some of the best Bluegrass musicians around: Heath Loy (banjo), Dick Nunneley (mandolin, vocals), Tom Schaefer (fiddle), Patty Shove (string bass), Chris Steffen (guitar).

Friends, this is real bluegrass at its best--tight and solid, with a relaxed and humorous stage show, delivered by professional musicians with over 100 years of performing experience who know and love this music.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Musical events for your generous donations...some great musicians!

Musical events that are not part of the concert series take place in a more casual atmosphere. Food and beverages are served during the performance, and customers may come and go at will. If no ticket price is indicated, musicians play for your generous donations. Unless otherwise noted, all events take place at GINKGO coffeehouse on Snelling.

 

Saturday, April 18

7 pm Clare Lockman

Minneapolis-based singer/songwriter.

9 pm The Sodbusters

Philip Nusbaum and Ron Stafford

Friday, April 24, 8 pm

Gary Lee Joyner and Ben Abrahamson

Songwriter/acoustic-and-electric guitarist/poet Gary Lee Joyner and guitar ace Ben Abrahamson will appear together for an evening of solo and duo performances at Gingko Coffeehouse in St. Paul. Joyner is known internationally as a musician, writer, and teacher. His songs are a mixture of language mastery and music explorations. Early in his career, Ben is already becoming legendary for his outstanding instrumental chops and inspired compositional skills. Surprises unfold when these creators come together.

Saturday, April 25

7 pm Lazy Red

9 pm Nancy Olson Trio (Nancy Olson, Rick Holland, and Time Sunde)

Sunday, April 26, 7:30 pm

Coyote Grace

If you want a lesson in organic chemistry, take notes and watch the sparks fly between the acoustic downhome duo known as COYOTE GRACE. This old-timey salt & pepper shaker pair is comprised of Joe Stevens, a transman singer/songwriter from Northern California, backed up by Ingrid Elizabeth on vocals and upright bass, a sassy femme originally hailing from the hills of Southeastern Ohio. The two met while living in Seattle, and have been performing as a duo since December 2004, sharing the stage with bluegrass, old-time, folk rock, jazz, and cabarets alike.

Saturday, May 2, 8:00 pm

Gregory Douglass with Mary Cutrufello

 

Saturday, May 9

7 pm Greg Tiburzi

9 pm Nic Garcia

 

Saturday, May 16

7 pm Sprucetop Review !!

The open stage is run with a lottery system, meaning names are drawn to see who will perform in each slot. This means you don't have to try to get there too early to be the first to sign up. The open mic is hosted by artists

Neal Dimick, 612-827-1573 nealdimick@yahool.com

 

children's events

Saturday, April 25, 10 am

Free Family Show with Jack Pearson

Jack Pearson, local musician and storyteller, will be weaving his tune/tale magic for kids and families here at the Ginkgo. Jack's known here in the Upper Midwest and around the country for his wry wit and insightful songs sung to guitar, banjo, fiddle and a host of little instruments including his one-and-only amplified toybox lid.

 

After becoming smoke-free on June 1, 2002, GINKGO dramatically increased its programs for children. A play area is always available at the coffeehouse except during concert series performances.

Some musical events are designed with children in mind. While essentially all of the music is enjoyed by children, we offer Saturday morning shows designed for the whole family on the fourth Saturday each month. These shows are set up for children to enjoy. Child-sized chairs are placed in front for a close-up look, Check back often.

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sign up to receive concert schedules

Email us to add your name to our email list. You'll be the first to know about GINKGO upcoming performances. If you don't have email, call the GINKGO coffeehouse on Snelling (651-645-2647) and give us your name and address. We'll send you a concert schedule in the mail.

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information about performing at GINKGO

There are several ways to perform at GINKGO.

To participate in Open Stage on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, just show up. Sign up begins at 6:30 pm, and Open Stage is from 7-10 pm. Names are drawn to determine the performers for each slot.

To participate in the old time and bluegrass jam sessions on the fourth Wednesdays of the month, just show up.

To play for donations on Friday, email Bob Jensen (bob@folkrocks.com).

To play for donations on Saturday, contact Chris via e-mail (ginkgosaturdaymusic@yahoo.com). Specify that you are interested in playing on a Saturday night. Be sure to include this on the subject line of your e-mail, please. It may take a few days to respond, and feel free to send a new note if you do ot hear anything.

To perform as part of the Thursday concert series, where people pay a cover charge, email Kathy at kathy@ginkgocoffee.com. This is a ticketed event. Specify that you are interested in the Thursday series, and include this on the subject line of your e-mail, please.

Interesting Musical Links

Check out the website for the Twin Cities Acoustic Music Calendar and Homestead Pickin Parlor!

The Acoustic Music Calendar is a huge collection of a wide variety of events around the Twin Cities. Homestead Pickin Parlor sells tickets to most GINKGO events, and also has a very good selection of folk music recordings, as well as many other styles, along with music lessons, sheet music and instruments.

 

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