The Sidewalks of St. Paul Are Officially Unrolled

By Ross Raihala, Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.

Jul. 5–Perhaps it’s time to rethink the old saw that downtown St. Paul shuts down at 5 p.m.

Take a look at the past four weeks or so, which saw the annual start of weekly live-music nights at Mears Park and the Minnesota Museum of American Art, the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, Taste of Minnesota and six major concerts at the Xcel Energy Center, four of which (from Tim McGraw and Faith Hill to the Police) filled the house.

Or look to Sunday, when Rhymesayers rapper Brother Ali, a guy who can now sell out First Avenue on his own, headlines a free block party in Lowertown. Or check out the increasing number of clubs that feature live music on weekends and beyond, including Station 4, the Artists’ Quarter, Minnesota Music Cafe and Hat Trick Lounge. Or look to that weekly Music in Mears series which, in its third year, has doubled in size and scope.

It may not be a full-on boom, but it could be a boomlet. Thank the thousands of people who live in downtown condos and apartments for starting to support the burgeoning scene and credit the mayor’s office for further prodding its growth.

“I’m really excited about where St. Paul’s at right now,” says Joe Spencer, arts and culture policy associate for Mayor Chris Coleman. “More live music brings more vitality to downtown.”

Money drawn from the city’s 1/2-percent sales tax, and granted to event organizers and venue owners through the Cultural Star program, are helping support some of these live-music ventures, including Sunday’s block party. One of Spencer’s major goals is to see the vacant Palace Theatre transformed into a rock club. (“It’s a tricky building,” he says of the in-the-works project, “but we have the right vision.”)

There have been some speed bumps along the way. Ticket sales slumped for this summer’s third annual St. Paul Blues Festival, and the event was ultimately canceled due to the promoter’s emergency heart surgery. Organizers promise it will return next year. Then again, that’s exactly what those behind last year’s overly ambitious Wild River Festival said, too, when the inaugural event struggled to find a mass audience. Spencer says the post-Labor Day music/film/comedy series won’t be returning this year.

Instead, two new events are in the works for September, Spencer says. Expect to see some sort of last-blast-of-summer live gig on Harriet Island, as well as a smaller-scale weekend festival in Mears Park that blends opera, chamber orchestras and rock bands.

Until then, here’s a peek at some of the live music downtown St. Paul has to offer this summer.

BLACK DOG BLOCK PARTY

Details: An outdoor gig heavy on local hip-hop headlined by Brother Ali. Rapper/poet Desdamona hosts the show and performs alongside Los Nativos, Jelloslave with guest JT Bates, the New Congress, Black Blondie, Delicious Venom and A Damno Devine.

When: 3-9 p.m. Sunday

Where: Corner of Fourth Street East and Broadway, outside the Black Dog Cafe

Admission: Free.

Information: 651-228-9274.

MUSIC IN MEARS

Details: Live local bands perform on the park’s stage, and starting July 26, a free film will also be shown each week. The series is off tonight due to the holiday but returns next week with Chris Koza and the Absent Arch. Future performers include Charlie Parr and My Two Tons (July 19); Alison Scott, Summit Avenue and “Fletch” (July 26); Jason Shannon, Mary Bue and “The Great Outdoors” (Aug. 2); Aviette Music, the Glad Version and “The Princess Bride” (Aug. 9); JoAnna James, Jeremy Messersmith and “Dead Poets Society” (Aug. 16); Dance Band, Magic Castles and “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” (Aug. 23); and the Flamin’ Oh’s, the Alarmists and “Young Frankenstein” (Aug. 30).

When: 6-9 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 30

Where: Mears Park, East Sixth Street between Sibley and Wacouta

Admission: Free

Information: 651-291-9128

PATIO NIGHTS

Details: Laid-back live gigs held on a patio overlooking the Mississippi River. Father-and-son team Papa John and Cadillac Kolstad headline tonight, followed by Ghost in the Water and Mystery Palace (July 12), Desdamona and Molly Dean (July 19), Magic Castles and Copy (July 26), Triplicate and Orange Mighty Trio (Aug. 2), Mouthful of Bees and Ela (Aug. 9), Company Inc and Abzorbr (Aug. 16) and Jenny Dalton and Secret Panels (Aug. 23).

When: 7 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 23

Where: Minnesota Museum of American Art, 50 W. Kellogg Blvd.

Admission: $7 (includes museum admission)

Information: 651-266-1030

THE ARTISTS’ QUARTER

Details: Owned and operated by musicians, this jazz club offers headliners every Friday and Saturday. The Kenny Horst Quartet plays this weekend, followed by the Andres Prado Quintet (July 13-14); Debbie Duncan (Aug. 20-21); and Chris Loheim, Anthony Cox and Phil Hey (July 27-28).

When: There’s typically live music six nights a week, with Sundays often reserved for private parties.

Where: 408 St. Peter St.

Admission: Varies

Information: 651-292-1359.

Ross Raihala can be reached at rraihala@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5553. Read more about the local music scene on his blog, “The Ross Who Knew Too Much,” atblogs.twincities.com/ross.

NATIONAL ACTS COMING TO ST. PAUL

Got an itch to see some nationally touring acts? Here’s who’ll be visiting downtown St. Paul this summer. (Tickets are available from Ticketmaster.)

–Fear Before the March of Flames, Hot Cross, This Will Destroy You and Kaddisfly; 5 p.m. Wednesday; Station 4; $12-$10.

–Unwritten Law, Bullets & Octane and Neurosonic; 5 p.m. July 15; Station 4; $18-$15.

–Hinder, Papa Roach, Buckcherry and the Exies; 6 p.m. July 20; Roy Wilkins Auditorium; $33.50.

–From First to Last, Nodes of Ranvier and the End; 5 p.m. July 21; Station 4; $13-$10.

–Incubus ; 7:30 p.m. July 24; Roy Wilkins Auditorium; $40.

–Jack Fest , with the Stray Cats, the Pretenders, ZZ Top and the Gin Blossoms; 6 p.m. July 28; Xcel Energy Center; $85-$10.41.

–American Idols Live ; 7 p.m. Aug. 4; Xcel Energy Center; $68-$37.50.

–Hi-5 ; 5 p.m. Aug. 5; Fitzgerald Theater; $32-$29.

–Peter Himmelman ; 7:30 p.m. Aug. 6; Fitzgerald Theater; $25.

–Josh Groban ; 7:30 p.m. Aug. 10; Xcel Energy Center; $93-$47.50.

–311 and Matisyahu; 7:30 p.m. Aug. 12; Roy Wilkins Auditorium; $40.

–Strung Out, A Wilhelm Scream and I am Ghost; 5 p.m. Aug. 12; Station 4; $15-$13.

–Marilyn Manson and Slayer; 7 p.m. Aug. 14; Xcel Energy Center; $47.50-$39.50.

–Scary Kids Scaring Kids, Boys Night Out, the Dear Hunter and Pierce the Veil; 5 p.m. Aug. 17; Station 4; $15-$13. — Ross Raihala

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