The Cedar Presents
The Cedar Commissions Night One ft. RZ Shahid, McKain Lakey, YEV
Friday, February 9, 2024 / Doors: 7:00 PM / Show: 7:30 PM
All Ages
Seated
$15 General Admission, $25 Two-Show Pass
This is a seated show with general admission, first-come-first-served seating. The Cedar is happy to reserve seats for patrons who require special seating accommodations. To request seating or other access accommodations, please go to our Access page.
General Admission tickets are available online.
Two-Show Pass admits you to both Friday, February 9th and Saturday, February 10th, 2024 Cedar Commissions concerts at The Cedar at a discount! You can find those, here.
ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Cedar Cultural Center presents the thirteenth annual Cedar Commissions, on February 9th and 10th, 2024, featuring new works by McKain Lakey, Lady Xøk / Rebekah Crisanta de Ybarra, RZ Shahid, Sarah Larsson, Tri Vo, and Yev Rosso.
Each night, three lead artists will debut their brand new works on The Cedar stage: Friday, February 9th features RZ Shahid, McKain Lakey, and YEV and Saturday, February 10th features Sarah Larsson, Lady Xøk / Rebekah Crisanta de Ybarra, and Tri Vo.
The Cedar Commissions is a flagship program for local emerging artists made possible with a grant from the Jerome Foundation. Since the program began in 2011, the Commissions have showcased new work by over 75 Minnesotan emerging composers and musicians, including Dessa, Aby Wolf, Adam Levy, Maria Isa, Joe Horton, Joey Van Phillips, Gao Hong, Dameun Strange, Vie Boheme, and many more.
“We’re grateful to continue supporting early-career artists from our varied communities. Every year, I love how each artist digs deep within to create new works from the heart - they really commit,” says Robert Lehmann, Community and Grant-Funded Programs Manager and program lead for The Cedar Commissions. “One of our priorities as a nonprofit is to support emerging artists, and we’re grateful for the Jerome Foundation’s support of the program all these years. This year, we’re particularly focusing on amping up mentorship from individual mentors within our local and national circles, Cedar staff, and the artists themselves sharing from their various levels of experience. Each performance will be strikingly different from the others, but I love that - there’s a magic in the high contrast of the genres, sounds, and subjects explored across the two evenings.”
The 2023-24 round of artists was selected by a diverse committee of Minnesota-based musicians, music industry professionals, and one Cedar staff. The 6 commissioned artists, each receive $5,000 plus $500 for performance costs to compose at least 30 minutes of new musical work to debut at The Cedar in February 2024. In addition, the cohort receives mentoring through Cedar staff, a designated mentor, and other guest artists. To date, the Commissions have supported the creation of new music by more than 75 local artists across genres.
RZ SHAHID (HE/HIM)
“I’VE GOT SOMETHING TO SAY”
RZ Shahid, a burgeoning artist hailing from Saint Louis Park, MN, has found his creative sanctuary amidst the vibrant city of Minneapolis, MN. "I've Got Something to Say," serves as a profound outlet for his innermost thoughts and emotions that have been brewing since the tumultuous year of 2020. With an uncanny ability to channel his experiences into resonant verses and captivating melodies, RZ Shahid confronts pressing issues such as oppression, heartbreak, and the enigmatic facets of the contemporary world. The essence of "I've Got Something to Say" lies in RZ's desire to provide a window into his perspective. Through his lyrical prowess and musical ingenuity, he paints a vivid panorama that reflects his introspections, observations, and revelations. The infusion of R&B and jazz elements into his hip-hop foundation adds layers of depth and complexity to his sound, creating a sonic landscape that is as rich as it is emotionally charged. "I've Got Something to Say" isn't just a project; it's a sonic confessional. It's RZ's unfiltered perspective on a world undergoing rapid transformations in the wake of the protests, uprising, and mutual aid of summer 2020. Through his melodies and thought-provoking lyrics, RZ invites us to see the world through his eyes, inviting empathy, understanding, and connection. As he pours his soul into each track, listeners are bound to find pieces of their own experiences mirrored in his words, fostering a profound sense of unity through shared emotions.
MCKAIN LAKEY (THEY/THEM)
“BODIES”
McKain Lakey is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist and songwriter who comes to Minnesota from rural Washington state, by way of the mountains of north central Arkansas. Their piece, “Bodies,” is a multi-sensory experience that investigates the intersection of queerness and rural identity. By pairing a suite of country songs that deal lyrically with the realities of body dysmorphia alongside an aerial performance, this piece holds space for the pain, discovery, and, ultimately, the freedom in moving toward authentic embodiment. “Bodies” speaks not just to the individual, but also the collective experience of music as an expression of gender and the nuanced relationship we have with where we come from.
YEV ROSSO (HE/HIM)
"ECHOES OF RESILIENCE: A UKRAINIAN TAPESTRY OF WAR AND HOPE"
Journey with YEV into the intricate mosaic of Ukraine, where timeless Eastern European harmonies gracefully blend with soulful Western undertones. As a first-generation Ukrainian-American artist, YEV's immersive project seeks to illuminate Ukraine’s enduring spirit, its trials, and the pivotal moments shaped by war. Weaving together new music, evocative dance, and profound testimonies from Ukrainian soldiers and refugees who have found a new home in Minnesota, YEV crafts a narrative that navigates the depths of despair - and fortitude. This multisensory odyssey delves deep into the authentic core of Ukraine, aiming to give audiences a better understanding of their fight for freedom. Step into a realm where tales of adversity transition into harmonies of hope, unwavering valor, and passionate cultural tribute.
The Cedar Commissions is made possible in part by a grant from the Jerome Foundation.
