The vibrancy of African rhythms meets The Cedar's dancefloor when Cheikh Ibra Fam, visits with his Ayitaria invitation for you all to come and dance!
His music is as much anchored in Africa as it is open to the wider world. It is connected to his ancestral roots and resolutely contemporary. He glides in between rhythms that feel almost as Latin as West African.
In 2022 he introduced his fourth solo album “Peace in Africa” in preparation for his departure from the mystical Senegalese group Orchestra Baobab. This opus incorporates modern hip-hop and R&B beats, alongside distinctly Afrobeat horns with nods to his Senegalese heritage. His music transcends languages and countries as he naturally moves from English, French and his native Wolof.

Folk-noir trench-fighters, on the cultural front of Ukraine’s battle for democracy and freedom, BALAKLAVA BLUES return to the Cedar stage and we are ecstatic about it!

Chinese pipa virtuoso Gao Hong and flamenco guitarist Ignacio Lusardi Monteverde met for the first time three days before they were scheduled to record their album, Alondra, at Abbey Road Studios in London. Taking on the bold and blithe freedom of the skylark, they flew together from ancient Asian dynasties, through the Thar desert to Andalusia, harmoniously combining cultures as the East meets West. The Cedar is honored to celebrate the release of this special project.

“My concept for such collaborations is to blend each other’s music together. I want the music we create to bring people together. On this album, our music is not specifically from China or Argentina. It combines elements and musical languages from both of our roots into a new, one-of-a-kind musical expression.” – Gao Hong

The Wisconsin Brass Quintet is joined by drummer Matthew Endres for an evening of music from around the globe and across an array of styles. From Piazzolla tangos to the Hindustani-influenced music of Reena Esmail to Leonard Bernstein's vibrant and eclectic MASS, this program showcases the virtuosity and versatility of the widely acclaimed WBQ. Brass artistry and an abundance of grooves combine for a dynamic and energetic performance.

One of our favorite sets from globalFEST 2023! Justin Adams, guitarist, producer and composer with deep experience in African traditions and post-punk grooves, in a new collaboration with Mauro Durante, one of the leading players in the pizzica style of Southern Italy and leader of Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino.

Making their Cedar debut, please make a neighborly welcome to Wisconsin based Soul-pop R&B group TAE & THE NEIGHBORLY.

Live and direct from Glasgow, TALISK, one of Scotland’s most popular folk-based groups to emerge in the last decade, returns to welcome the new year!

Amongst the most talked-about folk bands of the 21st century, Talisk tear apart stereotypes and redefine the genre. With over 15 million streams, sold out shows across five continents, and headline appearances at festivals the world over, the Scottish trio have amassed a global following.

Wielding instruments that have rarely seen the likes of their music, Mohsen Amini (concertina), Benedict Morris (violin) and Charlie Galloway (guitar) have gathered major awards for their explosively energetic sound. Never afraid to push musical boundaries, or test the live production capabilities of just three people, there’s captivating a crowd, and then there’s Talisk.

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.

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.

Minnesota's own Klezmer on Ice; the second annual Klezmer music + Yiddish culture festival returns to The Cedar with Forshpil -Yiddish psychedelic rock!
Klezmer on Ice features a film screening; a Yiddish cabaret; instrumental, singing, and dancing workshops; and an outdoor event on the ice of Lake Harriet/Bdé Umáŋ celebrating the fusion of Jewish culture and Minnesota wintertime traditions.
Presented by Klezmer on Ice and their sponsors: Folk Will Save Us / Minnesota JCC / Art Shanty Projects / Beth Jacob Congregation / and J-Pride
From February 1-4, 2024.

Details at klezmeronice.com

Making Movies is a psychedelic Panamanian band that makes American music with an asterisk: because Making Movies’ sound encompasses the entirety of the Americas. It’s through this broader perspective that Making Movies crunches classic rock into Latin American rhythms - African-derived percussion and styles like rumba, merengue, mambo and cumbia — in a way that feels oddly familiar, yet delivers the invigorating chills of hearing something singularly special.

After six long years, the masters of Tuvan throat singing, ALASH, return to The Cedar stage!