Folk Music in Minneapolis: A Guide

Looking for the best folk music in Minneapolis? Check out this guide for the top venues and performers in the city.

Introduction

Minneapolis is known for its diverse music scene, and that includes a strong folk music tradition. If you’re interested in checking out some of the best folk venues in town, here’s a guide to help you get started.

The Twin Cities have a rich history of folk music, dating back to the early days of the city’s development. In the 19th century, Scandinavian and German immigrants brought their musical traditions with them, and those influences can still be heard today. The 20th century saw a major surge in popularity for folk music, thanks in part to the work of influential figures like Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger. The folk music scene in Minneapolis really took off in the 1960s and 1970s, when a new generation of artists began to emerge. Since then, the city has been home to countless folk clubs, festivals, and events, making it one of the best places in the country to experience this unique form of music.

If you’re interested in exploring Minneapolis’s vibrant folk music scene, there are several great venues worth checking out. The Dakota Jazz Club is one of the city’s most popular live music venues, and they offer a wide variety of folk shows throughout the year. Another great option is First Avenue & 7th Street Entry, which is a legendary live music venue that has hosted everyone from Bob Dylan to Prince over the years. They also offer a wide range of folk shows on a regular basis. Finally, for something a little bit different, don’t miss The Cedar Cultural Center—a world-renowned venue that specializes in global music from all over the world. No matter what your taste in folk music may be, you’re sure to find something to enjoy at one of these great Minneapolis venues.

The History of Folk Music in Minneapolis

Folk music has been a part of the Minneapolis music scene for over fifty years. The genre got its start in the city in the early 1960s, when a group of young musicians started playing traditional folk songs in coffeehouses and clubs. Since then, folk music has been an important part of the city’s music culture, with Minneapolis becoming a hotbed for folk musicians and fans.

The Birth of Folk Music in Minneapolis

The early history of folk music in Minneapolis is unclear. There are conflicting reports about when and where the first folk music performances took place in the city. Some say that folk music began to be performed in Minneapolis in the late 1800s, while others contend that it didn’t gain popularity until the early 1900s. Regardless of when it began, there is no doubt that folk music has been an important part of Minneapolis’s musical culture for over a century.

The first documented folk music performance in Minneapolis took place in December of 1902 at a ‘old-time fiddlers contest’ held at Nicollet Hall. This event was organized by Oscar Hpland, a music teacher and violinist who was born in Norway. Hpland had arrived in Minneapolis just a few years earlier and was already well-known in the city’s Norwegian community. He would go on to become one of the most important figures in the development of folk music in Minneapolis.

Over the next few decades, Hpland and other promoters worked to popularize folk music throughout the city. They organized concerts and contests, published magazines and books about folk music, and founded Folklore Society chapters in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Thanks to their efforts, folk music became increasingly popular among both immigrants and native-born Americans living in the Twin Cities area.

In the 1950s, a new generation of Folk musicians began to emerge in Minneapolis. These artists were influenced by both traditional Folk styles and contemporary popular music genres like jazz and rock ‘n’ roll. They created their own unique sound that would come to be known as ‘Minnesota Folk.’ This new style of Folk music would go on to achieve national prominence in the 1960s and 1970s, thanks in part to famed Minnesota musicians like Bob Dylan and Judy Collins.

Today, Folk music remains an important part of Minneapolis’s musical culture. The city is home to a thriving community of Folk musicians and fans, who regularly come together to enjoy live concerts, jam sessions, workshops, festivals, and more

The Rise of Folk Music in Minneapolis

Folk music has been a part of the Minneapolis music scene for over a century, with the first folk music performances being held in the city’s streets and parks in the late 1800s. The popularity of folk music in Minneapolis increased in the early 20th century, with more performances being held in coffeehouses and nightclubs. The 1950s and 1960s saw a renewed interest in folk music, with many young people becoming interested in the genre. This interest led to the formation of several folk music clubs in Minneapolis, which helped to promote the genre and bring it to a wider audience. The 1970s and 1980s saw a decline in interest in folk music, but the genre experienced a resurgence in popularity in the 1990s and 2000s. Today, there are several folk music clubs and festivals held throughout Minneapolis each year, and the genre remains popular among both performers and audiences.

The Fall of Folk Music in Minneapolis

Folk music in Minneapolis reached its peak popularity in the 1960s. The American folk music revival began in the 1940s, and by the 1960s it had reached its height. Folk music clubs proliferated in Minneapolis, particularly on the University of Minnesota campus and in Dinkytown. The 1950s and 1960s were a Golden Age for folk music in Minneapolis, with celebrities such as Bob Dylan and Judy Collins regularly appearing at local clubs.

However, by the 1970s, folk music was beginning to decline in popularity. This was due to several factors, including the rise of other genres such as rock and roll, soul, and disco; the demise of the major record labels that had supported folk music; and changing social attitudes that made folk music seem old-fashioned. The result was that many of the folk clubs in Minneapolis closed their doors during the 1970s, and folk music faded from the city’s musical landscape.

The Resurgence of Folk Music in Minneapolis

In the early 2000s, a new generation of music lovers in Minneapolis began to rediscover the city’s folk music heritage. This led to a resurgence of interest in folk music, with a new crop of clubs and venues springing up to showcase local talent. Today, folk music is once again thriving in Minneapolis, with a vibrant scene that celebrates both traditional and contemporary styles.

If you’re interested in exploring Minneapolis’ folk music scene, there are plenty of great places to start. The Cedar Cultural Center is one of the city’s most popular venues for folk and Americana concerts, while the Dakota Jazz Club is another great option for live music. For something a little different, check out the Nomad World Pub, which offers an eclectic mix of live music ranging from jazz to punk rock.

The Minneapolis Folk Music Scene Today

Folk music has been a part of the Minneapolis music scene for many years. Today, there are a number of folk clubs and events that showcase this type of music. If you are interested in learning more about folk music in Minneapolis, this guide will provide you with the information you need.

The Venues

In the past decade, the number of live music venues in Minneapolis has exploded, making the city a hotbed for live music of all genres. While most of these new venues cater to rock, pop, and hip-hop acts, there are still a few that specialize in folk and Americana music. Here are some of the best places to catch a folk show in Minneapolis.

The Turf Club
Located in the heart of St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood, the Turf Club has been a mainstay of the Twin Cities music scene since its founding in 1947. In recent years, the Turf Club has become known as one of the best places to see folk and Americana acts, with regular performances from local favorites like Charlie Parr, Solid Gold, and The Cactus Blossoms.

The Dakota Jazz Club
One of Minneapolis’s premier jazz clubs, the Dakota also hosts a fair share of folk and Americana acts. The Dakota’s intimate setting is the perfect place to see up-and-coming talent as well as established acts like Mason Jennings and Hazel Dickens.

The Cedar Cultural Center
The Cedar is a nonprofit concert venue located in Minneapolis’s West Bank neighborhood. The Cedar specializes in world music but also hosts a wide variety of other genres, including folk and Americana. Past performers at the Cedar include Josh Ritter, Kelly Joe Phelps, and Bettye LaVette.

The Festivals

Every summer, the Minneapolis folk music scene comes alive with a series of festivals that showcase local, national, and international talent. The largest and most well-known of these is the Minneapolis Folk Festival, which takes place in early August. This three-day event features more than 100 performers on seven stages, plus workshops, jam sessions, and dancing. Other popular festivals include the Duluth Superior Folk Festival, the Twin Cities prefix = st1 ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags” ? Jazz Festival , and the Saint Paul Winter Carnival .

In addition to the festivals, there are also a number of regular folk music events taking place throughout the year. These include open mics, concerts, dance parties, and more.

The Clubs

The clubs are the best places to see live music in Minneapolis. Here are some of the most popular venues:

The Cedar Cultural Center is a world music venue in South Minneapolis. They offer a wide range of programming, from local and regional acts to international touring artists.

The Minnesota Zoo is one of the best places to see live music in the summertime. They have a variety of concerts, from country to rock to pop, throughout the season.

First Avenue is a legendary music club in Downtown Minneapolis. They’ve been hosting live music since 1970, and they’re still going strong today. They offer a mix of local and national acts, across all genres.

The Radio

The folk music scene in Minneapolis has evolved and changed a great deal in recent years. One of the biggest changes has been the growing popularity of the internet and digital media. This has had a huge impact on the way people discover and listen to music.

One of the most important changes has been the rise of online radio. There are now many different online radio stations that play folk music from all over the world. This has made it easier for people to find new and exciting music to listen to.

Another change that has taken place is the growth of social media. This has allowed people to connect with each other and share their love of music. It has also made it easier for bands and artists to promote their music.

Overall, the Minneapolis folk music scene is thriving. There are many different ways to discover and enjoy this type of music.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a long-time fan of folk music or just getting started, Minneapolis is a great place to enjoy this genre. With a variety of venues and events to choose from, there’s something for everyone. So get out there and enjoy some folk music in Minneapolis!