September 24th – 27th, Cedar Cultural Center
The Cedar Cultural Center is well known in the Twin Cities for being the place to hear some of the best in music from around the world. That can often be a problem because it conjures up the idea that the Cedar is a “world music” venue. “World Music” meaning a bland sort of non-committed vagueness of Pan-African, Pan-Latin, Pan-Carribien, Pan-Arabian, Pan-Everywhere that is generally panned by everyone except the music programmers at Pier 1 Imports. Even a programmed drum “goove” can’t help this stuff.
Have no fear of hearing the music equivalent of beige during Cedar Cultural Center’s Global Roots Festival.
It’s only four all too brief nights of incredible, cutting edge, spectacular bands from all around the world.
The opening night, co-presented by Walker Art Center, features from South Africa the band BLK JKS.
They were one of my highlights at this past SXSW festival in Austin and I’ve told everyone to watch this band because they’ve been working it for a few years now and their time has arrived.
BLK JKS – Summertime Video
The next night, Sept 25th, it’s s double bill with Brazilians by way of NYC Forró in the Dark and the Argentinian/Uruguaian Bajofondo. Both bands being the hot epicenter at the NYC Afro-Cuban centric club Nubulu. A rare opportunity to catch both bands live outside of East Coast or South America. Also, it’ll be a night for the last summer dance before October and the coming winter blows into town.
Forró in the Dark – Live
Bajofondo – Live
Saturday the 26th is bound to sell out because the legendary Os Mutantes are blasting their tripped out Brazilian psychadelic rock – it will rock your brains out. The Mutantes (Mutants) have inspired countless bands and artists – from Kurt Cobain and Beck to Of Montreal and David Byrne. Cobain wanted them to reunite for an opening slot on Nirvana’s 1993 tour, to which the UK newspaper The Independent wrote, “Kurt Cobain was lucky that Os Mutantes turned down that support slot – Nirvana getting out-rocked by a bunch of mad, middle-aged Brazilian hippies would have been a sight to behold.”
Os Mutantes in 1968
Os Mutantes @ 2006 Pitchfork Festival
Os Mutantes – Virginia (Live in London)
Don’t arrive too late or you’ll miss the wonderful Minyeshu Kifle from Ethiopia. Bringing together the many tribal sounds from Ethiopia, Minyeshu ties them all together and brings ancient songs to the modern world.
http://www.minyeshu.nl/
On the final night of the 27th a Cedar favourite, Huun Huur Tu from Tuvia will be joined by Carmen Rizzo to perform their collaobrative project “Eternal”. Hunn Huur Tu have brought the art of Tuvian throat singing to the west and global attention to the folk music and culture of the Tuvian people who live on the Russian/Mongolian border.
Two-time Grammy Award nominee Carmen Rizzo (producer for Alanis Morissette, Paul Oakenfold, Jem, Esthero, and more) brings electronic textures and soundscapes to Huun Huur Tu’s already haunting sound.
Blended together the sound is cinematic, lush, and hair raising. The experience of seeing and hearing this live is truly exciting.
to hear more http://www.hhtmusic.com/
More information and a complete line-up (yeah, there are more bands than these mentioned) can be found at the Cedar Cultural Center’s website
Global Roots Festival 2009 4-Day Festival Pass is $79.00
The 4-Day Pass get you admission to all six Global Roots Festival shows, plus opening night beer and sushi reception.
Individual tickets for each show ranges from $12.00 to $20.00
Opening night is $15 advance ($12 Walker members) or $18 day of show ($15 Walker members)
Local photographer Petronella Ytsma’s B&W photography documenting the children and grand children of the Vietnamese war generation. It’s not an easy exhibit to view, but it is very compelling and the history sobering. And the photography is beautiful; think the best of National Geographic or David Turner. The opening is this Saturday from 5 to 8 pm at Catherine Murphy Gallery at St. Cates.
The Torch Theater presents the Mary Tyler Moore Show at Minneapolis Theater Garage. The show is a fundraiser for the 
