Thursday, August 29, 2013

Weekend Happenings: State Fair Grandstand Part 2

Once again, we're highlighting the great events taking place this weekend at the State Fair.  Of course, there are many other stages in the fair offering great entertainment so if none of these sound all that interesting to you, you can always check out those venues as well.


State Fair Grandstand
MN State Fair Grounds
1265 N. Snelling Ave.
Saint Paul, MN 55108
Thurs-Sun, Aug 22-25, 2013
Times: 7:30 pm or 8:00 pm
Cost: Varies

Thursday:  Train

Showtime:  7:30
Tickets:  $37-$47

Photo of Train























Consisting of the main trio Pat Monahan, Jimmy Stafford and Scott Underwood, Train is an American pop rock band. They achieved mainstream success in 1998 with the hit "Meet Virginia." In 2001, their album "Drops of Jupiter" included the lead single "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)," which won two Grammy Awards in 2002. Their 2012 single, "Drive By," reached #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was a Top 10 in the UK. Other recent hits include "50 Ways to Say Goodbye," "Bruises" and "Mermaid."


Friday:  MN Music On-A-Stick featuring Trampled by Turtles, The Suburbs, Mason Jennings, P.O.S and The Chalice


Showtime:  5:00
Tickets:  $28  

 Photo of MN Music On-A-Stick featuring Trampled by Turtles, The Suburbs, Mason Jennings, P.O.S and The Chalice
























MN Music On-A-Stick is a one-of-a-kind event celebrating our great state of music. All artists have roots in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. The evening features Trampled by Turtles, The Suburbs, Mason Jennings, P.O.S and The Chalice.


Trampled By Turtles

 Photo of Trampled by Turtles
























Trampled by Turtles, formed in Duluth, Minn. in 2003, is made up of Dave Simonett (guitar, vocals), Tim Saxhaug (bass, vocals), Dave Carroll (banjo, vocals), Erik Berry (mandolin) and Ryan Young (fiddle). They continue to receive praise for their new album Stars and Satellites available now on Thirty Tigers/RED. Esquire said, “Supercharged songs with a hooky playfulness and white-knuckle power…” They have always felt they were able to attain an energy on stage that can’t be found in the studio. For this new album, however, they didn’t want to simply try to recreate a live show. "We wanted to make a record that breathes," explains Simonett, "musically we wanted to step out of our comfort zone."




The Suburbs

 Photo of The Suburbs

























The Suburbs were formed in the western suburbs of Minneapolis in 1977. The band's popularity increased during the early-to-mid-1980s, and their new wave dance sound and stage presence gained a following that broke out of the Midwest and reached both coasts. They are especially known for their 1983 hit "Love is the Law," released as an anthem for what they believe is a fundamental truth. Other hit songs include "Urban Guerrilas," "World War III," "Music for Boys," and "Waiting."



Mason Jennings

Photo of Mason Jennings

























Mason Jennings is an American pop-folk singer/songwriter from Honolulu, Hawaii. He started playing guitar at age 13 and a few years later, dropped out of school and moved to Minneapolis to pursue his musical career. Jennings produced his self-titled debut album in 1997 on an analog four-track in the living room of a rented home, playing all instruments himself. One year later, he created the Mason Jennings Band. In 2002, Jennings released a studio album, Century Spring, and a "fans only" collection of acoustic songs, Simple Life. Throughout his music career, he has released a total of 15 albums. With his new album, Minnesota, Jennings crafts a collage of love trying to survive the transition into being a grown-up in a complex world.



P.O.S

Photo of P.O.S

























P.O.S, also known as Stefon Alexander, is an underground hip hop artist from Minneapolis. He is the founding member of the indie hip hop collective Doomtree, through which his debut EP "Falsehopes" and first solo album "Ipecac Neat" were originally released. Originally a punk rocker in middle school, he started rapping in his mid-teens. Unable to choose between the genres, he combined the two and made his own category. P.O.S also hosts a weekly program on Minnesota's KCMP: 89.3 The Current, where he shares his influences and favorite music.



The Chalice



Photo of The Chalice

























The Chalice is an all female hip-hop group from Minneapolis including Lizzo, Claire de Lune and Sophia Eris. The trio is creating some of the most dynamic music in Minnesota, fusing influences like soul, funk, R&B, reggae and straight-up hip-hop. Their first EP, We Are The Chalice, was released in Sept. 2012 to critical acclaim.


Saturday:  Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, with Talib Kweli and Chance The Rapper

Showtime:  7:30
Tickets:  SOLD OUT

Photo of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
























Sunday:  MSF Amateur Talent Contest Finals Free at the Grandstand!


Showtime:  7:30
Tickets:  FREE


Photo of MSF Amateur Talent Contest Finals Free at the Grandstand!

























After several rounds of competition, 20 finalists will compete in the State Fair Amateur Talent Contest Finals in hopes of taking home a first place prize in one of three divisions. This is a free Grandstand show, so come out to the fair's premier entertainment venue, grab a seat and be entertained by Minnesota's top talent. Pictured is the 2012 Open Division Winner, Aria Stiles who performed the violin solo, "A Taste of Sarasate."

Monday:  Tim McGraw with Brantley Gilbert

Showtime:  7:30
Tickets:  $56-$71; Very limited seating available

Photo of Tim McGraw

























Tim McGraw just released, Two Lanes of Freedom, and is on a 30-city tour. Since the release of his debut album in 1993, he has won three Grammy Awards, 14 Academy of Country Music Awards, 12 Country Music Association Awards, 10 American Music Awards, three People's Choice Awards and numerous other honors. McGraw's hits include "Live Like You Were Dying," "Something Like That," "Don’t Take the Girl" and his current hit "One Of Those Nights." Also an accomplished actor, McGraw has appeared in such films as The Blind Side, Four Christmases, The Kingdom, Flicka and Friday Night Lights.




No comments: