Life is Music™

Apparently there are many out there looking for information on the great music venues of Minneapolis-St. Paul.  Below is a somewhat comprehensive list of the major music venues in the Twin Cities (excluding sports arenas and corner bars).  I included their contact information, capacity and seating charts when applicable.  Minnesota rocks!!

The Cabooze
917 Cedar Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Phone: 612.338.2027
Capacity: 904

Cedar Cultural Center
416 Cedar Ave South
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Phone: 612.338.2674
Capacity: 465

Fine Line Music Café
318 First Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone: 612.338.8100
Capacity: 769

First Avenue
701 First Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Phone: 612.338.8388
Capacity: 1200

Northrop Auditorium
84 Church Street
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: 612.625.6600
Capacity: 4800
Seating Chart

O’ Shaughnessy Theater
2004 Randolph Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105
Phone: 651.690.6700
Capacity: 1740
Seating Chart

Orpheum Theatre
910 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Phone: 612.373.5600
Capacity: 2579
Seating Chart

Pantages Theatre
710 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Phone: 612.373.5600
Capacity: 1014
Seating Chart

Roy Wilkins Auditorium
175 West Kellogg Blvd
St. Paul, MN 55102
Phone: 651.265.4800
Capacity: 5850
Seating Chart

State Theatre
805 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Phone: 612.373.5600
Capacity: 2181
Seating Chart

Triple Rock Social Club
629 Cedar Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Phone: 612.333.7399
Capacity: 400

Turf Club
1601 University Avenue West
St. Paul, MN 55104
Phone: 651.647.0486
Capacity: 400

Varsity Theater
1308 4th Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
Phone: 612.604.0222
Capacity: 500

Weesner Amphitheatre at the MN Zoo
13000 Zoo Blvd
Apple Valley, MN 55124
Phone: 952.431.9200
Capacity: 1450
Seating Chart

400 Bar
400 Cedar Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Phone: 612.332.2903
Capacity: 570

7th Street Entry
29 North 7th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Phone: 612.338.8388
Capacity: 250

Trampled by Turtles live at The Cabooze

A capacity crowd of Minnesota faithful packed The Cabooze once again to stomp and romp in support of the bluegrass boys from Duluth, MN, Trampled by Turtles.  I attended night two of their two-night run at the club on the west bank of the Mississippi on Saturday, April 25th, 2009.  Good times were had.

The Hackensaw Boys, a six piece of assorted looking fellows from Charlottesville, VA got the night started with a banging hour long set of foot-stomping colorful Americana music.  Before their set I had only heard a few of their tunes, and after their set I wanted to hear more. 

The Hackensaw Boys

The fiddlin’ and sometimes bass playin’ Ferd Moyse IV was as entertaining as they come with a stretched out Yosemite Sam crossed with Les Claypool look whose face bore an unvarying yee-haw expression.  Together The Hackensaw Boys were wildly entertaining and an ideal opener for the boys from up north.

The Hackensaw Boys

Ferd Moyse IV

Trampled by Turtles hit the stage at 11:00 PM and by this time The Cabooze was jam-packed with fervent fans and a few new concert-goers who came to see what all the fuss was about.  Since releasing their debut album Songs From a Ghost Town in 2004, Trampled by Turtles have successfully expanded out far and wide from their home state of Minnesota with constant touring throughout the country and a few stops in Europe.  The fuss is that these guys have the talent to raise the roof on every given night, yet the humbleness to never forget how they got there and where they are from.  They are from Minnesota and their local shows seem to be as much a celebration of this wonderful state as they are a celebration of their wonderful music. 

Dave Simonett & Tim Saxhaug

Last night’s show was no exception as they worked through songs like “The Darkness and the Light” from their 2008 release Duluth where singer and guitarist Dave Simonett sings “Colorado was so nice, but I’m Minnesota’s son”.  Later the band hammered through two of the more punkish numbers from Duluth; “Truck” the fantastic momentum building instrumental that hits the breaks just before completely going out of control and ”White Noise” which showcases Tim Saxhaug on a driving bass so swift it feels like you’re chasing your tail trying to catch the beat.  They also slowed things down with one of my favorites, “Trouble”, the title track of their wonderful 2007 release that is in my opinion their best album.  As always, their set was mixed well with this night’s show hitting on a lot of their newer material. 

banjo Dave Carroll

Early in the set singer Dave Simonett stated they were recording the show for a new live album.  Between songs he gave the always raucous crowd an opportunity to say something and what came out was a deafening wail of indistiguishable screams.  At a Trampled by Turtles show in Minnesota people are always screaming, and dancing, and smiling, and hugging, and pumping their fists to the fabulous homegrown music this band shares. 

Trampled by Turtles rock The Cabooze!

When the show was over The Hackensaw Boys were waiting in the crowd to play some acoustic tunes with a few members of Trampled by Turtles joining them.  Yes I said “in the crowd”!  Even as The Cabooze workers swept up a night’s worth of beer bottles and concert debris, a large circle of fans hung around and the music never stopped.  It’s just another day in the life I suppose.  “Come on children, come on and clap your hands.” 

Ryan Young on fiddle

Erik Berry on mandolin