I don’t often lead this space out with Monday night gigs, but there’s two I want to note: one of a national-touring nature and the other regarding my favorite jamband out of Duluth.
First off, East L.A. legends Los Lobos plays the first of two free shows at the Minnesota State Fair tonight at the State Fair Bandshell from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. They have been fusing their blend of rock for half a century. The Bandshell is next to the Space Tower and Snelling Avenue, just south of Dan Patch Avenue, in case you are wondering.
Tonight is also the last Monday to catch Saltydog up at their Bent Paddle Brewing stomping grounds, and if I wasn’t on dog sitting duty myself tonight, I would be up in Duluth.
If you haven’t caught Saltydog at Bent Paddle, make a point to do it tonight or hopefully in the future as their High-Key Mondays residency will hopefully be back again this winter for a spell. Tonight’s special guest is Cigarette Picnic. The music starts at 6 p.m., and it’s free.
There’s a lot of live music options this week around Minnesota — and a good deal of it is at the State Fair.
Read on below for gigs from Los Lobos, Joe Scarpellino, Mark Joseph & The American Soul, Jaybee and The Routine, Ozomatli, Hiahli, Socktopus, BZ3 Organ Trio, TWINE, Boss Mama and The Jebberhooch, Camille Baudoin & Friends, Dream of the Wild, Will Effertz, Reed Grimm and Friends, Emma Jean of Yonder, International Reggae All-Stars,. Dylan Salfer, Shotgun Ragtime Band and Dr. Mamno’s Combo.
Monday, Aug. 25
Also at the Fair, Bunkers mainstays Jaybee and The Routine hit the Summit Stage at the Bazaar from 8 to 9:30 p.m. That’s over at the southeast corner of Judson Avenue and Underwood Street.
There’s always Geoffrey Fischbein’s Only Every Monday on the Cabooze patio starting at 6 p.m. Fischbein starts it out at 6 p.m., followed by Liluna at 7 p.m., Your Favorite Music at 8 p.m., and Joe Scarpellino at 9 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 26
Mark Joseph & The American Soul is playing every day at Cafe Caribe at the MN State Fair at 2:30 p.m. (the band plays at noon on the final day of the Fair on Sept. 1). Cafe Caribe is east of the intersection of Liggett Street and Carnes Avenue.
Los Lobos has the second of their two shows at the MN State Fair Bandshell from 8:30 to 10 p.m.
And Jaybee and The Routine hits the Summit Stage at the Bazaar for the second night in a row from 8 to 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 27
It’s a packed Wednesday night.
L.A. legends Ozomatli hit the Dakota, with the show starting at 7 p.m.
There’s more hip-hop over at 7th Street Entry downtown with Hiahli headlining and supported by Socktopus and Bryn Battani. The music starts at 8 p.m.
Cold Sweat of Hiahli sat in with Saltydog earlier this year at Zen Arcade.
PHOTO BY JAVIER SERNA/@jaminthestream
The BZ3 Organ Trio, led by Brian Ziemniak on the Hammond B3 plays its monthly show at Schooner Tavern in Minneapolis at 7:30 p.m. Ziemniak is the boardman for Dr. Mambo’s Combo.
And, of course, if you know me, you know I’ll be over Bunkers for TWINE’s weekly residency show starting at 9:30 p.m. and running until about 1 a.m. TWINE always brings the deep jams!
TWINE’s improvisations never cease to amaze me every Wednesday at Bunkers.
PHOTO BY JAVIER SERNA/@jaminthestream
Halfway between Moose Lake and Cloquet, Boss Mama and The Jebberhooch play their weekly gig at The Rugged Spruce Golf Club in Mahtowa at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 28
There’s several excellent options for jam fans this Thursday.
The Mahon Brothers (Owen and Jacob) of Saltydog have a State Fair set at the KARE 11 area at 2 p.m. at Judson Avenue and Nelson Street.
Camille Baudoin (of the Radiators) & Friends have a show starting at 8 p.m. at the Zen Arcade in South Minneapolis.
Over at 331 Club in Northeast Minneapolis, Dream of the Wild has a show performing Grateful Dead and Ween songs. The first set, which is at 9:30 p.m., will be originals.
Dream of the Wild blew me away recently with a cover of "Take Five” which jammed into King Gizzard’s “Theia.” Don’t miss this band covering Ween and Grateful Dead classics this Thursday at 331 Club in Northeast.
PHOTO BY JAVIER SERNA/@jaminthestream
Will Effertz returns to Gluek’s downtown starting at 9:30 p.m. with his weekly WE Collective. Effertz has taken some time off recently to recharge in the woods, and was canoeing in the Boundary Waters with friends this past week.
Reed Grimm and Friends perform at Pimento on the Lake, over at Lake Bee Maka Ska from 6 to 9 p.m. That’s free.
Friday, Aug. 29
This year’s installment of First Avenue Goes to the Fair features Christy Costello, Dwynell Roland, Emma Jeanne and Hatie Peach (of Yonder), Jacob Mullis, Purple Funk Metropolis with Al Church and the Congregation at the West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater at 8 p.m. The show is included with Fair admission.
There’s always the International Reggae All-Stars and their weekly residency gig at Bunkers in North Loop starting at 9:30 p.m.
Up Nort’, Tina and The B-Sides play a free show on Silver Bay’s City Center Park Stage at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 30
Boss Mama & The Jebberhooch are the featured band at The Rugged Spruce Golf Club in Mahtowa at 7 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 31
Former Bunkers mainstay Dylan Salfer hits the MN State Fair Bandshell with sets at 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. and 11:45 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. It’s included with Fair admission.
Dylan Salfer recently brought Jellybean Johnson, Christon “Kingfish” Ingram and Deshawn “D'Vibes” Alexander to his old haunt at Bunkers recently during TWINE’s Wednesday residency. Salfer has a pair of gigs at the State Fair this week. PHOTO BY JAVIER SERNA/@jaminthestream
Shotgun Ragtime Band has its weekly gig at the Driftwood in South Minneapolis, with Fine and Friends starting at 6:30 p.m.
Dr. Mambo’s Combo also keeps its long-time residency going at Bunkers starting at 9:30 p.m.