It’s the time of year when we all begin to plan our spring and summer of outdoor activities. And that includes music.
The Minnesota State Fair just announced new acts for this summer’s lineup, including Tim McGraw (Aug. 27, $71 and $56) and A Prairie Home Companion (Aug 29, $32 and $25), tickets for both of which go on sale this Saturday. Also, the Walker just announced that they are gearing up for an even bigger Rock the Garden this year with a new, two-day event June 21 and 22. Even promoters are encouraging would-be attendees to tune in to 89.3 The Current on Tuesday, April 15 at 4 p.m. to hear the announcement of the new supersized line-up. Tickets will go on sale Saturday, April 17 at 11 a.m. for members of the Walker, with general tickets going on sale Saturday, April 19.
While the Twin Cities annual music festivals are wonderful, I really don’t believe there’s a better venue for summer music than the Minnesota Zoo’s Weesner Family Amphitheater. Where else would you find a beautiful pond as the backdrop for such a stage?
Each year the zoo packs the outdoor music schedule with a complete slate of shows all summer long. They just announced the first rollout of shows, and they include a variety of acts from Aaron Neville to Ziggy Marley. So far the lineup includes a mix of new acts and familiar faces; I’ve seen Indigo Girls and Pat Benetar at the zoo before, and if their current shows are anything like the past, I’d highly recommend them.
I say so far, because this schedule isn’t the entire list. Watch for additional concerts to be announced next Monday. One artist who is not on the list, at least not yet, is saxophone player Dave Koz, who has been making a stop at the zoo each summer for years. We will see.
Tickets will go on sale Saturday, April 26 at 10 a.m. Unlike year’s past, no package offers have been announced, and there are no pre-sale offers for zoo members. (Again, we’ll see.) Also new this year is the series ticket partner, (www.etix.com); tickets may also be purchased at www.suemclean.com/zoo and at the Electric Fetus. You can find more info at the Minnesota Zoo’s concert site.
The 2014 Music in the Zoo schedule:
June 2:”…An Evening with The Monkees ($70)
June 3:”…Indigo Girls ($50)
June 8:”…Steve Earle & the Dukes ($45)
June 15:”…Okee Dokee Brothers Father’s Day Concert ($20)
June 17:”…moe with special guest the Chris Robinson Brotherhood ($35)
June 19:”…Aaron Neville ($45)
June 23:”…John Hiatt & the Combo and Robert Cray Band ($54)
June 24:”…Rufus Wainwright ($39)
June 27:”…And Evening with Big Head Todd and The Monsters ($36)
July 3:”…Béla Fleck with Brooklyn Rider String Quartet ($42)
July 5:”…The Hold Steady ($45)
Aug. 3:”…Lyle Lovett & His Large Band ($68)
Aug. 6:”…Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue ($43)
Aug. 12:”…Ziggy Marley ($41)
Aug. 23: Josh Turner ($66)
Aug. 24: Pat Benetar and Neil Giraldo (DATE CHANGE) ($62)
