Winona Arts Center - 2024-2025 Concert Series

Concerts are presented at the Winona Arts Center, 228 East 5th Street, Winona, MN.

Tickets are available in advance at Eventbrite and at Music Mart (Formerly Hardt's Music) or at the door. Coffeehouse and gallery are open 1 hour prior to concerts.

Jeani & the Dreamers

Saturday / September 14, 2024 / 7:00pm

$10 in Advance / $15 at the Door

Tickets are available at Music Mart (formerly Hardt’s Music) until September 13 at 5:00pm or Eventbrite until September 14 at 4:00pm

Coffeehouse & gallery open at 6:00pm
Buy Tickets Online

Jeani & the Dreamers keep classic Rock & Roll and easy listening country and folk music alive & well. Jeani & Steve Jorde, members of the former Winona dance band Union Station, and long time Winona musician Curt Glenna, love the laid back, almost unplugged structure of their style of performance. Although they didn’t intend on becoming a dance band, listeners often rise up and feel compelled to engage in the music through dance. Their music includes classic hits by The Beatles, Eagles, Crosby Stills, Nash, and Young, Linda Ronstadt, Fleetwood Mac, and others.

Photograph of Claudia Schmidt & Sally Rogers

Claudia Schmidt & Sally Rogers

Saturday / September 21, 2024 / 7:00pm

$25 in Advance / $30 at the Door

Tickets are available at Music Mart (formerly Hardt’s Music) until September 20 at 5:00pm or Eventbrite until September 21 at 4:00pm

Coffeehouse & gallery open at 6:00pm
Buy tickets online: Eventbrite

Folksingers Claudia Schmidt and Sally Rogers have been weaving their voices, dulcimers, and guitars together for decades, creating an atmosphere of joy and musical lushness that audiences find so irresistible, they frequently join right in. Their soaring harmonies ('blood harmony' was how one fan described it), fascinating double dulcimer work, and the mix of 6 and 12 string guitars, blend with a wide choice of songs. In one concert, they combine their originals, plus traditional songs, and choice compositions of contemporary songwriters. A concert by these two masters of their craft is an immensely satisfying and restorative experience. Time has only deepened and enriched the music they create together.

Claudia and Sally have been perfecting their craft of performing for almost four decades, both as solo artists and as a duo. Claudia’s is a quirky and wonderful hodge-podge (her word!) of music, poetry, story, laughter, drama, and celebrating the moment. Work in clubs, theaters, festivals, TV, radio has added depth and dimension, and since she has always included her original work along with very personal versions of the work of others, what you get is a unique look at the world from someone who says what she sees with clarity, humor, and wonder. The San Francisco Bay Guardian said: Schmidt's shows are a lot like falling in love. You never know what's going to happen next, chances are it's going to be wonderful, every moment is burned into your memory and you know you'll never be the same again. More succinctly, Garrison Keillor said "when Claudia sings a song, it stays sung".

Sally Rogers began her career as a full-time touring musician in 1979, after encouragement from Stan Rogers, the legendary Canadian singer-songwriter. That was followed by an invitation from Garrison Keillor to appear on A Prairie Home Companion. She appeared more than a dozen times on that show, which launched her performing career. Her travels have since taken her to Europe, China, Hungary and Poland, England and Scotland and across the United States. Her concerts enfold the audience in the music as they are encouraged to join in throughout the evening. Her gorgeous singing voice, boundless energy and good humor are welcomed from coast to coast.

DISCOGRAPHY
Closing the Distance Flying Fish Records 1987
While We Live Red House Records 1991
Evidence of Happiness Pragmavision 2012
We are Welcomed Pragmavision 2016

Photo of Hot Sauce TrioHot Sauce Trio

Saturday / October 5, 2024 / 7:00pm

$15 in Advance / $20 at the Door

Tickets not on sale yet. Please check back for ticket sales announcements.

Coffeehouse & gallery open at 6:00pm

The Hot Sauce Trio, with Hans Mayer on lead vocals, guitar, mandolin, and Native American flute, Wayne Beezly on mandolin and mandocello and vocals and Derick Benz on bass and vocals will be performing many of Mayer’s original songs along with some swinging fast-paced classic tunes. Hans has played with several popular groups in the region including Blind Baby Olin, Smith and Mayer, Jawbone, Bill Miller, The Mayer Brothers Band and Hot Sauce. Hans’ tunes cover styles from rock, folk, Americana, blues and a little bit of swing.

They will do crowd favorites including Going Home, I’m so Glad, Stand Up Tall, Walk About, Good Time for Free, and Loose as a Goose. Hans will begin the showcase performing solo and will be joined later by popular Winona based musician, Wayne Beezly a current member of String Ties, The Bus Boys, and Hot Sauce. Wayne is known for his lighting quick mandolin and mandocello playing and he and Hans will do some double mandolin playing. They will be joined by another Winona based musician, Dedrick Benz, a current member of the Bus Boys, Gregg Hall and the Wrecking Ball and String Ties and a new member of the trio Hot Sauce with Hans and Wayne.

Upcoming Concerts

2024

October 26: Mississippi Hot Club Cost — $20/advance $25/door
November 9: Mike Munson & Lars-ErickLarson — $15/advance $20/door
November 16: Philip Daniel — $15/advance $20/door
December 14: Johnson Street Underground — $10/advance $15/door

2025

January 18: Flamenco Dance Troupe
Feb 8: Radaslov Lorkovic
March 29: Ann Reed & Dan Choinard
April 12: John Smith & Dan Sebranek
April 26: Ryan Quintet
Sept 14: Opposable Thumbs
Oct 11: Julie Patchouli

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

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