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Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou at the Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis (07/10/12)

Read More Orchestre Poly-Rythmo Orchestre Poly-Rythmo at the Cedar on July 10th. This is a rather big band …

Benin's Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou are currently on tour throughout the US. They stopped by the Cedar Cultural Center last night, July 10th, as part of the venue's African Summer series.

As expected, this was a rather large band, ten band members, playing a variety of instruments including a couple of saxophones, keys, and shekere. They traded off vocals to about four of the ten members, but everyone had their moment to shine on their respective instruments.

Mélomé Clément was introduced as the band leader (the only band member dressed in all white), but I felt that Vincent Ahehehinnou was the center of attention as the star main vocalist.

As you can see from their set list, it looked like it wouldn't last more than 30 minutes, but the truth is, their songs are extra long and they easily filled up at least two hours. Highlight of the show for me was when they had three women come on stage to boogie down near the end of "Gbeti Madjor".

Their afrobeat/funk sound reminded me a lot of when I saw Seun Kuti (son of Afrobeat's pioneer Fela Kuti).

Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou will finish their US dates this July. Come out to see them if they're playing in your area.

07/11/12 Chicago, IL Mayne Stage
07/13/12 Toronto, ON Harbourfront Centre
07/15/12 Louisville, KY Forecastle Festival
07/19/12 Brooklyn, NY BAM R&B Festival
07/20/12 Boston, MA Brighton Music Hall
07/22/12 New York, NY Summerstage

Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou at the Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis (07/10/12)

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July Guide (2012)

Like Free in July and Guide to July, July in Minneapolis usually means lots of free outdoor/daytime free shows (like Bastille Day on July 15th). I would recommend bringing your own lawn chair and umbrella (for both sun and rain).

LAKE HARRIET
mplsmusicandmovies.com

The "Music and movies in the park" happen all over the Twin Cities' parks - it's really hard to sort out what bands and movies are playing on a particular night, so I would suggest looking over their schedule to zero in show…. Or you can just surprise yourself and randomly catch one of these events.

Generally these are local Minneapolis bands. The Lake Harriet showcase with VITA.MN seems like real winners: Caroline Smith on August 3rd, Is/Is on August 10th, S.Carey (aka "scarey") on August 17th, and Heiruspecs on August 24th. Also, don't forget our favorite sibling band, Lynhurst on the last date: September 3rd.

Schedule:

07/04/12 Retro Groove Classic Rock, Pop, R&B 07/05/12 The Flyin' A's Rockin' Americana Songwriting with guts 07/06/12 The Snaps Pure Americana Rock 07/07/12 Minneapolis Pops Orchestra Live 07/08/12 2:00 Wolff Jabbr Original Modern Jazz 07/08/12 5:30 Minneapolis Pops Orchestra Live 07/09/12 Jazz on the Prairie Big Band High Energy Big Band Jazz 07/10/12 St. Louis Park Community Band Refreshing 07/11/12 Charity Huot Original fun lovin' alternative folk 07/12/12 Eden Prairie Community Band 07/13/12 Minnesota Sinfonia Professional chamber orchestra 07/14/12 Minneapolis Pops Orchestra Live 07/15/12 2:00 MBOTMA Minnesota Bluegrass 07/15/12 5:30 Minneapolis Pops Orchestra Live 07/16/12 Calhoun-Isles Community Band Concert band 07/17/12 Machinery Hill Folk music from many locations 07/18/12 Israel Scout Friendship Caravan Israeli Musical 07/19/12 Kenwood Slim & "His Fairly Reliable Backup Band" 07/20/12 Minnesota Sinfonia Professional chamber orchestra 07/21/12 Minneapolis Pops Orchestra Live 07/22/12 2:00 Steve Parry Country, Solo Acoustic, Folk 07/22/12 5:30 Minneapolis Pops Orchestra Live 07/23/12 Brooklyn Community Band Concert music for all ages 07/24/12 Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis Orchestra Classics 07/25/12 Hopkins Westwind Concert Band Community 07/26/12 Robinsdale City Band 07/27/12 The Smarts Original Pop Jazz 07/28/12 Minneapolis Pops Orchestra Live 07/29/12 2:00 Bethany Larson and the Bee's Knees 07/29/12 5:30 Minneapolis Pops Orchestra Live e 07/30/12 The Auto Body Experience Horn-driven quirky rock fun 07/31/12 The Siems-Hauer Acoustic Duo 08/01/12 Doug Otto and the Getaways 08/02/12 1st Things 1st Performing jazz and swing 08/03/12 VITA.MN Presents: Caroline Smith & Good Night Sleeps

08/04/12 West Bank School of Music Joyful African pop music 08/05/12 2:00 The Moss Piglets 08/05/12 5:30 Lau Hawaiian Collective Hawaiian Water Songs 08/06/12 Bend in the River Big Band 17-Piece Big Band 08/07/12 Alison Scott Soulful, organic indie-rock 08/08/12 Gypsy Mania Gypsy 'Hot Club' swing jazz 08/09/12 Sing United - A Combined Chorus Event 08/10/12 VITA.MN Presents: Bloodnstuff with Is/Is 08/11/12 Michael Monroe Origianl Acoustic Folk/Reggae/Jazz 08/12/12 2:00 Kenwood Symphony Orchestra 08/12/12 5:30 Butch r Baker & Candlestyx Woodstock 08/13/12 Patchouli High energy Folk meets Flamenco 08/14/12 Honeywell Concert Band 08/15/12 Michelle Lynn Rhythmic and lyrical folk originals 08/16/12 Tortuga! Jazz/World/Rock Instrumental Quartet 08/17/12 VITA.MN Presents: S. Carey Music 08/18/12 No Man's String Band 08/19/12 2:00 Julie Johnson & The No-Accounts 08/19/12 5:30 La Danse Fatale La Danse Fatale Ballet Company 08/20/12 Minnesota Mandolin Orchestra Variety 08/21/12 Divine Diva Dames Swinging 08/22/12 Standing Waves Intelligent acoustic/electric pop rock 08/23/12 Capri Big Band Premier big band jazz 08/24/12 VITA.MN Presents: Heiruspecs Music 08/25/12 The Melvilles Rock, Folk, Pop, Country - Fun! 08/26/12 2:00 The Neighborhood Trio Pop Soul Jazz 08/26/12 5:30 The Tex Pistols Gritty and Real Country Roots 08/27/12 Zuhrah Shrine Band Traditional Concert Band 08/28/12 Sean Goffin Acoustic pop and rock 08/29/12 Detroit Don King Band Urban blues, rock n roll and jazz 08/30/12 Herman Jones My Funk Brother Band 08/31/12 Tom, Dick & Harry Fun, Rockin' Originals & Covers 09/01/12 Matt Moberg Acoustic folk pop duo 09/02/12 2:00 Andy Calhoun Country rock with an edge 09/02/12 5:30 Javier Trejo Trio Mexican-Americana 09/03/12 5:30 Lynhurst Original pop-rock sibling band

CEDAR CULTURAL CENTER
thecedar.org

If you listen to our podcasts, I have time and time again said that the Cedar is one of my favorite Minneapolis venue.

The Cedar does offer a free, weekly summer show on their outdoor patio simply called The Cedar Outdoors. Music generally starts at 7pm on Thursdays. If it's not raining, I may bicycle into town to check out some free shows:

07/05/12 Mandolin Orange - Americana, Folk
07/19/12 Axis Mundi World Trio - Global roots, Jazz
07/26/12 Guante - Hip hop
08/02/12 Wizards Are Real - Post rock, Experimental

I also just wanted to quickly mention that we are covering a few Cedar's "African Summer" 2012 concert series.

I'll be attending Orchestre Poly-Rythmo at the Cedar on July 10th. This is a rather big band and their music is described as "voodoo funk", so I'm expecting some New Orleans-brass mixed with Afrobeat funk.

Based on previous African shows I've attend in the past, they are usually pretty packed (if not sold-out), so I'm going to assume these shows will be standing room only and lots of dancing in the front.

Dave is attending Wake Up Madagascar on July 13th, you can read more about them in our previous article.

SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL AT NORTHROP
northrop.umn.edu

Previously called "Summer at Northrop", this is a free, outdoor summer concert series featuring local musicians and DJs, alongside U of M student bands.

I've never been to a SMFN, but it's located in the Minnesota University (84 Church Street Southeast, Minneapolis).

07/13/12 MaLLy & Culture Cry Wolf With DJ Fundo
07/18/12 The Premiums
07/27/12 Voices Merging: A Splash of Summer Open Mic
08/01/12 Sans Souci Quartet

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