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Super Bowl Live Day 1: Idina Menzel and friends at Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis (26 Jan 2018)

Friday, January 26, 2018 BOLD NORTH KICKOFF 4:00 pm DJ Mad Mardigan and MC Tonez 5:00 pm Kick-off Celebration with Idina Menzel, VocalEssence and Esera Tuaolo 6:15 pm Cynthia Johnson performing “Funkytown” with Flyte Tyme 6:45 pm Hitchville 7:30 pm Trailer Trash 8:30 pm Lost Highway 9:15 pm Chris Hawkey Band Read More Super Bowl With the teams now decided (New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles) and plans finalized with the game less than two weeks away, Super Bowl LII is coming to Minneapolis at US Bank Stadium …

It has begun—

The reality of Super Bowl LII coming to Minneapolis has begun in full swing as the downtown outdoor stretch of Nicollet Mall has been transformed into an entertainment mecca with nightly concerts on the Verizon stage called Super Bowl Live. 

The ten or so blocks of Nicollet Mall (starting at the 5^th Ave light rail stop) include numerous ice carvings, life-size snow globes for photo ops, several corporate displays including a 40ft stack of Schwan’s delivery trucks, the transported –from-Wisconsin Birkebeiner bridge, and an ice skating rink on Peavey Plaza.

Security is already tight downtown with numerous police and hired guards about, as well as the National Guard with Humvees (though it doesn’t resemble the lockdown of the 2004 RNC Convention) and volunteers from the 10,000-strong Crew 52 were everywhere to help people find their way. 

On the corner of 8^th and Nicollet Mall, sets the performance stage, a trapezoid-shaped raised platform with girders on all corners, challenging visibility and initially making it hard to determine which side the front is.  The immediate area near the stage is controlled by limited entrances (which often crowd and bottle neck) with bag and coat searches before being allowed in. 

The kickoff show began with a DJ set from Timberwolves/Lynx DJ Mad Mardigan and MC Tonez and got officially going with the national anthem sung by former MN Viking/Voice contestant Esera Tuaolo, who was also joined by local choir VocalEssence. 

At just after 6pm, singer Idina Menzel took to the stage for her four-minute signature song, ‘Let it Go’ from the Disney film, Frozen, the moment so many that had brought their shivering kids to see. Shortly following, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (who curated the talent lineup for the series) reunited with their original band Flyte Tyme for a version of Lipps. Inc 1980 classic, ‘Funkytown’ featuring original vocalist Cynthia Johnson.

Other acts on opening night included local bands Trailer Trash and Lost Highway, with the Chris Hawkey Band closing the evening by 10pm.  The crowd on this first evening was plentiful, helped by mild temps in the low 40s, plenty of things to see and do, and being able to drink in the streets, with Bud Light bottles in a lot of hands.  One night down, nine to go for Super Bowl Live.

Tips If You Go:

1)      Dress warm - with temperatures continuing to fall as game day nears, dress in layers, and then add even another layer- it’s colder standing in place watching an outdoor concert, than moving about.

2)      Arrive early- crowds on the first day are already large and overflowed enough near the stage, that they capped the number allowed in that area. Arriving early allows a better chance of a good vantage point. The stage front points diagonally toward 9^th.

3)      Parking- ramps are already charging $25+, so be strategic with street parking, available for little to no cost. Event rates aren’t yet in effect and some outlying meters are free after 6pm, if you don’t mind walking a few blocks.

4)      Free hot chocolate- head to the Target lounge across the street from their flagship downtown store to warm up, see some exhibits and grab a free beverage.

SUPER BOWL LIVE Schedule

	Saturday, January 27, 2018 2:00 pm DJ Mad Mardigan and MC Tonez 4:00 pm Beats and Rhymes 5:00 pm Lexii Alijai 6:00 pm iLLism 7:00 pm deM atlaS 8:00 pm Brother Ali 9:00 pm Prof		Sunday, January 28, 2018 2:00 pm DJ Kimuel Hailey and MC Tonez 3:15 pm Bailey Bryan 4:00 pm Sara Renner 5:00 pm The Steeles 6:00 pm Twin Cities Community Gospel Choir 7:00 pm Sounds of Blackness with Big Jim Wright & Ann Nesby
	Monday, January 29, 2018 SALUTE TO PRINCE 4:00 pm DJ Dudley D 8:00 pm Sheila E. 8:30 p.m. Morris Day and the Time 9:15 p.m. The Revolution		Tuesday, January 30, 2018 4:00 pm Minnesota Special Olympics Polar Plunge 4:00 pm DJ Matty Matt and MC Tonez 5:00 pm Drum Down the Sun 7:15 pm Socaholix 7:45 pm International Reggae All Stars 8:30 pm Ipso Facto
	Wednesday, January 31, 2018 4:00 pm DJ Brother Jules and MC Tonez 4:30 pm Legacy Fund presents Kids Dance Party & Appetite for Change 6:00 pm Stokley Williams 6:45 pm Dessa 7:30 pm Mint Condition 8:30 pm New Power Generation, guest vocalists Andre Cymone, Kip Blackshire and Mackenzie Green		Thursday, February 1, 2018 4:00 pm DJ Kimuel Hailey and MC Tonez 4:00 pm Les Stroud 4:45 pm Jakubi 5:45 pm fDeluxe 6:45 pm New Power Soul 7:45 pm Andre Cymone: 1969 Live Music Experience 8:45 pm Rae Sremmurd
	Friday, February 2, 2018 2:00 pm DJ Howard "HK" Kessler 4:00 pm Zuluzuluu 4:45 pm Cobi 5:45 pm The Jets 6:45 pm KING 9:00 pm Skylar Grey		Saturday, February 3, 2018 11:30 am DJ Dudley D, MC Tonez & Katie Andres 12:00 pm Fan Rally #1 2:30 pm Fan Rally #2 4:00 pm Kris Wu 4:45 pm Bob Mould 5:45 pm The Suburbs 6:45 pm The Jayhawks 7:45 pm Soul Asylum 9:00 pm X Ambassadors
	Sunday, February 4, 2018 BOLD NORTH GAMEDAY 12:00 pm DJ Dudley D, Katie Andres & Jon Berry 1:00 pm 13 Crowns

Photo Gallery for Friday, January 26, 2018

Cynthia Johnson with Flyte Tyme at Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis (26 Jan 2018)

Cynthia Johnson with Flyte Tyme

DJ Mad Mardigan

Esera Tuaolo Vocal Essence

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis

Idina Menzel

Idina Menzel at Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis (26 Jan 2018)

john ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Super Bowl LII Week in Minneapolis (26 Jan-04 Feb 2018) - A Concert Overview

Read More Football Well you Yanks may not know what a football vuvuzela is*, but the rest of us have been busy watching the FIFA World Cup. Including Richie Webb, BBC Radio 2's …

With the teams now decided (New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles) and plans finalized with the game less than two weeks away, Super Bowl LII is coming to Minneapolis at US Bank Stadium on Sunday, February 4.

In addition, the city is transforming itself with a plethora of Bold North-based entertainment options and ten days of concerts, so we wanted to give you the overview of all the upcoming shows.

ARMORY (Downtown Minneapolis)

This historic venue built originally in the 1930s and that was once home to Minneapolis Lakers and site of Prince’s ‘1999’ music video, has been recently refurbished into a modern entertainment complex, and located nearby the stadium, will be the concert epicenter, hosting the most high-profile shows. 

Nomadic Entertainment has hosted numerous Super Bowl week concerts featuring A-List talent, and will do the same at the Armory with Imagine Dragons (Feb 1), Pink (Feb 2), and Jennifer Lopez (Feb 3). 

MYSTIC LAKE (Shakopee, MN)

The suburban casino recently debuted its new hotel and event center and plans on hosting a handful of shows itself.  Originally planned as the site of Club Nomadic, a temporary event structure plans have been scuttled (with Nomadic no longer the presenter) and the shows Chainsmokers (Feb 1), Kygo (Feb 2, no longer with Ellie Goulding), Florida Georgia Line (Feb 3) and Gwen Stefani (Feb 4). 

SUPERBOWL LIVE (Nicollet Mall, downtown Minneapolis)

For the budget-conscious and fans of locally based music, these ten days of free evening concerts curated by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are an ideal setting.  Idina Menzel is on hand to kick things off (Jan 26), fittingly singing her hit from ‘Frozen’ and other noteworthy nights include a Prince Tribute (Jan 29), hip hop night (Jan 27), reggae to warm up the crowd (Jan 30) and MN rock favorites (Feb 3).

RIVERCENTRE (and Xcel Energy Center – Downtown St. Paul)

In addition to a seventy-foot high ice palace and winter slide at the baseball stadium, downtown St. Paul hosts a couple of noteworthy shows, including “The Night Before” concert with Dave Matthews Band (Feb 3) at Xcel and O.A.R. performing (Feb 3) at the culinary Taste of the NFL, an event that first began in 1992, when Minnesota first hosted the big game.

LUMBER EXCHANGE BUILDING (downtown Minneapolis)

Tao Minneapolis promises the look and feel of a Las Vegas-style club setting, with a handful of shows that will likely go late into the night including Rick Ross/Lil’ Jon (Feb 1), Jamie Foxx, Kaskade and Shaq (Feb 2), and G-Eazy/Afrojack (Feb 3) with EDM legend Paul Oakenfold spinning in the intimate basement (Feb 4) after the game.

PRIVE NIGHTCLUB (downtown Minneapolis)

A new addition to First Avenue downtown, Privé Niightclub promises a high-end entertainment experience, with premier booked concerts on the week of the game. Fabolous and Cardi B have separate shows (both Feb 1) with Gucci Mane/Young Thug (Feb 2) taking things over next and Snoop Dogg (Feb 3) hosting a Playboy Party, and Lil’ Wayne/2Chainz scheduled on game night (Feb 4).

CORPORATE PARTIES / OTHER VENUES (various locations)

Most restaurants and clubs (in downtown Minneapolis particularly) have been completely booked by corporate sponsors and game VIPs though a few remain open with shows such as the Dakota Jazz Club (hosting several Prince-related acts). Speaking of the Purple One, Justin Timberlake hosts a long sold-out listening party at Paisley Park (Feb 1) and Kelly Clarkson finds herself performing at numerous game day mostly private events (Feb 4).

The Maxim Party promises a 31,000 temporary dome with Post Malone and DJ Marshmello entertaining and Rolling Stone magazine takes over the International Market Square (Feb 2) with hot hip-hop trio Migos. Other Super Bowl week events are numerous, including the comedy of Kevin Hart at Target Center (Feb2) and a live Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (Feb 4) taking place post-game at the Orpheum.

Below is a comprehensive chart with the many entertainment options available in the Twin Cities as we approach the excitement of Super Bowl LII week in Minnesota:

POSTERS	DATE	PERFORMER(S)	VENUE	PRICE
	26-Jan	Idina Menzel, VocalEssence, Chris Hawkey	SuperBowl Live- Nicollet Mall	Free
	27-Jan	Prof, Brother Ali, deM atlaS, iLLism	SuperBowl Live- Nicollet Mall	Free
	28-Jan	Sounds of Blackness, Steeles, Sara Renner	SuperBowl Live- Nicollet Mall	Free
	29-Jan	Prince Tribute feat. The Time, Revolution, Sheila E	SuperBowl Live- Nicollet Mall	Free
	30-Jan	Ipso Facto, Intl Reggae All-Stars	SuperBowl Live- Nicollet Mall	Free
	30-Jan	First Aid Kit	Palace Theater - St. Paul	$25-45 (sold out)
	31-Jan	NPG, Mint Condition, Dessa	SuperBowl Live- Nicollet Mall	Free
	31-Jan	Josh Ritter	Fitzgerald Theater- St. Paul	$35-45
	31-Jan	Marilyn Manson	Myth - Maplewod, MN	$55+
	31-Jan	fDeluxe (aka The Family)	Dakota Jazz Club	$45-50
	31-Jan	Plies and Trina	Privé Nightclub	$100+
	1-Feb	Justin Timberlake (AMEX exclusive listening party)	Paisley Park- Chanhassen, MN	$80 (sold out)
	1-Feb	Fabolous and Friends	Privé Nightclub	$40+
	1-Feb	Cardi B	Privé Nightclub	$150+
	1-Feb	Rae Sremmurd, Andre Cymone, New Power Soul, fDeluxe	SuperBowl Live- Nicollet Mall	Free
	1-Feb	Naughty by Nature	Fine Line Music Café	$75+
	1-Feb	Rick Ross, Lil' Jon	Tao Minneapolis	$249+
	1-Feb	19th annual Gospel Celebration	Bethel University- Arden Hills	$75
	1-Feb	Imagine Dragons , Machine Gun Kelly, Mura Masa	Armory Minneapolis	$175
	1-Feb	Chainsmokers	Mystic Lake Center- Shakopee, MN	$89+
	1-Feb	Sting, Biz Markie, Frank Caliendo	Union Depot- St. Paul- NFL Owners Mtg	n/a
	2-Feb	Skylar Grey, KING, Jets, Cobi	SuperBowl Live- Nicollet Mall	Free
	2-Feb	Jamie Foxx, Kaskade, DJ Diesel (Shaq O'Neal)	Tao Minneapolis	$299+
	2-Feb	Firehouse w/Jack Russell's Great White	Medina Entertainment Center- Medina	$34+
	2-Feb	Gucci Mane, Young Thug, Blac Chyna	Privé  Nightclub	$515+
	2-Feb	Kygo	Mystic Lake Center- Shakopee, MN	$59+
	2-Feb	Pink	Armory Minneapolis	$225 (GA sold out)
	2-Feb	Kevin Hart	Target Center	$68+
	2-Feb	FloRida - Leather and Laces Party	Schafer-Richardson Bldg- Minneapolis	$350+
	2-Feb	Future, Cardi B	Myth - Maplewod, MN	$499+
	2-Feb	Fabolous , Black Bag LA	Aqua Nightclub	$515+
	2-Feb	Migos	International Market Square (Rolling Stone Party)	$700+
	2-Feb	New Power Generation	Dakota Jazz Club	$60-80
	3-Feb	New Power Generation	Dakota Jazz Club	$60-80
	3-Feb	X Ambassadors, Jayhawks, Soul Asylum, Bob Mould	SuperBowl Live- Nicollet Mall	Free
	3-Feb	Diet Cig w/ The Spook School	University of MN	$5-10
	3-Feb	Snoop Dogg Playboy Party	Privé Nightclub	$500+
	3-Feb	Gramatik	Skyway Theatre Minneapolis	$25
	3-Feb	G-Eazy,  Afrojack, Nick Cannon	Tao Minneapolis	$299+
	3-Feb	Florida Georgia Line	Mystic Lake Showroom- Shakopee, MN	$200+
	3-Feb	Jennifer Lopez (presented by DirecTV)	Armory Minneapolis	$250+
	3-Feb	O.A.R.	Taste of the NFL- Rivercentre, St. Paul	$700
	3-Feb	Dave Matthews Band	Xcel Energy Center- "The Night Before"- St. Paul	$57+
	3-Feb	Post Malone, DJ Marshmello	Maxim Dome- Maxim Party	$750+
	4-Feb	Kelly Clarkson	Super Bowl LII VIP pre-parties	$6299+
	4-Feb	Pink, Leslie Odom Jr., Justin Timberlake	Super Bowl LII- US Bank Stadium	priceless
	4-Feb	This is Us cast, Dwayne Johnson, Justin Timberlake	Tonight Show w Jimmy Fallon- Orpheum Theatre	Free (sold out)
	4-Feb	Gwen Stefani	Mystic Lake Center- Shakopee, MN	$69+
	4-Feb	Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, Fabolous, Floyd Mayweather	Privé Nightclub	$515+
	4-Feb	Rick Ross, Young Dolph	Aqua Nightclub	$515+
	4-Feb	Paul Oakenfold	Lumber Exchange Bldg	$50+
	4-Feb	Diddy, DJ Khaled, French Montana, Cardi B, G-Eazy, Busta Rhymes	Armory Minneapolis	$99+

john ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic