Lowertown Block Party
Corner of Broadway & Prince (4^th) Streets, St. Paul MN
July 25, 2010   2:00-8:00 pm

FREE • All Ages Welcome • Family-Friendly

The Lowertown Entertainment District business association today announced the line-up for the Fifth Annual Lowertown Block Party, to be held Sunday, July 25, from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the corner of Prince and Broadway Streets in downtown Saint Paul.

“With the Block Party, we’re bringing residents and artists together for the day, to celebrate the community, and to invite other people from around the area to come and see what a vibrant and exciting neighborhood this is.” said Sara Remke, co-owner of the Black Dog Café. The Black Dog has staged the block party in the past, but with the formation of the Lowertown Entertainment District, it seemed appropriate to have the larger group sponsor the event.

Make Tracks to Lowertown
Marc Dickhut, Chair of the Lowertown Entertainment District and Manager of the Bulldog mentioned another reason for the event, “We want to demonstrate that Lowertown and its businesses are open during construction of the LRT. We are excited that the sounds of jackhammers will be replaced with the sounds of jazz, blues, and world music!” Saint Paul residents with an interest in the LRT can see the project’s progress and enjoy a day of music at the same time.

The Lowertown Block Party will showcase the work of a diverse group of performing and visual artists. The Black Dog will feature an art exhibit based on the theme of Community. Additionally, a Call for Artists is seeking visual artists to respond to the day’s events with an outdoor art fair.

The Black Dog will be providing its usual excellent cafe-style food, with the additional treat of hamburgers or veggies straight off the grill. Beer, wine and specialty sodas will also be available. Parking is available to the East of the Northern Warehouse, in lots along Prince Street, and in the lots on the corner of Kellogg and Broadway.

Blues, jazz, hip-hop, spoken word, Celtic/Americana music and Brazilian drumming will be featured on an outdoor stage. Sets will last between 45-50 min. each, specific schedule to be announced at a later date. The line-up includes the following:

Jimmi & The Band Of Souls

Jimmi Langemo delivers passionate, powerful live performances of blues, folk and gospel music using a variety of instruments. Jimmi and The Band of Souls will be playing at the Taste of Chicago prior to coming to the Lowertown Block Party. Jimmi’s latest CD is entitled The Temple. The Band of Souls is Nate Heinz with  bass and vocals, Allan Meyer on the drums, Jay LeClair on guitar and Coyote James with guitar and vocals. http://www.myspace.com/jimmilangemo

Long Straight Forever

As Long Straight Forever, Michael Matheny, Raymond Yates, and instrumentalist extraordinaire Matthew Ogden create a sound that encompasses Celtic, Americana, and rock. They use songs, voices, guitars, a mandola, and a bodhran to travel the oceanic trail from the British Isles to the Americas. http://www.ilike.com/artist/The+Long+Straight+Forever

Irv Williams

“Mr. Smooth” is a sobriquet that 90 years old Irv Williams earned long ago, thanks to his warm, smoky tone on the saxophone. He has performed in just about every jazz club the Twin Cities has hosted since WWII, including The Flame Bar where he split sets with stars like Sarah Vaughan, and Johnny Hodges. Irv’s CD That’s All? was named one of the “Top 20 Local Albums” of 2004 by the Star Tribune.

Ursus Minor

Ursus Minor was created in January 2003 by keyboardist and composer Tony Hymas (Jeff Beck, Sam Rivers, Jack Bruce, John McLaughlin), guitarist Mike Scott (from Justin Timberlake and Prince) saxophonist Francois Corneloup (Bernard Lubat, Louis Sclavis), and drummer and singer Stokley Williams. Ursus Minor is here to finish their 3rd CD which features Desdamona.

http://www.myspace.com/ursusminorgroup

Kristoff Kane

This Minnesota MC wears his “heart on his sleeve” as one reviewer wrote. He lays out his introspective tales using jazzy, funky beats, and the occasional found sound in a spare, but effective manner. His 2008 album. This Will Work for Now, was a City Pages Top Ten of the Year. His new CD, Looking for Father, is becoming an acclaimed hit. He’ll be accompanied by Jeremy Ylvisaker and Mike Louvin. http://www.myspace.com/kristoffkrane

Davina & The Vagabonds

Davina and the Vagabonds are the busiest band in town, thanks to their hard-working professionalism, high energy stage performances, and original sound. Davina belts out originals and covers with elan, while the Vagabonds provide playful, jazzy accompaniment. http://www.myspace.com/davinaandthevagabonds

Batucada do Norte

Batucada do Norte is a 15 member all-percussion samba band. They perform the many styles of Brazilian drumming that are heard during Carnival.  Batucada do Norte is led by brothers Tim and Pat O’Keefe who are passionate about this Brazilian style of music. They also play in a Brazilian popular music band called Brasamba. http://www.myspace.com/batucadadonorte

The Fantastic Friday House Band

A mysterious blend of jazz and chamber music brings together the visceral power of Charles Mingus and the sparse textures of Steve Reich through original compositions and improvised pieces. Saxophonist Nathan Hanson, bassist Brian Roessler on electric and double bass, drummer Peter Hennig and Matt Turner, who is regarded as one of the world’s leading improvising cellists and is also a highly accomplished pianist. http://www.fantasticmerlins.com/

Ill Chemistry

Ill Chemistry is composed of Desdamona and her beatbox partner Carnage. Desdamona is an international, award-winning artist; who has taken her distinct lyrics, sound and artistic stylings to audiences from Minnesota to international audiences. She has been a featured performer at many international music festivals, and won the award for Best Spoken Word Artist from the MN Music Awards five consecutive years. She and Carnage also headlined The 2nd Nature Tour (2008). http://www.myspace.com/desdamona

For more information contact:

Larry Englund, 651-290-497. Email: lenglund@isd.net

Robyn Beth Priestley, 651-292-0321. Email: robyn@tripodservices.com