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The Current's 10th Anniversary

The Current's 10th Anniversary
The Current's 10th AnniversaryMPR

February 03, 2015

We've recently wrapped up a massive 10-day celebration to mark our 10 years on the air. From a full-house Policy and a Pint to Turf Club gigs to tubing at Wirth Park to a lively Public Music Meeting and wrapping up with two sold-out nights at First Avenue, we've made a lot of great memories together. Thank you so much for being part of #Current10!

And to help us all look back on the celebrations, The Current's Nate Ryan has put together this three-minute retrospective of all The Current's 10th Anniversary events (see below). We hope it stirs all kinds of good thoughts. Together, we are more than music. Thank you for listening and for your support.

The Current's 10th Anniversary

Reviews and Photos

Cold War Kids, Dead Man Winter, Hippo Campus, and Allan Kingdom rock First Avenue
Atmosphere, J. Roddy Walston, the Trashmen, and PaviElle wow First Avenue
#Current10: First Avenue, Night 2: social media roundup
#Current10: First Avenue, Night 1: social media roundup
Minnesota music royalty pay tribute to Purple Rain
Jose James channels Billie Holiday at a moving performance in Rochester
Billy Idol brings his "Rebel Yell" to the Turf Club
Suicide Commandos rock the Turf Club with Craig Finn, Tad Kubler, and Mayor Chris Coleman
Dan Wilson, Caroline Smith, and Jeremy Messersmith turn on the charm at the Bryant-Lake Bowl
Policy and a Pint: Bikes, Buses and Beyond at the Amsterdam Bar and Hall

Features

Behind the Dial: A Virtual Day in the Life of The Current
So where did that red oval come from?
The Current Interactive Timeline
10 years of The Current, in 10 numbers
Where I was 10 years ago today
Artists remember the first time they heard themselves on the Current
What are your top musical discoveries from the past ten years?
Derrick Stevens breaks down the best radio promos of the past ten years
Your Stories
Loving The Current from afar
You're invited to remix The Current

Contests and Giveaways

The Current's #LPme Photo Contest
The Current's #CurrentSwag Contest
The Current's #CurrentIdol Contest

Memories

#Current10 Memories: Jim McGuinn
#Current10 Memories: Jill Riley and Steve Seel
#Current10 Memories: Barb Abney
#Current10 Memories: Bill DeVille
#Current10 Memories: Mary Lucia
#Current10 Memories: Mark Wheat
#Current10 Memories: Ali Lozoff

Thursday, Jan. 15

9:30 Coffee Break Live in the Forum at Minnesota Public Radio

8-10 a.m.
All ages
Free with RSVP »

Watch the radio magic happen in real life. Join Steve Seel and Jill Riley of The Current's Morning Show and musical guests the Ericksons for a live 9:30 Coffee Break in Minnesota Public Radio's Forum. Enjoy treats from Glam Doll Donuts and caffeine from Peace Coffee.

Policy and a Pint: Buses, Bikes and Beyond at Amsterdam Bar and Hall

5:30 p.m. doors, 6 p.m. program
All ages
$10, $5 for students with ID

SOLD OUT

At the next Policy and a Pint: Buses, Bikes and Beyond, Steve Seel will host a discussion about how our region is adapting to the changing needs and desires of residents in both urban and rural areas with regards to mass transit, ride share, biking culture and that mainstay of American transportation: the mighty car.

Friday, Jan. 16

Record Shopping with The Current DJs at the Electric Fetus

The Current's #LPme Photo Contest

We're giving away Electric Fetus shopping sprees where you and your favorite hosts like Steve Seel, Jill Riley, and Mark Wheat will expand your music collection. If you didn't win, you can still stop in and shop at one of the best record shops in the Twin Cities.

The Current Makes a Record: The Hold Steady/The Suicide Commandos 10" Release Party at the Turf Club

SOLD OUT

Set Times
7 p.m. doors
9 p.m. L'Assassins
10 p.m. The Suicide Commandos with Craig Finn and Tad Kubler

Nothing says 10th anniversary like a split 10" featuring in-studio performances from the Hold Steady and the Suicide Commandos. The first time you can get your hands on this 10" hand-stamped by The Current staff will be at the Turf Club release party which features performances by the Suicide Commandos featuring Craig Finn and Tad Kubler of the Hold Steady, L'Assassins.

10" available at the following locations:
Agharta Records
Cheapo Records
Down in the Valley (3 locations)
Electric Fetus
Eclipse Records
Know Name Records
Orange Records (Fargo)
Treehouse Records

Saturday, Jan. 17

Happy Hour with Mark Wheat at the Doggery

We're hitting the road and headed south to visit the Rochester posse! In preparation for Jose James performance at Presentation Hall, we'll gather at the Doggery (18 3rd St. W in Rochester) for a pre-show happy hour with Mark Wheat and other special guests from The Current. And who knows, maybe Jose James will stop by!

Drink specials from Third Street Brewhouse and snacks from Zzest Catering will be on hand. Take your photo with Snap Yourself! and hop on Rochester Trolley to get to the show.

Jose James at Mayo Civic Center's Presentation Hall

Join Mark Wheat and The Current staff for an evening of soulful jazz and hip-hop from New York City transplant and Minnesota native Jose James.

Sound Check Party and Show with Hamilton Leithauser at the Turf Club

Known as the lead singer of The Walkmen, Hamilton Leithauser has certainly been making a name for himself over the past few years as a budding solo musician. We'll host a sound check party before Hamilton's show that evening.

Sunday, Jan. 18

Set Times
10 a.m.
11 p.m.
12 p.m.

Ever wonder what radio people and musicians look like before noon? See these creatures outside of their native habitat, at Theodore Wirth Winter Recreation Area. In addition to ripping down the hill with your favorite hosts you can take in a set from Gabriel Douglas of the 4onthefloor who will perform in the chalet all morning.

Private Concert in the Round feat. Dan Wilson, Jeremy Messersmith and Caroline Smith at Bryant Lake Bowl

We've gathered together some of our favorite songwriters for a unique performance in this intimate theater at Bryant Lake Bowl with beer from Summit Brewing Company including $4 Oatmeal Stout, Saga IPA, and Extra Pale Ale. Hear original songs from Dan Wilson, Jeremy Messersmith and Caroline Smith plus one-off collaborations you won't hear anywhere else. The only way to attend this exclusive performance is by winning through The Current, so keep your eyes and ears peeled!

Monday, Jan. 19

Rock 'n' Roll Radio Live with Mary Lucia at the Turf Club

SOLD OUT

Set Times
7 p.m. doors
8 p.m. Tropical Depression
9 p.m. Little Man
10 p.m. Billy Idol with Steve Stevens

The Current's #CurrentIdol Video Contest

Mary Lucia sure knows how to rock and she's handpicked a lineup that will surely blow you away. Leave it to Little Man, Tropical Depression and—wait for it—Billy Idol performing an acoustic set (!!!) to make it one memorable night at the Turf Club.

Tuesday, Jan. 20

SOLD OUT

Set Times
6 p.m. doors
7 p.m. music
8 p.m. Purple Rain

It wouldn't be right to leave out the Purple One, so we're hosting a screening of Purple Rain. Heiruspecs band and an all-star cast of singers like Lizzo, Maurice Jacox, Ashley Dubose, Tickle Torture will perform Prince hits to close out the evening.

Wednesday, Jan. 21

Set Times
10 p.m. doors/DJ Barb Abney
11:15 p.m. DJ Jake Rudh

A good, sweaty dance party in a cozy room on a cold winter's night will definitely get you through the winter blues. Even better, how about dancing the night away to one of the Twin Cities' best club DJs? Join Jake Rudh with guest DJ Barb Abney for a very special night of Transmission.

Thursday, Jan. 22

Free with RSVP »

Set Times
3 p.m. happy hour (All ages)
5 p.m. Public Music Meeting (All ages)
6:30 p.m. karaoke with Doomtree (18+)

Learn what it takes to program a radio station. Give us your real, no-holds-barred opinions on new music we are considering for airplay. No, seriously. You vote and give us your feedback in front of the people who make decisions about the music you hear on air every day. Special music guests and hosts from the station will offer up their two cents as well.

Stick around to join in on karaoke with Doomtree. That's right, you might get to duet with Dessa drop a verse with P.O.S. Plus P.O.S.' Mom is running the show, so that's sweet. Come early, stay late, or choose your own adventure.

Friday, Jan. 23 and Saturday, Jan. 24

10th Anniversary Concert and Broadcast at First Avenue

SOLD OUT

Check back for a chance to win tickets to both nights.

The climax. The finale. The coup de grace. Join us for two nights of bands you love with Schell's and Grain Belt beer at the Twin Cities' most legendary venue surrounded by joyful musicphiles just like you. If tickets aren't sold out by the time you read this, get your butt into gear and secure your spot on the First Avenue dance floor. Here are the lineups:

Friday, Jan. 23: Cold War Kids, Dead Man Winter, Hippo Campus, Allan Kingdom SOLD OUT

Set Times
7 p.m. doors and Transmission VJ set
8 p.m. Allan Kingdom
9 p.m. Hippo Campus
10 p.m. Dead Man Winter
11 p.m. Cold War Kids

Saturday, Jan. 24: Atmosphere, J. Roddy Walston and the Business, the Trashmen, PaviElle SOLD OUT

Set Times
7 p.m. doors and Transmission VJ set
8 p.m. PaviElle
9 p.m. The Trashmen
10 p.m. J. Roddy Walston and the Business
11 p.m. Atmosphere

Thank you for listening, and for making the magic of The Current happen. Now let's get this party started!

Stay tuned for information on how to win tickets and passes to The Current's 10th Anniversary events.