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Minnesota State Fair 2025 live music guide

News and Interviews

Minnesota State Fair 2025 live music guide

by John Kueppers

August 15, 2025

Minnesota State Fair Grandstand Stage. — Minnesota State Fair Grandstand Stage.Laura Buhman for MPR

The Minnesota State Fair offers one of the best opportunities to enjoy live music from both national and local talent — for 12 straight days. This musical wonderland is a lot to keep track of, so here’s our guide highlighting live for music each day of the Great Minnesota Get-Together.

All events listed are open to all ages and require fair admission, with the exception of shows at the Grandstand.

Thursday, Aug. 21
Friday, Aug. 22
Saturday, Aug. 23
Sunday, Aug. 24
Monday, Aug. 25
Tuesday, Aug. 26
Wednesday, Aug. 27
Thursday, Aug. 28
Friday, Aug. 29
Saturday, Aug. 30
Sunday, Aug. 31
Monday, Sept. 1

Thursday, Aug. 21

Church of Cash: 10:30 a.m. & 11:45 a.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
Mother Banjo: 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
Davina and The Vagabonds: 1 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
The Current presents Faith Boblett: 3 p.m. & 5 p.m. at MPR booth
TigerByteFace: 3:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
MPLS the band: 3:45 p.m. & 4:45 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
Nicholas David: 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
Old Dominion: 7 p.m. at MN State Fair Grandstand
Deke Dickerson & The Whippersnappers: 8 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
Sounds of Santana Starring Joe Cruz: 8 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
Rachel Platten: 8:30 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell

8/21 Featured Performers

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a band performing on an outdoor stage — Faith Boblett performed at Front Row Paul Fest at Palmer's Bar in Minneapolis on Saturday, May 31, 2025.
Steve Cohen for MPR

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Five people stand for a promotional photo — Old Dominion will perform at the Grandstand on Thursday, Aug. 21, as part of the Grandstand Concert Series.
Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair

Friday, Aug. 22

Church of Cash: 10:30 a.m. & 11:45 a.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
Mother Banjo: 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
Davina and The Vagabonds: 1 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
TigerByteFace: 3:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
Koo Koo: 3:30 p.m. at MPR booth
MPLS the band: 3:45 p.m. & 4:45 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
Nicholas David: 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
Meghan Trainor: 7 p.m. at MN State Fair Grandstand
Deke Dickerson & The Whippersnappers: 8 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
Sounds of Santana Starring Joe Cruz: 8 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
Rachel Platten: 8:30 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell

8/22 Featured Performers

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meghan trainor — Meghan Trainor graces the Grandstand stage at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22.
Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair

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Davina Sowers of Davina and the Vagabonds — Davina Sowers of Davina and the Vagabonds
Christi Williams

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A duo performs on stage. — Nicholas David.
Nicole Neri for MPR News

Saturday, Aug. 23

Sweet Colleens: 10:30 a.m. & 11:45 a.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
Jack Brass Band: 10:45 a.m., 12 p.m., 1:15 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
Rock the Cradle Pop up featuring The Jolly Pops: 11 a.m. at MPR booth
Jason Scott & The High Heat: 1 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
PanAtics: 3:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen: 3:45 p.m. & 4:45 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
Ken Valdez: 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
The Current’s Music On-A-Stick featuring Atmosphere, Cypress Hill, Lupe Fiasco, the Pharcyde, and DJ Abilities: 5 p.m. at MN State Fair Grandstand
The Belfast Cowboys: 8 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
Jonah Marais: 8 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
Arrested Development: 8:30 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell

8/23 Featured Performers

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Slug and Ant of Atmosphere — Slug and Ant of Atmosphere
Juliet Farmer for MPR

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2 people performing on stage — The Jolly Pops. The Current’s Rock the Cradle at the Minneapolis Institute of Art and Children's Theatre Company took place on Sunday, June 8, 2025.
Darin Kamnetz for MPR

Sunday, Aug. 24

Sweet Colleens: 10:30 a.m. & 11:45 a.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
Jack Brass Band: 10:45 a.m., 12 p.m., 1:15 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
Jason Scott and the High Heat: 11:20 a.m. at MPR booth
Jason Scott & The High Heat: 1 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
PanAtics: 3:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen: 3:45 p.m. & 4:45 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
Ken Valdez: 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
The Current presents Joe Rainey: 5 p.m. at MPR booth
Melissa Etheridge and Indigo Girls: 7 p.m. at MN State Fair Grandstand
The Belfast Cowboys: 8 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
Jonah Marais: 8 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
Arrested Development: 8:30 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell

8/24 Featured Performers

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woman on stage wearing black western hat playing blue electric guitar — Melissa Etheridge MN State Fair 2025
Image provided by promoter.

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Man singing into microphone — Joe Rainey. Big Turn Music Festival is a two-day, citywide music festival in downtown Red Wing, Minnesota.
Darin Kamnetz for MPR

Monday, Aug. 25

Hank Thunander Band: 10:45 a.m., 12 p.m., 1:15 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
Rosie Flores: 1 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
YourClassical presents Steam Machine: 1:30 p.m. at MPR booth
Intoxicats: 3:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
Yam Haus: 3:30 p.m. at MPR booth
Talking Dreads: 3:45 p.m. & 4:45 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
Wild Horses: 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
Happy Together Tour 2025 featuring The Turtles, Jay and the Americans, Little Anthony Gary Puckett & the Union Gap, the Vogues, and the Cowsills: 7 p.m. at MN State Fair Grandstand
Jaybee and the Routine: 8 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
Poppa Bear Norton: 8 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
Los Lobos: 8:30 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell

8/25 Featured Performers

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the band the turtles performing on stage — Mark Volman and Ron Dante of The Turtles performs on The Happy Together Tour 2024 at Mayo Performing Arts Center on June 14, 2024 in Morristown, New Jersey.
Bobby Bank

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the band wild horses performing on an outdoor stage — Wild Horses performed at the 4th annual Lutsong Music Festival on Friday, July 11, 2025.
Hunter Riley for MPR

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3 members of yam haus posing for an outdoor photo — Yam Haus performed at The Current’s Happy Hour at Milk & Honey Ciders in St. Joseph on Thursday, Aug. 7.
Bump Opera for MPR

Tuesday, Aug. 26

Hank Thunander Band: 10:45 a.m., 12 p.m., 1:15 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
Rosie Flores: 1 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
Intoxicats: 3:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
Ozomatli: 3:30 p.m. at MPR booth
Talking Dreads: 3:45 p.m. & 4:45 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
Wild Horses: 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
Def Leppard with Brother Cane: 7 p.m. at MN State Fair Grandstand
Jaybee and the Routine: 8 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
Poppa Bear Norton: 8 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
Los Lobos: 8:30 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell

8/26 Featured Performers

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def leppard band on stage performing — British rock band Def Leppard performs on stage during the heavy metal music Festival Copenhell, in Copenhagen, Denmark, on June 14, 2023.
Helle Arensbak | Ritzau Scanpix | AFP via Getty Ima

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5 men stand at dusk with Los Angeles skyline in the background — Los Lobos
Piero F. Giunti

Wednesday, Aug. 27

Country Roads: The Music of John Denver: 10:30 a.m. & 11:45 a.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
Café Accordion Orchestra: 10:45 a.m., 12 p.m., 1:15 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
Cole Diamond: 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
Sarah Gayle Meech and The Meech Boys: 1 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
Gizzae: 3:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
Parrothead Paradise – A Jimmy Buffett Tribute: 3:45 p.m. & 4:45 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
Gary Rue’s Magic Carpet Ride: 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
Hank Williams Jr. with Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives: 7 p.m. at MN State Fair Grandstand
The Cedar Cultural Center Presents The Global Get-Together: 8 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
Lady Midnight: 8 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
Tayler Holder: 8:30 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell

8/27 Featured Performers

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Hank williams jr performing on stage — Hank Williams Jr. performs at PNC Music Pavilion on August 09, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Jeff Hahne

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Lady Midnight wears a white shirt and crosses arms — Lady Midnight, photographed at Minnesota Public Radio in St. Paul on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023.
Jaida Grey Eagle for MPR

Thursday, Aug. 28

Country Roads: The Music of John Denver: 10:30 a.m. & 11:45 a.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
Café Accordion Orchestra: 10:45 a.m., 12 p.m., 1:15 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
Cole Diamond: 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
Sarah Gayle Meech and The Meech Boys: 1 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
YourClassical presents The Minnesota Opera at the Fair: 1:30 p.m. at MPR booth
Gizzae: 3:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
Ber: 3:30 p.m. at MPR booth
Parrothead Paradise – A Jimmy Buffett Tribute: 3:45 p.m. & 4:45 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
Gary Rue’s Magic Carpet Ride: 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
Daryl Hall with The Rascals: 7 p.m. at MN State Fair Grandstand
The Cedar Cultural Center Presents The Global Get-Together: 8 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
Lady Midnight: 8 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
Tayler Holder: 8:30 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell

8/28 Featured Performers

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Person holds a microphone in hand while singing under blue lights — Lady Midnight. Day One of Red Wing's Big Turn Music Fest on Friday, February 17th, 2023, included sets from Larry Wish, Raab Coates, The Foxgloves, Turn Turn Turn, Candy Cigarette, Theyself, Collapsing Stars, Humbird and many others.
Darin Kamnetz for MPR

1 of 3

Daryl Hall singing on stage with an electric guitar — Daryl Hall of Daryl Hall & John Oates performs on day 1 of the ALL IN Arts & Music Festival at Indiana State Fairgrounds on September 03, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Scott Legato

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A man in a cowboy hat under bright lights at night — Minneapolis-based Singer-songwriter Cole Diamond.
courtesy the artist

Friday, Aug. 29

Sarah Morris: 10:30 a.m. & 11:45 a.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
Los Elegidos De La Música Norteña: 10:45 a.m., 12 p.m., 1:15 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
Los Rebeldes: 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
Tonic Sol‑fa: 1 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
MPR Day with Colin Bracewell and Mae Simpson: 2:30 p.m. at Dan Patch Park
Tyte Phitt: 3:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
Mariachi Campanas de America: 3:45 p.m. & 4:45 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
Mary Bue: 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
The Avett Brothers with the Milk Carton Kids: 7 p.m. at MN State Fair Grandstand
First Avenue Goes to the Fair: Dwynell Roland, Emma Jeanne and Hattie Peach, Jacob Mullis, Mary Cutrufello, Purple Funk Metropolis: 8 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
Malamanya: 8 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
Karla Perez: Selena the Show: 8:30 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell

8/29 Featured Performers

5 of 5

Rock Lottery — Another Language vocalist Mary Cutrufello. Five newly formed bands performed at First Avenue for the very first Rock Lottery on Friday, July 7, 2023.
Laura Buhman for MPR

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Two people singing into one microphone on stage — Scott Avett and Seth Avett of The Avett Brothers. The Avett Brothers and Trampled By Turtles performed at Xcel Energy Center on Thursday, October 24.
Darin Kamnetz for MPR

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mae simpson and her band performing on stage — Mae Simpson performed at Mid West Music Fest in Winona, Minn. on Saturday, May 10, 2025.
Juliet Farmer for MPR

Saturday, Aug. 30

Sarah Morris: 10:30 a.m. & 11:45 a.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
Los Elegidos De La Música Norteña: 10:45 a.m., 12 p.m., 1:15 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
Radio Heartland presents Good Morning Bedlam: 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. at MPR booth
Los Rebeldes: 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
Tonic Sol‑fa: 1 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
The Current presents Aby Wolf: 3 p.m. & 5 p.m. at MPR booth
Tyte Phitt: 3:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
Mariachi Campanas de America: 3:45 p.m. & 4:45 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
Mary Bue: 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
Nelly with Ja Rule, Mýa and Ying Yang Twins: 7 p.m. at MN State Fair Grandstand
First Avenue Goes to the Fair: Christy Costello, Clare Doyle, Jack Klatt, Miloe, P.O.S: 8 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
Malamanya: 8 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
Karla Perez: Selena the Show: 8:30 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell

8/30 Featured Performers

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Miloe performing on stage — Miloe performed at Grand Old Day on Sunday, June 1, 2025 at the Live and Local Stage.
Juliet Farmer for MPR

1 of 6

Nelly on stage — Nelly performs onstage during Day 2 of the 2023 Stagecoach Festival on April 29, 2023 in Indio, California.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Stagecoach

2 of 6

Morning Hike with Sarah Morris — Sarah Morris performed at the 4th annual Lutsong Music Festival on Saturday, July 12, 2025.
Hunter Riley for MPR

Sunday, Aug. 31

Dylan Salfer: 10:30 a.m. & 11:45 a.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
BATO BATO!: 10:45 a.m., 12 p.m., 1:15 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
YourClassical’s Class Notes presents Siama’s Congo Roots: 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. at MPR booth
Uncle Muskrat: 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
Matt Vee & The Killer Vees (Neil Diamond tribute): 1 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
The Current presents Humbird: 3 p.m. & 5 p.m. at MPR booth
Sean Ardoin: 3:45 p.m. & 4:45 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
Cindy Lawson: 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
Joyann Parker: 8 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
Pamela McNeill - Janis, Stevie, Dolly, and Me: 8 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
Ber: 8:30 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell

8/31 Featured Performers

4 of 4

A woman in a flannel shirt stands in the woods in winter — Joyann Parker has been a steadily rising star on the Midwest music scene with her full range of talent as an accomplished singer, pianist, guitarist and songwriter.
Jeannine Marie Photography

1 of 4

motion city soundtrack performing on stage — Ber performing with Motion City Soundtrack. Minnesota Yacht Club Festival 2025 took place at Harriet Island Regional Park in St. Paul on Friday, July 18 through Sunday, July 20.
Sara Fish for MPR

2 of 4

humbird posing for a photo outdoors — Humbird performed at Mid West Music Fest in Winona, Minn. on Saturday, May 10, 2025.
Juliet Farmer for MPR

Monday, Sept. 1

Dylan Salfer: 10:30 a.m. & 11:45 a.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
BATO BATO!: 10:45 a.m., 12 p.m., 1:15 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
The Current presents Room3: 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. at MPR booth
Uncle Muskrat: 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
The Rock and Roll Playhouse Plays Music of Taylor Swift For Kids featuring Bri & the Anti-Heroes: 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at MN State Fair Grandstand
Matt Vee & The Killer Vees (Neil Diamond tribute): 1 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
The Current presents Mayyadda: 3 p.m. & 5 p.m. at MPR booth
Sean Ardoin: 3:45 p.m. & 4:45 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell
Cindy Lawson: 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
Pamela McNeill - Janis, Stevie, Dolly, and Me: 7:30 p.m. at MN State Fair Summit Stage at the Bazaar
Joyann Parker: 7:30 p.m. at MN State Fair West End Market Stage at Schilling Amphitheater
Ber: 8:30 p.m. at MN State Fair Bandshell

9/1 Featured Performers

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mayyadda and her band performing on stage — Mayyadda performed on The Legacy Building stage at Hook and Ladder for Soul of the Southside in Minneapolis on Thursday, June 19, 2025.
Nick Greseth for MPR

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the band room3 performing on stage — Room3 performed at Totally Gross National Product Party at Icehouse in Minneapolis on Saturday, May 31, 2025.
Darin Kamnetz for MPR

This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.