Category: Music

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Dan Navarro Visits Bemidji September 3 & 4

Headwaters Music & Arts welcomes nationally touring musician and songwriter, Dan Navarro, to Bemidji September 3 and 4 with a concert and a guitar workshop for ages 13-adult.

Dan Navarro’s long and eclectic resume includes “songwriter,” “recording artist,” “singer,” “voice actor,” “road warrior” and “arts advocate” in its range of credits. His music probes life at its most resonant. In his rich baritone, he sings songs of heart and insight, steeped in experience, soulful tales from a long road well-traveled.

Dan started his career writing songs for a diverse array of artists including Pat Benatar (the Grammy®-nominated “We Belong”) The Bangles, Jackson Browne, Dave Edmunds, The Temptations, Dionne Warwick, The Triplets, Dutch star Marco Borsato, and Austin outlaw legend Rusty Weir.

In the 1990’s and 2000’s, Dan worked with Eric Lowen as they recorded and toured as the acclaimed acoustic duo Lowen & Navarro until Eric’s retirement in 2009. Dan has transitioned smoothly into a busy solo career over the past decade, touring nationally almost constantly.

Dan's long awaited first true studio-recorded album, "Shed My Skin" was released in 2019 and was well worth the wait. Recorded and produced by Steve Postell it, of course, features Dan Navarro / vocals, guitar, percussion, Steve Postell / Guitars, Jon Ossman / upright bass, Brendan Buckley /drums, Peter Adams / piano, Phil Parlapiano / accordion, David Glaser / mandolin and Debra Dobkin / percussion.

He has a parallel career as a voice actor and singer, in films like The Playmobil Movie, Pirates of the Caribbean 5, The Book Of Life, Rio (on the Oscar®-nominated “Real In Rio”), Happy Feet, The Lorax, Ice Age (2 & 3) ; TV series Turbo Fast, Prison Break, Family Guy and American Dad; records with Neil Young, Andrea Bocelli, Luis Miguel, Jose Feliciano, Janiva Magness, and Jon Anderson of Yes; hit video games Fallout 4 and Uncharted 4; and hundreds of TV ads for Subaru, Shakey’s, McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Honda, Nationwide and more. Most recently, Dan sang on six Lin-Manuel Miranda songs in the Disney Film ENCANTO and, in Feb 2022, “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart.

And now… Dan’s new album, "Horizon Line,” is finished and set for an August release. Produced by multiple Grammy®-winner Jim Scott (Tom Petty, Wilco, Dixie Chicks, as well as the first five Lowen & Navarro albums) over a dozen sessions in mid-2021 and a dozen more in spring 2022. You can pre-orders your album now at DanNavarro.com

Dan has a 26-year-old son, thinks sleep is for babies and is a known abuser of acoustic guitars.

You can see Dan perform live in concert Saturday, September 3 at 7:30 pm and you can join him for his guitar workshop for all levels of songwriters (beginners to advanced are all welcome!) 1-4 pm Sunday, September 4. Both the concert and the workshop will be held at Headwaters Music & Arts Performance Hall (519 MN Ave NW, Bemidji). Concert tickets cost $25/person and the cost to register for the guitar workshop is $50. Register or find out more about Headwaters workshops and music events here.

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jeremy messersmith Visits Bemidji

Twin Cities singer-songwriter, jeremy messersmith, comes back to Bemidji at the end of August. Headwaters Music & Arts hosts jeremy in a series of workshops and performances around Bemidji August 25-26.

Ukulele Workshop: Obscenely Optimistic Class for Beginning Ukulele Players with jeremy messersmith
4:00-5:00 pm Thursday, August 25 held at Headwaters Music & Arts Performance Hall
The event for ages 12-adult is free thanks to funding from Minnesota State Arts Board. Please RSVP to info@headwatersmusicandarts.org. jeremy is known in the ukulele community for a clever micro-folk album that is accessible to new players and engaging to players of all abilities. Includes a free copy of jeremy’s songbook, 11 Obscenely Optimistic Songs for Ukulele. Don't forget your uke!

jeremy messersmith House Concert Fundraiser for Headwaters Music & Arts
7:00 pm Thursday, August 25 held at a the private residence of David and Julie Hanson
An intimate concert and conversation with jeremy messsmith. Beverages and appetizers provided. The cost to attend is $30 per person and tickets can be purchased here.

Pop up concert at Paul and Babe at Bemidji Waterfront
Noon Friday, August 26
This concert is free and open to the public thanks to funding from the Minnesota State Arts Board. Invite a friend and bring a lawn chair!

Jam Session with jeremy messersmith
4:00-5:00 Friday, August 26 held at Headwaters Music & Arts Performance Hall (519 MN Ave NW, Bemidji)
During this ukulele performance and jam session, jeremy will play some songs, share stories, and lead players in a strum-along and singalong. Casual, and open to players of all ages and abilities! Bring your uke, or any other string instrument. This event is free thanks to funding from the Minnesota State Arts Board.  Please RSVP to info@headwatersmusicandarts.org.

jeremy messersmith in Concert
7 pm Friday, August 26 held at Headwaters Music & Arts Performance Hall (519 MN Ave NW, Bemidji)
$10 advance admission (free for students and seniors) and tickets can be purchased here.

jeremy messersmith is an indie pop singer-songwriter and one of Minnesota’s most recognized and celebrated artists, praised by The New York Times, NPR, USA Today, Paste Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine, Spin, and Rolling Stone among many others. A thoughtful, clever lyricist with a tender voice, the Minneapolis-based troubadour crafts songs that are catchy and relatable, and span the emotional gamut from poignancy to whimsy. jeremy is one of those rare artists who can break your heart one minute, and then put those fragile pieces back together again the next.

 

 

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Augmeanted holds it’s “Life, twice” Album Release this Thursday – proceeds to benefit Headwaters Music & Arts

7 pm, August 18
Historic Carnegie Library
426 Bemidji Ave N, Bemidji MN
$8 per person ($4 for seniors & ages youth 16 and younger)

Augmeanted’s debut album, Life, twice, was released June 21, 2022. Life, twice, takes its name from the Anais Nin quote, “We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospection.” The 10-track recording, produced at Bemidji’s Supple Studios, is a mix of vocally-driven meditations on moments that leave us speechless, and violin-driven improvisations saying what’s impossible to say. The album was made possible in part by a Region 2 Arts Council Individual Artist grant with funding from the McKnight Foundation.

Augmeanted invites you closer to the transcendent power of living music with our distinctive classical rock vibe, crafting tales and tunes cut free by the saw waves of our sound.

Taking our cue from Victor Hugo, we write music to “express that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent,” giving voice to moments best carried along the heart’s strings.

As we spiderwalk the strings and sing through heart and keys, we hope you’ll find yourself feathered by the wings of the crescent moonrise, embraced by the concert hall’s symphonic swirl, or rib-tickled by Appalachian fireflies.

Though Augmeanted is new musical collaboration for us as cousins, we are both established musicians. Geoffrey Taylor orchestrates the strings of his fiddles, mandolin, and ukes in Missoula, Montana and Mary Overlie sings through her heart and keys in Mudsong, based in Bemidji, Minnesota.

In addition to our first album, we are also at work on a theatrical tale about the birthday festivities for a scrap of yet-to-be-born song.

You can purchase tickets for Thursday nights fundraiser here and also listen to an interview about the music done by Jazz88, the jazz radio station of the Twin Cities, here.

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Chris Hudson visits Bemidji

Headwaters Music and Arts hosts Chris Hudson for a workshop and a couple of performances in May. Chris is a multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter based out of Kansas City, MO. He’ll be bringing his guitar with him when he stops in Bemidji May 19 and 20 as a part of his Minnesota tour.

Leader and founding member of Gullywasher and Gullywasher Collective, the public will have a chance to hear Chris’ guitar stylings on May 19, 7-9, pm as he performs an intimate house concert at the home of Tom and Elisha Barry of Bemidji; attendance is limited to 25 guests. The event supports Headwaters’ Music Scholarship Program, and will include appetizers and beverages to pair with Chris’ music. Those who are not able to attend the house concert can plan to watch Chris live, on May 20 at Headwaters Music and Arts (519 Minnesota Ave, Bemidji) for a free will donation community concert at 7:30 pm. The event will follow a finger-picking workshop held 5:30-7 pm Friday, May 20 for guitar players of all ages. Both May 20 events are at Headwaters Music and Arts.

May 19 House Concert tickets are $30 per person while registration for the finger picking workshop is $10 per participant. The 7:30 pm May 20 Community Concert is free will donation at the door. Headwaters Music & Arts is an independent non-profit multidisciplinary organization whose mission is to provide opportunities for creativity through instruction and to inspire community through music and the arts.

 

 

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Bemidji Sings! Call for Vocalists

Headwaters Music & Arts invites amateur singers to take part in Bemidji Sings!, an annual vocal competition celebrating the musical talents of youth and adults who live, work or attend school in Bemidji.

Amateur singers 13+ who are interested in taking part must register to audition by 5 pm Monday, June 6. Auditions are scheduled for noon-6 pm Saturday, June 11 and and 10 am-2 pm Sunday, June 12, 2022. They will be in person, with the option to meet with judges via Zoom and will take less than one hour.

Bemidji Sings! is separated into two age divisions: 13-20 and 21 and over and up to 7 singers from each age division will be chosen to perform at the July 15 Bemidji Sings! Vocal Competition.

Singers will be chosen based on their audition performance where they will be asked to sing one song. Auditioning vocalists will be evaluated based on their vocal skills, presentation skills, audience response, and judge's overall impression. Only individual contestants are eligible – no multiple singers or additional instruments may be used.

Those that do move on to the July 15 Bemidji Sings! Vocal Competition will compete for cash prizes and the chance to compete at the Minnesota Sings Vocal Competition in October. The top two finalists in each age category will represent Bemidji at the statewide Minnesota Sings Vocal Competition October 1-2 in New Ulm, MN.

Bemidji Sings! is sponsored by Headwaters Music & Arts with support from Supple Studios.

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Headwaters Music & Arts Holds Monroe Crossing Fundraiser Event

Headwaters Music & Arts (HMA) is excited to welcome Monroe Crossing back to Bemidji! For HMA’s biggest fundraiser of the year, world-class bluegrass entertainers Monroe Crossing will perform in concert at the Historic Chief Theater in Bemidji on Saturday, May 7, 2022. The show begins at 7 pm with an opening performance by No Rest for the Pickers followed by Monroe Crossing at 7:30.

Named in honor of Bill Monroe, Monroe Crossing dazzles audiences with an electrifying blend of classic bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, and heartfelt originals. Their airtight harmonies, razor sharp arrangements, and on-stage rapport make them audience favorites across the United States and Canada. The concert will highlight their most recent CD, “Monroe Crossing Plays Classic Country” honoring country legends such as Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash and Hank Williams.

$25 tickets are available at Headwaters Music & Arts, 218.444.5606, online at HeadwatersMusicAndArts.org, or by stopping in at 519 Minnesota Ave NW, Bemidji. Admission is open seating, advance ticket purchase is recommended. Please consider becoming a sponsor for this fundraising event. Proceeds support our music scholarship fund and helps reduce student tuition based on financial need. Help us reach our goal to raise $5,000 to give the gift of creativity to kids in our community! Sponsors can expect VIP seating and recognition before and during the event.

“Everyone who came had the time of their life that evening. Your show was just incredible....one of the freshest and original groups I have experienced....I was just blown away.” — Bill Adams, Habitat For Humanity, Waldorf MD

Become a sponsor here.

Download or print the poster here.

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Announcing October 1 Headwaters Open Mic and CoffeeHouse feat. P^2

Headwaters Open Mic and CoffeeHouse returns October 1! Join us at Headwaters Music and Arts in downtown Bemidji (519 MN Ave NW) at 7pm to enjoy the sounds of community artists and our featured performer, P2  Sign-up begins at 6:30 or by email to jjhgaard@gmail.com.

P2 is the musical collaboration of Prabin Lama (vocals & guitar) and Pete McDonnell (percussion), two Bemidji State professors that met over a shared love of music in their shared office spaces in the campus library.

A native of Katmandu, Nepal, Prabin found his voice singing with friends at his Indian boarding school. As an undergraduate in New Dehli, where the music of Dylan, Lennon, and the American 60’s scene was in full force, Prabin developed his talents over countless open mics with friends and local musicians.

Pete McDonnell, who originally hails from Chicago, found his niche as one of many drumming librarians in the profession.  He learned rock drumming from his college roommates, and eventually branched off into varied percussion styles. The drummer for Bemidji’s Mudsong, Pete also facilitates community-based rhythm events (a.k.a. drum circles).

Listeners appreciate the authenticity of P2  sound when performing classic American folk rock tunes.

Held on the first Friday of most months, the Headwaters Open Mic offers a welcoming and supportive community for musicians and spoken-word performers. All ages and skill levels are encouraged to sign up for a 10 to 15 minute set. 

Admission is $3 per person or $7 for families. Coffee & treats are available for purchase courtesy of Aurora Waasakone. 

Headwaters Open Mic and CoffeeHouse is a volunteer-led community event. You can contact John Henningsgaard at 218.444.9845 for more information.

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Fiddle Camp Instructor Performance Thursday July 8

Headwaters Music & Arts hosts an evening of live music at 7 pm Thursday, July 8 at Headwaters performance hall. Fiddle masters Mary Vanorny (Twin Cities) and Carrie Dlutkowski (U.P. Michigan) will play exciting music from Ireland, Scotland and Canada accompanied by Brian Miller (St. Paul) and Eric Carlson (Bemidji), with world class step dancing by Carrie! Admission is $7 per person, Headwaters Fiddle Camp participants attend free.  Space is limited and  tickets must be purchased in advance.

Headwaters Fiddle Camp is made possible by the voters of Minnesota, through a grant from the Region 2 Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
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Announcing Summer Strummers – A Weekly Ukulele Jam Session for Adults

Headwaters Music & Arts hosts Summer Strummers, a weekly drop-in ukulele jam session for adult ukulele players of all skill levels. Each session takes place at Headwaters Music & Arts Performance Hall, 519 Minnesota Ave NW, Bemidji, at 12:30 each Tuesday beginning June 1 and continuing through August 31. Come at noon to get help with tuning, strumming and getting started on a few chords. Don't have your own ukulele yet? Headwaters has instruments for sale, and Bemidji Public Library has ukuleles available for check-out!

Admission is free, $2 free-will donation welcome. Songs will be posted online the week prior to each session. COVID 19 guidelines will be followed. Space is limited to 25.

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Announcing Block 2 of Headwaters Jam Band

Headwaters Music and Arts is in the midst of it’s first block of Jam Band. The 8 week program, which is dedicated to exploring instrumental improvisation and composition in a group setting, started at the beginning of April with a group of talented and aspiring teen musicians. The group meets weekly on Thursday evenings, 5-7 pm, at Headwaters Music and Arts (519 MN Ave NW, Bemidji) and is for all instruments and genres – a fact the teens, who come from varying musical backgrounds, have been learning as they work together to create their own music in a format that they all enjoy. As the teens have been digging in and exploring beyond the basics of music theory they have found new skills and techniques while learning to play in a group and as a band. Each participant has been challenged to add their own parts to the mix, coming up with their own rhythm and melody lines on their preferred instrument. Block 1 of Jam Band ends at the end of May, but Headwaters is already taking registrations for Block 2 which runs June 3 through July 22. There will be a total of 4 Blocks of Jam Band this year so if you know a teen who is interested but can’t make it to Block 2 they have opportunities at Block 3 (August 5 – September 23) or Block 4 (October 7 – December 2).

Headwaters Jam Band is for teen musicians ages 13-18 with prior experience with their instrument. The group is led by Cassidy Jay, a professional musician, composer and audio engineer with 20 years of experience playing in bands and writing songs. Cassidy teaches the group how to use their senses and intuition to identify and apply patterns, rhythm, scales and phrasing to compose and improvise. Participants learn how to play in a group setting with a band and how to fit into the mix as an individual with their instrument.

Participants gather weekly to jam out and explore important aspects of song structure, song dynamics, song phrasing, band organization and the social dynamics of playing in a group. This, all while practicing how to be in the moment

when playing, and using the powers of intuition and personal expression. Headwaters Jam Band offers an open atmosphere and creative environment where musicians can collaborate, make new friends, grow together and forge a greater personal understanding of the musical world.

Cassidy has been a member of various bands as a multi instrumentalist, vocalist and songwriter. Through that and his solo work he has delved deep into the study and practice of creating and playing music with an emphasis on song composition, as well as the art of improvisation and using intuition as a guiding force for articulating musical expression. Of his work Cassidy says, “My goal as a musician is to distill everything I have learned from my experiences into writing and playing, in a pursuit to be a conduit for creativity and explore uncharted territory in the music realm.”

Participants are required to provide their own instruments and amps (if applicable) with the exception of the drum kit. The cost to attend is $75/ 8 week block. Advance registration is required – limited spots available. Register here.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota, through a grant from the Region 2 Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.