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Thanksgiving Eve in Minneapolis and St. Paul: Your complete guide to live music

by Selena Carlson

November 25, 2014

The time has come to give thanks for the Twin Cities music scene, and this year’s Thanksgiving Eve has blessed us bountifully. If you’re in need of an escape from batty relatives—or a boost of holiday cheer—take your pick from Wednesday’s cornucopia of entertainment. While you're getting fancied up, and while you dig in the next day, tune in to the Current to enjoy our Time Machine Weekend.

St. Paul Slim

7th St. Entry, Minneapolis

8:00 p.m., $10, 18+

Gobble up the head-bobbing hip-hop of St. Paul Slim with special guests D. Cannons, Walt Trab, Po'etikit, Create & Jaylap, and more.

Tickets here

Transmission Annual Thanksgiving Eve Celebration feat. DJ Jake Rudh

Varsity Theater, Minneapolis

9:00 p.m., $6/$8, 21+

Burn some calories before the full-day food marathon by hitting the dance floor with host of Transmission DJ Jake Rudh.

Tickets here

The Ike Reilly Assassination

First Avenue, Minneapolis

7:30 p.m., $15, 18+

Feast your ears on the rock ‘n’ roll stylings of Ike Reilly Assassination—a longstanding First Ave tradition on Thanksgiving Eve—supported by American Scarecrows and Sam Cassidy. Stop by the Record Room next door for a dance break with Session Minneapolis.

Tickets here

GRRRL PRTY

Triple Rock Social Club, Minneapolis

8:00 p.m., $13/$15, 21+

Counting your blessings will come easy with local hip-hop goddesses Lizzo, Sophia Eris, Manchita, DJ Shannon Blowtorch and DJ Clean Drop.

Tickets here

Fleetwood Magic: Night of 100 Stevies

Turf Club, St. Paul

8:00 p.m., $10, 21+

It’s a fruitful harvest of your favorite Fleetwood Mac covers featuring Tiny Deaths, Red Daughters, and Just Perfect.

Tickets here

The Butanes Soul Revue - Thanksgiving Eve Reunion

Cabooze, Minneapolis

8:00 p.m., $8, 18+

Reunited as the award-winning 10-piece blues band, join the Butanes Soul Revue for soul tunes smoother than gravy. Read more about these soul survivors in my recent profile.

Tickets here

Drinksgiving with Danger Ron & the Spins, Nice Beaches, Surfer Gurl, Anomaly

Nomad World Pub, Minneapolis

9:00 p.m., free

Four words: free mashed potato bar. If that doesn’t suffice, the delicious indie-rock of Danger Ron and the Spins, Nice Beaches, Surfer Gurl, and Anomaly will leave you stuffed and satisfied.

More information here

Michael Ray & The Nasty Notes, John Swardson, Sarah E. Morris

Amsterdam Bar and Hall, St. Paul

9:30 p.m., free, 21+

The hometown country of Michael Ray & The Nasty Notes, John Swardson, and Sarah E. Morris will put you in a nostalgic family spirit.

More information here

Davina & The Vagabonds

Dakota Jazz Club, Minneapolis

Sweeter than a slice of pumpkin pie, savor lead singer Sowers’s vocals in her sprightly blues band, Davina & The Vagabonds.

7:00 p.m., $15

Tickets here

A Pre-Thanksgiving Rock Fest Featuring: LA Madness

Fine Line Music Cafe, Minneapolis

7:30pm, $8/$12, 18+

A lineup rocking harder than Plymouth Rock itself, LA Madness, Pill Hill, and the Avenue Army will take the Fine Line by storm.

Tickets here

Dave King Take-Over feat. Halloween, Alaska with special guest Lateduster

Icehouse, Minneapolis

9:30 p.m., $8/$10, 21+

Not your average turkey drumstick, Minneapolis drummer and composer Dave King of iconic jazz trio the Bad Plus will have your feet tapping through the night. Read more about why we should be thankful for this world-class musician.

Tickets here

Happy Drinksgiving

Lee’s Liquor Lounge, Minneapolis

9:00 p.m., $10

Raise your glasses to a jolly drinksgiving with cover bands Motel California, E.L.nO, and yacht jam spinner DJ Mellow Magic.

More information here

Molly Maher and Erik Koskinen

Aster Cafe, Minneapolis

9:00 p.m., $10

Singer-songwriters Molly Maher and Erik Kosinen share a bill at the Aster Cafe for an intimate evening of Americana.

More information here

White Iron Band

Famous Dave's Blues Club, Minneapolis

8:00 p.m., $8

At a show also styled Drinksgiving (noticing a theme?), the White Iron Band will heat up Calhoun Square with support from the Pistol Whippin Party Penguins.

More information here

Corpse Reviver

Bedlam Lowertown, St. Paul

9:30 p.m., $7 (advance)/$10 (door)

With the dancing beavers on holiday for the night, Corpse Reviver head a Bedlam Lowertown bill shared with Sister Species and DJ Dave Hoenack.

More information here

Selena Carlson is currently tackling a double major in journalism and music business at Augsburg College. In addition to writing, she is an avid enthusiast of all things banjo; biking; and breakfast for dinner.

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