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