The music industry let out a sigh of relief when the Shuttered Venue Operators grant program (f.k.a. Save Our Stages Act) passed in December after months of nationwide grassroots activism. Included in the latest federal COVID-19 relief package, the program will bring $15 billion in grants to live entertainment venues and promoters who saw a […]
“I got tired of signing ‘Save Our Stages’ petitions and decided to do something,” said Mary Beth Mueller. “Many of us simply cannot imagine this city or the national music landscape without First Avenue. We started emailing bands, and every single one of them responded, ‘yes.’” The statement by Mueller – founder of Kill Kancer […]
A red star for the late George Floyd now adorns the outside of First Avenue, a permanent addition after mourners added a star there this past summer. The new star comes as part of a partial repainting across the venue’s face; a giant gold star marking the club’s 50th anniversary has also been added, and […]
Dayna Frank, owner of First Avenue, has long been a leader in the Minnesota music community. Now, with First Avenue and all independent music venues in crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic, Frank is stepping into a national leadership role by spearheading the founding of a new association advocating for suddenly vulnerable clubs and theaters […]
In honor of Minnesota’s 162nd birthday, we’re breaking down the 77 Minnesotans that have stars on First Avenue’s wall. Much like the music scene they all came from, these artists represent a variety of genres and subcultures. Some have international fame, others are local gems. In total, 18% of the stars are Minnesota locals. American […]
No one knows when exactly venues will reopen, but many have speculated that it could be many months or even over a year until we are able to safely gather in large crowds again. “It was estimated that 90% of independent venues and promoters could close if this goes more than six months,” said First […]
If you’re looking for a way to support First Avenue while it’s closed due to the public health crisis, and you, coincidentally, also need a new pair of sneakers for all the social distance walks you might be going on, this is the deal for you. First Avenue is now participating in Vans’ Foot the […]
Morning Show host Jill Riley has being phoning many friends across the music world locally, nationally, and internationally. With the 50th anniversary of First Avenue landing while the venue is closed due to the global health crisis, it seemed essential to check in with longtime First Ave employee Roy Freid, who is one of the […]
420: what does that number mean to you? If you answered “the number of names with First Avenue stars,” you’re thinking along the same lines we are. To celebrate the club’s 50th anniversary this weekend, we made a playlist featuring most of the musicians immortalized with stars on the club’s wall. Below is a master […]
Saturday night saw First Ave welcome a who’s who of contemporary Minnesota music: Velvet Negroni, Dizzy Fae, Ness Nite, Iron Boy, Marijuana Deathsquads, and Hippo Campus. All these acts and more took the Mainroom stage as part of of Andrew Broder’s “Don’t F— This Up” benefit show. Proceeds from the event were donated to Voices […]
