MN Orchestra to organize festivals across the state

Posted at 10:49 AM on October 12, 2010 by Marianne Combs
Filed under: Music

Minnesota Orchestra
photo by Ann Marsden

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation is giving the Minnesota Orchestra $775,000 to create week-long music festivals that reflect the history and heritage of the cities the orchestra visits.

The project, titled "Common Chords," is designed to increase the Orchestra's presence in greater Minnesota, and build ties with communities across the state.

According to a release "the initiative establishes partnerships between the Orchestra and participating cities that will culminate in a celebratory festival week featuring performances and activities that reflect the interests, diversity and heritage of each community."

First on the list is Grand Rapids, which will play host to a festival in October 2011.

In addition, the orchestra is in talks with the city administrators of Bemidji, Detroit Lakes, Hibbing and Willmar.

Jeremy Messersmith goes viral

Posted at 11:33 AM on October 12, 2010 by Marianne Combs
Filed under: Music, Video

So imagine my suprise as I'm browsing Time's website and stumble across local musician Jeremy Messersmith under the headline "Top 5 Viral Videos of the Week."

Sure enough, the video for his song "Tatooine" features a paper cut-out synopsis of the entire Star Wars trilogy, by animator/filmmaker Eric Power, and who can resist that?

Messersmith is among the more savvy internet users in the music world, allowing people to "pay what they choose" for downloads of his songs. And TODAY, at 1:30pm Central Time, he's streaming a live performance on his website.

If you prefer in-the-flesh concerts to the digital experience, Messersmith is performing at the Cedar Cultural Center on November 27.