Leisure Valley is an original modern quartet based in Minneapolis, MN that features the beautiful marriage of accordion, bass clarinet and rhythm. Comprised of world class players, this group is quickly becoming a powerhouse of contemporary, Eastern European/Balkan influenced jazz. Feat. Bruce Thornton (clarinet, bass clarinet), Patrick Harison (accordion), Chris Bates (bass), Joey Van Phillips (drums).

A few weeks ago, the national group Americas Rivers added the Boundary Waters to the list of the 10 most endangered rivers, because Twin Metals is proposing to build one of the world's This month, as we make our way out of a notably snowy spring, we’ll be discussing global warming and the weird weather that citizens across the region are experiencing.

We're thrilled to have Mark Seeley as our guest speaker. Mark is Extension Climatologist and Professor in the Department of Soil, Water, and Climate at the University of Minnesota and weekly commentator on Minnesota Public Radio’s “Morning Edition” news program. Mark will join us for a discussion on extreme weather and our changing climate. Dr. Seeley has helped Twin Cities Public Television produce award winning documentaries, edited numerous children’s books on weather and climate, and he has taught atmospheric science to K-12 science teachers for over 20 years.

We know many of you agree that global warming is the most pressing environmental problem of our time. Left unchecked, its impacts will include everything from deadly heat waves and drought, devastating extreme weather events like Hurricane Sandy, rising sea levels threatening coastal communities, and plant and animal species going extinct. It is far past time state and national leaders take action to stop the worst effects of global warming. The Obama administration has proposed establishing first-ever carbon pollution standards -- but we need to get the discussion going here at home to make sure that these standards are finalized.

As always, the event costs $15 for each attendee. That includes a $5 donation to Environment Minnesota and $10 for breakfast to the Red Stag Supperclub.

RSVP by clicking the link below!

Brady and Josh have been playing together since meeting at Perpich School for the Arts. With a little more hard earned wisdom and experience, the duo has reconvened to form Step Rockets, a local Indie Rock band that has a taste for blending synths, pop hooks, and heavy rock. The team is currently working on their debut album due out this

Saxophonist/composer John Devine has been an active member of the Twin Cities’ musical community since returning from Arizona in 1980. In the early ’80s he performed with the John O’Brien Ensemble, Unemployment Compensation, 64K, Don’t Look and the John Devine Saxophone Quartet. From the mid-80s through the mid-90s he was also a member of St Paul’s horn-driven R&B band the Checkers and the Classical ensemble the Twin Cities Saxophone Quartet.

In 1986, Devine and ‘cellist Michelle Kinney formed IMP ORK, a large improvising group ranging from 10 to 30 members which worked with guest artists Butch Morris, Roscoe Mitchell, Don Cherry, Ernie Watts and Julius Hemphill. In 2003 the orchestra released the CD Walk at the Liver/Live at the Walker, featuring Devine conducting a 15-piece big band.

Since 1987 John has been playing solo saxophone at various venues in Minnesota, most notably the Loring Cafe and its offshoot the Loring Pasta Bar where he still performs twice weekly.

Mr. Devine has received awards, fellowships and commissions from the McKnight Foundation, the Jerome Foundation, Meet the Composer and the Minnesota State Arts Board. In 1990 he was selected to be a composer-in-residence at the American Dance Festival in Durham, NC, where he collaborated with NY-based choreographer Sarah Skaggs.

Along with performing with his own groups, Devine’s compositions have been played by the Kronos String Quartet, the Rova Saxophone Quartet, the Summit Hill Brass Quintet and groups from the University of Minnesota, Macalaster College, and the University of Wisconsin at River Falls. He has also composed music for numerous choreographers including Linda Shapiro, Robin Stiehm Madeline Dean and Joan Najbar as well as theatrical music for the Guthrie Lab and the Loring Playhouse.

In 2010 John released the CD, A Little o’ That featuring a variety of small ensemblescomprising many of the musicians with whom he has played regularly over the years. The disc covers a wide range of musical styles, all focused on creative improvisation.

Saxophonist/composer John Devine has been an active member of the Twin Cities’ musical community since returning from Arizona in 1980. In the early ’80s he performed with the John O’Brien Ensemble, Unemployment Compensation, 64K, Don’t Look and the John Devine Saxophone Quartet. From the mid-80s through the mid-90s he was also a member of St Paul’s horn-driven R&B band the Checkers and the Classical ensemble the Twin Cities Saxophone Quartet.

In 1986, Devine and ‘cellist Michelle Kinney formed IMP ORK, a large improvising group ranging from 10 to 30 members which worked with guest artists Butch Morris, Roscoe Mitchell, Don Cherry, Ernie Watts and Julius Hemphill. In 2003 the orchestra released the CD Walk at the Liver/Live at the Walker, featuring Devine conducting a 15-piece big band.

Since 1987 John has been playing solo saxophone at various venues in Minnesota, most notably the Loring Cafe and its offshoot the Loring Pasta Bar where he still performs twice weekly.

Mr. Devine has received awards, fellowships and commissions from the McKnight Foundation, the Jerome Foundation, Meet the Composer and the Minnesota State Arts Board. In 1990 he was selected to be a composer-in-residence at the American Dance Festival in Durham, NC, where he collaborated with NY-based choreographer Sarah Skaggs.

Along with performing with his own groups, Devine’s compositions have been played by the Kronos String Quartet, the Rova Saxophone Quartet, the Summit Hill Brass Quintet and groups from the University of Minnesota, Macalaster College, and the University of Wisconsin at River Falls. He has also composed music for numerous choreographers including Linda Shapiro, Robin Stiehm Madeline Dean and Joan Najbar as well as theatrical music for the Guthrie Lab and the Loring Playhouse.

In 2010 John released the CD, A Little o’ That featuring a variety of small ensemblescomprising many of the musicians with whom he has played regularly over the years. The disc covers a wide range of musical styles, all focused on creative improvisation.

Casey O’Brien is a Twin Cities based bassist, producer, composer who has performed and recorded with Face Candy, Eyedea, Coloring Time, Carnage, TD Mischke, The Thai Elephant Orchestra, and scored the film “This is Where We Were Born” by Kao Kalia Vang.

The Casey O’Brien Trio Series will feature unique combinations of talent improvisers, performing original music and interesting standards every Thursday in July at the Red Stag.

Clustercuss is a four-member improvisational, instrumental group that plays behind or in front of projected films. The group layers bass, electric guitar, percussion and effects to create innovative, interactive performances.

Casey O’Brien is a Twin Cities based bassist, producer, composer who has performed and recorded with Face Candy, Eyedea, Coloring Time, Carnage, TD Mischke, The Thai Elephant Orchestra, and scored the film “This is Where We Were Born” by Kao Kalia Vang.

The Casey O’Brien Trio Series will feature unique combinations of talent improvisers, performing original music and interesting standards every Thursday in July at the Red Stag.

The Neighborhood Trio is Steve Roehm (The New Standards) on Vibraphone, Andrew Foreman on upright bass and Dan Schwartz on vocals, guitar and acoustic steel.

The Trio's unique instrumentation brings a sound that is laid-back and atmospheric but still delivers a danceable groove. They blend pop and soul influences with roots and jazz to bring a fresh new take on originals and cover songs.

Casey O’Brien is a Twin Cities based bassist, producer, composer who has performed and recorded with Face Candy, Eyedea, Coloring Time, Carnage, TD Mischke, The Thai Elephant Orchestra, and scored the film “This is Where We Were Born” by Kao Kalia Vang.

The Casey O’Brien Trio Series will feature unique combinations of talent improvisers, performing original music and interesting standards every Thursday in July at the Red Stag.