MINNEAPOLIS— The Minnesota Orchestra’s International Day of Music returns on Saturday, July 15, with musical and dance performances taking place in and around Orchestra Hall in downtown Minneapolis from noon to midnight.
Celebrating many genres of music for all ages and showcasing the talents of Twin Cities-based artists, Day of Music features more than 25 musical and movement-based acts and ensembles presenting simultaneously across four indoor and outdoor stages. Performances are free to the public, with no tickets or reservations required. A variety of food trucks will be present throughout the day.
At 8:30 p.m., conductor Chia-Hsuan Lin will lead the full Orchestra in an outdoor performance on Peavey Plaza. Hosted by Jon Kimura Parker, the creative partner for Summer at Orchestra Hall, the program features classical favorites, film music and patriotic tunes, from William Grant Still’s Festive Overture to John Williams’ Theme from Jurassic Park. Coordinated in partnership with City of Bells, the concert’s finale will include the peeling of bells at four local churches, including Central Lutheran Church, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Basilica of St. Mary and St. Olaf Catholic Church. In connection with this dramatic spotlighting of downtown bells, carillonneur Keiran Cantilina will offer a 6 p.m. concert at Central Lutheran Church, located just a few blocks from Orchestra Hall.
“The International Day of Music is a chance to celebrate everything that’s wonderful about summers in the Twin Cities, while also bringing attention to the incredible artistic talent that live and work here throughout the year,” says Grant Meachum, director of Live at Orchestra Hall. “We are thrilled to again partner with The Cedar Cultural Center, City of Bells and Artist in Residence BRKFST Dance Company to bring all types of music and dance into a special day for our community.”
The July 15 event is part of the opening weekend for the Minnesota Orchestra’s month-long Summer at Orchestra Hall season. In 2022, the summer festival drew more than 25,000 concertgoers to downtown Minneapolis. Curated by Creative Partner Jon Kimura Parker, this year’s programming has the theme “Music in Motion.”
International Day of Music Artists
Programmed by The Cedar Cultural Center, the Global Grooves Stage will be located on the corner of 11th Street South and Marquette Avenue. Performances will start at 12:30 p.m. with Doula Soul Collective, followed by the sounds of Eastern European Jewish party music with Di Bayke Klezmer Band; Hmong singer and rapper Cydi Yang; the genre-crossing, Native-led Bluedog; and Alma Andina, who combine traditional instruments from Latin America with contemporary rhythms.
Programmed by BRKFST Dance Company and situated at Peavey Plaza, the Music in Motion Stage will include dance performances from contemporary choreographers Amanda Sachs and Elena Hollenhorst; Slo Dance Company, a group that “finds its footing in…slowness”; West African-based movement ensemble Duniya Drum and Dance; the highly energetic MNKrump; and hip-hop collective Meridian Movement Co. Performers from In the Heart of the Beast Puppet & Mask Theatre will interact with audiences on Peavey Plaza in the evening.
Activities in Orchestra Hall’s Target Atrium begin at 10:00 a.m. with a special presentation from Children’s Theatre Company; then, at 11:45 a.m., a guided meditation session with handbell accompaniment will be offered. In the afternoon, small ensembles of Minnesota Orchestra musicians will perform chamber music selections from composers Bohuslav Martinů, Mykola Lysenko and Claude Debussy; Celtic dance music from Dick Hensold and Patsy O’Brien follows. Later, a screening will be held of the Emmy Award-winning “This Is Minnesota Orchestra” broadcast of the Orchestra’s April 2022 concert with Cloud Cult; pianist and singer-songwriter Luke Turner will conclude activities in the Target Atrium.
Youth ensembles will headline Orchestra Hall’s auditorium. The afternoon begins with a showcase of student performers from St. Paul’s Walker | West Music Academy; later, the Cuban American Youth Orchestra (CAYO)—a group that was founded by clarinetist Rena Kraut in the wake of the Minnesota Orchestra’s 2015 tour to Cuba—will take the stage. Between the Walker | West and CAYO programs, musicians of the Minnesota Orchestra will perform chamber works with Jon Kimura Parker on piano.
Minnesota-based indie-pop star Miloe will culminate the 2023 International Day of Music with his performance with The Kabeyas on the Orchestra Hall stage at 10:30 p.m. Before Miloe performs, a dance showcase will take place in the Hall’s lobby, featuring DJ Carnage the Executioner and BRKFST Dance Company, as well as a collection of improvising musicians and dancers.
