NEWS: The Minnesota Musical Coalition’s Final Bow

Cassandra Cole, Jillian Rae, and Mayda will perform at the Minnesota Music Coalition’s final event on Thursday, April 11 at
the Hook and Ladder in Minneapolis, MN. The organization will disband after the concert.

The Minnesota Music Coalition (MMC), a 13-year-old service organization that has linked independent musicians across the state with audiences, will close its doors permanently after a final concert on April 11. This last bow – scheduled for 7:30 pm on Thursday, April 11 at the Hook and Ladder in Minneapolis, MN, is titled A Minnesota Music Celebration. The show will feature performances by Cassandra Cole, Jillian Rae, and Mayda in MMC’s last hurrah.

Founded in 2011, MMC has worked to connect and support a diverse community of musicians across the State of Minnesota..

“We have been proud to serve as a statewide network for independent musicians who care about creating and sustaining a vibrant popular music community and who seek to define themselves as artists, not just entertainers,” said MMC board chair Paul M. Gregersen. “Our programs have created opportunities for artists to share their work with new audiences and/or to perform in venues not traditionally associated with popular music genres.”

MMC has advanced its mission through educational activities, communication, and advocacy, with no boundaries or restrictions for genres (including popular music). Over the years, it has partnered with other nonprofits and businesses to present programs for many musical artist communities, including: 89.3 The Current, American Composers Forum, The GRAMMYs, Springboard for the Arts, Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival, McNally Smith College of Music, Folk Alliance International, Future of Music Coalition, SheRock SheRock, Saint Paul Neighborhood Network, Landmark Center, Regional Arts Councils, the Minnesota Presenters Network, Homegrown Music Festival, and more.

The organization has typically been funded, in-part, via grants, individual donors, and artist membership dues.

MMC has been recognized as a resource for Minnesota’s outstanding popular music community, presenting industry panels, festivals and programs like the MN Music Summit and the Caravan du Nord. The Caravan has brought established artists and emerging talent to Greater Minnesota for residencies, presenting workshops, networking events and concerts that support local music communities. More than 200 artists have participated in these tours. The Caravan program will continue through facilitation by the Freeborn County Arts Initiative.

“We are grateful to Elisha Marin and everybody at the Freeborn County Arts Initiative,” Gregersen said. “Caravan du Nord is an amazing opportunity for both artists and local communities state-wide. It’s important that it continues.”

The rest of MMC’s archives and historical assets will go to other Minnesota music non-profits.

Gregersen said there isn’t one specific reason the organization is sunsetting, but that the board of directors determined that it was time.

“Financially, we are in good standing. What’s remaining in our account will continue our mission as a donation to another organization,” Gregersen said.

The event is produced in conjunction with 89.3 The Current, The Hook and Ladder, and Ostrom Entertainment.

Tickets for the A Minnesota Music Celebration show are available at thehookmpls.com.

About
Latest Posts

John Anderson

John Anderson is a lifelong theatre fan turned theatre reviewer. He is the 3rd Editor-in-Chief of the Twin Cities Arts Reader.