Crooners BELVEDERE Re-Opens May 1, Big Name Line-Up Announced

CROONERS SUPPER CLUB’S BELVEDERE TENT RE-OPENS MAY 1

EARLY SUMMER LINE-UP INCLUDES GYPSY, JENNIFER GRIMM, MARTIN ZELLAR, JOYANN PARKER, MICK STERLING, LAMONT CRANSTON AND STORYHILL

MARILYN MAYE CELEBRATES HER 94TH ON 3 NIGHTS APRIL 22 – 24

NY CABARET SENSATION MARISSA MULDER (WITH JON WEBER) MAKES HER CROONERS DEBUT APR 23 & 24

AS OF MAY 1 MASK AND VACCINATION SAFETY MEASURES CONTINUE INSIDE; ALL REQUIREMENTS LIFTED FOR BELVEDERE SHOWS

(April 15, 2022) Crooners Supper Club’s widely praised tented nightclub space, The Belvedere, is re-opening in May, bringing the club’s versatile array of supper club concert venues back up to three. Among the big names in the big tent through May are: Dan Newton’s “Honky Tonk Jump” (May 1); “River” (May 5); Martin Zellar (May 7); Lush Country (May 8), Café Accordion Orchestra (May 12); Jennifer Grimm (May 13); Gypsy (May 14); Joyann Parker (May 18); Mick Sterling (May 19, 28 & 29); Lamont Cranston (May 20); and Storyhill (May 21 & 22).

The Belvedere — with its refreshing lake breezes and views, obstruction-free sightlines, durable flooring and full-service dinner and cocktail service – opened in April of 2021. The 180-seat space transitioned from natural climate control courtesy of Moore Lake through the summer, and then introduced extra-strength heaters in the fall and winter. Concerts in the Belvedere continued without interruption until the first week of January 2022.

As of May 1 proof of vaccination will be required for indoor shows ONLY. While not required in the Belvedere, masks will still be required indoors (when not at your table or seated at the bar).

Next week the time-defying legend Marilyn Maye returns with a brand new show marking her 94th birthday last week. Maye’s 8th multi-show Crooners engagement plays four shows in three nights — Fri Apr 22 at 8pm; Sat Apr 23 at 5pm and 8pm; Sun Apr 24 at 7pm (all in the MainStage). Also next week one of New York’s breakout cabaret stars, Marissa Mulder, makes her Crooners debut on two nights accompanied by Jon Weber: Her strikingly sensual re-imagining of the songs of Tom Waits – “Tom… in his Words” plays Sat Apr 23, 6:30pm (Dunsmore). Stephen Holden of The NY Times called the show, which sold-out the Metropolitan Room (where it was recorded in 2013), “far and away the season’s best cabaret show.” On Sun April 24 at 7:30pm (Dunsmore) Mulder performs her latest show, “The Music of John Prine.”

Crooners March 30 benefit concert to help war-ravaged Ukraine, “Songs for Ukraine,” helped raise over $15K. 100% of ticket revenue, plus all sales of the new Zelensky Cocktail were donated Alight (formerly the American Refugee Committee) — for its Rapid Response Team in Poland — and the Ukrainian American Community Center (in Minneapolis), for shipping medicals supplies to multiple hospitals as well as protective gear for first responders. Another “Songs for Ukraine” benefit is being planned for June.

IN THE BELVEDERE
“Honky Tonk Jump — the Texas Swing Music of Bob Willis” — with Dan Newton, Richard Kriehn, and Joe Savage among its stellar cast of roots rockers — re-opens The Belvedere (Sun May 1, 4pm); the ever-popular 60s rock revue “River,” awash in the songs of Janis Joplin, Joni Mitchell and Carole King, crests yet again (Thur May 5, 7pm); the emerging red hot ensemble Red Hot Django Peppers, returns to mint new Paris hot club converts (Fri May 6, 6:30pm); Americana acoustic rock star Martin Zellar is always a cathartic presence (Sat May 7, 6pm); get ready for another elegant hoedown as Lush Country’s Prudence Johnson, Dan Chouinard, Gary Rue, Richard Kriehn, Joe Savage, Gary Raynor, and Peter Johnson take the stage (Sun May 8, 5pm);

Dan Newton’s inimitable Café Accordion Orchestra goes “South of the Border” (Thur May 12, 7pm); sensational singer Jennifer Grimm’s critically acclaimed love letter to Judy Garland, with its sultry big band orchestrations, gets another encore (Fri May 13, 8pm); progressive rock legends Gypsy, led by James Walsh and marking 50+ years, continue their headline-grabbing comeback, started at Crooners with sold-out shows in The Belvedere last year (Sat May 14, 6:30pm), and a special encore of Joyann Parker’s ever-popular “The Music of Patsy Cline” (Wed May 18, 6:30pm).

Twin Cities hit-maker Mick Sterling cues up four of his most popular molten energy tributes – to Bruce Springsteen (Thur May 19, 7pm), Elton John (Sat May 28, 7pm), Billy Joel (Sun May 29, 4pm), Joe Cocker (Sun May 29, 7pm); perennial rock favorite Lamont Cranston with Pat Hayes (like Gypsy celebrating 50+ years on the scene) holds court (Fri May 20, 7pm); and the Bozeman-hailing acoustic folk duo Storyhill adds another chapter to their Crooners saga (two nights Sat/Sun May 21 & 22, both 7pm)

IN THE DUNSMORE AND MAINSTAGE
Among the other Crooners headliners through May are Johnnie Brown and the Sound of Philadelphia (Apr 30, 4pm, MainStage); Chris Speed Trio (featuring Dave King) (Apr 30, 8pm Dunsmore); Jana Nyberg 5 (May 12, 7pm MainStage); fiddle wizard Pat Frederick and new band Low Country (May 14, 5pm Dunsmore); Wayne Anthony serving us the music of Bread (May 15, 7:30pm MainStage); Sophia Shorai (with pianist Tanner Taylor) (May 21, 5:30pm Dunsmore); “Mississippi River Songs” with Robert Robinson and Tim Frantzich (May 22, 4pm MainStage); Benny Benack III (May 22, 5:30pm Dunsmore).

The second act of Theater Latte Da and Crooners new two-installment tribute to the artistry of Stephen Sondheim, “Celebrating Sondheim,” plays three sold out performances on May 6 and 7. (Act I premiered March 4 & 5.) Act II features Kate Beahen, Mark Benninghofen, David Darrow, Bradley Greenwald, Anna Hashizume, Rodolfo Nieto, Greta Oglesby, and Sally Wingert, with music direction by Jason Hansen.

Crooners Supper Club introduced its new Maggie’s Lounge, and a number of other features (including expanded tiered seating in the MainStage, a new entrance, and increased artist amenities), after a month-long hiatus on February 15.

For information and tickets visit www.croonersmn.com or call 763-760-0062. Crooners is located at 6161 Highway 65 NE, just north of Minneapolis and 694 in Fridley.