Upcoming Shows
Ruckus in the Bearbrush
ADRIAN RAINER, EMMA NISTLER, PAUL IMHOLTE
Friday, June 23rd
Doors 6pm, Show 7pm
Tickets: $15
Order tickets at https://greatart.org/products/ruckus-in-the-bearbush or call 320-632-0960
The ruckus is a rowdy trio of skilled multi-instrumentalist musicians who are full of shenanigans, stories, and song. Their inspiring music is loved by audiences of all ages. They bring forth long forgotten folk tales, history, and music from the Appalachian territories of the United states. Through their story and song they transport audiences back to a simpler time.
Jason Schommer
Older But Not Wiser! A New Comedy Show starring Jason Schommer and Friends!
Thursday, June 29th
Doors 6pm, Show 7pm
Tickets: $17 General Admission
Purchase tickets online at https://greatart.org/products/jason-schommer or call 320-632-0960.
Back by popular demand! Jason Schommer and friends return to Great River Arts on Thursday, June 29th at 7pm with a new comedy show “Older But Not Wiser”. The evening of hilarious comedy and storytelling will also include a special encore performance of the sketch comedy “Little House on the Prairie: Pandemic! (The Lost Episode) by Prudence from Bowlus and her theatre troop The Bowlus Dramatic Guild.
Over the years, Jason Schommer has performed at numerous storytelling events by The Moth at such prestigious venues as the Guthrie Theater, Pantages Theater and the Fitzgerald Theatre among many others. In “Older But Not Wiser”, Jason will share a variety of the hilarious stories told for The Moth including tales of meeting comedy legend Joan Rivers, bumping into a music icon at the grocery store, an unfortunate and regrettable senior photo, a work prank gone terribly wrong, and many more tales as well as new stand up comedy about aging, family mis-adventures, animals gone crazy, choices made with disastrous results and the never ending quest to find joy in life. Jason will also be previewing part of his brand new show “1992!” making its debut in the Minnesota Fringe Festival this August.
This evening of non-stop comedy also includes a special encore performance of “Little House on the Prairie: Pandemic! (The Lost Episode)! This hilarious parody with a special local twist is based on the wildly funny social media posts written by Jason during the pandemic featuring the beloved characters of the iconic TV show “Little House on the Prairie”. Join Prudence from Bowlus as Laura Ingalls (Halfpint) and her nemesis Rhonda (Robyn Gray) as Nellie Oleson as they tackle the pandemic and all its craziness head on! Packed full of local references, this sketch comedy is a wild ride! With Susy Prosapio as Carolyn Ingalls, Allen Riedeman as Mr. Edwards, Lindsey Derry as Mary Ingalls, Julie Richgels as Carrie Ingalls, Kenny Simon as Mr. Oleson, Patricia Soltis as Mrs. Oleson, Laurie Koll as Ms. Beadle, Pat Arnold as Ms. Foster, Melissa Peterson as Molly Reardon and Randy Soltis tackling a variety of roles as Doc Baker and Reverend Alden and Charles Ingalls.
Joining the fun is audience favorite Kelly Cordes on piano and vocals with pre-show and intermission music. Kelly continues to wow audiences with her powerful voice and emotional delivery of songs that range from well-known hits from the top of the charts to hidden gems and deep album cuts.
Jason Schommer is a standup comedian and storyteller who spent two years as the opening act for comedy legend Louie Anderson in Las Vegas and toured with Louie regularly. Comedy icon Louie Anderson said “Jason is funny, clever, smart, and on his way to the big time!”. As a stand up comic, Jason has performed in clubs and theaters all over the USA as well as Canada and for the US Military in Japan. A regular performer at The Moth, Jason has won numerous Story Slam competitions and was invited to perform at the GrandSlam at The Fitzgerald Theatre in St. Paul in 2016 and 2023 and in 2018 at The Guthrie Theater and The Pantages Theater in 2022. Jason has been heard nationally on The Moth Radio Hour as well as featured on the podcast. Jason has worked in New York City for The Rosie O’Donnell Show and has worked behind the scenes in Hollywood as a stand in for Louie Anderson on the FX television series Baskets. In 2017 Jason released his first live comedy album “Confessions of a Local Celebrity”. Most recently Jason went viral on TikTok by starring in a video with Dave Ryan from KDWB and hitting over 5.3 million views.
Kevin Klimek and the Sideliners
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Friday, July 14th
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Doors 6pm, Show 7pm
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Tickets: $12 (Tickets on sale this June)
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A performing musician and accomplished guitarist since 1965, Kevin has opened for or worked with artists such as Buck Owens, Bill Haley's Comets, Aaron Tippin and others. His band, The Sideliners, available as a duo or trio covers a wide variety of music currently numbering close to 700 songs. Kevin is also an accomplished MIDI composer and being a multi-instrumentalist, he composes additional accompaniment resulting in stunning performances. Kevin is also available as a solo artist.
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Markets and Music on the Mississippi
Thursday, July 27th
Event: Le Bourget Park, 3-9pm
Market Vendors: 3-7pm
Performance by Michael Shynes: 6:30-8:30pm
Market and Food Vendor Information
Market Vendor Form HERE
Food Vendor HERE
Set up for vendors begins at 12pm.
Market Vendors: $25, Food Vendors $50, Non-profit organizations Free
Register as a market or food vendor by filling out the vendor form and sending it to GRA. If you are a non-profit organization you must fill out the vendor form as well.
Be sure to check regularly for upcoming events and live performances or follow us on our Facebook page, Great River Arts, for real time updates.