“Songs by Boys by Girls” July 15th - 7:30 PM
A Concert of Switching Musical Chairs!
We are singing the songs that boys have made famous that we’ve ALWAYS wanted to sing!
For ONE NIGHT ONLY – Patty Peterson, Judi Vinar, Rachel Holder and Lori Dokken (members of “the girls,” the “I Am Woman,” and “Women on the Moon” shows) will put their own spin on iconic songs made famous by legendary “boys” — including Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, Elton John, The Beatles, and many more.
Every time these great friends take the stage; it promises to be a fantastic evening of powerful vocals, rich harmonies, and a sprinkle of Rat Pack-style charm and humor.
Presented by local music powerhouse Lori Dokken – this dynamic ensemble of women will deliver a one-night-only event you won’t want to miss!
Patty Peterson: Vocals
Judi Vinar: Vocals
Rachel Holder: Vocals
Lori Dokken: Vocals & Piano
Ben Kelly: Bass
Nate Babbs: Drums
Wednesday, July 15th @ 7:30 PM
Theatre L'Homme Dieu
1875 County Road 120,
Alexandria, MN, 56308
320-846-3150
"THE MOTHER OF ALL RAT PACKS"
We think it’s about time to put a tuxedo-clad group of women on stage and set them free to sing, swing, sass and show the alternative of what Vegas’ lounges in the ’60s could have been like. This show brings you back to the days of the Rat Pack with Johnny Carson at The Copa Room at TheSands Hotel.
Featuring Patty Peterson, Judi Vinar, Rachel Holder and Lori Dokken with Jendeen Forberg on drums and Jordan Hedlund on bass.
Special Guest – James Rocco, The Ordway Center’s past artistic director and vice president of programs for 13 years, will be your host!
"i am woman ... "
Lori Dokken Presents
"I Am Woman ..." - featuring Lori Dokken, Judi Vinar, Patty Peterson and Rachel Holder
Join us for a concert event celebrating some of the greatest women singers and songwriters ever! Music Director and pianist Lori Dokken is joined by three of the finest Twin Cities’ vocalists – Judi Vinar, Patty Peterson and Rachel Holder – and they combine forces to turn the stage into a celebration of some of the monumental matriarchs of music. Every time these great friends take the stage, it promises to be a fantastic evening of hearing these women “roar” as only they can!
Sit back and enjoy the vibrant vocal harmonies these women put to tunes made famous by divas like Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Joni Mitchell, Annie Lennox, Carole King, Barbra Streisand, Bonnie Raitt, Tina Turner, Judy Garland, Peggy Lee, The Andrews Sisters, Sara Bareilles, Helen Reddy, Gladys Knight, Alicia Keys and several others. Their set list changes with every show so come back and check them out often!
Chanhassen Dinner Theatres
Concert Series
501 West 78th Street
Chanhassen, MN 55317
"THREE" @ crooners - Sunday, May 7th - 5:00 PM
Judi Vinar, Rachel Holder & Lori Dokken
"THREE" ... Presented by Lori Dokken
“Three” is the seismic combination of local Twin Cities’ musicians - Judi Vinar, Rachel Holder and Lori Dokken. These three artists have not only been friends for many years but have also been colleagues in a diverse array of musical groups and productions.
“Three” brings together a triad of diverse voices that are skilled in multiple styles and genres and the end product is an incredible performance that unites them into a singular sound - rich in color, character, confidence and the sonic seasoning of experience. Three represents so many things … past, present and future … beginning, middle and end … body, mind and soul … Judi, Rachel and Lori. The experience of hearing and seeing them in action is not to be missed!
The Main Stage at Crooners
6161 Highway 65 NE
Minneapolis, MN 55432
"OUR VOICES ... OUR CHOICES" - SUN, oct 30th
ENCORE PRESENTATION!!
Lori Dokken Presents
“Our Voices … Our Choices …” - an encore presentation
Please join us for a very exciting acoustic piano and vocal show - featuring some of the Twin Cities’ favorite female vocalists performing some of their favorite songs.
Pianist and producer, Lori Dokken, will be joined by Judi Vinar, Patty Peterson, Ginger Commodore, Rachel Holder, Connie Evingson and Ellis Delaney.
This is a cabaret style event that celebrates women and brings attention to the current struggle to ensure that all women have the right to make their own health care decisions.
A portion of the producer’s share of ticket sales will be donated to Planned Parenthood of MN, SD & ND. Audience members will be invited to join in supporting this essential and valued organization.
The Main Stage at Crooners
6161 Highway 65 NE
Minneapolis, MN 55432
52 years of Tapestry and blue!
"THREE" + TWO - Lori Dokken, Rachel Holder, Judi Vinar, Jay Young & Dave Stanoch
1971 – 52 years ago – two of the most influential and renowned albums were released by two of THE greatest female composers of all time – Carole King and Joni Mitchell. The critical acclaim of Tapestry and Blue has only grown over time and these albums continue to influence songwriters across many genres and inspire young artists around the globe.
To celebrate these great singer/songwriters, Judi Vinar, Rachel Holder and Lori Dokken (“THREE”) are teaming up with bassist Jay Young and percussionist David Stanoch to present these two classic recordings in their entirety at Crooners Supper Club on The Main Stage.
If you are like many of us, you have worn out several copies of Carole’s and Joni’s masterpieces. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to hear the entire albums played uninterrupted by this incomparable group of local artists.
"Tapestry" and "Blue" performed live!
The Main Stage at Crooners
6161 Highway 65 NE
Minneapolis, MN 55432
"brandi & joni" - featuring Rachel Holder
... presented by Lori Dokken
Please join us for a concert event celebrating the music and friendship of two of the greatest female singer/songwriters of the past 60 years - Brandi Carlile & Joni Mitchell!
It seems to make perfect sense that these two musical meteors have collided and now are sharing the concert stage together. Brandi and Joni both possess an authentic and pure vision in their lyrics and melody that cuts through any false narrative of writing and performing to possess fame. It’s about truth and connection.
In an interview with the BBC, Joni Mitchell said: “If you listen to that music and you see me, you’re not getting anything out of it. If you listen to that music and you see yourself, it’ll probably make you cry, and you’ll learn something about yourself and now you’re getting. something out of it.”
Rachel Holder is the perfect artist to present some of her (and our) cherished tunes by these two phenomenal female icons of the industry. Rachel possesses the same authenticity in her delivery and with each tune goes to a place where we not only see, but can vividly hear her connection to the deep, personal side of each selection. In each song, Rachel sees herself.
Featuring:
Rachel Holder
Judi Vinar
Benjamin Kelly
Nate Babbs
Lori Dokken
Sunday, August 20th @ 4:30
The Main Stage at Crooners
6161 Highway 65 NE
Minneapolis, MN 55432
friday, may 17th - 7:30PM - the theatre @ the woman's club
The perfect Mother's Day week concert !
FEATURING: Patty Peterson, Mary Jane Alm, Ginger Commodore, Judi Vinar, Aimee Lee, Rachel Holder and Lori Dokken with Bobby Vandell, Boyd Lee and Benjamin Kelly.
“MOTHER” means many things … a female parent … a woman in authority … in charge of … maternal tenderness or affection … an extreme or ultimate example of its kind … treating a person with great kindness and love …
Celebrate Mother’s Day week with a Friday night out attending an amazing concert at The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis!
“The Fierce Mothers of Minneapolis” features a rare gathering of some of the Twin Cities’ finest female vocalists. Patty Peterson, Mary Jane Alm, Aimee Lee, Ginger Commodore, Judi Vinar, and Rachel Holder take the stage with a smokin’ band consisting of Lori Dokken, Bobby Vandell, Boyd Lee and Benjamin Kelly to present a diverse collection of their favorites from country to folk to jazz to pop and rock.
FRIDAY, MAY 17th
The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis
410 Oak Grove Street
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Tickets - General Admission - $40
WC Members - $35
VIP - $75
(includes reserved parking, premium seating, a complimentary drink and a “meet and greet” hang with the cast after the concert in The Lounge.)
"Singin' in the kitchen" - December 10th & 11th
Featuring Lori Dokken, Patty Peterson, Rachel Holder, Judi Vinar, Ginger Commodore & Joyann Parker
That magical place where we share so much together during our lifetimes. That warm haven where we talk about our struggles, our successes, our loves and sometimes our losses – the kitchen holds all of our secrets and stories.
Lori, Patty, Rachel, Judi, Ginger and Joyann will reach into their bag of personal favorites and offer their collection of remembrances about those snapshots in time when we quietly smile and remember all that really matters in this life. Please join them for an evening (and matinee) of holiday favorites.
EVENING AND MATINEE SHOWS AVAILABLE !!!
"Singin' in the Kitchen" - Tuesday & Wednesday, December 10th & 11th
Chanhassen Dinner Theatres
Concert Series
501 West 78th Street
Chanhassen, MN 55317
952.934.1525
"PAY IT FORWARD FRIDAYS" GUEST ARTISTS ...
"Pay It Forward Friday" - March 28th Music 4:30 to 6:00
"Pay It Forward Friday" - March 28th Music 4:30 to 6:00
"Pay It Forward Friday" - March 28th Music 4:30 to 6:00
“Two Girls and a Boyd”
Featuring Mary Jane Alm, Aimee Lee, Boyd Lee and Richard Kriehn
Musical group “Two Girls & a Boyd” was born out of a love for rich, complex vocal harmonies. These veterans of stage and studio combined forces to create an exciting and upbeat live musical experience.
The original trio, featuring vocalists Mary Jane Alm and Aimée Lee and guitarist/vocalist Boyd Lee performed for the first time under this name in late 2016 to immediate critical acclaim. Shortly thereafter, vocalist and mandolin guru Richard Kriehn of A Prairie Home Companion fame joined the group, throwing down smokin’ hot instrumental solos amidst lush and expressive vocals.
Creative, unique arrangements of familiar (and some not-so-familiar) favorite songs is the hallmark of the musical ensemble, “Two Girls and a Boyd with Richard”.
PUBLIC WELCOMED!
PARKING LOT RIGHT NEXT TO THE CLUB!
Doors open at 4:00pm for cocktails - Concert 4:30pm to 6:00 PM
Call or email the front desk if you have any questions
612-813-5300
or
"Pay It Forward Friday" - April 18th Music 4:30 to 6:00
"Pay It Forward Friday" - March 28th Music 4:30 to 6:00
"Pay It Forward Friday" - March 28th Music 4:30 to 6:00
"A Good Friday Gospel Quartet"
Featuring Ginger Commodore, Lyndora Turner, Kijana Gant with David Smith
One of the premier jazz vocalists in the Upper Midwest, Ginger Commodore, returns to The Woman’s Club accompanied by the amazing voices of Lyndora Turner and Kijana Gant, with David Smith on piano, for a concert of gospel music.
PUBLIC WELCOMED!
PARKING LOT RIGHT NEXT TO THE CLUB!
Doors open at 4:00pm for cocktails - Concert 4:30pm to 6:00 PM
Call or email the front desk if you have any questions
612-813-5300
or
"Pay It Forward Friday" - January 31st - Music 4:30 to 6:00
"Pay It Forward Friday" - February 21st - Music 4:30 to 6:00
"Pay It Forward Friday" - February 21st - Music 4:30 to 6:00
"Songs By Boys By Girls!"
Featuring:
Patty Peterson, Judi Vinar, Rachel Holder and Lori Dokken
For ONE NIGHT ONLY - The Girls from the “I Am Woman” group sing songs made famous by BOYS such as Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, Elton John, The Beatles and many more.
They are a current day female version of “The Rat Pack” for one night!
January 31st happens to be “National Backward Day” which provides an opportunity to reverse our ways, eat dessert for breakfast, change our direction or change the songs they sing!
Every time these great friends take the stage; it promises to be a fantastic evening of hearing these women deliver as only they can!
Friday, January 31st
PUBLIC WELCOMED!
PARKING LOT RIGHT NEXT TO THE CLUB!
Doors open at 4:00pm for cocktails - Concert 4:30pm to 6:00 PM
Call or email the front desk if you have any questions
612-813-5300
or
"Pay It Forward Friday" - February 21st - Music 4:30 to 6:00
"Pay It Forward Friday" - February 21st - Music 4:30 to 6:00
"Pay It Forward Friday" - February 21st - Music 4:30 to 6:00
“We Dig Peter, Paul and Mary” - A Tribute
Featuring Michael Monroe, Timothy Frantzich, Ann Reed , & Joan Griffith
Michael Monroe, “Minnesota acoustic music master” (Star Tribune), leads this trio through tunes like “Blowin’ In The Wind,” “Weave Me The Sunshine” “Marvelous Little Toy” “Where Have All The Flowers Gone,” “If I Had a Hammer,” “Day Is Done,” “I Dig Rock and Roll Music” as well as their top-ten hits such as “Puff The Magic Dragon,” “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” and “Leaving on a Jet Plane.”
Keep in mind some of these songs were written by Bob Dylan, John Denver, and Gordon Lightfoot and Woody Guthrie...etc!
Michael shares his stories about recording his first demo at Paul Stookey's Chicken Coop Studio in S. Blue Hill Maine in the 70s and Timothy has a great connection to the song 500 Miles...Ann performed recently with Peter and Paul in the Twin Cities and loves telling what it was like to receive the call from them!
Enjoy these seasoned performers: Ann’s pure highs, Timothy’s tenor and Michael’s baritone voices as they blend impeccable harmonies and wry humor. All the sweet sounds, complete with the emotion of the ’70s. Joan Griffith joins in on acoustic upright bass.
Relive your favorite memories of Peter, Paul and Mary and their timeless tunes of the ’60s & ’70s which remain relevant to this day!
Friday, February 31st
PUBLIC WELCOMED!
PARKING LOT RIGHT NEXT TO THE CLUB!
Doors open at 4:00pm for cocktails - Concert 4:30pm to 6:00 PM
Call or email the front desk if you have any questions
612-813-5300 or
"Just Me" ... (Volume 2) - sunday, may 18th @ 5:00PM
Join Lori for an evening with … Lori!
The first show was so much fun that we are getting together to do it again with a brand new set list!
The first half of Lori Dokken’s 40+ year career in the music industry was spent working alone a lot … in cabarets, piano bars and hosting open mics. The second half has focused more on being a player, producer and music director for many sold out, innovative and creative presentations focused on women in the music industry over the past 100 years.
For this very special encore performance Lori takes center stage on Sunday, May 18th to go back in time a bit to where she began. Patrons can once again expect a set list containing a diverse array of material from her catalogue of almost 45 years in the industry. The evening will feature songs from the 40s to today made famous by such artists as Tracy Chapman, Jim Croce, Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Nina Simone, Billy Joel, Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Bonnie Raitt, Ella, Kenny Loggins … well … you get the idea … with styles ranging from swing to pop to jazz to folk to Broadway to rock and Americana.
Lori Dokken: Vocals, Piano, Music Director
David Stanoch: Drums
Benjamin Kelly: Bass
Produced by Lori Dokken and Stuart Paster
Sunday, May 18th @ 5:00 PM
Crooners Supper Club
6161 Highway 65 NE
Minneapolis, MN 55432
Box Office: (763) 760-0062
Our Heart Will Go On, An All-Star Concert - 5/28/25
Benefiting Involve MN & Project DIVA International
Please join us in celebrating the long legacy of The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis for a final concert not only featuring local artists, but also supporting two vital local non-profit organizations. This is a concert you DON’T want to miss!
Club Favorites Lori Dokken & Connie Evingson present … an Evening of Music featuring the biggest talents in the Twin Cities. Emcee for the evening will be multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominee, actress and Twin Cities’ resident, Linda Kelsey!
The concerts during the evening will feature some of the greatest artists in the Twin Cities such as: Mary Jane Alm, Doug Anderson, Ginger Commodore, Lori Dokken, Connie Evingson, Joan Griffith, Jennifer Grimm, Rachel Holder, Geoff Jones, Richard Kriehn, Aimee Lee, Boyd Lee, Michael Monroe, Patty Peterson, T. Mychael Rambo, Emily Rubbelke, Erin Schwab, Dane Stauffer, Judi Vinar, Tristana Ward, Maria Jette, Mary Louise Knutson, Charmin Michelle, and The Isles Ensemble.
This concert will benefit two local non-profit organizations and current Woman’s Club tenants: Involve MN and Project DIVA International. Funds received will assist them in securing new physical spaces while continuing their life changing services to the community.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28th, 2025
The Woman's Club of Minneapolis
410 Oak Grove Street
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Time: 4:30 - 6:15 PM: VIP reception in the Lounge
5:45 PM: Doors, bars, and Involve MN food truck open for General Admission ticket holders
7:00 - 9:00 PM: Concert in the Theater
Location: The Woman's Club of Minneapolis Theater (1st Floor)
"Shout! Sister, shout!" - sunday, june 8th - 7:00 PM
Chanhassen Dinner Theatres Concert Series
The musical journey begins with Sister Rosetta Tharpe and travels through time up to today featuring female phenoms like Billie Holiday, Laura Nyro, Carole King, Nina Simone, Phoebe Snow, Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt, Aretha Franklin, Janis Ian, Lady Gaga, India Arie and more. The evening will also be interspersed with words from some well-known writers and celebrities such as Maya Angelou, Terry Tempest Williams, Winona LaDuke, Coretta Scott King, Mary Oliver and more.
On stage to deliver an eclectic and dynamic array of arrangements written or performed by iconic female vocalists is a cadre of local Twin Cities’ luminaries such as Judi Vinar, Joyann Parker, Rachel Holder, Charmin Michelle and Anna Christy backed by pianist Lori Dokken (Producer & Music Director of Shout! Sister, Shout!) along with an all-star rhythm section. They will also be joined by Eden Bodnar, a local actress/artist/voiceover talent who will be delivering the spoken word sections.
A visual backdrop also accompanies this production and features digital renderings of the writers, composers and vocalists associated with each song and quotation.
Chanhassen Dinner Theatres
Concert Series
501 West 78th Street
Chanhassen, MN 55317
952.934.1525
Dinner at 5:00
Show at 7:00
"Here comes the sun" - sunday, January 11th @ 7PM
Featuring Lori Dokken, Patty Peterson, Judi Vinar, Rachel Holder, Joyann Parker & Connie Evingson
It’s a Beatles song fest!
For this concert event, Lori Dokken (pianist/vocalist/music director) has enlisted FIVE of the Twin Cities’ finest female vocalists: Patty Peterson, Joyann Parker, Rachel Holder, Connie Evingson, and Judi Vinar. This diverse group of artists promises to deliver, in their own unique ways, a wide range of selections from the Beatles’ vast catalogue of songs.
Hear songs like “Imagine,” “Strawberry Fields Forever,” “The Long and Winding Road,” “Across the Universe,” “As My Guitar Gently Weeps,” “Here, There and Everywhere,” “When I’m 64,” “Act Naturally,” “Help,” “Come Together,” “All You Need is Love” and more!
If you are a fan of Lori’s I Am Woman, Shout! Sister, Shout! or Women on the Moon shows, you need to see this concert!
SUNDAY, JANUARY 11th - 7:00 PM
The Band
Lori Dokken – Producer, Piano, Vocals
Patty Peterson – Vocals
Judi Vinar – Vocals
Rachel Holder – Vocals
Joyann Parker – Vocals
Connie Evingson – Vocals
Benjamin Kelly – Bass
Nate Babbs – Drums
Chanhassen Dinner Theatres
501 West 78th Street
Chanhassen, MN 55317
"Jesus christ superstar" - ordway center for the performing
I'll be back playing Pre-Show at The Ordway!!!
I am ecstatic to be back at The Ordway Center of the Performing Arts for I believe the fifteenth (?) year!
This year's production is "Jesus Christ Superstar" and you will find me once again in The Target Atrium, seated at a very lovely Steinway Concert Grand piano, playing pre show music. It is really my favorite job of the year ... I love Christmas and Holiday music ... I can't wait to see lots of 'short people' - some old friends and some new ... and of course I enjoy spending time with the fantastic staff at this treasured St. Paul theater.
"Jesus Christ Superstar" - runs from Tuesday, December 9th through Sunday, December 28th. Evening shows usually have a curtain time of 7:30 and matinees are usually at 2:00. Please check out The Ordway site to find the exact times for certain dates.
You will find me seated on the bench an hour prior to the start of the show. I am fairly certain that some of my young friends will sit in and play a little "Jingle Bells" with me ... and we'll see how many renditions end up being posted on YouTube!
When you come to the show - make sure to stop by and say "hello!"
Dates that I am scheduled to play:
Tuesday, 12/9 - Evening
Wednesday, 12/10 - Evening
Friday 12/12 - Evening
Saturday, 12/13 - Matinee & Evening
Tuesday, 12/16 - Evening
Wednesday, 12/17 - Evening
Friday, 12/19 - Evening
Saturday, 12/20 - Matinee & Evening
Sunday, 12/21 - Matinee
Tuesday, 12/23 - Matinee & Evening
Wednesday, 12/24 - Matinee
Friday, 12/26 - Evening
Saturday, 12/27 - Matinee & Evening
Sunday, 12/28 - Matinee & Evening
Laura Caviani will be subbing for me on the dates below ... she's GREAT!
Thursday, 12/11 - Evening
Sunday, 12/14 - Matinee & Evening
Thursday, 12/18 - Evening
Sunday, 12/21 - Evening
"WOMEN ON THE MOON" - SUNDAY, march 8th - 7:00 PM
The perfect concert for "International Women's Day!"
Women on the Moon is a concert event that showcases some of our favorite artists from the 1960s such as: Mama Cass, Tina Turner, Aretha, Cher, Dusty Springfield, Lesley Gore, Grace Slick, Janis Joplin, Dionne Warwick, Mavis Staples, Joan Baez, Cher, Ella, Shirley Bassey, Laura Nyro, Diana Ross, Barbra, Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt, Nancy Sinatra, and the great Nina Simone.
The 1960s was one of the most memorable decades of all time in the history of The United States. It started out with the election of President John F. Kennedy and the dawn of “Camelot” and closed out with the first man landing on the moon. In between these bookends would be the assassinations of JFK, RFK and MLK; civil rights legislation; protests; drugs; The Feminine Mystique; Black Power; hippies; Vietnam; Gloria Steinem; Nixon; the Watts riots; Andy Warhol; Stonewall; NOW; The Beatles; Laugh-In; The Rolling Stones; Twiggy; Woodstock; and so many other momentous events.
While men landed on the moon, women artists took their own giant leap into every area of the musical landscape. The ‘60s were inarguably the most prolific decade for female vocalists and musicians in many diverse styles and categories. From pop and folk to rock and roll and rhythm and blues, women launched themselves into the music scene and claimed their space in the mostly male dominated industry.
Producer and musical director Lori Dokken has assembled some of the Twin Cities’ finest female vocalists to transport you back more than 50 years to a time when many things were static and tumultuous, yet “peace” and “love” were two of the most circulated words of the era.
Featuring:
Patty Peterson - vocals
Judi Vinar -vocals
Ginger Commodore - vocals
Rachel Holder - vocals
Joyann Parker - vocals
Joe Elliot - guitar
Tony Axtell - bass
David Stanoch - drums
Lori Dokken - vocals/piano/music director
Sunday, March 8th - 7:00 PM
Chanhassen Dinner Theatres
501 West 78th Street
Chanhassen, MN 55317
The “Say Gay All-Day All-Star Cabaret Show!”
Sunday, June 28th @ 7:00PM
Crooners is congratulating and celebrating Pride and the LGBTQ+ community on the 54th Anniversary of Twin Cities Pride with an All-Star Cabaret Show presented by Lori Dokken on June 28th at 7:00 PM.
Joining Lori will be an AMAZING lineup of Twin Cities’ artists who are LGBTQ+ local luminaries, allies and friends of the community as well as being some of Crooners favorite performers: Erin Schwab, Judi Vinar, Patty Peterson, Ginger Commodore, Doug Anderson, Rachel Holder, Dane Stauffer, Emily Villano and Tristana Ward.
This Cabaret Event will be paired with a Go Fund Me opportunity for supporters and guests to donate to The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is an American nonprofit organization founded in 1998. Focused on suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth, they offer a toll-free telephone number where confidential assistance is provided by trained counselors. The independent charity watchdog group – CharityWatch – ranks them as one of the top three LGBTQ+ charities in the nation. We sincerely hope you will join us for this insanely fun and sometimes incredibly poignant cabaret show to close the weekend of the 54th Annual Twin Cities Pride!
Featuring:
Erin Schwab
Judi Vinar
Patty Peterson
Ginger Commodore
Rachel Holder
Doug Anderson
Dane Stauffer
Emily Villano
Tristana Ward
and … Lori Dokken
Sunday, June 28th @ 7:00 PM
CROONERS SUPPER CLUB
The Main Stage
6161 Highway 65 NE
Minneapolis, MN 55432
Box Office: (763) 760-0062
women on the moon - the ordway concert hall
Women on the Moon is a concert event that showcases some of our favorite artists from the 1960s such as: Mama Cass, Tina Turner, Aretha, Cher, Dusty Springfield, Lesley Gore, Grace Slick, Janis Joplin, Dionne Warwick, Mavis Staples, Joan Baez, Cher, Ella, Laura Nyro, Diana Ross, Barbra, Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt, Nancy Sinatra, and the great Nina Simone.
The 1960s was one of the most memorable decades of all time in the history of The United States. It started out with the election of President John F. Kennedy and the dawn of “Camelot” and closed out with the first man landing on the moon. In between these bookends would be the assassinations of JFK, RFK and MLK; civil rights legislation; protests; drugs; The Feminine Mystique; Black Power; hippies; Vietnam; Gloria Steinem; Nixon; the Watts riots; Andy Warhol; Stonewall; NOW; The Beatles; Laugh-In; The Rolling Stones; Twiggy; Woodstock; and so many other momentous events.
While men landed on the moon, women artists took their own giant leap into every area of the musical landscape. The ‘60s were inarguably the most prolific decade for female vocalists and musicians in many diverse styles and categories. From pop and folk to rock and roll and rhythm and blues, women launched themselves into the music scene and claimed their space in the mostly male dominated industry
"when art speaks" ... from Berlin in the 1930s to today.
Read Lori's notes regarding the Music Series
This year’s September Music Series, “When Art Speaks …” will highlight the world of American theatre and specifically Broadway musicals from the past seventy years.
Artists and composers have brilliantly used this medium to express feelings, thoughts, emotions, worries, anger and sadness in reaction to their surroundings … political culture … daily life … and the environment. It seems that this need to create and express themselves is spawned from a desire to engage in and change the landscape of the times they are living through.
History contains many eras of struggle as well as times of great accord that have driven and inspired artists to create some of the most influential works contained in the annals of our times. The categories of expression by these archivists have been threaded through theatre, spoken word, essays, paintings, photography, poetry and music. Quite often, works of art have inspired and motivated a society to enact positive and meaningful change that has caused the arc of our future to continue to bend toward justice.
I recently attended the production of Cabaret at The Guthrie and was gob smacked by the similarity of the topics the play highlighted from Berlin in 1930 that are front and center in the United States today.
I did some reading and research about the development of the musical Cabaret and discovered that in the early 1960s, Broadway producer Harold Prince acquired the source material for the show which was Christopher Isherwood's stories from his 1939 novel Goodbye to Berlin. Prince wished to create a gritty adaptation of Isherwood's stories that drew parallels between the spiritual bankruptcy of Germany in the 1920s and contemporary social problems in the United States at a time "when the struggle for civil rights for black Americans was heating up as a result of nonviolent but bold demonstrations being held in the Deep South."
I found an incredible correlation between Isherwood’s Berlin in 1930 … Hal Prince’s America in the 1960s … and the alarmingly dangerous situation we are in today … in 2025.
People are being arrested without warrant, cause and due process … disappeared without basic rights … pulled off the street because of the color of their skin or the language that they speak … silenced because they are saying things in opposition to the people in power … are afraid for their lives if they do speak out … are being robbed of their basic human rights … and they watch without recourse as the programs and agencies they have relied on for their very survival are either being gutted, closed or people are casually being deemed no longer eligible to receive the assistance.
“When Art Speaks” to us it can motivate and inspire diverse communities to bond together with common cause to form a movement – a broad and inclusive movement - that demands adherence to The Constitution, respect for the rule of law, champions human rights and demands a return to the premise from which this great country began – E Pluribus Unum – out of many … ONE.
We CAN come together … We CAN do better.
Please join us at Unity Minneapolis for the September Music Series – “When Art Speaks.” It promises to be powerful, engaging, poignant, humorous, thought provoking and incredibly inspiring.
Some of the songs we will feature are: “What Would You Do?” and “Maybe This Time” (Cabaret); “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught” (South Pacific); “Easy to be Hard” and “Age of Aquarius” (Hair); “Save the People,” “Beautiful City” (Godspell); “You’ll Be Back” (Hamilton); “I’m Here” (The Color Purple) and many, many more …
On Sunday, October 5th at 5:00 PM – Judi Vinar, Rachel Holder and I (THREE) will close out the series by presenting a broad retrospect of material from contemporary music that has spoken to all of us.
In closing …
These famous and historical words will probably feel familiar to many people. Their relevancy to our times gives a startling example of the serious truth of our current situation.
Written by Martin Niemöller, a German Lutheran pastor and theologian in 1930s Germany, Niemöller supported Hitler’s rise to power but came to odds with the government when Hitler insisted on the supremacy of the state over religion.
Niemöller then led a group of German clergymen who now opposed Hitler, and he was consequently arrested in 1937 and spent eight years in two different concentration camps until he was released by the Allies in 1945.
I didn’t know his history until doing research for this series. I now read his words through a much different lens … they ring even more true to me now.
First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me
See you in September!
Lori