​5 by JuCoby Johnson, a co-production between Trademark Theater and the Jungle Theater, is a timely and thought-provoking play that explores the complex relationships between friendship, and a community facing gentrification of their neighborhood. I was excited to see this production because of the local talent involved, it's directed by H. Adam Harris and has a great cast. 5 plays at the Jungle Theater in Uptown until April 16, 2023 and has been highly applauded by local reviewers and community members who have seen the show. 

5 takes place at a gas station in a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood, where best friends Jay and Evan are faced with a tough decision that puts their friendship to the test. When a real estate developer offers to buy their store, the two are faced with a tough decision that puts their friendship to the test. As the pressure to sell mounts...you'll have to see the show because I don't want to give away spoilers. The play's strength lies in its depth and authenticity of the main characters and the nuanced exploration of some weighty themes. 5 is a testament to the importance of supporting new works in American theater, providing playwrights with the opportunity to develop and refine their stories before they are seen by audiences. The result is a play that is both timely and timeless with touches of magical realism sprinkled through all aspects of the show and it gets weird — in a good way, cause that's how I like my theater.

The journey of how 5 got to the stage showcases the importance of supporting new works in American theater, providing playwrights with the opportunity to develop and refine their stories before they are seen by audiences. 5 by JuCoby Johnson began as a commission by Trademark Theater in 2020, as part of their new-works-to-production pipeline. Johnson worked on the play internally before its first workshop in partnership with the Playwrights' Center and Trademark Theater in 2021. The play was then named a finalist for both the 2021 O'Neill NPC and Seven Devils competitions before undergoing a workshop in collaboration with the Jungle Theater in 2022. Currently, 5 is in production for its world premiere at the Jungle Theater in 2023. Trademark Theater, founded in 2017 by Tyler Michaels King, invests in extensive development and workshop processes for each production due to their commitment to telling bold new stories.

The staging and design of 5 are also noteworthy, with the Jungle Theater's intimate space utilized to great effect. The gas station set is very realistic and the use of sound and lighting adds to the increasing sense of unease and foreboding as the play progresses. 

In this Artfully Engaging blog interview, we hear from Samantha Grimes, an award-winning singer-songwriter, who believes in writing impactful, well-written, and genuine music. Samantha shares her experiences of collaborating with other artists and how it has influenced her music. She also talks about her upcoming solo performance and what the audience can expect. Additionally, she discusses her involvement with organizations like the Minnesota Music Coalition and the Midwest Country Music Organization that have impacted her career positively. Furthermore, Samantha shares her love for creating music and the inspiration behind sharing her songs with the world. Finally, she offers some advice to aspiring musicians who are starting out in their careers.

Samantha's passion for music shines through in every performance, and she loves nothing more than sharing her music with people. After reading this interview you can find out more about Samantha and her music on her website at samanthagrimesmusic.com and follow her on Facebook and Instagram at @samanthagrimesmusic. Enjoy this Twin Cities behind-the-scenes interview!

Artfully,

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Your music covers a range of emotions and experiences, from love to loss to hate. How do you approach songwriting to convey these complex feelings? 

Samantha: I suppose I never have considered there to a be an approach to my songwriting. I generally hear something clever or catchy as I am noodling around on guitar or piano, and it elicits an emotion. From that feeling, I know I am on to a great song if it writes itself rather quickly. I have been chastised by some people for being too "wordy" in my songs - but sometimes a story or feeling needs more explanation.

I believe in my heart that the music I create is impactful, well-written, and genuine. I also tend to believe that it is good - which these awards also validate. The impact these awards have on my music honestly boils down to just the desire to create more.

Collaboration is often an important aspect of creativity. Have you collaborated with any other artists in the past, and if so, how did that influence your music?

Samantha: I consider most any music I make with other people to be a collaboration. For instance, Jon Larson who has played bass for me, was instrumental in the writing of "Red String Theory." I started writing that song when I was 11 years old. I had only created the guitar riff, and could never find words that went well with it.  One day, Jon comes around and has the perfect bass line and I wrote the entire song that evening.  After twenty-odd years of toying with it. I also feel the relationship I have with my producer, J. Christopher Vaught, has influenced my music heavily. More often than not, I have the song 99% done. I'll send him my demo that I create at home, and he takes it, listens, advises, sometimes adds or detracts items from the score, and then mixes and masters it. If that isn't a collaboration, I don't know what could possibly define it!

What can audiences expect from your upcoming performance at Arts+ Rec with special guest Allison Dyg? 

Samantha: I'm fortunate to know my audience very well.  People love a good plethora of different musical themes.  People know that I dabble in pop, country, rock, alternative, singer/songwriter, etc.  The beauty of the upcoming show at Arts + Rec Uptown is that I'll be playing all of my music solo.  Audiences will get to hear each song as I wrote them - which is a special experience all its own.  And Allison Dyg - let me tell you.  She has pipes.  She is a fantastic singer, and her original music aligns very well with what I am doing.  She reminds me a little of Tori Amos - and she holds this tremendous soul-monster inside her that can envelop an entire room. 

How has your involvement with organizations like the MN Music Coalition and the Midwest Country Music Organization impacted your career as a musician?

Samantha: I often credit both organizations, and also the International Singer/Songwriters Association, with my growth these past few years. The MN Music Coalition is an organization I joined when I was looking for an entertainment lawyer. Someone recommended them because they network and have affiliations with law firms and could negotiate a discount. Not only was that 100% true, they also have facilitated numerous bookings for me and provided opportunities I can never thank them properly for. I was playing guitar in the heart of the Mall of America thinking HOW COOL IS THIS. The MN Music Coalition did that for me.

I'm relatively new to the Midwest Country Music Organization. I always thought of myself leaning towards the rock/pop side of the genre spectrum. Then I saw Sarah Morris (another singer/songwriter) had a deep connection to them. I have listened to a great number of her songs, and I never thought they were entirely country. I'd say, at the heart, they are singer/songwriter mixed with some Americana, a little country twang here and there. But after seeing her grow her music with that affiliation, I thought well heck - I can be a part of it too then! So I became a member. The people I have met so far through the Midwest CMO have been the salt of the earth - the most wonderful people. I am so excited to attend the Midwest CMO Awards April 22nd down in Iowa. I can't wait to see my music family!

Your website and social media pages feature a lot of original music. What inspires you to keep creating new songs and sharing them with others?

Samantha: I just can't stop I suppose! Music has been with me since I was five years old. I was writing songs about my pet albino rat Skippy and sending them to National Geographic. My set, unless announced otherwise, is 100% original music. I love that I've been able to cultivate this passion of mine into a full-blown side hustle. I can share my own soul-monster with the world and have it received in a positive light. I will continue to create and share music until I can no longer physically do so. 

What advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are just starting out in their careers?
Samantha: This is tough - because I know so many incredibly gifted musicians that are just getting going that do not do the original music thing. To them, I always say to play with folks that are better than you and keep growing.

However, to the original music singer/songwriters - I have some different advice. Grit your teeth, dig in, and know your demographics. I know, for a fact, that my music would not be well received at a Primus concert. So, I won't reach for a booking that doesn't resonate with my style (like opening for Primus). If your set is 45 minutes of original music, and you do not want to rely on covers (a lot of places won't let you play covers anymore regardless) don't book a four-hour gig. Be smart about who and when you approach people for bookings, and then, put your all into it. Be tenacious. Show every venue that you are as invested as they are in putting on a great show. 

Songwriter Rounds Presented by WFNU: Three songwriters singing and performing original music
Sat, April 8 @ 6:30PM
Yellowbird Coffee Bar
1168 Selby Ave, Saint Paul, MN

St. Croix Valley Riverboat Music Festival: Three full days of music! 
Fri, June 2 - Sun, June 4 Saint Croix Falls, WI

Thanks to Arts + Rec for sponsoring this post! If you have upcoming events to promote, local Twin Cities businesses to advertise, or want to support these conversations please reach out.

Yesterday  I had the opportunity to sit down and have a conversation with Dexieng "Dae" Yang, a Twin Cities theater artist, to discuss her experiences preparing for her performance in the new musical Again, a  world premiere from Mu Theater written by Katie Ka Vang and Melissa Li. We also discuss  her artist journey, some of her favorite moments in the show, and at the end she reveals a big personal announcement! The following is and edited text version of the interview, which you can watch in its entirety on YouTube. Enjoy Dae's thoughtful and inspiring answers and then grab your crew and head out to Mixed Blood to experience this musical and support this piece of amazing collaborative theater.

Kendra: Welcome. My name is Kendra Plant. I am with the Artfully Engaging Blog, which is a blog that talks about creativity and arts events in the Twin Cities. And today I have a very special guest from Mu Theater. Thanks, Dae, for joining. We are going to talk a little bit about the new musical "Again," which is going to be a world premiere. And then just learn a little about the process and get some more information about the show. So Dae, do you want to introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about you?

Dae: Yes. I'm Dexieng Yang, but I go by "Dae." I use she/her pronouns. A little bit about me. Ooh, that's a hard question, Kendra. Well, I am a actor, teaching artist, emerging playwright. I want to be a playwright here, I'm located in the Twin Cities. I recently just graduated from Augsburg. I guess it's becoming not so recent. I graduated in 2021 with my BFA in theatre with concentrations in directing, dramaturgy, and playwriting, which tends to surprise people because I really have been in the art scene here in the Twin Cities as an actor.

Dae: So a lot of people think I actually got my degree in performance, but I didn't. And then I also got a minor in management and management informational systems because fun fact, I went to college as a business major. I never thought I could pursue theatre at all. Just because I never saw myself on stage, I've always loved theatre though, since I was like in kindergarten. However, I just didn't know how realistic it was for an Asian person to be able to pursue it.

And it wasn't until my sophomore year of college when I met the artistic director of Mu at the time, when I met him, he basically just said that if your Asian family could be so excited for someone who wants to pursue medical school and support them 100%, they haven't even gone to medical school. Why can't they be as excited for you to be an actor? Because it is a very doable career if you have heart and you have passion. And so I was like, yeah, yeah, you're great. Why don't I do it? So I switched my major.

And then I, honestly, it really feels like the stars are aligning because I did a show at Augsburg University where I went. I did a show there where we had an outside director come to our university to direct the show. And through him, I was able to meet other artists in the Twin Cities. And then I got invitations to audition for things. And then I just kept auditioning. And then I started working at 19 in the Twin Cities. And I've been working since somehow. Thank goodness. I feel very blessed to have been able to do that. And working with, I have done quite a few shows with Theater Mu, but I've also worked a lot with Pillsbury House Theatre with their DEI training. They're training, I don't want to say training course, but they have a program called Breaking Ice where they focus on DEI. And so I've gotten to be involved in that a lot too. So yeah, I guess that's a little bit of a longer intro to kind of where I'm at. But that's how I've gotten here. And that's how I'm here now.

Kendra: I love that the community has been so supportive and that artists were, you know, you were connecting and, you know, getting audition information. And that is one of the things that I do love about the Twin Cities is really like how there's like lots of artists, like the Playwright's Center, for example, like brings lots of artists from all over. We have lots of very strong theaters, including Theater Mu, which is the biggest Asian American theater in the Midwest., it's long running and has a reputation for high quality theater.

So I'm glad that you're finding work. And also, congratulations for graduating. And were you going to school during quarantine then?

Dae: I was. Yeah. So, I basically finished my senior year all online, which was quite an experience. Yeah, I was still also working too in the theater world. So you have basically a full day; I was also working at the time. So everything was work from home. And then you did school from home. And then when you did theater at night, you were at home. So it was like 14 plus hours of just at a screen, which looking back, I don't know how my brain was able to do it. Like, I swear, I should have gotten way more migraines than I actually did. But kind of crazy. But yes, I did go to school during that time.

I had a virtual graduation. So a beautiful YouTube live video of my little picture popping up. It was fun. And I did not choose the walk just because there, COVID was still going on. And I live with high-risk people. And so I was like, no, we're not going to do that. So yeah, but it's okay. I personally don't feel bad about it. I was fine.

Kendra: You have the degree: you have the paper and the experience, the connections and everything that brings. And so let's talk about Again. So this musical is playing March 29th through April 16th and we are approaching opening. So I'm curious to know more.

Dae: Well, first of all, I'll let you tell us a little bit about the musical. Yeah. So if we're just going through what the story is, right, a plot of the musical, we basically meet my Mai See, who I will be playing. We meet my Mai See, who is, she -- this isn't a secret, so it's not like, whoa, it's in a synopsis -- but she has cancer.

She has cancer. And she she had written a book about it. And because of her book, she ends up needing a fan of hers Quest, who is this bubbly early 20s character who's just like so ready for life. And Quest also has cancer, but she, but she is, she is taking on the world. Whereas Mai See is still learning to, I guess, take control of her life and figure out herself because she's had cancer for a longer chunk of her life. She's 39. And so she's had cancer for a longer chunk, but she's also been in remission for a while. So she's still trying to figure out how to navigate her life. And so we get to see these two characters, kind of how Quest helps Mai See regenerate her life, really, and find herself again and find footing through cute little, through cute little interviews like this, actually, trying to get to know one another.

But again, giving it a little bit what the heart of again is it's really about courage and being okay to start over and being okay to know that there's never a wrong time to fix and rekindle relationships because this show really revolves on relationships. It doesn't matter how long it's been, if it's important to you, you can go ahead and rekindle them and you should have courage to. Sorry, I feel like I didn't explain that well, but there are so many great themes in this musical, the two of those I highlighted.

Kendra: Yeah, there's a lot of elements, and I believe from what I've been hearing is that friendship is a really important element. And I know Katie Ka Vang, when she was talking about like her inspiration for the show was like, you know, she's a cancer survivor herself, and she wanted to tell a cancer story through Hmong American lens. And so, you know, probably everybody who sees the show and everybody watching this is going to have some sort of experience with cancer in their life with themselves or someone they know. So can you talk a little bit about like how the how it's handled? I mean, there's the potential that that's like what kind of like very obviously it's sad and frustrating and -- what's the name of the musical number when she finds when she finds out she's out of remission?

Dae: "Are you effing kidding me?" Yeah, I don't know if I could swear, but yeah, there is swearing in the show, just so your ears are ready. There's a lot of the f-word drops.

Kendra: So can you talk a little bit about like how the material is handled? Because I know there's also moments of levity, but obviously people who've been touched by cancer know like how like serious of a topic it is.

Dae: Oh yeah, no, definitely. Maybe too personal, but my I have my grandfather just recently passed from cancer. And I feel like the way he went about this musical handled it in a way that I feel like our family handled it. One of the big themes that is running through the musical is taking it one day at a time. And even with that song like every it just reminds me of the moments where the doctors are like, Oh, the treatment is working. It's getting better. And then literally just literally seven days later, a week later. Oh, it's not working. He's he's failing. You know, it's we have to start a different medication right away. And then you have to readjust your schedule. And granted, I I do not do a lot of the caretaking for my grandfather during that time. But to see your family go through that as well and see him go through it and how hard it is on his body.

I resonate a lot with that song. It's very frustrating. It's really hard. It makes you angry. It's like, 'why?' Why? You said it works. Like, what? Why are we? Why are we going through all this? Like us as the family, like emotionally, and then obviously for my grandfather, very physically taxing. So I think Katie handled it in a way where it is realistic. Not that cancer isn't hard, right? It is so it is so hard. And there's a there's a lot of sadness that comes with it. But one thing that my mother had said to me that that I think really helped with that is that life keeps going and not a way to ignore it.  So we just have to keep going. And we have to be grateful for when he went for when he was here. We have to be grateful the days we have with him and not worry about, "Oh, we only have six months left. We only have five months left" and really do take it one day at a time. So I don't know if that answered the question.

But that's that I feel like Katie handled it really, really well. Having the hope in there and even if there's tragedy that does come at the end, which --there's not this musical, but even if there is--to relish in the moments of happiness when you can.

Kendra: That's very well said. Yes. And I guess that's why I'm excited to see the show because it's like music can sometimes explain things the way that words can't. So I'm really excited to see how it unfolds on stage in the friendships.

Kendra: Can you talk a little bit about the collaboration? There's some like amazing artists involved with this, like, like a long-time fan of Katie Ka Vang. What's it it's like working with all these talented folks?

Dae: Oh my God. Okay. When you say talented folks, yes, we have some extremely talented folks in this room. Oh my goodness. The collaboration has been it's been very easy. Katie is a very easy playwright to work with. I'll be like, 'Katie, does this make sense?' Or if you have a question about a certain line or a certain scene or the flow of it, Katie is very receptive to feedback. And she's also so chill. If you guys don't know Katie, she is so chill. Like with the revisions, 'cause obviously this is a new musical. So we have had a multiple revisions during this rehearsal process.

Katie is really quick as well to make revisions and then bring them back to us so that we can read it out loud and give her feedback and be like, 'Okay, this is what's working and what's not working.' Again, she's so open, receptive to it. She's not married to her work, which she is in the way that she's dedicated to it, but she's not married to in a sense that she can't change it.

Also Nana [Dakin], our director -- I really love the approach she has to these characters. It feels very human. She really gives us time to do table work with the new pages that come in or just with the scene or just be like,  'What are your relationships with one another?" and that is very common because you need to know how your arc of the characters are. Obviously, when you do any play, I just really appreciate the way Nana approaches it. She really asks us how we're feeling about it, which sometimes it's hard to, I feel like especially as artists is hard to just have one way to describe what you think. And usually at least for me, it comes out more abstract and feelings. So it's been a very human experience. [...]

Kendra: That's great. It's a safe place and open. That's the goal.

Can you talk about a favorite moment song or a favorite line in the place, something that really sticks with you that you and that just really enjoy in that moment when you're performing?

Dae: Oh my gosh. Okay. I was reading through this question because obviously you're prepared and you give me questions for this. And I was like, I really like a lot of the moments. But the one that I think sticks out to me is that there's this, there's in the middle of the musical, there is a scene where Quest and Mai See are having more heart-to-heart open conversation about..it's just like an organic where, you know, you're talking to someone and the the air kind of changes. And you kind of start saying a little more about your situation or personal life. And that's where Mai See and Quest are. And Mai See  tries to cheer Quest up. And she says this line, Mai See says, "Adults are just children in bigger, older bodies." And the Quest goes, "That's why my dad still has a bunch of hot wheels." And then Mai See is like, "Exactly!" And I just love that moment because there is a lot said in just those few lines that transpired the comfort of being like, "Hey, sometimes adults we mess up. We make mistakes and you're not at fault at all." Because Quest very much she's not a child. You know, she is an adult, but, she's going through some things that make, me, I feel like, you know, we all have maybe a bit of childhood issues that still follow us into adulthood and to have someone who is Hmong, like Mai See who's older, who's in the art field and being able to tell her these things, I feel like it's just a lot more impactful than if they were to come from someone who perhaps doesn't fully understand the scope of where you want to go and where you want to go in your life and what's happening, especially since they both are cancer survivors. So, I really enjoy that moment. It's a beautiful moment for them and their friendship. And a beautiful moment, I think that anyone and everyone can relate to. Yeah, adults are just children in bigger older bodies. And sometimes we all need a little bit of love in, in our own way.

Kendra: That's beautiful. And as you were going through this rehearsal process, I mean, you're still in the midst of it. I don't want to rush you, but has there been any challenges or surprises that have come up that you want to share?

Dae: So I got to see a reading of the musical at Theater Mu's New Eyes festival last year. So I already kind of knew and understood the whole idea of the musical. But I didn't realize how much it would touch me being in the musical because it is about family. It is about relationships, at the heart of it. I never had cancer, though I did have a close family member that did have cancer and I could relate that way.

I didn't, initially go in all this is like, thinking that it would necessarily affect me so much. Maybe that's a naive of me to think that. But it's really the relationships in this musical that has been like, wow, it's, it's a lot sometimes. Cause...when you love so hard, you hurt hard when you care hard. And then when these moments come up and you're like, "I've had that exact conversation with my sister," or  "I've had that exact conversation with my best friend,"  or "I've had this exact conversation."

There's a lot of those moments in this musical for me that I was not anticipating to feel so touched by -- and not that it's, that was challenging, but there were moments I was like, ooh, okay, I gotta separate Dae's life and Mai See's life and really make a separation because it's so easy to relate and then you get caught in the emotions and, and then, uh, and then you can't perform and then then you can't put on a show.

Kendra: Yeah, that's when you know the arts good, right? Like when it's so relatable, and you can just kind of dig into that material and there's like so much source material in your own life and it's like really speaking to you. So thank you for sharing that.

Let's get into some logistics, too. Again is at Mixed Blood Theater, so it's right on the West Bank. Tickets are pay as you are,  so tickets are as low as $10. If you can pay $45 please do so. And then addition, you can donate to Pathways Minneapolis, which provides resources and services for people with life threatening or chronic physical illness, as well as their caregivers. So you can do that as part of your ticket for just on top of your ticket. That's a great partnership and can help some folks out in the community. The show is recommended for ages 16 plus due to language, which we did discuss.

Kendra: Can you do a shout out at the end? Maybe why should folks come see the show and what you're most excited about?

Dae: Yes! Please come see the show because this is the first ever Hmong musical to be produced, at least I know of, for sure, in the Midwest. If you all do not know Minnesota is home to the largest Hmong population here in the U.S. There's a lot of us here. So please come support us and come see us. Even if you're not Hmong, Come see your Hmong brothers and sisters because we are here. Also because this musical is -- I promise you will be able to relate to it. I promise you're going to walk away feeling something in your heart because Katie and Melissa Li, who's the composer have written a absolutely heart-touching, funny, quirky, very cute, relationships  that are real. They're real. They're very genuine.

Also, I thought, okay... let me know you might have announced it now. I am pregnant! So come support me.

Kendra: Congratulations!

Dae: Thank you. I just want to announce that because, because this will be my first time ever do a show pregnant. And so let's see how we do costuming so I don't look pregnant.

Kendra: Well, I sure, I'm sure you have a lot of support in the Twin Cities art scene for
that too. Um, so that is, um, a thing that happens.

Dae: It is a thing. You can perform and be pregnant.

Kendra: I also read that the against three leads are all Hmong (American) women. Yes. And we [were reminded from the Oscars] with Michelle [Yeoh] winning for best actor -- that representation
matters. So that is very cool. And I'm glad to see that on Twin Cities stages.

Dae:
So we too, we are too. We're so excited that it's, it's freaking awesome.

Kendra: All right. So, well, thank you so much for spending some time with me talking about the show
and your artistry. I've really enjoyed chatting and learning more about you and I can't wait to
see you on stage here at Mixed Blood. Thank you!

Minnesota acoustic artist Tyler Herwig will take the stage of Arts + Rec this week, but before he plays his music live in Uptown on March 14, I had the chance to learn more about his creative process and the  journey he has taken as an artist. Tyler has also been known to play at Troubadour Wine  Bar -- one of my favorite Uptown spots to hear music -- and lots of other local venues. If you haven't had the pleasure of hearing Tyler before this, his music has been praised for its authenticity and raw emotion, which is a reflection of his personal experiences and personal struggles (read more below.) If you are interested in local independent music, songwriting, and using art to express complex emotions then this exclusive interview is for you! And if you are an artist or aspiring artist Tyler has some words of wisdom about where "the magic happens" so enjoy this artist Q&A and sign-up for Artfully Engaging email updates for more inspiring words from local creative entrepreneurs.

As an acoustic pop artist, how do you keep your performances fresh and unique for your audience?

Collaboration is often an important aspect of creativity. Have you collaborated with any other artists in the past, and if so, how did that influence your music?
Yes! I love collaborations and am currently exploring more and more of them with different artists all over the area. Collaborations help me expand my views of the possibilities and diversity of music. The different interpretations have allowed me to create my own songs and perfect them in a way that wouldn't have been possible without sharing talents with other artists.

What can audiences expect from your upcoming shows, and do you have any exciting events or performances coming up?
I'm looking forward to performing at new venues all over the Twin Cities area this summer. Not only have I added new venues, but I'm also in the process of adding new, original music to my sets because I am working on the release of a new album this year. Keep watching close!

Your social media pages feature a lot of original music. What inspires you to keep creating new songs and sharing them with others?
My history with a drug and alcohol addiction keeps me writing original music because it's how I share my story best with others. I know people experience things like loss and heart ache and, if they're anything like me, it can be hard to handle emotions like that. During my use, I struggled with expressing my emotions properly and music became the only outlet that allowed me to do so; I want to be relatable on that level with others going through a similar struggle. I want them to know that they aren't alone with their emotions and writing my own music to touch them keeps me inspired. 

How has your involvement with organizations like the Midwest Country Music Association (CMO) and the International Singer-Songwriters Association (ISSA) impacted your career as a musician?
The support from local music organizations is unparalleled. It can be daunting trying to start a career as an artist, but being involved with the Midwest CMO and ISSA makes the intimidating world of music less so. I feel the organizations give artists the support and backing they need for their career to flourish with connections to other musicians, mentors, and so much more.

What advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are just starting out in their careers?
I would encourage them to say "yes" to all opportunities that come their way. You never know which venue or gig might change the course of your entire career or where you might perform for that one person who really needs to hear your work. Keep the grind and seek support from others in the area. Bouncing ideas off other artists is what keeps things fresh in your performance, and it will never hurt to take an opportunity regardless of how "small" it may seem in the moment. In my experience, it's where the magic happens.

Finally, how can fans support your work and stay up-to-date with your music and performances?
Following me on social media is the best way to keep up! I'm on everything: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and everything in between @tylerherwigmusic. You can also check out any new music, check my tour schedule, and let me know where you'd like to see me next on my website: tylerherwigmusic.com. I look forward to connecting with fans and getting to know each of them even better!

Tyler Herwig @ Arts + Rec Uptown
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Thanks to Arts + Rec for sponsoring this post! If you have upcoming events to promote, local Twin Cities businesses to advertise, or want to support these conversations please reach out.

They also discuss their extensive background in the arts and their work coordinating events for their production company, which includes their longest-running show, Queer Circus. Martinoa's passion for creating spaces that welcome people of all backgrounds and identities shines through in their thoughtful responses, and I can't wait for you to discover more about these upcoming exciting and fun-filled events.

Artfully, ​

Unicorn Drag Brunch sounds like such a fun and unique event! What inspired you to create this experience, and what can attendees expect from the show?

In addition to FABULOUS drag performances, there will also be a Disney sing-along, a dance party, and more surprises! I set out to create the type of entertainment that I wished existed when I was a child, and since I never really grew up, it's really easy for me to remember. Basically, I wanted to make myself into the Lisa Frank Unicorn of my childhood dreams. Over the last few years, I've hosted TC PRIDE on the Rainbow Stage and performed as Unicorn Martina at many other LGBTQ+ Pride events all over the state, storytimes, and a Minnesota Fringe Festival Production Super Drag Storytime. This show is a culmination of my favorite parts of all of those Unicorn Parties! But obviously, we didn't invent the Drag Brunch. They've been around for many years, and drag performance has been around even longer. We feel like we are upholding what is a very longstanding and important queer tradition.

​What do you hope audiences take away from your shows, and how do you strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone?

We also ask them to hoot and holler for our artists for being brave, in the hopes that it will inspire them to go out and be brave in the world themselves. We encourage our audiences to take home with them our joy, acceptance and self love.

You have various skills and talents, including music direction, costume design, and set design. How do you balance these different artistic pursuits, and which ones do you enjoy the most?

It's sometimes difficult to balance so many plates at once, but I've been working this way since I was a teenager. I could never choose between any particular interest, and so I do my best to schedule time very carefully and take lots of organized notes about everything, so I can easily hop from one thing to the other. I really enjoy sewing for a couple hours, and then working on the computer for SSP for a couple, then Bearded Dragon care time, and then studying Piano music for an upcoming Musical etc. But, Performing Musical Theatre is by far my oldest and dearest artistic pursuit.

What are your future goals and plans for your drag and circus performances, and do you have any exciting upcoming events or projects?

Our hope is to continue our monthly residencies but we are also planning a few new theatrical projects. Including the first full staging of the original musical Gabe and I wrote, Christopher St: The Musical, and we would love to produce a fully theatrical run of our Queer Circus, which has been the dream of our producers for a very long time.

A fun, interactive, Unicorn Drag Brunch hosted by The Lady Martina and produced by Silver Slipper Productions. Fun for all ages! Includes a Disney sing-along, dance party, and drag performances. 

Tickets are $15 for the show. Food and drinks are a la carte. 

Doors are at noon. Show starts at 12:30pm. 
Unicorn Drag Brunch is the 2nd Saturday of every month. 

Upcoming Arts + Rec events: ​
https://www.artsandrecuptown.com/eventswww.artsandrecuptown.com/events

​I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Leslie Vincent, an incredibly talented jazz singer and performer who is gearing up to celebrate Women's History Month with a special concert series at Arts + Rec in Uptown, Minneapolis. Leslie's upcoming Sunday afternoon concerts will showcase the music of women in three emotional states: "Women in Love," "Women Who Folk," and "Women on the Edge." I was curious to learn more about what inspired Leslie to put together this exciting celebration of women in music, as well as to hear about her own creative process and upcoming projects.

In our interview, Leslie shared her influences, gave us a sneak peek into her upcoming album, and offered some advice for aspiring artists. Keep reading to learn more about Leslie's work and where you can catch her upcoming performances. Enjoy!

Artfully, 

P.S. Stay up to date on Minneapolis creative events, ticket deals, and artist features with Artfully Engaging Emails.

You mentioned you are currently recording your second solo album, can you give us a sneak peek into what we can expect from it?
Leslie: I don’t want to say too much, but it’s jazzy with some musical theatre essences sprinkled in. It’s my love letter to dark times and how we get through them. It’s joy and heartache and everything in between.

How has your music evolved over the years and what changes can listeners expect to hear in your new album?
Leslie: Oh, I’ve grown so much since I released my debut album [in 2020]. I went into this recording process with the goal to arrange each song specifically. The result is cool.

What message do you hope your music conveys to your listeners, and how do you hope it impacts them?
Leslie: Every single time I perform, I do it with the intention of inviting people in. I want them to enjoy themselves, have a laugh, and soak up beautiful music. Life is hard—we deserve time to appreciate any art and music around us whenever we get the chance. That’s what I try to provide with my limited time on Earth. ​

Leslie Vincent & Ted Godbout live music celebrating Women's History Month:

Leslie Vincent and Ted Godbout bring you Sunday afternoons full of women-inspired music from 1pm to 330 pm. 

March 12th - Women in Love: jazz-inspired songs about being in and out of love, featuring songs from the Great American Songbook. 

March 19th - Women Who Folk featuring the warm vibes of Carole King, Carly Simon, Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift, Linda Rondstadt, Patsy Cline.

March 26th - Women on the Edge featuring the songs of Amy Winehouse, Adele, Alanis Morisette, Meredith Brooks, Natalie Imbruglia, and The Indigo Girls.