Lanesboro Arts is thrilled to announce the new outdoor summer music series Rhythms on the Root. The socially distant series was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to activate the vibrant asset of Gateway Park as a safe place for the Lanesboro community and visitors to gather and celebrate with live music. The series offers a family-friendly range of music including bluegrass, soul, folk, and blues from regionally acclaimed bands Barbaro, Annie Mack, PK Mayo and Pieta Brown.

The concerts will take place from 6:00 – 7:30 pm on the second Friday of every month June through September. Tickets will be $10 each for individuals age 13+ (free for 12 and under, but ticket still required); tickets will go on sale on Thursday, April 1 st 2021 at 10:00 am.

June 11th: Barbaro
Barbaro’s musical vision explores their collective life experiences through intricate instrumentation, creatively bending traditional music into a style that is all their own. The Minneapolis-Winona based rising stars have created their eclectic sound through original songwriting craft, with inspiration derived from bluegrass, jazz and chamber music. Their new album, “Dressed in Roses”, released January 2020, “stands as a true testament to their musical identity and the sound that has launched one of the Midwest’s most in-demand acoustic acts.”

July 9th: Annie Mack
Annie Mack is a soulful singer and unflinching songwriter who writes from the gut and demands your attention. Raised in North Minneapolis and currently living in Rochester, MN, Annie Mack grew up in the 80s, influenced by the rich Twin Cities music scene. Working her way through the Midwest bar scene, Mack built a reputation as a powerhouse blues singer getting national recognition at some of North America’s top festivals.

August 13th: PK Mayo
PK Mayo – aka Paul Kennedy Mayasich, says there’s a little bit of blues in everything he plays, sings or writes. PK Mayo’s original music, although influenced by blues, appeals to a wide range of music lovers crossing the spectrum of genres. He’s never fit into a box so neither does his music. Paul’s natural musical talent on guitar, especially slide guitar, has garnered worldwide praise from colleagues and critics alike. PK Mayo has a unique sound all his own, including his rich vocals, which have been receiving as much attention as his guitar tone and melodic riffs.

September 10th: Pieta Brown
The daughter of two preacher’s kids, Pieta Brown’s early upbringing in Iowa exposed her to traditional and rural folk music through her father, Greg Brown, the now beloved Midwestern folk singer.  Later, Pieta drew on and expanded these influences and began writing poems and composing instrumental songs on piano. Pieta started experimenting with the banjo and a 1930’s Maybell arch-top guitar and never looked back. BBC had the following to say about Pieta: “Self-styled poetess, folk goddess and country waif, Pieta’s music resonates with a seductive simplicity and lyrical grace.”

Seating will be first come, first served general admission, and people will be seated in socially distanced pods. Masks will not be required as this event is outdoors, per Minnesota state guidelines. Thank you for following our COVID-19 safety precautions to allow us to host these concerts safely! Each concert will be $10 per ticket, with youth under age 12 free (but ticket reservation still required).

The Rhythms on the Root series is sponsored by MiEnergy Cooperative and is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. 

Series sponsors:

Concert sponsors:

Community sponsors: