Events

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Lowertown Classics - Season 2016/17 - April 8, 2015, 8pm

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Friends of great music during an election year,

 

The last concert was a treat for all of our ears and eyes! A firework of pianistic mastery and true artistry paired with live painting by Jamie Kalvestran. While our good friend Clarice Assad has returned to her New York City domicile, she truly made an impact during her two month stay in the Twin Cities. If you are curious what she´s been up to, view this amazing video. It documents her work with girls at a St. Paul Public school in March.

click image to play

Clarice Assad (voice and piano) with Chris Olson (guitar). Photo Credit: Patrick Clancy

Jamie Kalvestran with the finished painting after a 2hr live-painting session. Photo Credit: Patrick Clancy

Jamie Kalvestran with the finished painting after a 2hr live-painting session. Photo Credit: Patrick Clancy

The musicians of the night with Lowertown Classics director, guitarist Eva Beneke: Oleg Levin, Clarice Assad, Clea Galhano, Chris Olson.  Photo Credit: Patrick Clancy

The musicians of the night with Lowertown Classics director, guitarist Eva Beneke: Oleg Levin, Clarice Assad, Clea Galhano, Chris Olson.  Photo Credit: Patrick Clancy

For our NEXT CONCERT ON APRIL 8, we are excited to welcome guitarist Andres Prado (Lima/Peru) who will be passing through the Midwest. Andrés Prado studied at the National Conservatory of Music (Lima), The Avellaneda School of Popular Music (Buenos Aires) and Trinity College of Music (London), specializing in Jazz and Latin American Guitar. As a composer his work has been recognized and documented for the national archive in Perú. As a player he has led his own bands in numerous appearances at music festivals in Perú, Argentina and England, on radio and television.
Listen to Andrés Prado HERE.

Celebrating our brand-new piano that night will be Ted Godbout, a young Minneapolis-based musician who has earned degrees in both classical and jazz piano performance. Another big shout out to WELLS PIANOS of St. Paul for their generous loan in support of our little series!

Ted is currently on faculty at Chaska Music Studios and St. John’s University and maintains a busy performing and teaching schedule in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. He is co-founder of the Nexus Ensemble, a group which mashes Jazz, Hip-Hop, Afro-beat and R&B, and also serves as Director of Music at Shepherd of the Hill Presbyterian Church in Chaska, MN.  Ted appears regularly with many musicians and groups in the Twin Cities, including the Cedar Avenue Big Band, Tim Patrick and his Blue Eyes Band, PaviElle, Lila Ammons, and Alicia Steele.
Listen to Ted here!

Back by popular demand, and turning this night into a rare moment in Lowertown Classics history is Randy Sabien, jazz violinist, composer, and music educator known for his live performances and numerous recordings, many of them on Flying Fish Records and Red House Records. At the age of 21 he founded and chaired the Jazz Strings department at Boston's Berklee College of Music and since 2009 has been the chair of the Strings department of McNally Smith College of Music.

  

Enjoy the special atmosphere, great company and musical excellence that has made this series a go-to for music lovers in the Twin-Cities!


With complementary wine tasting generously served by Revival Wine, Beer and Spirit.

Music, Art, Wine and Candy. CDs of the artists for sale.
Bring a friend, and see you then!

Eva Beneke - Artistic Director
www.evabeneke.com


- donation by the door -
(suggested donation $10)
255 KELLOGG BLVD E
3rd FLOOR ATRIUM
St. PAUL MN 55101
ENTRANCE TO BUILDING VIA BACK ALLEY

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Lowertown Lofts Artist Liz Carlson and Bird Bits in the Gallery

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A few words from the Artist: 

In 2015 I set out to complete my first one-a-day series of miniature watercolor paintings. AND I did it! 365 paintings! Come join me and see the compltete series displayed together at the Lowertown Lofts Artists Cooportive.

Birds have been a long time theme in my art. I'm happy to have shared my interest in them. I have learned about many new birds and attempted to render their likeness and personalities.

All non-reserved Bird Bits will be available for purchase.

Wait...there's more!

If you weren't able to make it to the opening there's still time and many birds looking to migrate to a new home. The show will be up most of February and a private viewing is an option. Contact me, Liz Carlson at LLACStudio308@gmail.com if you are interested in another viewing or a first viewing. I believe this will be the only time the Bird Bits will be shown together.

Please note the enterence to the Lowertown Lofts Artists Cooportive is in the alley connecting Wall Street and Wacouta Street, 255 Kellogg Blvd East, Saint Paul, Mn 55101
Look for our banners!

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Ruth Mordy Friedlander at Seasons on the St Croix Gallery

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Lowertown Lofts fabric artist Ruth Mordy Friedlander is now showing her tapestries at Seasons on the St Croix Gallery (401 Second Street, Hudson, WI) through February 29, 2016. Check gallery for hours: seasonsonstcroix.com.

Friedlander cites Ralph Waldo Emerson's simple but elegant insight as her touchstone: the creation of beauty is art. Her tapestries include beautiful original tie-dyed fabrics suggestive of nature images, framed in the delicate style of Japanese scrolls.

Friedlander and her friend Marion Angelica,a potter, are part of this unique show that highlights the relationships between women as artists, and the ways they provide support and inspiration to one another. In addition, the gallery displays work by several gifted local potters, painters, photographers, jewelers, and fabric artists. 

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You are invited to an exclusive evening of art and television!

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On January 14th, 2016, a premiere screening of the MN 

Original Series featuring collage artist, Kristi Abbott, will be hosted at the Lowertown Lofts Artist Cooperative. Filmed late in 2015 over 3 days, the episode highlights Kristi’s unique artform, her technique and her artistic journey to date. On display will be work filmed during the TV show, as well as new commission pieces for local businesses A=RT (Art Equals Real Transformation) and the Minnesota RollerGirls. 

Please join us for wine and cheese and help us celebrate this exciting event.

When: Thursday, January 14th, 2016

 7:00 - 9:00pm

 Screening to take place at 7:30

Where: 3rd Floor Atrium

 Lowertown Lofts Artist Cooperative

 255 Kellogg Blvd East

 St. Paul MN 55101

 (Entrance through back alley between Wall & Wacouta Streets)

 Kristi Abbott - (612) 991-9023

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Joe Krumpelmann's Stained Glass will be featured at "Lowertown Classics" Nov. 6th

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The next Lowertown Classics is near, and we´re preparing for a night of exceptional music - by Bach, Rodrigo and Jazz standards as well as originals by Jennifer Parker. 
Chansons by 16th Century French composers, polyphonic folk music from the Balkans and the Republic of Georgia. 
And drinking songs from Britain.

WITH:
Jennifer Scovell- Parker - vocals
Hymnos Vocal Ensemble
Eva Beneke - classical guitar
Christopher N. Olson - jazz guitar

The Lowertown Lofts Artist Cooperative is proud to welcome these amazing local and international performers, we are also happy to have Lowertown Lofts Artist Joe Krumpelmann's stained glass pieces featured on that night. 

Enjoy the special atmosphere, great company and musical excellence that has made this series a go-to for music lovers in the Twin-Cities!

© Joseph Krumpelmann

© Joseph Krumpelmann

© Joseph Krumpelmann

© Joseph Krumpelmann

© Joseph Krumpelmann

© Joseph Krumpelmann

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Lowertown's Day of the Dead Celebration

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Music, dance and Art. Featured artists include Ta-coumba T. Aiken, Chad Hambright, Orion Dante, Dolan Cyr, Pieter Sibal, Emily Bell and Staci Sathre

What: Dia De Los Muertos - Lowertown

When: 5-10 p.m. Sunday

Where: Bedlam Lowertown, 213 Fourth St. E., St. Paul

Info: or 651-209-0597

Cost: Free, $5 suggested donation

Aiken's contribution is a colorful 10-foot by 5-foot painting, "All in All."  

Aiken's contribution is a colorful 10-foot by 5-foot painting, "All in All."  

For more information go to this Pioneer Press article.

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Fall into Winter Art Show and Reception

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Burning orange, bright red, yellow flame
Slowly cooling to soft blue and stark white.
Thick paint, words, photographs, wax, oil, wood…
Time slows, thoughts deepen, creativity warms.
7 artists evoke the experience of falling into winter
Through their work in a cozy café,
Come join us for a night of music and art.

Opening night: November 6th from 6 -9PM
(During Lowertown’s First Fridays)
Exhibition dates: November 3rd- November 30th, 2015
At the Black Dog Café in Lowertown, St. Paul.
www.blackdogstpaul.com

Artists:  Lowertown Lofts Co-op Members Shelly Losee and Tara Tieso!
Plus, Laura Burlis, Gary Hoover, Catherine Palmer, Holly Tappen  and
Elaine Walsh

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Mark your calendar! You don't want to miss, " Intricate Simplicities of the Spirit" by Ta-coumba Aiken

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Ta-coumba Tyrone AikenTa-coumba is an internationally recognized artist, arts administrator, public speaker and community activist. Aiken focuses on public art and collaborative projects. Aiken is a recipient of numerous awards and honors inclu…

Ta-coumba Tyrone Aiken

Ta-coumba is an internationally recognized artist, arts administrator, public speaker and community activist. Aiken focuses on public art and collaborative projects. 

Aiken is a recipient of numerous awards and honors including but not limited to the 2015 Knight Arts Challenge Winner with Walker West Music Academy, 2011 Sally Irvine Ordway Award, a Pollack-Krasner Foundation Fellowship and a Bush Foundation Visual Arts Fellowship. His works can be found in the collections of the Walker Art Center, Bush Foundation, RBC Dain Rauscher, General Mills, Herbie Hancock, Saint Paul Union Depot, and Maya Angelou

Ta-coumba Aiken once again is exploring and expressing his "Visual Voice". He is used for community engagement and social activism. Aiken lends his talents to draw people's attention to the big issues in, inequities in homelessness, health, education, race and gender. He also believes in love for his fellow human being and all living things most importantly our planet. 

This exhibition titled " Intricate Simplicities of the Spirit" is Mr Aiken's description of his art and his life. When ask what is his style of art, he says 

" Superlative Realism " and smiles. " I created my art to heal the hearts of people and their communities by evoking a positive spirit."

For more information go to: tacoumbaaiken.com, 

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LOWERTOWN CLASSICS Season 2015/16 - Opening Concert on October 2, 2015, 8pm At Lowertown Lofts Artist Cooperative

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Esteemed friends and fans of classical music in obscure spaces:

Sick of long summer nights, endless B.B.Q.´s, mosquito bites and all the outdoor sports you can handle? Fall comes, and St. Paul has its secret little classical concert series back. About time, we think. How else are your going tospend your first Fridays of the month?
Mark your calendars for those upcoming dates, and tell your friends about us. Not too loudly, since we ran out of chairs back in May, remember?

The OPENING CONCERT is held at our home base, the Lowertown Lofts Artist Cooperative and features some amazing local performers.

PAVIA WIND QUINTET

PAVIA WIND QUINTET

PAVIA WIND QUINTET - one of the Midwest's most exciting young chamber music ensembles, they will perform works by Nagle, Nielsen and selections of Richard Wagner's Siegfried Idyll. Check them out at http://paviawinds.com/
 

OLSON/BATES DUO

OLSON/BATES DUO

OLSON/BATES DUO - guitar and bass, extraordinary jazz skills, provided by Twin cities greats Chris Olson (guitar) and Chris Bates (bass), who we´d like to congratulate warmly for recently being awarded a McKnight fellowship!

HILDEBRAND- PETERSON DUO

HILDEBRAND- PETERSON DUO

HILDEBRAND- PETERSON DUO - these two young musicians come to us from the UofM across the river. Flute and guitar - a fine combination featuring works by Giuliani, Beaser and Ibert. With Jay Hildebrand, classical guitar and Hannah Peterson on flute.

Enjoy the special atmosphere, great company and musical excellence that has made this series a go-to for music lovers in the Twin-Cities!

With complementary wine tasting by our generous friends from Lowertown Revival Wine, Beer and Spirits.

Music, Art, Wine and Candy ...let´s celebrate!
Bring a friend, and see you then!

Eva Beneke - Artistic Director
www.evabeneke.com
www.lowertownlofts.org

FREE WINE AND CANDY
- donation by the door -
(suggested donation $10)
255 KELLOGG BLVD E
3rd FLOOR ATRIUM
St. PAUL MN 55101
ENTRANCE TO BUILDING VIA BACK ALLEY

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MetroSketchers Founded by Lowertown Lofts Co-op Members Liz Carlson and Tim Jennen

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Have you heard of MetroSketchers? As of today there are 465 members in the Minneapolis/St.Paul Metro area. What do MetroSketchers do? Keep scrolling to find out more!

Liz Carlson and Tim Jennen - Founders of MetroSketchers

Liz Carlson and Tim Jennen - Founders of MetroSketchers

Here is the group from the September Sketch at Raspberry Park in Saint Paul

Here is the group from the September Sketch at Raspberry Park in Saint Paul

MISSION

 

MetroSketchers is an open, inclusive group that was founded by Liz Carlson and administered by Liz and Tim Jennen. It has the simple mission to get out in the world and draw. We meet once a month, usually the first Sunday of the month from 12-3pm at locations that are of interest to the sketcher. If you are a person who has always wanted to draw, but has never picked up a pencil, this is a group for you. If you are a person who used to draw and wants to get back into it, this is a group for you. If you are a professional artist looking for new opportunities to draw, it's the group for you as well.

 

There are no fees to belong. We try to keep the group as free as possible. Most of our locations are chosen with the idea that costs are kept to around $10 or less, depending upon the location and parking. We do encourage members to make donations to organizations and galleries we visit, who have been very generous in allowing us to draw at their location.

 

The level of participation is entirely up to the individual. No one is required to share their work with other sketchers or even to announce that they are at the event. The important thing is to get out and draw. Those interested in sharing their work can meet up with others at the end of each sketch gathering at a designated location.

We'd love for you to join us! Get all the details and see many of the sketches here on our MetroSketchers Facebook page!

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Patrick Clancy Featured at the Art Leadership Program, ‎Anniversary Exhibition OPENING Artists Reception

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Image: © Patrick Clancy

Image: © Patrick Clancy

  • Thursday, September 17, 2015, from 5 to 8 pm
  • Gallery One OST, 800 Washington Ave N, Suite 510, Mpls, MN 55401
  • 612.562.0889, ArtLeadershipProgram@gmail.com
  • Other times view by appointment only through November 2
  • Event is free and open to the public

All artists are alumni of the Emerging Artists Series, a partnership with the Art Leadership Program™ and Open Systems Technologies. Featured are new works by these talented artists:

Zac Adams-Bliss
Patrick Clancy
Brian Matthew Hart
Michael McGraw
Josh Meillier
Neal Perbix
Lindsay Splichal
Amber Tyrrell

For the past 3 years, Open Systems Technologies (OST) has opened their Minneapolis office as exhibition space for local artists, converting their unused wall space into a contemporary art gallery.

Gallery One OST
TractorWorks Building
800 Washington Ave N, Suite 510
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 562-0889

Art Leadership Program link

Image: © Patrick Clancy

Lowertown Lofts Cooperative Celebrates Founders Day

It's been 30 years since founding members took on the challenge of turning an old shoe factory into a vibrant artist community. Sunday August 16th we celebrated their vision and hard work. 

Founding members still living at Lowertown Lofts Cooperative. Left to right: David Eric Oie, Ta-coumba Aiken, Judith Morem, Marla Gamble, and Bob McBride. 

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Powderhorn Art Fair Weekend - August 8-9

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Lowertown Lofts Kristi Abbott can be found here this weekend, look for her in booth #117! Just for you a link to all the activities. Have fun! 

One of the Finest Regional Art Fairs in the Country

For two days each August, white tents dot the landscape around Powderhorn Park bringing individuals from all over the country together to enjoy an abundance of creativity and skill that flows through the artists participating in the Powderhorn Art Fair.

Come enjoy the show!

Saturday - August 8th: 10am-6pm
Sunday - August 9th: 10am-5pm