Join Amanda and friends at this unique first time festival at the Hook and Ladder at 4PM (set from 4:00 - 4:30PM)

MotherFest: Celebrating Moms in Music

Featuring: Little Fevers, Katy Vernon, and Voice of Culture African Drum and Dance, Lovely Dark, Amanda Grace, Gambler's Daughter, & Jenny Dalton

October 14th, 2018
The Hook & Ladder Theater
4:00 PM – 9:00 PM :: All Ages :: Family Friendly
$8 (with additional donations accepted for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America). 
Children attend for free with purchase of adult ticket.

MotherFest is a musical event featuring Twin Cities MOMS in music.  

Join us for an eclectic showcase of performers who are out to smash the stereotypes that women face when they become mothers - mom jeans and all. They are women who do the seemingly impossible, balancing their creative passion and the demands of motherhood. They are women with songs to sing, guitars to shred, and bands to lead… all between packing lunches and changing diapers. 

MotherFest will feature family-friendly artists on two stages from 4-6, followed by grown-up-focused programming from 6-9. Expect a diverse sampling of some of the Twin Cities' best-loved performers, including Little Fevers, Katy Vernon, and Voice of Culture African Drum and Dance. 

Food by WildEarth WoodFired Pizza

Supported by Able Seedhouse & Brewery, Blooma, Snapology of Minneapolis, Red Balloon Bookshop, and Brighter Minds Music. 

Many thanks to our generous sponsors!
--------------

Little Fevers was born out of MN darlings Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles back in 2014, minutes before the arrival of an actual baby. With a hint of Pavement, a sprinkle of Stereo Lab, a dash of Emily Haines and bit of Violent Femmes, Little Fevers has been performing for the past 4 years, playing tunes from their debut release Field Trip as well as their 7 inch entitled, Singles.


Katy Vernon has been described as ”One of the Twin Cities’ most beloved folky singer/songwriters.” (Star Tribune). She was born and raised in London, UK, but in the past dozen or so years has established herself as one of the busiest musicians in Minnesota. Combining melodic pop/folk songwriting with her twangy Americana band, she has appeared with acts such as Garrison Keillor and the James Sewell Ballet, in addition to more than 50 shows a year.


Since 2008, Voice of Culture Drum+Dance, has provided culturally-based entertainment to the community. Their mission is to share the beauty and the cultural specificity of the traditional rhythms, movements, and songs of African Diasporic people. Their performances are interactive - which means that they ask the audience to participate in various ways along with enjoying the artistry of their performance, which includes drumming, dancing, singing, and storytelling.


Described as "Layered and theatrical … like a walk through a fairy-tale forest” (89.3 the Current), Lovely Dark is a female-fronted six-piece rock band that plays loud, pretty music about witches and physics. Drawing influence from world music, folk, post-punk, and modern indie rock, they might be described as Fleetwood Mac meets The Refused, or if Pat Benatar fronted Tool.


An artist with an enthralling, distinctive voice that soars through her original compositions, Kashimana is a singer, songwriter, and performer with multiple MN bands. Her songs show you where her heart beats, painting compelling stories of her experiences growing up in Nigeria, Kenya, traveling through Africa, Europe and settling in the US. Kashimana is the 2018-19 In Common Composer in Residence in Willmar, MN and also a 2019 Cedar Commissions Artist and Composer.


Amanda Grace will be performing music from her children's album, Trains, Cars + A Trip to Mars, which she was inspired to write in memory of her nephew, Bryce. Since its release in 2010, she has put out 2 full-length albums and an EP, with songs that span multiple genres and influences: folk, rock, pop, and even rap. "No matter what the instrumentals, Grace’s lyrics spread messages of hope, reassurance, and encouragement." Erica Rivera, City Pages


Gambler's Daughter is the musical persona and band of Jessa Roquet. Blending poetic lyricism with a rich heritage in folk music, heartfelt rock, and a touch of soulful blues, "Roquet's new self-titled EP is full of cut-and-thrust beauty. . . her alluring, full-throated aesthetic could catch even the most cynical listener off-guard." Youa Vang, City Pages


MotherFest will mark Jenny Dalton's first return to the stage since releasing her album, Black Water, to rave reviews in 2014, and welcoming her daughter two weeks later. Black Water received much local praise, described as "luscious [and] enchanting" (Local Current Blog), "haunting" (City Pages Gimme Noise), and "like Jenny took all the best qualities from Enya ... the same calmness, but far more emotional relevance." (Bucket List)Tickets: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1756528?utm_medium=ampOfficialEvent&utm_source=fbTfly

The Hook & Ladder Theater is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organization. Unlike traditional theaters and performance venues, The Hook is mission driven, volunteer run, allows performing artists to keep 100% of merchandise sales and passes through nearly all gate revenues directly to the performing artists. As a result, we rely on your donations to help cover the cost of operations and maintaining this historic facility. Please donate today to help preserve this important community space. Donations are tax deductible and available in increments of $5.01 each. Thank you for your support!