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Aster Cafe•Minneapolis, MN

American

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The Aster Cafe is located under the trees on the prettiest street in Minneapolis. Overlooking the mighty Mississippi river and the skyline of the city, the Aster is a candle-lit restaurant-bar with a sweet European patio. Live music, great brunches, craft beers and cocktails, and a thoughtful wine list add up to City Pages calling us the “best place to go on a first date”. Our menu is fresh (no deep fryers!) and inventive. We also have lovely spaces for events and weddings, which you can check o...More

Experiences at Aster Cafe

  • Reservation

    Friday 10/18/24 - Ben Cook-Feltz + Jillian Rae ($20 cover)

    Described by Iowa Public Radio as “Paul Simon singing songs about broken hearts and pants,” Ben Cook-Feltz is a singer, songwriter, drummer and self-taught pianist. Combining observational, sometimes quirky lyrics with melodies that hearken back to the classic sounds of the 60′s and 70′s, he has been entertaining audiences throughout the Midwest as a dynamic performer, whether playing solo, with his crackerjack band, or backing up some of the finest regional talent (Mother Banjo, Haley E Rydell, Jaspar Lepak). His most recent record, Trucks, was released in October 2023.Lauded as a “triple threat on vocals, fiddle and composition” (Star Tribune), Jillian Rae is a fiercely unique spirit who cares more about making authentic music than about conforming to expectations. The Minneapolis-based, classically trained violinist turned versatile fiddler has become a commanding international presence— writing powerful genre-bending songs, heading up her own critically acclaimed indie rock band, and backing up Grammy-winning acts like The Okee Dokee Brothers. Although she got her start playing with folk and country bands, Rae’s most recent album I Can’t Be the One You Want Me to Be (2019) took a decided turn into pop and rock with unflinching, hard-hitting songs. It also showcased her orchestration abilities with layered violin tracks saturated in heavy grooves and moody arrangements. The album’s final track “Wayward One” was featured prominently in the blockbuster Chinese film The White Storm 2 and has catapulted her into near stardom in China. Rae’s most current releases are a series of singles that showcase her genre-spanning writing style— Doing My Best (2022), Stuck (2022), Barely Breathing (2023), and Silence (2024), the last of which being the first single off her long awaited forthcoming album. In addition to her work as a solo artist, Jillian Rae is an in-demand producer and session player, known for her soaring pop orchestrations, arrangements, and fiddle parts.Music 9pm - 11pm$20 cover added to your tab

    Reservation for parties of 1 to 4

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    Saturday 10/26/24 - Lena Elizabeth Single Release Show w/ Freaque ($15 cover)

    Lena Elizabeth is a singer/songwriter based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, writing songs influenced by folk storytelling with a power-house voice, rooted in the blues. From clever and upbeat to soulful and heart wrenching, Lena Elizabeth loves to take the audience on an emotional rollercoaster and break expectations.Freaque is a groundbreaking multidisciplinary artist who infuses his evocative dirt folk music with groove, funk, anger and hope. He explores themes of sexuality, grief, climate change, political and corporate corruption, weaving them into a story of life with a spinal cord injury.Music 9pm - 11pm$15 cover added to your tab

    Reservation for parties of 1 to 4

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    Friday 11/15/24 - Colin Roy Monette Album Release Show ($8 cover)

    Colin Roy Monette is a maverick, all around, electric guitar player!Though he plays many styles, he has his own thing going, but really he takes any “difficult” part of music and brings it all back to the blues. Colin has been on several recording sessions, and has been featured as a soloist & accompanist with jazz singers, adding his musical high art to folk singer songwriters, pop, rock, funk, soul, r&b, jazz, blues, latino, gospel, country, americana, electric blues fusion, and french-arabic rai dance music. His guitar playing is thoughtful and intellectual. Colin holds a music degree from the former mcnally smith college of music in St. Paul, MN.Being a student of the art of music for 25 years + it is also a privilage and a pleasure to teach guitar! He has positively influenced every one who hears his music, and has a chance to sit and talk music especially as it’s seen from the guitar.Colin teaches the basics of guitar through mps (minneapolis public schools) continuing education for adults.As a singer/songwriter performer in Minneapolis, MN he has been working as a musician who does what he loves most, to play freely and inspired, with good rhythm and sound and feeling.Colin has been a weave in the fabric of twin cities music for close to twenty years. His main live band, spaghetti monetti & the sauce, have been lighting up little get togethers for 8 years!Music 9pm - 11pm$8 cover added to your tab

    Reservation for parties of 1 to 4

  • Reservation

    Friday 10/4/24 - Songwriters Round ($15 cover)

    ANNIE FITZGERALD’S’s music has been described as “a blend of Tori Amos’ intellectual appeal, Sarah McLachlan’s mystical charm and Edie Brickell’s baroque spirit” (Jamsphere). Since the release of her first EP in 2005, Annie has released two full length records, numerous singles, been honored by the Songwriters Hall of Fame as an artist to watch, and was a part of the NYC indie scene before she welcomed a move back to her home & community in Minnesota with it a newfound sense of space to create. Her songs have been featured numerous times as Song of the Day on the Current, and her 2023 single release “Anam Cara” was on the ballot for the Currents’ Top 89 Songs of 2023. Annie is also a Sound Therapist and Reiki Practitioner, and facilitates regular Sound Journey Meditations at the Hewing Hotel, St. Mark’s Cathedral, and several other venues around the Twin Cities metro.MATTHEW FRENCH is a Minneapolis-based singer, songwriter and Gibson guitar collector who creates music to connect people through shared stories of love, loss, and hope. The former minister has grown a loyal fan base through his engaging performances, wry sense of humor and warm, community-minded spirit. Matthew has immersed himself in the Twin Cities music scene, performing and recording with some of Minnesota’s top folk/Americana artists, and releasing multiple EPs & full-length albums of his own. His latest album, Two Sides, is available now on all streaming platforms as well as CD & Vinyl.ZACHARY SCOT JOHNSON is both a well traveled singer/songwriter, having shared the stage with artists like Shawn Colvin, Keb’ Mo’, Marc Cohn, Jane Siberry, and others and has a strong internet presence, including a YouTube channel with well over 42 million views as thesongadayproject. He has performed for legends including Tony Bennett, Bernadette Peters and others. He has released five cds, including 2004’s “Moment of Clarity”, 2008’s “To Whom It May Concern”, 2011’s “Live at the Guild” with longtime collaboratorMusic 9pm - 11pm$15 cover added to your tab

    Reservation for parties of 1 to 4

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    Saturday 11/16/24 - Root River Jam Single Release Show w/ Emmy Woods ($12 cover)

    Growing up on a farm, as the son of a veterinarian, David Ross helped with work on many farms within the Root River region of MN. He had a large family and his mother taught the siblings to play piano and sing melody and harmony. David’s songwriting combines life’s experience of love, longing, and learning, with his love for music. David Ross performs with “americana roots” group Root River Jam. Root River Jam elevates musical improv through the fusion of blues, country, rock and americana music. Their music draws from the spark of creativity and individuality in each musician, producing songs and sounds that draw you in to their eclectic style!Emmy Woods (she/they) was born and raised on an old dirt road in rural North Dakota and currently resides in Saint Paul, Minnesota. With hints of country, folk, and blues, Emmy’s songs showcase her knack for storytelling, her strengths in musical artistry, and an impressive vocal range and ability. When asked to summarize her music in three words, Dr. Kyle Smith replied, “Queer Farm Vibes.”Music 9pm - 11pm$12 cover added to your tab

    Reservation for parties of 1 to 4

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    Saturday 11/9/24 - Amanda Grace w/ The Twins of Franklin ($15 cover)

    Amanda Grace is a Minnesota native singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, releasing music drifting between folk, alt- pop/rock and Americana. With roots as a pianist her writing is thematically varied with an emphasis on melody; with ballads wrapped in warm vocals. In 2016 she received a Front Of The Line Pass from The Voice and her seventh album, “Please Dear Sun,” was nominated for Blues & Roots Radio Album Of The Year. Amanda just released her eighth album called Give Me Away, and “As she hops from one genre to another, she doesn’t try to change, tweak, alter, or reinvent them. She simply owns them. And that is the secret of making yourself stand apart from the pack.” – Dave Franklin, Big TakeoverThe Twins of Franklin are not in fact twins, but best friends who fell in love belting show tunes and classical arias together in a dorm room. In the fifteen years since, they still have a lot in common. They’ve both become professional musicians, released multiple records, and played hundreds of shows as the Twins. Most recently, they’ve shared the experience of becoming moms.Music 9pm - 11pm$15 cover added to your tab

    Reservation for parties of 1 to 4

  • Reservation

    Saturday 11/23/24 - Dylan Hicks & Small Screens w/ Sam & J ($15 cover)

    Dylan Hicks & Small Screens play exploratory pop with literary ambitions and far-flung musical influences including jazz, R&B, freely improvised music, and various song traditions. For their latest album, Modern Flora, they expanded from a sextet to a nonet for a set of collaboratively arranged songs and instrumental pieces. For this Aster show, they’ll play a range of material as a six-piece, with Christopher Thomson on saxophone and clarinet; Michelle Kinney on cello, Zacc Harris on cello, Hicks on piano, vocals, and guitar; Dan Carpel on bass; and Peter Hennig on drums.Sam & J began their act impromptu at a hair salon, performing Sam’s songs together for a small audience. The set proved to be fun. For the past few years, Sam & J have expanded their musical partnership, recording some of their favorite numbers and performing original music for whoever will have them. Sam & J have borrowed ideas from many people and disciplines–from the writings of Eugene Ionesco and Richard Brautigan, to the music of John Denver and Keith Jarrett.Music 9pm - 11pm$15 cover added to your tab

    Reservation for parties of 1 to 4

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    Friday 11/1/24 - Adam & Ava Levy ($20 cover)

    Adam Levy is a veteran singer-songwriter best known for leading the Twin Cities roots rockers The Honeydogs for thirty years and more recently, being a part of the Americana trio, Turn Turn Turn. His singer-songwriter daughter Ava Levy started in a Femme Punk band in high school called Sapphire and now records and performs solo, sometimes with a band, and released a handful of singles in the last year or so. As a duo they share songs, exploring dad’s hefty catalogue, Ava’s tunes and a couple of covers. Ava’s lovely voice alone is worth the price of admission.It’s also entertaining watching Ava tease her dad as they tell stories about songwriting and making music together for years.Music 9pm - 11pm$20 cover added to your tab

    Reservation for parties of 1 to 4

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    Friday 9/20/24 - AirLands + The Nunnery ($10 cover)

    AirLands is Kevin Calaba of Minneapolis, and a rotating collective of inspiring local artists, performing indie rock/space folk originals (Sufjan, Bon Iver, The National, Radiohead are some of Calaba’s influences). The songs are off kilter and introspective at times, and other times reach far, far out, and might never make it back home.AirLands has just released Strange Beast – recorded and produced by AirLands and Brett Bullion.The Nunnery begins with one voice, layered upon itself becoming a lush soundscape.Sarah Elstran is an independent musician that bridges the gap between bright-eyed pop composition and hands-on atmospheric live layering of voice. Her vocal loops give us the kind of detail and wide multi-octave range that we might come to expect from a marquee pop star, while her production decisions continually keep us guessing as to what rabbit holes her tracks might fall into next.Music 9pm - 11pm$10 cover added to your tab

    Reservation for parties of 1 to 4

  • Reservation

    Thursday 9/26/24 - MNAKED Curated by Nick Hensley ($10 cover)

    MNAKED RETURNS!(A storyteller night of sorts… chopping it down to just the bare essentials featuring great local Minnesota Music and reimagined covers) EST 2005Curated by Nick Hensley of Love Songs for Angry Men & The MN Songwriter ShowcaseAct One: Allison EykholtAct Two: Wyatt AveryMusic 8pm - 10pm$10 cover added to your tab

    Reservation for parties of 1 to 4

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    Friday 10/25/24 - An evening with Nick Hensley and sugar Shane Akers ($10 cover)

    Nick Hensley is the former lead singer and co creator of The District, a regional soul & rock act from the upper Midwest, co based out of St. Paul, MN and Chicago, IL.Hensley created Love Songs For Angry Men shortly after The District called it quits in 2002.Hensley’s alias, stage name and alter ego,Love Songs For Angry Men, originated as a bad joke… similar to other shorter lived band names like Amish Puppy Mill and Billy’s Little Secret. Unfortunately, for Nick and his band members, now approaching 20 years later…THE NAME JUST WON’T GO AWAY!Hensley’s 3 STUDIO ALBUMS were released(in 2009, 2013 & 2019) to sold out crowds in Chicago, Saint Paul and MPLS.The albums are currently available at all major retailers, live shows and everywhere on the web. All three records have received several rave reviews from different media outlets including a 4 star review from Paste Magazine and AltCountry.com and a best of 2010 local selection in the City Pages.Nick Hensley has maintained a full schedule since 1999 playing more than 200 shows a year throughout the US and overseas.He has shared the stage with several National acts including: The Why Store, Alex Ligertwood of Santana, Fastball, Big Head Todd and The Monsters, The Gear Daddies, The Samples, Low, Semisonic, Trampled By Turtles, The Wallflowers, Soul Asylum, Colin Hayand many more.Hensley is also a booking agent and an avid supporter of local MN music. In turn, he has created some of Minnesota’s most popular Songwriter Showcases including: MNaked and the MN Songwriter Showcase, which is held every Sunday at Plums in St. Paul and every Wed at The Aster Cafe in NE MPLS.Music 9pm - 11pm$10 cover added to your tab

    Reservation for parties of 1 to 4

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    Wednesday MN Songwriter Showcase Hosted by Nick Hensley (free)

    The Minnesota songwriter showcaseTwin Cities tradition since 2005Curated by Nick Hensley of Love Songs for Angry MenFeatures 12 up-and-coming and veteran songwriters every Wednesday from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM September through May.FREE SHOWFor more information message us at: https://www.facebook.com/MNsongwritershowcase

    Reservation for parties of 1 to 14

  • Reservation

    Friday 10/11/24 - David Harland Album Release Show ($15 cover)

    David Harland is an explorer of beauty, darkness, light, and mystery. His music has been described as innovative, introspective, lyrical, and expressive. David is a singer/songwriter and fingerstyle guitarist who believes music, at its best, holds the power to reach the deepest parts of our lives and makes the world a better place.“Harland recorded his latest album, The Escapist, in the spring of 2024 at The Library recording studio in Minneapolis, MN. Veteran producer Matt Patrick produced it.Harland’s idea was to create an album of spacious, intimate, meditative guitar compositions that could help transport the listener to another place, escape the day-to-day stressors, and bring in some peace and calm. Thus, the album title, The Escapist.The album features cello and violin on select tracks by the excellent Cierra Alise Hill, and a bit of ambient electric guitar by Matt Patrick.The release party show will be at the Aster Cafe on October 11, 2024, from 9 to 11 p.m. A short opening set of solo guitar and cello will feature music from the new album.Then, there will be a celebratory full-band set featuring:David HarlandNikki Lemire – Harp, vocalsCierra Alise Hill – cello, violin, vocalsBarb Brynstad – bass, vocalsTim Zhorne – drumsMusic 9pm - 11pm$15 cover added to your tab

    Reservation for parties of 1 to 4

  • Reservation

    Saturday 9/28/24 - Cassandra Cole Single Release Celebration ($15 cover)

    Fans of modern-era vanguards like Sharon Van Etten, Lissie, Soccer Mommy, or Lucy Dacus will be ever captivated by Cassandra Cole’s effervescent pop-punk edge. Rolling Stones describes her debut album, “Steps” as “A pearl from another time interpreted with finesse and determination.” Californian turned Minnesotan, Cassandra Cole’s body of work dips a brush into the pigments of her deepest inner life and brushes out to make arresting portraits of the human experience.With the glam and powerhouse vocals of Adele, coupled with the songwriting prowess of Sara Bareilles, Jennifer Marie delivers a moving performance with her sophomore EP after great success of her debut album “You Can Whisper”. Unapologetically dynamic with her soaring melody lines, Jennifer Marie uses the power of her vocals and piano keys to translate life’s greatest lessons into song.Music 9pm - 11pm$15 cover added to your tab

    Reservation for parties of 1 to 4

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    Friday 11/8/24 - A Piano in Every Home Album Release Show ($20 cover)

    A Piano in Every Home Album Release Show w/ Ben Lubeck from Farewell MilwaukeeA Piano in Every Home, led by Travis and Jake, began their musical journey in Wisconsin before finding a permanent home in Saint Paul, MN. The group has opened for renowned artists like Lewis Capaldi, Dessa, and Jeremy Messersmith, showcasing their eclectic blend of indie folk, alternative rock, and atmospheric pop. Their forthcoming album, slated for release on October 4, 2024, offers a fresh take on themes of love, memory, and life’s ephemeral patterns. The poignant and nostalgic lyrics are wrapped in a tapestry of pop-forward and atmospheric instrumentation. The album promises to resonate deeply with long-time listeners and offer an equally rich experience for those discovering the group for the first time.Music 9pm - 11pm$20 cover added to your tab

    Reservation for parties of 1 to 4

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    Saturday 10/19/24 - An evening with Wilkinson James ($12 cover)

    Wilkinson James was born in 2008 when Liz Wilkinson and AJ Scheiber met up and merged their singing and songwriting into a musical partnership that one fan described as “the bastard offspring of June Carter Cash and Townes Van Zandt.” Somewhere along the line that duo became a full band, adding pedal steel, fiddle, and saxophone to Liz and AJ’s tightly knit harmonies and classic-yet-fresh original tunes. Two albums and 16 years later, Wilkinson James is still going strong, delivering fun, energetic performances that add touches of jazz, torch, and swing to their blend of folk, honky-tonk, and country blues. Come on out and join the party!Music 9pm - 11pm$12 cover added to your tab

    Reservation for parties of 1 to 4

  • Reservation

    Thursday 10/24/24 - MNAKED Curated by Nick Hensley ($10 cover)

    MNAKED RETURNS!(A storyteller night of sorts… chopping it down to just the bare essentials featuring great local Minnesota Music and reimagined covers) EST 2005Curated by Nick Hensley of Love Songs for Angry Men & The MN Songwriter ShowcaseAct One: J Bell & the Lazy Susan TrioAct Two: Lucas Alm, John Gwinn & John Siqveland are The SeculentsMusic 8pm - 10pm$10 cover added to your tab

    Reservation for parties of 1 to 4

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    Sunday Swing Brunch with Patty and the Buttons ($6 cover)

    Patty and The Buttons preach the gospel of hot rhythm and happy feet. The band is similar to what you would find in a dance hall, cafe or nightclub anywhere around the world between 1920-1940. Despite being an ensemble firmly rooted in tradition, the band presents their music without being shackled to history. They play their own compositions as well as takes on music of the era. Patty’s eclectic taste gives the band diverse influences including New Orleans Traditional Jazz, Western Swing, Gypsy Melodies, Ragtime Piano Blues, Jug Music and 1930′s Popular Song. Music 11am - 2pm$6/person cover charge added to your tab

    Reservation for parties of 1 to 4

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    Friday 9/27/24 - Matt Caflisch w/ John Ewing ($10 cover)

    Caflisch is a word guy in the best tradition (a little closer to the spirit of Loudon Wainwright III than Leonard Cohen), while musically he would comfortably fit in just as easily with early Seventies singer-songwriters as late Seventies punk pop. — Kevin Avery, author, Everything is an Afterthought: The Life and Writings of Paul NelsonTexas-to-Minnesota transplant John Ewing is a singer-songwriter talent (and longtime SPMC Turf Club door guy) who released two heralded rock albums on the Twin/Tone label and is back on the scene playing solo acoustic.Music 9pm - 11pm$10 cover added to your tab

    Reservation for parties of 1 to 4

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    Saturday 9/21/24 - Devin Wolf ($8 cover)

    Devin Wolf, a Minnesota native, is an acoustic singer-songwriter whose style incorporates elements from multiple genres. Drawing on inspiration from the music he grew up playing, his soft spoken vocals and his hard hitting rasp could easily fit in to either country, or alternative rock.Music 9pm - 11pm$8 cover added to your tab

    Reservation for parties of 1 to 4

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    Saturday 10/5/24 - Billy Johnson’s Sideshow ($15 cover)

    Featuring David J Russ, Tom Peterson, and Billy JohnsonBilly Johnson is a singer/songwriter from Minneapolis. Billy was the lead singer of The Hillcats, and is the lead singer of Billy Johnson’s Roadshow. He also has an acoustic duo called B-TEAM with George McKelvey. Billy has recorded 10 CDs. He strums a Gibson guitar with soul, and has a great vocal range.Music 9pm - 11pm$15 cover added to your tab

    Reservation for parties of 1 to 4

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