One of the first things you'll notice if you move to the region as a music lover is... it's difficult to find out when music is happening, unless you're already connected to the scene or get lucky on social media. Which is ironic, somewhat tragic, because at my last count, we have over 40+ regularly gigging ensembles around these parts doing their thing any given season. 

People have tried for years to crack the code on why it is that Bemidji has no centralized Arts & Music portal, given we are such an arts and music town. If anyone reading this wants to take their shot at centralizing it, I can offer what I've learned so far, so reach out. 

As is the nature of the live music scene in any community, things change fast. So contact the venues or bands before heading out to confirm opportunities posted here. Often times, an artist will post they have a gig somewhere, but the time isn't listed. I've done my best guess in some cases. 

​If you know of other bands, venues, festivals or other music happenings that should be shouted out here, drop me a line and I'll add them when time permits. 
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Why not just stay informed via Instagram or Facebook?
The reality is, when you are a ‘business’ inside a Meta platform, only 25% of your ‘followers’ receive your posts. Those systems are designed to monetize our personal connections. I’m hoping you’ll join me, in a quiet act of resistance, in the email space to preserve more of the authentic, intentional connections that compose our community of music lovers. The connections that we share when we melt our faces, close our eyes, or raise our hands high as grateful listeners.
These links, where available, take you to the venue's website. I've heard from enough folks that no longer use social media, combined with the reality that Meta's algorithm isn't programmed to deliver content to all friends or followers, especially for 'business' pages like restaurants and non-profits, so I've avoided linking through to those platforms. If a venue doesn't have a website, I left the best contact info I could find. If you are one of these venues want to update your info, drop me a line. If you want to be added, also drop me a line. 

  • Bemidji Brewing (Bemidji) hosts live music twice a month throughout the year. Call 218.444.7011. You can also follow them on Facebook or Instagram.
 
  • Bridgid's Irish Pub (Bemidji) occasionally hosts local and regional groups in the folk & folk rock genre. Call 218.444.0567
 
  • Chief Theater (Bemidji) During its off-season several organizations rent the Chief to produce concerts, including the occasional KAXE/KBXE radio concert series in the fall and winter. You can follow the Historic Chief Theater on Facebook or call 218.751.7270.
 
  • Headwaters Music & Arts (Bemidji) local arts & music school that hosts concerts by visiting performers several times per year, focusing on original songwriting and globally inspired tunes. You can also follow them on Facebook or Instagram. 
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  • Logjammerz (Cass Lake) hosts live music in the rock, country, sometimes reggae or hip-hop, genres. You can follow them on Facebook or call 218.987.2133.
 
  • North Country Dance a traditional fiddle & old tyme music community that hosts dances and concerts in the Fosston & East Grand Forks area.
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  • Popple Bar (Laporte) Frequently hosts bands on the weekends, and holiday festivities. You can follow them on Facebook or call  218.224.2281.​

  • Turtle River Chophouse (Bemidji) hosts live music about twice a month, on Thursday nights. Summer on their patio or indoors year 'round. Follow link for their calendar.

  • Wine Not? (Park Rapids) frequently hosts live music in their intimate, listening-friendly setting. See their event schedule on the linked website.​

Seasonal in Summer
  • 2nd Street Stage  (Park Rapids) Thursdays. Throughout the summer. Often, a local establishment hosts a before and after party with a local band too. 
 
  • Aurora Center for the Arts (Fosston) most Thursdays throughout the summer, this arts center in Fosston hosts outdoor summer concerts, with occassionals concerts in the fall and winter seasons as well in their stunning art deco theater. You can follow link to see their event calendar
 
  • ​Bluebelle Bistro Nights (Bemidji) most Thursdays throughout the summer, Bluebelle event center hosts a bistro night with live music. You can follow them on Facebook or Instagram to get the specific dates or or call 218.368.0096​
   
  • Green Scene (Walker) May-September, every Thursday and Saturday from 11-2, music on the patio during their artisan and farmer's markets. Feature a brunch menu centered on woodfired pizza & more. 
   
  • Mississippi Music (Bemidji) Wednesdays down by Paul & Babe. You can find their page on Facebook as Mississippi Music at the Bemidji Waterfront. Many restaurants and pubs have a table tent that shows the schedule, too. 
 
  • Music under the Pines (Lake Bemidji State Park) a weekly concert series featuring music throughout the summer, most Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons. Follow the link for their event calendar.
 
  • Walker Bay Live!  (Walker) Thursday nights. Throughout the summer rotating locations throughout Walker each week. 
 
  • The WaterShed (Walker) hosts a diverse array of local, live music on its patio and courtyard weekly all summer long, often a few times each weekend. You can follow them on Facebook or Instagram, or call (218) 547-4777. 
Bemidji Block Party (Bemidji) last weekend in June. Multiple bands take the stage all day long outside of Bemidji Brewing.

​Watermark Art Festival (Bemidji)  2nd weekend in July. 3 stages of music all day long, featuring Bemidji's best talents and songwriters. 

Kilde Fest (Blackduck) 2nd weekend in July.  3 day country music festival hosted on a farm north of Blackduck. Find them on Facebook exclusively for more details.

​Muskie Days (Nevis)  3rd or 4th weekend in July. 2 days of local and regional bands on the Shenanigan's Stage under the water tower. Great summer time grooves and vibes. Co-hosted by Nevis Chamber of Commerce and Niijii Radio.

ForestEdge Winery Art Fair (Laporte) 3rd weekend in August. Follow link for music schedule. The Winery also frequently hosts live music on the weekends in summer.  

Bemidji PRIDE (Bemidji)  last weekend in August.  Usually 2-3 bands over the course of the weekend follow Bemidji PRIDE on Instagram for more info.

Ethnic Fest (Walker) 2nd weekend in September.  3 stages of globally inspired traditional and modern folk music. Different musical stylings around Walker were showcased on three different stages, with one being dedicated solely to Native American performances.

RiverFest (Grand Rapids) 2nd weekend in September.  A day long festival featuring 4 folk, rock, and indie bands both national and regional, with a premiere headliner. Think Wilco or Jason Isabell. Hosted by KAXE radio, so follow their website, listen to the radio, or their social media for info.
Year-round
  • Tuesday Open Jam ​@ LogJammerz • Cass Lake • 218.987.2133
  • Wednesdays @ Popple Bar • Laporte • 218.224.2281
  • Thursdays @ Bridgid’s Irish Pub • Bemidji • 218.444.0567

Seasonal 
Summer Only
  • Tuesdays @ Shenanigan's Stage (Watertower Park) • Nevis • Contact Debbie Center
Academic Year
  • 1st Fridays @ Headwaters Music & Arts • Bemidji • Contact John Henningsgaard. 
  • 3rd Thursdays @ the Armory • Park Rapids • 218.237.3722 

Special Opportunities for Songwriters & their Listeners
  • Bemidji Sings - a local singing contest hosted annually by Headwaters Music & Arts. Winners represent Bemidji at a statewide competition in the fall. Follow the link to learn more. ​​​
  • Songwriter's Showcase (Park Rapids) Periodic songwriter's evening facilitated by Scott Jasmin @ the Armory in Park Rapids. Contact Scott for more info. ​
contact: maryo (at) mudsong.net

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