Free concerts — enjoy “Second Saturdays” and “Music in the Heart of Victory” this August
Camden Music School presents a double bill featuring two Camden residents: Singer Bruce Stasch and accordion player John Bispala on Saturday, August 11 from 3-4 p.m. at Luther Memorial Lutheran.
Bruce Stasch is a vocal artist who performs an eclectic mix of Broadway musical theater showstoppers, tear-jerking ballads and fun character pieces. His varied musical background includes classical music, a cappella harmony and musical theater. He has performed across the Midwest with a number of choirs and a cappella quartets such as the Minnesota Chorale, VocalEssence, Great Northern Union, Fabulous Fifties, Men At Work and his current quartet Stratosphere. Bruce will be accompanied by CMS piano and voice instructor Jaette Carpenter.
John Bispala is an accordion player extraordinaire who plays everything from Bach to beer barrel polkas with flair. He plays two types of accordions — a piano accordion and a button chromatic accordion — and the wonderful sounds he gets from the instruments may surprise you. (No joke!) John studies with renowned concert accordionist, Helmi Harrington, and just returned from a trip to Finland (where he played accordion with family and friends).
The hour-long concert will be followed by a reception featuring good cookies, coffee and conversation. The event is free and open to the public. Donations
accepted for the Camden Music School Scholarship Fund, a sponsored project of Our Neighborhood Works. This will be a delightful hour of music. Gather up your family, friends and neighbors and join us! More info at www.camdenmusicschool.com or call 612-618-0219. Note that Second Saturdays concerts are at 3 p.m. on the second Saturday of every month for the rest of the year.
For the second year, Camden Music School and Papa’s Pizza and Pasta are proud to present five free, fun, festive Friday nights of music in the heart of the Victory Neighborhood. Bring your chairs and blankets to 42nd and Thomas Ave. N. from 6-8 p.m. on Fridays in August. Camdenites will recognize many neighbors and friends in the stellar line-up of musical talent. August 3: Justin Windschitl and friends – bassoon trio; Annie Probasco - Celtic harp. August 10: Lee and Don Kanten – a brotherly duo on guitar, vocals; and bass Gary Rue - singer/songwriter/guitarist. August 17: Onayemi Ogunkoye – African drums Stealin’ Home – trio/vocals, guitars, mandolin, blues harp. August 24: Northern Latitudes Mandolin Quartet; Jonathan Rundman – singer/songwriter/guitarist. August 31: Mill City Grinders – banjo, fiddle and guitar; Jaette Carpenter, Ellie Fregni and friends – keyboard, violin, guitar, vocals.
Concert updates at www.papaspizzaandpasta.com and www.camdenmusicschool.com. Papa’s Pizza and Pasta is the quintessential neighborhood restaurant in North Minneapolis. Friends and families gather at Papa’s to enjoy Italian-American pasta and pizza, hoagies, Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches, and owner Mick (Papa) Brogan’s signature Tomato Pie. As Papa says “Everybody eats when they come to my house.” More info at 612-521-7272 or www.papaspizzaandpasta.com.
Camden Music School provides quality, accessible music instruction and student performance opportunities to people of all ages. For information on classes and concerts contact Janet Zahn, 612-618-0219, www.camdenmusicschool.com, or info@camdenmusic.org.