Northrop Announces Amplifying Solidarity

A collaboration between The Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, Northrop, Welcome Week, Multicultural Student Engagement and the School of Music, Amplifying Solidarity is a program of free outdoor events with the intent to use the arts to lift the voices of people who have been marginalized, to welcome the community, students, faculty, and staff back to campus, and to celebrate our campus community. These in-person weekday events featuring BIPOC, Queer and Womxn+ artists will take place on the Northrop Plaza Stage.

In case of inclement weather, these performances will be moved indoors to the Carlson Family Stage.

Annie Mack
Wed, Jun 15, 12:00 pm
Visionary blues and roots artist Annie Mack branches out on her new EP, Testify, mixing folk, rock, and country gospel into her unique soulful sound. Digging deep, “Minnesota's heir to the Mavis Staples throne” (Star Tribune), embarks on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

Suzy Plays Guitar
Wed, Jun 22, 12:00 pm
Minneapolis-based musicians Kelsey Wyrd and Tricia Schweitzer use their tenacious musical backgrounds to blend vocal harmonies with sweet guitar melodies in Suzy Plays Guitar, performing locally and nationally. 

LA Buckner & BiG HOMiE
Wed, Jul 6, 12:00 pm
Get ready to experience a historic blend of jazz, Gospel, hip hop, and avant-funk. Reaching the #1 iTunes Jazz position within 24 hours with BiG HOMiE, LA Buckner’s compositions blur the line between Sunday church service and face melting jam sessions.  

Funktion Junction
Wed, Jul 13, 12:00 pm
Gary Hodges and Michael Mothershed combined their musical visions to create Funktion Junction—one of the most entertaining show bands in the nation. The group includes Ralph Hale, Tim Rummelhoff, Henry Linder, Viola Jordan-Kill, and Al Emory.

Tango Society of Minnesota
Wed, Jul 20, 12:00 pm
The Tango Society of Minnesota is the face of Argentine Tango for tango dancers visiting the Twin Cities. It is a member-supported, non-profit social club committed to supporting the community of teachers, event promoters, DJs, and dancers, to grow a thriving tango dance scene.

Detrell Melodies
Wed, Aug 24, 12:00 pm
St. Paul-based singer/songwriter, DeTrell Melodies, writes and performs a mix of Soul, R&B, and Reggae music. Melodies is also part of the Twin Cities Catalyst Music program, a nonprofit that provides young people equitable access and opportunities in the Twin Cities music community.

Nur-D
Fri, Sep 2, 12:00 pm
Voted “Best New MN Artist” and “Best Live Concert” (City Pages), Nur-D brings an explosion of energy every time he hits the stage. Headlining First Avenue’s "Best New Bands" show in 2020, he has performed on stages alongside national acts like Migos, Logic, Tyler, the Creator, and The Wu-Tang Clan. 

Kalpulli KetzalCoatlicue
Wed, Sep 7, 12:00 pm
The Kalpulli KetzalCoatlicue (“Precious Mother Earth”) is a Kalpulli (“learning community”) of Indigenous people who perform traditional Aztec and Indigenous dances from Mexico. These presentations provide a basic understanding of the Nahuatl/Aztec representations of life through dance. 

Socaholix
Wed, Sep 14, 12:00 pm
The Socaholix is a high-energy Caribbean dance band that has been gracing Twin Cities stages since 2010. Performing a genre known as “soca,” an upbeat hybrid of Soul and Calypso, they create a synergy on stage that is complex, compelling, and infectious.

PaviElle
Wed, Sep 21, 12:00 pm
PaviElle is an Emmy Award-winning interdisciplinary artist, composer, and vocalist with a dynamic six-piece band. This City Pages "Best R&B Vocalist of 2015'' has graced both local and national stages including First Ave, Ordway Center, the Schubert Club, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the New World Symphony, and The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

About Northrop at the University of Minnesota
Rooted in the belief that the arts are essential to the human experience, Northrop is committed to cultivating intersections between performing arts and education for the benefit of all participants now and for generations to come. Learn more at northrop.umn.edu.