The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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January 26, 2012

Column: Shouldn't be hard to find good music in February

By Tanner Kent Free Press Features Editor

MANKATO — From gangster rap to country-rock to Delta blues — February and March will offer a delightful blend of music in Mankato.

For those who might have missed the announcements, Mankato is playing host to a cadre of diverse musical talents during the month of love.

The following is a clip-and-save primer on who is coming and when. Don’t say you weren’t warned.

- Feb. 11: Stay Vertical Festival

The second iteration of the festival started by local music mainstays Angry Waters features a long and distinguished lineup of local bands, including Bring the Sun, Revilwen and Diesl, to name a few. The festival — to be held at Midtown Tavern — concludes with Face of Oblivion, a Mankato-based death metal band recently signed to a record label. All proceeds benefit the Midwest Art Catalyst, a Mankato non-profit that funds music and art opportunities for students.

- Feb. 17-18: Dead Days of Winter Festival

Organized by Full Moon Productions in Mankato, the event headliner is Coolio — yes, that Coolio. The same dreadlocked rap artist that brought you “Gangsta’s Paradise” and now, a reality TV cooking show, will be playing the Red Sky Lounge. Also in attendance are Useful Jenkins and a host of other local groups.

For more info, visit fullmoonproductions.biz.

- Feb. 20: Atmosphere

The consummate Minnesota hip-hop duo — rapper Slug and DJ Ant — returns to Mankato to open its 2012 Welcome to Minnesota Tour at the Verizon Wireless Center.

- Feb. 23: Kenny Loggins

In short, Loggins has more platinum albums than you and I have fingers. If you didn’t see “Top Gun” and experience for yourself just how powerful Loggins’ vocals can be (at least when buttressed by the jet engines of an F-14), then come see for yourself at the Verizon Wireless Center.

- March 1: Riverdance!

OK, so this isn’t a concert, per se. But this is the farewell tour for one of the most popular and well-received performances of our generation, to be held in Mankato at Verizon Wireless Center. More than 22 million people in 40 countries have seen the show live.

- March 11: Tab Benoit

My personal favorite in this bunch, Benoit is a blues magician who is fresh off four Blues Music Award nominations and a studio album that USA Today called one of the five best CDs of 2011. He plays at Hooligan’s in Mankato.

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