Each week, we add new music, older tracks, which are known as “Gold adds”, and tracks that might not fit our general format, but still deserve a place in rotation because they serve our mission of showing the depth, breadth, and influence of Black musical expression - These are known as “Variety adds.”

. If you make music and want it considered for rotation, 

 If you want to give feedback directly, reach out to me at jgreen@mpr.org.

Tune in to hear our host Sanni B. live on The Message from 10 AM to 1 PM Monday through Thursday!

Keep all these tracks in one place with the 

 Spotify playlist. This playlist is updated weekly with all the new adds. When that playlist is cycled with new tracks, the tracks live forever on the 

 playlist. That playlist contains all of the music that we've added since the week of July 11, 2022 in chronological order of when it was added. All of the tracks available on Spotify, at least.

“Put It On Da Floor Again” feat. Cardi B

“LK” feat. Stamina MC [Marcus Intalex & St Files Remix]

Julian Green built and manages the music library for Carbon Sound and oversees content creation.  


Julian Green

All of the tracks added to rotation on Carbon Sound the week of July 3, 2023.


Image for New on Carbon Sound Spotify playlist

Natalia Toledo

New on Carbon Sound

Old on Carbon Sound

New Music on Carbon Sound - Week of July 3, 2023

Destiny Spike is a showgirl in every sense of the word.

Styling herself as a modern “Hoe-sephine Baker,” the local artist is a jack of all trades, with an over decade-long career spent rapping, dancing, and “shaking some titty” (her words) everywhere and anywhere worth going, including SXSW, TC Pride, and the 

There is no shortage of theatrics — Amid the massive wigs and lavish costumery, Spike is ever the consummate performer, infusing her mix of contemporary dance and great music with plenty of shock value. A careful shoulder pop, a wig snatch, an impromptu Soul Train line with the crowd. In just one night, I've watched her freestyle effortlessly, vogue in mile-high heels then descend into the splits, and perhaps most notably, coax a reticent Minnesotan crowd from the shadows.

“Y’all are being cute,” Spike chided the crowd at 

 Hi Cotton Ball. “I don’t see any dancing. I don’t want cute. I want chaos.”

2023 is the year of righteous returns for Spike, including a 

 gig, and a booked and busy Pride month. Her debut LP, 

(2023), is almost incidental among all these feats, yet a masterwork of its own; a playful, raunchy mix of club anthems and gauzy, introspective tracks. (Consider this a plea to give Spike’s 

“Destiny is a generational talent,” friend and musician Blu Bone shared in a phone interview. “Just to see someone really in command of themselves and their body in such a raw and truly liberating way, it invites that same energy into you and the space. She really can do anything.”

The Destiny Spike I meet for coffee is not the Destiny Spike you see onstage. Despite her outsized live presence, Spike is a mere 5 ‘3, understated in wire-rimmed glasses and shorn hair. Upon arrival, she immediately enveloped me in a hug.

Over an espresso, Spike launched into her tale. Destiny Davis, better known as Destiny Spike, was born and raised in north Minneapolis. The come-up is simple, and glimmers with signs of prodigy — Davis began dancing at age two, then flit between a host of renowned dance studios, including the Debbie Allen Dance Academy at age 15. After stints at several performing arts schools, Davis eventually dropped out of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy.

“I didn’t want to be a backup dancer, and that’s what they were teaching us to be,” she said. “My love for dance wasn’t for the money. College just wasn’t flowing, and it was ruining my love for the art. I didn’t dance for years after.”

Amidst this creative rut, music was a happy accident. With her first gig at SXSW in 2013, Davis discovered a newfound passion for hip-hop: “I was actually originally there to dance. I was there with Mod Sun, I didn’t even know who he was! I managed to meet a lot of people in the industry, and they heard me freestyle and just loved it. They kept asking why I wasn't rapping already.” 

Long inspired by the likes of Pusha T, Lil’ Kim, and Missy Elliot, music felt like a natural next step. Upon returning to Minneapolis, Davis began working with local artist Chandria Benson to further refine her craft: “They helped me create bars. My songs used to be never-ending verses. We worked on making hooks, then breaking down my songs and rearranging them… It wasn’t bubblegum, it wasn’t simple, ABC-type rap. The whole process, it was raw, it was new. It felt right.”

A whirlwind of studio sessions followed suit, with Davis’ mother lending Davis her last $40 for studio time. “The rest is history! I’m a rap girl now.”

The years since have yielded a steady stream of shows, Davis performing everywhere from LA to Detroit to Atlanta (the latter most notably a link-up with rapper 

). On the sidelines, Davis quietly compiled the best of her work, finally releasing the mastered tracks this year in 

“I’ve been sitting on some of those tracks for eight years,” Davis lamented. “They’re my babies! Once I let them out into the world, I can’t change them!” 

 isn’t just in service of a good time — under the hi-hats and crunchy synths is rumination over Davis’s past and present, of her multifaceted identity as a queer person, a former sex worker, and a proud “Black thot.”

“She’s like a fusion of BbyMutha, Junglepussy, and Nicki Minaj, all at once,” 

 co-runner Annetifa Burns effused over the phone. “But even gayer.” 

“We love her,” Anne’s co-runner Marquis Fleur-de-lis went on. “[Davis] is just so punk. There’s a level of stage presence that comes with someone who has performed a million times for a million people. She is electric. When we worked with her [at House of 1000 Queers’ last show], we ran into a million technical issues. She rolled with every punch.”

A warm, even-keeled conversationalist, Davis kept me laughing well past the cafe’s close. Often derailing, we talked astrology (“It is Gemini season, so I have to buckle up,” she sighed) and chatted about pesky exes, one of Davis’ own calling her midway through our interview. “He wanted to know if this one restaurant was any good,” she divulged afterwards, rolling her eyes. “He could’ve asked Google.”

Davis brings this same effervescent energy to her side projects, including guest appearances on shows 

 and the Wholesome Podcast. It’s obvious Davis could (and should) expand even further than music, though her future is bright as is.

This isn’t to say new music isn’t already in the works: “I have so many emotions about growing up and turning 30. I’m really going through heartbreak and change, and it’s maturing into a sound I’ve never heard from myself. This next chapter is going to be so intense. But don’t worry, I’ll still throw you a party track, a Black thots anthem.” 

“I see [Davis] being the future of hip-hop, especially for women,” producer and frequent collaborator Major G shared over the phone. “She’s so open with her sexuality, and she’s taking everything to the highest decibel possible. It’s all intentional.”

“[Davis] really does have it all,” Blu Bone said. “With her performances, she hearkens back to greats like Josephine Baker and Grace Jones… She shakes the table. She is one of the best performers we have, not just in Minnesota. but nationally. She has so much ahead of her.” 

{"type":"doc","content":[{"type":"paragraph","content":[{"text":"","type":"text"}]}]}

Fatima Rahman

The Twin Cities jack of  all trades makes anthems for Black sexual liberation.


Darin Kamnetz for MPR

Grabbing Coffee with Minneapolis Showgirl Destiny Spike

Olivia Dean has clearly nailed a lot of first impressions. Our initial interaction happened on a cloudy Thursday in midtown Manhattan. In a fugue state after a cross-country flight and an uncertain subway trip, I was standing sheepishly in the lobby of Universal Music’s office like a lost child. I was on three hours of sleep and was checking my phone on the train every 17 seconds to ensure I was heading in the right direction. There was no time to soak in the scenery of Central Park or study people’s outfits to see what trends to bring back home. No, I was on a mission. I had to meet Olivia Dean. 

The door opened, and in walked Olivia Dean and her manager. She was dressed in a tank top and hoodie, big striped pants, and stylish Prada shoes. We shook hands, her grip light and easy, and exchanged smiles, hers filled with radiant tooth gems. We would get time to talk later, but first someone from Island Records ushered her in for a meeting. I tailgated behind them and sat with Teddy, the front desk guy, while they wrapped their business.  

Dean is a 24-year-old singer from London, England. She started singing at a young age in a gospel choir and attended the prestigious BRIT School, whose alumni include renowned voices like Imogen Heap and Amy Winehouse. In 2019, Dean released her first commercial EP 

. Since then, she has kept busy with a string of singles and EPs. To date, her most-streamed song is 

 about a relationship perhaps permanently strained, which is closing in on 40 million plays on Spotify. Now she’s gearing up to make an all-important first impression with her debut full-length album, 

Dean and her team are seizing the moment. This year she has done a string of interviews, 

, and, most importantly, she finished recording the album. 

 sounds like the album that Olivia wanted to make. There is a level of comfort in Olivia’s music and presence that feels self-actualized. Nostalgic, genre-fluid, organic. Glimmers of some of her influences like Sam Cooke and Bill Withers shine through on 

 cuts like “Ladies Room” and “Danger.” 

This trip to New York was Olivia Dean’s first -- or her first real one, anyway. When she was 18, she spent about four hours here to do backup vocals for 

Rudimental’s performance on Jimmy Fallon

When her label meeting wrapped, I walked in and took a seat. Dean slouched comfortably into a green suede couch across from me. We had a few minutes before she would head to soundcheck for her first-ever solo performance in the U.S. – a sold-out show in the round at Le Poisson Rouge in Greenwich Village. Just thinking about how busy all of that must be is enough to start an old-fashioned anxiety stomachache for me, but Olivia was as cool as ever. 

“I think when I got into the first sort of chunk of going, ‘OK, I'm going to make an album,’ I was holding myself back for a long time,” she said as she drew circles with her fingers on the suede. "I was like, ‘This is gonna define me ... I need to make the best thing I've ever made.’ I definitely gave myself a box, which I was creating within. And then I was like, ‘It doesn't really matter.  All I can do is write about how I'm feeling right now.’” 

Making any sort of debut is a nerve-racking process. My palms get sweaty before shaking someone’s hands for the first time, so I can’t imagine how it feels to release a debut album. She agreed. It can be a lot of pressure, but it’s not the end of the world. “I think it's what you allow -- the pressure that you're allowed to put on yourself and you allow other people to put on you,” she said. “I've just tried to think really simply about it. I've made the best music I could have made at the time and I really like it. So, if you like it, that's great. If they don't like it, that's cool.” 

When we met, she had been in the city for about 24 hours already and hoped to have some free time the next day to explore Central Park and the Empire State Building. Given her packed schedule, I’m not sure if she had the time. After about 15 minutes, I received a polite-but-firm text to wrap our interview so that she could make it to Le Poisson Rouge. We shook hands, said goodbye, and I headed off for a much-needed nap. 

Excitement was in the air that night at Le Poisson Rouge. Some came from the label folks, of course, eager to see a return on investment. Much came from the crowd, a diverse mix of young people that packed the tables surrounding the stage and lined the walls, phones in hand and smiles on faces. As I walked in, one person in line asked if I had any extra tickets. No dice.  

I do feel for that person, though. They missed out on a special performance – her first ever as a solo artist in the U.S. Dean had a gentle, yet commanding stage presence that enamored the audience. Joined by a pianist and bassist --her drummer’s visa got denied)-- she performed a 45-minute set that explored tracks from her EPs. Before “Be My Own Boyfriend,” an audience member correctly guessed it was coming, shouting the song title during Dean’s monologue about self-love. Of course, there were also yet-unreleased tracks from 

. She played piano and guitar, covered the Aretha Franklin classic “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” and brought out Leon Bridges to perform their new duet version of 

When I asked her what the hardest part of being Olivia Dean is, her manager shouted an answer as Olivia paused to think: “Perfection.” Olivia’s answer for herself was “Separation,” delineating between Olivia Dean the person, and Olivia Dean the budding pop star. She acknowledged her perfectionism, though. “I

like striving for things to be excellent, which I think is a good trait but also a bad trait,” she mused. “Because sometimes you don't get anything done. You're waiting for something to be perfect. But, sometimes 80% perfect is still really good. You can't be perfect all the time ... My album is called 

because it's a reminder to myself to relax.” 

The desire to eschew perfectionism guided the process of recording 

. The tap of a piano pedal, the odd slightly off-beat guitar lick, and other uniquely human touches were kept in to create a sense of warmth and soul. Although she tries not to let the pressure get to her, she realizes the impact a debut can have. A debut can stand the test of time and become a statement for the artist’s entire career.  

 as an example of how to do it right. “It was just her in music form. It wasn't her trying to do a bit of that, or a bit of this,” she said, reaffirming her belief that honesty in music is non-negotiable. Part of being honest is doing what you feel. Olivia believes that doing this allows great music to be made. “I think you have to be a little bit selfish at the beginning in the creation pile on, like, allow yourself to be a bit self-indulgent so that you can be vulnerable.” 

The show at Le Poisson Rouge was intimate and honest, two things she strives for in her music. Dean chose not to adopt a stage name because she wants her true feelings to come through. “I want to be honest... It just felt like the obvious thing to do,” she reflected. “I'm not a particularly abstract person. I'm not writing about big things. I like small things and human things. That made sense.” 

With her start in gospel choir and history with musical theater --which she studied at the BRIT School before she believed she could pursue singing solo-- Dean is a natural performer. “Ladies Room,” a standout from 

, is the track that she’s most excited to perform live. “I just wanted to create something that will be so fun to perform live. It’s an homage, like a love letter to the girls’ bathroom. I love the chaos in there sometimes.” Her original idea was to take a voice recording of someone she met in the ladies’ room at her local pub, but decided against it. “How would I feel if I heard a song on the radio or, you know, just stumbled across something, and it was me like chatting shit about my boyfriend?” 

 will be released for all to hear on June 30. Who knows what will happen once it comes out? Regardless, she wants to be present through it all. Immediate joy, she says, is most important. “I'm trying to practice [being happy] day by day, rather than constantly like looking ahead and then actually not taking in moments when you're in them,” she shared. “Like, especially on this trip. I've just really tried to wake up every morning and be like, ‘You must be happy today and be thankful and, like, just live hour by hour.’” 

Olivia Dean seems to be enjoying the moment, dizzying as it can be. She smiled after the show at Le Poisson Rouge. She shared that she was nervous before coming out. I told her that if she wouldn’t have said that I would have never guessed.  

Between laughing about the legal and moral efficacy of recording strangers or talking about crying while watching 

remake, it seems like her talk about being herself and being honest are, well, honest. Olivia Dean has the sort of sincerity and charm that makes her hard not to root for. I hope she had some time to check out the Empire State Building. 

Messy will be released on Friday, June 30.

Editor’s note: Looks like she got to see it

The singer has high hopes behind her debut album, ‘Messy.’


Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Empire State Re

One day in New York with U.K. phenom Olivia Dean

Minneapolis-based artist Blu Bone visited Carbon Sound's studio for an interview and live performance of four tracks. Watch the full video above and visit our YouTube channel for videos of his performances of “Don’t Run,” “Swamp,” “River,” and “Hi Cotton.”

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more!

Watch Minneapolis-based artist Blu Bone do an interview and live session in the lab with Carbon Sound


Carbon Sound

Blu Bone in The Lab with Carbon Sound

Blu Bone - "Don't Run" (in The Lab with Carbon Sound)

Blu Bone - "Swamp" (in The Lab with Carbon Sound)

Blu Bone - "River" (in The Lab with Carbon Sound)

Blu Bone  - "Hi Cotton" (in The Lab with Carbon Sound)

Carbon Sound celebrated it's first year of existence with a night of DJs and dancing at Fine Line on Juneteenth. Over 350 people came to celebrate Black music. Many calories were burned on the dance floor. Watch Carbon Sound Correspondent Liam Armstrong's recap to relive the night. 

Liam Armstrong

Check out Liam Armstrong’s recap video from Carbon Sound’s 1st Birthday Party at Fine Line on Juneteenth.


Carbon Sound's 1st Birthday

Video: Carbon Sound's 1st Birthday

Bump Opera

Check out photographer photos from this Monday’s street festival


BUMP OPERA

Photos: Soul of the Southside brings Minneapolis together for Juneteenth

Darin Kamnetz

Check out Darin Kamnetz’s photos from Carbon Sound’s 1st Birthday Party at Fine Line Minneapolis.


Photos: Celebrating a year of Carbon Sound

“If You Asked Me To (Single Version)”

“You Ain't Woman Enough (To Take My Man)”

All of the tracks added to rotation on Carbon Sound the week of June 19, 2023.


New Music on Carbon Sound - Week of June 19, 2023

Vogue Down, a Minneapolis ballroom collective, is bringing the ballroom tradition and more to a new generation in Minneapolis.  

With a successful April event and more on the horizon, the group says that its main goal is to bridge the generational gap in the ballroom community and create space for queer BIPOC individuals to get together. 

Their next event KIKI ZONE: Pride Edition will be held at Lush Lounge in Minneapolis on Wednesday, June 14. 

, a founding member of Vogue Down, to speak about KIKI ZONE: Pride Edition and what Vogue Down is. He acted as a representative for the collective, which also includes Yoni (

 “Our mission was just to find a place at first, to have space for queer BIPOC individuals to get together and be able to learn about ballroom and be in community with each other, and we just did not have that,” said Vogue Down.  

 Vogue Down has been a collective for a little over a year, starting in March of 2022. “At first we were just in studios, randomly booking things. Then it turned into a whole collective and we thought, let's share this with the community. We started making the sessions open to anybody who would like to come,” shared Vogue Down.  

 “Vogueing is an expression of oneself, an expression of all the energy and the feelings someone has. They’re expressing that through their dance. Vogueing is not just a dance, it’s a lifestyle,” explained Vogue Down.  

 “Vogueing is a part of ballroom, but ballroom is so much more. Ballroom means different things to everybody, but ballroom was made by Black and Latinx people of color to help us have a space that was just for us,” Vogue Down clarified, “A place to be our own celebrities, because the world just wasn't made for us that way.”  

 “Energy is the biggest thing. The energy of the room is what people go away with and why they keep coming back,” said Vogue Down.  

 “You start the night with everybody coming in. Everybody's piling in from different states, maybe even different countries– different walks of life, when everyone comes in, they will start LSS,” told Vogue Down. LSS which stands for legends, statements, and stars, is a fundamental component of ballroom.  

 “LSS is calling out people in the community who are at those status points,” explained Vogue Down.  

 “Somebody who has been walking, they’re new, but they maybe have an ‘Of The Year’ award or some type of acknowledgement from the community for walking and being new.” 

 “A person who’s solidified in their category.” 

 “Somebody who is undeniable, somebody who has done more than that average person walking in that category and gone beyond. They have brought something unique from their own personality and their own self to the category.” 

 “Somebody who everybody knows, everybody has seen people learn from them, everybody has seen the work they've done in the community, the change that they have brought to ballroom, there's been something there.”  

After LSS, categories will begin. Categories for the KIKI ZONE: Pride Edition event are as follows: OTA (open to all) runway, OTA performance, OTA hands performance, realness (Male Figure, Female Figure), face (MF, FF, Gender Non-conforming) and sex siren (MF, FF, GNC)."

 “KIKI ZONE: Pride Edition is different from any old ball because it is made by younger people in the Twin Cities that have been doing ballroom for about a year now and have immersed themselves in it,” said Vogue Down. “It is really just showing that ballroom has been reignited in this city by the younger generation.” 

“When we started opening these sessions and walking, it really got the older generation excited to throw balls again. So, they're starting to throw balls again. It's just a whole domino effect,” explained Vogue Down.  

“KIKI ZONE: Pride Edition is more of an event than a ball, it’s an event plus a vogue night. It’s really to encompass all BIPOC artistry in every different form that the Twin Cities brings. That’s why it’s drag, rapping, singing, and dancing. All types of experiences,” said Vogue Down.  

Who: Anyone who’s interested in seeing the performances and learning about the scene. 

 Anyone who’s interested in seeing the performances and learning about the scene. 

“I'm calling anybody eager to see amazing BIPOC performances and amazing BIPOC talent. I'm calling anybody who was in a house here, anybody who's interested in ballroom, anybody who loves artistry from Black entertainers, put on by Black entertainers. I'm calling everybody who will be respectful and understand that this is a space put on by young, Black, Queer adults.”  

“Pop out with your best outfit. Your best creative outfit. You could spend $10 and still be in an amazing outfit. You could be in Gucci and it looks crazy. It's all about your creative mind. We're really pushing people to get into the creative mind. There's no theme. There's no nothing. It's pride. Be creative. Come in with your best things. Step out. Bring your unique style to the table.” 

What to know: Come with respect and positivity.  

 “Do not disrespect what you don't know. That's my number one thing. I would say second, when you come in a space, it's already built off positivity. So bring positivity. We don't want any negative vibes if you have them. Don't come. And then thirdly, I would say, one of the biggest rules, is to have fun. This is something that has never been brought to the Twin Cities. People have been loving it so far, and I want people to keep loving it. Really just bring good energy to the space and have a good time. Get a drink, sit down, watch the performers, maybe walk in a category if you feel up to it, have a good time.” 

How to prepare: To walk a category, just show up and step out!  

To walk a category, just show up and step out!  

 “To walk a category, just show up and step out there. Before walking, you should do your research. If you put in ballroom on YouTube, so many things will pop up. Look at clips, watch documentaries.” 

Vogue Down works to try to teach the community about the rich history of Ballroom culture with their series “History 101,” (check out these videos on their Instagram page 

Another place to learn more about the culture Vogue Down is bringing to Minneapolis is through documentaries. Vogue Down recommends “Paris Is Burning,” “How Do I Look,” “My House,” or “Pose,” and “Legendary,” which is a ballroom competition show.  

 “I think what it means for us is a connection of all people in the cities who have been interested in ballroom and who also are in ballroom to know each other. I think the biggest thing you can give people is a platform, and we're giving people a platform to showcase who they are. The four of us are new, we have only been doing this for about a year, but I know there are people that will have those answers for you. So I just want everybody to be able to network and connect with people that they could get something from and give something.”  

“I'm most excited to meet new people. I'm excited to see the creative expression people bring to their category. I'm most excited to see the drag performers we have with our Lady Camille Cassadine (

), your recent flip phone superstar Cariño (

), who is the host of Drag Duels - a really big drag show in the city, and a great drag performer as well. We’re also having Destiny Spike (

), who is a Black woman artist who is going to shut down the stage as a rapper. So, it is going to be amazing. I'm excited just to see all the creativity.”

Joely Kelzer

The Minneapolis-based collective is celebrating Pride Month with an event at Lush Lounge in Minneapolis on Wednesday, June 14.


Courtesy of Vogue Down

Vogue Down brings ballroom to a new generation in Minneapolis

On June 19, 1865, about 2,000 Union troops arrived at Galveston Bay, Texas, announcing that the Civil War was over and the 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state were now free after more than 200 years of enslavement. This was more than two years after the end of the war and the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. After 158 years, Juneteenth has evolved into a celebration of culture, family, and Black joy, as well as an honoring of the legacy of Juneteenth.

In Minneapolis, Juneteenth celebrations date back to 1985, but with 2023 marking the first year that Juneteenth is an 

, celebrations across the Twin Cities are looking bigger than ever before. 

Juneteenth Jubilee: A Black Burlesque Show

The king of burlesque Tre’ Da Marc presents Juneteenth Jubilee, a celebration of liberation of black and brown bodies in burlesque. See a dazzling lineup including RuPaul’s Drag Race's own Dax ExclamationPoint and Lou Loi la Duchesse de Rier, hosted by Foxy Tann.

, The Capri Theater, 2027 West Broadway, Minneapolis

Hear songs made famous by Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Chaka Khan, Sade, and more at The Dakota for a night dipped in old-school R&B. 

, The Dakota, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis

Black Bodies in Motion: The Ultimate Expression of Freedom

The Midtown Global Market celebrates health, heritage, and harmony with poetry, music, a reenactment of the proclamation, and above all, motion — what many consider the greatest expression of liberation, resistance, self-care, and freedom. There will be biking, Zumba, yoga, line dancing, meditation, and more. 

, Midtown Global Market, 920 E. Lake Street, Minneapolis

Juneteenth Minnesota - A Family Celebration!

Celebrate with the whole fam at the Allianz field. Learn through art and history exhibits, and see performances through 50 years of hip hop. There will be a fun zone for kids, and wellness resources, economic empowerment, and scholarship awards for the community.

, Allianz Field, 400 Snelling Ave. N., St. Paul

Enjoy food, vendors, family activities, a live painting by Kenneth Caldwell and almost a dozen performances including music by Jamecia Pettiford, Obi Original, BdocCroc, and more.

, Bethune Park, 1304 N. 10th Ave., Minneapolis

The Art of Freedom: A Juneteenth Celebration

The University of Minnesota hosts its second annual Juneteenth Celebration block party and march. This year the events will be centered around Black joy, Black resistance, and Black rest. There will be a rose memorial, a moment of silence, performances, Black vendors, workshops, books, free food, free haircuts, a petting zoo, and more. 

, UROC, 2001 Plymouth Ave. N., Minneapolis

For a more natural atmosphere, head to the Dodge Nature Center for a scavenger hunt, aquatic life exploration, and more outdoor activities with Dodge naturalists. DJ Jae Myth will provide music for movin’ and groovin’.

, Dodge Nature Center, 1701 Charlton St., West St. Paul

Frogtown Farm sets their sights on a more equitable future with a special community event. Celebrating freedom and unity, they honor Juneteenth with an opening ceremony, story circles focusing on sustainability and community building and a potlikker-and-smoke-themed dinner curated by chef Lachelle Cunningham.

, Frogtown Farms, 946 Minnehaha Ave. W., St. Paul

Burnsville Juneteenth Celebration — Free to Be

Burnsville’s Free to Be is a chill, and inclusive party. There will be performances by Heather McElrath, Catalyst Artist Collective, Chadwick “Niles” Phillips, and Afrocontigbo Dance Group. Get crafty with kids and unwind in the cooling bus or their sensory-friendly spaces.

, North River Hills Park, 1501 19th Ave., Burnsville

Juneteenth Minnesota West Broadway Block Party

With two stages welcoming names like Ilhan Omar and Andrea Jenkins; history exhibits; and activities for the whole family, the West Broadway Block Party provides all sorts of entertainment, education, and resources.

Carbon Sound is ringing in their 1st birthday on Juneteenth. Celebrating a year of supporting local music and Black musical expression with a lineup of rising Twin Cities DJs, including Ech0astral, Byzzara, Yhanté, Fanaka Nation, DJ McShellen, Kwey, Fluidtranquility, and DJ Pin. 

, Fine Line, 318 N First Ave., Minneapolis

The Capitol hosts an array of fun activities on the Capitol lawn that includes food, music, games, and face painting by Keshawn's Characters.

, Minnesota State Capitol, 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul

The Legacy Building will take over the block for their second annual Soul of the Southside Festival. Hook & Ladder will be hosting more than a dozen performances spanning jazz, hip-hop, and R&B by local artists including iLLism, Nur-D, Jada Lynn, Huhroon, and Ricki Monique. See local Black artists in Art Walk at the Healing Square and attend family storytelling sessions at Moon Palace Books. 

, Hook & Ladder, 3010 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis

​​Take the whole family to Centennial Lakes where you can plant a tree, take a story stroll, or take in music at the beer and wine garden. There will be plenty of food trucks and activities to reflect on the legacy of Juneteenth.

, Centennial Lakes, 7499 France Ave. S., Edina

Rondo Center of Diverse Expressions (RCODE) hosts their third annual Juneteenth observance serving the community. To highlight the connection between labor and Juneteenth, RCODE prepares entertainment, food trucks, and information for job applicants. They have a mission to provide resources and a goal to connect people with job leads “as a celebration of the human spirit, respect and the hope for better days ahead and its fundamental pillar of freedom to work with the expectation to be paid.”

, Rondo Commemorative Plaza, 820 Concordia Ave., St. Paul

Orchestra Hall puts on a special program in honor of Juneteenth. Conductor André Raphel leads the Minnesota Orchestra through Adolphus Hailstork’s Three Spirituals and one of the most celebrated American symphonies ever written, William Grant Still's Afro-American Symphony. A product of the Harlem Renaissance, the symphony combines orchestral stylings with elements of the blues. Justice Alan C. Page joins the orchestra to narrate Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait, reading excerpts of Abraham Lincoln’s letters and speeches. A former Minnesota Viking and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Page is the first African American judge to serve on the Minnesota Supreme Court.

, Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis

Here is The Current’s Juneteenth playlist, curated by Derrick Stevens:

This feature is part of The Current’s 

 series, helping you enjoy the best of the season with weekly guides to events, entertainment, and recreation in the Twin Cities.

Cynthia Maya

Plan ahead for a busy weekend of celebrations, concerts, block parties, and more.


Stories

New Music on Carbon Sound - Week of July 3, 2023

Grabbing Coffee with Minneapolis Showgirl Destiny Spike

One day in New York with U.K. phenom Olivia Dean

Get the Carbon Sound app

Blu Bone in The Lab with Carbon Sound

Video: Carbon Sound's 1st Birthday

Photos: Soul of the Southside brings Minneapolis together for Juneteenth

Photos: Celebrating a year of Carbon Sound

Connect with Carbon Sound

New Music on Carbon Sound - Week of June 19, 2023

Vogue Down brings ballroom to a new generation in Minneapolis

How to celebrate Juneteenth in the Twin Cities this year

See more stories →