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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.


Darin Kamnetz for MPR

Photos: Celebrating a year of Carbon Sound

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.

“If You Asked Me To (Single Version)”

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

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 June 19, 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 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.


Juneteenth

Tim Evans for MPR News

How to celebrate Juneteenth in the Twin Cities this year

redveil stopped by for a conversation with Carbon Sound before his sold-out show at Amsterdam Bar & Hall in St. Paul in April. The rising young rapper had a lot to say about his process as an artist, conscious rap, and what it means to make the music that he does for the audience that he has.

Tune in to Carbon Sound 24/7 to hear redveil’s tracks 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more!

Watch the rising rapper’s interview with Carbon Sound on YouTube.


Carbon Sound

redveil talks tour, "Playing With Fire," and more with Carbon Sound

redveil talks growing up, playing with fire, and more with Carbon Sound

All of the tracks added to rotation on Carbon Sound the week of June 5, 2023.


New Music on Carbon Sound - Week of June 5, 2023

Fatima Rahman

Blu Bone’s 2nd Hi Cotton Ball was decadent mix of live music, dance breaks, and a ballroom showdown at the end.


Blu Bone enraptures the crowd at the Hi Cotton Ball

Rico Nasty brought the house down with a fiery performance at Amsterdam Bar & Hall in St. Paul on Tuesday, May 23. Watch all the concert in Carbon Sound Correspondent Liam Armstrong’s video above.

 and tune in to Carbon Sound 24/7 to hear tracks like 

Liam Armstrong

Watch Carbon Sound Correspondent Liam Armstrong’s full video of Rico Nasty’s St. Paul show here.


bearBOI Photo for MPR

Rico Nasty LIVE in St. Paul | 5.23.23

Video: Rico Nasty LIVE in St. Paul | 5.23.23

Janet Jackson has been working tirelessly for the last half-century to build a name and sound all of her own. Along the way, she has won five Grammys and entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Back in the Twin Cities for the first time since 2015, Jackson danced all attendees down memory lane at Xcel Energy Center Tuesday evening on her Together Again Tour. 

On her journey to success as a performer, Jackson was a singer in Vegas, had a TV stint on 

, and released two sunny albums overseen by her father, Joseph. Her next album, 

 went platinum six times. The latter’s loud themes of Black female empowerment and unity led her to begin openly expressing her own eroticism and sex appeal – something that continues to tap into to this day. Jackson performed an extensive 40-song set, and she brought Atlanta favorite Ludacris along for the ride. 

 actor Ludacris kicked off the night with a swift 30-minute set dressed in black leather joggers, a red-and-cream varsity-style jacket, crisp braids, and a gleaming, icy necklace dangling on his chest. Now 45, Luda smashed through a medley of his top hits, including snippets of songs in which he was featured, like Fergie’s “Glamorous,” Usher’s “Yeah!” and Jermaine Dupri’s “Welcome to Atlanta.” Although the 612 was not called out on the original “Area Codes,” he ensured it was included on the screens behind him. The amped-up crowd bounced and danced like it was a club for much of his set, and there were ample opportunities for sing-alongs. Luda seemed like he was having fun, bantering with a fellow emcee, Arbie Fate Wilson, and DJ Infamous spinning from a platform above. Later, he appeared wearing what he referred to as “big-a** sneakers” during “Stand Up,” and on his final song, “Get Back,” he donned the oversized arms 

 to the approval of the enthused crowd. 

After a short break, it was time for Ms. Jackson herself to take the stage. The racially diverse crowd of mostly 30-to-50-somethings, dressed in their best bedazzled and floral going-out clothes, screamed with anticipation when a montage of Jackson’s photos spanning her career played on the screens above the stage. A drapey cloth was ripped away to reveal an ethereal Ms. Jackson shrouded in a purple hooded cloak that hid a slim-fitting glittering gold one-piece and large purple bow that showed off her figure. Backup dancers wearing matching purple boilersuits writhed onstage with Jackson as she launched into the first segment of the evening. 

Her set broke down into four acts encompassing many hits and a few new songs. Each act had a distinct color theme and outfits that matched the dancers – act one: purple and gold; act two: a flouncy black skirt that was removed to show wide-legged pants and high-necked, glittering black-and-white top; act three: a powerful-shouldered, blaze-orange-and-neon-pink dress with plaid accents; act four: a bedazzled shirt with RHYTHM NATION glistening across the front. Jackson’s hair was tied up in a sleek high ponytail that she occasionally had to battle and pull from her headset, and later she used to whip around her head like a helicopter blade. 

With help from her backup dancers, she showcased some of the legacy choreography that launched her, and countless other dance segments showing what a fit 57-year-old body could do. Jackson’s soft domination took center stage multiple times as lithe and muscled dancers surrounded her, knelt at her feet, and sensually submitted to her. The crowd whooped as she traced her fingers down one dancer’s chest and onto his crotch, and one got a good, deep smooch from Ms. Jackson herself at the end of act two during “So Lonely.”

A live band and DJ were mainly obscured for much of the set behind mesh curtains but were pushed forward for a few select moments. They played cleanly and loud enough to sometimes interfere with some of Jackson’s vocals, particularly during “No Sleep.” Jackson’s sexy, sumptuous mezzo-soprano breathily rang true a few times during the set, but the high-caliber calisthenics-like dance moves warranted what seemed to be some lip-syncing. The crowd didn’t seem to care or mind and sang along during hits like “What Have You Done for Me Lately,”  “Nasty,” “When I Think of You,” and “All For You.” There were a few lulls from Jackson and the crowd throughout the night. It was mixed results when she let attendees do the singing a few times while she sat primly onstage during “Come Back to Me,” “Let’s Wait a While,” and “Again.” Jackson also debuted a new song, “Put It On You,” during act three.

Some of the highest moments were in act four. “Miss You Much” showcased sharp and precise choreography. “Escapade” had great crowd appeal but cut off before her iconic callout to Minneapolis. The middle-aged crowd, slowly growing sleepier, perked up and became animated again when Jackson performed “Scream,” the duet with her late brother, Michael. Screens showed clips from the original music video as the crowd roared and the song bled into an energetic version of “Rhythm Nation,” featuring the original powerful choreography. For the night's final song and the encore, the teases and snippets throughout the night ramped up for the closeout of the entire track “Together Again” before screens rolled the credits for the high-production event.

Although she didn’t provide much banter, Jackson’s enthusiasm for her performance and dedication to putting on a good show, regardless of where it was or whom it was for, was very apparent. Jackson is a true performer whose night was dedicated to showcasing a medley of her take on Prince’s Minneapolis sound, new jack swing, smooth R&B, and pop. Although it could have been a little shorter, Jackson provided an entertaining set that gave die-hard fans and those who only knew her hits exactly what they wanted: a one-way ticket to her steadfast Rhythm Nation, and it sure felt nice to be Together Again. 

Natalia Mendez

Her first Twin Cities performance since 2015 featured Ludacris as the opening act.


Stories

Photos: Soul of the Southside brings Minneapolis together for Juneteenth

Photos: Celebrating a year of Carbon Sound

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

Get the Carbon Sound app

Vogue Down brings ballroom to a new generation in Minneapolis

How to celebrate Juneteenth in the Twin Cities this year

redveil talks growing up, playing with fire, and more with Carbon Sound

New Music on Carbon Sound - Week of June 5, 2023

Connect with Carbon Sound

Blu Bone enraptures the crowd at the Hi Cotton Ball

Video: Rico Nasty LIVE in St. Paul | 5.23.23

Janet Jackson dazzles in career-spanning Xcel show

See more stories →