1. The Bad Plus: Their holiday tradition like no other continues. TBP performs on Christmas evening in the Twin Cities (their original home base) and then for three additional nights. This year’s run at the Dakota should be extra exciting because the quartet released a new album, “Complex Emotions,” their first on the Mack Avenue label. This is the Bad Plus’ second effort with its revamped piano-less lineup. With guitarist Ben Monder and saxophonist Chris Speed feeling more integrated with co-founders Dave King on drums and Reid Anderson on bass, this record feels not only less tentative but more experimental than 2022′s “The Bad Plus.” On their 16th studio project, TBP incorporates synthesizers for the first time and takes more of an out-there approach without losing accessibility, notably on the roller-coaster ride “Cupcakes One.”
THE BAD PLUS
DEC 26-28 • 6:30 & 8:30PM
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After their annual wildly popular Holiday Show, the New Standards retrench for their traditional two-night “preener” shows, meaning pre-New Year’s Eve with Chan Poling, John Munson and Steve Roehm doing loungey treatments of pop hits.
THE NEW STANDARDS PREENER’S EVE SHOW
DEC 29-30 • 6:30 & 8:30PM
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Swinging piano boogie band Davina & the Vagabonds are heading up New Year’s Eve at the Dakota with an early show that includes dinner followed by a late show with champagne.
NEW YEAR’S EVE w/DAVINA AND THE VAGABONDS
DEC 31 • 6 & 10:30PM
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If you missed Davina & the Vagabonds on New Year’s Eve, get your New Orleans-flavored party a night later.
DAVINA AND THE VAGABONDS
JAN 1 • 7PM
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Kindred the Family Soul, a husband-and-wife adult R&B duo from Philadelphia, makes their Dakota debut.
KINDRED THE FAMILY SOUL
JAN 2 • 7PM
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Minneapolis folkie Larry Long offers songs of freight trains, freedom and hope with his American Roots Revue featuring Robert Robinson, Tonia Hughes Kendrick, Fiddlin’ Pete Watercott and Billy Steele.
AMERICAN ROOTS REVUE
feat. Larry Long, Robert Robinson, Tonia Hughes Kendrick, Fiddlin’ Pete Watercott & Billy Steele
JAN 3 • 6:30 & 8:30PM
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A Beatles tribute band with veteran Minnesota indie/Americana rockers including John Eller, Adam Levy, Ken Chastain and Brandon Sampson, the Shabby Road Orchestra returns to the Dakota.
SHABBY ROAD ORCHESTRA
JAN 4 • 6:30 & 8:30PM
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Veteran mustachioed folkie Tom Rush of “No Regrets” fame returns with his first album in six years, “Gardens Old, Flowers New”.
TOM RUSH
JAN 7 • 7PM
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Van Morrison-inspired nine-piece big band the Belfast Cowboys will once again test the size limits of the Dakota’s stage.