Zietgeist & No Exit Music Ensemble
Zeitgeist is honored to bring composer Tim Beyer's EVOCATION OF OUR CURRENT TIME to Minnesota stages this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night. This show, while timely, deserves a bit of investigation before you commit to sharing space with us for a performance.
In an interview with Laura King, Beyer states, "The thing is, it takes all but the smallest adjustment to our subjective reality to make someone who might otherwise be considered a perfectly ordinary and decent person adhere to and embrace some horrible beliefs and ideas. Once indoctrinated and convinced of the righteousness of these beliefs, it is all too easy for ordinary people to condone or commit horrible and evil acts. Just one little shift is all it takes. One tiny step. I think that most of us don’t want to think about how easy it is to shift our moral compass in such a way. There has never been a greater apparatus for fostering these little shifts in subjective reality than there is today. This is why I assign such great importance to the ways in which we are manipulated — the consequences can be and have historically been calamitous."
The entire interview is on our website. We'll link in the comments. This performance is free.
Words to Meet the Moment
Please join us on Sunday, January 18th at 2 pm at the Grand Event Center for Words to Meet the Moment, an afternoon of poetry against fascism. This event is being organized by Content Bookstore, the Grand Event Center and Northfield-area poets to bring together our community in response to recent ICE presence in Northfield and to the killing of Renee Nicole Good by ICE in Minneapolis on January 7.
Donations will be collected for Northfield Supporting Neighbors at this event. Northfield Supporting Neighbors is a grassroots organization founded to help meet the needs of local immigrants, particularly for legal services. The fund is administered by the Community Action Center. Visit https://www.northfieldsupportingneighbors.org/ for more information.
Additional details to come soon. Please visit https://contentbookstore.com/events/4382620260118 for the most up-to-date information about this event
Storytelling in Northfield with Thadra Sheridan
Do you have a story to tell? Are you fascinated by the adventures of others? Looking for a Friday night of art and magic in Northfield? Join us at The Grand for Narrative; a night of stories straight out of your own community. Whether you’re a Moth style storyteller, a slam poet, a musician, or a puppeteer, bring your work to this open mic, where the only requirement is that you tell a story. We don’t care how you tell it, just as long as it’s narrative. Hosted by Northfield native, poet, performer and essayist Thadra Sheridan, this is the very first night of Narrative, where your story comes alive. Joining us will be the iconic, hilarious, and legendary Tom Cassidy. Fresh off his mail art exhibit at Squirrel House in Minneapolis, Tom has been an integral part of both the literary and visual art scenes in the Twin Cities for decades. He has published multiple books of his masterful poetry and helps produce the story series, Cheap Theater in Minneapolis. Come be part of the show. Come to watch the show, or come just to see Tom. No matter what your reason, you won’t be sorry.
Brave New World
For the New Year, we will keep rocking until January is over!
After the huge success that was METAL FEST 1.0, Greenvale Manitou & The Grand Event Center are proud to present you:
BRAVE NEW WORLD
Five bands. Five rock flavors. Slowly building up from the softest to the hardest until the night is over and we can say for sure... "OK, bye 2025!"
Opening Act - WILDROSE FOX
We're starting the show with a Northfield favorite. Caitlin Robertson’s original, place-based, folk rock country pop songs meet her band's ethereal guitars, intimate drums and poetic, dreamy, earthy chemistry.
Listen to her tunes on ReverbNation:
https://www.reverbnation.com/caitlinrobertson
Have a look at her gorgeous "Like Pure Snow" official video here: https://tinyurl.com/LikePureSnow
Main Act 1 - GREENVALE MANITOU
Greenvale Manitou is Cedric Briand's most personable project and the staple name for everything he enterprises in the music industry. An eclectic taste and a love to fuse popular genres with World music is his favorite recipe. Niches are about borders, frontiers... In response, Briand resists mentalities of isolation and enclosure by flirting with many genres, performing as a multi-instrumentalist using live samples and loops, and fueling his curious soul with experimentation, occasional partnerships and transcendence. Cedric's genre-defying music will tap into primitive tribal drumming, addressing some of the many social issues that haunt us, building his set as a fluid, seamless, and transitional journey between the opening and the following acts.
Check out the latest Press on his performative style:
https://tinyurl.com/SouthernMinn
Have a look at the official "Born of the Same" official video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiS42MjS-jo
Listen on Spotify (or do a search on your fav streaming platform):
https://tinyurl.com/Greenvale-ManitouSpotify
If you're still curious, you can learn more about the project here:
www.greenvalemanitou.com
Main Act 2 - CLIDESFELD
Clidesfeld is a Minneapolis-based three-piece rock band that blends alternative rock, heavy metal, indie rock, and post-punk into one introspective musical fissure. Their latest release, "You Can Help It,” is a dynamic and unflinching heavy alt rock reflection that wields the past as a looking glass, dark with futures that feel inevitable even as we hope to avoid them. As it navigates destructive cycles, reflects on the lies we tell ourselves and others, and begs for simple reliefs, “You Can Help It” begs the listener to be careful and reminds us that we might find the wisdom and the discipline to change course for the better.
Have a listen at the "You Can Help It" album here:
https://tinyurl.com/YouCanHelpIt
Have a peek at them live during their album release show:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28g8D8ivc44
Main Act 3 - THE BROKEN RULE
You asked for metal? We give you metal in all its forms, or most! Very prog at the core, this five-piece ensemble equally flirts with the most classic heavy to thrash, alt, groove, doom, etc. Fat bass, sharp guitar chops, tribal drums and percussion, vocals that seamlessly move from lyrical tightness, to beastly growls, or hip hop... Fresh out of the studio a few months ago after recording their first LP, they will play the entire album for the event! Their lyrics bring forward antifa swagger, a plethora of sociopolitical commentaries (big Pharma, the environment, political discord or White supremacy among others) and a filterless gaze at the chaotic nature of human absurdity.
You can listen to their first single "Thief", fresh out of the LP here:
https://tinyurl.com/BrokenRule
They're just about to release an LP, so the rest is a secret, but they were voted best band at METAL FEST so there's that...
Closing Act - MURDER CURIOUS
Murder Curious is a Minneapolis-based grunge-rock trio that's been killing it since 2019. Treble (guitar/vocals), Kev The Kid (bass), and Zach "Tubz" (drums) forge a brutal sonic assault influenced by grunge legends, heavy blues, and old-school punk. Their debut album "Big Things Coming Soon" just dropped December 2025 and you can expect some serious mayhem as the night gets to an end... maybe...
Check out "Blackout" from their latest LP:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnuqIqRpyNw
Here's a nice live video sneak peek at The Cabooze:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l62hp7fmQck
The best place to be in Northfield as we're moving on to 2026! Come join the very last New Year's party in town before all Hell breaks loose!
Peace out!
Cedric Briand
Brave New World - Organizer, Promoter, Coordinator, Main Acts
Greenvale Manitou - Multi-instrumentalist Singer Songwriter
The Broken Rule - Lead Singer and Lyricist
Other acts and associations:
MSP French Alliance (founded in 1883 by Louis Pasteur, Jules Verne, among others) - Breizh Fest (sponsored by Brittany, France) / Fête de la musique - Sound Engineer, Main Act
Art Makers - Percussionist, Songwriter, Workshop Leader
Punk Jam at the Hot Spot - Drummer
Mark Fier band - Lead Singer and Lyricist
Songwriters in the Round Holiday Special
🎄 Songwriters in the Round – Holiday Edition
Saturday, December 27th | The Grand Event Center, Northfield, MN
No Cover | All Ages | Doors 6 pm | Show 7 pm
Northfield’s holiday tradition of music, community, and creativity is back. Join us for an intimate Songwriters in the Round evening featuring some of the area’s most talented artists—established voices, rising young performers, and the storytellers who shape the sound of our town.
This special holiday edition showcases a lineup that reflects the heart of Northfield’s music scene:
✨ Iris Harmelink
✨ Wendy Smith
✨ Anna Graves
✨ Ray Coudret
✨ Sam Nelson
✨ Sam Ryden
✨ Eric Radtke
✨ Ari & Mark Ross
Expect acoustic guitars, honest songwriting, shared stories, and that uniquely Northfield energy where generations of artists meet on one stage. Whether you’re discovering someone new or cheering on a local favorite, this night brings it all together.
Bring your friends, bring your family, and ease into the holiday weekend with a show built for connection, community, and the love of original music.
Free to attend. All ages welcome.
Let’s fill The Grand with songs, stories, and a little holiday magic. 🎶✨
The Ballad of Jackie and Paul - Thomas O’Keefe Album Release
Thomas O'Keefe is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and music educator born and raised in Minnesota. His music blends his love of folk music and storytelling with his training as a classical violinist and conductor. His upcoming album, The Ballad of Jackie and Paul, is a narrative concept album that serves as a love letter to the north shore of Lake Superior, the profound depth of everyday life, and the truth that can be found in fiction.
Doors will open at 6:00 PM with dinner available until 8:00 PM. Music starts at 7:00 PM.
$10 suggested donation
Winter Walk - Bows, Strings & Contentment
Come celebrate the magic of Winter Walk at The Grand with Bows, Strings & Contentment presenting: ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas - Featuring guests Mark Heiman & The Jingle Bell Kids.
Doors will open at 5:00 PM for dinner. Music begins at 7:00 PM.
Free & Open to the public. Donations to Bows, Strings & Contentment are welcomed at the door.
Tavern Dinner & Live Music
Join us every Thursday evening for dinner & live music! Doors open at 5:00 PM for dinner featuring menu items from Northfield’s beloved Tavern in the former Archer House.
Rotating music featuring local artists, open mics, songwriter rounds and community JAM sessions! Thursday is open to the public - no tickets required!
JAM Open Mic is held the first Thursday of each month! Check us out on Facebook to look for performance updates!
Folk Ensemble
Join us for a short program from the Folk Ensemble Music Class! This is a group of 12 musicians of many different instruments, ages, and experience levels that have been learning music together for 7 weeks under the instruction of Helen Forsythe at Hot Spot music. The class will share the music they’ve been working on at 7pm, followed by an open jam time that anyone is welcome to join in on!
Doors and kitchen open at 6pm!
Tavern Dinner & Live Music
Join us every Thursday evening for dinner & live music! Doors open at 5:00 PM for dinner featuring menu items from Northfield’s beloved Tavern in the former Archer House.
Rotating music featuring local artists, open mics, songwriter rounds and community JAM sessions! Thursday is open to the public - no tickets required!
JAM Open Mic is held the first Thursday of each month! Check us out on Facebook to look for performance updates!
Content Presents: Dr. Michael Osterholm
Content welcomes Michael Osterholm to Northfield for a reading from his book THE BIG ONE. Join us on Monday, November 17 at 7 pm at the Grand Event Center, when he'll be in conversation with Debby Walser-Kuntz, Professor of Biology at Carleton College.
The Covid-19 pandemic was the most devastating natural event of the last century, killing more than 7 million people around the globe, straining the fabric of societies internationally, and shaking the foundations of the global economy. And yet, as horrifying as the experience was, Covid-19 was not actually “the Big One” — the dreaded potential pandemic that haunts the nightmares of epidemiologists and public health officials everywhere, and which will alter life across the world on every meaningful level.
This devastating pandemic scenario is at the heart of THE BIG ONE: HOW WE MUST PREPARE FOR FUTURE DEADLY PANDEMICS, the urgent and utterly gripping book by renowed epidimiologist and public health expert Dr. Michael Osterholm and co-author Mark Olshaker.
Doors will open at 6:00 PM - Seating will be first come first serve.
Kate DiCamillo's Lost Evangeline
We're thrilled to bring you a special reading with one of our favorite authors, the beloved Kate DiCamillo. We invite you to join us at the Grand Event Center on Sunday, November 16th at 3 pm for a reading and book signing around Kate's new book LOST EVANGELINE, from her series THE NORENDY TALES. Please read on for ticketing details below.
THIS IS A TICKETED EVENT.
- Tickets are $19.99 plus tax, and include one copy of Kate's new book LOST EVANGLINE.
- Ticket admits one.
- You will receive your book on the day of the event.
- Tickets may be purchased through Content’s website - Contentbookstore.com/events, in person at Content, or by calling 507-222-9238
- We will also have copies of Kate's titles BECAUSE OF WINN DIXIE 25th ANNIVERSARY EDITION, FERRIS (paperback) and ORRIS AND TIMBLE: LOST AND FOUND available for sale and signing at the event. Only books purchased at the event will be eligible for signing.
Prairie's Edge Breakfast Fundraiser
Join us on Saturday November 8th for breakfast and support Prairie’s Edge Humane Society! A portion of all breakfast sales will be donated directly to PEHS! There will also be a raffle with fun prizes given away throughout the morning! There may even be a few special furry guests here to greet you!
Breakfast will be served from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM.
Friends of the Northfield Library Trivia Bee
The Friends' Team Trivia Bee 2025 is back with Quizmistress Jessica Peterson White!!
Form a team of up to 4 members (but teams with fewer members are permitted and most welcome). (The team entry fee remains the same).
Multiple rounds with no elimination until the exciting final round!
Winners will receive wonderful prizes, the acclaim of trivia mastery, and the knowledge that they have helped our great public library!
Early Bird Team Entry Deadline: Thursday, November 6, 2025 by midnight!
Team Fee $100 (the same since the Trivia Bee began in 2011)
On-site Registration: Friday, November 7. Team Fee $120.
Audience Participation Heads or Tails Trivia Contest with Fantastic Prizes! All may participate!
Donation at the door requested. All proceeds from this year's Bee go to support the Public Library's programming, outreach efforts, and other needs. Help us reach and surpass our event goal of $2500 and have a fun evening with friends, neighbors, and knowledge!
Doors open at 6:30 pm
Questions? Please contact: wnorth@carleton.edu
1st Annual Metal Fest!!
PRESENTED BY GREENVALE MANITOU
On Halloween night, we're out to raise some serious Hell! The Grand Events Center and Greenvale Manitou are proud to present you METAL FEST - Year One, the inception of what is to become a yearly event organized and coordinated by yours truly!
Five uprising bands. Five metal flavors. Come in costume, dressed in black, dressed to kill... We're metal heads, we do our own thing!
Opening Act - THE STABOTEURS
We're starting the show with punk flavors, decades of them, blended into memorable new originals. Our opening act is always fun and entertaining to see live. These guys will sure light things up for you! They came for the music, they will stay for the beer!
Listen to their last album, "Minneapolis Aftermath": https://tinyurl.com/Staboteurs
Main Act 1 - OISTER BOY
This four-piece punk metal powerhouse is channeling chaos into catharsis with a sound that slashes through the noise. Ferocious and vulnerable in equal measure, their thrashy, emotionally raw music fuses jagged riffs, scream-along hooks, and moments of disarming clarity. Their lyrics dive into heartbreak, mental health, growing pains, and the aching absurdity of modern life. With a new album on the way, Oister Boy is just getting started.
Check out their latest single "MN Skin" here: https://tinyurl.com/OisterBoy
Main Act 2 - THE BROKEN RULE
You asked for metal? We give you metal in all its forms, or most! Very prog at the core, this five-piece ensemble equally flirts with the most classic heavy to thrash, alt, groove, doom, etc. Fat bass, sharp guitar chops, tribal drums and percussion, vocals that seamlessly move from lyrical tightness, to beastly growls, or hip hop... Fresh out of the studio a few weeks ago after recording their first LP, they will play the entire album for the occasion! Their lyrics bring forward antifa swagger, sociopolitical commentaries and a filterless gaze at the chaotic nature of human absurdity.
You can listen to the first single "Thief", fresh out of the LP here:
https://tinyurl.com/BrokenRule
Main Act 3 - DEAD BY 50
Formed in the eye of the storm during the riots, protests, and pandemic, Dead By 50 emerged from the Twin Cities as a force to be reckoned with. Comprised of veteran musicians with over 25 years of experience, this band has seen it all. Built to perform, they channel an eclectic and earnest brand of heavy metal that melts faces, moving between intensity, passion, and unrelenting energy. Their full-length album, "Apoplectic" (dropped in May 2024) rips open the scars of these uncertain times, tearing through themes of fear, frustration, and anger with a sound as relentless as it is authentic.
Have a listen at the album here: https://tinyurl.com/DeadBy50
Closing Act - UNDERGRAD
We couldn't have a Metal Fest in Nofo without the student population being represented! "Nemo Saltat Sobrius" (i.e. "nobody dances sober") is their motto, as they cast playful wink at Olaf's dry campus. They rock hard, and they party harder! After winning the St. Olaf Pause Battle of the Bands, headlining Springfest last semester, and performing at many local bars and fraternity events, this is their chance to make you dance till the party's over with gritty covers of Basket Case or House of the Rising Sun, plus a few hype originals! Oh, and, I hear they come in funky costumes...
Their version of House of the Rising Sun sounds a lot like that: https://tinyurl.com/UndergradRisingSun
The best place to be on Halloween in Northfield! Come join the monster party!
Cedric Briand | Greenvale Manitou
Rocky Horror Radio Hour
Our Thursday Tavern Dinner is overtaken for the eve’ before Halloween as we welcome Lochtune and friends of the Jam at The Grand for Rocky Horror Radio Hour! Family-friendly pre-show begins at 6pm, then we get a little more PG-13 at 7:30 for a live performance and narration of the infamous soundtrack!
Tavern Dinner served 5-8pm, show begins at 6pm.
Contented Karaoke!
Weekly Karaoke presented by our friends from The Contented Cow! Doors at 9pm sharp, sign-up and singing starts right away!
Kitchen open 9-11pm
HOPE Center Halloween Costume Party
🎃 2025 Halloween Fundraiser – Saturday, October 25
📅 Date & Time: Saturday, October 25 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Location: The Grand Event Center, 316 Washington Street, Downtown Northfield
Join us for a spirited evening of fun, community, and impact at the annual Halloween Fundraiser hosted by the HOPE Center. Costumes encouraged, good company guaranteed, and proceeds supporting a meaningful cause.
Tickets are available now — reserve your spot and dress to impress. Let’s make this Halloween event one to remember!
Johnathan Capehart
“An Evening with Jonathan Capehart”
Date & Time: Thursday, October 23 | 6:00 PM
Location: The Grand Event Center, 316 Washington Street, Downtown Northfield
Join us for a compelling and intimate evening with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Jonathan Capehart as he delves into his memoir Yet Here I Am: Lessons from a Black Man’s Search for Home. From navigating race and identity to forging his voice in media, Capehart’s story is powerful, honest, and deeply inspiring. Chicago Humanities Festival+2freelibraryfoundation.org+2
What to expect:
A discussion of Capehart’s journey from New Jersey and rural North Carolina to national prominence
Insight into what it means to find “home” — both personally and professionally
Time for Q & A, and an opportunity to connect with other engaged guests
Please note: The kitchen will be closed during this event. Seating is limited—reserve your spot early for this unique conversation.
Tickets & Info: Visit www.thegrandnorthfield.com or call our box office for reservations.
We look forward to welcoming you to what promises to be an unforgettable evening of meaningful conversation and community.
Contented Karaoke!
Weekly Karaoke presented by our friends from The Contented Cow! Doors at 9pm sharp, sign-up and singing starts right away!
Kitchen open 9-11pm
Songwriters in the Round
Join us for this month’s Songwriters in the Round! Doors at 5pm, with music starting at 7pm. Come enjoy a variety of local artists showcasing their original work, and sharing stories of how those songs came to be. Free | All Ages.
Live! Inside with Ray & Curt
Ray and Curt bring their monthly two man show to The Grand! Dinner from 5-8pm, music from 6-9pm
Contented Karaoke!
Weekly Karaoke presented by our friends from The Contented Cow! Doors at 9pm sharp, sign-up and singing starts right away!
Kitchen open 9-11pm
Jam! Open Mic
JAM AT THE GRAND / OPEN MIC is a fun-filled, community MUSIC PARTY where local musicians, friends and family gather to listen and perform for each other on the best music theatre stage in Northfield.
Held the FIRST THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH, we invite music makers of all levels and musical styles to join our growing community of fun-loving, music people!
This fun evening of MUSIC, FOOD & DRINK is FREE FOR ALL AGES, and includes:
- Walk-in OPEN MIC SIGN-UP begins 5pm
- HAPPY HOUR, 5-6:00 pm
- DINNER featuring Tavern Menu favorites, 5-8:00 pm
- SMALL GROUP MUSIC SETS, 6-10:00 pm
- SOLO/DUO OPEN MIC ACTS, 6-10:00 pm
If you are interested playing or singing here, please contact Grand Jam / Open Mic Music director, Jeff Wood, directly at jmwood59@gmail.com. We can reserve you a spot on a first come, first served basis.
We hope you can join us at the GRAND EVENT CENTER NORTHFIELD real soon! Thanks.
Contented Karaoke!
Weekly Karaoke presented by our friends from The Contented Cow! Doors at 9pm sharp, sign-up and singing starts right away!
Kitchen open 9-11pm
Tim Goodwin: This Town album relase
This Town, a cohesive narrative across 10 tracks and narrative storytelling chronicling the lives of Danny and Katie–two individuals growing up and falling in love in small town America.
ALBUM RELEASE SHOW: September 28, 5:00 pm at The Grand Event Center, Northfield.
Songwriters in the Round
Join us for this month’s Songwriters in the Round! Doors at 5pm, with music starting at 7pm. Come enjoy a variety of local artists showcasing their original work, and sharing stories of how those songs came to be. Free | All Ages.
Contented Karaoke!
Weekly Karaoke presented by our friends from The Contented Cow! Doors at 9pm sharp, sign-up and singing starts right away!
Kitchen open 9-11pm
Live! Inside with Ray & Curt
Ray and Curt bring their monthly two man show to The Grand! Dinner from 5-8pm, music from 6-9pm
Contented Karaoke!
Weekly Karaoke presented by our friends from The Contented Cow! Doors at 9pm sharp, sign-up and singing starts right away!
Kitchen open 9-11pm
Live Music: Mark Mraz
Live music from The Piano Man, Mark Mraz!
Music from 6-9pm
Tavern Dinner served 5-8pm
NO COVER - donations strongly encouraged for artists
The Piano Man, Mark Mraz
Contented Karaoke!
Weekly Karaoke presented by our friends from The Contented Cow! Doors at 9pm sharp, sign-up and singing starts right away!
Kitchen open 9-11pm
Content Books Presents: William Kent Krueger's Apostle's Cove
Content welcomes bestselling author William Kent Krueger back to Northfield for a reading and book signing from his newest novel APOSTLE'S COVE. Join us Tuesday, September 9th at 7 pm for a delightful evening. Seating is first come, first served.
Doors will open at 6:30 pm.