Grandstand
It's always a great Minnesota get-together with Siama's Afropop The Congolese guitar player and his American partner make music for dancers and families alike.
By
Chris Riemenschneider
, Star Tribune
September 02, 2020 - 3:18 PM
Star Tribune Video (11:07) Click above to see a special Star Tribune State Fair performance by Siama Matuzungidi and Dallas Johnson.
Even if the State Fair didn’t have the International Bazaar to celebrate the state’s rich array of immigrant culture, Siama Matuzungidi would probably still be a fixture at the Great Minnesota Get-Together since his music very much celebrates unity.
The Congolese guitar picker can be seen doing just that alongside his wife and musical sidekick Dallas Johnson in this Mini-Grandstand video. Their live act — which incorporates tales of his youth and travels abroad with infectious Afropop grooves and melodies — is as warmly received at family-friendly events as in nightclubs.
Siama left the Republic of Congo in 1971 at age 17 and finally landed in Minnesota in 1995 with help from the late Sen. Paul Wellstone. In the interim, he worked mostly in Kenya and became a reputable soukous guitarist (that’s the breezy sound copped by those cool Vampire Weekend kids).
In Minnesota, he played with the likes of Shangoya and Marimba Africa before once again making a name for himself. He has since received a McKnight Fellowship and won a Parents Choice Parent Approved Award for his recent album, “The Land of Yangalele” (translation: “Happiness”).
Find Siama’s music, news and a virtual tip jar for his performance at siamamusic.com . He also asks viewers to consider supporting the Native American Community Development Institute at nacdi.org .
Contests
with Eric Roper and Nicole Norfleet
Experiences
with Jennifer Brooks with Michael Agnew, Sharyn Jackson and Chris Riemenschneider With James Lileks Interviews with Minnesota notables, from Gov. Tim Walz to Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve. Musicians from Lucinda Williams and Lyle Lovett, to the Jayhawks, Dan Wilson and Andre Cymone, perform daily, exclusive concerts on our virtual stage A voice for the times, Lucinda Williams opens our Mini-Grandstand concert series The Americana queen plays a special set drawing on her new album "Good Souls Better Angels," which echoes our troubled era.
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August 28
What pandemic? Twin Cities hip-hop hero Nur-D is busier than ever He can rock madly or be cuddly sweet, as his set for our Mini-Grandstand demonstrates.
August 29
A voice for healing, Jearlyn Steele is a State Fair veteran who can do it all The "Prairie Home" favorite and WCCO talk-show host won the fair's talent contest 40 years ago with her family group the Steeles.
August 30
From ‘Colbert’ to Madison Square Garden, guitar star Cory Wong plays it big But while fiery fretwork has raised his national profile, the hyperprolific Twin Cities musician has nurtured a quieter, acoustic side.
August 31
Minnesota rock heroes the Jayhawks play a fun all-covers set After releasing their 11th album to widespread praise, the band kicked back in their studio for a set of other people's tunes.
September 1
He may be a hardcore Texan, but Lyle Lovett's got a soft spot for Minnesota He's played here nearly every year for two-decades-plus. But this year, we get him virtually.
September 2
It's always a great Minnesota get-together with Siama's Afropop The Congolese guitar player and his American partner make music for dancers and families alike.
September 2
Dan Wilson opens a new chapter with his 'Closing Time' bandmates Semisonic His solo set for our Mini-Grandstand series precedes the band's first new record in nearly two decades.
September 3
A romance is renewed, as Minnesota gets to hear the Cactus Blossoms once again Road hounds for nearly a decade, the harmonizing brothers have gone months without playing live.
September 3
Meet Lady Midnight, one of Minnesota's most captivating singers A riveting presence, she just made City Pages' Best Of issue with her album "Death Before Mourning."
September 4
Not even the coronavirus could stop powerhouse pianist Nachito Herrera The Cuban-born jazz great was on a heart-lung machine for days, but survived his 2½-week ordeal in intensive care.
September 5
Like a country road, Molly Maher's music takes the long way home Nature is a theme for the Twin Cities singer, who looks for opportunities to "stop, slow down and reset."
September 6
‘Voice’ finalists Kat Perkins and Nicholas David team up for our Mini-Grandstand finale Perkins and David met 15 years ago on the local bar-band circuit. But they’ve performed together only once before.
September 7
Guides
With Rick Nelson, Sharyn Jackson and Michael Agnew
Here’s how critic Rick Nelson will get a fill of his State Fair favorites this year Some of the best food on the fairgrounds is available elsewhere, either in carbon copy form or as a close facsimile.
Published August 27
Twin Cities restaurants with fair food on the menu, part 1 These local restaurants, bakeries and food trucks with outposts at the fair are the places to get fair-style food this summer.
August 28
Twin Cities restaurants with fair food on the menu, part 2 These local restaurants, bakeries and food trucks with outposts at the fair are the places to get fair-style food this summer.
August 29
A taste of wacky Minnesota State Fair beer, elsewhere State Fair beers are unlike any others. Find out for yourself, though not at the fairgrounds.
August 30
Where to get 10 classic Minnesota State Fair foods around the Twin Cities, part 1 If you’re missing your favorite fair foods, we’ve got a backup plan.
August 31
Where to get 10 classic Minnesota State Fair foods around the Twin Cities, part 2 If you’re missing your favorite fair foods, we’ve got a backup plan.
September 1
Find these 10 fair foods from vendors around the Twin Cities Get your corn dogs and cheese curds in a parking lot.
September 2
Our Minnesota State Fair food wishlist for 2021 These foods would fit right in at the Minnesota State Fair.
September 3
Where to get corn dogs — and Pronto Pups — in the Twin Cities Groceries and other stores are helping you bring a taste of the Fair home.
September 4
30 places to get malts, frozen pops and ice cream sundaes Even without the Dairy Building, there's no shortage of cool treats for these dog days of summer.
September 5
10 chocolate chip cookies in the Twin Cities that’ll satisfy your State Fair cookie craving Missing Sweet Martha’s Cookie Jar, the state fair’s top-grossing food vendor? Here are 10 Twin Cities chocolate chip cookies that just might satisfy your fairgrounds cookie craving.
September 6
10 State Fair foods you can get at the grocery store Sweet Martha’s cookies, Nordic Waffles, and more.
September 7
