With Minnesota Zoo concerts on hold because of the pandemic, the longtime promoters of the zoo series have announced a slate of outdoor concerts for Canterbury Park in Shakopee and Hilde Amphitheater in Plymouth.
Sue McLean & Associates (SMA) will present some zoo regulars including BoDeans and Robert Cray as well as such newer visitors as En Vogue and Old Crow Medicine Show.
An invigorating live group, the alt-country Old Crow Medicine Show will kick off the Canterbury series on Aug. 2.
The stage will be set up on the horse racing track facing the grandstand, which will accommodate about 1,700 for concerts (200 more than the zoo's amphitheater). Concertgoers will be allowed to go in and out of the grandstand, part of which is air-conditioned. Parking is free.
Having appeared everywhere from the Grand Ole Opry to "A Prairie Home Companion," the Grammy-winning Old Crow pickers are known for their hit "Wagon Wheel" (later covered by Darius Rucker) and their bluegrassy treatment of Bob Dylan's "Blonde on Blonde."
Also scheduled for Canterbury are En Vogue, '90s R&B divas of "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)" fame who were a hit at Minnesota State Fair in 2018, on Aug. 6; outspoken Americana hero Steve Earle & the Dukes on Aug. 7; blues-soul guitar star Robert Cray on Aug. 16; "American Idol"-launched rocker Daughtry on Aug. 21; and Southern rockers Blackberry Smoke on Sept. 3.
Primarily a horse racing track, Canterbury has a long history of hosting concerts but mostly in its infield or parking lot. Lilith Fair and Soundset were held there, and the second Twin Cities Summer Jam is set for July 22-24. Other shows at the Shakopee site have included Bob Dylan with Paul Simon, KDWB's Last Chance Summer Dance and Trampled By Turtles-produced Festival Palomino.
Two familiar acts are headed to the Hilde in Plymouth: party favorites BoDeans of "Closer to Free" renown on July 17 and Grammy-winning children's music kings the Okee Dokee Brothers on July 18.
For concerts at the Hilde, capacity will be 2,700 in a sprawling park that accommodates 10,000. SMA has previously staged shows at the city-owned facility featuring the likes of Cheap Trick and Soul Asylum.
Tickets for all concerts will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at suemclean.com and etix.com. Canterbury tickets are also available at canterburypark.com.
SMA is exploring adding a few more concerts for both Hilde and Canterbury. But the season's total will be far less than the typical 25- to 30-show Music in the Zoo series.
SMA is one of the largest female-owned independent concert promoters in the country. Founded by the late Sue McLean, SMA has booked concerts at the Minnesota Zoo for 28 years.
Twitter: @JonBream • 612-673-1719
