The Historic Grass Lake Mission Church is the last surviving building of the Swedish immigrant town of Grass Lake. Built in 1898, this site features their newly restored late-19th-century chapel pump organ. Renee Vaughan (nyckelharpa) with musicians Laura MacKenzie (wooden flutes and säckpipa) and Judy Peterson (organ) will share music and stories of the Swedish musicians who settled in the area. Free and open to all.

“Harvest at the Parkway” September 27, 2026, builds on four years of sold-out shows during the fifth annual Neil Young Harvest Moon Weekend. Catch timeless songs from Neil’s 1971 Harvest and his 1991 Harvest Moon albums, sung in siren-like, three-part female harmonies with a memorable Celtic twist to the arrangements. New this year — deep tracks from some of Neil Young’s other acoustic albums. In what has become an annual full moon tradition with this gig, SimpleGifts is also offering free Moon Pies to everyone attending. Last year, over 400 of these classic Americana treats were consumed and celebrated at the event! More information at: www.simplegiftsmusic.net

This is the Launch of a Third Thursday Balfolk Series, running through December! Join Bob Walser and friends for an evening of French folk dancing with live music. Learn traditional dances from Brittany, the Auvergne, and beyond. No partner or experience needed, all dances are taught. Discover the joy of Balfolk through circle, line, and couple dances in a welcoming community. For more information: https://www.tapestryfolkdance.org/balfolk

The Nordic Music Festival's highlights: Live Scandinavian bands, dancers and choirs across multiple stages, fresh lefse, food trucks, a Viking Village, and craft vendors. Admission is free. Renee Vaughan (nyckelharpa) and Laura MacKenzie (wooden flutes and säckpipa) will be performing around 11:10 - check the festival's Facebook page for the day's schedule - https://www.facebook.com/share/g/17sou5ePRT/

Celebrate Sweden’s beloved end-of-summer tradition at the American Swedish Institute’s Kräftskiva party! Enjoy a festive evening outdoors with lanterns, music under the stars, and a traditional Swedish feast featuring breads, cheeses, salads, the featured kräftskiva fare, paj, and aquavit. Don your party hat, raise a glass, and sing along to classic snapsvisor drinking songs. With music by Renee Vaughan - nyckelharpa, Mattie Snyder - cello, Laura MacKenzie - traditional wind instruments. Registration is required, so visit the ticket link below!

Dan Chouinard, Laura MacKenzie & Gary Rue return for their annual summer evening at the historic Waldmann Brewery. Music from France, Canada, Scotland, Minnesota and more. Outdoors in the beautiful Biergarten (or indoors, if the weather turns).

Patrice Pakiz (Brass Lassie, Contratopia, Macha Trí), Marc Anderson (Brass Lassie and so much more) and Gary Rue (all kinds a' music), join Laura MacKenzie for this free (donations very welcome) outdoor concert at Macalester College - a Tuesday evening "Music on the Lawn" series. The lawn is out front of the Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center. (Bring your own chair or blanket!).

"Music in the Trees" is a two-day festival in a red pine grove at Belwin Conservancy, where featured musicians play from seats high in the trees. Laura MacKenzie & Marc Anderson play their set on winds of wood & percussion at 12 noon, Aug 15. Music at two different stations at 11am - 3pm Aug 15 & Aug 16. Get tickets in advance! More information at: https://belwin.org/visit/

Laura will be giving a classroom presentation on The Flute in Traditional Scottish Music on Friday July 31, and will be doing a solo set at the concert on August 1. Find information on all the performers and presenters, spanning many traditions, at the society website: https://www.worldflutesociety.org

SimpleGifts featuring Billy McLaughlin presents their show "The Young & The Rest". For information on this great show, visit simplegiftsmusic.net - Free and open to all, outdoors. Part of the "Music on the Lawn" series at White Bear Lake United Methodist Church (wblumc.org).

Celebrating Scottish culture and heritage, featuring pipes & drums, heavy games, Highland dance, Celtic music, exhibitors, and a Scottish Marketplace. MacKenzie, Sproule & Sutter (Laura MacKenzie, Dáithí Sproule and Ross Sutter) will be performing 4-5pm, just before the massed bands strike up. Check the Fair's website for all the information - https://mnscottishfair.org

Willow Brae, the duo of Andrea Stern (Celtic harp) and Laura MacKenzie (traditional wind instruments and voice) will perform a program of Irish and Scottish traditional music. Free and open to all.

The Guthrie's production of the powerful Broadway musical "COME FROM AWAY", based on the story of the 38 planes and 7,000 passengers stranded in Newfoundland on 9/11 and the weeks following. When US airspace closed, the small local community of Gander welcomed them with open arms, food, shelter and much more. Telling the inspiring true story of Gander’s unexpected guests, this joyful musical honors our common humanity and highlights the importance of reaching out to those in need. The musical score celebrates the flavors of Newfoundland folk music. Laura has the wind instrument chair for this summer run at the Guthrie.

SimpleGifts featuring Billy McLaughlin presents their well-loved "Young & The Rest" show at our favorite venue, and on a night of the full moon. Visit https://simplegiftsmusic.net/ for all the enticing information.

MacKenzie's solo program of music from various Celtic traditions, presented on wooden flutes, whistles, concertina, a variety of bagpipes and voice. Free and open to all.

Celebrate the Swedish holiday to observe the start of spring, Valborgsmässoafton, at ASI’s first Valborg Spring Dance! Music will be provided by some of the area’s finest Nordic folk musicians spanning multiple traditions, and featuring Renee Vaughan's Nordstär Ensemble. All dance skill levels are welcome and light instruction will be provided. A magical night. Cash bar available. Advanced registration required.

The new International Festival of Minnesota carries on the traditions of the former Festival of Nations, which closed its annual event during covid. Visit the website for information and schedules - food, vendors, music and dance on several stages, and more. Laura is delighted and honored to be representing Scotland. You won't hear Highland pipes or Scotland the Brave, but MacKenzie will be there with Scottish smallpipes, Border pipes, wooden flute, whistles, concertina and Gaelic puirt à beul. https://www.ifestmn.org

Laura MacKenzie brings her program of music and song from a variety of Celtic traditions to the Cannon Falls Public Library, featuring a dazzling array of wind-powered instruments and voice. Free and open to all.

Celebrate the season with music from members of the new North Sea Consort. Nathan Wilson (fiddle, mandolin, voice), Richard Kriehn (guitar, mandolin, voice), Laura MacKenzie (traditional winds and voice) and Diane Tremaine (cello). Music from Ireland with forays into Scotland, England, Sweden, Finland...This is a very cool theater in a historic former creamery. Tickets are $30 advance, $35 at the door.(see the ticket link for accessibility note)

Willow Brae (Andrea Stern, Celtic harp and Laura MacKenzie, traditional winds & voice) in concert, part of the World Music Night series hosted by Other Country Ensemble. Willow Brae will perform Irish and Scottish music for the first hour, and OCE will close the night with their spicy Mediterranean world music. $15 advance, $20 at the door. A wonderful intimate theater and a rare evening! More information on all the musicians at the ticket link.