The annual Northside summer concert series Live on the Drive returns for its eighth year. The soulful Debbie Duncan and her band kick off the concert series on Thursday, June 11th, from 6 to 8pm. This will be the first of three concerts held outdoors this summer on the scenic Victory Memorial Drive at 34th Avenue North in Minneapolis, one of the most beautiful concert settings in the city.
Debbie Duncan began her musical career in her hometown of Detroit, where she studied classical voice and recorded back-up vocals for Mitch Ryder and Bob Seger (among many other musical experiences). She then moved to L.A. for a successful run before coming to Minneapolis to front the 10-piece band at Rupert’s Nightclub in the ’80s. Lucky for us, this has been her home ever since. Indeed, she is our “First Lady of Song.”
Come with an appetite and enjoy dinner from food vendors The Lowry Café, Mama Donato’s Woodfired Pizza, Sandy’s, and treat yourself with gelato from Nona Rosa’s. Stay into the evening for a movie in the park, featuring Diary of a Wimpy Kid at dusk right at the Live on the Drive concert site. Our “green” events feature recycling and composting, diverting 93% of materials out of the waste stream last year. Be sure to invite your neighbors and bring your friends to this family-friendly, all-ages event!
Live on the Drive is presented the Cleveland Neighborhood Association with our founding partner, North Memorial, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, North End Hardware and The Lowry Café, Westphal Auxiliary Legion, Insight News, Healy Creative, North News, Victory Neighborhood Association, Washburn-McReavy, A-Sign 4 U, Hawthorne Neighborhood Council and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council. This activity is funded, in part, by appropriations from the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the State’s general fund, and its arts and cultural heritage fund that was created by a vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.
Live on the Drive brings people together from across the Northside and throughout the greater Twin Cities to hear extraordinary music and to celebrate summer, good health and Northside city living. Last summer, over 4,500 people attended, and we expect even more will come out to see this summer’s incredible slate of Minneapolis-based musicians: jazz vocalist Debbie Duncan (June 11th), Hip-Hop Artist Toki Wright (July 9th), and Guitarist Javier Trejo (August 13th). Food vendors and Movies in the Park are back to finish out each concert night: Diary of a Wimpy Kid (June 11th), We Bought a Zoo (July 9th), and The Blind Side (August 13th). Our Artist Spotlights during intermission and more will round out what has become a staple of summer on the Northside.
For more information, call 612-588-1155 or visit LiveOnTheDrive.org
Come with an appetite and enjoy dinner from food vendors 
