The Music Icon on First Avenue

First Avenue is easily the most iconic venue in the Twin Cities. The former bus depot is immediately recognizable: the all black building is covered in large silver stars (and Prince’s gold one) denoting some of the iconic bands who have played there. Not only is First Avenue a deliciously instagrammable location, it is also a generally beloved concert and event venue for most Minnesota music fans.

Located in downtown Minneapolis at the intersection of First Avenue and 7^th Street, this two-in-one concert venue contains both the larger “Main Room”, which has a capacity of 1,550, and the smaller “7^th Street Entry”, which has a capacity of 250. First Avenue has hosted some of the best entertainers of our time, from Nirvana to Doomtree to Queen Latifah.

When First Avenue first opened as a music venue in April of 1970 it was called “The Depot”. The venue opened with what, current VP of Marketing, Ashley Ryan, describes as “a wild Joe Cocker performance”. Although several national acts, ranging from Frank Zappa to B.B. King played the venue, it unfortunately closed within two years due to financial difficulties.

It quickly reopened as a disco club and after nearly a decade the venue was renamed as “First Avenue” and once again live music became its focus. First Avenue gained a reputation as a place where bands and musicians could experiment. The Replacements, Prince, and many others used First Avenue as a place to try new things and build their followings. As Ryan describes it, First Avenue became “the epicenter for Minneapolis musicians finding their sound.”

After some financial issues in 2004, First Avenue briefly shut down, but Minnesota was not willing to lose the venue. The club is now run by Dayna Frank, who, Ryan tells me, “joined First Avenue as Vice President in 2009, and has since stepped into the role of owner and CEO of First Avenue”. Frank also oversees the entire First Avenue family, which “includes First Avenue & 7th St Entry, The Depot Tavern, [and] Fine Line [in Minneapolis and] Turf Club, The Fitzgerald Theater, as well as co-operating Palace Theatre in…St. Paul,” says Ryan.

Frank has been an incredible fit for the suite of entertainment venues. At any given moment she is likely to be “at a community planning meeting, running between shows at venues, or biking around Minneapolis with her wife and two sons.”

There are a few new projects on the horizon for First Avenue. Ryan explains “First Avenue is also currently working with the City of Minneapolis and the public to develop a Community Performing Arts Center on the Mississippi riverfront.” There are also plans in collaboration with Wrecktangle Pizza to open a new restaurant near the Palace Theatre, aptly called Wrestaurant.

Like many entertainment venues, First Avenue closed during the initial waves of the pandemic. Its inaugural events were “back-to-back Flip Phone XXL Pride events,” says Ryan. Reopening to specifically celebrate the LGBTQ community here in the Twin Cities was a highlight for First Avenue.

With that said, there are plenty of shows to check out this year, from concerts to dance parties to drag shows, and more. As Ryan puts it: “There’s something for everyone on our calendar.” We have the Pride programming listed below some other general recommendations Ryan provided.

For our St. Paul girlies, there are three shows at the Fitzgerald Theater that Ryan specifically recommended. Comedian John Early comes through on June 3^rd, the hilarious podcast “Watch What Crappens” (all the Bravo recaps and drama you’ve been itching for) is on stage on June 15, and drag performer Jinkx Monsoon will be there on July 16^th.

For our concert lovers, Ryan recommends that you “put on your dancing shoes for Sylvan Esso at The Amory on August 19, opener Indigo de Souza is also a can’t-miss.” If you love a concert but want it paired with sunshine, get your summer vibe on and check out Young The Giant, Milky Chance, and Talk on June 27^th at Surly Brewing Festival Field.

Other highlights of the summer include the Klituation and Flip Phone Beyonce night on July 15^th because yes we all need to pre-party for the Renaissance tour. Similarly, the Taylor Rave in the Mainroom on June 17 is exactly what it sounds like: an evening of remixed and original Taylor Swift. You’ll dance, you’ll cry, you’ll sing at the top of your lungs.

Listed below is the full suite of Pride-specific events. More details are available on the First Ave website. Happy First Ave-ing to all!

• Wrestlepalooza – A Pride Pre-Party – Sunday, June 19 – 7:00 PM showtime. Wrestlepalooza features drag performances by Sasha R Casssadine and Riptyde, burlesque performances by Sweetpea and Emerald Eve, and music performances by Sean Anonymous & Friends
• A Queer Ritual IV 
  Friday, June 23 at 7^th Street Entry – 8:30 PM showtime.
  A Queer Ritual IV features Haze Gazer, Burning, Worn Mantle, and Eudaemon.
• The Klituation Pride Party
  Friday, June 24 at First Avenue Mainroom – 9:00 PM showtime
  The Klituation Pride Party features Sophia Eris, Maria Isa, Revii, Ricki Monique, DJ K.Reeves, Jija, Chico Chi, Enzy Rose, Essjay The Afrocentric Ratchet, NewBlackCity, Tygra, and Raven Nevermore Ninja. Hosted by Destiny Spike with Gully Boys as a special guest.
• Family Pride Celebration and Drag Show
  Saturday, June 24 at First Avenue Mainroom – 11:00 AM show
  Family Pride Celebration and Drag Show features  featuring Dick Von Dyke, Cariño, Myster’eo Cassadine, Ken Doll, Mikko Blaze, Rustina Phoenix Nutz, and Daiquiri Defile.
• FLIP PHONE XXL Pride Edition 
  Saturday, June 24 at First Avenue Mainroom – 9:00 PM showtime
  Flip Phone XXL Pride Edition hosted by Domita Sanchez with two sets by Luxx Noir London and performances from Jade Jolie, Frozaen PLUXX NOIR LONDON with Jade Jolie (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Frozaen She will be joined by: Jade Jolie (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Frozaen Pissás, Sasha Cassadine, Onya Deek, Julia Starr, Lady C Cassadine, Luna Muse, Sunny Kiriyama, Cariño, and Myster’EO.
• Darcy & Jer: No Refunds Tour
  Sunday, June 25 at The Fitzgerald Theater – 9:00 PM showtime

www.first-avenue.com