open mic night w/host matt muller

• to sign up, submit your name between 6:30 and 7:15.  you must be physically present at the 318 to sign up.  no phone calls.
  
• at 7:15, twelve names will be drawn randomly and musicians will play in the order that the names are drawn.  music will begin at 7:30.
• during a full night, everyone gets time to do three songs (15-20 minutes)
• everyone is welcome! it's time to get your music out there.

always a laid back and very supportive atmosphere suited for all levels of players and any genre of music, the open mic at the 318 is also a great place to meet other musicians who share a similar love of music and performance. we hope to see you here!

a live digital recording of your 318 open mic performance is now available! if interested, please see host matt muller prior to the start of the evening for details!

claudia schmidt

almost four decades as a touring professional have found michigan native claudia schmidt traversing north america as well as europe in venues ranging from intimate clubs to 4,000 seat theatres, and festival stages in front of 25,000 rapt listeners. she has recorded fourteen albums of mostly original songs, exploring folk, blues, and jazz idioms featuring her acclaimed 12-string guitar and mountain dulcimer playing.

ten dollars

blake thomas

blake thomas moved to minneapolis in october after spending six years, more or less, in madison. during those years, the longest stretch he’s lived anywhere since he left home, he released his first three records, and made a lot of friends. these friends make up the hometown all-star band that backed him on his fourth release, the window and the light. thomas is the center of every song, with his guitar and honey-whiskey voice, but the other dozen (almost) musicians involved in the project truly make it a group effort.

eight dollars

noah hoehn

this is noah hoehn's new live looping show featuring harmonica, marimba and percussion. he will perform a mix of original music with songs you know and love, done in a fresh and distinctive way. noah hoehn is known regionally for his versatile and distinctive harmonica playing. he is a two-time recipient of the prestigious mcknight artist fellowship for performing musicians. in 2007, hoehn played harmonica in the minnesota opera's world premier production of "the grapes of wrath" at the ordway theatre in st. paul, mn. he is best known for his work with the popular twin cities trio, bojono. noah's solo performances include appearances on minnesota public radio and national public radio.

ten dollars

jeff dayton

nashville songwriter - minnesota native jeff dayton returns to the 318 with music from favorite covers and his two CDs. former road guitarist for kenny chesney, glen campbell and songwriter for george strait, sarah darling and grammy winning zydeco artist chubby carrier. recently debuted on the grand ole opry. jeff's music reflects his MN roots and runs the gamut from pop, rock, country and western swing. his shows are upbeat and positive with a great groove. expect hot pickingspecial guests tba.

ten dollars

dustin lee

dustin lee is an american singer-songwriter hailing from fort madison, iowa.  currently living in minneapolis, he has just released his second full-length solo album, “this is how the story goes.”

while life in the hawkeye state inspired the 2010 indian summer music awards’ best folk song, “on my way back home,” dustin’s new material draws from extensive touring across the midwest. while sharing his music in coffee shops and concert halls alike, he has learned much about the blue-collar ethos and history that make the places and people of the heartland great. dustin’s new music reflects these lessons and spirit with a passion and honesty that can be felt in every chord strummed and every note sung. growing up along the mississippi river as the son of a railroad conductor, there is no doubt that what you hear is genuine and from the heart. the music is in his blood, and when it comes to the craft of a true singer-songwriter, that’s where it needs to begin.

seven dollars

michael monroe

twelve dollars

cliff eberhardt's school for love: a special valentine's day dinner show

massachusetts-based cliff eberhardt was last seen in the twin cities playing a sold-out show at the landmark center as part of red house records' fall concert series. he now returns for an intimate evening at 318 café, playing material from his eight albums, including the eponymous “school for love” (hey, it’s valentine’s day, after all). his 2007 release, the high above and the down below, was named one of the top 5 albums of the year by usa today, and his latest solo album, 500 miles, is considered to be his finest yet. expect some new songs cliff’s written for the folger shakespeare library’s folger theatre production of the taming of the shrew, premiering in may in washington, dc. cliff eberhardt is a songwriter’s songwriter with a lyrical sophistication that could easily occupy a chapter in the great american songbook. combining world-class lyricism and contemporary catch words and phrases, he is the rare musician who can deliver a heartbreaking lyric with a subtle twist of humor.

cliff cut his musical teeth on the songs of james taylor, joni mitchell, bruce springsteen, howlin’ wolf, muddy waters, bonnie raitt, and mississippi john hurt, receiving a rare and impressive tutorial in acoustic music. at the same time, he was immersing himself in the music of classic songwriters like cole porter, the gershwin brothers, and rodgers and hart, which explains his penchant for iconic american melodies, and clever lyrical twists.

the washington times wrote … “in another age, mr. eberhardt would have found his niche on tin pan alley, or writing for broadway shows. his songs display the highest level of craftsmanship, his guitar playing is superb, and his singing deeply emotional.” a consummate performer, cliff engages the audience with funny but true stories tinged with irony, accompanied by an unparalleled guitar style.

fifteen dollars

clocks and clouds

over the years, three musicians have actively performed with several music groups all over the world utilizing almost every genre of music from classical to rock. their experiences evolved and their paths crossed and eventually birthed the new instrumental group, clocks & clouds. this group culminates their passions and true desires to perform music that not only entertains, but also inspires their listeners. c&c successfully combines their classical training as well as their enthusiasm for rock ‘n roll to write pieces that display the power and passion of music. this group consists of violinist stephanie shogren, cellist lucas shogren, and drummer/percussionist derek powers. by adding pick-ups to the acoustic instruments, guitar effects, a full drum kit, and original rock music written for string instruments, a sound is created that is instantly appealing to the audience.

six dollars

aimee fischer & the snazzy band

this veteran singer is a musical chameleon whose voice evokes emotion from the listener whether performing blues, country, rock or jazz. thoughtfully emotional yet gutsy, this expressive singer moves within a single phrase from pensive to powerhouse.

ten dollars

vicky emerson

“emerson’s silky smooth voice serenades you from beginning to end, walking you through scenes of her life like pages in a book. the quality of the vocals alone make “long ride” worth the listen.”
paul bowman, the wedge

"...wisconsin native vicky emerson’s authenticity, her honeysuckle voice and her unerring sense of melody make the exquisite “long ride” anything but ordinary. " tom weber, rochester post-bulletin

ten dollars

havana hi fi

...featuring estibaliz annabella price (vocals), havana hi-fi delivers cuban roots music. the band: joel arpin (percussion), david martin (bass & guitar), tom peterson (bass & tres), zack lozier (trumpet), and many featured guests along the way.

ten dollars

the tex pistols

tex (brian c. peters), angus (dik shopteau), mr. greenjeans (boyd lee) & cletus ( scooter nelson) started playing together in rochester after they all met at the stillwater correctional facility in the 60s. music became a way to "qualify" for work release status. soon, the awards came...the grammy (best dressed / western), the cma ( worst dressed) and of course the mn. music award ( heavy metal / country). then, after they had made enough money, they all went their separate ways...raised a family, got "real" jobs and settled down in later life, only to meet up again when by a stroke of fate...they all were back in prison? "weapons charges mostly," said tex. soon the band was back in action, (parole) and you will hear the result when they fire up their guns one more time. their motto lives on..."we're loud, loose, & a little cranky" or the familiar "turn it up & go git us some beers!”

eleven dollars

nick leet + walker fields

nick leet is a founding member and chief songwriter of high on stress. leet’s “heart on your sleeve” approach to songwriting has been praised by local and international music scribes as well as numerous minneapolis rock n’ roll luminaries. his solo shows are often filled with biting humor and songs that are honest, refreshing and can pack a punch.

seven dollars