To celebrate 40 years of music and dining, we’re throwing a FREE 40th Anniversary Block Party on Saturday, September 20 from 2–10 PM! The party takes over Nicollet Mall outside the Dakota and our indoor stage, with live performances from more than 10 incredible acts, culinary specials inspired by the vibrant flavors of New Orleans, the cradle of American music, as well as a craft market and a kids’ corner activity area.

“This anniversary is a celebration not only for Dakota but also for the incredible Twin Cities music community that has contributed so much to reaching this historic milestone,” said Lowell Pickett, Dakota founder. “We’re celebrating 40 years of unforgettable music, and paying tribute to the New Orleans roots that have long inspired our stage and our kitchen.”

Live Music Lineup 

The day’s music schedule includes some of Dakota’s most beloved performers and Minnesota music icons, reflecting the venue’s eclectic blend of jazz, soul, funk, and Americana:

Nicollet Mall Stage

• 2-3pm Room3 Collective

• 3:30-4:30 Jamecia Bennett

• 5-6pm Tina Schlieske

• 6:30-7:30 Glen David Andrews

• 8:30-9:30 The Suburbs

Dakota Stage

• 2:30-3:30 MacPhail Faculty Ensemble

• 4-5pm Kavyesh Kaviraj & Omar Abdulkarim

• 5:30-6:30 Nachito Herrara

• 7-8pm Patty Peterson Presents Jazz Women All-Stars with Ginger Commodore, Connie Evingson, Mary Louise Knutson, Joan Griffith, Sheila Earley and Stephanie Wieseler

• 9-10pm Davina and the Vagabonds

Event emcees: T. Mychael Rambo, Thomasina Petrus and Erin Schwab

NOLA-Inspired Food Specials & Food Trucks

Dakota will be open to the public for the event and serving an abbreviated version of its regular menu. Outside, Executive Chef Asher Zulkosky has arranged a variety of fare, including special New Orleans-themed items in homage to the birthplace of American music.

• Fresh beignets with powdered sugar made onsite

• Crawfish Monica, the rich, creamy pasta dish considered the unofficial signature of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

A number of food trucks are also lined up for the event, including Naturally ‘Nawlins that will be serving up gumbo, jambalaya, fried shrimp, catfish and other classic Louisiana fare, along with The Purple People Feeder, Come & Get It and Parralily.

Treble Makers Kids’ Corner and Craft Market

A “Treble Makers” kids’ corner will feature a musical instrument “petting zoo,” along with chalk art, stilt walkers, bubble station, face-painting, hula hoops and other kid-friendly crafts and activities. Plus a special performance by the children’s sing-a-long band, The Bazillions starting at 3 pm. A craft market featuring a number of local artisans rounds out the day’s festivities.

Admission is free, and no tickets are required. Artist performance times will be announced in the next few weeks. 

Partner and Sponsors

Dakota is proud to partner with Minneapolis Downtown Council & Mpls Downtown Improvement District on this milestone event. It is also extremely grateful to all its generous Anniversary Block Party sponsors including: Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Xcel Energy, Taft, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, The 614 Company, Fredrikson & Byron, P.A., and Hilton Minneapolis.