Pianist Kavyesh Kaviraj debuts Indian-infused ‘Fables’ at Twin Cities Jazz Fest

The Twin Cities art scene is ablaze this weekend with a Pride celebration showcasing local hip-hop artists, a fusion of Indian music and jazz at the Twin Cities Jazz Fest, an immersive exploration of immigrant experiences through dance, theater, and digital media, and a sculpture exhibit inspired by tarot and the traditional Mexican bingo game, lotería.

Pianist Kavyesh Kaviraj’s ‘Fables’ comes to the Twin Cities Jazz Fest

As the 26th annual Twin Cities Jazz Fest approaches, pianist and composer Kavyesh Kaviraj will showcase his debut album “Fables,” weaving together the threads of his Indian heritage with the musical influences he’s encountered from Oman to the Twin Cities.

Kaviraj has long been a fixture in the local jazz scene, supporting local and international bands and projects over the years, but his upcoming performance marks a pivotal moment for his solo career.

“I think I’ve played every iteration [of the festival] since I got here, but this is the first time I get to perform my original music and on the mainstage no less, which is such an amazing opportunity,” Kaviraj said. “I’m very happy to have my name on the marquee. That’s still sort of unreal for me.”

Born in Oman to Indian parents, Kaviraj was influenced early on by his father, a musician and educator, who introduced him to a mix of South Indian Carnatic music, North Indian Hindustani music, Indian film scores, and ’80s easy listening. By the age of 2, Kaviraj was already playing the keyboard but his discovery of jazz as a teenager sparked a passion that led him to the United States.

“I’m completely in love with our Twin Cities jazz scene and especially since this was the first jazz scene that I was introduced to,” he said. “The audiences here are incredibly supportive and encouraging and they want to listen to new material. In some ways, they are more imaginative and supportive of original music than other cities.”

Kaviraj’s performance will be held on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Mears Park. He will be joined by trumpeter Omar Abdulkarim, drummer Kevin Washington, saxophonist Pete Whitman, and bassist Jeff Bailey. The quintet will perform songs from “Fables,” exploring Kaviraj’s experiences growing up as a child of immigrants, aspiring to find enduring love like his parents, feeling lost, and searching for a sense of home.

“I want these stories to portray my experiences but not in a way that is foreign to anyone,” he said. “It’s a beautiful thing for people to feel it in their own way, so I’m always happy to be that conduit. If you can see yourselves in my music, I will have died a happy man.”

“Fables,” is set to be released on July 12, along with an album release party at the Dakota. Learn more here .

The Twin Cities Jazz Fest will also feature performances by composer Stefon Harris and his band Blackout , saxophonist Joe Lovano , jazz singer and pianist Kandace Springs , saxophonist and composer Claudia Medina , among others.

Date: Shows run from Thursday, June 20, through Sunday, June 23.

Time: Various times for different shows.

Location: Various locations across the Twin Cities.

Cost: The festival is free. Cover charges may apply for pre-festival and post-festival shows.

For more information: Visit twincitiesjazzfestival.com

‘Reasons for Moving’ examines immigrant experience through dance, theater, digital art

“We all have reasons for moving. I move to keep things whole,” wrote poet Mark Strand in his 1964 poem “Keeping Things Whole.” This sentiment serves as the foundation for “Reasons for Moving” a new interdisciplinary performance that brings the stories of first-, second-, and third-generation immigrants to life at the Southern Theater .

Directed by Cláudia Tatinge Nascimento, the production utilizes dance, theater, and digital media to explore how immigrant communities navigate their cultural heritage across generations. Four artists from the Twin Cities will share their own ancestral backgrounds, offering a firsthand perspective of the immigrant experience.

Actor Kalala Kiwanuka-Woernle will trace her family’s journey from Uganda to the United Kingdom, and eventually the United States. Peruvian-American performer and songwriter Gretta Marston will bring to life the story of her grandmother, who sought refuge in the United States, fleeing violence by the Shining Path in Peru.

Multidisciplinary artist Mai Moua Thao will share her experiences of being born in a Thai refugee camp. Performing artist and filmmaker Skye Reddy will explore the story of her family’s displacement due to the colonial Partition of South Asia.

“Reasons for Moving” offers a platform for these artists to unearth their family’s origins, even when fragments of their history may be lost.

Following the performances on Saturday, June 22, and Sunday, June 23, there will be a community discussion. These two performances will also offer free tickets to community members who identify as immigrants, refugees or children of immigrants or refugees. Learn more here.

Date: Thursday, June 20 to Sunday, June 30.

Time: 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Location: The Southern Theater, 1420 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis

Cost: $20 for general admission. $15 for students and seniors.

For more information: Visit reasonsformoving.org or southerntheater.org .

Artist explores the interplay of lotería, tarot

Second Shift Studio Space , a nonprofit residency program for women and gender-nonconforming artists, will host “¡Algarabía!” a solo exhibit featuring textile sculptures and installations by interdisciplinary artist and fashion designer Ivonne Yáñez .

The exhibit explores the symbolism in lotería cards, a traditional Mexican bingo game, and its connections to fortune-telling tarot cards.

The Second Shift Studio Space will also host an “Art Soup” event, offering soup and a conversation with Yáñez about her artwork.

Date: The “Art Soup” event will be held on Wednesday, June 26. The exhibit runs from June 15 to 28. Second Shift Studio Space does not have regular gallery hours. To visit the exhibit, contact secondshiftstudiomanager@gmail.com to schedule an appointment.

Time: The “Art Soup” event is from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Location: Second Shift Studio Space 1128 Payne Ave., St. Paul

Cost: Free

For more information: Visit secondshiftstudiospace.org .

Twin Cities hip-hop artists celebrate Pride Month

The Green Room will host “It’s Sumer Time” a Pride event highlighting emerging Twin Cities hip-hop artists. DJ McShellen and DJ Rae will kick off the evening with a blend of R&B and Afrobeats. Soul singer Sumer will headline the event with songs from her upcoming EP “Good Grief,” rooted in Afrocentric rhythms and traditions, alongside rapper Essjay theAfroCentricRatchet .

Date: Saturday, June 22

Time: 8 p.m.

Location: 2923 Girard Ave. S., Minneapolis

Cost: $15 online, $20 at the door.

For more information: Visit greenroommn.com .

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