Live Events
Special PRIDE Show:Voila! A Drag Cabaret
Step into an evening of glamour, wit, and vintage-inspired decadence at Voilà! A Drag Cabaret—an intimate drag experience set inside the speakeasy charm of Volstead’s in Uptown.
On April 8, the Lavender District gets a little more fabulous as this cabaret-style show brings you up close and personal with dazzling drag performances, sultry numbers, sharp comedy, and a bit of mischief along the way. Inspired by the spirit of classic cabaret and the intrigue of proper speakeasies, this is drag in its most intimate and electrifying form. Hosted by Lala Luzious, the evening features performances by Deja Love, Buttercream, Trè Da Marc, MUÑECA NOVA and Jol Principle.
With low lighting, handcrafted cocktails, and performers just feet away, Voilà! invites you into a world where elegance meets camp and every number feels like a secret shared among friends. Grab a cocktail, and prepare to be entertained.
Mill City Hot Club
Showtime: 8:30
*Dinner and drinks are available throughout the performance*
"Mill City Hot Club plays the music of Django Reinhard and more. American hot jazz from the 1930s and 40s with a French twist. Joyful, upbeat and danceable, their music will definitly make you smile. The cast of musicians is always changing so you’ll hear something new every time."
Max Johnk Quartet
Showtime: 8:30
*Dinner and drinks are available throughout the performance*
Bassist Max Johnk is a relative newcomer to the Twin Cities jazz scene, and was lucky to find the center of his new musical community during jam sessions at Volstead's last year. For this performance, Max will draw on the musical rapport and friendships he developed during those sessions, along with his esteemed colleagues Andrew Long, Kavyesh Kaviraj, and Tarek Abdelqader. Expect the band to indulge Max's preoccupation with the ballad repertoire, and explore what other music - new or old, slow or fast - might fit that category.
Easy Speak Comedy Showcase
Free admission, reservations recommended
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*
Easy Speak is Volstead's monthly comedy showcase. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance. All tickets come with an 8PM reservation.
Paul Harper
Paul Harper is a prominent Twin Cities-based saxophonist, flutist, and composer known for his extensive work in Minnesota's jazz scene. A long-time member of the Illicit Sextet, he leads the Paul Harper Quartet and has performed with various ensembles including Spirit Jazz and Roos & Harper.
Harry Scott Trio
Harry Scott is a 19 year old rising Pianist And composer based in Chicago and Minneapolis. He comes from a wide ranging list of influences, including Herbie Hancock, Sullivan Fortner, Brad Mehldau, The Beatles, and Bach among many others.
Twin Cities Flamenco Collective
Reservations are for 7:00
Showtime: 7:30
*Dinner and drinks are available throughout the performance*
Immerse yourself in the energy and emotion of flamenco through a captivating blend of dance, live guitar, and song. Powerful footwork, expressive artistry, and vibrant rhythms come together to create an unforgettable performance inspired by the traditions of Andalusia, Spain. Passionate and deeply engaging, flamenco offers audiences a moving celebration of music, culture, and human connection.
Bessie Snow Presents: Appètit, a Burlesque Review
Join Bessie Snow and her cast of titillating burlesque performers for a night of unforgettable fun. Extravagant, delightful, and full of surprises, this is the only burlesque show of its kind in the Twin Cities!
Tease into your weekend early and indulge in a savory and sweet experience that guarantees to satiate your appetite!
Parisota Hot Club
Free admission, reservations recommended
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*
Parisota Trio is the alternate, electric version of the Parisota Hot Club featuring founding member, bandleader and guitarist Robb Henry. Long time compadre Matt Senjem rounds out the trio on string bass with jazz drummer extraordinaire, Jay Epstein, laying down the percussive color. Many selections from the French guitarist Django Reinhardt, original inspiration for Parisota Hot Club, are still performed alongside various jazz standards and vintage pop music of the 1960's. An occasional detour into the psychedelic hinterlands is notuncommon. Bluesy ballads, sonic surprises and inspired interplay are signature for this genre bending threesome with a sound they fondly refer to as "Django Hendrix".
Calvin Caron Quartet
Free admission, reservations recommended
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*
Calvin Caron is a bassist and composer. A 2022 graduate of the University of Minnesota - Duluth with a BFA in Jazz Studies. He is now living in Minneapolis, MN, working as a bassist and sideman while simultaneously composing, recording, and performing music of his own. In the spring of 2025 Calvin released his debut project, “Transition Moments”. His compositions create unique atmospheres for communal freedom of expression drawing inspiration from the musical styles of Jazz, Folk, Country, and classical traditions.
Easy Speak Comedy Showcase
Free admission, reservations recommended
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*
Easy Speak is Volstead's monthly comedy showcase. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance. All tickets come with an 8PM reservation.
Ian Duerr Trio
Free admission, reservations recommended
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*
Ian Duerr is a St. Paul based multi-instrumentalist and composer who performs on both piano and guitar. After earning a BFA in guitar performance, he took a job on a cruise ship as a jazz pianist, quickly shaping his approach to the instrument while performing night after night in a jazz trio for five years. He later relocated to New York City, where he spent over a decade working as a bandleader and sideman on both instruments, performing with top tier players and appearing at many of the city’s premier venues.
The Cassidys
Reservations are for 7:00
Showtime: 7:30
*Dinner and drinks are available throughout the performance*
The Cassidys are a new Twin Cities project with deep roots in Minnesota’s music community, bringing together four seasoned musicians whose paths have crossed for years but who are finally sharing a stage together. Led by singer, guitarist, and songwriter Jack Cassidy, the group blends soul, R&B, pop, rock, and jazz influences into a sound centered on groove, feel, and vocal harmony. Drawing inspiration from artists like Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, D’Angelo, and John Mayer, The Cassidys deliver songs that prioritize connection, musicianship, and memorable melodies.
Mill City Hot Club
Showtime: 8:30
*Dinner and drinks are available throughout the performance*
"Mill City Hot Club plays the music of Django Reinhard and more. American hot jazz from the 1930s and 40s with a French twist. Joyful, upbeat and danceable, their music will definitly make you smile. The cast of musicians is always changing so you’ll hear something new every time."
Body Heat! (PRIDE EDITION)
Bessie Snow and Volstead's presents an evening of Funk & Brazen Tease
for one clandestine evening. BODY HEAT sets the stage ablaze with scandalous rhythm and dazzling display. A live band of first-rate players will stir the room with funky grooves — horns wailing, drums, bass bumping! Burlesque performers will highlight the night with a hot mama jamma flare. Velvet shadows, craft cocktails in hand, a crowd dressed to impress. You don’t just watch Body Heat — you feel it.
This show, we're celebrating PRIDE with a the sexiest and talented cast of Queers from the Twin Cities!
A portion of proceeds will be donated to community aid that serves the queer community.
Come ready to turn up the heat this PRIDE month at BODY HEAT!
Juneteenth Jubilee: Velvet Ice
Door: 5:30 PM
Show: 6:00 PM
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*
Tre De Marc Presents: Juneteenth Jubilee, "VELVET ICE" Back for its fifth year, Juneteenth Jubilee culminates an extraordinary weekend of Black and Brown excellence at Volstead’s Emporium. This final showcase is an epic love letter to our communities—a vibrant celebration of liberation, identity, and freedom through the art of burlesque. Featuring some of the industry’s most acclaimed performers from across the United States, including reigning Queen of Burlesque, Jessabelle Thunder.
Leslie Vincent
Free admission, reservations recommended
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*
A prolific jazz songwriter and vocalist, Leslie Vincent's lyrical creativity, rich alto tone, and magnetic stage presence have made her a standout in the modern-day jazz scene. Alongside her 5-piece band, Leslie melds modern lyrics rooted in the jazz, swing, and blues traditions.
Lasse Corson
Free admission, reservations recommended
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*
Minneapolis-born pianist, composer, and educator, Lasse Corson is returning home for a short while to play! Lasse has worked at the John F. Kennedy Center with the prestigious Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program directed by Jason Moran and is a current member of trumpet maverick Jeremy Pelt's quintet.
Sophia Kickhofel
"We will be performing a collection of original compositions that are inspired by experiences from the past few years that are important in the development of my sense of self. While I was in college, I attempted to compose every day. This process slowly became therapeutic for me and now these compositions represent the state of my emotions during that season of my life. Half of the compositions we will play are diary entries that are titled the date in which they were composed. The other half of the songs are inspired by experiences that I had in nature that were shared with people in my life who I love. "
Easy Speak Comedy Showcase
Free admission, reservations recommended
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*
Easy Speak is Volstead's monthly comedy showcase. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance. All tickets come with an 8PM reservation.
Pete Quirsfeld
Free admission, reservations recommended
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*
Pete Quirsfeld is an American drummer, composer, and bandleader based in the midwestern city of Minneapolis. An artist whose sound is rooted in jazz and improvised music, Pete writes compositions that are influenced by diverse contemporary styles and life experiences. The music that results tells the story of a quest for joy in the space that lies between flourishing and hardship. Join the Pete Quirsfeld Trio for a night of jazz music and improvisation, with everything from swinging standards to modern original compositions. Featuring the artistry of Ethan Ostrow on the keys and Graydon Peterson on bass.
Parisota Hot Club
Free admission, reservations recommended
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*
Parisota Trio is the alternate, electric version of the Parisota Hot Club featuring founding member, bandleader and guitarist Robb Henry. Long time compadre Matt Senjem rounds out the trio on string bass with jazz drummer extraordinaire, Jay Epstein, laying down the percussive color. Many selections from the French guitarist Django Reinhardt, original inspiration for Parisota Hot Club, are still performed alongside various jazz standards and vintage pop music of the 1960's. An occasional detour into the psychedelic hinterlands is notuncommon. Bluesy ballads, sonic surprises and inspired interplay are signature for this genre bending threesome with a sound they fondly refer to as "Django Hendrix".
Comrade Tripp Again
Reservations are for 7:00
Showtime: 7:30
*dinner and drinks available throughout the show*
A special night with local comedian star, Comrade Tripp. Right now more than ever we need a night to laugh and perhaps a good cry. Comrade has a unique ability to marry the art of comedy with social commentary in a way that only a brilliant mind can. Come laugh, eat, drink, and cry together.
Joan Hutton
Free admission, Reservations recommended
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*
Joan Hutton is a performer, composer and educator residing in Minneapolis and hailing from Toronto, Canada. Her diverse interests have taken her from jazz, free improv and funk to classical, chamber music and pit orchestras. Joan is a long time member of the Ancia Saxophone Quartet, with recordings out on the Naxos and Albany labels. She also performs frequently with her own jazz groups and has released two albums on Shifting Paradigm Records featuring her original compositions: “Take That Back” (2022) and “Splash” (2024).
Saxophonist Joan Hutton will perform a mix of original compositions and some favorite jazz standards with Tyler Lustek on piano, Dan Carpel on bass and Pete Hennig on drums.
Paul Harper
Paul Harper is a prominent Twin Cities-based saxophonist, flutist, and composer known for his extensive work in Minnesota's jazz scene. A long-time member of the Illicit Sextet, he leads the Paul Harper Quartet and has performed with various ensembles including Spirit Jazz and Roos & Harper.
Blanche the Jazzy Jewess of South Minneapolis
Ticket reservations are for 7:00
Showtime: 7:30
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*
Backed by some of the Twin Cities’ finest musicians, Blanche leads an evening of live jazz infused with humor, personal storytelling, and spontaneous audience interaction. Throughout the night, song and story intertwine, exploring culture, identity, and the strange, beautiful contradictions of being human. You might laugh, you might learn something, and you might even find yourself part of the show—because at its core, this is performance as it was always meant to be: alive, communal, and just unpredictable enough to keep you leaning in.
Easy Speak Comedy Showcase
Free admission, reservations recommended
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*
Easy Speak is Volstead's monthly comedy showcase. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance. All tickets come with an 8PM reservation.
Tim Sparks
Free admission, reservations recommended
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*
Tim Sparks is a renowned Minnesota-based acoustic fingerstyle guitarist and composer known for his virtuosic, genre-bending technique that blends jazz, folk, country blues, and world music. A former National Fingerpicking Champion (1993), he is a staples of the Twin Cities music scene, known for intricate arrangements and diverse recordings, including Lost and Found (2024).
Framework
Free admission, reservations recommended
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*
Chris Olson is a fine musician and educator, living in the Twin Cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. He hates referring to himself in the third person, so he's going to stop now
Body Heat!
Bessie Snow and Volstead's presents an evening of Hot Funk & Brazen Tease
for one clandestine evening. Body Heat sets the stage ablaze with scandalous rhythm and dazzling display. A live band of first-rate players will stir the room with funky grooves — horns wailing, drums snapping, bass bumping! Burlesque performers will highlight the night with a hot mama jamma flare. Velvet shadows, craft cocktails in hand, a crowd dressed to impress. You don’t just watch Body Heat — you feel it.
Come ready to turn up the heat.
Singles Bingo! (ages 30-50)
Free admission, reservations REQUIRED
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*
Tired of dating apps? Join us for a night of connection and laughter and let us take care of the ice breaker for you. Your host will guide you through this interactive twist on the classic game. Each bingo card is filled with icebreaker questions. Your mission? Mingle and connect by finding people who match the questions on your card. Only interested in meeting platonic friends? that's ok we also welcome people who only want to make new friends as well. Did we mention there are PRIZES? The first five people to get bingo will win a prize!
Marvelous
Free admission, reservations recommended
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*
The improvisational spirit of Marvelous travels through his piano, voice and guitar. Steeped in soul & blues, he conveys heartfelt messages that transcend time. He is inspired by the piano stylings of New Orleans, the rhythms of Russian dances and the written word of fairy tales. Moreover, Marvelous creates innovative stories of song in service to the heart.
Through his artistry, he skillfully merges these diverse elements into a seamless tapestry of sound. Further, Marvelous attends to each performance with presence, carrying a deep reverence for music history and sonic craftsmanship. He approaches each show with a communal spirit, with the intention of connecting with other humans.
Mill City Hot Club
Free admission, reservations recommended
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*
The Mill City Hot Club was started by founding club member and guitarist Dean Harrington. The music is based on the tradition of gypsy jazz, pioneered in the 1920s by the Belgian guitarist Django Reinhardt and French violinist Stephan Grappelli of the famous Quintet of the Hot Club of France.
Tommy Boynton
Tommy Boynton presents an evening of song cycles, bringing poetry to life through his original musical adaptations. The evening will feature works by Carl Sandburg, Sarah Teasdale, William Blake, and others, reimagined through a musically imaginative lens. Drawing from a wide range of genres, Boynton’s approach resists confining the power of words to any single style, instead creating a sound world that will resonate with fans of Joni Mitchell, José González, Bill Evans, Frank Ocean, and Robert Schumann.
Easy Speak Comedy Showcase
Free admission, reservations recommended
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*
Easy Speak is Volstead's monthly comedy showcase. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance. All tickets come with an 8PM reservation.
PJJ3 w/ Lily Alter
Free admission, reservations recommended
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*
Lily Alter is a jazz vocalist, pianist, and jazz composer/arranger from Oak Park, Illinois. She received her undergraduate degree in Jazz Studies at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan in the spring of 2023. There, she was a member of Gold Company, played piano in the WMU Jazz Lab Band, and sang with the WMU Jazz Orchestra. She was awarded Downbeats in 2023 and 2024 for Outstanding Performance as an Undergraduate Vocal Jazz Soloist. She recently graduated from University of North Texas with her Master’s of Music degree, where she was a teaching fellow in the vocal jazz program, an alto in UNT Jazz Singers, and the vocalist for the 2023-24 One O’Clock Lab Band. Currently based near the Twin Cities, she maintains a vibrant studio of private voice and piano students, directs a community vocal ensemble, and performs at jazz venues throughout the Midwest.
Zacc Harris
Free admission, Reservations recommended
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*
"Intricate heads and chops-busting unisons. ★★★★" - Bill Milkowski, Downbeat Magazine
"The compositions explore the kind of big-sky generous melodicism pioneered by artists such as [Pat] Metheny and Gary Burton...[Harris's] timing and articulation are beyond reproach and his imagination extensive." - Eddie Myer, Jazzwise Magazine
Bessie Snow Presents: Appètit, a Burlesque Review
Join Bessie Snow and her cast of titillating burlesque performers for a night of unforgettable fun. Extravagant, delightful, and full of surprises, this is the only burlesque show of its kind in the Twin Cities!
Tease into your weekend early and indulge in a savory and sweet experience that guarantees to satiate your appetite!
Tarek Abedelqader Quartet
Free admission, reservations recommended
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*
Led by drummer Tarek Abdelqader, this brand new quartet features local stalwarts Kavyesh Kaviraj on piano, Ryan Freitas on saxophone, and Max Johnk on bass. Together, they bring a deeply grooving approach to timeless standards. Whether playing familiar tunes or digging into lesser-known gems, the quartet keeps things grounded, swinging, and full of personality.
Expect three ripping sets brought to life by friends old and new riding the current of a deep, infectious groove.
Tarek Abdelqader - Drums
Kavyesh Kaviraj - Piano
Ryan Freitas - Saxaphone
Max Johnk - Bass
Parisota Hot Club
Free admission, reservations recommended
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*
Parisota Trio is the alternate, electric version of the Parisota Hot Club featuring founding member, bandleader and guitarist Robb Henry. Long time compadre Matt Senjem rounds out the trio on string bass with jazz drummer extraordinaire, Jay Epstein, laying down the percussive color. Many selections from the French guitarist Django Reinhardt, original inspiration for Parisota Hot Club, are still performed alongside various jazz standards and vintage pop music of the 1960's. An occasional detour into the psychedelic hinterlands is notuncommon. Bluesy ballads, sonic surprises and inspired interplay are signature for this genre bending threesome with a sound they fondly refer to as "Django Hendrix".
Easy Speak Comedy Showcase
Free admission, reservations recommended
*Dinner and drinks available for purchase during the show*
Easy Speak is Volstead's monthly comedy showcase. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance. All tickets come with an 8PM reservation.
Bryan Murray
Bryan Murray is an American saxophonist and composer known for his experimental and "proudly weird" approach to jazz. He is particularly recognized for his unique "Balto!" saxophone—an alto sax modified with a baritone sax mouthpiece and a plastic reed—which produces a distinctive, aggressive sound he describes as resembling a "strangled goose".
Paul Harper
Paul Harper is a prominent Twin Cities-based saxophonist, flutist, and composer known for his extensive work in Minnesota's jazz scene. A long-time member of the Illicit Sextet, he leads the Paul Harper Quartet and has performed with various ensembles including Spirit Jazz and Roos & Harper.
Caroline's Chaotic Crashout Comedy Golden Birthday Extravaganza!
Come join us for a night of comedy and celebrate one of our favorite staff members for her birthday!