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The Twin Cities arts scene is poised to ignite in the new year with a diverse lineup of events, from Indigenous musical showcases to jazz performances and creative workshops, offering something for every cultural palate. Among the highlights is the rising star Jada Brown, a Twin Cities rapper and singer-songwriter who is bringing a deeply personal and soulful sound to the forefront, rooted in her Ojibwe heritage and forged in the crucible of loss.
Anishinaabe Celebration and a Rising Voice
Local Native artists will converge on the Fine Line this Saturday for the third annual KOJB’s Anishinaabe Music and Arts Celebration,a daylong event promising a vibrant display of Indigenous talent. The celebration will feature hoop dancing, a fashion show, and performances from a stellar lineup of musicians, including Jada Brown.
Brown, who identifies as Ojibwe, describes her artistic journey as a process of embracing her identity and finding her voice.”I was always a shy person, but I wanted to be expressive and confident in my story as a shy person,” Brown explained. “Ojibwe’s worldview is that we all come hear with gifts and it’s important to honor those gifts. So I feel like music is something I will always embark on.”
After immersing herself in the Minneapolis music scene while attending the University of Minnesota, Brown released her debut album, “Admiration,” in 2019. However, it was her 2024 EP, “Far From Anonymous,” that signaled a significant shift in her artistic direction, driven by profound personal tragedy.
Turning Grief into Art: A Response to the Opioid Crisis
The EP emerged as a direct response to the death of her partner, Travis James Varney Jr., from a fentanyl overdose. “Grief isn’t an event. It’s a process and there’s a lot of grief in Indigenous communities with the opioid crisis going on,” Brown stated. She channeled her pain into her music, aiming to not only process her own loss but also to offer solace to others grappling with similar experiences.
“Far From Anonymous” functions as a series of heartfelt “love letters” to her support network. Tracks like “Auntie’s Advice” celebrate the wisdom of the women in her family, while “First Steps” explores her relationship with her father as she navigates the legacy left for her partner’s children. Listeners have connected deeply with the EP’s raw honesty, sharing stories of their own losses and finding comfort in Brown’s vulnerability. “People have come up to me and told me that they lost their loved ones to fentanyl and that the song spoke to them or helped them in a certain way,” Brown shared. “That lets me no the songs are doing what they’re meant to do.”
At the upcoming KOJB showcase, Brown plans to unveil new material that delves into themes of relationships and self-assertion, signaling a continued evolution in her artistic voice.
Beyond Brown: A Diverse New Year’s arts Calendar
The Twin Cities’ vibrant arts calendar extends beyond Brown’s performance. Saxophonist Karl Denson, a veteran of tours with Lenny Kravitz and the Rolling Stones, will bring his band, Tiny Universe, to the Dakota for two evenings of funk, jazz, blues, and soul.Denson is renowned for his improvisational skills and has graced stages at major festivals worldwide, including New Orleans Jazz Fest and Bonnaroo.
For those seeking a more hands-on creative experience, Minneapolis-based Peruvian artist Albert Chacon Salas will lead a mini-comic book workshop at the Eastside Food Co-op on Sunday, January 4, 2025.The workshop, running from 3 to 5 p.m., will guide participants through the fundamentals of comic creation, from panel design to character growth. The event is free, but RSVP is required; more information can be found at eastsidefood.coop/events-1/panel-play.
These events collectively promise a rich and engaging start to the new year for arts enthusiasts across the twin Cities.
