Dissonance is proudly sponsoring the 12th season of the live music and storytelling series Morningside After Dark.

The 2024 season finale will feature writer/explorer Mike Day; comedian Colleen Kruse; comedian Maggie Faris; writer Rob Perez; writer Kathryn Savage; poet Moheb Soliman; writer/musician/innovator Dana Thompson with music by Mira Babal; Brasscots; Follow the Firefly; International Treasures; the Morningside Theatre Company; Robert Robinson; and Lizzie Semington. Learn more about each artist on the Morningside After Dark Facebook Page .

Other sponsors, in addition to Dissonance, include: Yoga Fit Linden Hills, Senn & Sons, Ready & Roam, Serge & Jane, the ten spot Edina, Thom Miller Real Estate and Hyperbole: The Best Podcast Ever.

Whisked Away will sell delicious macarons with free Starbucks coffee for all guests. And Comma, a bookshop, will sell featured authors’ books for signings and more.

Doors open at 7 pm for best seating. See you there! Or, watch live on the Morningside After Dark Facebook Page or YouTube Channel.

We are excited to launch the premiere of Episode 4 in our popular video series, Dissonance Sessions, featuring London-native and Twin Cities artist Katy Vernon, singer of sad songs on a happy instrument. She talks about growing up “weird,” surviving tragedy, avoiding “mommy wine culture,” discovering her voice, volunteering, learning to feel content, and facing the future by embracing the present. Katy also performs the new song Over and Over as well as Shine, a song she wrote for a Minneapolis #MeToo benefit. We are thrilled to share this conversation digging into the backstory and inspired songwriting of our very own board member.

• Original music by Katy Vernon

• Direction by Jason Chaffee Music

• Engineering by Kevin Bowe

• Interview by Dissonance Board Chair & Co-founder Sarah Souder Johnson

• Watch HERE!

Part therapy session, part recording session, each episode of Sessions takes a deep dive into the story of one artist, giving listeners the unique opportunity to get to know the person and music in more intimate ways.

Dissonance is proudly co-sponsoring the 12th season of the live music and storytelling series Morningside After Dark.

In the 2024 season opener entitled HOME, enjoy stories by: Matt Goldman (A Good Family), Sally Vardaman Johnson (Shoot the Arrows), Michael Kieber-Diggs (Worldly Things), legendary comedian Fancy Ray, Patric Richardson (House Love) and Gail Rosenblum (A Hundred Lives Since Then) and music by musicians Aiden Intro, Mary Bue, Wain McFarlane and George Scot McKelvey, Joanna Philips, John Swardson, Katy Vernon and Terry Walsh. Free event (donations always appreciated!) with free coffee and baked goods available for purchase by Sugar Butter Mpls.

Other sponsors, in addition to Dissonance, include: Thom Miller Real Estate LLC, Senn & Sons, YogaFit Linden Hills, the ten spot edina, Mona Williams, Serge & Jane, Ready & Roam and Hyperbole: The Best Podcast Ever. Comma, a bookshop will be popping up again at the event to sell featured authors’ books for signings and more.

Doors open at 7 pm for best seating. See you there!

Rain came on the originally planned date (9/23), but it didn’t ruin the show — it simply delayed it.

Pairing great music with a killer NA drink selection, the third annual Ghost Notes Fall Block Party will now be held at Bauhaus Brew Labs in Northeast Minneapolis on Sunday, Nov. 5, from 1 to 6:30 p.m. Read our blog for more about the move to our new location — which will be 100% alcohol-free for the event. It’s a hangover-free guarantee!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS (and RSVP/share on Facebook) for a fun, healthy day of music, NA beer and alcohol-free craft cocktail options, food vendors, wellness resources, activities for youth and other features that will make this Ghost Notes the best one yet.

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We’re so excited about the music LINEUP:

1:00 Open Mic - sign up at 12:45 by the stage (want to play? sign up!)

2:20 Surge and the Swell

3:15 Favourite Girl (making their debut!)

4:00 MaLLY

5:00 Rogue Valley

EMCEE: singer-songwriter and Dissonance board member Luke LeBlanc!

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To make Ghost Notes accessible to as many people as possible, entrance to this event will be free, with the option to make a pay-what-you-can donation upon entry to help further our mission of promoting community, health, and wellbeing in and through the arts.

Huge thanks to our sponsors: Genius of Fun Events & Production Services, Sentier Psychotherapy, the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, PEASE Academy, Audioquip, Ben Trudeau Realty, Knorth Studios, Zero Proof Collective, MNNA Beer, Lehmann Consulting, and the Cafeteria Christian podcast. If YOU too would like to sponsor this event, donate here or send us a note and we’ll reach out to discuss options.

Interested in volunteering? Sign up!

Look forward to celebrating community, creativity, Sober October and wellness with you — see you November 5th!

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GO DEEPER

• For One Fun Day, the Bar Will Be Alcohol-Free

• Meet the New Hosts of Ghost Notes 2023: A Q&A with Drew Hurst and Matt Schwandt of Bauhaus Brew Labs

Musician and author Mark Mallman will share songs & readings from his experiences of mental health, grief, sobriety, and finding happiness.

We're thrilled to host Mark Mallman for an intimate house show during Mental Health Month. The composer, songwriter, and author will share songs and readings coupled with an interview that dives into his personal experiences with anxiety, grief, sobriety, and wellness. Join us in celebrating happiness and healing through creative expression!

Mallman's stage persona, epic catalog, and dynamic online presence precede him, so we know this closed performance - limited to 30 ticket holders - will be a very special event. Audience questions are welcome, and mingling is encouraged.

This concert conversation is from 4-6pm on Saturday, May 6 with doors at 3:30pm.

Specialty alcohol-free cocktails from Zero Proof Collective are included with your ticket. Ticket fees are donations to Dissonance that will directly support the artist; if the fee is prohibitive, please reach out at www.dissonance.org to inquire about sliding fee options.

Location of the house show is in the Como Park neighborhood of St. Paul; address and parking information will be disclosed to ticket holders prior to the event date.

“Space Between” is a monthly meetup in Minneapolis for people working in the music ecosphere to share in the joys and pains of what it means to work in the industry.

Dissonance will be participating in Space Between’s one-year anniversary fundraiser celebration, and we invite you to join us.

Featuring performances by Davina and Zack Lozier of Davina and the Vagabonds; Joe Dunn and Joe Barron of Frogleg and Space Monkey Mafia, respectively; and Mark Joseph and Jill Mikelson with guests The High Rev and Tom McKinney.

Grab your tickets here: https://spacebetween-1yearanniversary.eventbrite.com/

$15 ADV / $20 DOS : 21+

We are excited to launch the premiere of Episode 3 in our popular video series, Dissonance Sessions, featuring NUR-D, a hip-hop artist from Minneapolis/St. Paul who is one of the fastest rising stars in the Minnesota music scene.

Watch HERE!

Part therapy session, part recording session, each episode of Sessions takes a deep dive into the story of one artist, giving listeners the unique opportunity to get to know the person and music in more intimate ways. In Episode 3, NUR-D discusses his life and music, including the new album Crush, which takes listeners on a journey through the wild ride that is love. On Crush and in our fun, enlightening Sessions interview, NUR-D talks about loving that special someone/someones and loving yourself.

Looking for an alternative to the green beer bar scene? While many are parading around the festivities on West 7th for St. Patrick's Day in St. Paul, it might be that you're looking for something different — something celebratory yet alcohol-free, supportive and completely informal, a come-as-you-are type of gathering. If so, come get lucky with us on St. Patrick's Day between 4-6pm at Five Watt Coffee in Minneapolis. Great tunes, drinks, and company guaranteed. Look for the Dissonance t-shirts and let us treat you to a tasty drink.

Dissonance Co-founder and Board Chair Sarah Souder Johnson will be guest speaking at the Space Between monthly meetup on March 1 and will talk about the word "dissonance."

Ever wondered why our organization is called that? What does it mean? How does it look in your own life? Come hang out, have snacks, and give + get support from other people in the music industry.

For anyone who makes the music happen: artists, managers, agents, promoters, crew, venue staff, security, and family.

7-9 pm
Mission Room at The Hook & Ladder Theater and Lounge
Light refreshments and munchies served

Dissonance is proud to sponsor the 11th season of the live music and storytelling series Morningside After Dark.

Don’t miss the “Moving Pictures” showcase featuring performances by musicians: Kiss the Tiger, SYM1, Thomas Abban, Severs, Katy Vernon and Paul Odegaard, Danger Pins, The Teardowns and Morningside Theatre Co with writers Lester Batiste, Curtis Sittenfeld, Mark Mallman, Jason Schommer, Peter Geye, Suzanne Fenton, Ari Tison and Will McGrath. Free event with pop-ups by sponsors Comma, A bookshop, YogaFit Linden Hills, Ready & Roam, Dissonance, Senn & Sons, The Ten Spot Edina and Hyperbole: The Best Podcast Ever. Check out artist profiles on Facebook.

Doors open at 7 pm for best seating. Show from 7:30 - 9 pm. Expect to be moved.

Dissonance proudly co-sponsored the 11th season of the live music and storytelling series Morningside After Dark.

Do we need sparks this winter or what!?? In the first of two 2023 events, 11 amazing performers came out of the cold to present true stories and great live music. Watch the recording to hear from motivational speaker Jasna Burza, author Paul Cramer, Comedian Maggie Faris, speaker Jen Gilhoi, and Black Sheep Comedy Founder John X, sax-playing tv reporter Eva Andersen, singer-songwriter Ben Cook-Feltz, jazz/blues legend Davina, folk musician Kelley Smith, hip hop rapper Soda Supreme and singer-songwriting guitar duo Suzy Plays Guitar.

Unhappy Holidays is back in 2022! We are looking forward to resuming this annual tradition for Dissonance where we ask: What if the holidays aren't actually all that cheery? What do you do when the celebrations feel lackluster or painful? What if you're just trying to make ends meet at the close of the year? Unhappy Holidays brings us together for real talk about a time of year that can be harder than expected.

Join us as we talk with three powerhouse women in the Minnesota music scene. Joyann Parker, Mae Simpson, and Diane will join Dissonance for a panel discussion about their own experiences with pressures and expectations. You'll hear conversation about mental health and their thoughts on the season with personal songs to go right along with it.

Although we are talking about the hard stuff, we promise you'll leave Unhappy Holidays feeling refreshed and uplifted. Join us!

While this is a free event to attend, donations are welcome upon entrance to help pay the artists. Tickets are required as capacity is limited—available here: eventbrite.com/e/unhappy-holidays-2022-tickets-463982553307.

Our biggest day for fundraising is “Give to the Max Day” — Minnesota’s annual day of online philanthropy. Please review the impact that Dissonance and our supporters made in 2022, and consider a donation on or before Nov. 17, 2022, to help us reach more people in 2023.

Throughout November (even after the 17th): Support Mental Health + Recovery in the Arts by making a donation to Dissonance at https://www.givemn.org/organization/Dissonance. This year, we’re introducing Dollars for Dissonance, a focused fundraising campaign with the goal of raising $5,000 (with a stretch goal of $10,000) to help fund Dissonance’s major initiatives in 2023 (including Season 2 of Sessions!) with the following goals:

• Continue to fairly compensate artists who participate in our events, such as Sessions and Ghost Notes

• Make our events accessible to as many as possible – without the barriers of cost or the presence of alcohol

• Keep our mental health resources directory available at no cost

• Engage more youth in our programming and activities

Early giving for Give to the Max Day is under way – so join us by making a donation now and/or creating your own fundraising page, or wait until Nov. 17 and join in the fun that day!

Share your story. Find your well.

Story Well — held the first Monday of every month at 6 pm in a variety of locations and sometimes on Zoom — is a time to share and discuss the various ways we can help and care for each other.

Watch for details about our October 2022 Story Well on our Facebook events page.

Whether you have substance use or mental health concerns, feel depleted by everyday life, have a friend or loved one who is sick or suffering, or just want to connect with others around the idea of being well, this is a place for you.

Hope to see you!

Pairing great music with a killer NA drink selection, the second annual Ghost Notes Fall Block Party will take place during the afternoon and early evening of Saturday, September 17 (rain date: September 18), in South Minneapolis. Along with a lineup of awesome musicians who embody the Dissonance mission, Ghost Notes will feature a top tier bar of alcohol-free craft cocktail options, the NA Beer experience, food vendors, an art and jewelry fair, wellness resources and activities for youth. Featuring music from:

• 2PM: OPEN MIC

• 3PM: Katy Vernon

• 3:50PM: The Transcendental Bluegrass Band

• 4:45PM: MAYDA

• 5:35PM: Folios (featuring Martin Devaney)

• 6:40PM: Little Fevers (featuring Lucy Michelle) 

• 7:45PM: RION with Carolyne Naomi

In order to make Ghost Notes as accessible to as many people as possible, entrance to this event will be free, with the option to make a pay-what-you-can donation upon entry to help further our mission of promoting community, health, and wellbeing in and through the arts.

Though tickets aren't required, we request that you please RSVP on Facebook so we can plan accordingly!

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THANK YOU to the following sponsors for your partnership: Slam Academy, Sentier Psychotherapy, Knorth Studios, Jason Chaffee Music, YourPath, Kate Lehmann MA LADC SAP, Zero Proof Collective, MNNA Beer, Hairless Dog Brewing Company, YogaFit.

If YOU would like to sponsor this event, donate here or send us a note and we’ll reach out to discuss options.

Look forward to celebrating community, creativity, National Recovery Month and wellness with you — see you September 17th!

Share your story. Find your well.

Story Well — held the first Monday of every month at 6 pm in a variety of locations and sometimes on Zoom — is a time to share and discuss the various ways we can help and care for each other.

For our August 2022 Story Well, we thought it might feel good to get moving. This informal event will start with a gathering at Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis. We will meet near the wall above the Falls, with light snacks and water provided, and take a gentle hike at about 6:45 pm. It’s a healthy chance to socialize, take in the outdoors, and get in some steps.

Whether you have substance use or mental health concerns, feel depleted by everyday life, have a friend or loved one who is sick or suffering, or just want to connect with others around the idea of being well, this is a place for you.

Hope to see you!

Share your story. Find your well.

Story Well — held the first Monday of every month at 6 pm in a variety of locations and sometimes on Zoom — is a time to share and discuss the various ways we can help and care for each other.

Our June 2022 Story Well is tentatively scheduled to be held outdoors at Como Park in St. Paul. Watch for details on our Facebook events page.

Whether you have substance use or mental health concerns, feel depleted by everyday life, have a friend or loved one who is sick or suffering, or just want to connect with others around the idea of being well, this is a place for you.

Hope to see you!

We are excited to launch the premiere of our new video series, Dissonance Sessions, featuring Minnesota folk music legend Charlie Parr in Episode 1.

Part therapy session, part recording session, each episode of the new video series takes a deep dive into the story of one artist, giving listeners the unique opportunity to get to know the person and music in more intimate ways. In Episode 1, Charlie discusses his experiences with depression, grief, anxiety, and family dynamics while delivering intimate performances of songs from his most recent album, Last of the Better Days Ahead.

Watch now!

We are thrilled to host Chris Koza for an intimate house show for supporters of Dissonance. Chris will play solo tunes and talk with Dissonance about his personal experiences balancing mental health and wellness with the musician lifestyle, which he addressed in a recent blog post for Dissonance entitled "Filling the Empty Space." The concert conversation is from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, May 22, with doors at 3:30 p.m.

Audience questions are welcome, and mingling is encouraged. If interested, prepare to sample N/A beverages featuring Zero-Proof Libations by Cate Faulkner. ZPL promotes acceptance of all people regardless of where they are on their wellness or sobriety journey - a perfect fit with our mission to build healthy community and make authentic connections.

Proof of vaccination is required for all attendees. Location of the house is in the Como Park neighborhood of St. Paul; address will be disclosed to ticket holders prior to the event date.

Limited tickets available: get them here!

National Donut Day, World Sword Swallowers Day, Sidewalk Chalking Month, No Drink November ... there are a lot of obscure holidays and observations. And May is Mental Health Month. What does this mean to you? Why do we dedicate time to this?

“Share your story. Find your well."“

At Story Well on May 2, we’ll offer some basic mental health screenings in case you are curious about the state of your mental health. This could be a starting point to get more information. We'll also explore emotion through some writing prompts and a collaborative art piece. Come by for a laid-back, supportive conversation all about the merits of taking care of this facet of our wellbeing. Perhaps you'll even set an intention for minding it a little more closely throughout Mental Health Month.

Story Well — held the first Monday of every month at 6 pm in a variety of locations and sometimes on Zoom — is a time to share and discuss the various ways we can help and care for each other.

Our Mental-Health-Month Story Well will be held at one of our favorite hosts — Eat My Words Bookstore in NE Minneapolis.

Whether you have substance use or mental health concerns, feel depleted by everyday life, have a friend or loved one who is sick or suffering, or just want to connect with others around the idea of being well, this is a place for you. Hope to see you!

P.S. We mentioned donuts, so donuts will be provided.

Dissonance is proud to sponsor the 10th Anniversary finale of the live music and storytelling series Morningside After Dark.

Don’t miss the return to in-person with Morningside After Dark’s “Best Of” showcase of alternating live music and true stories. The in-person show is now SOLD OUT but will also be live-streamed for free. Don’t miss this incredible line-up as Morningside After Dark returns to where it all began after two years of virtual-only shows! We can’t wait!

Other show sponsors include: Hyperbole: The Best Podcast Ever, YogaFit Linden Hills, THE TEN SPOT, and designer Senn & Sons.

The event will stream live on Morningside After Dark’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Let’s celebrate 10 years of this fantastic series together on April 25th at 7:30pm CT!

Share your story. Find your well.

Story Well — held the first Monday of every month at 6 pm in a variety of locations and sometimes on Zoom — is a time to share and discuss the various ways we can help and care for each other.

Our April 2022 Story Well will be held at one of our favorite hosts — Eat My Words Bookstore in NE Minneapolis. See details on our Facebook events page.

Whether you have substance use or mental health concerns, feel depleted by everyday life, have a friend or loved one who is sick or suffering, or just want to connect with others around the idea of being well, this is a place for you.

Hope to see you!

Share your story. Find your well.

Story Well — held the first Monday of every month at 6 pm in a variety of locations and sometimes on Zoom — is a time to share and discuss the various ways we can help and care for each other.

Our March 2022 Story Well will be held at one of our favorite hosts — Eat My Words Bookstore in NE Minneapolis. See details on our Facebook events page.

Whether you have substance use or mental health concerns, feel depleted by everyday life, have a friend or loved one who is sick or suffering, or just want to connect with others around the idea of being well, this is a place for you.

Hope to see you!

Dissonance is proud to sponsor the 10th Anniversary season of the live music and storytelling series Morningside After Dark.

Join us for “True North,” the second of three 2022 events. Find a cozy spot at home and enjoy live, virtual performances by musicians Annie Humphrey; Harmony & Joel Kaplan; Chris Koza; Brian Laidlaw & Ashley Hanson; Alisa Ross; and Andy Vogl as well as writer Ann Bancroft; Mary Moore Easter; Jasir Johnson; Stephen Kung; and Tom Trondson.

Other show sponsors include: the Ann Bancroft Foundation; Hyperbole: The Best Podcast Ever; YogaFit Linden Hills; THE TEN SPOT; and designer Senn & Sons.

The event will stream live on Morningside After Dark’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Let’s find our true north together on Feb 28th at 7:30pm CT!

Share your story. Find your well.

Story Well — held the first Monday of every month at 6 pm in a variety of locations and sometimes on Zoom — is a time to share and discuss the various ways we can help and care for each other.

Stay tuned to our Facebook events page for details on the February 2022 Story Well

Whether you have substance use or mental health concerns, feel depleted by everyday life, have a friend or loved one who is sick or suffering, or just want to connect with others around the idea of being well, this is a place for you.

Hope to see you!

Share your story. Find your well.

Story Well — held the first Monday of every month at 6 pm in a variety of locations and sometimes on Zoom — is a time to share and discuss the various ways we can help and care for each other.

Our January Story Well will be held at one of our new favorite locations: Eat My Words bookstore in northeast Minneapolis.

Share your story, find your well. Whether you have substance use or mental health concerns, feel depleted by everyday life, have a friend or loved one who is sick or suffering, or just want to connect with others around the idea of being well, this is a place for you.

RSVP to our Facebook events page if you can, or just show up. Bring your own experience, an open mind and compassion. NA drinks and snacks provided. Hope to see you!

(We regret that due to rising risks of COVID-19 spread, we have canceled this event. Look for more from Dissonance in the near future, and please make a healthy transition into the new year.)

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This year, as an alternative to our annual Unhappy Holidays artist showcase, we invite you to come hang with us for a no-pressure, post-Christmas, pre-New Year, low-key celebration. Join us for Unhappy Holidays Open Mic on Thursday, 12/30. Come to mingle, chat, listen and/or sing from 7-9pm at Music Lab in South Minneapolis. And if you’d like a performance slot, we’ll start the signups at 6:30.

RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/270189431655661.

Share your story. Find your well.

Story Well — held the first Monday of every month at 6 pm in a variety of locations and sometimes on Zoom — is a time to share and discuss the various ways we can help and care for each other.

Our December Story Well is inspired by the seasonal transition we are making to shorter days and colder nights. Some of us in Minnesota tend to get a little funky this time of year. As the holidays and end-of-year to-do list grow near, we'd rather hunker down and stay inside than run around and check things off our list. So what can we do?

Join us for a meaningful discussion about how to get out of this funk and manage our mood by utilizing healthy coping skills and positive behavior.

Share your story, find your well. Whether you have substance use or mental health concerns, feel depleted by everyday life, have a friend or loved one who is sick or suffering, or just want to connect with others around the idea of being well, this is a place for you.

RSVP to our Facebook events page if you can, or just show up. Bring your own experience, an open mind and compassion. NA drinks and snacks provided. Hope to see you!

Our biggest day for fundraising is “Give to the Max Day” — Minnesota’s annual day of online philanthropy. Please consider a donation on or before Nov. 18, 2021, to help us create healthy community and conversation, in and through the arts.

Throughout November (even after the 18th): Support Mental Health + Recovery in the Arts by making a donation to Dissonance at https://www.givemn.org/organization/Dissonance. For #GTMD21, we’re excited to announce a fundraising goal of $5,000 and a hope to reach at least 10 new donors this month. Donations will support a brand new project we call Dissonance Sessions, previewed below. Can you help? You make a difference, and we appreciate you!