Thursday, September 1, 2011

Low to headline Saturday at ‘Off the Page’ event


As part of this year’s SMU “Off the Page” lineup, musical artists Low, Ben Weaver and The Morning Foreign will perform Saturday, Sept. 3. The Off-the-Page Series features a variety of Minnesota talent, hosted by Saint Mary’s at easily accessible venues around Winona.

These three popular music ensembles promise to fill the historic Masonic Temple, 5th and Main streets, with the sounds of today’s generations. Tickets for the event, which will begin at 7 p.m., are $20 for adults or $15 for students and seniors.

The musical group Low was formed in 1993 in Duluth. They quickly gained a following for their use of slow tempos and minimalist arrangements in what others have dubbed the “slowcore” movement. The striking harmonies of founding members Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker are perhaps the distinctive element for which the group is best remembered. Their debut album, “I Could Live In Hope,” was released in 1994. They currently have nine full-length recordings with numerous EPs and live recordings. Their tour this year includes stops at Radio City Music Hall, New York; First Avenue, Minneapolis; Queens Social Club, Bristol, England; Primavera Festival, Barcelona; Lido, Berlin; and the Barbican London.

Ben Weaver grew up in Saint Paul and has a distinctive voice that some have likened to Tom Waits. His first album, “El Camino Blues,” featured Greg Brown and Tony Glover. He now has seven releases and his most recent, “Mirepoix and Smoke,” was inspired by his time with a farm-to-table restaurant in Minneapolis.

The Morning Foreign is a Winona-based group that has recently been seen at Midwest Music Fest, the Winona Art Center, and Ed’s. Playing original tunes written by SMU senior Benjamin Scott, the group dabbles with jazz influenced pop, with a cello thrown in for good measure.

To order tickets, go online to www.pagetheatre.org or call the box office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.