Ed Ackerson Celebration of Life benefit - 2/15 @ First Ave
Longtime musician, producer, studio owner, engineer, label boss and guiding light Ed Ackerson died from pancreatic cancer on October 4, 2019. To celebrate his life, an event in First Avenue’s main room - a place that was practically a church to Ed - will take place on Saturday, February 15, 2020.
This celebration will include live performances from a variety of artists who were close to Ed, a special video presentation, tons of archival content, eulogies from Ed’s friends and more. Many of the artists will be performing covers of Ed songs slated for a future tribute project.
The Jayhawks worked with Ed on 4 albums at his Flowers Studio in Minneapolis. Ed and Gary Louris also worked on many projects together over the years.
Event Schedule
5-6pm - doors open, music and photos including archival footage 6-7pm - Celebration of Life Ceremony 7-11pm - Celebration of Life Rock Show featuring in order of appearance:
Polara (with guests John Strohm of the Blake Babies and Kris Johnson) BNLX (with guests Chris Pavlich and Kris Johnson) Two Harbors Mark Mallman Kraig Johnson & The Poe-gram (featuring David Poe & special guests) The Jayhawks
DJ Jake Rudh spinning throughout the evening Hosted by Adam Gislason and Jim McGuinn Live video projections by Wonder Haus The event will be live streamed on the MCN6 Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/minnesotacommunitynetwork
$20 cover / 18+ event
Tickets HERE Proceeds benefit the Ed Ackerson Family Fund and Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Limited seating available during the Celebration of Life Ceremony. Reserved balcony tables for 2 for the entire evening are being offered for auction here: https://www.32auctions.com/edackerson
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/3075531439159275/
There also will be a special “Susstones Shoppe” pop up record store featuring an expanded merch selection, including CDs/LPs/45s from all phases of Ed’s career + many Susstones rarities.
Also, two very exciting brand new releases that will be available for the first time at the Celebration of Life event on 2/15/20.
Polara’s self-titled first album is being issued for the first time ever on vinyl, exactly 25 years after its release in 1995. This masterpiece exploded onto the Minnesota music scene and eventually the rest of the world in short order. The buzz resulted in a major label contract and today is considered a landmark dream pop record. Shockingly never issued on vinyl, that situation is finally being rectified, something Ed was actively working on over the last year. Being released on high quality limited edition 180 gram transparent orange vinyl.
Capricorn One is Ed’s final project and one of his most accomplished achievements. A “space rock journey,” Capricorn One was conceived, written, performed and produced entirely by Ed. Reflecting many of his influences filtered through his unique vision and created with consummate skill, this album is a bold statement that is a fitting testament to so many things that made Ed such a great artist. Being co-released by Susstones and Anton Newcombe’s A Recordings Ltd label on limited edition hot pink Pantone 806C colored vinyl.
