Music in the Back Woods
2026 Artist Lineup Jenny Klukken Blaine and Leah Howard Sara Groves
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Held annually each summer in the beautiful backwoods of the Edgcumbe Presbyterian Church, St. Paul, MN. Music in the Back Woods features musicians from around the Midwest. In our fifth season, we have showcased:
Alicia Kay Mother Banjo Annie Fitzgerald Matthew French Annie Mack Obadiah Gamble Naomi Marie Waltzing on Waves Christy Merry Alison Wilder Faith Boblett Yev
Save the Date! 2026 Music in the Back Woods Sunday, August 2nd 5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Edgcumbe Presbyterian Church 2149 Edgcumbe Road, St. Paul, MN
Tickets: $15 Adults / $5 for Kids 12 and under.
Available for purchase at the event or online at: https://buytickets.at/arthousenorth/2228425
Grab a friend, a blanket or camping chair, pack a picnic and join us. Lemonade and cookies provided.
(Our rain location will be at Art House North, 793 Armstrong Avenue West, St. Paul, MN 55102
Jenny Klukken is a classically trained percussionist, creative composer, improviser, musical storyteller and an innovative voice for the modern marimba.
Her compositions that showcase her virtuosity on the marimba, while appealing to wide ranges of listeners through singable melodies, addictive grooves, and playful improvisation. Jenny takes the marimba out of the modern-classical musical world and into improv-based genres like folk music and jazz. In the Twin Cities where she lives, Jenny has developed a reputation as a stunning performer with a highly unique point of view.
In 2018, she received an Metropolitan Regional Arts Council grant to travel to Paris, France, to study marimba composition and improvisation with Eric Sammut, one of the foremost composers of music for the marimba throughout France and all of Europe.
Blaine and Leah Howard hail from Fairchild, Wisconsin and play a blend of acoustic Americana and folk. They have played all across the upper Midwest and beyond, having performed for over three decades together in bands and as a duo. They've shared the stage with Grammy winners Nickel Creek, country artist Jamie O'Neal, and indie artists like Denison Witmer and the Viginantes of Love. Their set includes award-winning originals and an eclectic mix of covers of artists like Gillian Welch, Van Morrison, and Iris Dement.
Blaine is the 2016 winner of the Great River Folk Fest songwriting contest (LaCrosse, WI) and a top ten finalist in the 2004 Hank Williams songwriting contest (Flat Rock, NC.).
