Press Links
December 21, 2020 - MediaPost Communications
Agencies Deliver Cheer Via Holiday Initiatives
“Solve is celebrating the music community by donating to the Twin Cities Music Community Trust, an organization that supports all the out-of-work artists, technicians, and venue staff.”
December 17, 2020 - Mpls St. Paul Magazine
Ways to Support Theaters and Venues for the Holidays
“Have a hard time committing to actually doing things in these dog days of COVID but feel like you want to contribute some- thing, anything? You can donate directly to theaters and venues via their websites, or you can put your money to broader work by donating to an organization like the Twin Cities Music Community Trust.”
November 17, 2020 - Minnesota Monthly
Best of MN 2020: Arts & Culture
“Helping Hands: When the Arts Give Back: We’re in a world of lost gigs. With music-industry folks struggling to get by, the First Avenue nightclub’s nonprofit, the Twin Cities Music Community Trust, has set up information resources and dispersed hundreds of thousands of dollars in emergency funds to out-of-work entertainment professionals.”
July 17, 2020 - Pollstar
Leadership Forged In A Time Of Crisis: Dayna Frank, Impact 50 Cover Profile
“First Avenue has its own non-profit, Twin Cities Music Community Trust, which was founded in 2006 and pivoted to COVID-19 relief early-on in the pandemic. “We’ve distributed $200,000 or so in emergency relief to concert workers since this started,” explains GM Kranz. “We were able to pivot very quickly, since it already existed into creating an emergency relief fund for concert workers. Since the start of this, we’ve distributed grants in blocks of $250 and $500 to help support our community through fundraising and grants.”
June 4, 2020 - Star Tribune
Seeing 'no way out this year,' Twin Cities music venues are scrambling and uniting
“First Avenue has been pushing 50th anniversary T-shirts and other merchandise while also touting its Twin Cities Community Trust, a nonprofit fund that has doled out more than $200,000 to unemployed local music venue workers.”
June 17, 2020 - WQXR Blog
Providing Relief to the Arts in the Middle of a Pandemic
“COVID-19 relief funds helping people in the performing arts. We thank them for helping the performing arts community.”
June 17, 2020 - Bring Me The News
For anniversary sale, Electric Fetus turns to reservations
“In order to reserve an arrival time to shop Saturday, customers must donate at least $25 to one of three charities: Association for Black Economic Power Pimento Relief Fund, Twin Cities Music Community Trust or Outfront Minnesota. “
June 16, 2020 - CBS.com
Electric Fetus To Offer Private Shopping Day To Support Local Charities On June 21
“Shoppers will then be contacted by staff to make a $25 donation to one of three organizations…including the Twin Cities Music Community Trust”
June 7, 2020 - The Free Press
Artist’s dilemma: Wait for reopenings or change careers?
“Since we last talked, [Larsson]’s received a couple of emergency grants — one from Springboard for the Arts for $500, and another from the Twin Cities Music Community Trust for $100. Those grants paid for another month’s rent.”
May 23, 2020 - MusicInMinnesota.com
Coffee Shops Collaborate for a Special Benefit Release“Five Watt Coffee and Caydence Records & Coffee have joined forces to curate a special compilation of songs to help benefit our music community. “
May 3, 2020 - St. Paul Pioneer Press
Daily distraction: The First Avenue coloring book was such a hit it already has a sequel“Sean Tillmann and his fiancee, Laura Hauser, have released their fifth coloring book, “The Big Coloring Book of First Avenue Part 2: A Benefit for the Twin Cities Music Community Trust.”
May 1, 2020 - AllAccess.com
KCMP (89.3 The Current)/Minneapolis’ Jim McGuinn And Glassnote’s Nick Petropoulos Collaborate On Videos To Support CharityApril 30 , 2020 - Minneapolis Star Tribune
First Ave's TC Music Trust raises $130k so far for musicians and venue workers“Minnesota fans have stepped up in a big way to support the local live music community, handing over $130,000 so far to the Twin Cities Music Community Trust in the first six weeks of the coronavirus quarantine.”
April 29, 2020 - Mpls St. Paul Magazine
Announcing: MSPtv Quarantine Sessions“Being a musician is tough right now. With no gigs booked for the foreseeable future, and the ones artists had planned either cancelled or postponed, it might be a while before we can congregate at a concert again.”
April 28, 2020 - Forbes
Minneapolis’ Iconic Club First Avenue Celebrates 50 Years, Even As Live Music Goes Silent
"Meanwhile, as the club remains closed during the pandemic, the Twin Cities Music Community Trust is accepting donations for a relief fund to help those in the local music community economically impacted by the crisis."April 24, 2020 - BrewBound.com
Indeed Brewing Company Supports Local Community by Canning Draft-Only Beers“Each can features a QR code that gives the drinker an opportunity to support two industries that were disproportionately affected by the outbreak. The Springbier and Danzig Dunkel labels include a QR code that directs people to tip Indeed taproom staff, while NE Beer’s QR code directs people to contribute to the Twin Cities Music Community Trust.”
April 23, 2020 - Lavender Magazine
Art & Soul: Helping Out Our Artistic Communities“The arts are incredibly integral to the identity of the Twin Cities, and while concerts and exhibits are currently being cancelled or postponed, there are several ways we can help support our brothers, sisters, and siblings in the arts during this unprecedented time.”
April 17, 2020 - MPR News
During pandemic, Har Mar Superstar thinks — and colors — outside the box“The book came out March 25, and quickly sold about 3,500 copies. "We have already raised $15,000 for the Twin Cities Music Community Trust," said Tillmann.”
April 14, 2020 - Kare11 News
KARE 11 Presents: MN Bands Together concert to air on Friday
“The TEGNA Foundation and KARE 11 will also be donating $5,000 to the Twin Cities Music Community Trust in appreciation and support for the artist community. “
March 27, 2020 - MPR News
Musicians move their shows online, but it's not a living“… [Jake] Ilika livestreamed five half-hour concerts from home. He said he took in about $450 in tips – which viewers send to him via PayPal or Venmo. He split the money among three bandmates. It’s a drop in the bucket, he said, but it’s what he can do to help. If his friends get to a point where they’re stable, he plans to donate what he makes to the Twin Cities Music Community Trust, which helps musicians in need.”
March 27, 2020 - Brooklyn Vegan
“We heard that First Avenue, our favorite local concert promoters, had set up the Twin Cities Music Community Trust to help their staff and local musicians who were out of work. It was a no-brainer that this would be our first benefit charity because First Avenue also owns and operates multiple amazing venues in the Twin Cities (Turf Club, Palace Theater, Fitzgerald Theater, Fine Line, etc) that employ many of our friends.”
March 26, 2020 - Pioneer Press
From coloring books to online concerts, here’s how Twin Cities musicians are coping in the pandemic
March 25, 2020 - Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine
Artists Launch Coloring Books For a Cause
“The musician Har Mar Superstar (aka Sean Tillman) and Laura Hauser launched Coloring Books For a Cause as a way to support the local community during self-quarantine due to the coronavirus. “
March 25, 2020 - Kare11 News
Twin Cities artists publish coloring book to help industries affected by coronavirus
“Sean Tillmann, AKA Har Mar Superstar along with illustrators Laura Hauser, Stacey Combs and Michael Gaughan published a First Avenue themed coloring book.”
March 22, 2020 - Minnesota Daily
Twin Cities live music venues will stay closed until at least April
March 19, 2020 - GRAMMY.com
Resources For Music Creators & Professionals Affected By COVID-19: East Region
March 19, 2020 - 93X Blog
Support Local Music: Twin Cities Music Community Trust
March 18, 2020 - Billboard.com
A State-by-State Resource Guide for Music Professionals Who Need Help During Coronavirus Crisis
“The coronavirus pandemic has left countless members of the music community facing an uncertain future, as festivals and tours are canceled, studio sessions are called off and business travel is restricted. To help music professionals and their loved ones navigate the crisis, Billboard has compiled a list of resources at both the national and state levels, including more than four dozen relief funds.”
March 16, 2020 - Mpls St. Paul Magazine
Minnesota Nonprofits and Charities to Support Amid Coronavirus Outbreak
“Twin Cities Music Community Trust is supporting local musician and the workforce in the music and event industries suffering due to the many cancellations of shows and events. Donations help any individuals losing out on work due to the coronavirus.”
March 14, 2020 - Star Tribune
First Ave, other music venues will shut down through March due to crowd limits
“First Ave asked its customers to consider donations to the Twin Cities Community Trust to offset the coronavirus shutdown’s “disproportionate impact on the music and event industry workforce—especially those individuals who rely on gigs to pay their bills.” The nonprofit was created over a decade ago to assist injured or sidelined stage crew, bartenders and musicians.”
March 13 , 2020 - Fox9 News
First Avenue, other venues postpone all shows as part of effort to slow spread of coronavirus
March 13, 2020 - City Pages
First Avenue postpones all March concerts over coronavirus concerns
“In its statement, First Ave suggested that music fans donate to the Twin Cities Community Trust’s Entertainment Industry relief fund, and that seems like a pretty good idea to us too. The Trust is a 501(c)3 organization that will disperse its funds directly to members of the local music industry who have been affected by coronavirus-related closures.”
March 12, 2020 - The Current Blog
Coronavirus impact on Minnesota music scene: What we know right now
“The Twin Cities Music Community Trust has created a fund to support artists in this unprecedented situation…”
November 21, 2016 - Pioneer Press
Singer/songwriter Wesley Stace recorded his new album with the Jayhawks
“Black Friday wraps with a tribute to the Replacements at the Turf Club. The Melismatics, Eleganza, Kid Dakota, Private Interests and Mary Bue are among the numerous locals set to play the show. The $15 tickets benefit the Twin Cities Music Community Trust, which helps local musicians cover medical bills from unforeseen illnesses or accidents.”
October 20, 2015 - Minneapolis Star Tribune
First Ave's 2015 Replacements tribute to raise up 'All Shook Down'
“…Money raised off the show will benefit the Twin Cities Music Community Trust, which has assisted Dunlap and other music professionals with their medical costs.”