Pay What You Can • Original Live Music • All Are Welcome Series kicks off Sat, Feb 7th with Caitlin Robertson & Wildrose Fox
NEW YORK MILLS, MN, January 30, 2026—The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center (NYMRCC) is pleased to announce its 2026 Winter/Spring Concert Series, bringing original live music to rural West-Central Minnesota with a renewed Pay What You Can model. Thanks to generous support from the Lake Region Arts Council, all concerts in the series are open to everyone with no tickets required.
The concert series will feature five Minnesota musicians/bands each bringing their own unique blend of folk-rock-country-Americana original music presented in the Cultural Center’s intimate, listening-room-style gallery space, known for its excellent acoustics and rotating visual art exhibitions. Concerts begin at 7:30 p.m., with doors opening at 7:00 p.m. Seating is first come, first served, with light refreshments and a cash bar available.
“We’re excited to welcome audiences back for another season of original live music,” said Betsy Roder, Executive Director. “This series reflects our continued commitment to access, community, and unique arts experiences in rural Minnesota. I’m excited about our line-up of high-quality Minnesota musicians who all play original music and have toured all around the country. Audiences are in for a real treat this season!”
2026 Winter/Spring Concert Series Schedule
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Saturday, February 7 – Caitlin Robertson & Wildrose Fox
Folk-rock and poetic country with ethereal guitar textures and intimate rhythms. -
Saturday, March 14 – Jordan Messerole
Americana and roots songwriting with lyrical storytelling inspired by the Midwest landscape. -
Friday, March 27 – Aaron Simmons
Modern country with high-energy performances and heartfelt, small-town storytelling. -
Saturday, April 18 – Zach Thomas
Country-rock originals driven by powerful vocals and honest, emotionally charged lyrics. -
Thursday, April 30 – Clayton Ryan Duo
Raw, roots-driven country and Americana with a gritty, stripped-down sound.
The Cultural Center invites audiences to Pay What You Can at concerts or online to help support ongoing arts programs. NO advance tickets are required. Grant funds from Lake Region Arts Council make it possible for us to offer accessible music again this season, and we are so grateful! Community contributions ensure the continuation of original live music and cultural programming in the region.
The series kicks off with Caitlin Robertson & Wildrose Fox on Saturday, February 7th. Fronted by Caitlin Robertson on lead vocals, the band brings original, place-based country songs to life, blending prairie storytelling with dreamy, earthy chemistry. Robertson’s songs meet Alex Sandberg’s ethereal guitar and Jeff Mueller’s intimate drums, while Evelyn Christian-Ronning’s vocals add a poetic layer to the sound. Cole Mickelson’s balanced bass provides a powerful pulse, driving listeners through the narrative landscapes Robertson sings of and setting the tone for a compelling opening night of the 2026 Winter/Spring Concert Series.
Let’s fill our space on February 7th for live original music, snacks, cash bar, and community connections! No tickets or reservations required. Pay what you can! Doors open at 7:00, music begins at 7:30.
These activities are made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Lake Region Arts Council and operating support from the Minnesota State Arts Board.
For more information, artist details, or to support the concert series, visit kulcher.org or contact the Cultural Center at 218-385-3339.
About the Cultural Center
The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center is a rural hub for creativity, community vitality, and lifelong learning in the arts. The Center offers visitors intimate opportunities to encounter art and artists in its 80-seat concert listening room, visual art gallery in a historic building, gift shop featuring local artists, artist residency program, sculpture park, and a variety of opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Since its incorporation in 1990, the Cultural Center has been passionate about connecting people to artists and rich cultural experiences in rural Minnesota, celebrating the local and being a window to the world. For more information, call 218-385-3339, or visit www.kulcher.org.