August 19th, 2025
By John Showalter
Bluegrass is a genre of music that is often associated with the American South. Many people would express incredulity at being told there is a thriving bluegrass and folk music community in the Upper Midwest. That is one misconception that Aaron Niehaus, among others, seeks to dispel with Red River Roots, a music festival occurring in September at Crooked Lane Farm. Niehaus plays in a Fargo bluegrass band called Kohlrabi Soup that performs…
June 9th, 2025
By Alicia Underlee Nelson
The Moorhead Public Library will offer three free, all-ages outdoor concerts featuring regional bands this summer. The series begins on June 12 with the Meat Rabbits, a group that blends traditional polka sounds with modern rock and pop music. The concert will be held outside the Moorhead Public Library (118 Fifth Street S. in Moorhead) from 6 to 8 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. Food will be available for purchase.
The series…
February 18th, 2025
Mooncats and Pert Near Sandstone play Empire Theatre
By Sabrina Hornung
The MoonCats describe themselves as “Americonscious Campfire Folk.” They have a clear acoustic folk sound with a sense of whimsy — think Roger Miller meets John Prine meets Old Crow Medicine show —with more toe tapping, sing-along, North Dakota charm than you can shake a stick at. They’re a three piece Americana band hailing from Bismarck to Pick City, but their origin story reaches back to…
November 13th, 2024
By John Showalter
Local band Zero Place has been making quite a name for itself locally and regionally in the last few years. Despite getting its start during a time it seemed the whole world was coming to a stop with the COVID pandemic, the band shows no sign of slowing down with the release of their second album, “Darko,” on the horizon. That should be no surprise, though. Lead vocalist and guitarist Zander Ness is no stranger to making music.
“I’ve…
October 17th, 2024
North Dakota’s All Star Tribute to John Prine at the Fargo Theatre
By Sabrina Hornung
On November 3, The Radio Stars are rounding up a number of North Dakota’s finest musicians from Watford City to the Red River Valley to pay tribute to the late great John Prine at the Fargo Theatre. They will share the stage with Jessie Veeder, Gina Powers, Chuck Suchy, Pat Lenertz, Darrin Wentz, Tom Brousseau, Emily Walter, Tuckered Out and Dan Brekke.
This isn’t the first North…
September 19th, 2024
By John Showalter
Like any metropolitan area, Fargo-Moorhead has a plethora of radio stations representing a variety of musical genres and other content. And like any other playing field in the world of media, there are going to be both the bigger fish (the corporate stations) and the hidden gems. One of those gems in the case of Fargo-Moorhead is Radio Free Fargo KRFF 95.9, which has been providing an outlet for independent radio in some incarnation or another…
August 3rd, 2024
Lamb of God celebrates 20th anniversary of a seminal album
by John Showalter
Photo by Travis Shinn
When the band Burn the Priest formed in 1994, they likely did not realize the impact that they would have on the metal genre. Thirty years later, the band is still going strong, albeit with a few changes in lineup and their adoption of the much better-known moniker Lamb of God. In that time, they have released eleven studio albums (two of which were under their…
July 18th, 2024
HPR chats with Slug of the hip-hop duo Atmosphere
By Sabrina Hornung
When Sean Daley, also known as Slug, the voice of Twin Cities-based hip hop duo Atmosphere and co-founder of rap label Rhymesayers was growing up, he said hip-hop was the “large tool in my toolbox of socializing.” Whether it was breakdancing, graffiti or being a fan of the sound, he knew it was not his parents’ music and it was a movement that he felt belonged solely to those kids. High Plains…
July 18th, 2024
By John Showalter
In the several years since its owners purchased what was once Main Avenue Auto in Moorhead, Minnesota in 2019, Harold’s on Main has quickly transformed from the new kid on the block to a Moorhead fixture. Not even a pandemic that seemed to put the world on pause was able to drive them off the rails. What started as just a bar now regularly hosts outside concerts, vinyl nights, and karaoke, among other events. On July 27, Harold’s will be celebrating its fifth…
June 20th, 2024
HPR chats with Bob Carpenter of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
By Sabrina Hornung
When asked if it was fair to consider the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band as “the godfathers of contemporary Americana” during our interview, longstanding band member Bob Carpenter chuckled and said, “I think that's for someone else to decide.” Fans can do exactly that during the band’s Farewell Tour, which swings through North Dakota and Minnesota in June.
“I don't know,” Carpenter…
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Summer is a tough time for families who depend on free or reduced-price school meals, so YMCA of the Northern Sky will provide nutritious, no-cost meals to kids 18 and under through August 26. Breakfast and lunch are available…
By Jeff Armstrong Despite a history dating back many centuries and a reputation as fierce resistance fighters, the Kurds remain the largest stateless nation in the world. Divided by colonial post-WWI borders and subsumed into four…
June 6-7StatewideYou grab a line and I’ll grab a pole — and if you’re a North Dakota resident, you can head on down to your favorite fishing hole, no license needed (for this weekend, anyway). All other rules still apply…
By John Strand It took us over 30 years for us to reach out and ask for your help. The High Plains Reader has always been subscription free and paywall free. Our content has — and always will be — free to access for all of our…
By Ed RaymondCongratulations! A world record held by Trumplican Party and NRA!During the Minnesota Legislature’s discussion of gun controls, Republican State Senator Drew Roach of Farmington said he would never ban assault…
By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…
July 8th, 5:30-8 p.m.Viking Ship Park, 202 1st Ave. N., Moorhead We’re celebrating America’s 250th birthday, Minnesota style. Moorhead Parks and Recreation and HCSCC are hosting the ultimate potluck. Whether you’re bringing…
Tuesday, June 30, 7 p.m.Parachigo, 14 8th St. S., Fargo Inspired by folk and rock influences, Bielanski's upbeat catchy tunes have gone worldwide — literally. He’s played 2,500 shows, 311 of which were performed last year alone.…
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By Greg Carlson The feature directorial debut of established internet phenomenon and entertainment hyphenate Hayley Kiyoko — known unironically to her fans as “Lesbian Jesus” — carries with it a curious backstory becoming more…
By Jacinta Zens I recently sat down for a chat with ceramicist Louie Albertson, Clay and Studio Program Manager at the Plains Art Museum. Before the interview, I had the pleasure of getting to know him a bit as a colleague when I…
Saturday, January 31, 6:30-9 p.m.Transfiguration Fitness, 764 34th St. N., Unit P, FargoAn enchanting evening celebrating movement and creativity in a staff-student showcase. This is a family-friendly event showcasing pole, aerial…
By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…
By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…
By Eli Liverani It was in the mid-90s when I heard of homeopathy for the first time. I was at university, and it was through word of mouth. Some friends were seeking homeopathy to solve minor health issues, such as weight gain,…
January 31, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.Viking Ship Park, 202 1st Ave. N., Moorhead2026 marks 10 years of frosty fun! Enjoy sauna sessions with Log the Sauna, try Snowga (yoga in the snow), take a guided snowshoe nature hike, listen to live…
Chris M. Stoner I was recently dismissed from my role as drag show director and emcee for Dakota OutRight, a role I had been fulfilling for more than two decades. The reason given? My political commentary during shows, while…
