MAE SIMPSON MUSIC: Best New Band Is Live, Live-streamed on Nov. 19

Daytime Concert at 11 a.m. in Ostrander

Mae Simpson Music performing on the First Avenue main stage in January 2020 after being names City Pages Readers’ Choice Best New Band.

“Mae Simpson’s voice seems to come from another time. The time when sounds, words, and passion mattered most in music. 

MUSIC IN MINNESOTA

The Details

  • WHO: Mae Simpson Music is a seven-piece band named 2019 Best New Band and nominated for Best Live Concert in City Pages Readers Poll.
  • WHAT: CSU Serendipity Music Series Fall Finale
  • WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 19, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • WHERE: LIVE: CSU Ostrander Auditorium (50 seats available) VIRTUAL: Live-streaming on Centennial Student Union Facebook Page
  • HOW MUCH: FREE!!

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At the start of 2020, Mae Simpson Music was riding the wave of audience adulation among Twin Cities bands.

After being named the 2019 City Pages Readers’ Choice as Best New Band, the seven-piece band of “pure energy and soul” made it to Minneapolis Music Mecca – the First Avenue main stage.

In March 2020, they were gearing up to drop their new EP.

Here at Minnesota State Mankato, Mae was slated to make a solo appearance as part of the Centennial Student Union’s Serendipity Music Series as it celebrated Women’s History Month.

Then COVID-19 hit and everything came to a screeching halt.

Jump ahead several months. Through Joe Scarpellino, the well-connected wizard in Twin Cities music circles, Mae Simpson and Serendipity Music Series were brought back together.

A date was set.

This time, the full band from Mae Simpson Music will come to the Minnesota State Mankato campus for a free performance on Thursday, Nov. 19. As is the tradition for the Serendipity Music Series, this special daytime performance will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the CSU Ostrander Auditorium.

In addition to moving from the student union lounges to the auditorium, the CSU music event will be live-streamed for virtual participation. Joining the CSU in sponsoring the event is the Women’s Center and the LGBT Center.

Lenny Koupal, CSU communications coordinator who oversees the Serendipity Music Series, said the Nov. 19 concert sets a new bar for the ongoing music series.

“Mae Simpson has been on my wish list since I first heard her amazing, powerful, soulful vocals,” Koupal said. “I hadn’t given up hope of getting her to campus. Now, having the full band performing a free concert on Nov. 19th is a treat that shouldn’t be passed up.”

Koupal sees the series’ Fall Finale as a nice send-off as students head toward the Thanksgiving break and the University becomes a quiet campus until January.

After Thanksgiving, the remainder of the fall semester will go online due to COVID. Students aren’t expected to return until in-class sessions resume in January 2021.

Koupal said details for the live audience and live streaming event continue and will be announced by early November. He expects to have a “live lottery” for online first-come-first-served reservations for the 50. The live stream will be carried over the Centennial Student Union Facebook site.

Following the daytime performance, music and entertainment will continue that evening in Ostrander Auditorium as the Student Events Team hosts its annual Maverick Got Talent competition.

For further information, email leonard.koupal@mnsu.edu.

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