Moonshine, a DJ collective, at the Cedar and Public Functionary

Main show: Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Avenue, Mpls – 8 PM – Moonshine After Party – 11 PM – Public Functionary, 1500 Jackson St NE, Mpls – $22 advance, $27 at the door for both events

Since it opened its doors in the 1980s, the Cedar Cultural Center has been at the forefront of featuring diverse, vibrant performers to the Twin Cities music scene. Now, they welcome DJ Pierre Kwenders to Minneapolis for the first time. 

The Congolese-born, Montréal-based singer/songwriter, rapper, and DJ sings in Lingala, English, French, Tshiluba, and Kikongo, fusing together African music from across the decades with R&B, smooth jazz, dancehall, and more. Through his performances, Kwenders creates music that isn’t bound by language, genre, or geography. His performances are vulnerable, fluid, and immersive, creating space for anyone to connect and find hope in his music. 

Kwenders will be joined at the Cedar by local Minneapolis DJ Yasmeenah, who opens. With a focus on celebrating the Black diaspora through music, Yasmeenah’s sounds span from House to UK Funk to Jersey Club and more. 

A ticket gives access to Pierre Kwenders’ show at the Cedar and admission into the Moonshine afterparty at Northeast’s art gallery Public Functionary. Kwenders will perform again, joined by fellow Moonshine DJs San Farafina and Foreigner, as well as DJ Yasmeenah.