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Join Prairie Fire Lady Choir at an upcoming show!
Dear friends,
It’s hard to believe that we’re already nearing the end of summer! Prairie Fire Lady Choir has had a busy season of gigs, learning new music, and reconnecting after a couple of challenging years. We’ve performed quite a few times already in 2022 – at the Art Shanty Projects, the Mall of America, Art-a-Whirl, Lake Harriet Bandshell, and Twin Cities Pride. It’s been fun to perform, but even better to gather and sing with one another.
We have some exciting gigs coming up in the next few months. We’d love to see you there!
Upcoming Shows
August 17 (tonight!): Amphitheater at Lyndale Gardens
- 7:00 pm
- Lyndale Gardens Amphitheater: 6400 Lyndale Ave S., Richfield, MN 55423 (map)
- More information
- NOTE: There is a chance of rain tonight. Watch Facebook and Twitter for updates.
August 27: Minnesota State Fair
- Three performances: 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30
- Minnesota State Fair Cosgrove Stage (between Wright Ave and Dan Patch, near the 4-H building) (map)
- More information
September 17: Linden Hills Fall Festival
- 3:00 pm
- Linden Hills Park: 3100 43rd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55410 (map)
- More information
October 8: 2022 Finale!
- 7:00 pm
- Como Dock and Paddle Pavilion, 1360 Lexington Pkwy N, St. Paul, MN 55103 (map)
- More information coming soon!
Auditions!
We WILL be holding auditions in 2023! If you’re interested in auditioning for Prairie Fire Lady Choir, stay tuned to our Facebook page for all the details. We’ll also send out an email as the audition date approaches.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay updated on upcoming shows, auditions, and other choir shenanigans. We hope to see you at a show!
xoxo,
Prairie Fire Lady Choir
🔥 Prairie Fire Lady Choir is Back! 🔥
Dear friends,
After nearly 18 months of virtual rehearsals, Prairie Fire Lady Choir is singing together once again! We had fun on Zoom, but are grateful to be rehearsing in person instead of virtually. (Note: we are continuing to put safety at the forefront, requiring our members to be vaccinated and to wear masks at rehearsals.)
Looking Ahead to 2022
What’s more exciting than rehearsing together? Performing together! We are thrilled to announce that we’re performing at the Art Shanty Projects in early 2022.
The Art Shanty Project was our last performance in 2020 before Covid struck, and we’re excited to get back into live performances at one of our favorite events. We hope you join us for this full circle moment!
PFLC performs on January 29. Exact time TBD. Watch our website or the Art Shanty Projects website for more information.
Give to the Max!
Like many arts organizations, the pandemic significantly disrupted our operations and finances. As we head into the 2022 season and *fingers crossed* more regular rehearsals and performances, we’ll gratefully accept any donations that are sent our way. We’re participating in Give to the Max Day on November 18 – visit our GiveMN page for information or to donate!
Auditions
As much as we love welcoming new members into the choir, we have decided not to hold auditions for the 2022 season. With so many current members who have yet to experience a regular season, and with the uncertainty of the pandemic, it makes the most sense to wait until the world is a little less…unusual.
Finale Retrospective
The PFLC season finale is not just a showcase of our repertoire, but an opportunity to collaborate with our local music scene. Each year, we reach out to our dream collaborator and hope that they too, want to work with us. Together, we come up with a vision and at the end of the year we execute that vision, one time only, before a live audience.
It’s been two years since our last finale performance and we’re missing it, deeply.
Take a trip down memory lane with us and enjoy some epic songs and amazing local talent from years past!
2013 Season Finale
While Prairie Fire lady choir has been around since 2010 and performing finale concerts since 2011, this is the first performance to be caught on camera. Here we are at The Cedar Cultural Center singing our rep as well as Lou Reed’s “Satellite of Love” with Matt Latterell and “Birds Are Always“, an original song by Haley
Song Birds
In 2013, PFLC received a Metropolitan Regional Arts Council grant to work with Aby Wolf on an original song-writing project. During the off-season, choir members wrote 14 new songs! These songs, along with many others, were performed at the 2014 finale concert held at the Cedar.
Sound Waves
Our 2015 collaboration with the delightful dudechoir Murder of Bros took place at The Cedar Cultural Center and included a rowdy rendition of “Women and Men” by They Might Be Giants and “Rebel Girl” by Bikini Kill. In fact, we loved the latter so much that we incorporated it into our repertoire!
So Contagious
Our friend Matt Latterell joined us again in 2016, this time at McNally Smith, for a reprise of “Satellite of Love“ as well as “Busby Berkeley Dreams” by The Magnetic Fields. Lyrics from Matt’s original song “Run to the Window“ generated our show title So Contagious and boy does that have a different meaning today!
Anthems and Monuments
2017 was a big year with lots of new music made possible by another MRAC grant. We joined forces with Chris Koza, who wrote an entire suite of music inspired by water. We performed this set only twice. Once, at the intimate North Garden Theatre followed by an encore performance at Grace Trinity Community Church.
Set 1 with Chris Koza
Set 2 PFLC
Heart Break Open
Back at the Cedar for our 2018 season finale! This year we performed a soulful rendition of “River” by Leon Bridges with our collaborator Sarah White.
Months of Moon
We had so much fun in 2019 at our last finale performance! We always feel at home at the Cedar Cultural Center and our collaborator PaviElle was on fire! Highlights from the show include Heart’s “Magic Man“, and “Under the Bridge” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Check out our website for the latest details on all our activities or keep track of our doings on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We miss you and hope you are well!
XOXO
Prairie Fire Lady Choir
Staying Connected in 2020
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2020 Auditions Coming in February!
Prairie Fire Lady Choir is excited to announce that we will be holding auditions for the 2020 season in February. To learn more about the audition process, how to register, and what it’s like to sing with us, please visit our Audition information page.
Thanks for your interest!
Announcing Prairie Fire Lady Choir’s 2019 Season Finale
We hope you’ve enjoyed the many “seasons” of our gigs this year. Whether singing outdoors at a frosty 331 Club for Art-a-Whirl this spring, sweating it out at the Aquatennial Lock and Dam or Como Lake Pavilion this summer, or staying warm at an unseasonably cool late-August night at the Lake Harriet Bandshell, we’ve been bringing our trademark heat!
As we close out our 2019 season, we wanted to share with you the exciting details of our upcoming finale collaboration with local powerhouse PaviElle. Mark your calendars, you won’t want to miss it!
SEASON FINALE
Months of Moon
Prairie Fire Lady Choir Season Finale with Special Guest PaviElle
Friday, November 1, 2019
Doors: 7:00pm / Show: 8:00pm
Cedar Cultural Center
TICKETS / all ages
We are thrilled to return to the Cedar Cultural Center for our finale, Months of Moon, featuring special guest PaviElle! We’re inspired by her multidimensional talent, genuine enthusiasm, dedication to music and the deeper purpose that drives her. We are excited to premiere two new collaborative pieces at the finale, and are grateful for the opportunity to make music together.
TICKET GIVEAWAY
We have one highly sought-after pair of tickets available for two lucky fans! Send an email to hello@prairiefireladychoir.org
Lady of the Week – Heidi McFadyen
Heidi McFadyen
Soprano 1
How long have you been in the choir?
This is my first season!
What’s your favorite PFLC song?
I celebrate the entire catalog, but Sisters Roar, Rebel Girl, Hive and Burn the White Flag are really fun to sing.
What’s your favorite thing about being in this choir?
I’m in awe of this community of women. Reconnecting with music is great. Working with intelligent, funny, and talented women with high standards to create that music is what makes the choir a special experience.
What do you like to do outside of choir?
I like going to the movies, concerts and theater. I like to learn, and I learn through art.
Who are your favorite local bands/musicians?
I’m from Eau Claire, Wis., so I’ve been an acolyte for Bon Iver/all Justin Vernon projects since forever. Lizzo, Polica and Cloud Cult. My Atmosphere fandom once helped me connect with kind skateboarding youths when I was lost and alone in Honolulu after too many Mai Tais. Minnesota music brings people together!
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
I do a very intense rendition of 9 to 5. I feel those lyrics hard.
Describe yourself in three words
Overthinking this question.
If there was a movie about your life, who would play you?
Beanie Feldstein as young me, and J. Lo as older me. Where It’s At by Beck would play in the background of the opening scene while I repeatedly hit the snooze bar on my alarm. But…it’s not like I’ve thought about it much.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Oprah.
Lady of the Week – Merrilee Brown
Merrilee Brown
Tenor II
How long have you been in the choir?
This is my first season 🙂
What’s your favorite PFLC song?
Right now it’s Bikini Kill’s Rebel Girl. Its punchy, upbeat and unapologetic. 🙂
What’s your favorite thing about being in this choir?
When I joined this spring, I gained more than a hobby once a week. I gained a community. The ladies in this choir share their skills, time, and friendship, in and out of rehearsal. There’s no director so every member has their ideas considered equally. Also I love performing and we do about 2 gigs month. WIN. WIN. WIN.
What do you like to do outside of choir?
People+Beer+Patios/Games/Biking/Listening to Podcasts/Karaoke
Who are your favorite local bands/musicians?
Pavielle. Can’t wait to collaborate with her for the finale.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
Heartbreaker, Pat Benatar
Describe yourself in three words
That loud Texan
If there was a movie about your life, who would play you?
Amy Poehler
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Betty White
Lady of the Week – Klair Hans
Klair Hans
Tenor I
How long have you been in the choir?
This is my first season!
What’s your favorite PFLC song?
Run to the Window- it’s so much fun to sing (and to yell “SHIT”).
What’s your favorite thing about being in this choir?
The snacks. And making beautiful music with powerful ladies.
What do you like to do outside of choir?
Make art-stuff, play guitar, garden, bike, play kickball, and pretend I live in the IKEA display rooms.
Who are your favorite local bands/musicians?
Aby Wolf (DUH), Dessa, Jeremy Messersmith, Hippocampus, the Cactus Blossoms, and Lizzo (we still get to claim her, right?)
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
Africa by Toto
Describe yourself in three words
happy go lucky
If there was a movie about your life, who would play you?
Jean-Claud Van Damme and Zooey Deschanel’s love child
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Retired
Photo courtesy of Anna Grinets
Lady of the Week – Annette Schiebout
Annette Schiebout
Tenor 2
How long have you been in the choir?
Since day 1, nearly 9 years ago
What’s your favorite PFLC song?
Burn the White Flag, Hive, Not a Good Man, Anthem, Porch Light, Sisters Roar
What’s your favorite thing about being in this choir?
I never wanted to be a performer and I didn’t have music in my life for over a decade, but being part of a community of amazing humans, making beautiful music together, has had a profound impact on my life. Even attending rehearsals and finding harmony with these women is the best therapy around. Not to mention we have had some incredible collaborations and performances over the years in some of the greatest venues in town.
What do you like to do outside of choir?
I write, garden, paint, organize various projects, teach, run an AirBNB/music literary venue called Bella Luna Studios at the Wolf House, hang with the puppies, and sing with three other local groups.
Who are your favorite local bands/musicians?
Dessa, Lizzo, Atmosphere, Her Crooked Heart, Humbird, Jeremy Messersmith, Haley, P.O.S., Chris Koza, Pavielle, Amanda Standalone, Cactus Blossoms, Charlie Parr, Dosh, Roma di Luna… this city is just brewing with talent and I love all kinds of music.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
I honestly hate karaoke. I have had far too many embarrassing not-in-my-range-I-don’t-actually-know-the-song moments, but I have been known to sing Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly” and Patsy Cline’s “Crazy”
Describe yourself in three words
creative, driven, community-builder
If there was a movie about your life, who would play you?
Jennifer Lawrence
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Content in my skin, continuously making new things and having the time to think about them.
Photo by Maya Washington