August 8, Tommy and the Liebermen (7 pm, $5 cover). An eclectic performer who has been part of Rio Nido, Prairie Home Companion and Sesame Street in one way or another, Tom always entertains.

August 9, Sophia Shorai (7 pm, no cover, Foodie Night). One of the most popular of the younger generation of vocalists in the Twin Cities.

August 10 and 18th, Nachito Herrera (8 pm, $15 cover). A virtuosic and volcanic performer who will sweep you off your feet and into the streets of Havana. Never at a loss for energy.

August 11, Dave King Trucking Company (8 pm, $12 cover). Modern jazz never sounded so exciting. Building an international reputation, DKTC not only boasts the iconic drummer of The Bad Plus but also keyboard monster Bryan Nichols, saxophone colossus Brandon Wozniak, guitar heathen Erik Fratzke and inventive bassist Adam Linz.

August 12, Connie Evingson (7 pm, $10 cover). A nearly monthly favorite and one of the Twin Cities most revered vocalists, Connie recently released Sweet Happy Life, the songs of Norman Gimbel. On any given night, you might hear Cole Porter, Peggy Lee, John Lennon, Dave Frishberg, Django Reinhardt or Michel Legrand.

August 14, Atlantis Quartet (7 pm, no cover, Foodie Night). The band dubbed the best of 2011 by City Pages, the Atlantis Quartet features some of the most serious composers and improvisers in town, but they sure have fun doing it—Zacc Harris on guitar, Brandon Wozniak on sax, Chris Bates on bass and Pete Henning on drums.

August 16, Charmin & Shapira (7 pm, no cover, Foodie Night). A popular voice and guitar duo, Charmin and Shapira tonight get some additional backing with rhythm section and featuring Dave Brattain on saxophone.

August 18, Jake Baldwin (11:30 pm, $5 cover). One of the most sophisticated young jazz artists to play the Late Night series, trumpeter Jake Baldwin is starting his final year at the New England Conservatory. Earlier this summer he led the Dakota Combo Alumni Band at the Twin Cities Jazz Festival. Jake is on the brink of the Big Time and his ensemble boasts like-minded young lions.

August 20, Erin Bode (7 pm, ticketed). Erin always draws a crowd to hear her straddle the line between jazz and pop with her own vocal style and songwriting skills. With six recordings to her credit, she is on her way to the top.

August 24, Boot Camp with Jeremy Walker (11:30 pm, $5 cover). Since moving back to the Twin Cities from New York, Jeremy Walker has been busy composing and performing on sax for ands like Boot Camp, featuring some of the Twin Cities finest.

 More Music All Month

Consult the Dakota website for information about these other musical events and more.

       August 5-6, Dan Penn

       August 7, The Dunwells

       August 13, Rodney Crowell

       August 17, Janiva Magness

       August 19, Del McCoury Band

       August 21-22, The Spinners

       August 25-26, Davina and the Vagabonds

       August 28-29, The Desert Rose Band

       August 29-30, Albert Lee

       Augusts 31, Carolyn Wonderland

 

Coming Soon

       September 4-5, Pat Metheny Unity Band

       September 9, Ben Sidran

       September 11-12, Marcus Miller

       September 18, John Scofield Trio

       September 19, Delfeayo Marsalis

       September 24-25, Chick Corea and Gary Burton

 

The Dakota is located at 1010 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. Tickets and reservations online at www.dakotacooks.com or call 612-332-5299.