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Music With Roots. Sounds That Travel.

Passport Sessions

Est. 2010

Passport Sessions logo

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Passport Sessions in 2025!

These free concerts brought diverse sounds into the heart of Rochester - from Indigenous hip hop to Turkish orchestra music. We’ll be back in summer 2026 with more new sounds.

Lineup announcement coming spring 2026.

Passport Sessions is a summer music series that celebrates cultural connection through sound.

Each featured artist brings a distinctive musical tradition shaped by identity, heritage, and place. Styles range from hand-drummed rhythms and string traditions to vocal forms passed down across generations.

Performers share their work in two ways: through a free public concert at Thursdays Downtown, and through daytime performances for students in Rochester Public Schools’ Summer SACC (School Age Child Care) program.

This series invites audiences of all ages to listen, learn, and connect through music.

Upcoming Passport Sessions

  • No upcoming events.

Passport Session Lineups

Thomas X (June 26 | Discovery Walk Stage)
An Ojibwe hip hop artist from Red Lake Nation, Thomas X brings bold beats, sharp lyrics, and a powerful sense of purpose. His music celebrates culture, challenges stereotypes, and speaks directly to the next generation.

LADAMA (July 17 | Discovery Walk Stage)
With roots across South and North America, LADAMA blends rich vocals, layered rhythms, and traditional influences into a bold, modern sound that is unmistakably their own.

Guvenc & Burk Orchestra (July 31 | Discovery Walk Stage)
Blending Turkish melodies, jazz, and improvisation, Guvenc & Burk Orchestra creates expansive, expressive music rooted in collaboration. Their sound moves between cultures and styles, inviting audiences into something both grounded and surprising.

Chinobay (June 27 | Peace Plaza Stage)
A Ugandan musician and cultural ambassador, Chinobay shared original works that blended traditional African music with innovative arrangements.

La Dame Blanche (July 18 | Peace Plaza Stage)
Born in Cuba and based in France, La Dame Blanche fused hip hop, Afro-Latin rhythms, and feminist energy into a high-powered, unforgettable set.

JigJam (August 8 | 1st Avenue Stage)
This Irish bluegrass powerhouse brought their transatlantic blend of folk and flair to Rochester after a standout debut at the Grand Ole Opry earlier that year.

Blackbird (June 22 | Rochesterfest – Soldiers Field Park)
Alter-Native music with strong local roots, blending Indigenous traditions and contemporary expression.

Feufollet (July 20 | Peace Plaza Stage)
A high-spirited Cajun band from Louisiana, bringing accordion-driven, roots-y energy to downtown Rochester.

JigJam (August 10 | Peace Plaza Stage)
Irish bluegrass with serious punch. This high-energy performance introduced Rochester audiences to their signature sound, more than a year before their standout debut at the Grand Ole Opry.

Going to a Passport Show

Established in 2010, Passport Sessions brings musicians to Rochester to highlight musical traditions from around the world and close to home.

Each summer, three featured artists perform for both youth and community audiences:

  • Students in Rochester Public Schools’ Summer SACC (School Age Child Care) program take part in artist visits and small-group performances.
  • The broader community is invited to free public concerts at Thursdays Downtown, in partnership with Rochester Downtown Alliance (RDA).

  • Public concerts: Thursdays Downtown at the Discovery Walk Stage, starting at 7 p.m.
  • Summer SACC events: Held earlier in the day; not open to the public.

  • Thursdays Downtown concerts: Free and open to all.
  • Summer SACC performances: Free but not public-facing.

Seating at Thursdays Downtown is limited. You may find benches, planters, or other informal spots depending on the location. Most guests stand, stroll, or stop briefly to listen.

If you need a seat for comfort or accessibility, you’re welcome to bring a small folding chair or portable stool. Please place it out of walkways and vendor spaces.

Thursdays Downtown is a lively outdoor block party in the heart of Rochester. To stay comfortable during Passport Sessions concerts, we recommend bringing:

  • A full reusable water bottle
  • Sunscreen and sunglasses
  • A handheld fan or cooling towel
  • Comfortable shoes. You'll likely be standing or walking between areas

Need a break from the heat or crowd? The Family Nook, located near the Discovery Walk stage, offers a quieter space with family-friendly amenities. For details and features, check the event map or ask RDA staff on site.

Thursdays Downtown includes nearly 100 vendor spaces. You'll find local food trucks, handmade goods, small businesses, and nonprofit booths throughout the event. Offerings range from street food and sweet treats to art, services, and community information.

To explore the full layout, visit the vendor map from the Rochester Downtown Alliance.

Your feedback helps us improve. We'll be handing out survey cards with a QR code near the Passport Sessions concert area.

We appreciate your time and ideas. Your input helps shape future programs.

Passport Sessions concerts are held outdoors as part of Thursdays Downtown. Events may be canceled in the case of storms, extreme heat, or other unsafe weather conditions.

For the latest schedule updates, visit our Event Updates page.

Thursdays Downtown is Rochester’s largest summer festival, featuring live music, food vendors, activities, and community booths.

For full event details, visit the Rochester Downtown Alliance.

Accessibility at Our Events

Event Updates

Upcoming Events

Supporters & Partners

Passport Sessions is a City-funded program presented by Rochester Public Music. Our partners play a key role in extending its reach by helping us share performances that spark curiosity, celebrate cultural traditions, and connect communities across Rochester.

2026 sponsorship opportunities are now available. Visit our Supporters & Partners page or email publicmusic@rochestermn.gov to learn more.

2025 Funding Partners

Minnesota State Arts Board & Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment logos

Grant Support: Thomas X Event

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

thursdays downtown rochester downtown alliance logo

2025 Venue Partner

Presented in partnership with Thursdays Downtown

Rochester public schools logo

2025 Youth Program Partner

Host sites for youth concerts through Summer SACC

Contact Us

City of Rochester

201 4th Street SE
Rochester, MN 55904

PHONE: 507-328-2311
FAX: 507-328-2901

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