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Music With Roots. Sounds That Travel.
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, place, and story. Styles range from hand-drummed rhythms and string traditions to vocal forms passed down across generations.
Performers share their work in two ways: through free public concerts 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.
| DATE | ARTIST | LOCATION | TIME |
| Thursday, June 25 | Los Rebeldes | Thursdays Downtown / Peace Plaza Stage | 7-8:15 p.m. |
| Thursday, July 9 | Brass Queens | Thursdays Downtown / Peace Plaza Stage | 7-8:15 p.m. |
| Thursday, July 30 | La Manga | Thursdays Downtown / Peace Plaza Stage | 7-8:15 p.m. |
Cost: Free
Tickets: No tickets required
Location: Thursdays Downtown in downtown Rochester
Time: Public concerts begin at 7 p.m.
Seating: Limited; most guests stand, stroll, or stop briefly to listen
Youth performances: Presented through Rochester Public Schools’ Summer SACC program; not open to the public
Passport Sessions concerts are casual, outdoor performances held as part of Thursdays Downtown. Come ready to listen, discover new sounds, and experience music shaped by culture, place, story, and connection.
Public concerts take place within the Thursdays Downtown street festival, with food vendors, community booths, activities, and other downtown programming nearby.
No registration is needed.
Plan Your Visit
Passport Sessions public concerts are part of Thursdays Downtown. Use the information below to plan ahead and feel comfortable when you arrive.
Passport Sessions public concerts are free outdoor events. No tickets or registration are required.
Bring water, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and anything you need to be comfortable in an active downtown festival setting.
Thursdays Downtown is a lively outdoor event with music, food, vendors, activities, and community booths. Most guests stand, stroll, or stop briefly to listen.
Public Passport Sessions concerts take place during Thursdays Downtown, beginning at 7 p.m.
Concert locations may vary by date. Check the individual event listing for the stage location, address, and any location-specific notes.
Summer SACC performances are held earlier in the day for students in Rochester Public Schools’ Summer SACC program and are not open to the public.
Thursdays Downtown concerts: Free and open to all.
Summer SACC performances: Free but not public-facing.
No tickets or registration are required.
Thursdays Downtown includes food vendors, community booths, activities, and local businesses throughout the event area.
Offerings vary by date and may include food trucks, handmade goods, nonprofit booths, art, services, and community information.
For full event details, including vendor maps and restroom information, visit the Thursdays Downtown website.
Passport Sessions concerts are held outdoors as part of Thursdays Downtown.
Events may be delayed, shortened, or canceled in the case of storms, extreme heat, or other unsafe weather conditions.
Because weather can change quickly, please check for updates before heading downtown. For the latest schedule updates, visit our Event Updates page.
Accessibility conditions may vary by location within Thursdays Downtown.
If you have accessibility questions before attending, contact Rochester Public Music at publicmusic@rochestermn.gov.
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, vendor spaces, and emergency access routes.
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 Thursdays Downtown event map or ask Rochester Downtown Alliance staff on site.
Your feedback helps us improve Passport Sessions.
Rochester Public Music may share survey cards or QR codes near the concert area. We appreciate your time and ideas. Your input helps shape future programs.
Thursdays Downtown is Rochester’s largest summer street festival, featuring live music, food vendors, activities, and community booths.
Passport Sessions public concerts are presented as part of Thursdays Downtown in partnership with the Rochester Downtown Alliance.
For full event details, visit the Rochester Downtown Alliance.
Past Passport Session Lineups
2025 Passport Sessions Artists
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.
2024 Passport Sessions Artists
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.
2023 Passport Sessions Artists
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.
Supporters & Partners
Passport Sessions is a City-funded program presented by Rochester Public Music. Support from funders and community partners helps extend the series through free public concerts and youth performances that invite listening, learning, and cultural connection.
2026 sponsorship opportunities are now available. Visit our Supporters & Partners page or email publicmusic@rochestermn.gov to learn more.
2026 Funding Partners
Grant Support: Los Rebeldes
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.
2026 Venue Partner
Presented in partnership with Thursdays Downtown
2026 Youth Program Partner
Host sites for youth concerts through Summer SACC
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